Family and Education

b. 1732, 1st s. of John Smith, Lambeth merchant, by Mary, da. of Griffin Ransome of Lambeth.  m. Aug. 1766, Sarah, da. of Nathaniel Gilbert, a judge and member of the legislative council, Antigua, 4da., the 1st, Maria, m. 1787, Charles, Lord Compton.1  suc. fa. 1787.

Offices Held

Director, E. I. Co. 1771-3.

Biography

Smith was a shipowner and proprietor of East India stock; and appears in the London trade directory of 1791 as a timber merchant.2 In 1784 he unsuccessfully contested Penryn on the anti-Basset interest, and as a supporter of Pitt.3 He was returned unopposed at Devizes in 1788; and voted with Pitt over the Regency. There is no record of his having spoken in the House before 1790.

Smith died 20 Mar. 1819.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes

• 1. Marquess of Northampton, Hist. Comptons of Compton Wynyates, 213-14.
• 2. C. H. Philips, E.I. Co. 1784-1834, p. 345.
• 3. Laprade, 124.