The Descendants of John Heywood of Concord, Massachusetts

Page 177, et. seq.

MARSHALL SYMMES, a representative of one of the oldest families of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, was born October 27, 1818, in that part of the town of Medford now included within the limits of Winchester, where he is a resident. Son of Marshall, Sr., and Lephe (Stowell) Symmes, he is a lineal descendant in the seventh generation of the Rev. Zachariah Symmes, the immigrant, the line being: Zachariah, William, William, John, Captain John, Marshall, Sr., and Marshall.

Zachariah Symmes was b. at Canterbury, England, April 5, 1599, and was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University. Some time after his marriage he emigrated to New England with his wife, Sarah, and seven children, arriving at Boston in the ship "Griffin," September 18, 1634. He was admitted to the church in Charlestown, December 6 of the same year, and ordained December 22 as associate minister or teacher. Subsequently succeeding the Rev. Thomas James, he retained the pastorate of the church until his death, February 4, 1670. The town deeded to him three hundred acres of land lying in that section of Charlestown now included in Winchester, and a part of the original tract is now owned by his descendants.

William Symmes, b. at Dunstable, England, in 1626, was but eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to America. Settling on the land given his father, he engaged in farming during his years of activity. He was a man of considerable prominence, serving as captain of a training-band and as Justice of the Peace. After the death of his first wife, Sarah, he m. a widow, whose Christian name was Mary. William Symmes, b. in 1678, son of William and his second wife, inherited a part and purchased of the heirs the remainder of his father's estate. He built a mill on the Aberjona River, where he conducted the business of a clothier. He also erected a large dwelling-house, and here he resided until his death, May 24, 1764. He m. in Woburn in December, 1704, Ruth Convers, daughter of Josiah and Ruth (Marshall) Convers. She was a grand-daughter of Josiah, Sr., and Esther (Champney) Convers and great-grand-daughter of Deacon Edward Convers, one of the founders of Woburn. She d. March 16, 1758.

John Symmes, b. in 1720, d. May 14, 1785. Inheriting one-half of his father's mill and considerable land, he spent his entire life on the parental homestead. On May 21, 1754, he m. Abigail Dix, daughter of John and Mary (Clark) Dix, of Waltham. She d. March 28, 1761. Captain John Symmes was b. in August, 1755, and d. June 24, 1834. He was a Revolutionary soldier, belonging to the Medford company that under the command of Captain Isaac Hall marched to Charlestown, June 17, 1776. Enlisting in 1777 for three years, he served his full time, taking his pay in Contnental currency, which so depreciated in value that it took the whole amount to pay for a pair of oxen. Subsequently selling the oxen, he received payment in the same currency, and this at a later period he exchanged for a bag of Indian meal. Erecting a wheelwright's and blacksmith's shop at Symmes Corner, he built wagons and carts fo the army. After the war, admitting his sons to partnership, he continued work at his trades and also carried on general farming. Active in military affairs, he was commissioned, by Governor Increase Sumner, Captain of the "Light Dragoons." On October 31, 1780, he m. Elizabeth Wright, who was b. January 11, 1757, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Chandler) Wright. She was a sister of Philemon Wright. She attained the venerable age of ninety-one years, dying July 18, 1848.

Marshall Symmes, Sr., was b. July 30, 1789, and d. April 19, 1877. He worked at his trade of Blacksmith nearly all his life, but at the same time was successfully engaged in farming. In the War of 1812 he was a member of the local company of militia, ready to march at a minute's notice, but his regiment was not called out. He served as one of the School Committee in Medford, and was a member of the Unitarian church. He m. January 26, 1817, Lephe Stowell, who was b. in 1791, a daughter of Abel and Relief (Jennison) Stowell, of Wrocester. Seven children were b. of their union, namely: Marshall, the special subject of this sketch; Elizabeth Relief, who d. in infancy; Harriet Stowell, b. in 1821; Alexander Stowell, b. in 1823, who m. Sarah Jane Livermore; Philemon Wright, b. in 1826, who m. Eliza Putnam Stowell; Ellen Louisa, who m. Oliver L. Wellington; and Charles Thomas, b. in 1832, who m. Abby G. Hunt, and has two children -- Charles H. and Irving.

Marshall Symmes received a public-school education in Medford, as the part of Wincester in which he was born was then called, and after leaving school worked with his father at the blacksmith's trade for twenty years. Since that time he has been engaged in small farming and gardening, making a specialty fo raising vegetables for the Boston markets. He was formerly an attendant of the Frist Church of Medford, but now attends the Unitarian church of Winchester. A Republican in his political affiliations, he has been active in local affairs, serving as Assessor two years and as School Committee one year. The residence which he now occupies, and which he purchased from the late Frederick O. Prince, former Mayor of Boston, was the original homestead of the Brooks family and the birthplace of Governor John Brooks.

Mr. Symmes married June 17, 1846, Abbie Stowell, daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Haywood) Stowell, of Worcester, and descendant of one of the earlier settlers of Watertown. Eight children have been born of their union, and six are now liviing; namely Frederick Marshall, Ella Lephe, Walter Fay, Anna Eliza, Samuel Stowell, and Abby Elizabeth. Frances Louisa, born April 26, 1847, died August 25, 1849; and Albert Hnery, born August 11, 1860, died April 28, 1861, Frederick Marshall Symmes, born August 13, 1850, is a resident of Winchester, and is engaged in market-gardening. He married Addie Symmes, of Medford, by whom he has two children -- Robert Marshall and Ruth Stowell. Ella L. Symmes, born May 28, 1852, is the wife of James William Russell. They live in Winchester, and have four children -- Alice Symmes, Fred Adams, James W., Jr., and Bertha Lousie. Wlater F. Symmes, born August 1, 1854, is a market gardener in Winchester and the seller of all the products raised by the Symmes family. He married Emily C. Locke, by whom he has three children. Samuel S. Symmes, born October 22, 1858, resides in Winchester. His first wife, whose maiden name was Jennie Metcalf, died September 13, 1887, leaving him one child, Laurence Metcalf Symmes. By his second wife, whose maiden name was Mina Johnson, he has three children -- Elizabeth, Samuel S., Jr., and Russell. Abby Elizabeth Symmes, who was born August 2, 1862, is the wife of Alfred S. Hall, of Revere. They have four children -- Eleanor, Gertrude, Alfred, and Stephen.