John James Smith | |
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| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 6th Suffolk district | |
| In office 1868–1869 | |
| In office 1869–1870 Serving with Linus Child and Harvey Jewell | |
| Succeeded by | George Lewis Ruffin Hugh Flood |
| In office 1872–1873 Serving with Frederic W. Lincoln Jr. and Charles R. Codman | |
| Preceded by | Harvey Jewell George Lewis Ruffin Hugh Flood |
| Member of the Boston Common Council | |
| In office 1878–1878 Serving with Uriel Crocker and Robert Means Thompson | |
| Preceded by | George Lewis Ruffin |
| Succeeded by | Malcolm Greenough Henry W. Swift |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 2, 1820 Richmond, Virginia |
| Died | November 4, 1906 (aged 86) Dorchester, Boston |
| Resting place | Forest Hills Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Georgianna O. Smith |
| Children |
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| Known for | Abolitionism |
John James Smith (1820 – 1906) was a barber shop owner, abolitionist, a three-term Massachusetts state representative, and one of the first African-American members of the Boston Common Council. A Republican, he served three terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He was born in Richmond Virginia. He took part in the California Gold Rush.[1]
During the 1840s and 50s, Smith's barbershop on the north slope of Beacon Hill was a center of abolitionist activity, and provided shelter to freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, Smith recruited soldiers for the black regiments of Massachusetts.
While serving on the Boston Common Council in 1878, Smith was responsible for the hiring of Boston's first black police officer.