Josiah Smith

Written By Dino DiPietro

Biography of Colonel Josiah Smith (1723–1786) 🇺🇸

🕰 Early Life & Family

  • Born on November 28, 1723, in East Moriches, Long Island,into the influential Smith family—grandson of Richard “Bull” Smith, founder of Smithtown

  • Married twice: first to Susannah Gelston in 1742 (they had five children before herdeath in 1754), then to Mary Howell in 1758 (with whom he had two children)

  • A large landowner, reportedly owning as much as 5,000 acres

  • 📜 Pre-Revolution Roles

  • Held the rank of colonel in the local British militia before shifting allegiance

  • Became an active patriot leader duringthe pre-war era: in June 1774, he joined theSouth Haven committee of correspondence, a key colonial resistance group

⚔ Revolutionary War Involvement

  • Appointed in early 1776 as chairman of SuffolkCounty’s efforts to raise three companies under four New York battalions envisioned by the Continental Congress

  • On July 20, 1776, General NathanielWoodhull appointed him colonel of the newly formed Suffolk County Regiment, composed of militia from Suffolk, Queens, and Kings Counties

  • Active in spring/summer 1776, he led his regiment to the Battle of Long Island(August 22–29), participating in extensive skirmishes under General Nathanael Greene’s brigade

  • After the defeat and the disbandingofhis regiment, he briefly returnedhome,onlyto be captured and imprisoned by the British in New York’s Provost prison—though he was subsequently released

  • His 1776 military log book documents troop registers, pay, rations, and ordersduring the British approach to Long Island, with notable entries dated August 23

👨‍💼 Civil Contribution & Later Life

  • Following his military service, hemanagedhissprawling estate and remained a prominent community figure.

  • Served as Treasurer of Suffolk County from 1776 until his death in 1786

  • Passed away on May 15, 1786, aged 62

🌟 Legacy & Honors

  • In 1923, the Col. JosiahSmith Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed an official military marker at his grave in Center Moriches’ family cemetery, preserving his original headstone

  • His life is commemorated through Dunkirk DAR activities, local history exhibits, and archival collections such as his 1776 log book

Through both military leadershipat key early Revolutionary conflicts and decades of civic service, Josiah Smith emerged as a defining figure of Long Island’s patriot movement.His impact is still honored by historians and community organizations today.

Dino DiPietro