John Smith (c. 1595 – c. 1649) was a founding settler of Providence in what would become the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Smith joined Roger Williams at the Seekonk River in 1635 after both were expelled from Massachusetts Bay Colony. In early 1636 they crossed the river to found Providence where Smith later built and operated the town's gristmill.

Overview

John Smith (c. 1595 – c. 1649) was a founding settler of Providence in what would become the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Smith joined Roger Williams at the Seekonk River in 1635 after both were expelled from Massachusetts Bay Colony. In early 1636 they crossed the river to found Providence where Smith later built and operated the town's gristmill. The state capitol building in Providence is located on "Smith Hill"—a place name that memorializes John Smith and is a metonym for the Rhode Island state government. Life Dorchester John Smith was born in England and migrated to Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony in the early 1630s. His family included his wife, Alice, and two children, Elizabeth and John Jr. Smith was a miller in Dorchester in 1635 and probably worked at the colony's only grist mill. The Dorchester mill was built on the Neponset River in 1634 and operated by Israel Stoughton. Stoughton was barred from holding public office in 1634 after he wrote a book, which was burned, that criticized the General Court.

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