Smithfield Township was created November 7, 1805 from Short Creek Township, which was one of the original townships formed in Jefferson County. It had rich coal veins and thus abundant coal mining and stripping. It is six square miles and 60 full sections. Mt Pleasant was detached from it in 1807. Early settlers include: Simpson, Tyson, Kirk, Purviance, Kinsey, Miller, Jelks, Jolly, Morton, Vermillion, McGrew, Hammond, Cope, Sidwell, Hobbs, Scott, Naylor, Carr, Cramlet, Francis, Stoneman, McLaughlin,Haynes, Holmes, and Jamison.
