Robert Swann (1827 - 1899)

Born 1827 in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Martha Aimee (Marriott) Swann — married about 1872 in Bahama Islands

Died 11 Dec 1899 at about age 72 in Marholm, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Robert Swann was born about 1827-1828 in or near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England to Christopher Swann and Sarah Brown Swann. He was christened at Grantham, 28 April 1828.

At 14 years of age - according to the 1841 England Census - Robert was apprenticed to an ironmonger in Butcher's Row, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Before the next Census, Robert Swann, teacher, travelled as a missionary to the Bahama Islands and served in the Grant's Town school. He succeeded the Reverend William John Woodcock at St. Agnes Church after Rev. Woodcock's unexpected death in Eleuthera in late 1851. Five days after he was admitted to Deacon's orders 25 February 1852 at St Andrew's Church, Jamaica, Robert Swann became Curate at the Grant's Town church. He was made Rector of Christ Church several years later and was accepted into the priesthood in 1856. Reverend Swann remained at Christ Church Cathedral for 33 years.

Robert Swann married four times:

First, about 1855, to Marianne Hamilton Trew, daughter of the Ven. John M Trew, Archdeacon of the Bahamas. They had a son, John Christopher Robert Swann, born 22 April 1856 in Nassau, Bahamas. Mrs. Swann died 12 June 1856 at 29 years of age.

Second, about 1857, to Georgiana Elizabeth Hornby, daughter of Stanley Byng Hornby and Caroline Sarah Thompson Hornby. They had a son, George Robert Henry Swann (14 October 1858 - 1859). Georgiana died in childbirth 14 October 1858.

Third, to Sarah Ann Chipman, daughter of Dr Horatio Nelson Chipman and Sarah Ann Garland Chipman, about 1862. They had known sons Robert Latham Swann and Henry Swann (died young).

Fourth, in 1872-1873, to Martha Aimee "Annie" Marriott, daughter of William Garton Marriott and Elizabeth Aimee Taylor Marriott. They had four surviving children - Edith Jean "Jeannie" Swann, Mary Swann, Kate Aimee Swann, and Henry William Swann.

Reverend Robert Swann left the colony in 1889 to minister at Marholm, Peterborough, Northamptonshire. He passed away there 11 December 1899 at 72 years of age.

Sources

Robert Swann in the England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Baptism Date: 28 Apr 1828. Baptism Place: Grantham, Lincoln, England. Father: Christopher Swann. Mother: Sarah. FHL Film Number: 432511, 432512.

A Goodly Heritage. A Concise History of the Diocese of The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands. The Rt. Rev. Gilbert Thompson, 2012, pages 151, 176, and 231.

"Bahamas Civil Registration, 1850-1959," (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RQK-9GKN?cc=1922411&wc=Q4ZP-FMS%3A216279201 : 7 October 2014), image 68 of 311. Birth of son John Christopher.

"Bahamas Civil Registration, 1850-1959," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRST-2YB?cc=1922411&wc=Q4ZP-7M3%3A216279601 : 20 May 2014), Deaths 1856-1857 > image 46 of 240; Registrar General, Nassau. Death of Mrs. Marianne Trew Swann.

"Bahamas Births, 1850-1891," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLMJ-327 : 27 November 2014), Robert Swann in entry for Swann, 14 Oct 1858; citing District of the Town of Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, reference p 63. Birth of son George Robert Henry.

"Bahamas Births, 1850-1891," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLSS-QVT : 27 November 2014), Sarah Ann Chipman Swann in entry for Henry Swann, 11 Nov 1864; citing City of Nassau, Bahamas, reference yr 1864, p 111. Birth Record of Henry.

"Bahamas Births, 1850-1891," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL99-GBP : 27 November 2014), Martha Amy Marriott Swann in entry for Swann, 25 Feb 1874; citing Nassau, Bahamas, reference 1. Birth of daughter Edith Jean.

"Bahamas Births, 1850-1891," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL9J-QQV : 27 November 2014), Robert Swani in entry for Swani, 24 Dec 1881; citing City Of Nassau, Bahamas, reference 114; FHL microfilm 222,945. Birth record of Henry William.

"England and Wales Census, 1891," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LFJ-FZM : 2 May 2019), Robert Swann, Marholm, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1891 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Northamptonshire county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.