[1] Smith was born in Camberwell, the son of Benjamin Smith, of Great Lodge, Tonbridge, a London goldsmith, by his wife Susannah, daughter of Apsley Pellatt.
His younger brother was the surgeon Sir Thomas Smith, 1st Baronet (1833–1909).
After a curacy at Trinity Church, Tunbridge Wells 1845–50, he was Rector of Rusthall from 1850 to 1874; and then of Crayford from 1874 until his appointment as Archdeacon.
[2] A faithful servant to the Diocese of Canterbury, he was also at various times during his long ministry Rural Dean of Dartford, Diocesan Inspector of Schools and Chaplain to the Archbishop.
[4] Smith wrote the foreword to "Weapons Of Christian Warfare: Sermons," published in 1884.