Declaration of Independence, Goddard broadside / Library of Congress
Every year on July 4th, the United States celebrates Independence Day to commemorate the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the document declared the freedom and independence of the 13 American colonies from British rule under King George III. On July 4, 1776 the Second Continental Congress gathered at the Pennsylvania State House to unanimously adopt the Declaration of Independence. The document was signed by 56 delegates, although not all signed at the same time. The handwritten copy of the Declaration was sent to the print shop of John Dunlap, who printed the first 200 copies, now known as the Dunlap broadside.
Declaration of Independence, Dunlap broadside / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
In 1777, the Continental Congress commissioned Mary Katharine Goddard to print a new broadside of the Declaration of Independence. Known as the Goddard broadside, this edition marked the second official printing of the document and the first to include the typeset names of the signers. At the time, openly associating with the Declaration was a dangerous act; to the British Crown, it was considered treason. Nevertheless, Mary Katharine boldly included her full name in the colophon, making clear her support of American independence.
Declaration of Independence, Goddard broadside / Library of Congress
Who was Mary Katharine Goddard?
Mary Katharine Goddard was born on June 16, 1738 in Connecticut to Dr. Giles Goddard and Sarah Updike. Her father was a respected physician and postmaster of New London, Connecticut, while her mother was well educated, and ensured Mary Katharine learned to read and write. Her brother, William, would go on to become a prominent publisher and printer. After her father’s death, the family relocated to Providence, Rhode Island. There, Sarah and William established the Providence Gazette, the city’s first newspaper. As the business grew, William moved to Philadelphia and founded the Pennsylvania Chronicle alongside several partners, including Benjamin Franklin. Mary Katharine and her mother remained in Providence to manage the paper, but eventually joined William in Philadelphia.
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Printer, Publisher, Postmaster
After their mother’s death, William moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he launched the revolutionary publication, the Maryland Journal and the Baltimore Advertiser. In 1774, Mary Katharine joined him in Baltimore to assist her brother in running the publication. A firm believer in freedom of the press, she took over sole editorship of the Maryland Journal in 1775 and the paper’s colophon was changed to read, “Published by M.K. Goddard.” William turned his focus to developing a new colonial postal system. By 1773, the British authorities had begun heavily censoring mail and blocking communication between the colonies. In response, William helped establish an alternative postal network. During its development, he was advised by Benjamin Franklin, who had served as the Crown’s Chief Postmaster for the British colonies. The new system formed the basis of what would become the U.S. Postal Service. After the Second Continental Congress appointed Franklin as the first U.S. Postmaster General, William was named Surveyor of the Posts. In 1775, Mary Katharine was appointed the first postmaster of Baltimore, making her the first woman to hold such a position. Throughout the Revolutionary War, she not only maintain vital lines of communication through mail, but also continued publishing the newspaper, and printed almanacs and other books.
Goddard Broadside
In January 1777, the Continental Congress moved to make the Declaration of Independence more widely distributed. After recently evacuating to Baltimore to escape the British Army, the Continental Congress commissioned Mary Katharine to print a new broadside. Unlike the Dunlap broadside, the new print would include the typeset names of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It would be the first time their names were made public in print. Notably absent from the list is Thomas McKean, who likely signed the document at a later date.
The signers of the Declaration of Independence / Library of Congress
At the bottom of the broadside, Mary Katharine added her full name to the colophon. It reads: “Baltimore, in Maryland: Printed by Mary Katharine Goddard.” By adding her full name, Mary Katharine was also publicly aligning herself in support of Independence and risking her own safety in the process.
Mary Katharine Goddard’s name on the Declaration of Independence / Library of Congress
The Goddard broadsides were sent to each state for their official archives. Today, only nine known copies are believed to still exist.
Life After the American Revolutionary War
After the war, Mary Katharine and William appeared to have a falling out. William returned to the Maryland Journal and forced her out of the publication. Despite this setback, she continued to serve as Baltimore’s postmaster until 1789 when Postmaster General Samuel Osgood removed her from the role. He claimed that a woman could not handle the extensive travel the position required and appointed a political ally to take her place. In response, Mary Katharine filed a petition with the backing of over 200 businessmen, including the Governor of Maryland, to President George Washington and the U.S. Senate to reinstate her position. Unfortunately, the petition was not successful.
Petition of Mary Katherine Goddard for Reinstatement as Postmaster of Baltimore / U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
Mary Katharine went on to run a dry goods and stationary business. She died on August 12, 1816 at the age of 78. In her will, she posthumously freed her slave, Belinda Starling, and left all of her possessions to her.
Baltimore American and Commercial Advertiser / OldNews
Mary Katharine Goddard’s remarkable contributions to early American history have often been overlooked, but her legacy is undeniable. As a pioneering printer, postmaster, and Patriot, she played a vital role in spreading revolutionary ideas and preserving one of the most important documents in American history. She is remembered for her courage, determination, and commitment to the cause of independence. Her work remains an important part of the nation’s early history.
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Source: Geni.com
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