Smith was born in Louth Township, Upper Canada, the son of Joseph Smith, a United Empire Loyalist, and Anna Margaret House, the daughter of a United Empire Loyalist.
Following the election of 1834, the Legislative Assembly was dominated by reformers, who opposed the government of the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, Sir Francis Bond Head, refusing to pass budget bills.
As a result of the frequent clashes, Lieutenant Governor Head dissolved the 12th Parliament after only two annual sessions.
In the resulting election, Smith and Rymal were defeated by Allan MacNab and Michael Aikman.
He initially supported the government of the Governor General, Lord Sydenham, but gradually came to support Robert Baldwin in his contests with subsequent governors-general over the principles of responsible government.