John Cleves Symmes, was born on Long
Island, N. Y , July 21, 1742; but removed to New Jersey, from which
state he entered the Revolutionary Army as Colonel of the 3d.
Battalion Sussex County New Jersey Militia. Resigned from army to
accept the appointment of Justice of the Supreme Court of New
Jersey. While still holding position on Supreme Bench he was
delegate to Continental Congress 1784-5. He had also served as
Lieutenant-Governor and member of the Council. He married a daughter
of Governor William Livingston of New Jersey and resided at Newton,
N. J. While on the bench he presided (1782) at the famous trial of
James Morgan the murderer of the patriot, Reverend James Caldwell.
Judge Symmes obtained in August 1787, a grant from Congress for the
purchase of one million acres of land, lying between the Miamis and
bordered on the south by the Ohio River. After many complications
and difficulties, this amount was reduced to between three and four
hundred thousand acres. Judge Symmes removed with his family to the
Northwest Territory, of which he was appointed one of the judges in
1788. He died in Cincinnati, February 26, 1814.1
John Cleves Symmes, a Delegate from New
Jersey; born in Riverhead, Long Island, N.Y., July 21, 1742; completed
preparatory studies; moved to New Jersey; chairman of the committee of safety of
Sussex County in 1774; member of the State council in 1778; served in the
Revolutionary Army; chief justice of the State supreme court 1777-1787; Member
of the Continental Congress in 1785 and 1786; moved to the Northwest Territory
and settled in North
Bend, below Cincinnati; appointed one of the three judges
of the Northwest Territory in 1788 and held the position until Ohio was admitted
into the Union; died in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 26, 1814; interment in
Congress Green Cemetery, North Bend, Ohio.
2
See:
John Cleves Symmes Historical
Marker
Will of John Cleves Symmes
