Symmes entstammte einer puritanischen Pfarrerdynastie. Sein Großvater Zechariah Symmes (1599–1671) war von 1634 bis 1671 Pfarrer von Charlestown, sein Vater Zechariah Symmes (1638–1708) von 1667 bis 1708 Pfarrer von Bradford. Thomas Symmes besuchte 1694–1698 das Harvard College (A.B. 1698) und blieb darauf noch zwei weitere Jahre in Cambridge, um sich auf die Pfarrerslaufbahn vorzubereiten. Am 30. Januar 1702 wurde er zum Pfarrer von Boxford ordiniert, wurde aber 1708 von seiner Gemeinde entlassen. Im selben Jahr wurde er als Nachfolger seines verstorbenen Vaters Pfarrer von Bradford und blieb es bis zu seinem Tod 1725.
Symmes veröffentlichte neben einigen seiner Predigten auch zwei Traktate (The Reasonableness of Regular Singing und Utile Dulci), in denen er für die Einführung von Notenbüchern für das Psalmensingen und die liturgische Praxis der kongregationalistischen Gemeinden warb, ferner ein Traktat (The People’s Interest), in der er den Geiz der neuenglischen Kirchengemeinden bei der Bemessung der Pfarrersgehälter anprangerte. Im Jahr seines Todes veröffentlichte er außerdem einen Bericht über das Gefecht bei Pequawket, besser bekannt als Lovewell’s Fight („Lovewells Gefecht“), der prägend für viele spätere Darstellungen dieser berühmten Episode der Indianerkriege wurde, den tatsächlichen Hergang des Gefechts aber beschönigte.
Werke
Gedruckt wurden folgende Predigten und Traktate Symmes’, teils in verschiedenen abweichenden Ausgaben:
A monitor for delaying sinners.: 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 Honourable 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 Honour the lieut. governour, and several of His Majesty’s Honourable counsellours. 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 in 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.
Digitalisate fast aller gedruckten Werke Symmes’ finden sich in der zugriffsbeschränkten Datenbank Early American Imprints, Series I: Evans (1639–1800).
Sekundärliteratur
Die Hauptquelle für alle späteren biographischen Darstellungen ist der zeitgenössische account von 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.
Weiterführende genealogische Angaben finden sich in:
John Adams Vinton: The Symmes Memorial. Privatdruck, David Clapp & Son, Boston 1873.