He was born at Holmdel and buried on a farm near Vandenburg, NJ. He served as a Capt., Maj. and Lt. Col. with the First Regt. Monmouth, American Revolutionary Army, 1777. Prisoner of War Sept 1780. He was Justice of the Peace in Monmouth County, appointed in 1786, again in 1795, and again in 1800.
Geneological Notes on the Smock Family - "John Smock, oldest son of Hendrick Smock and Mary Schenck Smock, inherited the paternal estate in Middletown (now Holmdel twp.), Monmouth County, NJ. In the American Revolutionary Army he served as captain and was promoted to a lieutenant- colonel. He died in 1808, Feb 26; aged 81 years and 13 days. His will lists him as John Sr. Elizabeth Conover, his wife, died 7 May 1812, at the age of 87 years, 1 month and 19 days. Both are buried in the Smock burying ground on the ancestral place, near Holmdel." The 'paternal estate' was a large homestead, about one mile SE of the village of Holmdel, and adjoining the road from Holmdel to Red Bank. Hop Brook was the western boundary of the large tract of land, which was later in three large farms. It was held in succession by Rulef Smock, then by Peter R. Smock; and in the family for 160 years.