Timothy Pickering ( July 17 1745 -- January 29 1829 ) was a politician from Massachusetts who served in a variety of roles , most notably as the third United States Secretary of State , serving in that office from 1795 to 1800 under Presidents George Washington and John Adams . Timothy Pickering ( July 17 , 1745 - January 29 , 1829 ) was a politician from Massachusetts who served in a variety of roles , most notably as the third United States Secretary of State , serving in that office from 1795 to 1800 under Presidents George Washington and John Adams .