Swainson

26 May 1849 LOWER HUTT - MARRIED, At Aglionby Church, on the 22nd inst., by the Rev R. Cole, M.A., John W. Marshall, Esq., Paymaster, 65th Regiment, to Mary Frederica, eldest daughter of William Swainson, Esq., F.R.S., Hawkshead, River Hutt
* Thanks to her father we can see what the church looked like. William Swainson (1789-1855) drew it in ink 3 years previously, in 1846. Mary died in 1854 aged 28

15 October 1855 WELLINGTON. It is our painful duty in our last number to record the death of William Swainson, Esq., F.R.S. Mr Swainson was one of the earliest colonists, having been connected with this settlement from its formation; but his name was well known in the annals of Science and Literature, having established to himself a European reputation by his different works on natural History; the following brief biographical sketch is therefore offered as a tribute to his memory. He was born in the year 1789 and was the eldest son of John T. Swainson, Esq., for many years Chief Comptroller of Customs at Liverpool. He was appointed a Treasury Clerk in the Commissariat about the year 1805 and went abroad and served in Malta, the North of Italy, &c., until the peace, when he retired from the service. He then made two expeditions to Tropical America and having made very large collections in Natural History, he returned to England. He then commenced his literary career and wrote the Zoology portion of "Murray's Encyclopedia of Geography" and fainally the several volumes on natural History (eleven in number) comprised in "Landner's Cyclopedia". In 1840 Mr Swainson emigrated to New Zealand with his family and has resided chiefly in this Settlement, having during the interval paid a visit of some duration to the Australian Colonies. Mr Swainson was also distinguished by his pencil no less than his pen, his talents as a draughtsman in natural history being of a very high order. photo/drawing here
* William John Swainson, FLS, FRS, arrived on the "Jane" in 1841. He was an English ornithologist, malacologist, conchologist, entomologist and artist. story & some of his drawings

• He married Mary Parkes (1794-1835) who died in Hertfordshire and is the link to those with Parkes in their names born in NZ

16 April 1863 SWAINSON - April 14, the wife of George F. Swainson Esq., Native Department, of a daughter
* Mary Anne Arrowsmith married George Frederic Swainson in 1859. Annie Sophia Swainson was born in 1863

14 Oct 1863 On the 17th of September, at St James's Church, Hutt, Wellington, by the Rev H. G. Johnstone, Richmond, eldest son of William Beetham, Edq., of Te Mako, Hutt, to Lucilla Frances, second daughter of the late William Swainson, Esq., F.R.S., &c
* a daughter of William John Swainson & his 2nd wife Anne Grasby.

21 March 1865 WELLINGTON - SWAINSON, On March 18th, Annie Sophia, youngest daughter of George and Mary Anne Swainson; aged 1 year 11 months

18 Aug 1866 SWAINSON - On the 3rd April, killed by the explosion of the steamer European, at Aspinwall, Panama, Parkes Swainson, of the West India Royal Mail Company

23 March 1867 WELLINGTON - SWAINSON - On March 20, the wife of George F. Swainson, of a son
* George Frederick Swainson & Mary Anne Arrowsmith had John William Swainson in 1876

28 April 1868 WELLINGTON - On the 23rd inst., the wife of Mr G. F. Swainson of a son

29 Oct 1868 SWAINSON - On the 23rd October, Mrs A. Swainson, relict of the late William Swainson, late of the Hutt, Wellington
* Ann nee Grasby was 61. She was the 2nd of 3 wives of William John Swainson

6 Oct 1870 At MARTON - George Swainson, surveyor, has been found dead in his bed at Polgreen's Hotel
* George Frederick Swainson (1829-1870), aged 41. From Hertfordshire. Son of William John Swainson & Mary Parkes. Husband of Mary Anne Arrowsmith. Father of three

17 Sep 1873 TURTON-SWAINSON - At Queensland, on the 15th September, by the Rev Jackson Smith, Wesley Turton, third son of Henry Hanson Turton, of Parnell, Auckland, to Annette Elizabeth, youngest daughter of the late William Swainson, F.R.S., F.L.S. - No cards
* Daughter of William John Swainson & Mary Parkes

4 Dec 1884 DEATH OF HON. W. SWAINSON. An Auckland telegram of Tuesday last states that The Hon. W. Swainson, first Attorney General of the colony, is dead. Mr Swainson was a barrister by profession and in August 1841, was appointed by the first Governor, Captain Hobson, R.N., to succeed Mr Francis Fisher, as Attorney-General of New Zealand
* William (1809-1884) Arrived in 1841 on the MHS 'Tyne' and became the second and last, Attorney-General of the Crown colony of New Zealand and instrumental in setting up the legal system of NZ. He was the first Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council. This William is commonly confused with the naturalist William John Swainson who also arrived in New Zealand in 1841 (see above). He died a bachelor

10 Sep 1887 SWAINSON - On the 9th inst., at Brookfield, Palmerston North, William John Swainson, aged 63 years
* William was a son of William John Swainson & Mary Parkes. He had 3 partners ..

• Emily Frances Broughton (1842-1893) & 11 children
• (partner of) Ruku Te Kauki (1820-1892) & about 6 children, one of whom was Samuel Deighton Swainson (1854-1936)
• Georgina Elizabeth Ritchie (1860-1946)

29 May 1889 SWAINSON - At Tolago Bay, on May 24th, Louisa, the beloved wife of Samuel D. Swainson, aged 35 years

• A sad accident has taken place at Tologa Bay, resulting in the death of the wife of Mr S. Swainson, a well-known resident of that township. On Thursday Mrs Swainson was coming to Gisborne from Tologa. Her daughter saddled a quiet horse and states that the saddle was firmly girthed up. Just after crossing the ferry the saddle slipped round and Mrs Swainson, who was in a delicate state, met with a nasty fall. She was unable to get up and the horse trod on her. She returned to her home, but it was not at first anticipated her injuries were serious. Her state becoming bad, however, Dr Pollen was sent for and it was found that one of the ribs had penetrated the lungs. Mrs Swainson suffered considerable pain from the injuries caused by the horse treading on her. At three yesterday morning the unfortunate woman breather her last. She was confined of a child, who is alive and well. Mrs Swainson is the daughter of a large family. The eldest daughter is aged 19(sic). Mr Swainson is at present proceeding overland from Gisborne to Napier

* Louisa was daughter of Stephen Freeman (1931-1922) & Hannah/Anna Esther Garlin of Napier. She first married Charles Moffatt and had 2 children. She next married Samuel Deighton Swainson (1854-1936) and had 5 children, the last child, George William Swainson born at the time of her death.
Samuel married her sister, Emily Jane Freeman, 14 months later and had a further 10 children

17 Jan 1893 SWAINSON - On the 10th inst., at Brookfield, Palmerston North, Emilie Frances Swainson, widow of the late William John Swainson, in her 50th year
* Emilie (nee Swainson) married William in 1865. Their fathers were brothers

14 January 1896 SWAINSON-SWAINSON - At St Stephen's Marton, on January 12th 1896, by the Ven Archdeacon Towgood, Charles Boyce, second son of E. N. Swainson, Esq., to Lilias Emilie, daughter of the late W. J. Swainson, of Palmerston North
* Charles was born in London, a son of Edwin Newcombe Swainson (1833-1913) & Heleh Charlotte Whitehouse (1838-1907). Lilias was 1 of 11 children of William John 'Willy' Swainson (1824-1887) & his first of 3 wives, Emily Frances Broughton (1842-1893). Therefore, their fathers were brothers

3 Aug 1897 WELLINGTON - SWAINSON, On 3rd August 1897, at Fitzherbert-terrace, Mary Anne Swainson, in the 64th year of her age
* When Mary Anne's husband died suddenly in 1870, she was left with five children all under 10 and an estate valued under £600. Fortunately, Mrs Swainson had already begun to establish herself as a reputable headmistress at her small school for girls on the Terrace. When the school eventually grew too big for the house, she moved to 11 Fitzherbert Terrace in Thorndon in 1878. Mrs Swainson remained headmistress until her death in 1897. Usually referred to as Mrs Swainson's school, it is well known for being the childhood school of Katherine Mansfield. It also became one of the country's longest established private schools for girls

5 Jan 1901 SWAINSON - On 31st December 1906, Richard John Swainson, eldest son of C. B. and L. E. Swainson, drowned in the Rangitikei, aged 8 years
* Richard was a son of Charles Boyce Swainson & Lilias Emily nee Swainson. He died at the same time as Phyllis Rawea Marshall, eldest daughter of W. S. and E. H. Marshall

28 July 1904 WESTPORT - A Cup-And-Saucer Man In Trouble. David Shand, alias Swainson, who had been engaged selling cleaning powder, with the assistance of promised gifts, has been committed for trial on a charge of stealing £10 from a young man who had 'given him a lift' in a cart on a short journey

11 April 1908 RANGITIKEI - SWAINSON - At Silverhope, on April 10th, the wife of G. E. Swainson, a daughter
* George Ernest Swainson (1865-1938) & Ada Emily Jane Des Landes (1880-1975) had Ella Mary Swainson

14 Oct 1909 At St Peter's Church, Pahiatua, on Tuesday, Mr John Gilbert Swainson, son of the late Mr W. Swainson, of Palmerston North, was married to Miss Amelia (Millie) Avery, youngest daughter of Mr Charles Avery, of Brightfield, Pahiatua. Misses Mary and Margaret Marshall were bridesmaids and Mr Charles W. Avery was best man. Mr Swainson is well known in sporting circles, being a prominent golf, tennis and football player
* John was a son of William John Swainson & Emilie Frances Swainson (their fathers were brothers). Amelia was a daughter of Charles Avery & Jane Hirst

1 Feb 1911 SWAINSON - On January 31, at Kimbolton Road, Feilding, the wife of E. P. C. Swainson, of a daughter
* Ruth Christine Swainson was born to Edward Parkes Crompton Swainson & Christina Robertson Sloane

2 May 1914 POVERTY BAY, SWAINSON-MORAN - By the Rev J. Hall on April 29th, Myrtle, the second daughter of Mr and Mrs Swainson, of Te Karaka, to Charles Henry, the third son of the late Mr C. H. Moran of Geevston, Hobart
* Myrtle Deighton Swainson (1892-1964) was a daughter of Samuel Deighton Swainson & Emily Jane Freeman

13 July 1914 SWAINSON - On 7th July, at Otorohanga, Walter Hereward, youngest son of the late Emilie Frances and William John Swainson
... A young footballer named Walter H. Swainson, of Otorohanga, who received an injury to his head after a match with Te Kuiti at Otorohanga on June 27, died last week. An inquest was opened at Otorohanga. After medical evidence had been taken, the inquest was adjourned until next Monday. It is state that Swainson was struck on the head with a bottle. Possibly there may be serious developments. The death & arrest
* Walter was 29

14 May 1918 KENNEDY-SWAINSON - On May 8th 1918, at St John's Church, Tututotara, Marton, Gerald Fitzgerald Kennedy, of Waimarama, Hastings, to Lucy Nora Marshall, fourth daughter of the late William John and Emilie Francis Swainson, of Feilding

13 March 1920 WAIRARAPA - Ernest Purvis, ex-licensee of the Taratahi Hotel, was charged at the Magistrate's Court in Masterton yesterday with having assaulted Gustave Swainson by striking him with a bottle
Sergeant Miller said Swainson and a friend went to Carterton and had a few drinks on 19th February. When they got to the Taratahi Hotel they went in. Swainson alleged that the licensee Purvis, struck with a bottle without any provocation at all. There were then several bottles thrown.
Gustave Swainson said that he and a friend named Bob Graham had a few drinks in Carterton. They they went into the Taratahi Hotel. They were not drunk. As soon as he got against the hotel bar he was struck with a bottle ... more here
Robert Graham, cook of Brooklands Stations said ..
Constable Phillips said ..
Sergeant Miller said ..
Mr Noble attorney, said ..
Frank Gayler, taxi-driver of Carterton said ..
Bert John, taxi-driver, said ..

13 Sep 1921 HAWERA, ROBERTSON-SARGENT - At St John's Church, Otakeho, on September 7th 1921. by the Rev Mr Swainson, Kathleen, third daughter of Mr and Mrs Jas. Sargent, of North Hill, Launceston, England, to harry Robertson of Normanby

26 June 1923 CLAPHAM-CLARKE - On June 21st 1923, at St John's Church, Otakeho, by the Rev Swainson, Evangeline Faulconer, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Alfred Clarke, of Kaupokonui, to Charles Bernard Clapham, of Kiwitea, Feilding

9 Jan 1924 HERBERT PARKS SWAINSON The death occurred at Otaki Hospital on Saturday morning of Mr Herbert Parkes Swainson, a well-known identity of the district. Deceased, who was 56 years of age, was in his usual health until a few days before his death and on New Year's Eve conversed with friends in his usual manner. On Wednesday however, he complained of feeling ill and was admitted to the hospital. The late Mr Swainson, who was highly educated, was born in Wellington and as a boy attended the Wellington College. with Mr J. P. Brandon (Mayor), Mr W. H. Field, M.P., Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., and Mr W. Burton.
After completing his term he took up a position on the Annedale Estate (Wairarapa) and later came to Otaki, where he indulged in coaching to and from the station. He then became proprietor of the Central Hotel and made many friends, after which he left for Nelson to take over the Post Boy Hotel. Previous to going south however, he did farming and at one time owned the Ringawhati estate. At Otaki he married Miringi Werihane, a chieftainness and grand-daughter of the famous chief, Te Rauparaha. Deceased leaves a widow, two daughters and three sons to mourn their loss. Mrs Kotua, at one time a highly respected resident of the Crucelles, is at present in Otaki, matia is chief clerk in the Federal S.S. Company, Topora, also well-known, married a renowned chieftainness, while Lucas and Tuma reside in Otaki.
The deceased was a brother to Mr Ernest Swainson of Rata, while another brother, Jack, now of Melbourne, is well-known in this district, having been senior partner of the once well-known firm of Messrs Swainson and Bevan. Miss Swainson, a sister, at present in England, was at one time principal of the Girls' School, at Fitzherbert Terrace, Welling.
The late Mr Awainson, who possessed many friends, was interred at the Native cemetery on Sunday, when the Rev Temuera Tokoaitua conducted an impressive service. Many floral tributes etc., were laid on the coffin

7 July 1925 WANGANUI - A motor-car, containing Mr Harvey, an accountant, of Palmerston North and a man name Swainson, capsized between Kaiiei and Maxwelltown this evening. Mr Harvey was killed. Mr Swainson was not injured, but is suffering from shock

19 Jan 1928 The engagement is announced of Mildred Swainson (middle name), youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Gordon Glassford, of Milson's Line, Feilding, to Frederick Glyndon, second son of Mr and Mrs Robert Holt, of Cameron Road, Napier

11 May 1935 The death occurred recently at Wellington of Mrs Miringa Swainson, a well-known Maori lady and chieftainess of the Ngati-Ruakawa, Ngati-Huia and Ngati-toa tribes. She was a direct descendant of Topeora, who was the only chieftainess to sign the Treaty of Waitangi and a grand-daughter of Matene-te-Whiwhi, the chief who did so much to help convert the Maori people to Christianity. Mrs Swainson married the late Herbert Parkes Swainson, whose mother was the founder of the girls' school in Wellington now known as Marsden College. Mrs Swainson leaves a family of three sons and two daughters

1 Oct 1936 The death occurred unexpectedly last week of the Rev A. C. (Alfred Cyril) Swainson, who had been vicar of the Hunterville parish for the last two or three years. Mr Swainson was 57 years of age, His health had not been good for some time ... His Obituary

23 Feb 1939 SWAINSON-MAGINNESS - On October 10 1938, at St Mark's Opawa, Edith Dunford (1913-1968), elder daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Edward Maginness, to Kenneth William (1912-1985), only son of Mr and Mrs W. E. Swainson, Akaroa

10 July 1939 The local branch of the Manawatu Hunt Club held a very successful hare hunt on Saturday over the properties of Messrs W. Swainson, Bryan and Martin in Manakau. Several good runs were made over hard country and one kill resulted. At the close of the day's sport afternoon tea was served at the Swainson homestead

8 May 1940 FARMER DROWNED. The opening of the shooting season in the Wairarapa was marred by tragedy, when Arthur Warren, a well-known farmer of Rawahi, Pirinoa, was drowned. He was aged 38 and was married with one child. Warren was one of a party of four. He was driving a motor-boat, with one passenger, Hugh Swainson, licensee of the lake Ferry Hotel. He landed Swainson and then said he was going to pick up a swan which was floating on the water. It is surmised that, as he reached for the swan, he over-balanced and fell into the water. The boat went on. Warren was clothed in waders and gumboots, which dragged him down. Five minutes later the boat was seen pursuing an erratic course with no occupant. The police were advised and are dragging for the body, which has not yet been recovered

29 March 1941 SWAINSON - On March 17th 1941, at Nurse McKenna's, Takapau, Hawke's Bay, to Mr and Mrs Rodney Swainson (nee May Blagdon) - a son

27 July 1945 GARDNER - On July 21 1945, at Alexandra Hospital, to Ellen Mivinga (nee Ames), wife of A. B. Peter Gardner, R.N.Z.N. (overseas) - a son, (Robert Parkes Swainson)

PHOTO
The Laings Road Methodist Church built near the old Wesleyan cemetery on western bank of Hutt River (now Aglionby Street). It was opened 5 Nov 1845 and drawn in ink by William Swainson (1789-1855) in 1846. Three years later his daughter was married there - see first entry