Background
He was born in Portland (later Saint John, New Brunswick), the son of James Simonds and Hannah Peabody, and educated there.
He was born in Portland (later Saint John, New Brunswick), the son of James Simonds and Hannah Peabody, and educated there.
He represented Saint John County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1821 to 1846, from 1850 to 1851 and from 1856 to 1857. Simonds joined his father"s business, later taking over the management of its activities at Portland. In 1820, he became one of the first directors of the Bank of New Brunswick and, in 1824, he became its president
Simonds also became involved with the Commercial Bank of New Brunswick and the Saint John Fire Insurance Company.
However, later Simonds became critical of the college. Simonds later served again as speaker from 1835 to 1841, in 1851 and from 1856 to 1857.
Simonds also served as a justice of the peace. He died in Saint John at the age of 75.
Artists Rights Society]
He served as a member of the first council for King"s College (later the University of New Brunswick). He also was a member of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Council of New Brunswick.