John Abel Smith

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John Abel Smith (2 June 1802-7 January 1871) was a British Member of Parliament (MP) for Chichester and Midhurst.

He was the son of John Smith who preceded him as MP for Midhurst.

He married Anne Jervoise, the daughter of Sir Samuel Clarke Jervoise on 26 December 1827.

He was the father of Hugh Colin Smith. Smith was a founding partner of the Hong Kong based trading company Jardine, Matheson and Co. and in 1835 became a partner in the merchant banking firm of Magniac, Smith & Co. along with partners Hollingworth Magniac and Oswald Smith at 3, Lombard Street, London.

William Jardine agreed to make them agents for Jardines with the proviso that "At no time shall it be expedient that we should give up the option of carrying on transactions with other London houses." In 1841 the bank was renamed Magniac, Jardine & Co. when William Jardine became a partner on his return to England.