Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith (November 29, 1759 – September 21, 1842) was a United States representative for New Hampshire, United States 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. William Smith was a successful farmer who served in local offices including justice of the peace and was a member of New Hampshire's Provincial Congress in 1774. Jeremiah Smith received instruction from his father and several private tutors. 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 participated in the Battle of Bennington and was grazed by a musket ball which left a permanent scar on his throat. Smith attended Harvard College, though also graduated from Queen's College (now Rutgers University) in 1780. He returned to military service in 1781and performed garrison duties in and around Peekskill, New York before returning home. In 1782, Smith began to study law with attorney Shearjashub Bourne of Barnstable, Massachusetts, while working as a tutor in the home of Joseph Otis. He completed his legal studies with attorney William Pynchon of Salem, Massachusetts, while serving as headmaster of a school for girls. Smith was admitted to the bar in 1786 and entered private practice in Peterborough. Start of career In 1786, Smith was elected Peterborough's town clerk, and in 1787 he was elected as the town's surveyor of highways. In addition, Smith served terms as town agent and a member of Peterborough's board of selectmen. He was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1788 to 1791. As a House member, Smith voted against the impeachment of Woodbury Langdon, a judge of the state superior court. The legislature voted in favor, and appointed Langdon to conduct the impeachment, despite the fact that he had voted no.