Samuel Smith (New York politician)

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Samuel Smith (May 26, 1788 – May 19, 1872) was an American farmer, businessman, and politician who became Mayor of Brooklyn in 1850. He was born in Huntington, New York, and moved to Brooklyn in 1806. He started as a cooper, then turned to farming and built a large Fort Greene farm. He later profited from real estate and became very wealthy. He served as a director of the Brooklyn Bank, the Atlantic Bank, and helped start Nassau Insurance and other companies. His farm bordered Red Hook Lane and Smith Street, which was named after him.

Smith also held many public roles: highway commissioner and fence viewer, assessor, justice of the peace, town supervisor and chairman, county judge, superintendent of the poor, and alderman for the Sixth Ward. He fought in the War of 1812, serving with the Washington Fusiliers and later becoming captain of the 44th Regiment. Elected as a Democrat, he served the last eight months of 1850 as mayor after the city charter changed the start of the municipal year. He married Eliza Joralemon in 1811 and died at home on May 19, 1872.