Samuel Keimer facts for kids

Samuel Keimer (1689–1742) was an English printer who moved to America. He started the Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper. Later, on October 2, 1729, the famous Benjamin Franklin bought this newspaper from him.

Early Life and Printing Beginnings

Samuel Keimer was born in 1689 in London Borough of Southwark, England. He grew up there and learned the printing trade.

After learning how to print, Keimer opened his own printing business in London in 1713. However, his business did not do well. He ended up in Fleet Prison, which was a jail for people who could not pay their debts.

When he was released from prison, Keimer decided to move to America. He left England and settled in the city of Philadelphia.

Starting a Business in Pennsylvania

In 1723, Samuel Keimer opened a new printing business in Philadelphia. His shop was located near the Market-house. At that time, only one other printer, Andrew Bradford, worked in the colony of Pennsylvania.

Keimer had brought an old printing press and some worn-out letters with him from England. He was ready to start fresh in America.

Keimer and Benjamin Franklin

In 1722, a young man named Benjamin Franklin arrived in Philadelphia. He was only 17 years old and looking for a job as a printer. Franklin first visited Andrew Bradford's print shop, but there were no jobs available.

Bradford then sent Franklin to meet Samuel Keimer. When Franklin arrived, Keimer was trying to set up a poem to print. He was having some trouble with his equipment. Franklin, who was good with machines, helped Keimer fix his printing press.

Because Franklin showed he was skilled, Keimer hired him as his assistant. This was Benjamin Franklin's very first paid job in Philadelphia.

Later Years and New Ventures

Over time, Keimer's printing business in Philadelphia became less successful. He decided to sell his print shop and move again, this time to Barbados.

In 1731, while in Bridgetown, Barbados, Keimer started a new newspaper. He called it the Barbadoes Gazette. This newspaper was very important because it was the first newspaper ever published in the Caribbean.

Keimer continued to publish the Barbadoes Gazette until 1738, when it stopped printing.

Written Works

While he was in prison in England, Samuel Keimer wrote some books. These included A Search after Religion among the many Modern Pretenders to it (published around 1718). He also wrote A Brand Pluck'd from the Burning exemplify'd in the unparallel'd case of Samuel Keimer (1718). This book talked about his experiences and included a letter from the English writer Daniel Defoe.

Death

Samuel Keimer passed away in 1742.