from "Printers and Printing in Providence, 1762 - 1907"
prepared by a committee of Providence Typographical Union #33 as a
souvenir of the 50th anniversary of its institution
printed in 1907
"The Journeymen" (part 198)
pp. XCIII - XCIV.
"JAMES WILLIAMS - Died Providence June 28, 1889, aged 56 years, 3
months and 7 days. He had been employed in the Journal composing room
for a number of years; was initiated into Providence Union April 29,
1888. He was a brother of A. M. Williams, editor of the Journal from
1883 to 1891. The Union records show that the death benefit due the
estate of James Williams was generously presented to the Union by his
brother, A. M. Williams.
SAMUEL J. WILLIAMS - Printed the Providence Phoenix for T. A. Foster
& Co. in 1802; member of firm of Heaton & Williams in 1804.
GEORGE W. WILSON - Born New York city Feb. 28, 1844; learned printing
in Jacob's newspaper, book and job office in that city, beginning in
1860; initiated into Providence Union April 8, 1883; worked on the
Star and Telegram, 1881 to 1890; employed on Boston Traveler 1905.
JOHN H. WILSON - Born St. Louis, Mo.; worked in Meriden, Conn., in
1868; admitted to Providence Union by card Aug. 13, 1870; worked on
the Journal; died in this city or in Boston, Mass.
JOHN HOWELL WILSON - His name appears in the Directory in 1844-'47 as
a printer. In 1846 he was a partner with J. M. Church in the
publication of the Daily Gazette, having charge of the mechanical departments.
SAMUEL S. WILSON - Died Providence, Oct. 28, 1904, aged 91 years, 10
month and 1 day. He had held the distinction of 'oldest printer in
Rhode Island' since Dec. 8, 1886, succeeding Robert M. Pearse. Mr.
Wilson was born in Newport, R. I., although his parents were
residents of Providence. He began to learn printing in the Journal
office in 1827 at the age of 13 and served a seven years'
apprenticeship. In 1834 he started the first penny newspaper
published in New England, the Penny Post. For a time he did all the
work on this paper, including delivery to the subscribers. The
circulation reached 2000. He sold the business to Cyril Carpenter in
1835 and removed to New Bedford, working there on the Gazette,
Mercury and Register. In 1842 he returned to Providence and became
pressman on the Journal. In 1856, when the first Hoe cylinder was
installed in the Journal pressroom, Mr. Wilson went to the Post. In
1863 he came back to the Journal, remaining with that paper until
1872, when he retired permanently. He was a vigorous man until within
a few days of his death, took a keen interest in events and made
regular visits to the Journal office. His birthdays were noted in the
columns of that paper.
[illustration: Samuel S. Wilson]
WILLIAM H. WILSON - Learned printing with John Carter in the Gazette
office previous to 1814. He was a partner with H. H. Brown in the
purchase of the Gazette office from Carter in February, 1814, and
continued that partnership until June, 1816, when the business was
purchased by Brown."
continued in part 199.