Captain Samuel Cherry, 2nd Regiment, N.H. Continental Line – Original Member
Samuel Cherry was born May 15, 1756 in Londonderry. Ireland. On April 23, 1775 he enlisted in Captain George Reid’s Company in Colonel John Stark’s Regiment which would become the 1st Regiment, New Hampshire Continental Line. On June 17, 1775 he fought as Sergeant in Reid’s Co. of Stark’s Regiment at Bunker Hill. Later on September 18, 1775 he volunteered to join Dearborn’s Co. in Arnold’s Detachment for the Quebec Expedition. On December 31, 1775 he participated in the assault on Quebec The next day his enlistment ran out.
On July 11, 1776 he received a commission as an Ensign in Captain John Nesmith’s Co. for Canada service. On November 8, 1776 Ensign Cherry was commissioned a Lieutenant in Capt. James Carr’s Co. in 2nd New Hampshire Regiment, Col. Nathan Hale commanding. Along with the rest of the New Hampshire Line, Lieutenant Cherry took part in the tremendous victory at Saratoga.
On December 22nd, 1777 he was commissioned a Captain-Lieutenant in the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment, now under the command of Colonel George Reid. He then was with the 2nd New Hampshire when they participated in the Battle of Monmouth and the Indian Expedition under General Sullivan.
On November 30, 1779 Samuel Cherry was commissioned a Captain in 2nd New Hampshire Regiment. He was part of the light infantry selected from the New Hampshire Line to participate in the Yorktown Campaign. As such, on October 19, 1781, Captain Samuel Cherry was present at Lord Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown.
Finally, on January 1, 1783 Captain Cherry resigned his commission from the army. After the close of the war Samuel Cherry returned to Londonderry, New Hampshire, where he lived for several years. Subsequently he moved to New York State. He died at New Haven, Oswego County, October 21, 1825.
Sources: Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army(Baltimore, 1914); Daniels Annis, Londonderry, New Hampshire Vital Records(1914); Selected Wartime Service Records of Captain Samuel Cherry.
