William Pechin

Description

Oil on canvas portrait painting of William Pechin (1773-1849), 1800-1805, by an unknown artist (possibly his brother John Pechin). Pechin was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After his marriage to Catherine Anthony Pechin (1785-1830), they moved to Baltimore, Maryland. In 1802, Pechin became editor and owner of the daily newspaper: "Baltimore American & Commercial Daily Advertiser." Through his paper he was publicly critical of British oppression in the years leading up to the War of 1812. Pechin joined the Maryland Militia in January 1812, and by the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814, was Colonel of the 6th Regiment. On September 21, 1814, his newspaper was the first to print the words of what was then known as "The Defense of Fort McHenry," now the "Star Spangled Banner." He spent the last years of his life in Philadelphia, owned several slaves, and had seven children. Pechin is buried at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.