Robert Sayer (c. 1725 - 1794)

Print and map seller, born in Sutherland, the son of James Sayer (1695-1736) of Stockton, a lawyer, and his wife, Thomasine Middleton. In January 1747, his elder brother James married Mary Overton, widow and successor of Phillip Overton. After a period of working with her, Robert Sayer had taken over the business by late December 1748. He married Dorothy Carless, “an agreeable young lady with a handsome fortune”, on 16 July 1754 at Datchworth, Hertfordshire. When Thomas Jeffery’s went bankrupt in 1766, Sayer was plainly among those who who helped him remain in business, Sayer acquiring in return both printing plates and unpublished manuscript material. He acquire more from the Jeffery’s estate, which he used to great benefit during the American Revolutionary War. He worked in partnership as “Sayer & Bennett” with his former apprentice, John Bennett, from 1774 to about 1782. He traded as “Robert Sayer & Co.” 1790-1794, with his employees Robert Laurie and James Whittle, who succeeded him on his death.

1748-1766  At the Golden Buck, opposite Fetter Lane, Fleet Street
1767-1794  53 Fleet Street
1776-1794  Richmond Hill (home)