Ward, Samuel, Jr.

views updated

Ward, Samuel, Jr.

WARD, SAMUEL, JR. (1756–1832). Continental officer. Rhode Island. Second son of Governor Samuel Ward of Rhode Island, Ward graduated with honors in 1771 from what became Brown University. On 3 May 1775 he was commissioned captain in the First Rhode Island Regiment, and on 31 December he was taken prisoner at Quebec. Exchanged in August 1776, he returned from Canada and on 12 January 1777 was promoted to major, First Rhode Island. He was with the main army at Morristown and then went north to oppose Burgoyne's offensive. After spending the winter at Valley Forge, he fought at Newport (July-August 1778), and on 12 April 1779 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He resigned his army commission on 1 January 1781 and started a business career that led him to travel extensively. In 1788 he became one of the first American merchants to visit the Far East. He was in Paris when Louis XVI was sentenced to death in January 1793.

SEE ALSO Ward, Samuel.

                         revised by Michael Bellesiles