Huntington, Samuel (1731-1796)

President of the Continental Congress.

Apprenticed to a cooper and was a self- taught student of Latin and the law. Admitted to the bar (1758) and practiced law in Norwich, Connecticut.

Represented Norwich in the Connecticut General Assembly (1765). Served in Connecticut’s upper house and as a representative to the Continental Congress (1775-84).

Chosen president of Congress (1779-81), during which time he was in constant correspondence with the American ministers in Europe, including Franklin. Governor of Connecticut (1786-96).

Born in Windham, Connecticut. Son of Nathaniel and Mehetable Thurston Huntington. Married in 1761 to Martha Devotion.