Samuel Sprague
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Samuel Sprague | |
|---|---|
 An elderly Samuel Sprague in 1842 (aged 89) | |
| Born | December 22, 1753 |
| Died | June 20, 1844 (aged 90) |
| Branch | Continental Army |
| Service years | 1775-1783 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Conflicts | |
| Spouse | Joanna Thayer (m. 1778) |
| Children | Charles Sprague |
| Relations | Sprague family |
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.[1]
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.[2][3] 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.[4]
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.[5] Samuel moved to Boston and worked as a mason's apprentice for a mason named Etheredge.[6]
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."[6][1]