John Holt

Who was John Holt?

John Holt was a Colonial American newspaper publisher and the Mayor of Williamsburg, Virginia.

John Holt was born in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1721, his parents being David and Margaret Dibnall Holt. He married Elizabeth Hunter, the daughter of an associate, and had at least two children: Elizabeth, born on April 19, 1746, and John, born in July 1748.

For business purposes, Holt built a "new store" in Williamsburg on Duke of Gloucester Street in about 1745. He later sold the store in 1754 to William Waters, who owned the store adjacent to his. Six years later, Waters sold it Holt's younger brother William.

He was elected mayor of Williamsburg on November 30, 1752, and served for one term, from 1753 to 1754. After his term as mayor was up, he moved to New York City. Shortly thereafter, he became postmaster of New Haven, Connecticut.

On January 1, 1755, James Parker and John Holt published the first newspaper in Connecticut, called The Connecticut Gazette.

In 1760, he moved back to New York City, and was associated with the newspaper The New York Gazette. He died in New York City in 1784 and was buried in the church yard of St. Paul's Chapel, where his grave is still visible.