John Cotton Smith

John Cotton Smith ( born February 2, 1765 in Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut, † December 7, 1845 ) was an American politician and the sixth Governor of the U.S. state of Connecticut. He was a member of the Federalist Party.

Early years and political rise

John Cotton Smith, son of Cotton Mather Smith, a Puritanerpastor, who moved from Massachusetts to Connecticut, was born on February 2, 1765 in Sharon. Smith went on to Yale University, where he graduated in 1783. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1787. Later, he then decided to pursue a political career. He ran in 1793 for a seat in the House of Representatives from Connecticut and won the election and re- elections in 1796 and in 1800. During his third term in the House he was elected Speaker, a post that he later repeatedly held and that from 1806 to he in 1807, and from 1807 to 1809. Moreover exercised in 1799 the activity of a Clerk in the House of Representatives from. In addition, Smith was from 1800 until his resignation in August 1806 MP in the U.S. Congress. Later, he had a short time in 1809, held the office of a judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court; However, he had to give back, as one 1810 Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut elected him, a position which he held until 1812 this office.

Governor of Connecticut

As the incumbent Governor Roger Griswold died on October 25, 1812, Smith took over his official duties. Smith was then officially elected later by referenda in 1813, 1814, 1815, and 1816 in the Office of the Governor. During his tenure, he remained with the enforcement of Griswold's refusal to confront the state militia under federal control. Smith championed agricultural development, as well as the shipping business within the state. He was also a proponent of Connecticut's involvement in the Hartford Convention, which took place 1814-1815. Furthermore, his administration rejected a reform and the liberal amendment of Connecticut's Royal Charter. Smith left his post on May 8, 1817, after he defeated in a renewed bid for the governorship.

Later years

Smith ran two more times, in 1818 and 1819, for the office of the governor of Connecticut, but failed both times. Then he withdrew from public life, but remained active in his religious and scientific issues. He was a member of Connecticut and Massachusetts Historical Societies, and 1826-1841 President of the American Board of Foreign Mission. In addition, he was also president of the Connecticut State Bible Society, and from 1831 until his death in 1845 the American Bible Society.

Governor John Cotton Smith died on 7 December 1845 in Sharon and was buried at the local Hillside Cemetery.