Joseph Lee Smith
Encyclopedia
Joseph Lee Smith was an American lawyer, soldier, and jurist. He was the father of Confederate States of America
General
Edmund Kirby Smith
.
Born in Connecticut
, Smith practiced law in that state until the War of 1812
, when he became a lieutenant-colonel in the U.S. Army
and served with distinction in combat. At the Battle of Stoney Creek
in Ontario
, Canada
on June 7, 1813 quick thinking and action by Smith saved his 25th Infantry from capture.
After the war, Smith remained in the Army, rising to the position of colonel
, when he was placed in command of the 3rd Infantry in 1818. Resigning from the Army shortly thereafter, he returned to his Connecticut law practice, but moved to Florida
in 1821. From 1823 to 1832 he was a Territorial judge
in that state. Subsequently, he practiced law in St. Augustine
. He lived with his family at the Segui House for his entire residency in St. Augustine. After his death, the house served for a time as the St. Augustine Public Library. Today it serves as the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library.
His oldest son, Ephraim Kirby Smith, was born in Connecticut in 1807. A graduate of the United States Military Academy
, he died in combat during the Mexican-American War in 1847.
His youngest son, Edmund Kirby Smith, was born in Florida in 1824, graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1845, and served with his brother in the Mexican-American War. In 1861, he did not join the Confederate Army
until his home state of Florida seceded.
Alexander Darnes
the son of slave Violet Pinkney was born in Smith's house at 12 Aviles St. in St. Augustine. Darnes who would remain in servitude to the end of the Civil War would become a celebrated and successful physician.
Both Smith and his wife Frances are buried side by side in the Huguenot Cemetery
in St. Augustine.
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Edmund Kirby Smith
Edmund Kirby Smith
Edmund Kirby Smith was a career United States Army officer and educator. He served as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, notable for his command of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy after the fall of Vicksburg.After the conflict ended Smith...
.
Born in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, Smith practiced law in that state until the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, when he became a lieutenant-colonel in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and served with distinction in combat. At the Battle of Stoney Creek
Battle of Stoney Creek
The Battle of Stoney Creek was fought on 6 June 1813 during the War of 1812 near present day Stoney Creek, Ontario. British units made a night attack on an American encampment...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
on June 7, 1813 quick thinking and action by Smith saved his 25th Infantry from capture.
After the war, Smith remained in the Army, rising to the position of colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
, when he was placed in command of the 3rd Infantry in 1818. Resigning from the Army shortly thereafter, he returned to his Connecticut law practice, but moved to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in 1821. From 1823 to 1832 he was a Territorial judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
in that state. Subsequently, he practiced law in St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
. He lived with his family at the Segui House for his entire residency in St. Augustine. After his death, the house served for a time as the St. Augustine Public Library. Today it serves as the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library.
His oldest son, Ephraim Kirby Smith, was born in Connecticut in 1807. A graduate of the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, he died in combat during the Mexican-American War in 1847.
His youngest son, Edmund Kirby Smith, was born in Florida in 1824, graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1845, and served with his brother in the Mexican-American War. In 1861, he did not join the Confederate Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
until his home state of Florida seceded.
Alexander Darnes
Alexander Darnes
Alexander H. Darnes was an African American born into slavery in the city of St. Augustine, Florida who became one of the first black physicians in the state of Florida...
the son of slave Violet Pinkney was born in Smith's house at 12 Aviles St. in St. Augustine. Darnes who would remain in servitude to the end of the Civil War would become a celebrated and successful physician.
Both Smith and his wife Frances are buried side by side in the Huguenot Cemetery
Huguenot Cemetery
The Huguenot Cemetery in St. Augustine, Florida located across from the historic City Gate was a Protestant burial ground between the years 1821 and 1884. The Spanish colonial city of St. Augustine, along with the entire Florida Territory became defacto American possessions after the 1819 signing...
in St. Augustine.