Smith was born in Woodbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut, on May 12, 1783, the son of John and Abigail (Lambert) Smith. He completed preparatory studies; studied law at the
Litchfield Law School in 1807; was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law in
New Milford. He married Anne Comstock who died on February 26, 1826. ==Career==