 
Thorowgood Smith (1730 -- 1808) |
At left is the portrait of Thorowgood Smith which hangs over the mantle in the drawing room of the Federal period house located at 9 N. Front St. The portrait is an oil on canvas reproduction of the original that still exists and hangs in the Board of Estimates Room in City Hall (pictured far left). Smith lived in the house for two years prior to his election as Baltimore's second mayor in 1804 while Thomas Jefferson was our country's president. Smith's fortunes went up and down throughout his life. He moved into the house after his investments in a small fleet of cargo ships collapsed. Smith did own slaves and would be considered a wealthy gentleman. He is credited for having begun Baltimore's police force, appropriate considering that his former residence faces Baltimore's current police headquarters and rests in Shot Tower Park that includes the Police Memorial. |
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