Background
He was born in New York City in 1786, the son of Elias Smith, a United Empire Loyalist.
He was born in New York City in 1786, the son of Elias Smith, a United Empire Loyalist.
He came to the site of what is now Portuguese Hope with his family in 1797. His father and Jonathan Walton built a sawmill and gristmill there which formed the basis for the community that developed there. Smith was a merchant and miller and served as magistrate.
He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada for Durham in 1828 and served until 1830.