John Smith was born in Johnston County, North Carolina in about 1745. In 1774 Smith, along with several of his relatives, was appointed to the Johnston County Committee of Correspondence. Smith joined the Johnston County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia in 1775, eventually attaining the rank of colonel in 1779. In 1775 he also represented Johnston at the North Carolina Provincial Congress. After the war Smith moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee. He died in Hawkins in about 1789 or 1790.