| Name |
SYME, John [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] |
| Prefix |
Col. |
| Suffix |
Jr. |
| Birth |
Dec 1729 |
Studley Plantation - Syme Family Home, Studley, Hanover, Colony of Virginia, UK  [3, 6] |
Address:
"Studley" Plantation, Syme Family Home
Studley, Virginia
USA |
- His obituary in 1805 states he was aged "77 years and 11 months" at his death, which calculates to a birth date of December 1727. This is believed to be in error because his father did not marry his mother until 1728, after his first wife died earlier in 1728. Also, because Col. John SYME II was a half-brother with a common mother to the famous Patrick HENRY, many publications on HENRY have documented SYME's birth as 1729. So Col. John SYME II was 75 years and 11 months old when he died. - Wm. Winston COCHRANE IV, March 2015
|
| Gender |
Male |
| Land- |
2 May 1734 |
Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK [7] |
| on Golden Mine Creek, 300 acres, that was sold by Col. Nicholas MERIWETHER, Jr. to Henry MILLS |
- This land was adjacent to land inherited by Col. John SYME II from his father.
|
| Land |
1760 |
Newcastle, Hanover, Colony of Virginia, UK [8, 9] |
| Owned several lots as early as the 1760s |
- In 1769 he sold 2 lots to
After the Revolution, the tax returns for Hanover County, Virginia in 1782 list Col. John SYME II as having 4 lots. Sixteen years later Col. SYME's granddaughter, Mildred Meriwether SYME, would marry Dr. William COCHRAN in Newcastle.
In 1783, John SYME II sold two lots to Samuel STALEY.
|
| Land |
5 Jul 1764 |
Amherst County, Colony of Virginia, UK [10] |
| purchased from John HENRY, 2000 acres on the Tye River, |
- This land was sold by Col. John SYME II to Robert STUART on 28 November 1789.
|
| Individual Event |
21 Mar 1766 |
Newcastle, Hanover, Colony of Virginia, UK [11] |
| He was advertising the sale of race horses in the Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg) |
| Election |
1756-1768 |
Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK [12, 13, 14] |
| a Member to the Virginia House of Burgesses |
- He was re-elected from 1773 to 1775. The British Governor, Lord Dunmore, disbanded the House of Burgesses in 1774 when they declared their solidarity with Massachusetts after the Boston Tea Party. However, the Burgesses continued to meet at the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg, and elected delegates to the first Virginia Convention in 1775, which led to Virginia declaring independence from Britain, and the creation of a state government.
|
| Individual Event |
7 Dec 1769 |
Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK [15] |
| He sold 90 acres of land with some tenements that was adjacent to the town of Newcastle |
- It was jointly owned with John ROBINSON's estate.
|
| Land |
28 Dec 1771 |
Sussex County, Colony of Virginia, UK [16] |
| that he auctioned off, 12,000 acres on the Nottaway River, at the county courthouse |
| Land |
19 Nov 1772 |
Sussex County, Colony of Virginia, UK [17] |
| that he advertised for sale, 1,200 acres 7 miles below the county courthouse on the Nottaway River, |
| Historical Event |
20 Jul 1774 |
Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK [18] |
| John SYME Jr. and Patrick HENRY were elected as the two delegates, to represent Hanover County at the first Virginia Convention, |
- The first Virginia Convention met in the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg from 1-6 August, and elected Virginia's delegates to the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia, which included Patrick HENRY.
"PROCEEDINGS of VIRGINIA
"At a meeting of the freeholders of Hanover county, at the courthouse, on Wednesday the 20th of July, 1774, the following ADDRESS was agreed to.
"To JOHN SYME and PATRICK HENRY, junior, esquires.
"Gentlemen,
"You have our thanks for your patriotic, faithful, and spirited conduct, in the part you acted in the late assembly, as our burgesses, and as we are greatly alarmed at the proceedings of the British parliament, respecting the town of Boston, and the province of Massachusetts Bay, and as we understand a meeting of delegates from all the counties in this colony is appointed to be in Williamsburg on the first day of next month, to deliberate on our public affairs, we do hereby appoint you, gentlemen, our delegates, and we do request you then and there to meet, consult, and advise, touching such matters as are likely to effect our deliverance from the evils with which our country is threatened.
"The importance of those things which will offer themselves for your deliberation is exceeding great; and when it is considered that the effect of the measures you may adopt will reach our latest posterity, you will excuse us for giving you our sentiments, and pointing out some particulars, proper for that plan of conduct we wish you to observe.
"We are free men; we have a right to be so, and to enjoy all the privileges and immunities of our fellow subjects in England, and while we retain a just sense of that freedom, and those rights and privileges necessary for its safety and security, we shall never give up the right of taxation. Let it suffice to say, once for all, we will never be taxed but by our own representatives; this is the great badge of Freedom, and British America hath been hitherto distinguished by it; and when we see the British parliament trampling upon that right, and acting with determined resolution to destroy it, we would wish to see the united wisdom and fortitude of America collected for its defense.
"The sphere of lite in which we move hath not afforded us lights sufficient to determine with certainty concerning those things from which the troubles at Boston originated. Whether the people there were warranted by justice when they destroyed the tea we know not; but this we know, that the parliament, by their proceedings, have made us and all North America parties in the present dispute, and deeply interested in the event of it; insomuch, that if our sister colony of Massachusetts Bay is enslaved, we cannot long remain free.
"Our minds are filled with anxiety when we view the friendly regards of our parent state turned into enmity, and those powers of government, formerly exerted for our aid and protection, formed into dangerous efforts for our destruction. We read our intended doom in the Boston port bill, in that for altering the mode of trial in criminal cases, and finally in the bill for altering the form of government in the Massachusetts Bay. These several acts are replete with injustice and oppression, and strongly expressive of the future policy of Britain towards all her colonies; if a full and uncontrouled [sp] operation is given to this detestable system, in its early stages, it will probably be fixed upon us forever.
"Let it, therefore, be your great object to obtain a speedy repeal of those acts, and for this purpose we recommend the adoption of such measure, as may produce the hearty union of all our countrymen and sister colonies. UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. To attain this wished for union, we declare our readiness, to _______________________.
"We judge it conducive to the interests of America that a general congress of deputies from all the colonies be held, in order to form a plan for guarding the claims of the colonies and their constitutional rights, from future encroachment, and ___ ___ speedy relief of our suffering brethren at Boston. For the ___ ___think it proper to form a general association against the ___ ___ articles of goods imported from Great Britain, except ___ ___, salt, saltpetre [sp], powder, lead, utensils, and implements for ___ ___ and manufacturers, which cannot be had in America, ___ ___, and the like necessities, and not to purchase any goods or merchandise that shall be imported from Great Britain after a certain day that may be agreed on for that purpose by the said general meeting of deputies at Williamsburg, except the articles aforesaid, or such as shall be allowed to be imported by the said meeting, and that we will encourage the manufacturers of America by every means in our power. A regard to justice hinders us at this time from withholding our exports; nothing but the direct necessity shall induce us to adopt that proceeding, which we shall strive to avoid as long as possible.
"The African trade for slaves we consider as most dangerous to virtue and the welfare of this country; we therefore most earnestly wish to see it totally discouraged.
"A steady loyalty to the kings of England has ever distinguished our country; the present state of things here, as well as the many influences of it to be found in our history, leave no room to doubt it. God grant we may never see the time when that loyalty shall be found incompatible with the rights of free men. Our most ardent desire is that we, and our latest posterity, may continue to live under the genuine, unaltered constitution of England, and be subjects, in the true spirit of that constitution, to his majesty, and his illustrious house; and may the wretches that affirm that we desire the contrary feel the punishment due to falsehood and villainy.
"While prudence and moderation shall guide your councils, we trust, gentlemen, that firmness, resolution, and zeal, will animate you in the glorious struggle. The arm of power, which is now stretched forth against us, is indeed formidable, but we do not despair. Our cause is good; and if it is served with constancy and fidelity, it cannot fail of success. We promise you our best support, and we will heartily join in such measures as a majority of our countrymen shall adopt for securing the public liberty.
"Resolved, that the above address be transmitted to the printers to be published in the gazettes.
"WILLIAM POLLARD, Clerk." - Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg, 28 July 1774, page 2
|
| Election |
1774-1776 |
Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK [13, 14] |
| John SYME II was elected as a delegate to all five of the Virginia Conventions in 1774, 1775 and 1776 |
- In 1774, the first Convention met in the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg from 1-6 August, electing Virginia's delegates to the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia. From 20-27 March 1775, the second Convention met in St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond, and it was here that Patrick HENRY delivered his famous speech, "Give me liberty or give me death." The third Convention met again in St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond 17 July through 26 August, 1775. A Committee of Safety was elected to act as an executive branch of government, primarily to raise and fund a defense force for the Colony. On 1 December 1775 the fourth Convention met in Richmond, moved to Williamsburg on 11 December, and adjourned on 20 January 1776. It's actions were to increase the defense force and impose penalties on those remaining loyal to the King.
The fifth Convention convened on 6 May 1776 in Williamsburg. On 15 May, Virginia's independence from Britain was declared, and its delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia were instructed to declare independence, the only colony to do so unconditionally. On 12 June, the Convention adopted George MASON's Declaration of Rights, a precursor to the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights. On 29 June the Convention approved the first Virginia Constitution, and chose and inaugurated Patrick HENRY as the first Governor of Virginia. Thus, Virginia had a functioning republican government before the Continental Congress completed its Declaration of Independence on 4 July. The Virginia Convention adjourned on 5 July.
|
| Military Service |
1776 to 1778 |
Virginia, USA [19] |
| Revolutionary War as a Captain in the 4th Virginia and as a Colonel in the Virginia Malitia |
| Individual Event |
1781 to 1783 |
Hanover County, Virginia, USA [20] |
| He was involved in the following correspondence in Virginia during the close of the Revolutionary War |
19 January 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Thomas Jefferson
25 January 1781 - John Watkins to Col. John Syme Jr.
27 January 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Thomas Jefferson
1 February 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Thomas Jefferson
20 February 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Thomas Jefferson
26 February 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Thomas Jefferson
8 March 1781 - Col. William Davies to Governor Thomas Jefferson
11 March 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Thomas Jefferson
22 March 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Thomas Jefferson
20 April 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Thomas Jefferson
20 April 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Col. William Davies
21 April 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Thomas Jefferson
21 April 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Col. William Davies
22 April 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Col. William Davies
23 April 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Col. William Davies
23 April 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Col. William Davies
1 & 5 September 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to John Browne
13 September 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Col. William Davies
14 September 1781 - Governor Thomas Nelson to Col. John Syme Jr.
18 September 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governeor Thomas Nelson
18 September 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to David Jameson (Acting) Governor
21 September 1781 - Col. Joh Syme Jr. to David Jameson (Acting) Governor
8 October 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Col. William Davies
4 November 1781 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Col. William Davies
15 November 1781 - Foster Crutchfield to Col. John Syme Jr.
9 January 1782 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Benjamin Harrison
20 September 1783 - Col. John Syme Jr. to Governor Benjamin Harrison
29 September 1784 - Leighton Wood Jr. to Governor Benjamin Harrison
|
| Historical Event |
4 Jun 1781 |
Albemarle County, Virginia, USA [21, 22] |
| He was captured by British Lt. Col. TARLETON at Dr. WALKER's Castle Hill, on TARLETON's way to raid Charlotesville |
| Residence |
Between 1782 and 1805 |
Rocky Mills - Syme Family Home, Rockville, Hanover, Virginia, USA [1, 23, 24, 25, 26] |
| Rocky Mills |
Address:
Original on Route 673
Rockville, Virginia
USA |
- Built the "Rocky Mills" mansion circa 1782. The house was moved in 1928 to 211 Ross Rd., Richmond, VA.
|
| Correspondence |
21 May 1783 |
Hanover County, Virginia, USA [27] |
| He wrote a letter concerning support of the Revolutionary War |
"Hanover, Virginia
"This will Certify, whom it may Concern, that in the year 1781 I Employed David Hanes of the above Coty [county], to Repair about Seventy five Muskets, belonging to the publick, as Witness my Hand this 21st May 1783.
"NB. They were much Broke & Damaged by Campaign Waggons. [signed] J Syme"
|
| Will-Heir |
12 Mar 1784 |
Amherst County, Virginia, USA [28] |
- Role: Heir
"In the name of God, Amen.
"I Sarah Henry of Amherst County Widow of Sound Sense and Perfect Memory - do - hereby make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form Following
"I give to my son John Syme [II] a Mourning Ring.
"I give to my son William Henry a Mourning Ring.
"I give to my son Patrick Henry a Mourning Ring.
"Item: I give to my son Patrick Henry's daughter - Elizabeth Henry, my negro man Ruben who is in the possession of my Son in Law William Russell and my Daughter Elizabeth Russell. But it is my Desire that the negroe [sic] man Ruben may chuse [sic] at my decease whether he will belong to the said Elizabeth Henry or be sold to my Son in Law William Russell - if he chuses [sic] to be sold Then I desire my Executors may sett [sic] a price on him and that price paid to the above Elizabeth Henry.
"Item: I give to my Son in Law Samuel Meredith's daughter Jane Henry Meredith my negro Boy Simon.
"Item: I give to my daughter Lucy Wood - a Mourning Ring.
"Item: I give to my daughter Annie Christian a Mourning Ring - and to her daughter - Sarah Winston Christian I give my negro Boy Charles.
"Item: I give to my daughter Susanna Madison a Mourning Ring - and I give to Her daughter Sarah Madison £20 Current Money.
"Item: I lend to my daughter Elizabeth Russell The following Negroes - Simon and Aggy - Kiah and Delphia - and James Allen - dureing [sic] her naturall [sic] Life - and - at the decease - of my daughter - Elizabeth Russell the aforesaid negroes [sic] - except James Allen - to be equally divided between Every surviving Child of my daughter Elizabeth Russell - and James Allen to Descend to my Grandson Charles Henry Campbell.
"If my daughter Elizabeth Russell should decease without Children or Grand Children Or such Children or Grandchildren should die without Lawfull [sic] Issue to Possess and Enjoy the aforesaid Gifts - In such Case I Desire that the aforesaid negroes [sic] may be Equally divided among my Surviving daughters.
"In Case Debts should arise against the Estate of my Deceased Husband John Henry that may Cause the aforesaid negroes [sic] to be Sold, then it is my desire that my Children pay, Porportionably [sic] according to the number and Worth of the Mortgaged negroes [sic] in their Possession - and I Desire that Simon and Aggy and Kiah may Chuse [sic] their Master and Mistress among my Children - their prices to be Sett [sic] by my Executors, hereafter named, - and their Value to go in my Estate Towards paying the Debts and Legacies, - and all the Residue of my Estate I give to my daughter Elizabeth Russell and Her Children - as above.
"Item: I give to my Grandson Charles Henry Campbell and my Grand Daughter Sarah Buchanan Campbell Eight Thousand pounds of Tobacco - out of that I am to Reserve of Peter Rippoto for a Tract of Land which I sold the said Rippoto Lying in this County - which Tobo [tobacco] when Received by my Exexrs to be sold by them for money and Put out to Interest until my said Grandson and Granddaughter arrive to Lawfull [sic] age or marry - at which Time each one of them shall be entitled to an Equal Part - in case either of them should die before they are of age or have Lawfull [sic] Issue - in such case it is my desire the survivor may have the whole of the money with the interest arising thereon - But in case Both of these my Grand Children should Decease before they are of age, or have Lawfull [sic] Issue, in such case it is my desire that the above mentioned Money should be Equally divided among my surviving sons and daughters - each one an equal part.
"The Remainder of the Tobo [tobacco] arising from the Sale of the aforesaid Land sold to Rippoto I give to my Son in Law Samuel Meredith - on his paying John Lankester his Charges and for his improvements which he made on that Land, also the Expenses of Surveying the Land, after Lankester went to Live on it.
"I desire that my Wearing Apparrell [sic] be divided among my daughters.
"and Lastly I appoint my Son in Law Samuel Meredith and my son Patrick Henry and my Son in Law William Christian and my son in Law Thomas Madison and my worthy friend Edmund Winston Executors of this my Last Will and Testament - and in Case of any Disputes - or misunderstandings should arise about my aforesaid Will - Then I appoint and desire my above mentioned Exectuors [sic] or any Three of them Shall Decide and Determine all such Disputes and misunderstandings - that may arise among my Legatees - That no Law Sutes [sic] shall be Commenced about my Will.
"This 12th day of March 1784 I Sett [sic] my Hand and Seal.
"Sarah Henry (seal)
"acknowledged in presence of
James Franklin
James Higginbotham
Jos. Barnett
"At a Court held for Amherst County the Second Day of May 1785 This Last Will & Testament of Sarah Henry Deceased was this Day presented in Court by Edmund Winston one of the Executors therein Named & proved by the Oaths of James Franklin & Joseph Barnett two of the witness thereto whereupon the said Executor with Saml Meredith his Surety Entered into & acknowledged Bond in the penalty of Two Thousand Pounds Took the Oath Required by Law and Ordered to be Recorded.
Test Edm'd. Wilcox Clk."
- Amherst County, VA, Will Book #2, p 229
|
| Individual Event |
15 Mar 1788 |
Hanover County, Virginia, USA [29] |
| He appointed John WARDEN as his attorney |
| Court Case |
1792 |
Virginia, USA [30, 31] |
| in which he was trying to recover payment from Philip AYLETT for flour he sold to Philip's father, William AYLETT, while he was serving as Commissary for Virginia during the Revolution, |
"This inconvenience to Henry's son-in-law and daughter, Elizabeth, added to the already strained relation between Henry and his step-brother, which began years earlier when Syme failed to credit Henry for wheat he had sold him. By 1795, tensions had increased to the point that the two were no longer associating with one another." - "Patrick Henry Letters Acquired for Collection", News From Red Hill, Winter 2018, p 1-2.
The situation is described in a letter by Patrick HENRY. The recipient of the letter is unknown.
"Charlotte Dec. 13, 1792
Dear Sir,
It gives me no small degree of regret that in return for your agreeable communications I am about only to give you trouble. Col. Syme with whom you know my connection furnished Wm. Aylett the Continental Commissary a large quantuty of flour ____ the war, ____ necessary said since Col. Aylett's death his son is marry'd to my daughter and so I am concerned with both parties- A Writ was brought by Col. Syme against Philip Aylett, my son in law, ____ to recover the amount of flour, but the opinion of the court was discovered to be that as Col. Wm. Aylett acted as a public agent his executor could not be charged with the contract and that it ought to be a charge against the Unith States- agreeably to this sentiment Col. Syme now makes his application and if you judge ____ sent from ____ documents should be ____ as a singular favor if you would ____ the assistance that it will ____ the affair ____ congress I shall ____ be highly gratified because thereby future contentions will be avoided.
[A second paragraph on another subject.
P. Henry"
|
| FindaGrave Memorial ID |
143636644 |
|
| Inheritance-Participant |
- Role: Participant
"By the law of progeniture, Capt. John Syme at the death of his mother, Mildred Meriwether, became possessed of her immense estate, but which by the cooperation of his father and Patrick Henry and his yielding and accommodating disposition, he was induced to sign away to his father, Col. John Syme, for a very inadequate consideration. It happened that his father, Col. John Syme, had sustained some heavy losses in aid of the Revolutionary War in an official capacity, and not having it in his power to meet the demands against him, he most unrighteously undertook to make sale of his son's, Capt. John Syme's, vast landed estate before his son, Capt. John Syme, became of mature age. Entering into covenant bonds to those to whom he had sold his son's property, with Patrick Henry and one John Hawkins as his securities, that his son, Capt. John Syme, on his arriving at mature age would ratify & make good all the sales he had made. The interposition of numerous friends was exercised to prevent Capt. John Syme from ratiffing or fulfilling his father's, Col. John Syme's, sales of his immense property during his minority, but the persuasive powers of Patrick Henry over him, and he was induced to yield up his vast claims & remained possessed of moderate fortune." - Dr. William COCHRAN, 17 November 1841
|
| Burial |
1805 |
Rocky Mills Cemetery, Rockville, Hanover, Virginia, USA [32, 33, 34] |
Address:
VA Route 673
Rockville, Virginia
USA |
|
| Death |
25 Nov 1805 |
Rocky Mills - Syme Family Home, Rockville, Hanover, Virginia, USA [1, 35] |
Address:
Original on Route 673
Rockville, Virginia
USA |
| Obituary |
4 Dec 1805 |
Richmond, Henrico, Virginia, USA [36] |
| Virginia Argus |
"Death - Departed this life at Rocky Mills, in Hanover County, on Monday the 25th instant, Col. John Syme [II], aged 77 years and 11 months. He sustained for 15 months a life of unceasing pain. As a patriot, Col. Syme was excelled by few. At the age of 19 he was chosen to represent his county, which office he filled without intermission until he was elected to represent his district in the senate, which last office he resigned in 1794, after having grown too aged to bear longer the duties of a public life. He was an officer in the Indian war in 1753 -- and in the American revolution he will be remembered as one who devoted his whole time and a considerable share of an ample fortune, to the service of his country. For some months he devoted his time entirely to the services of his God, and his latest expressions, as to a supreme being, were those of consolation to his relatives and perfect resignation of himself. Take me, Oh! Jesus take me, I am ready, Why should I longer stay?"
|
| Occupation |
Hanover County, Virginia, USA [1] |
| Revolutionary War Patriot and Virginia Politician 1771-1783, Farmer, |
- "Col. John Syme [II] was at one time a distinguished patriot and politician of Virginia, possessing great wealth and considerable influence, and made great sacrifices in aid of the Revolutionary War with England from l77l to 1783." - Dr. William COCHRAN, 17 November 1841
|
| Age |
75 years |
| Person ID |
I207 |
Cochrane Genealogy |
| Last Modified |
3 Sep 2025 |
1729 - 1805 (75 years) Has 6 ancestors and more than 100 descendants in this family tree.
SYME, Mildred, b. 1754, Newcastle, Hanover, Colony of Virginia, UK 
