He does not appear to have been related to his predecessor Edward Bosworth Smallwood although they were both from Birmingham.

He was born on the 2nd October 1822 and was educated at Queens College Birmingham 1867. He was curate of Harlaston near Tamworth before becoming Vicar of Newtown Linford in 1874. He remained until his death in 1891. He was buried in the graveyard on the 25th November. His wife Sarah Simmett who he had married on the 10th September 1845 was also buried in the graveyard on the 9th August 1895.

The records show they had eight children - William, Sarah Alice, Josiah, James, Mary Ellen, Frances A, Katherine L and Phillip John.

Their last son Philip John Smallwood was Churchwarden of All Saints and a Farmer at Roecliffe Farm in 1891.