Thomas Hart Seymour was an American Democratic politician and lawyer.
Background
He was born on September 29, 1807 in Hartford, Connecticut, United States, the only child of Maj. Henry and Jane (Ellery) Seymour. His father, a broker of means and a man of liberal education, was descended from Richard Seymour (or Seamer) who settled in Hartford in 1639, while his mother was descended from William Ellery of Gloucester, Massachussets, whose grandson had come to Hartford about 1742.
Both families were socially prominent and noted for their military spirit.
Education
After some schooling in Hartford, Thomas was sent to Capt. Alden Partridge's military academy at Middletown, Connecticut, from which he graduated in 1829. Subsequently, he studied law in Hartford.
Career
He was admitted to the bar in 1833, but as he was too active by nature to settle down to the routine of the profession it was not until 1839 that he appeared on the register of practising attorneys. Meanwhile he interested himself in politics and military affairs, becoming an active member of the Hartford Light Guard and serving as its commander from 1837 to 1841.
When the Democrats came into power in 1836, he was elected probate judge for the Hartford district, and showed both legal and political acumen during the three years that he held office. In 1837 and 1838 he also edited the Jeffersonian, and in 1842 was clerk of the superior court. Elected to the Twenty-eighth Congress (1843 - 45), he was as active on the floor of the House as any of his age and standing. Though renominated by his party in 1844 he declined to run and returned to Hartford.
With the advent of the Mexican War, he again became active in military affairs. In 1847 he sailed with General Scott's forces to Vera Cruz as a major of Connecticut Volunteers. On April 9, he was commissioned a major in the 9th United States Infantry, and on August 12, lieutenant-colonel of the 12th Infantry. In the battle of Chapultepec he led his regiment after its commander had fallen, and, with his command, was first to enter the fortress. For service in this engagement he was brevetted colonel on September 13, 1847.
Acclaimed for his part in the campaign, he was nominated for governor of Connecticut in 1849, but failed of election by a small margin. He was chosen, however, in 1850 and in 1851, when the elections were thrown into the legislature, and in each of the two years following he was reelected by popular vote.
He resigned in April 1853, the month after his fourth election, since, as a reward for his active support of Pierce in the presidential election of 1852, he had been tendered the appointment as minister to Russia, but he did not relinquish the governorship until October 13, and did not sail for his post until December 24. His duties at St. Petersburg were neither onerous nor difficult, and after four years of residence there he resigned in 1858, toured the Continent for nearly a year, and then returned to Hartford.
He ran for governor in 1863, but defeat was inevitable. At the National Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1864 he received thirty-eight votes on the first ballot for the presidential nomination.
He died in Hartford on September 3, 1868.
Politics
His sympathies had turned toward the South (question of slavery) and he thus became the leader of the Connecticut Peace Democrats.
Personality
Throughout his life he was noted for his courtesy and his military bearing.
