Smith, Henry Gilbert, 1802 – 1886

Henry Gilbert Smith (1802-1886), merchant and parliamentarian, was born in England, fifth child of Thomas and Frances Smith. He arrived at Sydney in 1827. Smith acquired land on the Molongolo Plain before returning to England in 1829. He returned to Sydney in 1830 and established an importing and mercantile company, Smith Brothers, with his brother Thomas. The company was dissolved in 1832 and Henry continued as a merchant. Smith was a director of a number of companies including the Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney and later the Sydney Railway Co. Henry was in England between 1836 and 1846 and his brother Thomas managed some of his business affairs.

Smith was a member of the NSW Legislative Council from 1856 to 1858.

After Smith returned from England in 1846 he lived at Darling Point but after another visit to England he lived at 'Fairlight', a house he built at Manly. He saw the potential of Manly as a seaside resort and built cottages, a hotel, a school, 'Vauxhall Gardens' and a church. He owned land at Wollongong from 1836 onward. Smith was survived by three sons who lived in England, Henry Stinton, Gilbert Flesher and Eustace Albert. After Smith's death his sons changed the family name in 1889 to Smith-Rewse. [ref:ADB 2]