Simm, Hugh, d. 1810.

Hugh Simm was a mechanic by trade in the town of Paisley in Scotland. He also studied the classics and divinity under the tutelage of the Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon. When Witherspoon and his family left Paisley to take the Presidency of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1768, he took Simm with him. On Witherspoon's recommendation, Simm was hired by the trustees of the college to become Princeton's first librarian and inspector of rooms, for a salary of £5. Simm was awarded the honorary degree of Bachelor of Arts from the College in 1768. Simm received from his brother Andrew news about friends and family in Scotland, and sent information about the growing community of people coming to America from Paisley and Glasgow, Scotland. Within a year Simm became a teacher at the grammar school, which was in the same building as the College, and following that he took another teaching position at a grammar school in Freehold, NJ. where he taught Latin, Greek, and natural philosophy, with a salary of £50 to £55 per year. Simm left Freehold to teach at another grammar school in New York City, where he got married, then became the head of another school in Albany, NY. The advent of the Revolution caused a break in the relationship between him and Witherspoon. Simm was a loyalist to the British Crown while Witherspoon was a member of the Continental Congress. Simm finally returned to Paisley, and was rewarded for his loyalty during the Revolution by the British Crown.

John Witherspoon was the sixth president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and from 1776 to 1782 a leading member of the Continental Congress. He came from Scotland in 1768 to assume the presidency of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and held office there until his death, a quarter of a century later.

Andrew Simm, Hugh Simm's brother, was a weaver in Paisley, Scotland.

"Paisley" is world famous as the name of the teardrop pattern used on everything from clothing to a whole range of everyday domestic goods. The pattern did not actually originate in the town of Paisley, Scotland; it can be traced back to the Indo-European cultures of 2,000 years. It became associated with Paisley after a long journey through time and across oceans and continents. At the end of the 18th century a very large number of Scottish individuals and their families from Paisley immigrated to America seeking a better life. Their letters home provide a valuable source of information about the towns where they settled.

From the description of Hugh Simm collection, 1748-1810 (bulk 1768-1784) (Peking University Library). WorldCat record id: 166637267