Ann bought back Russel's share in the company in 1787 so she could pass the whole business to her son-in-law George Peacock.
[2] As a printer, Ann is best known for her role in the publication of the first edition of Laurence Sterne's The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman in 1760.
[2] Sterne had originally approached Robert Dodsley in London to print the book, but after a disagreement he took it to Ward in York.
It was a 32-page volume detailing York's public buildings and a directory of principal merchants and tradespeople in the city.
[5] Ward also issued a two volume history of York Minster detailing the site and its clergy based on the 1737 Eboracum by Francis Drake.