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.

Nanna Nancy Williams mystery Part 2

And then we reach the year 1860. And at least 2 documents cause some problems...

The mystery around "Nanna" Nancy Handsford Williams has to do with the census and probate records in 1860. I started reading the entries on the original records (thank heaven they are microfilmed) and found Nancy's name is entered in Census in August 1860, after her death in April 1860 and probate records in May 1860.

Nancy Hansford Williams is listed as 65 years of age, with her daughter Cassie at 40 years. Nancy has a value of $1000 of real estate, and $1000 of personal estate.  That is quite a lot for that time.  

She and her daughter are living with a farmer named Christopher Milling (25) and wife Rose A Milling (26).  I thought at first, maybe this is Roseanna Williams, Nancy's daughter. But Roseanna had married George Washington Herd in 1852, and they were living in Arkansas in 1860 when the census was taken. So we don't know the relationship to the Millings yet. There is no mention of a Richard Williams, and various Ancestry trees say he died in 1860, but I haven't found any records of that.

Nancy and daughter Cassie lived with the Millings, who also have children, Richard (4) and Euphamia (2). This census was taken on Aug 8, 1860 in MiddleTown, Prarie Township, Montgomery county, Missouri. 

Then we find the bond posted for probate of Nancy William's estate. On the left page, 2 men named Williams give $2000 surety that they will be executors of her estate. They are Jas. W. Williams and Jno. C. Williams, as primary administrators, with H. B. McFarland and Thos. G. Buchannan as secondary.  This document is dated May 14, 1860 and entered into court documents in Lincoln County, Missouri.

It is also given that Nancy died April 26, 1860, according to Ancestry's record known as US Federal Census Mortality Schedues Index, 1850-1880, which says she died at 70 years of age in 1860 of "Old Age" and the list is numbered "41_717" in Macon County, MO. (note, recorded in different county.)

Well, how did she get recorded as obviously already dead, then get listed on a census 3 months later?  Perhaps the farmer family had been housing her and daughter Cassie. And then sons James and John show up to do the accounting in May.  Wait, let's make sure James and John are sons. 

No they aren't sons.  Her son John Williams had died in 1855, and she didn't have a son James.  So maybe they are grandsons? Or brothers of her late husband? At this time I have no records of Richard F. Williams death or even his siblings.

And a bonus to make another mystery...