Some authors say Samuel Adams was one of the few American founders who never owned a slave, but he and his wife did hold title to Surry for at least a while. In contrast, John and Abigail Adams and Alexander Hamilton never owned anyone else. The elderly Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Benjamin Rush were active Abolitionists.

Samuel Adams was one of Boston's most prominent revolutionary leaders. He was known for his ability to harness popular resentment against Parliament's authority to tax the colonies in a productive manner.

The passage by Parliament of the Tea Act of 1773, which granted the East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies, gave Adams ample opportunity to exercise his remarkable talents. Although he did not participate in the Boston Tea Party, he was undoubtedly one of its planners.

He retired from politics after his tenure as Governor in 1797. Samuel Adams died at the age of 81 on October 2, 1803 and was interred at the Granary Burying Ground. In 1819, Thomas Jefferson wrote of Samuel Adams: I can say that he was truly a great man, wise in council, fertile in resources, immovable in his purposes…