The Rev. John Smith was born in Byfield Mass. Dec 21. 1752. It is not known by his descendents now living the date of the year his paternal ancestors emigrated to this country, but in examining Farmers Register we find the name of Joseph, which was his father's name, born in Newbury? in the year 1638, from him it is probable his father descended. His mother was a descendant of the Sawyer family, who came from England to this country in the year 1643, and settled in Rowley, Mass, where he was born and brought up. She was sister to Deacon Sawyer, who was among the first settlers of Hopkinton N. H. who was a man of much civil and religious influence in the town, respected, and beloved by all who knew him, he ther lived and died at a very advanced age, leaving upward of 200 descendants.