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| Symonds Ryder (1792–1870) |
| Leader of the Campbellite church in Nelson–Mentor,
Ohio. Joins Mormons briefly, then, according to Joseph Smith, leads the
1832 mob that tars and feathers him and Sidney Rigdon. |
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| Born |
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November 20, 1792 in
Hartford, Windsor Co., Vermont |
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Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 245. |
| Died |
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August 1, 1870 in Hiram,
Ohio |
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| Father |
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Joshua Ryder |
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| Mother |
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Marilla |
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His father, who had moved from Cape
Cod to Vermont, was a man of considerable influence and property. The decay
of his father's fortune threw young Symonds wholly upon his own resources.
At the age of fifteen he entered the service of Elijah Mason, the father
of Carnot and John Mason, long citizens of this town; the father, also,
of Mrs. Charles Raymond and Mrs. Zeb Rudolph, who are present with us to-day.
So soon as he had attained his majority, having served Mason six years,
Ryder started for the West. … |
|
Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 246. |
| 1813 |
|
he passed through the village of
Buffalo on the 28th of December, 1813, the evening before it was burned by
the British. The next day the fleeing population overtook him, while yet
in sight of their burning homes. |
|
Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 246. |
| Vermont
to Ohio |
|
January 6, 1814 arrives
in Hiram, Ohio, purchases 115 acres,
builds a home, finds himself "surrounded
by old acquaintances; for Hiram was a Vermont colony." Returns to Vermont
for his family the following winter. |
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Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 246. |
| Land |
¶ |
In 1816 Symonds and Jason Ryder,
with their father, mother and sisters arrived and settled on land previously
located by Symonds. … In the winter following Elijah Mason, fulfilling
his intention of thirteen years before, brought his family and settled on
the west half of Lot 43. |
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Portage history
History of Portage County, Ohio (Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885; rev. ed., Portage County Historical Society, Inc., Ravenna, Ohio, 1972).
, 470. |
| Reformed Baptist
in Hiram |
|
June 1828 hears Marcus Bosworth,
a reforming Baptist, preach in Hiram, and is favorably impressed. |
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Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 247. |
| Converted by Thomas Campbell |
|
May 25, 1828 converted by sermon
of Thomas Campbell in Mantua.
Baptized in the Cuyahoga River by Reuben Ferguson of Windham. In the annual
fall meeting of the Baptist Association, he is listed as one of the "younger
preachers" at the Mahoning Baptist Association meeting in September. |
|
Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 238, 163. |
| Hiram church |
|
The accession to the cause of a
man of Symonds Ryder's age, influence, and force of character was the signal
for a more systematic organization; and before one year had elapsed, the
hitherto floating band of worshipers was divided into two churches. One
of these was the Mantua church, at Mantua; the other the Hiram-Nelson, at
Hiram. Of the Hiram church, Bro. Ryder was chosen and ordained the first
overseer. This church continued to maintain its joint character till 1835,
when the Nelson element withdrew and formed a separate organization at Garrettsville.
So far as I have been able to ascertain, the Mantua and Hiram-Nelson churches
were the first which were established in this part of the Western Reserve
distinctly and avowedly on the basis of the Bible alone. |
|
Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 249. |
| Laying on of hands,
gift of spirit |
|
From the moment Bro. Ryder obeyed
the Gospel, he expressed himself satisfied with the views taught by the
Disciples on all points save one. He read in the New Testament of the
gift of the Holy Spirit; and, in his mind, it was in some way associated
with the laying on of hands, and with some special spiritual illumination.
The words, “These signs shall follow them that believe,” seemed
to him not yet to have been comprehended or realized. For years, this
mystery of the Word was the subject of frequent thought and conversation. |
|
Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 249. |
| Mantua church divides |
|
April 18, 1829 the Mantua Center
church divides. Symonds Ryder is ordained "first
overseer" of the new Hiram-Nelson congregation,
consisting of thirty-seven members. |
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Buckeye disciples
Buckeye Disciples: A History of the Disciples of Christ in Ohio, Henry K. Shaw (St. Louis: Ohio Christian Missionary Society), 1952.
, 56. |
| Visits
Kirtland |
|
A deep impression was made upon
the minds of many who heard him. Elder Ryder was himself staggered; and
"lest haply he should be found even to fight against God," he
sat in silence, neither approving nor disapproving. Determined, however,
to know the truth and follow it wherever it might lead, he made a journey
to Kirtland, and heard for himself. |
|
Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 249. |
June: prophecy fulfilled
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On his return,
he seemed for a short time to have rejected the claims of Mormonism; but
in the month of June, he read in a newspaper an account of the destruction
of Pekin, in China, and he remembered that six weeks before, a young Mormon
girl had predicted the destruction of that city. |
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Baptized
Allied with Ezra |
|
Shortly after this, he openly professed
his adhesion to the Mormon faith; but he and Ezra Booth, who were most intimate
friends, promised that they would faithfully aid each other in discerning
the truth or the falsity of the new doctrine. |
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| 1830 census |
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Enumerated as head of a household
of |
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| Elder |
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June 6, 1831 ordained
an elder by Joseph Smith Jr. |
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¶
Minutes of June 6, 1831 |
| Assignment |
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June 8, 1831 called
to fill Heman Basset's assignment (D&C
52:37). |
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Heman Basset |
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Misspelled Name |
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| Name misspelled |
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Ryder was informed, that by special
[252] revelation he had been appointed and commissioned an elder of the
Mormon church. His commission came, and he found his name misspelled. Was
the Holy Spirit so falible as to fail even in orthography? Beginning with
this challenge, his strong, incisive mind and honest heart were brought
to the task of re-examining the ground on which he stood. |
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Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 251–152.
The misspelling of his name is often the only reason cited as the cause of his
leaving the church. B. H. Roberts in HC 1:260–61;
No Man
No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet Fawn M. Brodie (New York: Alfred A. Knopf), 1945, 1960.
,
118;
First Mormon
Joseph Smith: The First Mormon, Donna Hill (Doubleday, 1977; Midvale, Utah: Signature Books reprint, n.d.)
, 143; Cannon and Cook in [fwr], 286; Jessee in
Papers
Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 1: Autobiographical and Historical Writings, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1989).
,
511.
This may account for his not going to Missouri,
but he did not leave the church until Ezra's return in September. In the meantime,
Symonds reportedly saw evidence that "a plot was laid to take their property
from them and place it under the control of Joseph Smith the prophet" (see
below)—a more plausible explanation than the misspelling of his name.
Ezra's summer experience must have also influenced Symonds. |
| Ezra Booth returns |
|
His friend had been passing through
a similar experience, on his pilgrimage to Missouri, and, when they met
about the 1st of September, 1831, the first question which sprang from the
lips of each was—"How is your faith?" and the first
look into each other's faces, gave answer that the spell of enchantment
was broken, and the delusion was ended. … |
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| Wins back converts |
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A large number of the citizens of
Hiram had given in their adhesion to the doctrines of Smith and Rigdon,
but the efforts of Ryder and Booth went far to stay the tide, and lead back
those who had been swept away on its current. |
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Returns to Campbellite congregation |
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| Returns to Hiram/Mantua congregation |
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His former congregation received
him back and he resumed his position as its elder until
1852. |
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D. Atwater to A. S. Hayden, Apr.
26, 1873, in
Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 253. |
| |
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Bro. Ryder returned and exposed
Mormonism in its true light. The Mormon character soon exposed itself.
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¶ |
Marcus Bosworth continued to preach
for us. Symonds Ryder soon resumed his public labors with us, and regained
the confidence of the community. |
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Writes to Campbellite
A. S. Hayden |
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Conflict at Kirtland
Conflict at Kirtland: A Study of the Nature and Causes of External and Internal Conflict of the Mormons in Ohio Between 1830 and 1838, Max H. Parkin (Salt Lake City: Church Education System, 1967). This is the published version of his 1966 BYU Master's thesis, "The Nature and Causes of External and Internal Conflict of the Mormons in Ohio Between 1830 and 1838."
, 91. |
| Consecration a
plot |
|
When they went to Missouri to lay
the foundation of the splendid city of Zion, and also of the temple, they
left their papers behind. This gave their new converts an opportunity to
become acquainted with the internal arrangement of their church, which revealed
to them the horrid fact that a plot was laid to take their property from
them and place it under the control of Joseph Smith the prophet. |
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Joseph and company left Kirtland
for Missouri on June 19, 1832. |
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Sidney's Challenge |
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| Sidney
challenges Symonds |
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Sidney Rigdon issues a notice
to the public that he will discuss Ezra Booth's letters
at a school in Ravenna and invites Ezra to be present. He also challenges Symonds
Ryder to debate the Book of Mormon in Hiram. |
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Original: Simonds Rider
"To the Public," Ohio Star, Dec. 15, 1831. Source |
| Symonds
responds |
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December 29, 1831 Symonds
replies in the Ohio Star: |
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| Sidney lives 60 rods
from Symonds |
¶ |
[Symonds responds to Sidney's invitation:] That Mormonism
is a base imposition, I most certainly believe, … and that it is Sidney
Rigdon's privilege to know as much about it as I do, is undoubtedly a truth.
Now if he really is anxious that I should teach him the truth, and correct
his errors, it does appear to me that a private interview would be much more
convenient and much more to his profit, as our dwellings are but about sixty
rods apart; and if he is honestly disposed to please himself under my tuition,
he shall be tenderly used, and such care taken of him as his peculiar constitution
would seem to justify. But to undertake to correct him of his errors before
the public, would be a most arduous task for me. His irascible temper, loquacious
extravagance, impaired state of mind, and want of due respect to his superiors,
I fear would render him in such a place, unmanageable, and I therefore fail
of accomplishing the desired object. |
|
Symonds Ryder to the
editor, Ohio Star (Ravenna), Dec. 29, 1831. Source
60 rods = 330 yards |
| Sidney's state of mind |
¶ |
As it respects the public anxiety in Hiram and its vicinity, … it
has long since been relieved, except a few cases of succeeding Mormons,
and they appear to be fast recovering from their mental derangement, and
bid fair again to become useful members of society. Therefore, an investigation
of this subject, before the public, for their benefit, would be in a great
measure if not altogether, void of utility. Furthermore, Sidney Rigdon and
his colleagues have labored both in public and in private, to their utmost,
in and about Hiram, since their return from Missouri, to save, if possible,
a sinking cause, but without much success, for the people generally have
left their meetings, except a few of their remaining brotherhood, which
to me makes Sidney Rigdon's challenge appear more like one of the last throes
of expiring Mormonism, to cause, if possible, "public anxiety" in
this place, than the spontaneous production of an honest heart.
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| Mormonism declining
in Hiram |
¶ |
As it respects the public anxiety
in Hiram, and its vicinity, relative to Mormonism, it has long since been
relieved, except a few cases of succeeding Mormons, and they appear to be
fast recovering from their mental derangement, and bid fair again to become
useful members of society. Therefore, an investigation of this subject,
before the public, for their benefit, would be in a great measure if not
altogether, void of utility. |
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| A sinking cause |
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Furthermore, Sidney Rigdon and his
colleagues have labored both in public and in private, to their utmost,
in and about Hiram, since their return from Missouri, to save, if possible,
a sinking cause, but without much success, for the people generally have
left their meetings, except a few of their remaining brotherhood, which
to me makes Sidney Rigdon's challenge appear more like one of the last throes
of expiring Mormonism, to cause, if possible, "public anxiety" in
this place, than the spontaneous production of an honest heart. |
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| Sidney
taunts |
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January 12, 1832 Sidney's
rejoinder accuses "Simons Rider" of hiding "behind a battery
of reproach, and abuse, and low insinuations." |
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"To the Public," Ohio
Star, Jan.
12, 1832. Source |
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| Leads
mob to tar Joseph and Sidney |
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March 25, 1832 Joseph
and Sidney are dragged from John Johnson's home in Hiram, and are tarred
and feathered. Joseph later reports that Symonds Ryder was the ringleader. |
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1832
Tarring |
| Sidney
compliments Symonds |
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January 1836 Sidney
pays Symonds a left-handed compliment, comparing him favorably to other
Campbellites: |
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MA
Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate
2, no. 4 (Jan. 1836): 243. |
| |
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Symonds Rider …
could blow like a porpoise when there was no person to oppose him; but
when called upon to be as bold in the presence of those whom he envied,
as in their absence, he had recourse to the same means of slander and
abuse: but to the credit of Symonds, we will say that since that time
[when a challenge to debate was issued] he has been silent on the subject,
in this he has displayed more honesty than some others of his brethren. |
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If
Symonds led the 1832 mob, why does Sydney does not mention his role and
instead go out of his way to praise him? |
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[December 1844–early 1845]
arrives with O. E. Brown as preachers for the Disciples church in Ravenna. |
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Portage history
History of Portage County, Ohio (Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885; rev. ed., Portage County Historical Society, Inc., Ravenna, Ohio, 1972).
, 534. |
| Institute with Hayden |
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1849 becomes first treasurer the
Eclectic Institute at Hiram, serves eleven years.
1850 begins seven years' service as co-elder of the
Institute with A. S. Hayden. |
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Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 259;
Buckeye disciples
Buckeye Disciples: A History of the Disciples of Christ in Ohio, Henry K. Shaw (St. Louis: Ohio Christian Missionary Society), 1952.
.
161, 208. |
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Family |
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| Wife |
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Mahitable
Loomis, b. 1799;
md. November 1818;
d. after Symonds |
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Hayden history
Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, A. S. Hayden (Cincinnati: Chase & Hall, 1876).
, 246. |
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