Solomon Southwick (American Revolution)

Solomon Southwick
Born (1731-01-01)January 1, 1731 (estimated)
Newport, Rhode Island
Died December 23, 1797(1797-12-23) (aged 66)
Newport, Rhode Island
Resting place Newport Common Burying Ground
Occupation Printer
Newspaper publisher and editor
Known for Advocate for Patriot cause during American Revolution
Spouse(s) Ann Gardner Carpenter

Solomon Southwick (1731- December 23, 1797) was a Newport, Rhode Island printer and newspaper publisher. He was a prominent Patriot during the American Revolution, and printed some of the first copies of the Declaration of Independence after its adoption in 1776.

Early life

Solomon Southwick was born in Newport in 1731. At an early age he attracted the attention of Henry Collins, a wealthy merchant and philanthropist, who decided to fund Southwick’s college education. Southwick entered the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1754, as a member of its first graduating class, the Class of 1757.[1][2]

He left the college before its first commencement, but received an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree based on his accomplishments in Mathematics and other technical subjects.[3]

Southwick returned to Rhode Island and taught school for several years before beginning a career as a merchant.[4]

Career

In 1764 Southwick purchased the Newport Mercury from the heirs of James Franklin. He became the paper’s editor and publisher. He also operated the Mercury’s associated printing business, and was one of the first book publishers in the North American colonies. He served as a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1776.[5][6][7]

Southwick became involved with the independence movement in the 1770s and was the official printer of the Rhode Island General Assembly. Providing an early and well known rallying cry for the movement, Southwick used the Mercury to announce "Undaunted by tyrants, we'll die or be free!”[8]

When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 Southwick produced printed copies for the Governor of Rhode Island, as well as copies for sale to the public. His first edition was supposed to be dated July 13, 1776, but was mistakenly dated June 13, which was corrected in subsequent versions.[9][10]

When the British occupied Newport in 1776, Southwick was a prime target for capture, owing to his high profile activism against the British government. He quickly suspended publication of the Mercury and fled with his family, remaining in Providence, Rhode Island and Rehoboth, Massachusetts until it was safe to return home. In 1778 he was appointed Deputy Commissary General, responsible for obtaining and distributing food, clothing and other supplies to Continental Army soldiers in Rhode Island.[11][12][13]

In 1780 Southwick received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Yale University.[14]

Southwick later returned to Newport, where he resumed publishing the Mercury and served as Postmaster. In addition to publishing the Mercury, Southwick’s printing business included the production of notes that were used as currency by America’s fledgling banking industry.[15]

Death and burial

Solomon Southwick died in Newport on December 23, 1797.[16] He was buried in Newport’s Common Burying Ground.[17] His gravestone is inscribed:[18]

A gentleman of liberal education and expansive mind; for many years Proprietor & Editor of the Newport Mercury and Commissary General for the state of Rhode Island in the Revolutionary War.

Family

Southwick was married to Ann Gardner Carpenter (1748-1783), the widow of Willett Carpenter and daughter of Lieutenant Governor John Gardner. They had four sons and a daughter, and their children included Solomon Southwick (1773-1839), a prominent newspaper publisher in Albany, New York and founder of the Anti-Masonic Party.[19][20]

Legacy

Southwick was the subject of a biography, 2001’s Solomon Southwick, 1731-1797: Patriotic Printer of Rhode Island by C. Deirdre Phelps.[21]

The press used by Solomon Southwick to print copies of the Declaration of Independence can be seen in the Museum of Newport History.[22]

The home Southwick built in 1760, a 13-room colonial, still stands in Newport. It is a privately owned residence, and its address today is 77 Third Street.[23][24][25]

References

  1. ↑ James Moore Caller, Maria A. Ober, Genealogy of the Descendants of Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, 1881, page 88
  2. ↑ Isaiah Thomas, Benjamin Franklin Thomas, The History of Printing in America, Volume 5, 1874, page 196
  3. ↑ University of Pennsylvania, Biographical Catalogue of the Matriculates of the University of Pennsylvania, 1894, page 3
  4. ↑ William Paine Sheffield, Historical Address of the City of Newport Delivered July 4th, 1876, 1876, page xi
  5. ↑ Henry B. Dawson, The Sons of Liberty in New York, 1859, page xi
  6. ↑ James Moore Caller, Maria A. Ober, Genealogy of the Descendants of Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, 1881, page 97
  7. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, Ancestral Register of the General Society, 1896, page 250
  8. ↑ Sheila Steinberg, Cathleen McGuigan, Rhode Island Bicentennial Foundation, Rhode Island: An Historical Guide, 1976, page 201
  9. ↑ American Antiquarian Society, "Report of the Librarian"Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society 48(2): 253[205-274]
  10. ↑ Elaine Forman Crane, A Dependent People: Newport, Rhode Island in the Revolutionary Era, 1992, page 125
  11. ↑ Federal Writer's Project, Rhode Island, Rhode Island: A Guide to the Smallest State, 1937, page 158
  12. ↑ U.S. Government Printing Office, Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 19 (1781), 1912, page 435
  13. ↑ Samuel Greene Arnold, Samuel Arnold, History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1894, page 413
  14. ↑ Yale University, Catalogue of the Officers and Graduates of Yale University, 1910, page 385
  15. ↑ John C. Fitzpatrick, Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, The Post Office of the Revolutionary War, October 1922, page 580
  16. ↑ Charles Edward Hammett, A Contribution to the Bibliography and Literature of Newport, R. I., 1887, page 107
  17. ↑ Solomon Southwick at Find a Grave
  18. ↑ Henry Edward Turner, Risbrough Hammett Tilley, editors, The Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Volume 3, 1882, page 92
  19. ↑ General Society of Colonial Wars in America, Register of the Society of Colonial Wars in the District of Columbia, 1904, page 54
  20. ↑ James Moore Caller, Maria A. Ober, Genealogy of the Descendants of Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, 1881, page 97
  21. ↑ C. Deirdre Phelps, Solomon Southwick, 1731-1797: Patriotic Printer of Rhode Island, 2001, title page
  22. ↑ Newport Daily News, Newport Daily News: About Us, retrieved June 6, 2014
  23. ↑ Lila Delman Real Estate, 77 Third Street, Newport, Rhode Island, retrieved June 6, 2014
  24. ↑ Lila Delman Real Estate, Lila Delman Real Estate presents 77 Third Street, Newport, Rhode Island, YouTube video, July 20, 2009
  25. ↑ Architecture for Kids, Newport, Rhode Island: Description, Southwick Mansion, retrieved June 6, 2014
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