Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949 Biographies S page 1891 SYMMES, John Cleves, 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; [p.1891] 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.

Somerset County Historical Quarterly Vol VII:
Col. John C. Symmes was the son of Rev. Timothy Symmes and Mary Cleves, of Southold, N. Y., and was b. July 21, 1742. In 1770 he removed from Long Island to Walpack twsp., Sussex co., N. J., on a farm of 600 acres, calling his home "Solitiude." He was an active patriot, served with distinction in the Revolution, and was also a Justice of the N. J. Supreme Court from 1777 to 1783, besides Cincinnati, having a contract to purchase from the U. S. Government, 1,000,000 acres of land. This was the "Miami Purchase," of which we often hear, and about which so much has been written.

Col. Symmes had three wives. He m. (1), Oct. 30, 1760, Anna Tuttle, of Southold, L. I., who d. July 25, 1776; (2),about 1782, Mary (Henry) Halsey above named, who d. May 22, 1786; (3), before May, 1796, Susanna (dau. of Gov. William Livingston), the "pretty Susan" of Andre's "Cow Chase" poem, and a contributor to the "New Jersey Gazette" during the Revolutionary War. By his first wife, Anna, there were two daughters, Maria and Anna Symmes. Maria m. Major Peyton Short, of Kentucky, and after her death, Major Short married Jane Henry (see Jane, 19). Anna Symmes was b. July 25, 1775, and m., Nov. 22, 1795, William Henry Harrison, afterward President of the United States. Col. Symmes died at Cincinnati Feb. 26, 1814.

Note the death occuring in Cincinnati? Most references say so. Need to check it out.

Register of Revolutionary War Officers
Alphabetical List of Officers of the Continental Army
S
Fifteenth Virginia page 530
Symmes, John Cleves (Va). Colonel Virginia Militia, 1775–1776. (Died 1814.)

Some DAR Quotes:
John Cleves Symmes was colonel of Sussex county militia until appointed judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey.

John Cleves Symmes, (1742-1814), was chairman of the Committee of Safety of Sussex county, 1774, and commanded a [p.14] regiment, 1775. He was a member of the convention which framed the State Constitution. He was with Washington in the Jersey campaign, at the battles of Springfield, Red Bank, Fort Mifflin and Monmouth. He commanded expeditions to Long Island and surprised the British on Staten Island. His civil service was distinguished and he was appointed Supreme Court Judge of the North West Territory. He is buried at North Bend, and upon his tombstone is inscribed "Here rests the remains of John Cleves Symmes, who at the foot of these hills made the first settlement between the Miama Rivers.

Colonial Families in the United States, Vol 5.:
John Cleves SYMMES was b. 10th July, 1742, at Riverhead, Long Island, d. at Cincinnati 26th February, 1814; he removed to Flatsbrook, Sussex County, Long Island, and engaged in surveying; he was Chairman Committee Safety, Sussex County, 1774; Colonel Sussex Regiment, 1775; March, 1776, erected forts and battlements around New York and Long Island; [p.448] 10th June, 1776, Delegate to New Jersey Convention, Member of Committee to draft state Constitution; covered WASHINGTON'S retreat to Delaware; checked General LESLIE in his advance on Philadelphia; with General DICKENSON when he surprised the British on Staten Island; at Red Bank; at Battle of Monmouth, where he had three horses shot from under him; Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, one year; Member of Council, six years; in 1777 Associate Judge Supreme Court, New Jersey, twelve years; 1786 Member of Congress from New Jersey; with Gen. James Mitchell VARNUM and Gen. Sam Holden PARSONS appointed Judge Supreme Court of Northwest Territory (north of the Ohio); took possession of Symmes Purchase in 1789 (purchased 1,000,000 acres from the United States between the Miami Rivers, north of the Ohio, including the present site of Cincinnati), on General ST. CLAIRE'S Staff; buried at North Bend, Ohio.

SYMES, John, Portsmouth, N. H.; from Exborn, Devonshire,
before 1718; m. Hannah Jackson, Oct. 22,
1718.--N. E. Hist. Gen. Reg., Vol. 23, p. 395.