America’s first president wasn’t Washington – and he learned law from stolen books

Samuel Huntington’s Rise from Cooper to America’s First President

Samuel Huntington went from making barrels to making history.

Born in 1731 in Connecticut, this farmer’s son had just basic schooling before becoming a cooper’s apprentice at 16. Yet he craved knowledge.

Soon, he began borrowing books from Rev. Devotion’s library, teaching himself law between farm chores.

By 23, he passed the bar exam. His rise then sped up – lawyer, judge, Continental Congress member, and finally, in 1781, America’s actual first president under the Articles of Confederation.

The historic home where this self-made leader began his journey still stands in Scotland, Connecticut, waiting for history lovers to discover America’s forgotten first president.

A Farm Boy Grew Up Watching His Brother Go to Yale

Samuel Huntington was born July 16, 1731, in Scotland Parish, Connecticut. His father Nathaniel worked a 180-acre farm and helped build the local meeting house.

As the fourth of ten children but second son, Samuel only got basic schooling at the local common school. His older brother Nathaniel went to Yale College while Samuel stayed home to help with farm chores.

The Huntington family wasn’t poor, but Samuel’s education looked very different from his brother’s college experience.

He Borrowed Books While Making Barrels

At 16, Samuel started working as a cooper’s apprentice, learning to make barrels while still helping on his father’s farm. Wanting to learn more, he borrowed books from Reverend Ebenezer Devotion’s personal library.

He also got local lawyers to lend him their legal texts.

Through hard work, Samuel taught himself Latin, history, and law during evenings after long workdays. He finished his barrel-making training but kept reading everything he could find.

The Self-Taught Lawyer Set Up Shop in Norwich

Samuel passed the Connecticut bar exam in 1754 at just 23 years old, quite amazing for someone with no formal legal training. He moved to Norwich, Connecticut, where more clients waited for his new law practice.

Local lawyers and townspeople soon noticed his fair approach and strong work ethic. His link to Reverend Devotion grew stronger when Samuel married the reverend’s daughter, Martha Devotion, in 1761.

Norwich Voters Sent Him to the Assembly

The people of Norwich picked Samuel for the Connecticut Assembly in 1764, starting ten years of ongoing service.

Royal Governor Jonathan Trumbull made him King’s Attorney in 1765, followed by justice of the peace jobs from 1765 to 1775. Samuel moved up in 1773 when he became a judge on the Superior Court.

As problems with Britain grew, he quit his royal jobs to protest the Stamp Act and Coercive Acts.

His Calm Manner Got Him Noticed in Philadelphia

The Connecticut Assembly chose Samuel for the Second Continental Congress in October 1775. He took his seat in Philadelphia in January 1776 as the crisis with Britain reached its peak.

On July 2, 1776, he voted for independence, then signed the Declaration on August 2. Unlike some famous founders, Samuel wasn’t known for big speeches.

He earned respect through his steady work and calm approach to heated talks.

Congress Needed a New Leader When John Jay Left

When John Jay got sent to Spain, Congress picked Samuel as their new president on September 28, 1779. Other members respected his calm manner during the tough war years.

The job came with lots of paperwork, as he handled many letters and signed countless official papers.

Samuel wrote urgent messages to state governments asking for men, supplies, and money needed to keep Washington’s army going during some of the war’s hardest times.

Maryland Finally Said Yes After Two Years of Holdout

Samuel worked hard to get Maryland to approve the Articles of Confederation. As the last state holding out, Maryland worried about western land claims from bigger states.

Samuel talked with leaders from New York, Virginia, and Connecticut about giving up these western lands. The big change came when Virginia agreed to give up its claims to Ohio territory.

Maryland finally said yes on March 1, 1781.

The United States Got Its First Constitutional President

On March 2, 1781, Samuel became “President of the United States in Congress Assembled” as the Articles took effect. He sent happy letters to all 13 states telling them about the formal approval.

Samuel led the change from the Continental Congress to the new Confederation government. Though mostly forgotten today, he served as America’s top elected official under the country’s first constitution.

He Led Through the Final Battles of the Revolution

Samuel kept the government running during the final Revolutionary War fights. He ran Congress during the British surrender at Yorktown in October 1781, a major turning point.

His days filled with letters to generals in the field and diplomats talking about peace terms. Samuel handled many office duties as the new government found its footing during wartime.

Poor Health Forced Him to Go Back Home

After just four months as constitutional president, Samuel’s health problems made him step down on July 9, 1781. He returned to Connecticut happy that the new national government was working properly.

His short time showed steady leadership during a key change period for the young nation. Samuel left office knowing he had helped launch America’s first constitutional government.

Connecticut Kept Electing Him Until His Final Day

Samuel became Connecticut’s Lieutenant Governor in 1785, then Governor in 1786.

Voters chose him for eleven consecutive elections, and he served as governor until January 5, 1796, when he died while still in office.

He presided over Connecticut’s ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788, helping transition the state into the new federal system.

Though rarely mentioned in history books today, Samuel Huntington completed a remarkable journey from cooper’s apprentice to America’s first constitutional president.

Visiting Samuel Huntington Birthplace, Connecticut

You can visit Samuel Huntington’s birthplace at 36 Huntington Road in Scotland, Connecticut to learn about America’s forgotten first president under the Articles of Confederation.

The National Historic Landmark is free and open the first Saturday of each month from May through October, 11 a. m. to 3 p. m.

They offer Revolutionary War programming throughout the season. Call the Governor Samuel Huntington Trust at (860) 456-8381 for information.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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