According to his biographical sketch in The History of the Town of New London Samuel Carr was a Justice of the Peace and held a variety of public offices in New London in the period leading up to the Civil War. Some of these appear to have been tasks at which the men of the town were expected to take their turn. Others, such as Town Clerk and Schools Superintendent, may have been of more significance.

Town Clerk 1857-1858
Hogreeve 1858
Petit Juror 1859
Highway Surveyor 1861, 1865
Superintending School Committee 1861-1862
Measurer of Wood 1865-1866
Fence Viewer 1866
A History of the Town of New London

In addition, Samuel Carr was a founding member of McCutchin’s Guards, a local unit of the National Guard, which was formed in 1858. Holding the rank of Lieutenant, Carr was left in charge of the unit for a year from April 1861 when his two superior officers enlisted for war service.