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. - - -

Birth:
Alt Spelling: Swackhammer

Died:
Fourth Line, Lot 1. Died Hemiplegia. NOTE: Wife also died of Hemiplegia. (stroke/paralysis).

Buried:
Acton, Ontario

Thomas married Frances Catharine JOHNSTON on 17 Apr 1877 in Lynden, Beverly Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario. Frances (daughter of Dr. Richard Lawrence JOHNSTON, Senior and Mrs Mary.the 1st JOHNSTON) was born on 23 Jul 1855 in Esquesing Twp., Halton Co., Ontario; died on 6 Aug 1933 in Acton, Esquesing Twp., Halton Co., Ontario; was buried in Churchill Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1895 May 14. The remains of Miss Annie Swackhammer, whose sudden death was referred to in last issue of the FREE PRESS, were brought from Trafalgar last Thursday to the home of her grandfather, Mr. C. Swackhammer. The funeral was held from there on Friday morning. She had been visiting friends in Trafalgar & intended returning to her home at Hannon last Wednesday but the day before was seized with acute inflammation & succumbed in a few hours. During their residence here she will be remembered as possessing a bright, joyous, disposition, & that she was a great help & comfort to her parents, who mourn her sudden demise very keenly.
Ref: Acton Free Press. - - -

Died:
Acton, Esquesting Twp., Halton, Ont.

Buried:
Churchill Rd. (3rd Line) and Erin-Halton Town Line.

Notes:

Birth:
Alt: 12 Apr 1880 in Erin Twp

Notes:

. Wellington Co. Registration #037128, Aug 18, (no year listed).
Stanley Johnson SWACKHAMER, male, Father T. A. Swackhamer, farmer,
mother Frances Cathr JOHNSON.
Informant T. A. Swackhamer, farmer, Erin.
Registered Sep 4, 1888. Accoucheur Dr. Lowry, Registrar Thomas Young. - - -

Birth:


Died:


Buried:
Churchill Rd. & Erin Twp. Road

Stanley married Gertrude Viola AGNEW on 12 Apr 1911 in Knatchbull, Nassagawega Twp., Halton Co., Ontario. Gertrude was born on 30 Jun 1891 in Nassagaweya Twp., Halton Co., Ontario; died in 1951 in Esquesing Twp., Halton Co., Ontario; was buried in Churchill Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1893 Apr 23 -Born. Swackhamer - In Glanford, on 23rd April, the wife of Austin Swackhamer, of a daughter.
Ref: Acton Free Press, published 1893 May 4.

. FATAL SHOOTING IN ERIN.
Peter Wylie, a Farm Hand, Shot & Almost Instantly Killed Berdina Swackhamer. WYLIE ARRESTED IN ACTON.
A deplorable fatal shooting case occurred at the home of Thomas Austin Swackhamer, fourth line, Erin, about 4 miles from Acton, last Saturday evening between 6 & 7 o'clock. Berdina, Mr. Swackhamer's only daughter, was shot & almost instantly killed by a Scotch lad of 15 known as Peter Wylie or Peter Wilson. Wylie is 15 years of age & was brought to Canada about 3 years ago by Rev. Peter Wilson, a mission worker in Toronto, who resides at 92 Scollard Street.
In September of last year Rev. Mr. Wilson & Mrs. Wilson & young Wylie were visiting in Erin & during the visit arranged for the lad to spend a year with Mr. William Bingham on his farm, lot 10, second line. He had spent about 11 months there, but he & Mr. Bingham disagreed about something & he left a week or so after & went to Mr. Darins Kennedy's, where he was acquainted. Mr. Kennedy is a near neighbour of Mr. Swackhamer & the 2 farmers frequently exchanged work. It appears that Kennedy was to have helped Swackhamer on Thursday last with his turnips, but was taken ill & Wylie was sent over to tell of the trouble. The lad appears to have changed the message & instead, explained that he had been sent to help with the work, though what his motive was in so doing is not apparent, unless he wished in that way to get away from that section. Though he was set to work, he did little, so Mr. Swackhamer says. On Saturday the work was finished & Mr. Swackhamer intended Wylie should go back to Kennedy's that evening. In fact, Mrs. Swackhamer said to her husband when they were picking berries together, a few minutes before the tragedy: "I wish you would send Peter back at once; I am afraid something will happen from his careless, meddlesome ways."

On Saturday night Wylie was to go back to Kennedy's & in the afternoon, after returning from bathing with Master Frank Swackhamer, Mr. Swackhamer told the lad to assist with the chores. He paid no attention to the request, but, going into a shed secured the stock of an old gun. Stanley, one of Mr. Swackhamer's sons, was hitching up to drive into Acton & Wylie pointed the stock of the gun with a threat to shoot both lad & horse. He obeyed the order to stop his threats & the gun stock was returned to the carpenter's chest where it was kept. The rig then started for Acton & Wylie & Berdina, the 13-year-old daughter of the house, went as far as the gate with Stanley. Arrived there the former demanded to go to Acton, but was refused, as he was not in a presentable condition. Some words then ensued between the lads & in somewhat of a temper Wylie is said to have started back towards the house, Berdina following him. Arrived at the woodshed, where he had secured the stock, the lad got up & reached down a gun, which Mr. Swackhamer left there to shoot foxes, which of late, had been bothering his poultry. When, all unsuspecting, the girl entered the door, it was to find herself confronted with the weapon & to receive the full charge in the upper part of her body. Her left arm was almost torn off, the lungs were riddled & some of the main arteries severed.

At the time this was taking place the mother & father were picking berries in the rear of the house. They heard the report of the gun & upon hurrying around, were met by Wylie, who exclaimed, "I have shot Berdina." This was found to be only too true, for lying in a pool of blood, the parents were horrified to see the body of their only daughter. She was carried into the house, but expired in a few minutes.

The perpetrator of the deed in the meantime lost no time in making his escape. He came to Acton & was at the G.T.R. station when his whereabouts were discovered, & Chief Lawson placed him in the cells. Wylie appeared to be entirely unconcerned. He contends the shooting was accidental, that he was taking down the gun when it discharged & that he had no intention of doing harm to the girl. On the road to Acton the accused met several parties to whom he mentioned the shooting. An inquest was opened by Coroner Savage at Guelph on Sunday the following being enpannelled a jury: John McIntyre, George Rozell, Edw. Atkinson, J. Atkinson, Albert Smith, John Thomas, Lewis Atkinson, John Davis, James Sprowl, Hiram Fisher, Arthur Thompson & Nathaniel Ismond. The boy Wylie remained in the cells here from Saturday night until Monday, when County Constable Merryweather, of Guelph took him to Guelph gaol. The inquest was adjourned on Sunday, after viewing the remains, until Wednesday at two o'clock in the fourth line school house. The young lad who was the cause of this tragical event does not look like a criminal or vindictive character.

In conversation with the FREE PRESS Mr. Hugh McCutcheon, who knows him quite well, says he is not naturally a bad boy, but his training has evidently been sadly neglected. He thinks that if he were placed under good discipline & given the training a boy of his years should have, that he would grow into a useful manhood. He is bright & alert & could be readily taught any useful trade. The sad circumstance has been a terrible blow to Mr. & Mrs. Swackhamer, who have been lifelong & highly esteemed residents of the vicinity. Reeve Swackhamer, of Acton is a brother. The funeral on Monday afternoon was largely attended. A very effective service was conducted at the home by Rev. J. H. Taylor, assisted by Rev. R. J. Drysdale & interment took place in the family plot at Churchill. Messrs. Arthur & Clinton Swackhamer, Roy Wansborough, Robert & Richard Leavens & Basil Johnston were the pall bearers.

. Guelph, Aug. 7. - (Special) - Peter Wylie, the farm hand who shot Berdina Swackhamer, of Erin township, is now in Guelph jail, having been brought from Acton to-day by High Constable Merryweather. Wylie maintains that the shooting was accidental, & seems to realize the gravity of the situation in which he is placed. He says he was not aware that the gun was loaded, but Frank Swackhamer, brother of the dead girl, states he told Wylie on Thursday that it was. Some of the circumstances appear to favour the boy. He did not leave the scene of the shooting until he told her father what he had done. On the way to Acton he told the driver who took him over that he had shot the Swackhamer girl, & that he had a postcard from his father asking to meet him at Acton. The case is perplexing the authorities. It is stated that malice can scarcely be established. Her body was interred in Churchill Cemetery, Acton Esquesing Twp., Halton Co. Ontario,
Reference: Acton Free Press, 9 Aug 1906 page 2, column 2

Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
Fourth Line, Erin

Notes:

. Wellington Co. Birth Registration number 040289
SWACKHAMMER, Wm. Charles Franklin. County of Wellington, Erin Twp.. Born Oct 1st 1895.
Parents Frances Cath. Johnston & Thos. Austin Swackhamer, farmer, Erin. Dr. S. A. McKeague.

. 1895 Oct 3 - Born in Erin, on Tuesday, Oct. 1st, the wife of Austin Swackhamer, of a son.

. 1909 Mar 4, A Home Sadly Bereft.
The death of Mrs. John Watson, Young Street, which occurred somewhat suddenly on Monday afternoon, was a sad blow to this happy home. Mr Mrs Watson came to Acton from London, Eng., about 2 years ago. They purchased from Mr. Frank Swackhamer the cosy home they occupied on Young Street & were doing well in this new land. 10 days ago their first babe came to bless the home & the cup of happiness was full. A few days after Mrs. Watson was taken seriously ill, & on Monday afternoon death came with little warning. The remains will be interred at Fairview Cemetery this afternoon at a private funeral.

. 1919 Aug 14 -The rain storm on Friday was accompanied by a pretty lively tornado, which blew down trees, fences its, No serious damage here. 20 young men left Acton on Thurs. morning under engagement on the Ontario & Rainy river Railway., inc. Jacob E Swackhamer & Frank Swackhamer.

. 1923 Aug 9, Home Comers Who Attended the Acton Jubilee Event: Frank Swackhamer, St. Thomas.

. 1932 Nov 3 - Mr Mrs Frank Swackhamer, Bower Avenue, entertained a out 20 of their friends on Saturday evening, it being the 13 anniversary of their wedding [1919]. A pleasant time was spend in games. Short speeches were made, after which a delightful lunch was served.All went hoe wishing Mr Mrs Swackhamer many more happy anniversary occasions.
Ref: Acton Free Press

Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Notes:

David is the son of Gertrude Viola Agnew & Stanley Johnstone Swackhamer. - - -

David married Octavia MAY MCCOMBE on 20 Jan 1940 in Erin Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario. Octavia was born on 24 Mar 1919; died on 24 May 1991 in Kitchener, Waterloo Co., Ontario; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lawrence is the son of Gertrude Viola Agnew and Stanley J Swackhammer.

. Died Jun 16, 1935. Drowning. Deceased unable to swim, stepped into deep hole while bathing. - - -

Died:
Aged 17y, 0m, 10d. Drowning.

Buried:
Acton, Ontario

Notes:

William is the son of Gertrude Viola Agnew and Stanley J Swackhammer.

. Erin Twp., Wellington Co. Deaths
SWACKHAMMER, William Johnston. County of Wellington, Division of Erin. Registration number 034733.
Died 22 Apr 1921, broncho pneumonia, Dr. E.J. Nelson, Acton.
Died Lot 1 E Con 4, Erin Twp., age 11 mos.
Born Esquesing 12 Jul 1920. Father, Stanley SWACKHAMMER, b. Erin Twp;
Mother, Gerturde AGNEW, b. Nassagawaya.
Informant S. Swackhammer, father, Acton.
Burial 23 Apr 1921, Acton, undertaker Wm Johnston. - - -

Birth:
Lot 1E, Con 4

Died:
Aged 11 months. D. Broncho Pneumonia for 5 days.

Buried:
Acton