Thomas Adams Smith was an American military officer.
Background
Thomas was born on August 12, 1781 in Essex County, Virginia, United States, the fifth son and child in a family of seven children. He was a nephew of Col. Meriwether Smith, who played a leading role in Virginia during the Revolution, and a cousin of George William Smith, who succeeded Monroe as governor of the state.
His father, Francis Smith, married Lucy Wilkinson, and emigrated shortly after the Revolution to Wilkes County, acquiring large properties there, and founding a family which, like so many emigrant Virginian families of that generation, made its influence felt in the development of the Southwest.
Education
There is no information about his education.
Career
Entering the army as an ensign, Smith was commissioned second lieutenant of artillerists in December 1803. He attracted the favorable notice of Gen. James Wilkinson, who sent him on an exciting horseback journey from New Orleans to Washington, where he arrived on January 2, 1807, with letters and important "oral communications" for President Jefferson regarding Aaron Burr's activities.
Appointed to a captaincy in the Rifles, May 3, 1808, Smith served successively as lieutenant-colonel and as colonel of this superior regiment, being advanced to the latter rank during the War of 1812. When a group of "Patriots" seized Amelia Island, he was sent into Spanish East Florida and from March 1812 to April 1813 commanded there against possible Spanish attacks and Indian and Negro depredations. He saw action at Plattsburg, Sacketts Harbor, Burlington, and other engagements in the northern campaigns. He was one of the six brigadier-generals created January 4, 1814.
Early in 1815 the army was reduced, only four brigadiers being retained, and Smith reverted to the rank of colonel and commanded the Rifle Regiment. That same year he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Territories of Missouri and Illinois, with headquarters at Bellefontaine, near St. Louis.
Upon his resignation from the army, November 10, 1818, he was appointed by President Monroe to the most lucrative position in the West, that of receiver of public monies, at Franklin, Missouri. This post he held until 1826, when he retired to his plantation, "Experiment, " a large property in Saline County, where he became a highly successful planter and a leader in public affairs in Missouri until his death eighteen years later.
Strongly opinionated, he appears to have resigned from the army because of his personal antipathy for General Scott. Smith died on June 25, 1844 at Experiment Farm, Saline County, Missouri, United States.
Achievements
Personality
Smith was of striking appearance. His figure was erect and he had a handsome face, with heavy brows over dark, piercing eyes, prominent chin, high forehead, and black hair. He lacked in political ambitions, but had powerful political connections.
Quotes from others about the person
Much esteemed by his fellow officers - Gen. William Henry Harrison characterized him in 1817 as the "most accomplished officer in the service".
Connections
Smith married, September 17, 1807, Cynthia Berry, daughter of Brigadier-General James White, founder of Knoxville, and sister of Hugh Lawson White. He had five sons and three daughters, one of whom, Lucy Anne, was the wife of Nathaniel Beverley Tucker of Williamsburg.