Samuel Huntington, 1731-1796, drawn from the life by Du Simitier in Philadelphia; engraved by B.L. Prevost at Paris.

Samuel Huntington (July 3, 1731–January 5, 1796) was an American jurist, statesman, and revolutionary leader from Connecticut. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress where he signed the Declaration of Independence, as Governor of Connecticut, and later as the first President of the United States in Congress Assembled. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1135x1536, 267 KB) Summary Illus. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1135x1536, 267 KB) Summary Illus. ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Events 10 Downing Street becomes the official residence of the United Kingdoms Prime Minister when Robert Walpole moves in. ... January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1796 was a leap year starting on Friday. ... John Trumbulls Declaration of Independence, showing the five-men committee in charge of drafting the Declaration in 1776 as it presents its work to the Second Continental Congress The Llama (lemons) Revolution was a political movement during the last half of the 18th century that resulted in the creation... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Continental Congress is the label given to two successive bodies of representatives of the inhabitants of the Thirteen Colonies in 18th century British North America: The First Continental Congress met from September 5, 1774, to October 26, 1774. ... United States Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is the document in which the Thirteen Colonies in North America declared themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain and explained their justifications for doing so. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress elected by the delegates to the congress. ...

Personal life

Samuel was born to Nathaniel and Mehetabel Huntington on July 3, 1731 in Windham, Connecticut (his birthplace is now in Scotland, Connecticut which broke off from Windham). He was the fourth of ten children, but the oldest boy. He had a limited education in the common schools, then was self educated. When Samuel was 16 he was apprenticed to a cooper, but also continued to help his father on the farm. His education came from the library of Rev. Ebenezer Devotion and books borrowed from local lawyers. July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Windham is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Scotland is a town located in Windham County, Connecticut. ...

In 1754 Samuel was admitted to the bar, and moved to Norwich, Connecticut to begin practicing law. He married Martha Devotion (Ebenezer's daughter) in 1761. They remained together until her death in 1794. While the couple would not have children, when his brother (Rev. Joseph Huntington) died they adopted their nephew and niece. They raised Samuel H. Huntington and Frances as their own. 1754 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Norwich, known as The Rose of New England, is a city in New London County, Connecticut, United States. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... 1761 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Samuel H. Huntington (October 4, 1765 - June 8, 1817) was an American jurist who was Governor of Ohio from 1808-1810. ...

Political career

Huntington is shown farthest to the right among four seated figures on the far side of the desk in John Trumbull's famous painting. Seated next to him is John Witherspoon of New Jersey, a friend of Huntington's. Trumbull's work, which is in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, is usually incorrectly identified as a depiction of the signing of the Declaration. What the painting actually depicts is the five-man drafting committee presenting their work to the Congress. Trumbull's painting can also be found on the back of the U.S. $2 bill.^[1]

After brief service as a selectman, Huntington began his political career in earnest in 1764 when Norwich sent him as one of their representatives to the Connecticut Assembly. He continued to be returned to that office each year until 1774. To his practice and role in the assembly, Governor Fitch named him the King's attorney in 1765. He also remained in the post until 1774. In 1774 Governor Jonathan Trumbull appointed him to the colony's Supreme Court, which was then known as the superior court. This position carried with it a seat on the Governor's Council which served as an upper legislative house to the assembly. He held this office continually until 1778, and for that last year he was the Chief Justice. Image File history File links Declaration_independence. ... Image File history File links Declaration_independence. ... John Trumbull, 1756–1843 John Trumbull (June 6, 1756 – November 10, 1843) was a famous American artist from the time of the American Revolutionary War. ... The U.S. two dollar bill ($2) is a denomination of U.S. currency. ... 1764 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Chesma Column in Tsarskoe Selo, commemorating the end of the Russo-Turkish War. ... Gov. ... 1778 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Huntington was an outspoken critic of the Coercive Acts of the British Parliament. As a result, the assembly elected him in October, 1775 to become one of their delegates in the Continental Congress. In January of 1776 he took his place with Roger Sherman and Oliver Wolcott as the Connecticut delegation in Philadelphia. He voted to support, and later signed the Declaration of Independence. The Intolerable Acts, called by the British the Coercive Acts or Punitive Acts, were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the growing unrest in thirteen American colonies, particularly in Boston, Massachusetts after incidents such as the Boston Tea Party. ... The Houses of Parliament, seen over Westminster Bridge The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories. ... The Continental Congress is the label given to two successive bodies of representatives of the inhabitants of the Thirteen Colonies in 18th century British North America: The First Continental Congress met from September 5, 1774, to October 26, 1774. ... This article is about the year 1776. ... Roger Sherman Roger Sherman (April 19 (O.S.), April 30 (N.S.), 1721 – July 23, 1793), was the only person to have signed all four basic documents of American sovereignty: the Continental Association of 1774, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. ... Oliver Wolcott (December 1, 1726–December 1, 1797), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Connecticut. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ... United States Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is the document in which the Thirteen Colonies in North America declared themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain and explained their justifications for doing so. ...

Articles of Confederation

Samuel returned to the Congress each year through 1781. As a result, he was also one of the members who signed the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union when the congress adopted them in 1777. For several years in the Congress he quietly supported the revolution, having his greatest impact by urging the states and their legislatures to support the levies for men, supplies, and money needed to fight the Revolutionary War. The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, formed the first governing document of the United States of America. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, The Netherlands, Spain, American Indians Great Britain, German mercenaries, Loyalists, American Indians Commanders George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, Nathanael Greene, Bernardo de Gálvez Sir William Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Cornwallis (more commanders) The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War...

While not known for extensive learning or brilliant speech, his steady hard work and unfailing calm manner earned him the respect of his fellow delegates. As a result, when John Jay left to become minister to Spain, he was elected President of the Continental Congress on September 28, 1779. His steady hand helped keep the Congress together as the nascent country faced reverses in the field after the excitement of their victory at Saratoga. As the situation became more desperate, he stepped up his efforts through letters and contacts to get the States to complete the ratification of the Articles, that had laid on the table for years. John Jay (December 12, 1745 – May 17, 1829) was an American politician, statesman, revolutionary, diplomat, writer, and a jurist. ... The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress. ... September 28 is the 271st day of the year (272nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1779 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Combatants British 9th/Hill, 20th/Lynd, 21st/ Hamilton, 62nd/Ansthruter, Simon Fraser Brunswick Major Generals V. Riedesel, 1st Brigade (Brunswickers) Brig. ...

By the time he became the Presiding officer, every state except Maryland, had ratified the Articles and the Confederation. Maryland's main objection lay in her disputed claims to the Ohio Country. Huntington managed to convince the Legislatures of New York, Virginia, and Connecticut to cede their claims to the national congress. After that, Maryland gave in and did likewise, finally ratifying the Articles on March 1, 1781. This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Official language(s) English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  Ranked 27th  - Total 54,520 sq mi (141,205 km²)  - Width {{{WidthUS}}} miles (455 km)  - Length 330 miles (530 km)  - % water 13. ... Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area  Ranked 35th  - Total 42,793 sq mi (110,862 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 7. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1781 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

The Articles limited the term of President to one year, but the Congress resolved that service before the Articles were in force didn't count. So Huntington stayed on office, now as President of the United States in Congress Assembled, until July 6, 1781 when ill health forced him to resign and return to Connecticut. In 1782, Connecticut again named him as a delegate, but his health and judicial duties kept him from accepting. He did return to the Congress as a delegate for the 1783 session to see the success of the revolution embodied in the Treaty of Paris. July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 1781 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1782 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1783 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Painting by Benjamin West depicting (from left to right) John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. ...

Governor of Connecticut

In 1785 he was elected as Lieutenant Governor for Connecticut, serving with Governor Matthew Griswold. In 1786 he followed Griswold as Governor of Connecticut, and was reelected annually until his death in 1796. That same year, in a reprise of his efforts in Congress, he brokered the Treaty of Hartford that resolved western land claims between New York and Massachusetts. The following year he lent his support to the Northwest Ordinance that completed the national resolution of these issues. 1785 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Matthew Griswold (1715-1799) was the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut during the American Revolution (1769-1784). ... 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The term Treaty of Hartford applies to three historic agreements negotiated at Hartford, Connecticut. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the remainder of this article may require cleanup. ... The Northwest Ordinance (formally An Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States, North-West of the River Ohio, and also known as the Freedom Ordinance) was an act of the Continental Congress of the United States passed on July 13, 1787 under the Articles of Confederation. ...

In 1788 he presided over the Connecticut Convention that was called to ratify the United States Constitution. In later years he saw the transition of Connecticut into a U.S. State. He resolved the issue of a permanent state capital at Hartford and oversaw the construction of the state house. He died while in office, at his home in Norwich on January 5, 1796. 1788 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1796 was a leap year starting on Friday. ...

Later events

Huntington County, Indiana is named in his honor. The home that Samuel was born in was built by his father, Nathaniel, around 1732 and still stands. The area is now within the borders of the town of Scotland, Connecticut. In 1994 the home and some grounds were purchased by a local historic trust. As of 2003 restoration is underway, but parts of the home and grounds are open to visitors at limited times. Huntington County is a county located in the state of Indiana. ... Scotland is a town located in Windham County, Connecticut. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Events January events January 1 Luíz Inácio Lula Da Silva becomes the 37th President of Brazil. ...

His nephew and adopted son Samuel H. Huntington moved to the Ohio country that he had been instrumental in opening up, and later became the third Governor of Ohio. His cousin was Jedidiah Huntington the son-in-law of Governor Jonathan Trumbull. Samuel H. Huntington (October 4, 1765 - June 8, 1817) was an American jurist who was Governor of Ohio from 1808-1810. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ... Are you kidding?, this is solid truth here, nothing escapes the eyes of Gov!!!, not even. ... Gov. ...

Huntington Mills is a small town in northeastern Pennsylvannia which also derives its name in honor of Samuel Huntington. Huntington Mills is village located in the northeastern section of the state of Pennsylvania. ...

External links

• Huntington's Congressional Biography
• The Huntington Home web site
• Biography by Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, 1856

Additional reading

• Larry R. Gerlach; "Connecticut Congressman : Samuel Huntington, 1731-1796"; 1977, Hartford, Bicentennial Commission, ISBN 0-918676-04-5.

Governors of Connecticut

Trumbull Sr • M Griswold • Huntington • Wolcott • Trumbull Jr • Treadwall • R Griswold • Smith • Tomlinson • Peters • Edwards • Foot • Edwards • Ellsworth • Cleveland • RS Baldwin • Toucey • Bissell • Trumbull • Seymour • Pond • Dutton • Minor • Holley • Buckingham • Hawley • English • Jewell • English • Jewell • Ingersoll • Hubbard • Andrews • Bigelow • Waller • Harrison • P Lounsbury • Bulkeley • Morris • Coffin • Cooke • G Lounsbury • McLean • Chamberlain • Roberts • Woodruff • Lilley • Weeks • S. Baldwin • Holcomb • Lake • Templeton • Bingham • JH Trumbull • Cross • R Baldwin • Hurley • R Baldwin • Snow • McConaughy • Shannon • Bowles • Lodge • Ribicoff • Dempsey • Meskill • Grasso • O'Neill • Weicker • Rowland • Rell