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Pioneer - SWAN, Robert
Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County
Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906
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SWAN, Robert
. The founder of this family in Canada was Robert Swan, who was b. at
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Eng., where he became a vessel owner and was engaged in the
coast trade. He was also a land owner in England. He was personally acquainted
with General Pilkington, who induced him to dispose of his interests in
England, and purchase 200 acres of land, lots 4 and 5, con. 2, in Pilkington
Tp. In 1830 he with his family came to Canada and settled on this land and
later sold out and died at the age of 88. This farm was cleared by the late
Robert Swan and his sons, and other farms were also purchased and cleared by
them. Pilkington was almost on unbroken forest when they made their settlement,
with only an occasional settler's shanty. There were no roads, and no bridges
across the Grand River, and the few settlers followed blazed paths in and out,
and forded the river. At this time their supplies were all obtained from
Hamilton, and the first spring, when the late John Swan was bringing his sleigh
load of supplies across the river, the sleigh broke through the ice and he
barely escaped with his own and the oxen's lives, while the supplies that were
their dependence for months were lost in the stream. Wolves and bears were both
numerous and troublesome.
Robert Swan m. Cecily Wilson. Issue: Robert, Jr.; Mrs. Thomas Graham, Mrs. Captain James Forster, George and John. John, b. Eng., 1815, came to Canada with his father. He m. Katherine McTavish in 1841, and became one of the most prominent and successful citizens of Pilkington. He was a Councillor for some years, and was also Collector. A Conservative in politics, and a man of strong convictions and undoubted integrity, he had the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was a member of the Church of England, and contributed to the building of the church and its support. He passed away in 1889, age 72 years. Issue: George, Susan, Mary, Katherine, Annie, Cecily, Robert A. and Emily Magdalene. George, son of John Swan, bought lot 6, con. 1, Pilkington. He m., but later rented his farm and took up a quarter section in Man., where he remained eight years, selling out and returning to Ontario, where he is now living retired. He was a Councillor of Pilkington several years, and Deputy Reeve four years. He m. Clara Ross. From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto:Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906 |
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