John Holt Evacuates with the Patriot's Propaganda Machine
John Holt printed most of the New York Sons of Liberty literature during the Revolutionary War.
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John Holt
By the 1750’s, John Holt was a 30-something living in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Holt was a respected citizen who had spent several years as a county judge and even served as his city’s Mayor.
Unfortunately, he was the operator of a general goods store which did not bring in enough money to keep up with expenses so he decided to leave.
Connecticut Gazette
Holt relocated to Connecticut where he began working with James Parker.
Parker, a sometimes partner of Benjamin Franklin, had purchased the Connecticut Gazette from Franklin when Benjamin Mecom decided to leave the operation.
Thus began Holt’s long career in publishing for which he would primarily be remembered.
The New York Journal or General Advertiser
After several years in Connecticut (during which time they ran a section of the postal route between New York and Boston), Holt and Parker found their way to New York City.
Eventually, John broke off and began printing his own paper. Though it went through several name changes, his publication is most commonly known as The New York Journal or General Advertiser.
He also opened a shop that sold a wide variety of books and other print related materials.
Son of Liberty
Holt was in New York when the Stamp Act was passed, with John counting himself among the outraged citizens.
Holt defiantly published his newspaper without the legally required stamp, making him a darling of the New York Sons of Liberty.
As the American Revolution neared, John became the go-to publisher of New York’s Patriots and a public enemy of the Loyalists.
Running From the Redcoats
Holt continued publishing in New York City right up until the day the British stormed the shores of Manhattan.
He ran out of the city and set up a new press upstate in Kingston.
Then, the Redcoats showed up and burned Kingston, so he went further north to Poughkeepsie.
It was here that he remained, publishing his paper as well as documents for New York State, through the remainder of his life.
Here are some other PRINTERS of the American Revolution:
Recruiting Canada - Fleury Mesplet’s French Canadian American Revolution
Mary Katherine Goddard Reveals the Signers of the Declaration
Writing Wrongs - Anthony Haswell’s Divisive Content
Printing’s place in Revolutionary politics is essential to a full understanding of the American Founding
‘Revolutionary Networks’ is a great work on this subject. While it is certainly high level reading, it is a must to understanding the propaganda of the age.
If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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