13 Facts About Smith Thompson

Smith Thompson was a US Secretary of the Navy from 1819 to 1823 and a US Supreme Court Associate Justice from 1823 to his death.

Smith Thompson practiced in Troy, New York from 1792 to 1793, and in Poughkeepsie, New York from 1793 to 1802.

Smith Thompson was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1800, and attended the New York Constitutional Convention of 1801.

Smith Thompson was appointed to the New York State Supreme Court in 1802, serving as associate justice from 1802 to 1814, and chief justice from 1814 to 1818.

Smith Thompson would withdraw from his presidential campaign when outcompeted by other candidates.

Smith Thompson was to fill a seat vacated by Henry Brockholst Livingston.

Formally nominated on December 5,1823, Smith Thompson was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 9,1823, and received his commission the same day.

Smith Thompson's dissent protesting the State of Georgia invading the lands of the Cherokee Nation, in Cherokee Nation v Georgia, 30 US 1, is important to understanding the history of Native American rights.

Smith Thompson presided over the Circuit Court trial in Connecticut in the Amistad case in 1839.

Justice Smith Thompson remained on the court until his death in Poughkeepsie, New York, on December 18,1843.

In May 1816, Smith Thompson was a founding vice president of the American Bible Society and provided a copy to every officer and enlisted man in the Navy while he was Secretary of the Navy.

In 1919, the USS Smith Thompson was named in honor of him on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of Smith Thompson becoming the Secretary of the Navy.

Smith Thompson married first, Sarah Livingston daughter of Gilbert Livingston, a law partner of Thompson, and had four children.