“S” is for Smith, Thomas (ca. 1648-1694)

“S” is for Smith, Thomas (ca. 1648-1694). Governor. Born in England, Smith immigrated with his family to Carolina in 1683, likely as a member of a great Dissenter migration to the province that occurred during the 1680s. He obtained a landgrave’s grant of 48,000 acres. During the 1680s he augmented his wealth with political influence. The Lords Proprietors appointed him a member of the Grand Council. In May 1693 he was appointed deputy governor of Carolina. Smith’s Dissenter connections gave him some political security, but the conflict between Dissenters and Anglicans and between proprietary supporters and opponents kept the province in turmoil. He did, though have a few successes as the Commons House passed a quitrent law that formally enrolled land grants. Thomas Smith sought to end the Indian slave trade and reduce commerce with pirates.