Charles Symmes

Charles Symmes (April 4, 1798 – August 25, 1868) was an American-born business owner and politician in Quebec. Considered the father of Aylmer, he was its mayor from 1855 to 1858 and again from 1860 to 1862.

He was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the son of Captain John Symmes and Elizabeth Wright, the sister of Philemon Wright.[1] In 1819, he was hired by his uncle as clerk and bookkeeper. Philemon's oldest son, Philemon Junior, owned or was in charge of most of the Wright Farms, including the Chaudière Farm at Turnpike's End.[2] In 1819, Philemon Junior had built the farm with a house as well as a hotel and two stores to accommodate all the travelers who journeyed above the falls, up the Ottawa River.[3]

In November 1821, Philemon Junior died suddenly in a tragic coach accident. As a result, Philemon Sr. needed a new manager for the Chaudière Farm. His other sons were busy managing the family's timber business and so he chose Charles to be the new manager. The hotel was made ready for his occupancy in 1822.[4]

In October 1823, the arrangement was made official and more equitable, with Charles named a partner of the Farm & Landing with P. Wright & Sons in a lease agreement. Charles would manage the farm and tavern/store at the waterfront. A dispute arose when the company did not honour the terms of the agreement. Charles left P. Wright & Sons to pursue business on his own at Turnpike's End. Charles acquired property and, in 1830, had his property surveyed and divided up into building lots for sale. He developed the waterfront, creating a dock and partnered in building and running the steamboat Lady Colborne, the first to operate in that area.

In 1831, he replaced the tavern/store that the Wrights had built with a larger building, the Symmes Inn, also known as l'Auberge Symmes.[5]

Originally known as Turnpike's End, then Symmes' Landing, the village was renamed Aylmer in 1831 to honour Lord Aylmer, the governor of Lower Canada. Symmes donated land for the construction of churches and public buildings. He also served on the board for the Aylmer Academy. He was a member of the Aylmer municipal council from 1847 to 1851 and from 1852 to 1855. He served as prefect for Ottawa County, secretary-treasurer for the county agricultural society, and revenue inspector for the district.

Symmes married Hannah Ricker in 1824. Together, they had nine children: Abigail, Elizabeth, Charles, John, Thomas, Edmund, Tiberius and Hannah. Many of the streets of Aylmer are named for their children. Symmes died in Aylmer at the age of 70.[1]

The hotel that he built later became a museum[5] and has been designated a heritage building by Quebec.[6]

References
  1. The Wrights, A Genealogical study of the first settlers in Canada's National Capital Region, Patrick M.O. Evans, National Capital Commission, 1st edition, pg.73
  2. Walking in the Footsteps of Philemon Wright, Rick Henderson, Dadson Lane Productions, 2016
  3. Aylmer Quebec, Son Patrimoine-Its Heritage, Diane Aldred, Aylmer Heritage Association, 2016, pg. 6
  4. Aylmer Quebec, Son Patrimoine-Its Heritage, Diane Aldred, Aylmer Heritage Association, 2016, pg. 8
  5. "Charles Symmes". Auberge Symmes. Archived from the original on 2013-10-15.
  6. "Auberge Charles-Symmes". Canada's Historic Places (in French). Parks Canada.
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