- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
Samuel Adams
ADAMS, Samuel, revolutionary patriot, born in Boston, Mass., 27 Sept., 1722; died there, 2 Oct., 1803. He was a second cousin of John Adams, and graduated at Harvard in 1740. He studied theology, but turned to law and politics. His early writings against British taxation and his leadership in town meetings made him a prominent figure in the resistance to British rule.
He was one of the earliest and most persistent advocates of independence, and his influence in Massachusetts was second only to that of John Hancock. He was a member of the legislature, and in 1774 was elected to the Continental Congress, where he served until 1781.
He signed the Declaration of Independence and was active in organizing revolutionary committees and correspondence. After the war, he served as lieutenant-governor and then governor of Massachusetts.
Adams was known for his austere character, powerful oratory, and unwavering commitment to republican principles. He lived modestly and died in honored retirement.
Source:
Wilson, James Grant, and John Fiske, eds. Appleton’s Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1887. Patriot Echoes Archive
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