Smith, Peter

• DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: Angus, “SMITH, PETER,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 6, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/smith_peter_6E.html
• DCB profile notes:
  • Businessman, jp, and office holder; b. 1752; m. c. 1794 Ann Cook, and they had three sons and five daughters; d. 15 Aug. 1826 in Kingston, Upper Canada.
  • At the outbreak of the American revolution Peter Smith lived in Burlington, Vt, and during the conflict he served as a sergeant in Butler’s Rangers. By 16 Oct. 1784 he had settled in Township No.1 (Cataraqui) of western Quebec. Two years later, with Richard Beasley as a partner, he was involved in the Indian trade; their major supplier was the partnership of Hamilton and Cartwright. In April 1786 Richard Cartwright urged Beasley and Smith to take Robert Dickson as a partner but Smith did not “relish” the idea. In August 1789 Smith and Beasley were each granted 200 acres in the area of Toronto and present-day Port Hope.
  • By 1791 Smith was established in Kingston as one of the small group of merchants in the forwarding trade. At the first meeting of the Executive Council of Upper Canada, on 20 July 1792, he received permission to erect a wharf and build a storehouse and quay at Kingston.
  • Like other successful merchants, Smith was involved in most aspects of community life. He was appointed to the magistracy, the land board, and the school board. He subscribed to a host of local philanthropic societies and, as befitted a man with eligible daughters, was manager of the Kingston Assembly and the first subscription ball.
• United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=7817
• Find A Grave : https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/173788075/peter-smith