About
William Stephens Smith (1755-1816) was a Revolutionary War veteran and served in many diplomatic and administrative roles. In c. 1785 Smith became the secretary to the American legation in London, where he subsequently courted and married John and Abigail Adams' daughter Abigail "Nabby" Adams in 1786. In 1800 Smith was appointed as the Surveyor of Customs for the Port of New York by President Adams. In 1806 he was removed from this position by President Jefferson following his involvement in Francisco de Miranda’s filibustering expedition to liberate Venezuela from Spanish rule. Smith's last public role was a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives (c. 1812-1814) before his death in 1816.
Citation(s):
Fore, Samuel K. “William Stephens Smith .” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article…, accessed 9 October 2025.
“William Stephens Smith.” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/S000638, accessed 9 October 2025.
Places William Smith wrote from:
Each marker represents a document written by William Smith. Select a number to see a group of documents written from the same location.
Places written from
Author
- The secretary to the American legation in London writes to William Short, discussing political conditions, offering advice, and describing his…Written by:
- The secretary of the American legation in London writes to William Short regarding an American stranded in London, and he states he has come to terms…Written by:
- The secretary of the American legation in London writes to William Short, discussing letters he has written, book purchases, and Thomas…Written by:
- The secretary of the American legation in London writes to William Short regarding the purchase of toothbrushes and shoes, and he discusses Col.…Written by:
- The secretary of the American legation in London writes to William Short regarding the purchase of shoes and shipping of books.Written by:
Recipient
- William Short writes to the secretary of the American legation in London, discussing friendship, love, and life in Paris, as well as recent events in…Written by:
- William Short writes to the secretary to the American legation in London, discussing personal matters, domestic changes in Thomas Jefferson's…Written by: