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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Mr. James Chapman Smith
Mr. James Chapman Smith , J.P., Old Colonist, and owner of the celebrated Greenfield estate, situated on the banks of the Clutha, is one of the best known, oldest and most enterprising settlers in Otago. He was born near Dundee, Scotland, on the 1st of January, 1827. At the early age of fourteen he emigrated, in company with his stepfather and two sisters, to Nelson, by the barque “New Zealand” (Captain Worth), which arrived at her destination on the 4th of November, 1842. In April, 1848, Mr. Smith sailed for Otago, in a twelve-ton schooner, and arrived at Port Chalmers. In conjunction with the late Mr. James Allan, of Hope Hill, East Taieri, he built a store and baker's shop in Dunedin, in the site afterwards known as Buller's Corner, and the business was jointly carried on until a dissolution took place in January, 1852. It may be mentioned that the timber for the shop had to be felled and sawn at Port Chalmers and Anderson's Bay, and transported to Dunedin by rafts. After dissolving partnership with Mr. Allan, Mr. Smith removed to the Tokomairiro district, where he purchased a property known as Springfield, near Fairfax, the original Government township, which was superseded in later years by the present town of Milton. In 1861, on the outbreak of the gold “rush at Gabriel's Gully, Mr. Smith re-commenced storekeeping at Milton, where he carried on a most successful business as a general storekeeper, and also actea as a private banker prior to the establishment of the Bank of New Zealand. In 1867, Mr. Smith retired to become proprietor of the Greenfield estate, consisting of over 24,000 acres, which is in the highest state of cultivation, and rivals in celebrity “Longbeach” in Canterbury. Mr. Smith has always taken an active interest in movements likely to benefit the provincial district of Otago. In 1858 he was elected as member for Tokomairiro, in the Otago Provincial Council, but resigned the position after a short experience. He has represented the Balmoral riding in the Bruce County Council since the council's formation in November, 1876. Mr. Smith is chairman of the Clutha River Trust, which preserves the free navigation of the river Clutha. In 1850, Mr. Smith married Miss Margaret Martin, sister of the late Mr. Edward Martin, of South bridge, Otago, and they have three sons and three daughters, Mr. John Smith, the eldest son, assists his father in the management of “Greenfield”; the second son, Mr. James Smith, was manager of the Farmers' Agency in Dunedin; and the third is Dr. Martin Smith, of Dunedin.