Richard Smith was a man of wealth, character, activity and energy, and was prominent in Massachusetts, New Amsterdam and Rhode Island. He was born in 1596 in Gloucestershire, England, and came to New England for the sake of religious freedom, bringing with him his daughter Catherine and other children. A brother and sister, and perhaps other relatives, also emigrated at this time. He was, "...a most acceptable inhabitant and prime leading man in Taunton in Plymouth Colony."