Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith (November 29, 1759 – September 21, 1842) was a United States representative for New Hampshire, U.S. attorney for New Hampshire, a United States circuit judge of the United States Circuit Court for the First Circuit, the sixth governor of New Hampshire and chief justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court of Judicature and the New Hampshire Supreme Judicial Court. He was a member of the Federalist Party.

Early life Born on November 29, 1759, in Peterborough, Province of New Hampshire, British America, Smith was fifth of seven sons born to William Smith, an immigrant from Ireland and Elizabeth (Morison) Smith. Smith's siblings also included three sisters. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire for his preliminary education.

At age 16, Smith enlisted for the American Revolution in the Continental Army company of Captain Stephen Parker of New Ipswich, New Hampshire. He was the 6th Governor of New Hampshire from 1809 to 1810.

Honors Smith received the honorary degree of legum Doctor (LL.D.) from Dartmouth College in 1804 and Harvard University in 1807.

Death Smith died on September 21, 1842, in Dover. He was interred in Winter Street (also called Old) Cemetery in Exeter.

Family In March 1797, Smith married Eliza Ross of Bladensburg, Maryland, whom he met at the Philadelphia boarding house they were staying at while he was attending a session of Congress and she was attending to her sick mother. Their children included Ariana (1797–1829), William (1799–1830), and Jeremiah (1802–1808).

In 1831, Smith married Elizabeth Hale (1800–1882), a daughter of William Hale. They were the parents of a son, Jeremiah Smith (1837–1921). In addition, they raised the daughter of William Smith and several nieces and nephews, as well as orphans they took into their home.

Smith was the brother of Samuel Smith, a United States representative from New Hampshire, and the uncle of Robert Smith, a United States Representative from Illinois.