Samuel Smith was born in Calcutta in 1783, the son of Joseph Barnard Smith of the Bengal Civil Service and his wife Rose. He initially joined the army as an ensign in the 7th Bengal Native Infantry in 1802, taking part in the Operations in Jumna Doab, at Sasni, Bijaigarh and Kachaura, but transferred to the 3rd Bengal Native Cavalry in 1803 and served with them in the Second Maharatta War. He fought at Aligarh, Delhi, Laswarree, Rampura, Deig and the pursuit of Holkar. He was promoted to lieutenant on 11 Mar 1805 and went with the 3rd BNC to Bundelkhand in 1809; Rajaoli and Ajaigarh. He was at the siege of Hathras in 1817, and given a brevet captain rank. He took part in the Centre Division in the Third Maharatta War at Jawad. He was promoted to Captain on 23 Oct 1818 serving in Jodhpur in 1823, fighting at Lamba. In 1825-26 he was at Bhurtpore, with the rank of major, as from Feb 1825.
On 24 July 1828 he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and posted to the command of the 8th BLC on 4 Sep. He was transferred to the 9th BLC on 31 July 1829, and moved to the 3rd BLC on 26 Dec 1833. He returned to the 8th BLC on 30 Sep 1834 with the rank of colonel and commanded that regiment until 12 Feb 1839. He stayed on in the 8th as Colonel of the regiment and went on furlough in March 1840. He was promoted to major-general on 3 Nov 1841 and lieutenant-general on 11 Nov 1851. He retired to England and died at Lyncroft House, near Lichfield, on 21 Oct 1852. He was married to Mary Eliza Hyde on 26 Aug 1811. They had a daughter, Martha, who married Lieutenant William Binfield Wemyss, but Mary died on 1 Jan 1816.
