Alexander G. Swasey Sr.

 Repost from When I Was 69 -  9/10/14

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In honor of Alexander G. Swasey Sr, whose birthday is today, I continue to research his roots in New England.

Benjamin Swasey's book, Genealogy of the Swasey Family, (1910) is offered where it mentioned my ancestors...photos of the ebook.

 

Entry 84 is Jerathmel Swasey...listed as Seventh Generation, a son of Jerathmel, Joseph, Samuel, Joseph, Joseph and John

Each of those fathers names represent a generation.

Thus:

1. John Swasey

2. Joseph

3. Joseph

4. Samuel

5. Joseph

6. Jerathmel

7. "Jarathmel, sea captain," (the number 84 with details given above) b. unknown date, "Swansea, MA, d. bef 1847, m. Eliza B. Davis, b. May 11, 1798, d. in New York City, 1873, dau of Benjamin and Sarah (Bowers) Davis.  She was app. adm. of his estate Oct 5, 1847. He commanded sailing vessels in the East Indies trade."

How was he related to my ancestors, since he wasn't a direct grandfather apparently?

Before working with his children (8th generation) I chose to continue the 7th generation since Swaseys arrived in America.  At the bottom of the same page will be found number 85, and "Alexander G. Swasey, sea captain."  The same parentage is given so he is brother to 84 Jarathmel who died around 1847.

"B. in Swansea Mass, Sept 10, 1784, d. in Newport, RI, Oct 28, 1861; m. Ruth Woodward, b. Sept 6, 1788, d. Mar 4, 1842. 

"He was a wood carver by trade but engaged for many years in command of ship to the coast of China."

Here's the next page in the book:

Children of Alexander G. Swasey and Ruth Woodward Swasey

 I again am going to offer the pages of the children, but skip their details and keep looking at AG Swasey's seventh generation.  (You'll notice a different numbering system is used for each generation in B.Swasey's book.)

Children continued, of AG and Ruth Woodward Swasey

Last listing of children of AG and Ruth Woodward Swasey

Seventh generation Stephen Swasey, not a son of Jerathmel Swasey but of Samuel Swasey, who must have been his brother.

So 86 Stephen Simmons Swasey was a cousin to AG Swasey Sr. since their fathers were brothers.  Again I chose to not follow that line, since my focus is to figure out the first 7 generations.

I also found it interesting in Mr. B. Swasey's book that he had a source who was still alive when he interviewed her, in 1903, the granddaughter of 84 Jerathmel.  Another cousin.  But a great primary resource.

A.G. Swasey Sr. (1784-1861)

Here's the latest information about Capt. Swasey.

My GGG Grandfather, Captain Alexander G. Swasey Sr, was born on Sept. 10 in 1784 in Swansea, Bristol County, MA.

I just found (well a few weeks ago) a newspaper clipping which another relative posted to Ancestry.  It's a tiny bit of information but interesting to add to my "facts" about my GGG Grandfather.

On Nov 29, 1924, the Newport Mercury (newspaper) published in its column, "Seventy Five Years Ago," the following tidbit, dated Dec 1.

I had to read the entire page, which had editorials and ads, as well as death notifications...until I finally found Capt. Alexander G. Swasey's name!  After the listing of the 761 pound hog!  And it was more news of the resignation of James Horswell, Esq. where Capt. Alexander was appointed in his place.

But I think being the Permanent Inspector of the Port might have been pretty important.  After all Newport RI was a port, and Capt. A. G. Swasey had not only been a seaman, but probably had had a hand in building many ships that were sailing through it.

He was a noted wood carver, including the eagle which was displayed in the 1964 New York World's Fair in the Rhode Island pavilion.  I went to that fair, and may have seen that beautiful carving.  I just got a reminder of the artistic talents of our family.

Newport Mercury and Local News, Sept 4, 1964

My fourth cousin, also his ggg-grandaughter, visited the history museum and took these photos, Linda Clark.

Though the news article's description says the eagle is holding a small cannon in his talons, I can't figure that out.  I note that there are some other significant symbols on it though. It was carved in 1840.

His first wife Ruth Woodward died in 1842, and he remarried about 8 months later to Delaney Hines.

I like that his bones lie next to Ruth Woodward (it doesn't say Swasey on her grave) and then Delaney Clark (also no Swasey) and then one of his sons, Joseph Swasey who died in 1843.  He lived until 1861, and Delaney Clark (Hines Swasey) died in 1859, having been also married to a Mr. Hines at some point. Her marriage certificate to A.G. Swasey calls her Delaney Hines.

The last census that Delaney was in was 1850, where her birth was about 1805. In that census A.G. and Delaney had Ruth Swasey (age 21) living with them, and Sarah Lyon (could be a mispelling) age 55. 21 year old Ruth would go on to marry William James and be my cousin's ancestor.  But who was Sarah Lyon age 55?

There was actually a mother-in-law named Amy Lyon Hammet, whose son married Sarah Swasey, daughter of A.G.and Ruth Swasey.  But she would have been quite a bit older than 55 in 1850, since her birth was in 1782, making her near 77.  And since she had a daughter living still in 1850, and being named Amy Lyon Hammet, not Sarah Lyon...though she was alive in 1850 still, I think she wouldn't have been living with the Swaseys.  That was a big stretch.

And A.G. and Ruth's daughter, Sarah Swasey Hammet was only 23 in 1850. So whoever was of the same generation as A.G. and Ruth living with them, will remain a mystery.

Alexander Swasey's carved eagle

My fourth cousin, Linda Clark, took the following pictures of the eagle, carved by our common great times four grandfather.

He listed his occupation in 1865 as a "Carver." and indeed he was.

He obtained a seaman's certificate (used to prove his nationality by certifying the place of his birth) at age  36, on May 18, 1822.  It's quite likely he'd been the captain of ships prior to that, but was listed as number 23 of the seamen in Newport RI.

I've written extensively about Captain Alexander G. Swasey, Sr. 
But here's more information that I trolled about Newport RI.

History of Newport I 
History of Newport II
History of Newport III 
History of Newport IV

 
And here are some detailed photos of the eagle.

Photo by Linda Clark

Photo by Linda Clark

More background on Alex's living in Newport was posted HERE.

Article about New York Worlds Fair showing Eagle, 1964, published in the 29 August 1964 edition of the Newport RI Daily News

Old Newport RI

Photos by Linda Clark

The wharfs in Newport, RI. Here is Franklin St, leading down to a Langley Warf, and that's where my great times 3 grandfather, Alexander G. Swasey Sr. lived and worked.  His household consisted of 8 person in the 1820 census, up to 13 in the 1830 census. Then it diminished in 1840 to 10 persons, then by 1850 just 4, including his second wife. In 1860 he had one other person, a woman who might have been a servant, living with him.

In the 1856 Newport RI City Directory, he listed himself as living at 11 Franklin, occupation of Carver.  My cousin Linda visited Newport and took a photo of Franklin St. 

 

Newer sign and buildings showing Franklin St.

 House now located at 11 Franklin St., possible home of the Swaseys. Photo by Linda Clark

A great article (Here and quoted below) about another warf in Newport may give you an idea what life was like for the port city when the Swasey's lived there.  Bowen's Wharf is listed as Steven's Wharf on the map above.

History of Bowen's Wharf

Sailmaker’s shops, sail-drying lofts, and a whole array of buildings that were essential for a busy maritime wharf are what you'll find on historic Bowen's Wharf. Brick walks, granite quays, and 18th century commercial wharf buildings bring you back to our beginnings as a thriving seaport in one of the finest natural harbors in New England. Trading with all corners of the world, then and now, Bowen's Wharf is the anchor of Newport!

Bowen's Wharf is centrally located on the waterfront at the foot of Newport's Historic Hill. With more colonial houses and public buildings than any other city in America, Newport is a beloved destination for all ages. Newport Harbor, deep, sheltered, with direct access to Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the finest natural harbors in New England making it one the most important and successful colonial seaports. Since the 17th century Bowen's Wharf has contributed to the city's business and life.

After the Revolutionary War the most active ship's chandlery was on Bowen's Wharf and trade to all corners of the world continued until the mid 1800s. The cobblestone street, granite-walled quay, rare 18th Century wharf buildings, and brick 19th Century buildings all make this site unique both in New England and in America.

Gallery

Photos by JH Peterson

Bowen's Wharf was originally known as Stevens’ Wharf, after Robert Stevens Ship Chandler. This shop was next owned by George Piltz and served as the office for the George Bowen’s Coal Company. The Robert Stevens mansion was at the corner of Bowen's Wharf and Thames Street, and was a unique double house design.

Because Providence and Newport were founded by dissidents, they became places of refuge for others wishing to worship as they pleased. Quakers from England, Jews from Portugal and Spain, and Baptists all came to Newport in the mid-1600s to find religious freedom. They brought talent and a gift for hard work. The settlement prospered and it became the colony's most important town and one of the New World's busiest ports.

Throughout Newport today, many beautiful colonial homes and other landmarks such as the Old Colony House (center of government), Touro Synagogue, and Redwood Library attest to the wealth and prosperity of Newport.

During the American Revolution the British occupied the town and its excellent harbor, and held it for three years. A British frigate, HMS Rose, did much to hinder the transport of supplies to the Americans, and spurred them to found the United States Navy in retaliation.

Despite a French naval blockade and an American siege, the British held onto Newport until 1779 and, after this interruption in its social and economic life, Newport never regained its status as the prime trade center in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

Several decades later, however, it achieved prominence in another fashion. Drawn by the beautiful woods and dramatic coastline, wealthy merchants from New York and Philadelphia began to come to Newport to spend their summers. In the early-1800s the first of Newport’s famous mansions, Kingscote, was built, and others followed until Newport's Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive could boast the highest concentration of summer ‘cottages’ -- mansions by any standards.

Newport has long been known as a major yachting center and host to the Newport to Bermuda Race, Transatlantic Races, and the America’s Cup Competition. Newport’s waterfront features improvements and updates for visitors to Bowen’s Wharf and other harbor-oriented projects.

Bowen’s Wharf was, and remains, the anchor of Newport. Sign up for our email newsletter to learn the history of our anchor that now rests in the center of our wharf.

Tomorrow to see the eagle again which he carved!

A new (to me) fourth cousin!

Well, I did take this DNA test last year.  And maybe connected with a couple of relations.  It meant I had to make my Ancestry tree public, and that resulted in someone being able to post things to my tree (though I've been reassured time and again that's not possible.)  But not only were a lot of cousins added to my tree, they had photos added as well...and I know I hadn't put them on myself...because I'd never even seen them.  So my tree is again private, with a few relatives invited to have access as guests...and a friend also. Incidentally, I didn't find out a thing about my origins that was news to me with the DNA test results.

But my connections with my cousins seem to come through others seeing my ancestry tree...and maybe this blog.  I've been recently contacted by a fourth cousin, and had so much fun finding out about her family, as well as re-examing our ancestors in common.

Out great great great grandparents are Capt. Alexander Swasey, Sr. and Ruth Woodward.  Cousin Linda visited their graves recently in Newport, Rhode Island and took photos which provided new information on them.  These aren't just the birth and date information kind of news.

 There are 4 graves clustered in a row, and Ruth is next to Alexander.  Then there is another woman buried right next to her.  And the women's markers both say that they were the wife of Alexander!  So he had a second wife, which I'd never known about.

"Capt. Alexander G. Swasey," "Ruth Woodward, wife of Alexander Swasey," "Delany Clark, wife of Alexander Swasey,"  "Joseph D. Swasey, son of Alexander Swasey."  It is very strange to me that both Ruth and Delany only had their maiden names on their graves, though the "wife of..." was there also.  I wonder why. (And now that I think about it, these markers were given these inscriptions based on the memory of a surviving descendent...who we don't know at this point.)

Ancestry gives hints of new information on people, so I don't usually have to go looking for census, birth, marriage, death or city directory data.  But lately I'm having to scratch through many documents, and it's paid off.  The 12 children of Alexander and Ruth had very interesting lives.  I've found one son (William Pitt Swasey) who didn't die in 1843, but in 1890, and he's buried in New Jersey next to his wife.

Georgiana Sterne Swasey and Willliam Pitt Swasey, in Vine NJ cemetery

I found out their (Alex and Ruth Woodward Swasey's) eldest daughter, Delany Swasey, did marry before she died in in St. Mary's Georgia.  She married in St. Augustine FL according to the marriage certificate.

Alexander and Ruth Woodward Swasey had many grandchildren of course. I learned today that their 2 year old granddaughter, Mary Jane Swasey, had not perished at sea with Jerathmel Bowers Swasey and his wife and other daughter. Maybe she had not been on that ship for some reason, and though she was orphaned, she lived at least until she was 19, according to a census where she lived with another family of her mother's maiden name.

I could give you all the details, but I'm too excited today.  Not a good thing when dealing with all these little details.  So I'll just say how glad I am that I got contacted by my cousin Linda.