Samuel E. Smith

Summary

Samuel Emerson Smith (March 12, 1788 – March 4, 1860) was an American politician from Maine. Smith served as the tenth Governor of Maine.

Samuel Emerson Smith
10th Governor of Maine
In office
January 5, 1831 – January 1, 1834
Preceded byJonathan G. Hunton
Succeeded byRobert P. Dunlap
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
In office
1820–1821
Personal details
Born(1788-03-12)March 12, 1788
Hollis, New Hampshire, New Hampshire. U.S.
DiedMarch 4, 1860(1860-03-04) (aged 71)
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materHarvard University
ProfessionLawyer

Early life edit

Smith was born in Hollis, New Hampshire on March 12, 1788. He graduated from Harvard University in 1808. He then studied law.

Career edit

Smith was admitted to the bar in 1812. Smith practiced law in Wiscasset, Maine. He served as a representative to the Massachusetts General Court in 1819. He was as a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1820 to 1821.[1] In 1821 he was appointed chief justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas of the Second District and upon the reorganization of the court system, became an associate judge of its replacement court from 1822 to 1830.

Governor of Maine edit

Smith became the Governor of Maine in 1831. During his administration, the state capitol was moved from Portland to Augusta. The controversy over the northeastern boundary of the US, mainly the border between Maine and New Brunswick, continued to escalate. He left office on January 1, 1834.

Later life edit

After leaving the office, Smith was reappointed to the Court of Common Pleas. He served there from 1835 to 1837. He died on March 4, 1860.[2][3]

References edit

  1. ^ Maine State Legislature members website
  2. ^ Manual for the General Court
  3. ^ The Maine Historical Magazine

Sources edit

  • Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2
Party political offices
First Democratic nominee for Governor of Maine
1829, 1830, 1831, 1832
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Maine
1831-1834
Succeeded by