John Smith enlisted in the North Carolina Militia during the War of Regulation. The day after the Battle of Alamance, 17 May 1771, he died of a mortal wound sustained during the battle. Following his death, his widow Faithy Smith successfully petitioned the North Carolina Assembly for a widow's pension. She was awarded one hundred pounds for the purchase an enslaved individual for her personal use. Any further information about John Smith, including his date of death has not been located.