from "Township of Woodbridge, New Jersey 1669-1781", John M. Kreger

BEGIN

James Parker, the first native Jersey born printer was born in 1714. In 1725
at age eleven he was apprenticed to William Bradford, the first printer
in New York. For some unknown cause, Parker ran away from his employer
in May 1733, and was advertised in the "New York Gazette" of the 21st of
that month, but we find him again in New York, in good standing, and at
the head of an establishment himself in less than nine years thereafter;
fostering no ill will toward Bradford, to whom, at his death in 1752,
he gave an excellent character in an editorial article published in his paper.

Incidentally, Bradford's headstone, over his grave, may be seen in Trinity
Churchyard, New York City. He was ninety-two years of age when death
overtook him.

In 1751 James Parker established the first press in New Jersey, here in
Woodbridge and from time to time printed the proceedings of the Legislature
and other official documents.

In 1752 the "Independent Reflector" edited by William Livingston - afterward
Governor of New Jersey - and others were printed by Parker and Weyman,
but the fear of the men in authority, whose ire might be excited by its
independent Character, led Parker to decline the responsibility of its
continued publication.  Although he remained connected with the presses in
New York he resided principally at Woodbridge, where, in 1758 he printed
the new American Magazine.

In 1755 a partnership with a John Holt, led to the establishment of a press
at New Haven, from which the "Connecticut Gazette" the first newspaper in
that province was issued.

In 1761 he printed the second volume of Nevill's Compilation of the Laws
of New Jersey the imprint being "Woodbridge In New Jersey, printed by James
Parker, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, for the Province."

In 1764 Parker compiled and printed a "Conductor Generalis" for Justices of
the Peace, he then holding that office in Middlesex County and the following
year moved his press from Woodbridge to Burlington for the accommodation
of the History of New Jersey by Smith, but on the completion of the work
the press was returned to Woodbridge.

His career was certainly one of great and extensive usefulness.  He was a very
close friend of Benjamin Franklin and conducted a frequent correspondence
with him. How their friendship materialized is not know, but it blossomed
into a warm delightful association.

Among other stations which Parker held to the satisfaction of his neighbors
was that of Layreader to the Episcopal Congregation of the Trinity Church
on Rahway Avenue, officiating several times on those Sundays when Reverend
Thomas Bradbury Chandler of Elizabethtown was prevented from visiting the
town due to engagements elsewhere.

In Woodbridge, Parker's printing shop was located on (the site of the previous
frame structured St. James Church), Amboy Avenue, now the church parking lot.

James Parker was for some years Postmaster in New York, performing his duties
while carrying on his business in that city which of itself, one would think
would have been sufficient to engage all his time. Of additional interest,
although his duties of Postmaster covered the New England States as well
as New York, the department under his management operated at a profit for
the Crown.

Parker died in Burlington on July 2, 1770. Great respect was shown toward
his remains on their way from Burlington to Woodbridge for burial. The New
York Journalof July 2, 1770, states that "his remains were attended for five
miles out of Burlington by a considerable number of gentlement of that place,
and at Amboy met by a like number who attended the corpse to Woodbridge,
where a numerous congregation assembled at his home." He was interred in
the White Church Cemetery, services being conducted by the Reverend Mr,
Preston, Minister of St. Peter's Church of Amboy. The Parker Print Shop
was burned down by the British during the Revolutionary War.

There was no headstone to mark the last resting place of the first printer
in New Jersey until the year 1969, the Tercentenary year of our Township,
when the placing of the marker was part of the 300th anniversary program.

END