SMITH, James (1828-1901), a native of Orkney, Scotland, came to Canada in 1847 and settled at Belleville, Ont. where he remained for the duration of his career. His name appears variously as carpenter, joiner, builder and contractor, from which he made a living. He also styled himself as an architect, capable of both designing and constructing projects for clients in the Belleville area (Directory of the County of Hastings, 1879-80, 161, advert.). Smith also served as a local alderman and Superintendent of School Buildings for the town. He died in Belleville on 8 March 1901 (obit. Weekly Intelligencer [Belleville], 14 March 1901, 7). He should not be confused with the well-known Toronto architect James A. Smith (1832-1918)
(works in Belleville)
WILLIAM STREET, residence for William C. Jones, 1875 (Daily Intelligencer [Belleville], 11 Jan. 1876, 2)
VICTORIA AVENUE, at John Street, residence for S.S. Lazier, 1879 (Daily Intelligencer [Belleville], 15 Dec. 1879, 1, descrip.)
UPPER FRONT STREET, commercial block for James McCurdy, 1882 (Daily Intelligencer [Belleville], 20 Oct. 1882, 2)