He worked mainly in dot or stipple engraving, producing portraits, illustrations, and allegorical and biblical subjects after prominent artists of the day.

[7] In 1810 whilst sailing to Portugal for business, Smith and partner engraver Joseph Bye were captured by a French privateer and imprisoned in France for 4 years until peace was declared in 1814.

[8] In 1817 Smith and Bye were convicted at Dover of uttering forged Margate Bank notes and initially sentenced to death.

Petitions for clemency included individual petitions from Smith's wife Mary and from William Bengo' Collyer; 7 collective petitions (65 people); and 8 letters, including from Sir Robert Gardiner on behalf of Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg (uncle of Queen Victoria, later to be King Leopold I of Belgium); from ex-employer William Home Lizars and his son Daniel Lizars; from publisher John Murray; and from the mayor and justices of the peace for the town and port of Dover.

Smith's wife, Mary, had four children and lived in the Battle Bridge (Kings Cross) and Somers Town areas of London.