Smith, Richard, 1735-1803

<b>Richard Smith</b><br>
<b>BIRTH</b> 22 Mar 1735<br>
Burlington, Burlington County, New Jersey, USA<br>
<b>DEATH</b> 17 Sep 1803 (aged 68)<br>
Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi, USA<br>
<b>BURIAL</b><br>
Natchez City Cemetery<br>
Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi, USA

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/30/1794 NJ At-Large Lost 2.95% (-10.66%)</li>
<li>12/31/1775 NJ Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1774 NJ Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>09/01/1774 NJ Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>

SMITH, Richard, a Delegate from New Jersey; born in Burlington, N.J., March 22, 1735; educated under private teachers and in Friends' schools; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1762 and practiced in Philadelphia, Pa., and later in Burlington, N.J.; commissioned county clerk of Burlington on December 7, 1762; Member of the Continental Congress from July 23, 1774, to June 12, 1776, when he resigned; member of the state council in 1776; elected treasurer of New Jersey and served from 1776 to February 15, 1777, when he resigned; moved to Laurens, N.Y., in 1790 and thence to Philadelphia in 1799; died near Natchez, Miss., September 17, 1803; interment in Natchez Cemetery.

<p>Richard Smith (March 22, 1735 – September 17, 1803) was a lawyer, politician, and a Founding Father of the United States who served in the Continental Congress and signed the Continental Association.</p>

<p>Richard Smith was born in Burlington, Province of New Jersey to Richard Smith, a member of the West Jersey Assembly, and Abigail Raper, his wife. Smith was educated under private teachers and in Quaker schools, and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1762 and practiced in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later in Burlington. He was commissioned county clerk of Burlington on December 7, 1762.</p>

<p>Smith was chosen as a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress from July 23, 1774, to June 12, 1776, when he resigned. He was a member of the New Jersey Legislative Council (now the New Jersey Senate) in 1776, and was elected treasurer of New Jersey, serving 1776 until he resigned on February 15, 1777. Smith moved to Laurens, New York, in 1790, and then to Philadelphia in 1799. He died near Natchez, Mississippi, and was interred in Natchez Cemetery.</p>