Symmes, Zachariah

Symmes, Zachariah a Congregational preacher, was born at Canterbury, England, April 5, 1599. He was educated at Cambridge, and after leaving the university was employed as tutor in several distinguished families. In 1621 he was appointed lecturer at Atholines, in London, and in September, 1625, he became rector of Dunstable. Embarrassed by his Nonconformity, he emigrated to New England, where he arrived in August, 1634. He was admitted to the fellowship of the Church in Charlestown, Mass., Dec. 6, and on the 22nd of the same month was elected and ordained teacher of the same Church, Rev. Thomas James being pastor. About a year afterwards he succeeded to the office of pastor, which he filled until his death, Feb. 4,1671. See Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, 1, 47.