Col. John Speed Smith

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Born 1792-Died 1854. He was the son of William Smith and Mary Spencer Speed Smith. He married Eliza Lewis Clay 31 July 1815.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Speed_Smith

John Speed Smith (July 1, 1792 - June 6, 1854) was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky, father of Green Clay Smith.

Born near Nicholasville, Kentucky, Smith attended a private school in Mercer County. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1812 and commenced practice in Richmond, Kentucky. During the War of 1812 enlisted as a private, and subsequently promoted to major. He served as aide-de-camp to General Harrison with the rank of colonel. He served as member of the state house of representatives in 1819.

Smith was elected as a Republican to the Seventeenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of George Robertson and served from August 6, 1821, to March 3, 1823. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1822. He was again a member of the state house of representatives in 1827, 1830, 1839, 1841, and 1845, and served as speaker in 1827. United States district attorney for Kentucky 1828-1832. He served as member of the state senate 1846-1850. He died in Richmond, Kentucky, June 6, 1854. He was interred in Richmond Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7932790/john-speed-smith

U.S. Congressman. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1812 and commenced to practice law in Richmond, Kentucky. During the War of 1812, he enlisted in the US Army and served as a Colonel aide-de-camp to General William Henry Harrison, who was later President of the United States. After the war, he was a member of the Kentucky State House of Representatives in 1819, was elected as a Republican to the Seventeenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of George Robertson, serving (1821-23). Not a candidate for re-nomination, he was again a member of the Kentucky State House of Representatives (1827, 1830, 1839, 1841, 1845), US District Attorney for Kentucky (1828-32) and a member of the Kentucky State Senate, (1846-50).

GEDCOM Note

BIOGRAPHY: From "Records and Memorials of The Speed Family," by Thomas Speed, Courier-Journal Job Printing Co, Louisville, Ky, 1892. Pg 88-93 describes his life, family and descendants. COLONEL JOHN SPEED SMITH. John Speed Smith, of Madison county, Ky., son of Wm. Smith and Mary Speed Smith, and brother of Elizabeth Smith Fry, was born July 31, 1792. He became one of the most prominent men in Kentucky —being a lawyer of great ability and a public man of wide reputation and influence. In 18 19 he served in the State Legislature, and was elected to the same body in 1827, 1830, 1839, 1841 and 1845. In 1827 he was Speaker of the House. He was a member of the State Senate from 1846 to 1850. In 1821 he was elected to Congress. He twice received appointment by the President of the United States, being sent by President Adams on a mission to South America, and being made United States District Attorney for Kentucky by President Jackson. He took part in the War of 1812, serving as aid-de-camp to General Harrison. The various positions he filled show that he was held in the highest estimation by his countiymen. It has been said of him that "he was one of the most accomplished and able lawyers of his day, and one of the most enterprising, popular and valuable citizens of Kentucky." He died in 1854. He married, July 31, 181 5, Miss Eliza Lewis Clay, a daughter of General Green Clay and sister of Hon. Cassius M. Clay, of Kentucky. Their children were: 1. Sallie Ann, born July 10, 1S18. 2. Curran Cassius, born July 12, 1822. 3. Green Clay, born July 10, 1S27. 4. Pauline Green, born September 30, 1829. 5. Junius Brutus, died unmarried. 6. Mary Spencer, died unmarried. 7. John Speed.

BIOGRAPHY: Kentucky Obituaries, 1787-1854, compiled by G. Glenn Clift, Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc., Baltimore, MD, 1979, pg 217/218 "Col. John Speed Smith, of Madison county. He was born in Jessamine county, near the Kentucky river, July 1, 1792. His father died when he was quite young and he was reared by his uncle, John Speed, of Jefferson county. His mother married a few years after his father's death. He studied law but gave up his practice to march to General Harrison's army on the Wabash. He fought in the battle of Tippecanoe. Returning to Kentucky he again practiced law, in Richmond, where he was admitted to the bar in June, 1812. Again in 1813 he fought Britain, this time becoming a Brig. Major. He married July 1, 1815, Bliza L., eldest daughter of Gen. Green Clay. He was elected a member of the Kentucky Legislature in 1819, and in 1821 to Congress. He authored the inscription on the marble block contributed by Kentucky to the Washington Monument. He was Attorney for the United States, District of Ky. for several years. His last public post was that of Superintendent of Public Works of Kentucky. During President Adams' administration he was offered two diplomatic appointments but declined both. Col. Smith was a fraction under six feet in height, his complexion fair, his hair light, thin even to baldness. His eyes were dark and penetrating, He died June 6, 1854, in Madison county. He was 62 years of age. S 6/6. 6/13 and 6/20."

BIOGRAPHY: Additional information found in the Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774 to 1927.

BIOGRAPHY: From the War of 1812 database for John Speed Smith 5 REGIMENT (SOUTH'S), MOUNTED, KENTUCKY VOLS 11 REGIMENT, (WILLIAMS') MOUNTED, KENTUCKY VOLS.

BIOGRAPHY: National Archives, Service Record John Speed Smith, Adjutant, South's 5th Reg, Ky Militia Sep 18 to Oct 30, 1812, entered as Ensign, promoted to Adjutant, 7 Oct 1812. John Speed Smith, Private, Richard Holder's Co, William's 11th Regt Ky Mtd Infantry 31 Aug 1913 to 6 Nov 1913 Widow's Service Pension No. 14,554 granted to Eliza L. Smith, widow of John Speed Smith, in 1878 for service in War of 1812

BIRTH: "A History of Jessamine County, Kentucky," by COL Bennett H. Young, 1898, pg 205-6, "John Speed Smith. Was born on the Caspar Harbaugh place, Jessamine County, July 31, 1792. He served with distinction in the War of 1812 - was at the battle of Tippecanoe, and was Aide to General Harrison at the battle of Thames. "He removed to Madison county in his early manhood, where he became a distinguished lawyer. He represented Madison county in the legislature in 1819, '27,'30, '39, '41, and '45, and the Senate in 1846 and '50. He was speaker of the House of Representatives in 1827. He was member of Congress in 1821-23, and was Secretary to the Legation of the United States Commissions sent to South American colonies. Jackson appointed him United States District Attorney for Kentucky. In 1839 he was made joint Commissioner with Gov. Jas. T. Morehead to visit the Ohio legislature to secure passage of laws to prevent enticement of slaves and to provide a more efficient means of returning slaves who had escaped; the Commissioners were successful in this work. "For several years prior to his death he was State Superintendent of Public Works, and through his life was one of the most prominent and popular men in Kentucky." However, it was in Fayette Co when he was born ,because Jessamine Co was not formed from Fayette Co until 1799.

BURIAL: FindAGrave.com John Speed Smith BIRTH 1 Jul 1792, Nicholasville, Jessamine County, Kentucky, USA DEATH 6 Jun 1854 (aged 61), Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, USA BURIAL Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, USA MEMORIAL ID 7932790