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.James Moore Caller, Maria A. Ober, Genealogy of the Descendants of Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, 1881, page 88Isaiah Thomas, Benjamin Franklin Thomas, The History of Printing in America, Volume 5, 1874, page 196
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.University of Pennsylvania, Biographical Catalogue of the Matriculates of the University of Pennsylvania, 1894, page 3
Southwick returned to Rhode Island and taught school for several years before beginning a career as a merchant.William Paine Sheffield, Historical Address of the City of Newport Delivered July 4th, 1876, 1876, page xi
Career In 1764 Southwick purchased the Newport Mercury from Samuel Hall, the heirs of James Franklin and Ann Smith Franklin, and 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.Henry B. Dawson, The Sons of Liberty in New York, 1859, page xiJames Moore Caller, Maria A. Ober, Genealogy of the Descendants of Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, 1881, page 97Daughters of the American Revolution, Ancestral Register of the General Society, 1896, page 250
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!"Sheila Steinberg, Cathleen McGuigan, Rhode Island Bicentennial Foundation, Rhode Island: An Historical Guide, 1976, page 201
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.American Antiquarian Society, "Report of the Librarian"Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society 48(2): 253[205-274]Elaine Forman Crane, A Dependent People: Newport, Rhode Island in the Revolutionary Era, 1992, page 125
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.Federal Writer's Project, Rhode Island, Rhode Island: A Guide to the Smallest State, 1937, page 158U.S. Government Printing Office, Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 19 (1781), 1912, page 435Samuel Greene Arnold, Samuel Arnold, History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1894, page 413
In 1780 Southwick received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Yale University.Yale University, Catalogue of the Officers and Graduates of Yale University, 1910, page 385
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.John C. Fitzpatrick, Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, The Post Office of the Revolutionary War, October 1922, page 580
Death and burial Solomon Southwick died in Newport on December 23, 1797.Charles Edward Hammett, A Contribution to the Bibliography and Literature of Newport, R. I., 1887, page 107 He was buried in Newport's Common Burying Ground. His gravestone is inscribed:Henry Edward Turner, Risbrough Hammett Tilley, editors, The Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Volume 3, 1882, page 92
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.General Society of Colonial Wars in America, Register of the Society of Colonial Wars in the District of Columbia, 1904, page 54James Moore Caller, Maria A. Ober, Genealogy of the Descendants of Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, 1881, page 97
Legacy Southwick was the subject of a biography, 2001's Solomon Southwick, 1731-1797: Patriotic Printer of Rhode Island by C. Deirdre Phelps.C. Deirdre Phelps, Solomon Southwick, 1731-1797: Patriotic Printer of Rhode Island, 2001, title page
The press used by Solomon Southwick to print copies of the Declaration of Independence can be seen in the Museum of Newport History.Newport Daily News, Newport Daily News: About Us, retrieved June 6, 2014
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.Lila Delman Real Estate, 77 Third Street, Newport, Rhode Island, retrieved June 6, 2014Lila Delman Real Estate, Lila Delman Real Estate presents 77 Third Street, Newport, Rhode Island, YouTube video, July 20, 2009Architecture for Kids, Newport, Rhode Island: Description, Southwick Mansion , retrieved June 6, 2014
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