Career
He was the father of Confederate States of America General Edmund Kirby Smith. Born in Connecticut, Smith practiced law in that state until the War of 1812, when he became a Lieutenant colonel in the United States. Army and served with distinction in combat. At the Battle of Stoney Creek in Ontario, Canada on June 7, 1813 quick thinking and action by Smith saved his 25th Infantry from capture.
After the war, Smith remained in the Army, rising to the position of colonel, when he was placed in command of the 3rd Infantry in 1818.
Resigning from the Army shortly thereafter, he returned to his Connecticut law practice, but moved to Florida in 1821. From 1823 to 1832 he was a Territorial judge in that state.
Subsequently, he practiced law in Saint Augustine. He lived with his family at the Segui House for his entire residency in Saint Augustine.
After his death, the house served for a time as the Saint Augustine Public Library.
Today it serves as the Saint Augustine Historical Society Research Library. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he died in combat during the Mexican–American War in 1847. He was one of seven full generals of the Confederate army during the American Civil War.
Alexander Darnes the son of slave Violet Pinkney was born in Smith"s house at 12 Aviles Saint in Saint Augustine.
Darnes who would remain in servitude to the end of the Civil War would become a celebrated and successful physician.