Margaret (Norton) Swift (abt. 1838 - 1914)

Born about 1838 in Ireland [uncertain]

Wife of Patrick Smith — married 1854 (to 1859) in West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia

Wife of Thomas Swift — married 15 Mar 1861 in Manning River, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 1 Dec 1914 at about age 76 in Macksville, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Margaret was born in 1838 in Ireland, an Ophan. She Emigrated to Australia at the age of 16 for the purpose of being a Nanny/Nursemaid to a family, however during her voyage the wife of the family died. On arrival she was told she was no longer required, she had then to fend for herself. She passed away in 1914.

1st Marriage
Patrick Smith died leaving her a widow.

2nd Marriage
Thomas Swift was a farmer, who had come from Ireland, and at the age of 25 married a young widow with three small children. She was Margaret Smith but her maiden name was Margaret Norton. She had also emigrated from Ireland.

Articles in Newspapers
1914 - Death Notice
Death.
SWIFT.— December 1st, 1914, at Macksville, Margaret Swift, aged 78. R.I.P, . (Country papers please copy). ^[1]

1915 - In Memoriam
In Memoriam.
SWIFT. — In , loving memory of my dear mother, margaret SWIFT, who peacefully passed away on Dec. 1st, 1914, aged 78.
Inserted by her sorrowing daughter, Mrs. GEO, STACE.
In Memoriam. A TRIBUTE of everlasting love to the memory of our dear old grandma, Margaret Swift, who peacefully passed away on Dec. 1st, 1914, aged 78.
Inserted by all her loving grandchildren. ^[2]

1916 - In Memoriam
In Memoriam.
SWIFT. — In loving memory of my dear mother, Margaret Swift. Inserted by her loving daughter, Loretto Mohr. ^[3]

Research Notes

Family archives note that children to Patrick may be
Mary Jane, Patrick, Agnes

Margaret may be buried at Macksville Cemetery, stone provided by daughter Mary Jane
Australian Cemetery Index

Possible spelling of Maiden name may be Naughton
Irish Orphan Memorial site follows - Surname : Nocton First Name : Margaret Age on arrival : 16 Native Place : Ferbane, Kings [Offaly] Parents : Patrick & Mary (both dead) Religion : Roman Catholic Ship name : Tippoo Saib (Sydney Jul 1850) Workhouse : Kings [Offaly], Parsonstown Other : Shipping: nursemaid, reads only, no relatives in colony. Register 2 No.1463 office minute 1 nov 1850; she is in service of Charles Rhodius; Register 3 no.53 H Rocius requests she be allowed remin in her service until her husband's return from Port Phillip. This record would seem to fit with her father being told that Margaret had arrived as a 16 year old, had married, first husband died and Margaret remarried. The cemetery record at Macksville of Margaret's death fits regarding age and her father's name with the above Irish Orphan record.

Sources

1. ↑ Advertising (1914, December 18). Nambucca and Bellinger News (NSW : 1911 - 1945), p. 4.
2. ↑ Family Notices (1915, December 3). Nambucca and Bellinger News (NSW : 1911 - 1945), p. 4.
3. ↑ Family Notices (1916, December 6). The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), p. 5

• Smiths of Hikutaia Family Archives

au NSW BDM (Australian, New South Wales, Births Deaths Marriages)
1854 - Marriage 1 - au NSW BDM 69/1854 V185469 100 Margaret Norton to Patrick Smith in LK (ROMAN CATHOLIC EAST MAITLAND; MAITLAND; WEST MAITLAND)
1861 - Marriage 2 - au NSW BDM 1998/1861 Margaret Smith to Thomas Swift at Manning River
1914 - Death - au NSW BDM 18601/1914 SWIFT MARGARET (f=) PATRICK at MACKSVILLE