Smith, Joseph (1)

Smith, Joseph (1), an English clergyman, was born in Lowther, Westmoreland, Oct. 10, 1670, and was admitted to Queen's College, Oxford, May 10, 1689. In 1693, being chosen taberder, he took his first degree in arts, but was afterwards removed from college by Sir Joseph Williamson, who appointed him his deputy keeper of the Paper office at Whitehall; and soon after, being made plenipotentiary at Ryswick, he took Mr. Smith with him as secretary. He was created A.M. while abroad, March 1, 1696, and a fellow, Oct. 31, 1698. Desiring to enter the Church, he returned to Oxford in 1700 and was ordained by Dr. Talbot, bishop of Oxford. Not long after he was presented to the donative of Ifley, near. Oxford, . and at the same time was appointed divinity lecturer in the college. In 1704 he served as senior proctor. In 1705 Dr. Lancaster presented him to Russel court Chapel, and then to the lectureship of Trinity Chapel, Conduit Street. Taking up his residence in London, he was soon after appointed chaplain to Edward Villiers, earl of Jersey, and by him was presented at court. Made D.D. Nov. 2, 1708, he was presented by his college to the rectory of Knights-Emham, and the donative of Upton Gray, both in Southampton County. In 1716 he exchanged Upton Gray for the rectory of St. Dionis Back-church, London, over which he presided for forty years. On the accession of George I he was made chaplain to the princess of Wales. He was. promoted to the prebend of Dunholm, Lincoln; and received the donative of Paddington, near London. He was also promoted to the prebend of St. Mary, Newington, in St. Paul's Cathedral. He was chosen lecturer of St. George's Church, Hanover Square. He had before resigned the lectureship of Trinity Chapel, Conduit Street, and in 1731 resigned also that of St. George's in consequence of having been, on Oct. 20, 1730, elected provost of Queen's College. His provostship, which lasted twenty-six years, was of great financial benefit to the college.. He died in Queen's College, Nov. 23, 1756. He published only two Sermons, and a pamphlet entitled A Clear and Comprehensive View of the Being and Attributes of God, etc. See Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.; Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.