History of Pequea, (Lancaster County) Pennsylvania United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Pequea, (Lancaster County) Pennsylvania, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

John Blair Smith, educator, was born in Pequea, Pa., June 12, 1756; son of the Rev. Robert and Elizabeth (Blair) Smith, and brother of Samuel Stanhope Smith . He was graduated from the College of New Jersey, A.B., 1773, A.M., 1776; studied theology at Hampden-Sidney college and led a company of students in the defence of Williamsburg. He was tutor at Hampden-Sidney, 1777?79, and succeeded his brother, Samuel Stanhope Smith, as president of the institution in 1779. He was licensed in April, 1778, and ordained Oct. 26, 1779. He was married, in 1780, to Elizabeth, daughter of Col. John Nash of Templeton, Prince Edward county, Va. He carried the college successfully through the period of the Revolutionary war; established the theological school, and in 1788 conducted an extensive revival throughout southern and western Virginia. He resigned the presidency of Hampden-Sidney in 1779 and became pastor of the Pine Street Presbyterian church, Philadelphia, Pa. In 1795 he was elected the first president of Union college, Schenectady, N.Y., and served till 1799, when he resumed his former charge in Philadelphia. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on him by Hampden-Sidney college in 1795. Of his many sermons, The Enlargement of Christ's Kingdom was published in 1797. He died in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 22. 1799.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Pequea, (Lancaster County) Pennsylvania

Biographies: