Samuel Knight (February 10, 1731 – July 23, 1804) was a legal and political figure in Vermont during its period as an independent republic and the early years of its statehood.
[4] Knight served in the Connecticut provincial troops during the French and Indian War; his name appears on the 1759 muster roll of the Windham County company commanded by David Holmes.
[5] His name also appears on the list of unit members who did not take part in the militia's expedition against the French Army at Lake George in June 1759, although the reason for his absence is not given.
[7] During Vermont's early years, jurisdiction was claimed by New Hampshire's colonial government, and prospective settlers and speculators purchased land grants from its Governor, Benning Wentworth.
[8] When the New York government attempted to make those who had bought grants from New Hampshire purchase confirmatory titles, most Vermonters refused to pay for the same land a second time.
[8] Instead they formed a militia, the Green Mountain Boys, which resisted efforts by New York to compel payment or evict those who had purchased their land from New Hampshire's governor.
[4] He was considered for appointment as Judge of the U.S. District Court when Vermont was admitted to statehood in 1791, and again when the position became vacant in 1793, but was not nominated.