Armstrong (Samuel T.) is born in Dorchester.

The son of John and Elizabeth (Williams), Samuel Armstrong, attends public schools, is orphaned at 13, and becomes a printer, bookseller, publisher. A deacon at Old South Church, he discovered the missing third volume of John Winthrop’s diary there. Armstrong marries Abigail Walker and moves to 35 Beacon Street. A Whig, he serves in the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1822-23, 1828-29), on the Board of Aldermen (1829-31), lieutenant governor (1833-35), governor of Massachusetts (1835-36), mayor of Boston (1836*), and Massachusetts Senate (1839). Armstrong dies on March 26, 1850.