Samuel S. Powell (1815 – June 20, 1879) was an American businessman and politician based in New York State. He is most noted for serving as the mayor of Brooklyn, New York, from 1857 to 1861. Prior to his mayoralty, Powell was a member of the New York State Senate representing the 2nd District during the 1852 and 1853 legislative sessions.
Born in 1815, Powell entered the mercantile trade and later became involved in banking, holding a directorship at the Atlantic Bank of Brooklyn. Politically, he was originally affiliated with the Whig Party and later aligned with the Republican Party following the dissolution of the Whigs. As mayor, Powell oversaw municipal developments during a period of rapid urban growth and was involved in the modernization of Brooklyn’s public services, including the fire department and infrastructure projects.
Powell died on June 20, 1879, in Brooklyn. His contributions to the city’s early governance are recorded in contemporary municipal histories and state legislative archives.
