Background
Symmons was the younger son of John Symmons, the Member of Parliament for Cardigan. He was born in Cardigan in 1749 and educated at Westminster School, joining the school in 1765. He was admitted as a member of Lincoln"s Inn later in the same year.
Education
He then attended the University of Glasgow in 1766, striking up a friendship with William Windham. He also studied at Clare College, Cambridge from 1776 to 1786, obtaining a Bachelor of Divinity degree.
Career
Symmons was ordained deacon in 1773 and priest in 1774, and was appointed rector of Narberth in Pembrokeshire in 1778. He was made a prebendary of Street David"s Cathedral in 1789. In 1793, Symmons prepared to take his Doctor of Divinity degree at Cambridge, which required him to preach two sermons at the Church of Street Mary the Great, Cambridge.
His moderate whig views were controversial in the wake of the trial of William Frend.
Symmons protested, but decided to take his degree from the University of Oxford instead. His whiggish views inhibited further advancement in the church, although he was additionally appointed rector of Lampeter Velfrey, an adjoining parish to Narberth, in 1794.
He failed to be appointed a prebendary of Westminster Abbey as he wished.
Membership
He was incorporated as a member of Jesus College, Oxford on 29 March 1794 and received his Doctor of Divinity two days later.