Samuel Huntington
Officially Recognized as the First President of the United States
By Norm Freyer
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Samuel Huntington Officially Recognized as the First President of the United States
By Norm Freyer
In 2015, Samuel Huntington (1731-1796) of Norwich, Connecticut was officially recognized as the First President of the United States in Congress Assembled. The action was taken by The National Archives, The Smithsonian Institute, and The Library of Congress. Huntington was an attorney and served his country in many capacities including the CT House of Assembly in 1764, Kings Attorney in 1768, CT Superior Court Judge in 1773, The Council of Safety 1776, the Continental Congress in 1776, President of the Continental Congress 1779-1781, Chief Justice of the CT Superior Court 1784, CT Lt. Governor 1785, and CT Governor 1786-1796. While in Congress Huntington signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
In 2009 the Samuel Huntington Tomb restoration ceremonies were conducted at the site of the tomb in the old colonial burial ground in Norwichtown, Connecticut. Channing M. Huntington, of the Huntington Family Association and Bill Stanley, former founder and president of the Norwich Historical Society, spent years working to give Huntington such recognition. Unfortunately Stanley passed away in 2010, and Huntington in 2012, were unable to see that Samuel Huntington was finally rewarded with the recognition that he deserved. Stanley was influential in the restoration of the tomb of Huntington and his wife. The Huntington Mansion still stands on East Town Street in Norwich Town and is occupied and maintained in superb condition by United Community Services.
Below are photos of the tomb as currently maintained, the Huntington Mansion, and a painting depicting the Connecticut Governor’s Foot guard as it approached the tomb during the restoration ceremonies. The uniforms worn by the Foot Guard were designed by another Norwich native, Benedict Arnold.
By Norm Freyer
In 2015, Samuel Huntington (1731-1796) of Norwich, Connecticut was officially recognized as the First President of the United States in Congress Assembled. The action was taken by The National Archives, The Smithsonian Institute, and The Library of Congress. Huntington was an attorney and served his country in many capacities including the CT House of Assembly in 1764, Kings Attorney in 1768, CT Superior Court Judge in 1773, The Council of Safety 1776, the Continental Congress in 1776, President of the Continental Congress 1779-1781, Chief Justice of the CT Superior Court 1784, CT Lt. Governor 1785, and CT Governor 1786-1796. While in Congress Huntington signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
In 2009 the Samuel Huntington Tomb restoration ceremonies were conducted at the site of the tomb in the old colonial burial ground in Norwichtown, Connecticut. Channing M. Huntington, of the Huntington Family Association and Bill Stanley, former founder and president of the Norwich Historical Society, spent years working to give Huntington such recognition. Unfortunately Stanley passed away in 2010, and Huntington in 2012, were unable to see that Samuel Huntington was finally rewarded with the recognition that he deserved. Stanley was influential in the restoration of the tomb of Huntington and his wife. The Huntington Mansion still stands on East Town Street in Norwich Town and is occupied and maintained in superb condition by United Community Services.
Below are photos of the tomb as currently maintained, the Huntington Mansion, and a painting depicting the Connecticut Governor’s Foot guard as it approached the tomb during the restoration ceremonies. The uniforms worn by the Foot Guard were designed by another Norwich native, Benedict Arnold.
