| Notes |
- Austin is the son of Elizabeth Mary Denny, born Aug. 1828, Ireland & Christopher Swackhamer, b. 14 Nov 1824, Acton, Ontario. Christopher was the son of Jacob Swackhammer of Long Valley, New Jersey 1793-1874 Acton, Ontario.
. Swackhammer's Hill, which in later days changed its name to Church Hill & now Acton, Ontario.
. 1827 Erin Twp., Wellington Co., Assessment, Jacob Swackhammer.
. WAR of 1812
Muster Roll of Capt. Abram Nelles' Flank Company,
from 24th July to the 24th of August 1812, both days inclusive. - Jacob Swackhammer.
Obituary of Austin's father:
. 1914 Jul 30 - CHRISTOPHER SWACKHAMER AT REST Was Born Ninety Years Ago on the Farm on which he had lived all his Life VERY LARGE FUNERAL SUNDAY. The death of Christopher Swackhamer, Esq., at his home in Churchill last Thursday, closed the record of a life unique in some respects in any community. Mr. Swackhamer was born on the farm where he died 90 years ago; he lived all his life on this farm & he was buried in Churchill Cemetery, which occupies a site on the northwest corner of the farm, Lot 32, on 3rd line, Esquesing. Mr. Swackhamer was the oldest son of the late Jacob Swackhamer, who was the son of a U. E. Loyalist, who had come over from Pennsylvania & settled at Grimsby. Jacob Swackhamer was a soldier in the war of 1812 & acted as orderly for General Brock & was with him during the battle of Queenston Heights where he fell.
After the war Mr. Swackhamer was awarded land grants of 200 acres for his army service. One hundred was the farm Lot 32, Con. 4, Esquesing on which he settled in 1816 or 17 & which for more than 90 years has been known as the "Swackhamer Homestead."
The other was the 100 acres in Erin which has been known for several generations as the "Lambert Homestead." This place Mr. Swackhamer traded to Mr. Lambert for a horse whose value was about $70.00. When the father of deceased settled here the foundations for the thriving municipality of Acton were just being laid by the Adams brothers, another U. E. Loyalist family from New York & the history of Acton & of the Swackhamer family have been concurrent for the ninety years & more since. It is worthy of note in passing that three-quarters of a century after Mr. Swackhamer settled here his grandson, Hiram, was elected to the Chief Magistracy of the town he saw in embryo so many years previously & subsequently was elected to the honorable position of Warden of the native county of himself & his father.
Deceased was one of a family of 15. He had 13 sisters & 1 brother.
Of these the following survive: Hiram, of Ospringe; Mrs. George Martin, Campbellville; Mrs. David Ryder, Erin; & Mrs. Darius Wardell, Guelph. The following sisters predeceased him: Mrs. John Gibbons, Mrs. F. Terryberry, Mrs. Francis Dempsey, Mrs. William L. Worden, Mrs. Samuel Worden, Mrs. David Smith, Mrs. Benjamin Tuck, Mrs. John Ryder, Mrs. James Ryder & Miss Amanda. Mr. Swackhamer was first married to Elizabeth Denny, sister of the late Robert & Samuel Denny, in 1849. She died in 1876 & at Christmas, 1892, he was joined in the bonds of wedlock to Esther Zimmerman, daughter of one of the early residents of Acton, who lived on the farm now owned by Jno. C. Nelson. Mrs. Swackhamer survives him & during his declining years was most devoted to him. For 6 years he was unable to walk, & for 14 months he was bedfast. During this long period Mrs. Swackhamer waited upon him with loving care & he was always most restful & contended when she was at his bedside.Deceased was the father of 11 children all of whom are living & were present at the funeral. There are also 23 grandchildren & 9 great grandchildren. 9 were children of the first wife & 2nd of the second. They are Jacob, of Huttonville; Mrs. Joel Leslie, Erin; Austin, Erin; Mrs. Robert H. Wansbrough, Erin;
William, Toronto; Hiram, Acton; Mrs. William Barnes, Toronto; Mrs. Peter Hiltz & Mrs. Smith Griffin, Erin; James Arthur & Clinton, Esquesing.
Strong feelings of affection always characterized the family & the Christmas gatherings of the children & grandchildren, with their wives & husbands has been an annual event of pleasurable re-union.Christopher was a man of God & was interested in the church of his fathers from his early boyhood days. When his father, who had been a deacon of the Congregational Church at the Hill for years, died, his mantle fell upon his son Christopher, & until his death he held that holy office. He was a Conservative. For many years he was a very active member of the agricultural societies & was widely known as a prize taker for grain, especially for fall wheat.The funeral on Sunday afternoon was perhaps the largest ever held at Churchill. Not one-half of the large assemblage of friends & neighbors attending could get into the church. The services were conducted by Rev. C. Patterson, the pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. J. C. Wilson, B.A., Acton. The remains were carried to the grave by the 6 sons of the deceased & now rest with his father in view of the surroundings which were so familiar to him for nine-tenths of a century.
Ref: Acton Free Press, 30 Jul 1914, page 2, column 3.
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -
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1857 - 1935 (77 years)