Robert Hassall Swaffield DL JP (abt. 1797 - 1870)

Born about Nov 1797 in Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England

Husband of Eliza Mary Josephina Orton — married 19 Oct 1826 in Wyke Regis, dorset

Descendants

Died 28 Mar 1870 at about age 72 in Wyke Regis, Dorset, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Phil Richardson [send private message]

Biography

Robert was born in Shawbury, Shropshire in November 1797 as Robert Hassall Owen. ^[1] He later in 1840 changed his surname to Swaffield as a condition of his wife's inheritance. Thus his children have a range of surnames. The official royal license was granted by Queen Victoria in 1840: By the Queen's royal license Robert Hassall Owen, of Wyke Regis, in this county, Esquire, and his descendants, have been permitted to take the name and bear the arms of Swaffield, out of regard to the memory of the late John Swaffield, of Wyke Regis, Esquire. ^[2]

Marriage

Robert married Eliza Mary Josephina Orton (1805-1873) on 19 October 1826 in Wyke Regis, Dorset. ^{[3] [4]}

Children

1. Colonel Charles James Orton Owen Swaffield DL JP (1827-1890) ^[5] m; Charles born Owen changed his surname to Swaffield; ^[6]
2. Eliza Louisa Indiana Owen (1828-1829) twin; ^[7]
3. Louisa Eliza Josephina (Swaffield) Lynes (1829-aft.1904) twin m; Born Owen changed her surname to Swaffield.
4. Augustus Swaffield Owen (1831-1832); ^[8] birth announcement in local paper ^[9]
5. Lieutenant John Swaffield Orton Swaffield (1833-1854) ^[10] born Owen changed his surname to Swaffield
6. Adelaide Mary Anne (Swaffield) Otway (1835-1916) m; ^[11] born Owen changed her surname to Swaffield.
7. Lieutenant Sidney Henry Swaffield (1837-1858) ^[12] born Owen he changed his surname to Swaffield.
8. Octavia Orton Swaffield (1839-1932)^[13] (Octavia O Swaffield (1840-aft.1851)) born Owen she changed her surname to Swaffield.
9. George Owen Swaffield MA (1841-1919); ^[14]
10. Harriet Lewis Swaffield (bef.1842-1914)^[15]
11. Eliza Swaffield (1844-aft.1851)(1844-1911); ^[16]
12. Henrietta S Swaffield (1846-aft.1851) ^[17]
13. Alfred Owen Swaffield JP DL MA (1852-1937) ^[18]

Life Story

He served as a Major in the Royal Marines.

In 1851, Robert and his wife Eliza and growing family are living at West Down Lodge in Wyke Regis. Robert is mentioned as a JP for Dorset and Chairman of Weymouth Union; he later becomes a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) for Dorset . ^[19] They are still living here in 1861 and 1871. ^[20] Robert was nominated to be County Sherriff in 1859 ^[21] and subsequently held office as High Sherriff for Dorset in 1861. ^{[22] [23]}

He is mentioned in the village descriptor for the 1880 Kelly's Directory of Wyke Regis as being a co-benefactor of two stained glass windows in All Saints Church, Wyke Regis. ^[24]

Death

He died in Wyke Regis on 28 March 1870 and was buried on 1 April that year in Wyke. ^[25] He left £4,000 (GB pounds) to his widow. ^[26][27]

Research Notes

Children's birth dates around 1928-29 need checking. The Sherbourne Mercury et el report his wife, of Wyke Regis, gave birth to twins on 25 September 1829 at the Rectory Exminister, nr Exeter. Could this be Eliza and Louisa, or are we missing a child from the list in his biography? ^[28][29]

Q for profile manager: Should he not be shown as Robert H Owen at birth and then a name change to Swaffield?

Footnotes

Death GRO 1st quarter 1870 at Weymouth 5a. 271

UK Census 1851: at West Down Lodge, Wyke Regis, Dorset Robert Hassall Swaffield, age 53, born Shrewsbury Occupation JP for Dorset, Chairman of Weymouth Union. L.H.P.R.M. Captain 31st Regiment of Foot (check?) Eliza M. J. wife, age 42 born Wells, Somerset (Wrong! she was born St Marylebone, Middlesex. ^[30] Charles J.O. son, age 23 born Wyke Regis Louisa E. J. daughter, age 20 born Exminster, Devon Adelaide M.A. daughter, age 15 born France Octavia O. daughter, age 11 born France Henrietta S. daughter, age 5 born Wyke Regis Eliza daughter, age 7 born Wyke Regis

Sources

1. ↑ 1851 England Census
2. ↑ Dorset County Chronicle - Thursday 29 October 1840 pg 4 (UK newspaper)
3. ↑ Dorset, England, Marriages and Banns, 1813-1921. Robert Hassall Owen 19 Oct 1826 Marriage Wyke Regis, Dorset, England Spouse Eliza Mary Josephina Orton
4. ↑ Dorset County Chronicle - Thursday 26 October 1826 pg 4 (UK newspaper)
5. ↑ England & Wales Christening Records, 1530-1906. Charles James Orton Owen Birth Date16 Dec 1827 Christening Date 12 May 1828 Wyke Regis, Dorset, England. Father Robert Hassall Owen Mother Eliza Owen
6. ↑ 1871 England Census
7. ↑ Dorset, England, Deaths and Burials, 1813-2001. Eliza Louisa Indiana Owen. Death Age 1 Birth Year 1829 Burial 30 Dec 1830 Wyke Regis, Dorset, England
8. ↑ Dorset, England, Deaths and Burials, 1813-2001. Augustus Swaffield Owen Death Age 4/12, Birth Year 1831 Burial Date14 Apr 1832 Wyke Regis, Dorset, England
9. ↑ Dorset County Chronicle 1 September 1831
10. ↑ UK, Officer Service Records, 1764-1932. John Sweffield Orton Swaffield. Rank Ensign, Birth 14 Aug 1833, France; Enlistment 28 May 1852 Regiment Royal Highland Fusiliers (74th Foot)
11. ↑ 1851 England Census
12. ↑ England & Wales Christening Records, 1530-1906. Sidney Henry Swaffield Birth 25 May 1837 Christening 1 Jan 1842 Wyke Regis, Dorset, England Father Robert Hassall Swaffield Mother Eliza Mary Josephine Swaffield
13. ↑ Dorset, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906. Octavia Orton Swaffield Baptism 1 Jan 1842 Weymouth St Paul, Dorset, England Father Robert Hassall Swaffield Mother Eliza Mary Josephina Swaffield
14. ↑ England & Wales Christening Records, 1530-1906. George Owen Swaffield, Christening 28 Mar 1841Wyke Regis, Dorset, England Father Robert Hassall Swaffield Mother Eliza Mary Josephine Swaffield
15. ↑ Dorset, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906. Harriet Lewis Swaffield Baptism 30 Oct 1842 Weymouth St Paul, Dorset, England Father Robert Hassall Swaffield Mother Eliza Mary Josephina Swaffield
16. ↑ Dorset, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906. Eliza Swaffield Baptism 12 Jun 1844 Weymouth St Paul, Dorset, England Father Robert Hassall Swaffield Mother Eliza May Josephina Swaffield
17. ↑ 1851 England Census
18. ↑ Dorset, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906. Alfred Owen Swaffield Baptism 20 May 1852 Weymouth St Paul, Dorset, England Father Robert Hassall Swaffield Mother Eliza Mary Josephina Swaffield
19. ↑ 1851 England Census
20. ↑ 1861 and 1871 England Censuses
21. ↑ East Suffolk Mercury and Lowestoft Weekly News - Saturday 19 November 1859 pg 3
22. ↑ Wikipedia. High Sherriff of Dorset, Robert Swaffield.[1]
23. ↑ Dorset County Chronicle Thursday 18 April 1861 pg 11 (UK newspaper)
24. ↑ UK, City and County Directories, 1766 - 1946 for Col Owen Charles James O Swaffield England, Dorset. 1880 Kelly´s Directory
25. ↑ Dorset, England, Deaths and Burials, 1813-2001. Robert Hassall Swaffield, Age 74 Birth Year 1796 Burial Date 1 Apr 1870 Burial Place Wyke Regis, Dorset, England
26. ↑ Entered by Phil Richardson.
27. ↑ England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1861-1941. Robert Hassall Swaffield, Death Date 28 Mar 1870 Death Place Dorset, England Probate Date 14 Jul 1870 Probate Registry Blandford
28. ↑ Sherborne Mercury 28 September 1829 Pg 4 (UK newspaper)
29. ↑ Salisbury and Winchester Journal 5 October 1829 pg 4 (UK newspaper)
30. ↑ Pallot's Baptism Index for England: 1780 - 1837. Eliza Mary Josephina Orton Baptism Date 1806, Parent 1 Chas Jas Orton, Parent 2 Eliza Orton Parish St. Pancras, Middlesex

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Phil Richardson for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Phil and others.