180

1795, one week after Stewart Herbert's death, Phebe
Herbert, widow of Stewart Herbert, appears as printer
of the Washington Spy. In the same issue with her hus-
band's obituary, the new editor inserted a card;

The public are respectfully informed, that the
Washington Spy will be continued by the sub-
scriber, who will use every exertion to make the
same both instructive and entertaining. She
begs leave to return her sincere thanks to those
who have heretofore (in the lifetime of her hus-
band) patronised this paper, and most earnestly
solicits a continuance of those favors, as the
only means now left for the support of herself
and three helpless infant children. She will
take care to provide a skilful and attentive
journeyman, and she hopes that none, by with-
drawing their subscriptions, will add the misery
of want to the misfortunes she has already ex-
perienced.³⁹

Whether or not Phebe Herbert acquired the services
of "a skilled and attentive journeyman," she soon ob-
tained a partner. John D. Gary, who had been associ-
ated with John Winter, printer, of Frederick, was ap-
pointed administrator of Stewart Herbert's estate,
and during 1795 the imprint of the Washington Spy
became "Printed by Phebe Herbert and John D. Gary."

There are no indications of how successfully the
partnership was carried on, except that it was of
rather short duration. It was dissolved by mutual con-
sent on March 20, 1796, according to an advertisement
which directed:

39 Washington spy. March 10, 1795.
40 Ibid. March 17, 1795.