Went from Major to Teacher

Owned "The Gustavus", a brig weighing 187 tons, built in Dover in 1791. ¹

"The Brick School-House in State Street: Before and after the Revolution, Major Samuel Hale here taught for many years, and gave the right bend to the twigs of those days, as the after life of some of our best citizens, who have continued with us until the last thirty years, show." 6

He was uncle to Nathan Hale, the Revolutionary War hero, spy, and the person quoted as saying "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" when he was put to death.

He was born in Newbury, MA in 1718. After graduating from Harvard in 1740, he was a Major in the Louisburg Expedition. Afterwards he returned to Portsmouth and taught at the Latin grammar school for nearly forty years. He was also Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Rockingham County. 10"