Commodore Samuel Tucker John Sprague's Journal of Maine History (1913) Vol 1 page 36-38 The State of Maine has recently erected in the old cemetery at Bremen, which was formerly a part of the town of Bristol, a me morial statue in honor of Commodore Samuel Tucker, a Revolutionary hero, who rendered distinguished services for his country and had the distinction of being commissioned by George Washington. Much credit for this is due to the Hon. Leslie Boynton of Jefferson, member of the Maine Senate, and the Hon. Wells A. Deering of Waldoboro, member of the Maine House of Representatives. While Lincoln County has been rich in its history and traditions of the early settling of Maine, none of its citizens has played a more important part than Commodore Tucker, who was born in Marblehead, Mass., Nov. 1, 1747. When a mere boy he commenced the life of a seaman and was in London when news was received of the battle of Bunker Hill. He returned to America in a ship owned by Robert Morris of Philadelphia. Congress passed a resolve authorizing the fitting out of some armed ships and George Washington, whom Tucker had met through letters furnished him by Morris, at once remembered the gallant young skipper, and one of the first commissions issued by the great American leader was to Captain Tucker. It was dated Jan. 20, 1776. It was sent by a special messenger and appointed him captain of the armed schooner Franklin. He rendered such a glowing account of his services that on September 3, of that year, he was transferred to the armed schooner Hancock and at a later period to the frigate Boston, his last commission being dated March 15, 1777. In 1778 while in command of the frigate Boston, he was ordered to convey Hon. John Adams to France, to which place he had been appointed minister, and captured many prizes on the way. In the autumn of 1779 the Boston was ordered South as one of Commodore Whipple's squadron, but was obliged to surrender when all of the Commodore's squadron was captured in the spring of 1780. Tucker was allowed to return home on parole and very soon was exchanged for Captain Wardlow, whom he had himself captured about a year before in the Thorne. Tucker was soon given command of the Thorne, previously commanded by Captain Wardlow, for whom he had been exchanger, and captured many valuable prizes, but he himself was again captured in 1781 near the St. Lawrence River. Captain Tucker made his escape from Prince Edward Island to which he had been sent, and arrived safely again in Boston. His prizes, more than sixty in Dumber, made him a very wealthy man, and soon after 1780 he went to Boston to live. He lost heavily in various ways and in 1792 moved to Bristol, Maine, and became a selectman of the town and also held a similar office in the town of Bremen when it was set off from the mother town. For five years he represented Bristol in the Massachusetts Legislature and after the separation was twice returned to the Maine Legislature. He was a member of the convention that formed the first Constitution of Maine. In 1820 he was chosen an elector of President and Vice President of the United States and was appointed messenger to carry the vote of Maine to Washington. He received the thanks of Congress for his gallant services and was entitled to admission at all times to the floor of both Houses. By a general law of Congress passed about 1820 he received a pension of $20 a month and twelve years later this was increased to $50 a month. He died at his home March 10, 1833, in his 80th vear. The statue of Commodore Tucker was made from an oil-painting in full Naval uniform. It represents him as having just taken an observation, with glass in right hand and sword at left side. It bears the following inscription : Erected by the State of Maine To perpetuate the Memory of Commodore Samuel Tucker. 1748-1833. A patriot of the Revolution Commissioned by George Washington. Mary, His Wife. 1753-1832. *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by David C. Young and Courtesy of Androscoggin Historical (c) 1998 ***********************************************************************