Biography: Discovering the Past of Samuel Adams

On a chilly day in Boston, Massachusetts, the greatest American that has ever lived was born. Who? Samuel Adams, of course! He was born on September 27, 1722, at a little place called Purchase Street. His mother was a lovely woman named Mary Fifield Adams, who had 12 children. Therefore, Samuel had 11 siblings! Although, his mother was not the only one who had to run the full house, his father, also named Samuel Adams, was a successful and thriving merchant who was very proud of his brewery. Sometimes Samuel's father participated in politics. ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. )

For 8 years of his childhood, Samuel attended Boston Grammar School, taking courses such as Greek, Latin, math, and grammar. On top of studying vigorously in school, Samuel was surrounded by church and ministry. His father was a deacon in the Old South Church, and one of the founding fathers of Boston’s New South Church, where Samuel’s future father-in-law was a minister. ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.)

In the grand year of 1736, Samuel enrolled for Harvard College, and added the classes of physics, logic, and philosophy to his course plan. In addition, he actually returned three years later to earn his Master’s Degree. Samuel graduated from Harvard College in the year of 1740, and received an M.A. degree in 1743. After that, Samuel chose the career of private business. ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.)

Samuel was horribly irresponsible when it came to the topic of finance. It was evident that he could not take a financial career path, so he borrowed 1,000 pounds from his father, who, once again, was very wealthy (Samuel’s father could basically take a bath in a tub full of money…), in order to accomplish his dream of creating his own business. Soon after, Sam let a friend borrow that same 1,000 pounds, and yup, you guessed it, that specific friend never paid him back! In 1764, Samuel failed as a private business owner and fell into large debt, but we’ll get to that in about 18 years… ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.)

Unfortunately, Samuel’s father passed away in 1748, when Samuel was only 26. This was a golden opportunity and allowed him to take control of the brewery. About the same time, Samuel became a part of the “Whipping Post Club”, a political group. This marked the beginning of a brand new career for Sam, writing articles in the Whipping Post Club’s public application, the Independent Advertiser. This was around the time period in which Samuel met and married his first wife, the astounding Elizabeth Checkly. Samuel and Elizabeth later had two children, Samuel III and Hannah Adams. Aren’t you surprised they did not have like 20 kids? Well, you’ll find out why very soon, just keep reading! ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.)

Between the years of 1756 of 1764, Adams started working as a tax collector in Boston, and owed 8,000 pounds back in taxes! Obviously, Samuel had an outstanding number of jobs, but it does not stop there! He also worked at the Massachusetts Country Party, and earned a powerful position in the Caucus Club of Boston. ("Samuel Adams." Biography Resource Center. Gale, 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. )

Still wondering what happened to the love of Samuel and Elizabeth? Well, in 1757, Elizabeth Checkly passed away, but little did Samuel Adams know that his life would soon take a drastic turn. He had spent so much time searching for that right job, from working in a brewery to writing articles, but the events that truly sparked a desire in Samuel’s heart had not even taken place yet… ("Samuel Adams." Biography Resource Center. Gale, 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.)

In the crazy year of 1765, the townspeople elected Samuel Adams to fill a position in the Colonial Legislator. Turned out that after only 9 years, he was the “top dog” in the Massachusetts House of Representatives! ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.)

The year that took a turn for the worst, or in my opinion the best, was 1770, because it proved that Samuel is beyond doubt the greatest American. There were many “redcoats”, or British soldiers stationed in Boston. An event took place where the soldiers fired at a rowdy group of Bostonians, causing seven people to die. Samuel would not accept this. Sam knew in his heart that the relationship between the colonies and their mother country (England), had to be stopped. Actually, he used this event to demonstrate the effect of Britain’s tyranny on the Colonies and called for a gathering in Boston. At this meeting Adams gave a very powerful speech that motivated a majority of colonists. Afterward, with John Hancock by his side, he led a delegation to the town council in order to protest to the Massachusetts governor, Thomas Hutchinson, that the “dangerous, ruinous and fatal effects of standing armies in populous cities in times of peace” were uncalled for. ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.)

Adams conjured up the brilliant “Committees of Correspondence”, which allowed letters to be transferred from one site to another in attempt to prevent communication blocks and to keep Massachusetts from being secluded. In fact, this idea proved to be a real success, ergo verifying the genius within Samuel Adams! This took place in 1772. ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.)

December 16th, 1773, was the well-known date of the Boston Tea Party. Samuel Adams had a lot to do with this event, and led the Sons of Liberty to protesting England by dumping loads of tea into the Boston Harbor. This was only one of the many events that Samuel Adams took part in, in order to split the bond between America and England. ("Samuel Adams." Biography Resource Center. Gale, 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. )

Samuel’s hard work and effort paid off! Many colonists agreed with him when it came to Great Britain. In the 1770’s, Samuel even represented Massachusetts in the First and Second Continental Congress. This allowed him to write part of the Articles of Confederation, as well as sign the actual Declaration of Independence! ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.) ("Declaration of Independence" Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2008. Web. 1 Mar. 2010.)

This was not the end of Samuel’s life, though, he was also the lieutenant governor for Massachusetts from 1789 to 1793, and soon became the official governor of Massachusetts. After retiring in the year of 1797, Samuel returned home and spent a few years living out the rest of his life until he passed away on October 2, 1803, at the age of 81. ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.) and ("Samuel Adams." Biography Resource Center. Gale, 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. )

All in all, where would we be today if Samuel Adams never lived? Would we still have the rights that we do, or would we continue to be controlled by Britain? Although he was just one of the people to sign the Declaration of Independence, his signature meant so much to America, and it stood for the freedom that all Americans deserved. Who was there for those Americans to fight through battles and give support?

Samuel Adams.

Influence One: The Father of Independence

Once upon a time, there was a prevailing king, who had control over the 13 Colonies. This King’s name was King George III. He ruled over Great Britain and America for quite a long time, almost too much time, and soon many Americans felt concern over this issue. King George III was very cruel to the Colonies. He forced them to pay taxes, did not allowing them to have the full rights of freedom, and much more.

Now, as all fairy tail story plots go, there was a hero, who came to save the day. In this particular instance, the hero is Samuel Adams. Once the issue between the Colonies and Britain arose(around the 1770's), Samuel commited his life to freeing America and contributing to the split between the Colonies and Britain. Samuel Adams once said, "The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks."

When the Boston Massacre occurred, Samuel took action immediately. He truly cared about the seven people that died in this tragic event, and he was going to do something about it. Samuel marched right over to the town council along with other townspeople, and protested to the Massachusetts governor, Thomas Hutchinson. ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.)

Also, Samuel would have town meetings, where some of the colonists would share their ideas over taxes and other topics. At some of these meetings, Samuel would give inspiring speeches, which helped inform the colonists.

One of the most important events that took place in American history was the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Of course Samuel signed this significant document, because he is the greatest American of all times! This took place on July 4th, 1776, and has had an ENORMOUS effect on America today. When Samuel was signing that document, he was risking his life and everything that he had worked for, but his pride for America motivated him. ("Declaration of Independence." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2008. Web. 1 Mar. 2010.)

As you can probably tell, we are not controlled by England anymore! Now, every fourth of July, think of Samuel Adams, and the contribution that he made to our lives today.

Influence Two: Speeches that Inspired America

Have you ever had someone say something that stuck to you forever and inspired you? Well, for the colonists, this speaker was Samuel Adams. Samuel made speeches strong "enough to fire any heart with a desire to become a patriot." according to Student Resource Center- Gold. ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.) Samuel's speeches were used to inspire colonists and persuade them to believe that there should be a split between America and Britain.

Even Adams' greatest enemy, Thomas Hutchinson, enjoyed and commented on his speech. Here is an example of the breath-taking things that Samuel Adams would say to the colonists;

"You have now in the field armies sufficient to repel the whole force of your enemies and their base and mercenary auxiliaries. The hearts of your soldiers beat high with the spirit of freedom; they are animated with the justice of their cause, and while they grasp their swords can look up to Heaven for assistance. Your adversaries are composed of wretches who laugh at the rights of humanity, who turn religion into derision, and would, for higher wages, direct their swords against their leaders or their country. Go on, then, in your generous enterprise with gratitude to Heaven for past success, and confidence of it in the future. For my own part I ask no greater blessing than to share with you the common danger and common glory. If I have a wish dearer to my soul than that my ashes may be mingled with those of a Warren and Montgomery, it is that these American States may never cease to be free and independent."("Speech on American Independence." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 1999. Web. 1 Mar. 2010.)

After reading this I was amazed by the wording of his speeches and how he can grasp your attention. As a matter of fact, I felt that Samuel was being over dramatic and exaggerating the actions that were put on the Colonies from Britain, but after reading this segment of his speech, I feel like I am a patriot going through the same things that Samuel went through. It's almost as if he can lure you into believing everything he believes, and forms your opinion for you!

To sum it up, Adams' speeches were very influential, and many great speakers use the skills that Adams once used to persuade his audience.

Fun Facts: Interesting Points of Samuel Adams

If you think that Samuel Adams is boring, then you are wrong! There are so many different facts that you might not know about him, including the interesting, weird, fun, and awesome facts about his life.


Samuel Adams signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. (Maier, Pauline. "Adams, Samuel." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web. 28 Feb. 2010. )


Samuel Adams hung out with really famous people, including James Otis, John Hancock, and many more!

("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. )

Although Samuel never became the president, he was the cousin of the second president of the United States, John Adams. ("Samuel Adams." Biography Resource Center. Gale, 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. )

One of Samuel's greatest enemies was Thomas Hutchinson, the governor of Massachusetts!
("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.)

There is a beer named after Samuel Adams, although on the beer label there is a picture of Paul Revere...?

The Sons of Liberty were basically created by Samuel Adams. This reveals that Samuel believed in violent protest, for example, tar and feathering. Also, he was one of the masterminds behind the Boston Tea Party.

Samuel Adams enrolled for Harvard College at the age of 14! That's like me going into college... right now! ("Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. )

Sons of Liberty

The Sons of Liberty were a secret organization of artisans and shopkeepers led mainly by Samuel Adams. The Sons of Liberty protested Britain through several different protests, one of which is the Boston Tea Party. This is a Picture of the Boston Tea Party, which occurred on December 16th, 1773. The Sons of Liberty dumped 342 chests of expensive tea into the Boston Harbor in order to protest the British tax on tea. Compared to some of the other things that the Sons of Liberty did, this is harmless. Have you ever heard of "Tar and Feathering"? Well, it is basically when men pour hot tar on tax collectors from Britain. Next, the Sons of Liberty would smother the tar-covered men in feathers, which eventually caused infections and death. This shows that Samuel Adams had a strong opinion over the taxes from King George III, and that he would not let anything or anyone stop him. ("The Boston Tea Party." Student Resource Center- Gold. Gale, 2008. Web. 1 Mar. 2010.)

What do you believe led to Adams' strong desire to part from Britain?

Do you think that the actions of the Sons of Liberty did were helpful (good), or made things worse (bad)?

Areas for Improvement

Areas of Strength