Niles, Samuel, 1711-1804
Dates
- Existence: 1711 - 1804
Biography
Samuel Niles was born on May 4, 1711 in Braintree, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard College with an AB in 1731 and an AM in 1734. Niles became a judge in Boston and Braintree, Massachusetts and was an intimate friend of President John Adams. He was also the senior member of the committee that included John Adams who drafted the letter protesting the Stamp Act. They met at Niles home to write and review the letter.It is considered the first step taken for liberty by the colony. In 1775 the Provincial Government appointed him Justice of the Peace for Suffolk and a member of the Court of Common Pleas. As a representative on the Provincial Council in 1778, Niles became a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College. His last public service to the town was in January of 1793 as a member of a committee to draught and sign a petition on behalf of the town to the General Court. After 1793, Niles and his wife Sarah moved to live with his son Jeremiah in Lebanon Connecticut where he died on April 30, 1804.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Benjamin Niles letter
In English.
Niles Family account book
The account book was given to Sands Niles (1751-1823) by his father Samuel Niles (1711-1804) on September 1780. It also contains genealogical information on the Niles family as well as records kept by Samuel Niles as justice in Braintree, Massachusetts in 1757.