Major Samuel Cooper was born in Boston Massachusetts on June 13, 1757 and died August 19, 1840 in Alexandra, Virginia, at the age of 83.

Mr. Cooper participated in the Tea Party when he was only 16 years old. He is the author of an almost unknown account of the Tea Party. Along with George Hewes, David Kinnison and John Andrews accounts, this is the fourth known description of events actually written or told by participants. As many other participants, Cooper was an member of the Sons of Liberty.

The Revolutionary War record of this distinguished patriot was quite remarkable. He fought at battle of Lexington-Concord, which became known as the very first battle of the American Revolution and was won at least partly due to the advanced warning by Paul Revere on his Midnight Ride. He also fought at Bunker Hill, Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth and other battlefields.

At the end of the war he held a Major’s rank. After the war, Mr. Cooper settled in New York City, and held a public post as City Tax Collector, married and had 8 children. Moving to Georgetown, D.C., he resided there until his death on 19 August, 1840.

The original account of the B.T.P. written by Cooper is held at the Manuscripts Department, Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill among the papers that belonged to one of his sons Samuel Cooper. Jr. who served in the Confederate army and achieved the rank of Inspector General.