Peter Smyth (1800 – February 6, 1879[1]) was an Irish-born merchant and politician in Nova Scotia. He represented Inverness County in the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia from 1847 to 1867 as a Reformer and then as a Conservative.
He was born in Dublin and came to Nova Scotia in 1817. He was married twice: first to Mary O'Grady in 1830 and then to Ellen Keating.[1] Smyth was a fish and cattle merchant, owned at least two stores and also dealt in land. He served as a school board commissioner, road commissioner,[2] justice of the peace and as custos rotulorum for Inverness County. Originally a Liberal, Smyth crossed the floor in 1857 to become a Conservative. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Nova Scotia from 1867 until his death in Port Hood in 1879.[1]
A devoted Roman Catholic, Smyth donated a portion of his estate to the Diocese of Antigonish.[2]
His daughter Elizabeth married Duncan J. Campbell.[3]
His former home in Port Hood has been designated as a provincial heritage property.[2]