Samuel Root early life is little known, brother of Marcus A. Root. Samuel first appeared as a daguerreian in New York City, N.Y., from 1849 to 1857. In 1849, Marcus Root opened a New York City daguerreian gallery at the corner of Franklin Street and Broadway, and placed Samuel in charge. In 1850, one of the Root brothers, probably Samuel, produced a daguerreotype of Jenny Lind in New York City. From 1851 to 1853, Marcus and Samuel Root were listed as daguerreians at 363 Broadway, New York City. They were listed in both the 1851-1852 and 1852-1853 directories. n 1851, the Root Brothers exhibited at the American Institute, Castle Garden, New York. They exhibited eight double whole plate daguerreotypes, 14 full plates; 12 two-thirds plates; 14 half plates and two quarter-plates. They also exhibited nine half-plates taken with the Crayon process. By December 31, 1851, Marcus Root had sold out his interest in the gallery; it continued under Samuel Root and J.W. Thompson as Root & Co. In 1852-1853, Root & Co. were listed as daguerreians at 363 Broadway, New York City; the firm may have included G.S. Cook of Charleston, S.C. (not sure whether it was at this time or later with the formation of M.A. Root & Co.). From 1853 to 1857, Samuel Root was listed as a daguerreian, 363 Broadway, New York City. He lived at the same address. There was no partnership listing in this directory. In 1855, Root employed his brother-in-law, Robert Henry Furman. One source, c. 1900, reported Root sold his gallery to Faris in 1855, and that Furman continued to work there until 1857. In 1859, Samuel Root & Co. advertised at 363 Broadway, New York City; Thomas Faris was listed as being in charge.