Thomas Symmes

Thomas Symmes (born February 1, 1678 in Bradford , Massachusetts Bay Colony ; died October 6, 1725 there ) was a third- generation Puritan clergyman in New England . From 1708 until his death he was pastor of the Congregational First Church of Bradford.

Life

Symmes came from a Puritan pastor dynasty. His grandfather Zechariah Symmes (1599–1671) was pastor of Charlestown from 1634 to 1671 , his father Zechariah Symmes (1638–1708) from 1667 to 1708 pastor of Bradford . Thomas Symmes attended Harvard College from 1694–1698 (AB 1698) and then stayed at Cambridge for two more years to prepare for the pastoral career. He was ordained pastor of Boxford on January 30, 1702, but was dismissed by his ward in 1708. In the same year he succeeded his late father as pastor of Bradford and remained so until his death in 1725.

In addition to some of his sermons, Symmes published two tracts ( The Reasonableness of Regular Singing and Utile Dulci ), in which he promoted the introduction of music books for psalm singing and the liturgical practice of the congregational congregations, as well as a tract ( The People's Interest ), in he denounced the stinginess of the New England parishes in the assessment of pastors' salaries. In the year of his death, he also published a report on the battle at Pequawket , better known as Lovewell's Fight , which shaped many later depictions of this famous episode of the Indian Wars, but glossed over the actual course of the battle.

Works

The following sermons and tracts by Symmes were printed, some in different editions:

• A monitor for delaying sensers. : a sermon studiously accommodated to the meanest capacities: publish'd at the desire of a society of young men, to whom it was preach'd, on the Lords-Day evening, Decemb. 7. 1718. Printed by B. Green, for Samuel Gerrish at his shop. Boston 1719.
• Good soldiers described, and animated: a sermon preached before the Honorable Artillery Company, in Boston, June 6th. 1720. Being the day of their election of officers; and now published at their request. And in obedience to His Excellency the governour: His Honor the lieut. governour, and several of His Majesty's Honorable Counselors. Printed by S. Kneeland, for S. Gerrish, and D. Henchman, and sold at their shops, Boston 1720.
• The reasonableness of regular singing, or, singing by note: in an essay, to revive the true and ancient mode of singing psalm-tunes, according to the pattern in our New-England psalm-books; the knowledge and practice of which is greatly decay'd in most congregations. Printed by B. Green, for Samuel Gerrish, and sold at his shop near the Brick Meeting-House in Corn-Hill, Boston 1720.
• The people's interest in one article consider'd & exhibited. Or, A sermon shewing that it is the interest of the people of God, to do their duty, toward the subsistence of such as preach the Gospel to them. Printed by B. Green, for Samuel Gerrish, and sold at his shop in Corn-Hill, Boston 1724.
• A discourse concerning prejudice in matters of religion. Or, An essay, to shew the nature, causes, and effects of such prejudices: and also the means of preventing, or removing them. Printed by S. Kneeland, for S. Gerrish, sold at his shop in Corn-Hill, Boston 1722.
• An ordination sermon preach'd at Malden, Octob. 31. 1721: When the Reverend Mr. Joseph Emerson was ordain'd pastor of the church in said town. Printed and sold by J. Franklin at Queen-Street, Boston 1722.
• Utile dulci. Or, A joco-serious dialogue, concerning regular singing: calculated for a particular town, (where it was publickly had, on Friday Oct. 12, 1722.) but may serve some other places in the same climate. Printed by B. Green, for S. Gerrish, in Cornhill, Boston 1723.
• Historical memoirs of the late fight at Piggwacket: with a sermon occasion'd by the fall of the brave Capt John Lovewell and several of his valiant company, in the late heroic action there. Pronounc'd at Bradford, May, 16, 1725. Printed by B. Green Jun. For S. Gerrish, near the Brick Meeting-House in Cornhill, Boston 1725.
  • Digitized facsimile of the second, corrected edition on the Internet Archive website

Digital copies of almost all of Symmes' printed works can be found in the restricted-access database Early American Imprints, Series I: Evans (1639-1800) .

Secondary literature

The main source for all later biographical accounts is the contemporary account of John Brown:

• A particular plain and brief memorative account of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Symmes. Being an illustration of what is said of him in the foregoing sermon; and also containing some other parts of his character. Chiefly taken from his own sayings and writings, particularly his diary and church records. To which is added, his advice to his children, to his servants, and to his people, particularly as to his successor in the work of the ministry. Printed by T. Fleet, for S. Gerrish, Boston 1726.

Further genealogical information can be found in:

• John Adams Vinton: The Symmes Memorial . Private print, David Clapp & Son, Boston 1873.