John Cotton Smith (February 12, 1765 – December 7, 1845) was an American lawyer, judge and politician from Connecticut.

[3] Smith was elected as a Federalist candidate to the Sixth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Jonathan Brace.

He was reelected to the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Congresses, serving from November 17, 1800, until his resignation in August 1806.

[9] Smith retired from politics but remained involved in academic and religious organizations.

Smith's home in Sharon is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.