Adams, SAMUEL (1722-1803), an American statesman, second cousin of John Adams. He early devoted himself to politics, and in the dispute between America and the mother country he showed himself one of the most unwearied, efficient and disinterested laborers for American freedom and independence. He was one of the signers of the declaration of 1776, which he labored most indefatigably for several years to bring forward. He sat in Congress eight years, but during that period showed a lack of depth of view and legislative wisdom. From 1789 to 1794 he was lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, from 1794 to 1797 was governor, and then retired from public life.