His term as elected governor was short and ended with his death in the Richmond Theatre fire of 1811.

[3] Like his father, the younger Smith soon entered politics, representing Essex County in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1790 to 1794.

He later took his law practice to Richmond and, in 1801, again won election to the state house, this time representing the city.

[4] However, his official tenure lasted only three weeks before his death during the great Richmond Theatre fire of December 26, 1811.

[5] Governor Smith had initially reached safety, but he went back into the fire and died trying to find his young son.