SMITH, Abel (1748-79), of Welford, Notts.

Smith was elected unopposed after an abortive canvass against him by Charles Medows, having the whole-hearted support of the framework knitters who expected him to be the champion of their interests in Parliament.T. Bailey, Annals of Notts. iii. 63-64. No speech by him is reported, and only one vote—against Government on a motion for censuring the Carlisle peace commission’s final manifesto to the Americans. He died 22 Jan. 1779.