More on Newport RI ancestors

repost of When I Was 69 "More on Newport and my ancestors (part II)" 9/8/14

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My ancestor, Alexander G. Swasey Sr. lived in Newport, RI from 1807 to 1861 (The 1856 Newport Business Directory says: carver, Langley’s wharf, h. 11 Franklin.) I've looked for 11 Frankiln on Google maps, and it's not a residence any more.

Newport RI Business Directory 1856

And on an old map of Newport, there's no Langley's Warf listed either.  Note, after the Revolution and a long term British then French military occupation of Newport, many homes were left vacant and demolished following the war (see post HERE).

Map shows many warves in Newport RI in the time before the Revolutionary War.

Alexander G. Swasey Sr. had been born Sept. 10, 1784 in Swansea, Bristol County, MA.  He married Ruth Woodward on July 7, 1807, in Newport, RI.  This is the first date recorded on Ancestry with his residence in Newport, though he could well have moved there earlier.

Son: William Swasey, born 1817, in 1856 directory listed as mariner, h. 29 Broad.

Son (and my ancestor) Alexander G. Swasey Jr. (listed in 1856 Newport Business Directory: planing mill, Tanner cor. Green land, h. Charles cor. Marlborough) I think he was born in Newport in 1812, though in 1840 also had residence in St. Augustine, FL and was a captain of various ships.

Newport RI tax role 1855 Alexander G. Swasey

Since the younger had the same name as his father, there have been confusing documents attributed to the other of that name.  I am definitely sure the younger Alexander did Captain various ships including those that transported slaves (probably illegally) and signed the manifests.  He also became a Confederate Blockade Runner in the Civil War.  And he spent a long time in a Union Prison.  I've spoken of him elsewhere, HERE, and here.

Newport RI Business Directory, 1863

Actually someone has listed Alexander Jr. being born in Newburyport, MA.  I don't know why.  So I'm off to search records about this.  Can't find anything of the 3 records listed that says WHERE he was born, just that he was of that age, so I've removed them from his "birth" source records.

Alexander Jr's death certificate says he was born in Charleston, SC, where he died.  So now I'll go against my own integrity and say...
That is wrong, though possibly he'd said as much to be a loyal Confederate soldier at one point or another.  (His is the first name on the form below, March 26, 1866)  I usually say a source document must be right, but his having been born in New England is pretty much certain.  If I'm wrong, I'll be eating my hat!

Here is the list of my ancestors in the Swasey family, using the Swasey Genealogy book of 1910.

 I'm so glad to have original documents available to read...and copy to my own files.  Still haven't solved the question of where Alexander Jr. was born.  There's always another day, another ancestor.


I'm listing the entire family from the 1910 book, onto my ancestry family for now.
There were obviously lots of brothers who also had children, so it's going to cousins all over the place now.

Incidentally, the folks that won the war continue to write history, so the Swasey who served for the Union forces is listed with more information, while Captain Alexander G. Swasey, Jr. who went with the rebels, is barely mentioned in the 1910 book.  Another place where brothers fought against each other.

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!