US Congressman. He served a single term in the United States House of Representatives on the Free Soil ticket, from March 4, 1853, until the end of the session on August 7, 1854 from the 22nd Congressional District of New York. He did not seek renomination. Born one of four children, his father was a judge and a slave owner. In 1818 he was the first valedictorian of the new Hamilton College. His family was in real estate as well as the fur trade. He gained recognition as an American philanthropist and social reformer of the mid-nineteenth century. He was a wealthy businessman. As a nationally prominent and influential abolitionist, he played a critical role in the operations of the Underground Railroad. Gerrit Smith sold farm tracts for one dollar each to 3,000 poor Blacks, many of whom he had helped escape north into freedom from slavery, with approximately 140,000 acres being transferred between 1846 and 1850. He was also an advocate for women's rights, and was highly regarded in the early years of the movement, having been mentioned in Elizabeth Cady Stanton's address at the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, the first women's rights convention. He was an unsuccessful candidate for President of the United States in 1848, 1856 and 1860. He was a polished lecturer and a prolific author. His first wife, Wealtha Ann Backus, died in 1819, seven months after their wedding. As a widower, he married on January 3, 1822 Ann Carroll Smith, who followed his religious conversion and beliefs about social reform and slavery. The couple had seven children and lived at Gerrit Smith Estate, which is standing in the 21st century as a historical site.
US Congressman. He served a single term in the United States House of Representatives on the Free Soil ticket, from March 4, 1853, until the end of the session on August 7, 1854 from the 22nd Congressional District of New York. He did not seek renomination. Born one of four children, his father was a judge and a slave owner. In 1818 he was the first valedictorian of the new Hamilton College. His family was in real estate as well as the fur trade. He gained recognition as an American philanthropist and social reformer of the mid-nineteenth century. He was a wealthy businessman. As a nationally prominent and influential abolitionist, he played a critical role in the operations of the Underground Railroad. Gerrit Smith sold farm tracts for one dollar each to 3,000 poor Blacks, many of whom he had helped escape north into freedom from slavery, with approximately 140,000 acres being transferred between 1846 and 1850. He was also an advocate for women's rights, and was highly regarded in the early years of the movement, having been mentioned in Elizabeth Cady Stanton's address at the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, the first women's rights convention. He was an unsuccessful candidate for President of the United States in 1848, 1856 and 1860. He was a polished lecturer and a prolific author. His first wife, Wealtha Ann Backus, died in 1819, seven months after their wedding. As a widower, he married on January 3, 1822 Ann Carroll Smith, who followed his religious conversion and beliefs about social reform and slavery. The couple had seven children and lived at Gerrit Smith Estate, which is standing in the 21st century as a historical site.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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