Christopher Sower III
Encyclopedia
Christopher Sower was a printer and publisher in Pennsylvania
.
and the grandson of Christopher Sower the elder
. He developed a strong distaste for those who criticized the German sectariansQuakers, Mennonites, Schwenkfelders, Moravians and the Dunker
sect of his father. See and their beliefs. These critics included Benjamin Franklin
, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg and John Henry Miller
. With his preferences, Sower was naturally of loyalist
sympathies before and during the Revolutionary War
.
He received his father's Germantown home and printing and publishing operations in 1774 when they were handed over to him without legal formality. He then began publishing a newspaper, Germantowner Zeitung, which had a loyalist tone so far as the authorities allowed. When the British occupied Philadelphia in 1777, he moved there. During this time he was wounded and captured by rebel troops; he was released by exchange a short time later. He accompanied the British to New York City
in 1778 when they abandoned Philadelphia. That year the family belongings were confiscated and sold by the rebels.
After Corwallis's defeat
, Sower went to England
from New York
and received an indemnification for his losses. In 1785 he went to New Brunswick
where he was deputy postmaster and king's printer. He died in the Baltimore house of his brother.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Biography
He was the son of Christopher Sower the youngerChristopher Sower (younger)
Christopher Sower was a clergyman and printer.-Biography:...
and the grandson of Christopher Sower the elder
Christopher Sower (elder)
Christopher Sower was a printer. He printed and published the first German-language Bible in America, the second printing of a Bible in North America.-Biography:He wrote his name Christophe Saur on his German publications...
. He developed a strong distaste for those who criticized the German sectariansQuakers, Mennonites, Schwenkfelders, Moravians and the Dunker
Dunker
A Dunker is a breed of dog also known as the Norwegian Hound. It was bred by Wilhelm Dunker by crossing a Russian Harlequin Hound with dependable Norwegian scent hounds.-Appearance:Head: Is Elongated, but not wedge shaped and a moderate stop....
sect of his father. See and their beliefs. These critics included Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg and John Henry Miller
John Henry Miller
John Henry Miller was a printer and publisher who worked in the Thirteen colonies, most notably for Benjamin Franklin and William Bradford.-Biography:...
. With his preferences, Sower was naturally of loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
sympathies before and during the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
He received his father's Germantown home and printing and publishing operations in 1774 when they were handed over to him without legal formality. He then began publishing a newspaper, Germantowner Zeitung, which had a loyalist tone so far as the authorities allowed. When the British occupied Philadelphia in 1777, he moved there. During this time he was wounded and captured by rebel troops; he was released by exchange a short time later. He accompanied the British to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1778 when they abandoned Philadelphia. That year the family belongings were confiscated and sold by the rebels.
After Corwallis's defeat
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
, Sower went to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and received an indemnification for his losses. In 1785 he went to New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
where he was deputy postmaster and king's printer. He died in the Baltimore house of his brother.