Sir Jarrit Smyth, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Jarrit Smyth (1692–1783) was an important figure in British history. He was known as Jarrit Smith before he became a Baronet. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bristol from 1756 to 1768. He was part of the Tory political group.
Jarrit Smyth married Florence Smyth. Her father was Sir John Smyth, 3rd Baronet.
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What Did Jarrit Smyth Do?
A Career in Law and Mining
Besides being an MP, Jarrit Smyth was also a lawyer. He was the first person to start mining for coal in the Long Ashton area. In 1748, after looking at the land carefully, he ordered that mine shafts be dug at a place called South Liberty Lane.
Helping Bristol's Infrastructure
In 1760, Jarrit Smyth helped pass a new law in Parliament. This law was important for replacing the old Bristol Bridge. The bridge was very old, from medieval times, and needed a lot of repairs. Thanks to his efforts, a new bridge could be built.
Becoming a Baronet
In 1741, Jarrit Smyth's father-in-law passed away without any sons. On January 27, 1763, a special title called a "Baronetcy" was given to Jarrit Smyth. This title was Baronet Smith (or Smyth) of Long Ashton, Somerset (1763). He became the first Baronet of his family.
After Jarrit Smyth, his son took over the title. Later, two of his nephews also held the title. However, because there were no more male heirs in the family, the Baronetcy ended in 1849.
Where to Find More Information
If you want to learn more about Jarrit Smyth, you can find his personal and professional papers at the Bristol Archives. These papers are part of the records from Ashton Court (Ref. AC/JS). You can also look at their online catalogue.
