Born on 12 January 1852, John was the fourth child of William Symington and Jane Dalziel.

He met a tragic end when he drowned in the Garrion burn, a small tributary of the River Clyde,  at about 5 pm on 10 October 1858. [1] He was six years old.

He was buried in the Cambusnethan Churchyard without a memorial.

Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser Saturday 16th October 1858 page 3

WISHAW. 

MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE. - On Sabbath evening last, after the incessant rain, John Symington, a boy between six and seven years of age, residing at Gill-head, had accompanied his brothers and sisters, to view the swollen river, a short distance from the house; when attempting to cross the river on a narrow plank, he fell over and was drowned. The body was not discovered till Monday morning. It had been carried down by the strength of the current between three and four hundred yards from the place where he fell. It has been the source of great excitement in the neighbourhood.

[1] GROS Statutory Deaths 628/00 0171