John Cotton SMITH, Congress, CT (1765-1845)

SMITH John Cotton , a Representative from Connecticut; born in Sharon, Conn., on February 12, 1765; completed preparatory studies; was graduated from Yale College in 1783; studied law; was admitted to the bar and began practice in Sharon, Conn., in 1787; member of the State house of representatives in 1793, 1796, and 1800, and served as speaker in 1800; elected as a Federalist to the Sixth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Jonathan Brace; reelected to the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Congresses and served from November 17, 1800, until his resignation in August 1806; chairman, Committee on Claims (Seventh through Ninth Congresses); judge of the supreme court of Connecticut in 1809; Lieutenant Governor in 1810; Governor 1813-1818; unsuccessful candidate for Governor on the Federalist ticket in 1817; president of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions; president of the Connecticut Bible Society; retired to his estate near Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn., where he died December 7, 1845; interment in Hillside Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present