William Smith and family

William Smith (1756-1835), MP, was one of the leading Independent politicians of his day. Prevented from attaining the high offices of state both by his Dissenting Christian convictions - he became a Unitarian - and by his own desire to remain out of the limelight, Smith nevertheless played a leading role in most of the great contemporary parliamentary issues, including the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts and the abolition of slavery. Smith married Frances Coape on 12 January 1781; they had 5 sons and 5 daughters.