John Smith (banker)

However he is remembered today for his foundation of "Belvedere", the Harrogate mansion which was built for him by Richard Ellis and designed by Perkin and Backhouse, and also for his large stone monument which stands in Grove Road Cemetery.

[16][17] Subsequently in 1861 the Census in Burley Lane, Leeds, finds Smith with his second wife Mary, and his son William is a student of Caius College, Cambridge.

In 1825, the Town and County Bank was established in Aberdeen, and he joined it as a teller, and the Banffshire Journal commented, "to this day [as of 1866] its notes are payable to John Smith or Bearer".

Smith was offered a partnership in the bank alongside William and Christopher Beckett, in response to the "admirable manner in which he administered the affairs" of the LBC.

[19] In 1848 Smith, with the involvement of William Beckett, purchased the former Leeds Zoological and Botanical Gardens possibly as a building speculation, in which a section was to be reserved as a cemetery.

[30] Of Smith's philanthropy, the Leeds Times said:[12] [Smith's] public spirit was evinced by the readiness with which he promoted the chief objects of benevolence which have interested [Leeds] of late years, while Burley church, parsonage and schools, to the erection and support of which he was the largest contributor, are monuments of his care for the religious and mental improvement of his poorer neighbours.

[20]The Banffshire Journal reported:[18] Very many ... who had a personal knowledge of [Smith], and of the benevolent and kind acts which he was constantly performing, will join most sincerely in their mourning and regret at the removal of such a man.

He took a prominent interest in promoting the chief objects of benevolence in Leeds; while the church, parsonage and school at Burley, which were mostly built at his cost, will remain a monument of his good deeds, and of his care for the religious improvement of his poorer neighbours.

He gave a large contribution to assist in procuring [Aberdeen's] peal of bells, and felt at all times a great interest in any improvement in his native city.

His private charities were many and large, and his considerate assistance will be missed in many quarters, where there will ever remain the memory of his personal gentleness and goodness of character".

[35][nb 11] A later addition to the church, in 1855, was a memorial to Smith's first wife: "a fine monument with crocketed pediment and pinnacles, and a carving in low relief of an angel with a departed spirit executed by Mr. B. Spence of Rome".

[36] It was described at greater length by the Leeds Intelligencer:[37] The monument is an exquisite piece of sculpture by Benjamin Spence, pupil of Gibson, and it was executed in Rome, from which the sculptor has lately returned.

The design, in mezzo-relievo, represents an angel bearing the spirit of the deceased to heaven, and both in the arrangement of the group, and attitude in forms of the figures, and the sweet expression of composure thrown over the whole, it is exceedingly pleasing and impressive.

The drapery gently floating in the breeze and the delicate feathering of the angel's wings are well worthy of note among the subordinate parts of the design.

The Leeds Intelligencer tells the story:[39] Burley House [was] entered by thieves, but fortunately not so effectively as to give them access to much booty.

The sales description by Hepper & Sons of Leeds was as follows:[41][nb 12] All that handsome and spacious mansion, the residence of the late John Smith, Esq., called Burley House, with the commodious stabling, conservatory, vineries, orchard houses, and gardens attached, comprising altogether 4 acres (1.6 ha) ... Also, all that field in front of the above, containing near 8 acres (3.2 ha).

The hall ... has an elaborately decorated ceiling, is warmed by an expensive stove, and communicates with the upper floors by a broad winding staircase, with moulded walnut handrail and elegant iron ballusters and dome light.

The first floor presents the truly splendid drawing-room, with its statuary, marble chimney-piece of most elegant design, a ceiling divided into compartments and profusely ornamented, and a fine bay window, from which are obtained views of vast extent, and unrivalled for variety and beauty.

Next in order is a boudoir, opening into a large bed-room, attached to which is a dressing-room, fitted with water-closet and fixed lavatory supplied with hot and cold water.

In the tower is a good bedroom, and in the attics hot and cold water cisterns, and abundant storage room, while at the north-west angle a flagstaff turret is fitted up as an observatory.

In the basement, which is well lighted and thoroughly ventilated ... are the servant's hall, housekeeper's room, a large cooking kitchen with most complete and costly fittings, a scullery, good larders and pantries, a boot-house, washhouse, wine, ale, coal and bottle cellars, water-closet and area opening into the enclosed yard.

[There is] adjoining stabling for 13 horses, four coach houses, two loose boxes, saddle and men's rooms, hay chambers, and a cottage.