Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams, an American patriot, was born in Quincy, Massachusetts on September 22, 1722. He was a cousin of John Adams, who grew up to be the 2nd president of the United States. His descent was from a respectable family, who had emigrated to America with the first colonial settlers. He attended Harvard University for four years until he graduated in 1740. He later recieved a M.A degree from the college in 1743 and practiced law. However, his mother persuaded him to become a clerk instead. He worked at the countinghouse of Thomas Cushing, a distinguised merchant retailer of that time . But his talent was not adapted for mercantile businesses. Adam then worked with his father at a brewery until his father's death. By 1764, Samuel was deeply in debt.

Meanwhile when Adams was experimenting with different enterprises, he had been an active participant in Boston political circles (Encarta).

Adam Shub + Steve Shub, ARTCADE, Rabbit Hole Studi...

Boston Tea Party ("Americans throwing Cargoes of t...

"The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor", lithogr...

In 1756, he was elected tax collector of Boston, and possesed the position for eight years. He was first prominent in the colonial politics when he firmly opposed the enforcement of the Sugar and Molasses Act in 1764. The interest Adams demonstrated and felt for his rights of the colonists brought him into favor with the patriotic party. He became a leader in the assemblies and was bold in denouncing the acts of the British ministry. In 1765, during the controversy aroused by the Stamp Act, he drafted the instructions to the Boston representatives in the General Court, the legislative body of Massachusetts. He was elected to the lower house of the court later in the year. As a member of the court, he became distinctive, and was appointed the clerk in 1766 and served the position till 1774. While Adams was a member, he was...