James Davis | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Chodowiecki_Basedow_Tafel_21_c_Z.jpg) A typical printing shop and press commonly in use during the 18th century.[a] | |
| Born | October 21, 1721 |
| Died | 1785 (aged 63–64) |
| Resting place | Christ Episcopal Church graveyard, New Bern |
| Occupation(s) | Printer, public servant |
| Spouse | Prudence Hobbs |
| Children | Four sons and three daughters |
James Davis (October 21, 1721 – 1785) was an early American printer and the first printer and first postmaster of the colony of North Carolina. He was also the founder and printer of the North-Carolina Gazette, North Carolina colony's first newspaper. After working with William Parks in Virginia he removed to New Bern to pursue a printing career upon learning that an official printer was needed in that colony. Soon after his arrival he began to put down roots, married, and became active in local politics, holding several positions in public office, including membership in the North Carolina Assembly and thereafter a county Sheriff.
Davis secured the position of the official printer for the colonial government of the North Carolina colony and was first to print its laws and paper currency. As an accomplished and official printer, Davis was later suspected by some of counterfeiting monetary notes, but the allegations were made by a career criminal, himself convicted of multiple counts of counterfeiting and thievery, while facing execution, and the allegations were never substantiated. Thereafter he went on serving as the colony's official printer and as a North Carolina justice of the peace. Davis supported the cause for American independence and to this end was politically active as a printer and politician before and during the American Revolution.
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