Johan Printz

Johan Björnsson Printz (July 20, 1592 – May 3, 1663) was a Swedish military officer and colonial official. He served as the 3rd governor of New Sweden, the Swedish colony in North America, from 1643 until 1653.

Early life in Sweden He was born in Bottnaryd, Jönköping County, in the province of Småland in 1592. He was the son of a Lutheran pastor, Björn Hansson, and Gunilla Svensdotter. Printz received his early education in Sweden followed in 1618 by theological studies at German universities. While on a journey in about 1620, he was pressed into military service. The involuntary change in occupation turned out to suit him.

Life in New Sweden By 1642, he was restored to royal favor, During his tenure of office, seven expeditions, containing more than 300 emigrants, sailed from Sweden. The influx of settlers was made up of farmers who dealt fairly with the Indians and established a precedent of kindliness and justice. William Penn and his followers later became indirect beneficiaries of this treatment when they were received in a friendly manner by the Indians. In 1653 Hans Månsson and 21 others including Olof Persson Stille, Peter Minuit and Sven Gunnarsson signed a petition opposing his rule.

Eventually, Printz found his position impossible, and in 1654 he returned to Sweden. His son-in-law Johan Papegoja, married to his daughter Armegott Printz, was acting governor until John Rising (Johan Risingh) was appointed Governor in his place.

Later life in Sweden On his return to Sweden, Printz was made a general. Several years later, in 1658, he was appointed governor of Jönköping. The information on this period in his life is limited.

Family He was survived by five daughters, among them the well known Armegot Printz, and his second wife, Maria von Linnestau, who he had married in 1642. He was predeceased by his son, and also by his first wife, Elizabeth von Boche, whom he had married in 1622.

Memorials Governor Printz Park is located just south of I-95 at the Route 420 in Essington, PA. The New Sweden Marker at 2nd Street & Taylor Avenue in Essington, Pennsylvania acknowledges the role of Johan Printz. The Printzhof in Essington, Pennsylvania is listed on National Historic Landmark Register Number: 66000661. A portion of U.S. Route 13 north of Wilmington, Delaware is named Governor Printz Boulevard. A portion of Pennsylvania Route 291 in Tinicum Township is named Governor Printz Boulevard. The site of Printz's Mill on Cobbs Creek in Darby, PA is indicated by a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Marker. The Johan Printz Sculpture is in the park Rådhusparken in Jönköping, Sweden. The Johan Printz Plaque is in the church yard of Bottnaryd kyrka in Jönköping, Sweden The Liberty ship .