Smith, Caleb

Smith, Caleb, a Presbyterian minister, was born in Brookhaven, L.I., Dec. 29, 1723. He received good preparatory training, graduated at Yale College in 1743, remained at college for some time as a resident graduate, gave instruction in the languages at Elizabethtown, N.J., and at the same time studied theology under the direction of the Rev. Jonathan Dickinson. He was licensed to preach in April 1747, and was ordained and installed pastor of Newark Mountains (now Orange), N.J., Nov. 30, 1748. In 1750, shortly after his settlement in the ministry, he was appointed a trustee of the College of New Jersey and clerk of the board, and continued as such officer till the removal of the college to Princeton. After the death of president Edwards he was chosen president pro tempore, and for several months continued to discharge the duties of that important position with much dignity and ability. He was for many years stated clerk of the presbytery, and usually conducted its correspondence. He died Oct. 22, 1762. Mr. Smith ranked among the more popular preachers of his day. His only publication was a Sermon on the Death of Aaron Burr (1757). A Brief Account of his Life from his Diary, etc., was published at Woodbridge, N.J. in 1763. See Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, 3, 146; Steam, Hist. of First Church, Newark; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v. (J.L.S.)