29 Facts About Solomon Southwick

Solomon Southwick was an American newspaper publisher and political figure who was a principal organizer of the Anti-Masonic Party.

Solomon Southwick became affiliated with the Democratic-Republican Party and served in a variety of elected and appointed political positions.

Solomon Southwick played a major part in founding the Anti-Masonic Party and was its 1828 candidate for Governor of New York.

Solomon Southwick became a successful speaker and lecturer and remained active until his death in Albany.

Solomon Southwick's father was the publisher of the Newport Mercury newspaper and an ardent supporter of the Patriot cause during the American Revolution.

Solomon Southwick was a member of the first graduating class of the University of Pennsylvania, but did not complete his degree.

Solomon Southwick later received an honorary bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as an honorary master's degree from Yale University.

The younger Solomon Southwick was educated in Newport and initially apprenticed as a baker.

Solomon Southwick briefly pursued training as a commercial sailor, and moved to New York City in 1791 to become apprenticed as a printer.

Robert Barber left the Albany Register later in 1792, and Solomon Southwick became a partner in the newspaper and its associated printing business.

Solomon Southwick served on Albany's volunteer fire department beginning in 1801, and was Clerk of the New York State Assembly from 1803 to 1806, and Clerk of the New York State Senate from 1807 to 1808.

From 1808 to 1810 Solomon Southwick served as Sheriff of Albany County, New York.

Solomon Southwick studied law with Harmanus Bleecker, and was admitted to the bar in 1813.

Solomon Southwick was the official state printer, and continued to serve in local offices, including Postmaster of Albany.

At the founding of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank in 1811, Solomon Southwick was elected to serve as its president.

In 1812 Solomon Southwick was tried for the charge of attempting to bribe Assembly Speaker Alexander Sheldon to procure Assembly votes in favor of a new central bank to replace the First Bank of the United States after the first bank's charter had expired.

Solomon Southwick appeared in court in Johnstown to face Judge James Kent.

Solomon Southwick was prosecuted by Thomas Addis Emmet, and defended by Aaron Burr, Daniel Cady, Abraham Van Vechten and Ebenezer Foote.

Solomon Southwick then published several specialty newspapers, including The Plough Boy, a publication which provided information about farming in New York and advocated the creation of local, county and state agricultural societies.

Solomon Southwick published and edited the Christian Visitant, a religious magazine, and the National Democrat, a political newspaper which opposed the Democratic-Republicans.

Solomon Southwick ran quixotic campaigns for the United States House of Representatives and Governor of New York in 1822 as the candidate of the National Democrats.

When Solomon Southwick sustained personal financial losses in operating New York's lotteries, the state reimbursed him.

At the founding of the Anti-Masonic Party, Solomon Southwick became one of its chief organizers and proponents.

Solomon Southwick published the National Observer, an Anti-Masonic newspaper, and he ran unsuccessfully for Governor as an Anti-Mason in 1828.

Solomon Southwick became a popular moralizer and sermonizer on the statewide lecture circuit, and frequently delivered addresses including: The Bible; Temperance; and Self-Education, many of which were reproduced as pamphlets.

Solomon Southwick was originally buried at the Episcopal Church Cemetery on State Street in Albany, and later reinterred at Albany Rural Cemetery, Lot 72, Section 14.

In 1795 Solomon Southwick married Jane Barber, the sister of Robert and John Barber, with whom he had worked at the Albany Register.

Solomon Southwick was born in Albany between 1773 and 1775, and died in Albany on January 31,1861.

Solomon and Jane Southwick had nine children, of whom five lived to adulthood.