This is a list of some of Dr. James McCune Smith’s friends and associates. Some of these contemporaries he met and supported in their activism. Others were professional assoicates who worked with Smith in the practice of medicine. 

Frederick Douglass
Noted as the most prominent abolitionist and rights activist of his time was friend of Dr. James McCune Smith. The men became acquainted through their involvement in abolitionist groups. Smith named a son Frederick Douglass Smith to honor his friend. Frederick Douglass was born 1818 in Maryland. He was recorded on the 1850 Census as a mulatto physician recorded living in Rochester, NY.

Maritcha Redmond Lyons
Marticha, daughter of Albro Lyons. Marticha’s parents were married in the Episcopal church by Rev. Peter Smith and Dr. James McCune Smith acted as their best man. The Lyons family were active in the Underground Railroad, touting that they had helped a thousand blacks to the North before the Civil War. Maritcha Redmond Lyons pursued her education and became a respeced writer and speaker.

Dr. Peter W. Ray
Ray was reported to be Brooklyn’s oldest druggist in the August 21, 1900 edition of the Brooklyn Eagle. “He began his life as an apprentice to Dr. James McCune Smith… remained in Dr. Smith’s service for six years until he was 20.” Ray then went to Castleton College in Vermont where he received his medical degree in 1849. When he returned to New York, he opened his pharmacy in Brooklyn in 1850 with the backing of Dr. Smith. Ray born 1827 in New York was a mulatto druggist recorded living in 8th Ward of New York city in 1850. Aso living in his household was Catherine Williams, leading to speculation that Peter W. Ray may have been related to or named after the prominent African-American minister Rev. Peter Williams.

Dr. William C. Roberts
Dr. James McCune Smith is mentioned in Dr. Roberts article entitled Thymic Enlargement, published in 1842 in the New York Medical Gazette. The doctors performed an autopsy together. Dr. William C. Roberts born 1811 in England was a white physician recorded living in 8th Ward of New York city in 1850.

Dr. Lewis A. Sayre
Dr. Smith was attending a girl named Lizzie Taylor in 1863. When her illness worsened Dr. Sayre was called in and after her death performed an autopsy with the assistance of Dr. James McCune Smith. Dr. Sayre used notes from Dr. Smith to write an article published in 1864 by the New York Medical Society. Dr. William C. Roberts born 1820 in New Jersey was a white physician recorded living in 8th Ward of New York city in 1850.

Rev Peter Williams
As a youth, Dr. James McCune Smith was tutored by Rev Peter Williams at the African Free School in New York City.