George Washington is rightfully regarded as the Father of our Country. Likewise, Sam Adams should be remembered as Father of Independence, or at least Father of the Revolution. If not for the beer that bears his name, he might not be remembered much at all. And that is tragic. Even his 2nd cousin John Adams lamented as early as the 1810's that the roles of Samuel (and his cohort) John Hancock were being overlooked by the public and history.
Adams developed a distrust of the British government early in life as the aristocratic rulers bankrupted his father's banking business. And Sam Adams pushed for independence long before it became fashionable, as early as 1765. Taxation without representation was the mantra, and he was the primary force behind Boston becoming the "Cradle of Liberty." When the Boston Town Meeting approved what was essentially the written declaration of Adams, it became the first local government in British America to go on record that the motherland could not constitutionally tax the colonies. And so it all began...
It was no surprise that British soldiers began a massive presence in Boston. And it was no surprise that their presence agitated Samuel Adams. He and the "Sons of Liberty" agitated back. One example was leading over the top funeral processions to honor the victims of the Boston Massacre, and of course to rile up the public. He also used the local newspaper, the Boston Gazette, to publish anti British articles and pushing the idea that British Parliament had no sovereignty over the colonies. Organizing the well known Boston Tea Party was the final straw for the crown.
While Adams and Hancock were staying in a house in Lexington, making plans to attention the 2nd Continental Congress, they escaped potential arrest due to the warning of Paul Revere. As hostilities had begun, British General Gage offered amnesty to all who would put down arms EXCEPT Samuel Adams and John Hancock! Even King George, as the Revolution progressed, was willing to pardon all except Adams and Hancock. Think about that! The British were willing to forgive treason for EVERYONE not named Samuel Adams and John Hancock. That is how much they pissed off the British. They would have been hung had they been captured. If that doesn't earn him your everlasting respect as an American...
Pissing off the British that much is surely evidence of Samuel Adams' immense influence on the Revolution and our fight for liberty. This was a very brief look at Adams' influence and actions. He is a character worth a deep dive if you are interested.
It seems appropriate that I discuss John Hancock, his brother in arms, next.
***A modern note. Look at the quote below. Think we could really use Samuel Adams today?
Adams developed a distrust of the British government early in life as the aristocratic rulers bankrupted his father's banking business. And Sam Adams pushed for independence long before it became fashionable, as early as 1765. Taxation without representation was the mantra, and he was the primary force behind Boston becoming the "Cradle of Liberty." When the Boston Town Meeting approved what was essentially the written declaration of Adams, it became the first local government in British America to go on record that the motherland could not constitutionally tax the colonies. And so it all began...
It was no surprise that British soldiers began a massive presence in Boston. And it was no surprise that their presence agitated Samuel Adams. He and the "Sons of Liberty" agitated back. One example was leading over the top funeral processions to honor the victims of the Boston Massacre, and of course to rile up the public. He also used the local newspaper, the Boston Gazette, to publish anti British articles and pushing the idea that British Parliament had no sovereignty over the colonies. Organizing the well known Boston Tea Party was the final straw for the crown.
While Adams and Hancock were staying in a house in Lexington, making plans to attention the 2nd Continental Congress, they escaped potential arrest due to the warning of Paul Revere. As hostilities had begun, British General Gage offered amnesty to all who would put down arms EXCEPT Samuel Adams and John Hancock! Even King George, as the Revolution progressed, was willing to pardon all except Adams and Hancock. Think about that! The British were willing to forgive treason for EVERYONE not named Samuel Adams and John Hancock. That is how much they pissed off the British. They would have been hung had they been captured. If that doesn't earn him your everlasting respect as an American...
Pissing off the British that much is surely evidence of Samuel Adams' immense influence on the Revolution and our fight for liberty. This was a very brief look at Adams' influence and actions. He is a character worth a deep dive if you are interested.
It seems appropriate that I discuss John Hancock, his brother in arms, next.
***A modern note. Look at the quote below. Think we could really use Samuel Adams today?
