Samuel Nicholas
| Samuel Nicholas | |
|---|---|
1st Commandant of the Marine Corps (1775–1783)
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| Born | 1744 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | 27 August 1790 (aged 45–46) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Place of burial | Arch Street Friends Meeting House graveyard Philadelphia |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
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| Service/branch |
Continental Marines United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1775–1783 |
| Rank | Major |
| Commands held | Commandant of the Marine Corps |
| Battles/wars | |
Samuel Nicholas (1744 – 27 August 1790) was the first officer commissioned in the United States Continental Marines (predecessor to the United States Marine Corps) and by tradition is considered to be the first Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Nicholas was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1744 to Andrew and Mary Schute Nicholas. His father was a blacksmith and his uncle was Attwood Schute, the Mayor of Philadelphia (1756–1758). Nicholas was educated at the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania). Nicholas was a Freemason of a Masonic Lodge that met at Tun Tavern.
On 5 November 1775, Nicholas was commissioned a "Captain of Marines" by the Second Continental Congress, which was the first commission issued in the Continental Naval Service. His commission was confirmed in writing on 28 November, 18 days after the Continental Congress resolved on 10 November 1775, "That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant-Colonels, two Majors, and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of Privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war with Great Britain and the Colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalion of Marines."
Captain Nicholas no sooner received official confirmation of his appointment to office than he established recruiting headquarters at Tun Tavern, Philadelphia. By January 1776, having recruited a sufficient number of Marines to man the vessels that comprised the Continental Navy in the waters of Philadelphia, Capt. Nicholas assumed command of the Marine Detachment on board the Alfred. With Commodore Esek Hopkins in command, Alfred set sail from Philadelphia on the morning of 4 January 1776. The following month witnessed the baptismal fire of the Marines.
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