Samuel was born on March 1st, 1849 and his baptism took place on March 7th, 1849. Samuel's father was Samuel John Belcher and his mother was Ann Esther Till. His paternal grandparents were John Belcher and Mary Anne Leigh; his maternal grandparents were John Till and Esther. He had a brother and three sisters, named George , Anne, Mary and Eliza. He was the third oldest of the five children.