Education
Born in Scotland, Smith was educated at University College, Durham University receiving an Master of Arts in 1852 and held the post of curator and chaplain at Northumbria before he arrived in New South Wales with his family in 1855.
Born in Scotland, Smith was educated at University College, Durham University receiving an Master of Arts in 1852 and held the post of curator and chaplain at Northumbria before he arrived in New South Wales with his family in 1855.
He was well known for planting trees all over his 2330 square kilometre parish. He moved to Canberra and lived at a cottage at Acton until 1873 when he and his family moved into the new Glebe House (which was demolished in the mid 20th century). Many of Canberra"s trees were propagated from the trees that he planted around Glebe House.
In 1889 he was thrown from his horse and broke a legal
He was unable to ride again and had to visit his parish in a carriage. In 1905 he retired to Queanbeyan where he died in 1908.
He is buried at Street John"son Smith"s second daughter, Mary, married George De Salis of Cuppacumbalong Homestead in 1878.