Barron studied at the College of William & Mary, and received his early training at sea from his father.

He became Captain of the new built brig USS Richmond, originally planned to a merchantman to be called Aurora, in December, 1798.

[1] In 1805 he turned over command of his squadron to John Rodgers and returned to the United States due to poor health.

His health never fully recovered and on 29 October 1810 Lt. Robert Henley, his executive officer, reported to the Secretary of the Navy "I have the painful duty to inform you of the death of Commodore Samuel Barron.

In apparent good health, he was attacked while at dinner yesterday in Hampton with an apoplectic fit and expired about 10 o'clock this morning."