Symes Family Tree
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Symes Family Tree We can trace the Symes family back to Adam Symes 1460-1505 in Somerset, England. He had a son William Legge Symes 1485-1547 in Somerset, England who married Agnes Collander 1490-1565 Somerset, England. They had two sons Thomas Cecil Symes and John Patrick Symes, Lord Barwick 1515-1563 at Barwick Manor, Somerset, England. He married Lady Jane Petty Hill 1512-1563 in 1540 in Somerset, England and they had five children: John Symes 1542–1631, Jane Symes 1544–?, William Symes 1544–1597, Thomas Symes 1546–? and Alice Symes 1562–1633. William Symes 1544-1597 William Symes of Chard, Somerset, England, was born about 1540, and married Elizabeth Hill in 1570 in Somersetshire, England. They had 4 sons and 3 daughters. He died in 1597. His will indicated that he was a merchant and that he owned six manors or estates each large enough to have a court with an English lord presiding over it. He also owned a mill and various properties in Taunton, England. His personal estate was huge and upon his death he donated it to the town to be used as the first public school. It is still used as a school today and is standing in Chard, England. (Our) second known ancestor, at least, was an English nobleman of some social status and wealth. ... At least one of Williams's sons John also achieved quite a bit of fame, fortune and respect in the England of his day. William married Elizabeth Hill in 1570 at Poundisford, Pitminster, Somerset, England and they had twelve children: Jane Symes 1565–?, Robert Symes 1567–?, Thomas Symes 1569–?, Margery Symes 1570–?, Mary Symes 1572–?, Elizabeth Symes 1572–?, John Clark Symes 1572–1661, William Symes 1577–?, Margaret Symes 1579–?, James Symes 1579–?, Alice Symes 1582–? and Henry Symes 1582–1599. John Clark Symes 1572–1661 John Clark Symes married Amy Horner, niece of Thomas Horner, for whom the nursery rhyme "Little Jack Horner¨ refers. John graduated from Oxford, was a Member of Parliament, and served as the Sheriff of Somersetshire. John & Amy had three sons and eight daughters. During the English Rebellion, when Oliver Cromwell overthrew the king, John Clark Symes, as a supporter of the king was forced to leave his estate and take refuge in Gloucestershire where he also owned property. He lived there during the rule of Cromwell. After the monarchy was restored, John Clark Symes regained his estate (Poundsford) at Somerset, but being old and frail, he was too feeble to return to Poundsford. John died there at the age of 89, on Oct 21, 1661 and is buried at the church at Frampton Cottrell. Their third son, Thomas Horner Symes, inherited the family estate of his great-grandfather, John Symes of Barwick, and became involved in the mercantile & shipping businesses, sending ships to the new world to bring back products for sales. Thomas Horner Symes married Amy Bridges, who was the daughter of Edward Bridges, Esq., and Phillipa Speke. Thomas and Amy had eight boys and four girls. Several of the younger sons went to the West Indes in connection with the mercantile business that their father had established. Their fifth son, George Symes Sr. (b. 1651), went to the island of Antigua in the British West Indes as a merchant. Later he became a member of the council in Antigua ¡V part of the governing authority. George Symes eloped with Dorothy Everhard and together they had five children. George Symes died in Antigua in 1688/89 and his will named his brother Henry as the guardian of his children. The eldest son, George Symes, Jr., immigrated to Virginia in 1707. His mother has remarried again, and he had to go back to Antigua several times because of a lawsuit against his step-father over the division of the Symes estate that Dorothy had inherited from his father. Finally, George Jr received his just portion of the estate and he thereafter remained in Virginia. One or more of his brothers also moved to Virginia. First Generation: In Virginia, George Symes, Jr. was known as Dr Symes. He married Elizabeth Sherwood in 1688. George and Elizabeth lived in Surry County and in 1721 they moved to St Paul¡¦s Parish in Hanover County, where several of their sons had already settled. They died there; George in 1723, and Elizabeth in 1726. George Symes, Jr. and Elizabeth Sherwood represented the first generation of the Sims family in America. George, Jr. and Elizabeth Symes had at least two sons and possibly three or more other children. Their eldest son was Adam Symes who lived in Surry and Brunswick Counties in Virginia. Second Generation: Adam Symes (b. 1689) married Mary Isham (b.1687) and the spelling of the name SYMES seems to have changed with the children of Adam and Mary Symes, as after their generation all of the children spelled the name SIMS. Their eighth son was named Isham, after his mother¡¦s family. Third Generation: Isham Sims was born about 1720 in Virginia. He married Mary Murry and they moved to Granville County, North Carolina and later to Wake County, where he died in 1791. Fourth Generation: James Sims was the son of Isham and Mary and was born in North Carolina around 1750. He took part in the Revolution in North Carolina. The name of his wife has not been found. Sometime after the end of the Revolution he moved his family to Wilkes County, Georgia where he received Bounty Land for his service during the Revolution. This lad was later cut off into Oglethorpe County. He died there in 1840. Fifth Generation: Jimmy Sims had four sons, two of whom preceded him in death: Isham and James. One of these was the father of Lewis Sims. ¡§In the deed book H of Oglethorpe County, it is recorded that in 1815 Jimmy Sims gave his grandson Lewis Sims some of his personal belongings and livestock. Sixth Generation: Lewis Sims married Nancy Andrews. Lewis Sims moved to Coweta County, GA, where he died. After he died, his wife moved the family back to Madison County, GA. Seventh Generation: William Andrews Sims, Sr, b. July 9, 1825 (Stewart Co, GA), d. Oct 13, 1880 (Ousley, GA); married Elizabeth Amanda Power (b. Jan 29, 1828, d. May 8, 1897) in Madison County, GA on Feb 10, 1846. William and his wife moved to Ousley, Lowndes County, GA near Valdosta. They are buried in the Ousley Baptist Church cemetery. Every two years their descendents hold a family reunion in Lowndes County at the Rocky Ridge Baptist Church. Eighth Generation: William A. & Elizabeth A. Sims, Sr. was the 7th generation of the Sims family in America. Their children represent the eighth generation:
Thomas Horner Symes 1615–1669 Thomas Horner Symes married Amy Bridges, who was the daughter of Edward Bridges, Esq., and Phillipa Speke. Thomas and Amy had eight boys and four girls. Several of the younger sons went to the West Indes in connection with the mercantile business that their father had established. Richard, Amy, Catherine, Marcy, Elizabeth, Captain Henry, Captain George Spekes, Reverend Charles, Edward, John, Thomas Jr. and William Symes, Sr. (Three of his sons, Captain Henry Symes, John, and Richard backed the Duke of Monmouth in the Monmouth Rebellion. They were charged with high treason and exiled to Barbados. Another of his sons, Captain George Speaks Symes, later joined them in Antigua, West Indies.) Captain Henry Symes 1652-1714 Captain Henry Symes married in 1679 in Antigua Henrietta Phillippes who was a widow and her sister Sister married to Govenor Will of Captain Henry Symes Henry Symes of Antigua, Esq. Will dated 19 June1714. To my wife Henrietta all my plate & household goods, she to be sole manager of my estate. All cattle reputed theirs to be given to my son Richard & my daughter Elizabeth. To my said daughter, my green velvet side saddle & £100 c. My said children James, Richard, & Elizabeth to have maintenance. My Ex'ors Captain Thomas Oesterman & Mr. Thomas Trant to sell my estate after my wife's death, & the residue equally to my children & to my wife's children equally with my own. My wife & 2 trustees to be Executors. Witnessed by Edward Trant, Richard Rice, Elizabeth Parry. By John Yeamans, Esq., were sworn Edward Trant and Richard Rice 13 July 1714. Recorded 11 Jan. 1725. Captain Henry Symes Jr 1698–1742 Captain Henry Symes Jr. married on February 9, 1715 in Antigua Sarah Lynch 1676-1724. This is noteworthy part of history as Sarah Captain Henry Symes Jr. and Sarah Lynch had three sons: Henry Symes III 1721–1793, John Symes and William Symes. John Symes married Catherine Harman daughter of Colonel Samuel Harman and Dorothy Bruce Llyod, daughter of Major Charles Llyod and Katherine Symes, daughter of John Symes 1643-1687, brother of Captain Henry Symes 1652-1714 (above). William Symes married Elizabeth Walrod. Henry Symes III 1721–1793 Henry Symes 1721–1793 married Elizabeth Hunt on May 28, 1748 at St. Philip's, Antigua, British West Indies. They had four sons: Francis Symes 1744–1765, Henry Symes IV 1758–1842, Nicholas Symes 1771–1850 and John Symes 1771–1832. Will of Henry Symes “I desire that my sons Nicholas Symes and John Symes may see me buried in plain manner without plump or grandeur. I give my house that is in the town of Willoughby Bay to my son John Symes. I give all my Negroes to be divided between my wife Elizabeth Symes and my sons Nicholas and John Symes and my grandson Henry Lynch Symes share and share alike but should my grandson Henry Lynch Symes die before the age of 21 then his part to my wife Elizabeth Symes and my sons Nicholas and John Symes." Will of Elizabeth Hunt-Symes “I give to my eldest son Henry Symes of St. Croix the sum of two shillings and I give and bequeath the rest of my estate to be divided my sons Nicholas Symes and John Symes and my grandson Henry Lynch Symes. Dated 1803 and probated before Edward Byam President of His Majesty’s Council of the Island of Antigua and Commander In Chief." John Symes 1771–1832 John Symes married Sarah L and they had five daughters: Margaret Symes 1779–?, Ann Symes 1801–1802, Elizabeth Symes ?–1831, Patricia Symes ?–1836 and Mary Symes. John Symes Will Dated 27 May 1828 - “I give to my nephew Henry Lynch Symes my Negro slave for him and his heirs. I give and devise unto my natural daughter Elizabeth Cranstoun (nee Symes) five named Negro slaves and their future offspring. I give to my natural daughter Margaret Symes five named Negro slaves and their future offspring. I give to my daughters my house and land with all buildings in High Street purchased from the late John Lavicount and divided between them share and share alike, (note the name John Lavicount and see the beginnings of the relationship between David Cranstoun and Manning Anderdon) I will and devise that my Negro man slave be sold and the proceeds be used for the maintenance and schooling of their nephew John Henry Donowa (son of my daughter Mary). I give and devise my female Negro slave be sold and the proceeds be used for the maintenance and schooling of their nephew William Barton (son of my daughter Ann). I give and devise that all monies owing to me at the time of my death be collected and divided as follows. To my niece Jane Copelan Richardson wife of George Richardson late of this Island and late of the City of Glasgow but bow residing in Aberdeen the sum of 75 pounds, remaining funds to be divided between the sisters. I appoint David Cranstoun to be my Executor and my daughters Elizabeth Cranstoun and Margaret Symes Executrix’s of my Will. George Cranstoun (David's brother) witnessed and signed to this Will. On 13 August 1817 an Indenture between John Symes of the first part, Joseph Donowa (carpenter) and Mary his wife (nee Mary Symes), Elizabeth Symes, Ann Symes and Margaret Symes of the second part, and Nicholas Symes of the third part witness that in consideration of the love and affection John Symes hath for his daughters and in consideration of the sum of twenty shillings paid by Nicholas Symes does convey and sell to Nicholas Symes eighteen Negro slaves and their children (all are named). To make a long story short, Nicholas basically The document above was rather lengthy and while reading it I became upset and angry. I had time to think and decided, one must truly understand the era of Antigua during the early 1800’s, and unless one has researched and delved into the history as deeply as I have I’m not sure one can, I hope the reader pauses a moment to think about that era. To realize and accept that your forefathers were one of the families that sold and traded human beings and their future offspring like cattle, is really a difficult thing to accept, it was once said to me, “it doesn’t paint a very nice picture of the family”. Quite frankly, I became disgusted upon reading the information as I was writing this family history. If I had read this information in the beginning I don’t honestly know if I would have continued and delved so deeply into our family history. One could say, “it is what it is” but it bothered me to actually see it in print. Elizabeth Symes ?–1831 Elizabeth Symes ?–1831 married David Cranstoun.
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