Thomas Smyth

Thomas Smyth (June 14, 1808 – August 20, 1873) was an American Presbyterian minister. He served as minister of Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina for more than 40 years, from 1832 until his death. Smyth was born in Belfast and studied at Belfast College, graduating in 1829. He then emigrated with his family to the United States in 1830, and completed his studies at Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating in 1831. He later received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Princeton also. Smyth commenced pulpit supply at Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston in 1832, and was ordained in 1834. He married Margaret Milligan Adger, daughter of James Adger, a wealthy local merchant, on July 9, 1832. At times the family wealth would be a point of conflict between Smyth and some members of his congregation, who voiced their opposition to Smyth receiving a raise in salary. Some members of the congregation also thought he preached too long. Barry Waugh argues that Smyth nevertheless had a fruitful ministry, as evidenced by the fact that at least thirty-six men from his congregation entered the ministry. Thomas and Margaret Smyth had nine children. Their son, James Adger Smyth, served as Mayor of Charleston from 1896 to 1903, while another son, Joseph Ellison Adger Smyth, became a prominent industrialist.