University of Virginia Library

Exeter.

A difference in the political sentiments of D. and R.
Fowle, printers and copartners at Portsmouth, was the
cause of their separation in 1774; and probably the reason
of the establishment of a press in Exeter.

Robert Fowle was the son of John Fowle, who was
several years a silent partner with Rogers & Fowle in Boston,
and afterwards an Episcopal clergyman at Norwalk in
Connecticut. He served his apprenticeship with his uncle,
at Portsmouth; and when of age became his partner, as
has been mentioned. This copartnership being ended they
divided their printing materials. Robert, who was neither
a skillful nor a correct printer, took the press and types
which had been used by Furber, and settled at Exeter.
He did some work for the old government, and, in 1775,
some for the new. He made several attempts to establish
a newspaper, and in 1776 began one, which he published
more than a year.

The new paper currency of New Hampshire had been
printed by Fowle, and it was counterfeited; and suspicion
rested on him as having been concerned in this criminal
act. He was a royalist, and fled within the British lines
in New York. By this step the suspicion, which might
not have been well founded, was confirmed. Thus ended
the typographical career of Robert Fowle. With other
refugees from the United States, he was placed upon the
British pension list. Some time after the establishment
of peace, he returned to this country, married the widow
of his younger brother, who had succeeded him at Exeter,
and resided in New Hampshire until he died. Robert
Fowle had very respectable connections.