Sam Adams

Sam Adams (1828 – May 15, 1915) who referred to himself as "Captain", was an early explorer of the American west, who claimed to explore the Colorado River over a number of years. He made a number of unsubstantiated claims and sought to get $20,000 from the government, which was never paid. He returned to Pennsylvania and worked as a lawyer.

Early life Samuel Adams was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania, on October 20, 1828. His mother was Cynthia Darragh, whose great-grandfather was John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. His father was Dr. Milo Adams (1790–1846). Adams descended from Captain Benjamin Adams, an officer in the American Revolutionary War.

From 1864 to 1869, Adams surveyed the Colorado River and its tributaries. He produced a report, which he delivered to the War Department in 1869 and requested reimbursement of expenses of $20,000. Adams said in his report that he began the survey at the request of the Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton. During the same period, John Wesley Powell conducted a more extensive survey.

Route to Pacific Ocean In 1869, he told residents of Breckenridge, Colorado, that he believed he had found a route from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean via the Colorado River. He was able to arrange for boats to be built and a team of eleven to take the trip with him. They set off on the Blue River, a tributary of the Colorado River, but were unsuccessful in reaching the Colorado. The boats broke apart and the men left Adams.

Later years At the end of his life he resettled in his hometown where he practiced law. He died on May 15, 1915, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, as the oldest member of the Pennsylvania bar.