Thanks to the generosity of the Norwich Historical Society and other individuals in the community, the tomb of Samuel and Martha Huntington in the Norwichtown burying ground has been rebuilt. On October 20, 2003, State Archaeologist Dr. Nick Bellantoni was permitted to open the crypt so that their remains could be removed while the renovation took place. The following biography of Mr. Huntington is adapted from Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence (New York: William Reed & Co., 1856, pages 169-174).

Samuel Huntington was born in Windham, Connecticut, in what is now the town of Scotland, on the second of July 1732. His father was a plain but worthy farmer. His mother was a pious and discreet woman. It was a large family and several of his brothers devoted themselves to the gospel ministry, and attained to a higher respectable standing in their profession. One of his brothers, Dr. Joseph Huntington, was well known as the author of a posthumous work, on universal salvation.

Unlike several of his brothers, Samuel Huntington did not have the benefit of a public education. As the eldest son, his father needed his assistance on the farm. Samuel, however, possessed a vigorous understanding, and, when released from the toils of the field, he devoted himself with great energy to reading and study. Thus, the lack of the common school was overcome through his own personal effort. He became possessed of an extensive well of information on various subjects, and by the time he was twenty-one, he probably was on a level with those who had received a college education, except in some particular areas. His knowledge was less scientific, but more practical and useful.

Although not averse to farming, Samuel demonstrated an early interest for legal pursuits, and at the age of twenty-two, he relinquished the labors of the field for the more agreeable study of the law. Financial circumstances prevented his availing himself of legal tuition in the office of a lawyer. But he was content to explore the maze of the profession unaided, except by his own judgment. The library of a respectable lawyer in a neighboring town furnished him with the necessary books. His diligence and perseverance accomplished the rest.

Mr. Huntington obtained sufficient knowledge of the principles of law to commence his own practice. He opened an office in Windham but in 1760, he moved to Norwich, where greater opportunity presented itself. Here, he soon became eminent in his profession. He was distinguished by a strict integrity and punctuality. These traits of character, combined with a strong element of common sense, ensured him the respect of the community. In 1764, he represented the town of Norwich in the general assembly, and in 1765 was appointed king's attorney.He was appointed associate justice of the Supreme Court in 1774. The following year he was made a member of the governor's council.

Mr. Huntington was among those who early and strongly set themselves in opposition to the claims and oppressions of the British parliament. His talents and patriotism were well received by the general public, and in October 1775, he was appointed by the general assembly of Connecticut to represent that colony in the Continental Congress. The following January, in conjunction with his distinguished colleagues, he took his seat in that venerable body and subsequently voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence.

On September 28, 1779, Samuel Huntington was elected president of the Continental Congress. He was the seventh man to hold that position, succeeding John Jay in that office. He continued to serve in that position until July of 1781, when ill health forced him to relinquish the arduous service in which he had been engaged for several years. Mr. Huntington filled the honorable station of president with great dignity and distinguished ability. Congress, soon after his retirement, accorded to him the expression of their public thanks.

Relieved from the toils which his high office in Congress imposed upon him, Mr. Huntington was soon able to resume his judicial functions in the superior court of Connecticut. However, the public was unwilling to dispense with his services in the great national assembly. Accordingly, in 1782, he was re-elected a delegate to the Continental Congress; but either feeble health, or his duties as a judge, prevented his attendance for that year. He was re-appointed the following year to the same office, and in July resumed his seat. There he continued as a conspicuous and influential member until November of that year, when he finally retired from the national assembly. Soon after his return to his native state, he was placed at the head of the superior court, and the following year, 1785, was elected lieutenant governor of the state. The next year he succeeded Governor Griswold in the office of chief magistrate of the state. This latter office he held through successive annual re-elections until his death on January 5, 1796 at the age of 64.

To strangers, Samuel Huntington often appeared as formal. He possessed a dignity and a natural reserve that repressed the advances of all except his intimate friends. However, few men ever possessed a greater share of mildness and equanimity of temper. Sentiments of anger seem to have found no place in his breast; nor was he ever known to utter a word that could wound the feelings of another or speak against the good name of an absent person.

When he was 30 years old, Mr. Huntington married Martha Devotion, the daughter of Reverend Ebenezer Devotion, the worthy minister of the town ofWindham. Having no children, the Huntingtons adopted two of the children of Samuel's brother, the Reverend Joseph Huntington. One of their adopted children later became governor of Ohio; and the other the wife of the Reverend Doctor Griffin, president of Williams College, in Massachusetts. Mrs. Huntington preceded her husband in death by about two years.

It is not necessary to enlarge upon the public character or the public service of Governor Samuel Huntington. However, it is well to recognize the progress of such a man; from the humble occupation of a ploughboy, to the deep and learned investigations of the judge, and to the wise and sagacious position of the statesman. What was true of Mr. Huntington, in this respect, was also true of a great proportion of that group of patriots who, during the days of our revolutionary struggle, opposed with success the British oppressions. They came from humble life and rose by the force of their native genius.

The remains of Samuel and Martha Huntington were returned to the tomb on November 24, 2003, with all of the pomp and ceremony befitting a president. The honor guard and pallbearers were from the Governor's Foot Guard who also provided a 21-gun salute. The remains of the Huntingtons were re-entombed in authentic coffins furnished by the Church and Allen Funeral Home. After being polished, the original silver-plated coffin plates were reattached to the new coffins.