John Smith (Virginia representative)

John Smith ( * May 7, 1750 in Locust Hill, Middlesex County, Virginia; † March 5, 1836 in Middletown, Virginia ) was an American politician. Between 1801 and 1815 he represented the state of Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Career

About the childhood and youth of John Smith give the sources inconclusive. In 1773 he moved to the Frederick County, where he worked on the estate Hackwood as planters. He was also justice of the peace in his new home. In 1774, he fought in an Indian war. Smith was also participant in the War of Independence. At the same time he embarked on a political career. Between 1779 and 1783 he was a member of the Lower House of Virginia; 1791 to 1794 he was a member of the State Senate. Politically, he joined the end of the 1790s by Thomas Jefferson founded the Democratic-Republican Party.

In the congressional elections of 1800, Smith was the first electoral district of Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington DC chosen, where he became the successor of Robert Page on March 4, 1801. After six re- election he was able to complete in Congress until March 3, 1815 seven legislative sessions. During his time as a congressman, the territory of the United States has been considerably enlarged in 1803 by the investments made by President Jefferson Louisiana Purchase. In 1804, the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. In addition, the British -American War of 1812 was in Smith's time as an MP. He took an active part regardless his mandate in this war.

After the end of his time in the U.S. House of Representatives John Smith again worked in agriculture. He died on March 5, 1836 on the property Rockville in Middletown and was buried in the family cemetery on the property Hackwood.