What rank did Samuel Nicholas hold when he was commissioned to recruit and lead the first group of US Continental Marines?

On November 5, 1775 the Second Continental Congress commissioned Samuel Nicholas (1744 – 8/27/1790) the first captain of the Continental Marines, which became the United States Marine Corps.

As its first commissioned officer, Capt. Nicholas was the first commander of the Continental Marines and, by tradition, is said to be the first commandant of the USMC.

Capt. Nicholas, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was politically connected on his mother's side; her brother served as mayor. Nicholas studied at what would become the University of Pennsylvania. A Freemason, Nicholas recruited marines where his Masonic Lodge met, the Tun Tavern.

Under Lord Dunmore, the British had been raiding colonies and inflicting damage along the southeast coast, especially on the coast of what is now the state of Virginia.

The Congress learned that Dunmore has stockpiled weapons and supplies in New Providence, Bahamas, and ordered Esek Hopkins, commander of the Continental Navy ship "Alfred", to end the Dunmore menace.

Hopkins sent Nicholas and his marines to raid New Providence. They captured Nassau on March 3, not quite two months after leaving Philadelphia. About a moth later, on April 6, the marines saw their first naval battle, against the “Glasgow”. On June 25, Samuel Nicholas was promoted to major.

Major Archibald Henderson served as acting commandant for nearly six months in 1818-1819. All other commandants have held at least the rank of lieutenant colonel.