Charles Symmes

CHARLES SYMMES (1798 -1868)

In January 1819, Charles Symmes, aged 20, wrote to his uncle, Philemon Wright, asking for work. He was hired and arrived a few months later to work as a clerk and bookkeeper. Two years later, he was sent to manage Chaudière Farm, what is now known as Aylmer sector of Gatineau.

In 1824, Symmes returned to Massachusetts to marry Hannah Ricker. Charles Symmes managed the small community for his uncle until they ‘fell out’ and in 1828 he was forced to make the final payment to Philemon Wright.

In 1830, Symmes had his land surveyed into building lots and put up for sale. Streets were laid out and several were named after members of the Symmes family: Tiberius, Thomas and Charles (now Symmes).

Charles Symmes gained an interest in the steamboat industry springing up in the town and a partnership in the first steamboat to ply these waters, the Lady Colborne. In 1831, Symmes built a handsome hotel on the riverfront to lodge travellers staying overnight before boarding the boat for the next portion of their journey. Symmes Inn is now the home of the regional museum of history, appropriately named the Symmes Inn Museum.

Over his lifetime, Charles Symmes donated the land for the Anglican, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches. He served as Mayor of Aylmer from 1855 to 1862.

Charles and Hannah Symmes had ten children. Charles died in 1868 and is buried in Bellevue Cemetery. Symmes entered into partnership with Wright, by which he would lease and farm some of the Wright property and manage a tavern and store. He also purchased a section of the land from his uncle.