Samuel Vetch (9 December 1668 – 30 April 1732) was a Scottish military officer and colonial administrator who thrice served as the governor of Nova Scotia between 1710 and 1717.

During the War of the Spanish Succession Vetch was an early proponent of the idea that Great Britain should conquer New France, proposing in 1708 that it be captured and that French colonists in Acadia be deported.

[2] The family harboured the Duke of Argyll, who was sought for his refusal to take oaths prescribed by the Test Act, and Veitch became involved in the Scottish conspiracy contributing to the Monmouth Rebellion.

When that failed, Veitch went into hiding, and eventually fled to the Dutch Republic, where he was joined in 1683 by his two oldest sons, William Jr. and Samuel.

The "Darien scheme" failed due to political infighting in the colony, diseases, lack of support, and Spanish hostility.

[9] With the Livingstons Vetch then established a highly profitable but illegal trade with New France, and eventually settled in Boston, capital of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.

However, the promised military force never arrived (having been diverted to the European theatre of the War of the Spanish Succession), and the effort collapsed.

Vetch was named the first governor of Nova Scotia, and the town was renamed Annapolis Royal in honour of the queen.

He was formally replaced as governor in 1717 by Richard Philipps, and spent his remaining years in unsuccessful attempts to recoup his expenses and acquire other colonial postings.