Samuel Johnson (American colonel)

Samuel Johnson (23 Mar 1713 – 12 Nov 1796) was an American-born military officer who served during the American Revolutionary War. He fought for the American Continental Army as commander of the 4th Essex County Militia Regiment also known as Johnson's Regiment of Militia. The regiment was first called up for the Siege of Boston and Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.

Personal Life

Johnson was born March 23, 1713 in Andover, Province of Massachusetts Bay,the son of Timothy Johnson and Katherine Sprague. He received as his portion the homestead and the large property connected with it. On 12 Dec 1741 in Andover, Massachusetts, he married Elizabeth Gage, daughter of Benjamin Gage of Bradford, Massachusetts. The couple had 5 children. He died November 12, 1796 at Andover, Massachusetts and is buried at the Old North Parish Burying Ground, North Andover, Massachusetts. The inscription on his headstone reads:

SACRED To the Memory of Colo. Samuel Johnson,who departed this life November 12th.. 1796, AEtat. 84. Heaven waits not the last moment, owns her friends on this side death, & points them out to men.

Military career

He early became prominent in the affairs of the town and country and in 1754 was Lieut. in the 4th Regiment Militia of Essex County, Massachusetts. In the agitation pending the Revolutionary war he was exceedingly active, and is spoken of as a man of 'persuasive eloquence and of ardent patriotism, and remarkable personal influence,' and early in 1775 was elected Colonel of the 4th Regiment, his oldest son Samuel, being chosen 2nd Lieutenant. He worked hard to enlist men in the service of the Province, and not only he, but his four sons and son-in-law were in the service. He was commander of the 4th Regiment during the war and his sons marched with the Minutemen to the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and his son Phineas was at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was Representative to the General Court in 1777-78 and 1780. In September, 1777 Colonel Johnson was one of the three Massachusetts Colonels appointed by General Benjamin Lincoln, then stationed at Manchester, Vermont, to separate commands in the demonstration against Fort Independence, Fort Ticonderoga and Lake George.

While this expedition did not succeed in the capture of the two fortresses it did succeed in capturing a British regiment, a large number of boats and stores, and better still, it released about one hundred American prisoners, taken in the Battle of Hubbardton. History says that when the news came to the American Camp at Saratoga, there was great rejoicing.

After this exploit, the regiment returned to Manchester, Vermont and Pawlet, Vermont and then marched to Stillwater in time to take an active part in the decisive battle at Saratoga, Oct. 7th, when Colonel Johnson's firmness and courage were particularly distinguished. He was present at General John Burgoyne's surrender."