Smith Meade PURDY, Congress, NY (1796-1870)

PURDY, Smith Meade, a Representative from New York; born in North Norwich, Chenango County, N.Y., July 31, 1796; attended the common schools; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice at Sherburne, N.Y., in 1819; moved to Norwich, N.Y., in 1827 and continued the practice of law; appointed judge of the court of common pleas and surrogate of Chenango County in 1833 and served until his resignation in 1837; elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-eighth Congress (March 4, 1843-March 3, 1845); was not a candidate for renomination in 1844; resumed the practice of law; elected judge and surrogate of Chenango County in 1847 and served until 1851; declined a renomination owing to poor health and retired from active pursuits; died in Norwich, N.Y., March 30, 1870; interment in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present