Smith joined Roger Williams at the Seekonk River in 1636 after both were expelled from Massachusetts Bay Colony.

His family included his wife, Alice, and two children, Elizabeth and John Jr.[1][b] Smith was a miller in Dorchester in 1635[3][4] and probably worked at the colony's only grist mill.

[5][6] Stoughton was barred from holding public office in 1634 after he wrote a book, which was burned, that criticized[c] the General Court.

"[10] A month later, in the same court, Roger Williams—a Salem preacher who advocated for church-state separation and Native American land rights—would be banished for "newe & dangerous opinions.

"[18] Smith erected the town's gristmill on the Moshassuck River near the intersection of present-day Mill and Charles Streets.

John Jr. continued to run the mill even though, consistent with the family's tradition of dissent, the Smiths refused to sign the agreement.

[33][e] Williams wrote to John Winthrop in 1638 that he disliked the Smiths, especially Alice, after their forceful dissent in Boston: ...it is and ever shall be (the Lord assisting) my endeavor to pacify and allay, where I meet with rigid and censorious spirits, who not only blame your actions but doom your persons: and indeed it was one of the first grounds of my dislike of John Smith, the miller and especially of his wife, viz: their judging of your persons [Winthrop and the magistrates] as devils etc.

So In 1651, after Smith's death, Williams wrote to the town asking that they end their grudge against him, in part, to prevent Smith from crawling from his grave to haunt the town:First, then, I pray be pleased to review the propositions between us and our dead friend, John Smith; and since it hath pleased the God of all mercies, to vouchsafe this town and others such a mercy, by his means, I beseech you study how to put an end to that controversy depending between us and him, (as I may so speak) and his; 'tis true, you have referred that business to some of our loving neighbors amongst you; but since there are some obstruction, I beseech you put forth your wisdoms, who know more ways to the wood than one.

[40][41][42] The current Seal of the City of Providence depicts four men in a canoe representing Roger Williams and the first settlers, including John Smith, being greeted by two Native Americans.