James Smith (1) was born at Hobkirk, Roxburghshire in Scotland.

Mr Smith emigrated to New Zealand, arriving in Dunedin about this time. He moved to Taieri where he worked for Donald Reid.

On 31 Dec 1874, James Smith married Elizabeth Paton, from Ayr in Scotland, Shortly after their marriage the couple moved from Tairei to Bannockburn.

About this time it appears that James Smith purchased a third share in the 'Bannockburn Coal Pit' (location #386) in Adams Gully. The shareholders of the coal pit were William Bell, John Kane and John Short. It appears that James Smith may have purchased John Shorts share. About this time Mr Smith either built, or had built, dwelling #244.

Jane Smith was born on 15 Oct 1875. Sadly Jane only lived for 15 days and she is buried in the Cromwell cemetery.

On 3 August, the Bannockburn Co-Op Store Company was formed. James Smith (1) was a director (see location #87)

On 2 Apr 1883, James Smith (2) was enrolled at the Bannockburn school. Other Smith children may have also attended the school however no records have been found.

The Bannockburn school records show that James Smith (2) left school and Bannockburn on 18 July 1885. This may be about the time that the James Smith family left Bannockburn.

It appears that about this time Mr William Richard Parcell (1) purchased dwelling #244 from James Smith (1). (J P Parcell mentions1884 for dwelling #244 and #386, while Heart of the Desert mentions 1886 for #386. River Punts & Ferries mentions J Smith at Luggate Ferry 1885 - 1915)

James Smith (1) was appointed as puntman for the Luggate Ferry on the Clutha River at Luggate. The family moved into the house supplied just upstream of the ferry, on the true right bank of the river.

On 18 Nov 1914, the Otago Witness published the following article. " I regret to record the death of Mrs Smith, wife of Mr J Smith of Luggate, which took place on Monday last. Mr & Mrs Smith have been residents of Upper Clutha since early digging days, and were well known and widely respected. Gentle and kindly, the deceased lady was admired and respected by all, and therefore there are few who will not miss her encouraging words, and bright and cheerful presence. The funeral, which took place at Hawea on the 11th, inst was very largely attended, the burial being read by Rev. Mr Thomson. Mrs Smith leaves a husband and a grown up family of sons and daughters to mourn their loss, and the sympathy of the district is with all of them in the bereavement they have sustained. "

On Jan 11, the Cromwell Argus published the following article. " We have to record the death of one of the oldest and best known settlers of the Upper Clutha Valley, in the person of Mr Jas Smith who passed away at the residence of his son Mr Jas Smith, Mt Barker, at the age of 79 years, on Wednesday 9 January. He was of a strong and robust constitution and always enjoyed good health, but lately had been ailing and his end was not altogether unexpected. Mr Smith was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland and came to Otago about the year 1868 when 18 years of age and entered the employ of the late Mr Donald Reid at Tairei. After serving there for a year or two he came up country and settled at Bannockburn, where in partnership with the late Mr John Kane and the late William Bell he opened a coal pit. The three may be credited with being the pioneers in the Bannockburn coal mining industry which has continued to this day. His two partners in that far back venture predeceased Mr Smith, Mr Kane dying seven years ago, and Mr Bell two years ago. It is however in connection with his work as a ferryman on the Upper Clutha punts at Albertown and Luggate that the deceased will be best remembered particularly by the travelling public of twenty and thirty years ago. For over thirty years in this capacity he had discharged his duties in such a manner as to earn the goodwill and gratitude of the travelling public. His was a service that was not curtailed by any fixed hours. The night was the same as the day with him. The travelling public knew that the hours on the notice board were a dead letter with him. He retired from the service on the completion of the Luggate Bridge about ten years ago. He was a strong personality. The humerous side of a thing would always appeal to him, even his Scotch descent didn't obliterate this trait. He was keenly interested in politics. In the early days he was a strong supporter of the Cromwell Jocky Club, contemporary with him may be recalled such names Dawkins, Preshaw, Stacpoole, Jolly, Kane and others, well known to a past generation. Mr Smith was predeceased by his wife some 14 years ago. He leaves a family of four daughters and three sons to mourn their loss. His remains were interred in the Hawea cemetery by the side of his wife, a large concourse of mourners following to pay him a last tribute of respect.

There may have been two more Smith children, a boy and a girl (Charlie and Mina) however no details have been located.