Click for biographical information
Click for pictures of Saur (Sower) graves at Methacton Mennonite Church
Click for A History of the German Baptist Brethren in Europe and America
Click for a bibliography of Christopher Sower I and II
Click for reprint about Christopher Sower the Third
Christopher Sauer and His Germantown Press - Donald Durnbaugh article from the "Quarterly of the Pennsylvania German Society" (vol. 4, no. 2; June 1970)
Christopher Saur Sr. (2.21.1695 - 9.15.1753) was my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, who arrived in Philadelphia from Germany on October 19, 1724 - more than 280 years ago. The books depicted below were printed by his son, Christopher Saur Jr. (9.26.1721 - 8.26.1784), who was also a printer and leading colonial German language printer, based in Germantown, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Biographical information (from Martin Brumbaugh's authoritative 1899 "A History of The German Baptist Brethren in Europe and America"):
Christopher Sauer I (2/21695-9/15/1753 - or 9/25/1758)
Sailed from Rotterdam on 8/13/1724 and arrived in Philadelphia on 10/19/1724 with wife and only child.
A contemporary noted that "Saur is a very ingenious man. He is a separatist who has become dexterous in, at least thirty (30) trades. For, having come over to America as a tailor, he has since become a printer, apothecary, surgeon, botanist, clock and watchmaker, cabinet maker, bookbinder, newspaper, manufacturer of his own tools, wire and lead drawer, papermaker, etc., etc."
No definitive evidence that he was a member of the Brethren.
In spring of 1726 moved to Muelbach (Mill Creek), Lancaster County, PA. Purchased 50 acres in Leacock Township, where he farmed and was a "hygeist and dealer in healing herbs".
In autumn 1730 his wife left him, persuaded by the ex-Brethren mystical Conrad Beissel that "marriage tarnishes the clear crystal of the soul's purity". She lived at Beissel's Ephrata Cloister where, as Prioress, she was known as Sister Marcella.
Father and son returned to Germantown in April 1731. Purchased six acres and built large house and shop in Germantown. Began work as an optician, then added clock-maker and apothecary.
In 1738, acquired German printing press from the radical Germany pietists in Berleburg.
In 1739, printed the "first American book in German type": an 800-page book of hymns for Conrad Beissel. Sauer believed that, in the 400th hymn, Beissel was referring to himself as "Lord and Christ" which began a protracted war of works between the two. Sauer printed a pamphlet giving numerological evidence that Beissel was the antichrist. Beissel called Sauer a "fool". Printing was finally completed.
In 1739, Sauer printed the first German newspaper in America.
He printed the first bible in European language (German) in 1743; 40 years before first English bible was printed in America. Cast his own type, made ink and paper, printed and bound the bibles.
Other bibles were printed in 1763 and 1776.
At the pleading of their son, Sauer's wife returned in November 1744 to live with son, then rejoined with husband 6/20/1745.
In 1758, he was "summoned to a court-marshal by General Forbes for daring to denounce the expedition to Fort Duquesne". No consequence.
Died in 1758.
Christopher Sauer II (9/26/1721-8/26/1784):
An only child; he arrived in Philadelphia on 10/19/1724 just after his third birthday.
Student of Christopher Dock.
Baptized 2/24/1737.
In 1743 he moved to his own house where he secluded himself for several years of meditation and prayer.
Became deacon of Germantown congregation in 1747, then ordained by Peter Becker as elder on 6/10/1753.
In 1754, father made him responsible for English language printing, with father retaining responsibility for German printing.
In 1759, he co-founded Germantown Academy for the education of German youth.
Became politically powerful by delivering the German vote to keep Quakers in power until the Revolution.
Summoned with son and 56 others "as enemies of the country" on 5/8/1778 to appear by 6/25/1778 to take oath of loyalty to State of Pennsylvania, but he refused all oaths on religious grounds. Again summoned on 5/21/1778 to appear by 7/6/1778. Did not respond to summons.
Arrested by Captain McClean's company during night of 5/25/1778 to take oath at military encampment. "They frequently struck me in the back with their bayonets till they brought me to Bastian Miller's barn, where they kept me till next morning. Then they strip'd me naked to the skin and gave me an old shirt and breeches so much torn that I could hardly cover my private parts, then cut my beard and hair, and painted me with oil colors red and black, and led me along barefooted and bareheaded in a very hot sunshiny day." Marched to the military camp on the 26th.
An inquiring and concerned General Muhlenburg suggested that he petition George Washington, which he successfully did. Released on 29th with pass stating "Permit the bearer hereof, Mr. Sower, to pass from hence to Meduchin, not to return to Germantown during the stay of the enemy in this State, he behaving as becometh.".
Went to Methacton, but (unfortunately) returned to Germantown on 7/27/1778.
While in custody, he missed a public notice of demand that he and others appear in Lancaster at Supreme Court to take loyalty "Oath to the States". As a result, all his possessions and substantial land holdings were confiscated and sold at auction in August, raising more $90,000. He was allowed only to keep his spectacles.
Lived in poverty in a Methacton weaver's shop, cared for by daughter Catharine.
Died in 1784 and buried at Methacton meeting house.
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Methacton Mennonite Church Click for a larger picture. Click for full size image.
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Christopher Saur, Jr. (9/26/1721- 8/26/1784) Replacement headstone. Click for a larger picture. Click for full size image.
(See original headstone below)
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Inscription says "My Mother" "Catharine Sower". Other information is difficult to read. This may be Sower's daughter (2/25/1761-7/16/1823) Click for a larger picture. Click for full size image.
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Sower headstones
Click for a larger picture. Click for full size image.
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Inscription says "My Father" "David Sower". Other information is difficult to read. This may be Sower's son (11/6/1764- 10/19/1835) Click for a larger picture. Click for full size image.
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Inscription says: "Jacob Zimmerman Departed this Life December 29, 1799 Aged 7 years, 8 months, 7 days." Click for a larger picture. Click for full size image. |
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Source: Page 427 of Martin Brumbaugh's 1899 "A History of The German Baptist Brethren" (Click the image for a larger image.) |
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