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Samuel Smith came from the North of Ireland and settled in Donegal Township, Lancaster County, about 1725, where he had a trading-post on Conewago Creek. He also erected a grist-mill and a saw-mill. He was Sheriff of Lancaster County 1735-37, and a member of the Assembly in 1737-38. Before 1750, he removed to the west side of the Susquehanna, and was appointed as one of the first Justices of Cumberland County, erected in that year. In a letter written by Conrad Weiser to Governor Hamilton, September 13,1754, telling of his visit to the Indians of George Croghan's post at Aughwick, Weiser says: "It is a surprising thing that no means can be found to prevent the inhabitants in Cumberland County from selling strong liquor to the Indians. I am creditably informed that some of the magistrates of that county sell the most. Mr. Smith was at Aughwick, I suppose to gather some money for the liquor he sent. He is an old hypocrite."
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