Samuel Cole, born in 1597 in Colchester, Essex, England, embarked on a journey that would see him become a notable figure in the early history of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His story is one of migration, entrepreneurship, and involvement in the socio-political fabric of early colonial America.

In 1630, Samuel, along with his wife Ann and their children, Catherine, Elizabeth, John, and Mary, joined the Great Migration, a movement of English Puritans to New England. They sailed aboard the Arabella, part of the Winthrop Fleet, seeking religious freedom and economic opportunities in the New World. Settling in Boston, Samuel quickly became an integral part of the community.

Samuel’s life in Boston was marked by his entrepreneurial spirit. In 1634, he established the first tavern in Boston, a significant establishment that served as a social and political hub. This tavern, known for its hospitality and as a meeting place for the town’s notables, played a crucial role in the social life of the colony.

However, Samuel’s life was not without its challenges. As an early settler, he faced the hardships of establishing a life in a new land. Economic struggles were a constant companion, as evidenced by his financial difficulties later in life, despite his early success. The socio-political landscape of the time was tumultuous, and Samuel found himself embroiled in the Antinomian Controversy, a religious and political conflict that rocked the colony. His involvement in this controversy, particularly his support for the minister John Wheelwright, showed his willingness to stand up for his beliefs, even at personal risk.

Samuel’s personal life was marked by both joy and tragedy. He married three times, first to Ann, with whom he had his children, then to Margaret Greene, and finally to Ann Mansfield Keayne. His family life was typical of the era, with the joys of children and the pain of loss. His son John married Susanna Hutchinson, the only survivor of the massacre that claimed the life of her mother, the famous Anne Hutchinson.

Samuel’s later years saw him grappling with financial difficulties, a common plight for many in the early colonies. Despite these challenges, he remained a respected member of the community, contributing to various causes and serving in several civic roles, including as a Boston selectman.

Samuel Cole’s life came to an end in the winter of 1666-1667 in Boston. His legacy, however, lived on through his children and his contributions to the early development of Boston. He was laid to rest in the Rumney Marsh Burial Ground in Revere, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, leaving behind a story that encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of early American settlers. His life, marked by migration, entrepreneurship, and involvement in the socio-political issues of his time, offers a window into the life of a Puritan settler in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.