Gerrit Smith

Abolitionist

Gerrit Smith was born March sixth, 1797 and died December twenty-eighth, 1874. He was an American Reformer and Philanthropist. He was born into a wealthy family. His father; one of the early white settlers of Madison County. His father "originally moved to Utica and created a land business after trading with the natives"(Niagara University). His father also became a fur trader in Utica. As a fur trader his father learned the language of the Oneida people, and formed close relations with the Oneida chief Skenandoah. His father named his first son after the chief.

He received all his father's property, which was valued at about $400,000. He later was able to increase the property in size and value. With this new found money Smith used it to do as much as he could, in “helping mankind”. He helped build Churches and gave money to theological schools and colleges. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as an independent in 1852. He resigned his seat in 1854 at the end of his first session.

His interests soon drifted into the backing of the Abolitionist Movement. In which he became friends with John Brown and Frederick Douglass. He soon picked up many leadership roles in the movement along the way. He became an avid Supporter of the Union. He also was an important financial backer for many other Abolitionists like Brown and Douglass. Smith used his money and power in order to make a change in the community.

Gerrit Smith was an active participant in the Abolitionist Movement. He since a young age treated all races with respect, and thought Slavery was imoral. He was the financial banker for many other abolitionists such as John Smith and Frederick Douglass. He participated in polotica as well as many events that led to the end of Slavery.

Smith became an abolitionist in 1835, "after witnessing the disruption of an antislavery meeting by a mob in Utica.” (Encyclopedia-Library of Congress). He also joined the anti-slavery crusade around the same time. He was elected as a member of congress on March 4th, 1853. He used his political power to help "Eli Thayer's New England Emigrant Aid Company in Massachusetts." (Dictionary of American Biography-Gale in Context). He also used his platform as a voice for slaves who were not given one. He resigned on August 7th, 1854. When resigning he spoke in support of the union.

However he was not just a political figure. He gave 50 acres of land to many farms, of indigent families. He also tried to colonize tracts in northern New York with free blacks, but this experiment was a failure. He sold John Brown and his family land at North Elba, NY. Brown's family was supposed to use this land to help the new settlers to become productive farmers. Along the way he became close friends with Frederick Douglas, and gave money in support of the publication of Douglass's paper; The North Star. “Under the excitement following the raid on Harpers Ferry in October 1859, he became temporarily insane, and for several weeks was confined in an asylum in Utica.” (Encyclopedia-Library of Congress). After a short time confined in an asylum, he was fine. Later in 1867, he signed for the release of Jefferson Davis from Captivity. He did this as he thought all people deserve the right to a just and speedy trial. He believed all people deserved the same.

Smith played an important role in the start of the Civil War, and was an adamant supporter of the Union. He believed all people were the same, and should be treated accordingly. He spent his livelihood in hope of a better life for enslaved African Americans.

Participation in the Abolitionist movement image

Born

03/06/1797

He became an abolitionist

He became an abolitionist in 1835, after witnessing the disruption of an antislavery meeting by a mob in Utica.”

01/01/1835

U.S. House of Representatives Election

He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as an independent in 1853

03/04/1853

Resignation from the house

He resigned his seat in 1854 at the end of his first session.

08/07/1854

Harpers Ferry Raid

Under the excitement following the raid on Harpers Ferry in October 1859, he became temporarily insane, and for several weeks was confined in an asylum in Utica.

10/16/1859

Jefferson Davis Released

In 1867 he was one of the signers of the bail bond to release Jefferson Davis from captivity.

05/01/1867

Died

Died visiting family in New York

12/28/1874

Citations

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Gerrit Smith.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2 Mar. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Gerrit-Smith.

Knoblauch, Edward H. “Gerrit Smith - Biographical Information.” New York History Net, Niagara University, 2008, www.nyhistory.com/gerritsmith/smith.htm.

"Gerrit Smith." Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1936. Gale In Context: Biography, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/BT2310003307/BIC?u=west66701&sid=BIC&xid=53522ea7. Accessed 11 Dec. 2019.

Pictures

Home Page:

An 1866 photograph of Gerrit Smith. Image credit: Alonzo Pease, “Gerrit Smith” Retrieved from Oswego Public Library, https://www.oswegopubliclibrary.org/node/121

Abolitionist Page:

An 1854 engraving of Gerrit Smith Image credit: John Chester Buttre, “Smith, Gerrit.” Retrieved from Dickinson College, http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/15155

Gerrit Smith

Background

Participation in the Abolitionist movement

Timeline