Margaret Hartman Markoe Bache facts for kids

Margaret Hartman Markoe Bache (born November 7, 1770 – died May 28, 1836) was an important printer and newspaper editor. She was born in Saint Croix, which was then a Danish island. Margaret grew up in Philadelphia, USA. She helped run a newspaper called the Aurora with her first husband, Benjamin Franklin Bache, and later with her second husband, William Duane. The Aurora became a very important newspaper in the United States, sharing local, national, and international news.

Personal Life

Early Life and Family

Margaret Hartman Markoe was born on November 7, 1770, in Saint Croix. Her parents, Elizabeth Hartman and Francis Markoe, had moved there from Denmark. They owned a sugar plantation. After her father passed away, Margaret and her mother moved to Philadelphia. They lived in a large house owned by her uncle, Abraham Markoe, who was a successful businessman. Soon after, her mother married Adam Kuhn, a doctor. Margaret's mother passed away in 1790.

Marriages and Children

Margaret met Benjamin Franklin "Benny" Bache in 1788. They got married in November 1791. They lived at 322 Market Street and later moved to 112 High Street in Philadelphia. They had four children together. Their fourth child, Hartman Bache, was born in September 1798. Sadly, Benny became sick with yellow fever around that time and passed away on September 8, 1798.

Margaret later married William Duane on June 28, 1800. William was also a journalist and had been hired by Benny before he died. They were married at the Christ Church in Philadelphia. After their marriage, they lived at 316 Market Street.

Printer and Publisher

Running the Aurora Newspaper

Margaret Bache worked closely with her first husband, Benny, to run the Aurora newspaper and his printing business. Benny often wrote about political topics, which could be risky. For example, he wrote a lot about the Jay Treaty, which was a big political debate at the time. He even traveled to New England to speak against the treaty. During these times, a family friend, Dr. Michael Leib, helped run their business.

The Aurora newspaper and its owners were known for their strong opinions. They were sometimes criticized by other newspapers, especially those that disagreed with their political views.

Leading Newspaper in the U.S.

After Benny's death in 1798, Margaret Bache took over as the owner and manager of the Aurora newspaper and the printing business. William Duane, whom Benny had hired, helped her run things. Even though there were challenges, like other newspapers trying to compete and attempts to buy out the Aurora, the newspaper grew.

Margaret and William expanded the newspaper to include more news from across the country and around the world. The Aurora became known as the "leading newspaper in the United States" because of its wide coverage and influence.