Samuel E. Smith

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 by	Jonathan G. Hunton
Succeeded by	Robert 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, U.S.
Died	March 4, 1860(1860-03-04) (aged 71)
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Harvard University
Profession	Lawyer

Early life

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

Career

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. 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

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

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.

Sources

• Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2