Rev Samuel Luther was born 25 October 1636 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts to John Luther (1597-1645) and Elizabeth Turner (1617-1646) and died 30 December 1716 Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts of unspecified causes. He married Mary Abell (1642-1716) 25 October 1662 in Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, British America.
Biography
SAMUEL LUTHER was already famous in New England for having survived a massacre and kidnapping by a small group of Lenape tribesmen when he was only nine years old (1645) and went on to become (1685) the highly respected "settled pastor" of the First Baptist Church (still extant) of Swansea, Massachusetts for 31 years.
Samuel was the son of Capt. John Luther and Elizabeth Turner. He is listed as being born in Yocumtown, RI. The name was later changed to Taunton. He was 'of Rehoboth in 1662' and later joined in the settlement of Attleboro. It has been said that he bought a stone house which had been built by Governor Benton of Newport, on land at Mattapoisett purchased in turn from the Indians in 1644, which house was garrisoned at the beginning of King Philip's War. He sold out his interests in 1667 to join in the settlement of Swansea. In spite of the fact that he did not have a formal education, as few did in those days, he proved himself a man of such character and leadership ability that he was ordained Elder of the Swansea Baptist Church to succeed the distinguished Elder John Myles. He became known after that as Reverand Captain Samuel Luther, according to "the Swansea Stage: A Local History" page 66.
He also had a bit of fame as a boy because of his alleged experience with the indians in Swedish America. His father was even murdered aboard ship by Indians, using hatchets, that were their for the purpose of trading (1646).
Samuel married Mary Abell on Oct. 25, 1662, in Rehoboth. They had 11 children: Samuel, Jr., Theophilus (our ancestor), Mary, Joshua, Elizabeth, Experience, Mehitable (Mehetable), Ebenezer, Martha, Susanna and Joanna.
He was pastor of the First Baptist Church for 30 years in "Swanzea", Massachusetts. He is buried with his wife.
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Samuel Luther (1663-1714) | |||
| Nathaniel Luther (1665-1719) | |||
| Theophillus Luther (1665-1728) | |||
| Mary Luther (1668-1741) | |||
| Joshua Luther (1671-1747) | |||
| Elizabeth Luther (1671-1765) | |||
| Experience Luther (1674-1714) | |||
| Mehitable Luther (1676-1764) | |||
| Ebenezer Luther (1678-1754) | |||
| Jonah Luther (1681-) | |||
| Martha Luther (1681-1764) | 9 December 1681 Swansea, Massachusetts, United States | 18 November 1764 Warren, Rhode Island, United States | Hugh Cole (1683-1753) |
| Susanna Luther (1683-1777) | |||
| Joanna Luther (1685-1706) | |||
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Samuel Luther (1636-1716) | 25 October 1636 Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts | 30 December 1716 Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts | Mary Abell (1642-1716) |
Vital Records
Kickemuit Gravestone
Gravestone Location: Kickemuit Cemetery, Warren, Rhode Island Gravestone Inscription:
"Here lyeth ye body of Elder Samuel Luther aged about 80 years & Died December ye 20th 1716"