Samuel Sprague (December 27, 1753 – June 20, 1844) was a participant in the Boston Tea Party, a captain in the American Revolutionary War, and the father of the poet Charles Sprague.
Ancestry Samuel Sprague's Paternal ancestry traces its roots to England and Samuel's first ancestor in America was William Sprague (1609–1675), who immigrated in mid-July 1629."The Cranston-Johnston Spragues of Rhode Island", transcribed from History of Rhode Island by Susan W. Pieroth (American Hist. Soc. 1920).Sprague, Warren Vincent, Sprague Families in America, Vermont, 1913. His maternal ancestry traced its roots to James Whiton of Hook Norton (1624–1710), who immigrated to America so time prior to 1647. Notably on April 19, 1676, a band of Native Americans burned Whiton's home down in Hingham.Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England. By James Savage Pg. 532
Early life Samuel Sprague was born in Hingham, Massachusetts to Jeremiah Sprauge Jr. (1714–1777) and Elizabeth Whiton (1719–1800). Jeremiah was a weaver and constable and Elizabeth was a stay-at-home mother.Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, February 3, 1762 Samuel moved to Boston and worked as a mason's apprentice for a mason named Etheredge.
Boston Tea Party On December 16, 1773, when Samuel was 19-years-old, he took part in the Boston Tea Party and told the following story: "That evening, while on my way to visit the young woman I afterwards married, I met some lads hurrying along towards Griffin's wharf, who told me there was something going on there. I joined them, and on reaching the wharf found the Indians busy with the tea chests. Wishing to have my share in the fun, I looked about for the means of disguising myself. Spying a low building, with a stove-pipe by way of chimney, I climbed the roof and obtained a quantity of soot, with which I blackened my face. Joining the party, I recognized among them Mr. Etheredge, my master. We worked together, but neither of us ever afterwards alluded to each other's share in the proceedings."
American Revolutionary War Samuel was mustered on August 1, 1775, and participated at the Siege of Boston, fought under General George Washington at Trenton and Princeton. During the Revolution, he met Joanna Thayer whom he married on July 9, 1778.U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970Massachusetts, State Vital Records, July 9, 1778
Post-War Following his service, Samuel received a pension of $15.00 on March 4, 1831. Before his death, he was photographed in 1842 by an unknown photographer. On June 20, 1844, Samuel died aged 90.United States, Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, March 4, 1831.
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