John Smith (settler)

John Smith (c. 1595 – c. 1649) was a founding settler of Providence in what would become the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Smith joined Roger Williams at the Seekonk River in 1636 after both were expelled from Massachusetts Bay Colony. In the spring they crossed the river to found Providence where Smith later built and operated the town's gristmill.

The state capitol building in Providence is located on "Smith Hill"—a place name that memorializes John Smith and is a metonym for the Rhode Island state government.