Samuel Nicholson

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Samuel Nicholson (1743 – 29 December 1811) was an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and later in the United States Navy.

The son of Joseph and Hannah Scott Nicholson, he was born in Chestertown, Maryland. Samuel Nicholson was a Lieutenant in Bonhomme Richard under John Paul Jones; then, in command of Deane, captured three British sloops-of-war. Appointed Captain upon the reorganization of the Navy in 1794, he superintended the construction of frigate Constitution and commanded her during her first commission.

He died at Charlestown, Massachusetts. Nicholson is buried in the crypt of the Old North Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

The U.S. Navy ships named USS Nicholson were named for him and other members of his family who served as naval officers: his elder brother, James Nicholson, his younger brother John Nicholson, his nephew, William Nicholson and his grandson James W. Nicholson.

This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.