Journal of the House of Assembly – New Brunswick, Christopher Sower, 1786

Born in Philadelphia into a prominent German printing family, Sower (1754–1799) entered the family business in 1775. However, after publishing a series of anti-revolutionary articles in 1778, the family was forced to flee to New York. For several years, Sower worked in support of the Loyalist cause, gathering intelligence for the British. By 1781, he traveled to England, where he sought compensation for his loyalty and requested an official post in British North America. His dedication to England and his extensive experience in printing earned him the appointment, on April 8, 1785, as the first King’s Printer in the newly established province of New Brunswick.

On October 11, 1785, Sower began publishing The Royal Gazette and New Brunswick Advertiser in St. John. His appointment as King’s Printer was resented by John Ryan who had been printing a newspaper since 1783 and a bitter rivalry developed. Overtime, Sower and Ryan reconciled with Ryan operating the Sower press from 1790 until 1796. 

As King’s Printer, Sower printed the journals of the House of Assembly and other official government notices. Additionally, Sower revived his family’s tradition of printing almanacs, which became widely popular for their practical content, including lunar cycles, calendars, tidal times, and other useful information.

Sower’s tenure as King’s Printer was cut short in 1779 due to declining health, leading to the position being passed to his longtime rival, John Ryan. Sower eventually returned to Baltimore in 1799, where he planned to establish a type foundry with his brother Samuel, but passed away before realizing this ambition.