Swayne Robert a Pioneer of Cambridge
Hello I knew the grandsons quite well
SWAYNE Robert
Robert was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1851 and came to New Zealand ten years later. He started his career at the Post Office in Ngaruawahia and at the age of 13 came to Cambridge. As a young man he was an athlete of note, walking and long distance running being his special interest.
Robert took up land at Fencourt in 1872. He married Miss Catherine Kenny 23 August 1877 - born in County Clare, Ireland in 1856 the fifth daughter of Michael and Mary Kenny. They married in Hamilton and Catherine came to Cambridge as a young bride.
Robert served the district as chairman of the Cambridge Road Board, a member of the Waikato County Council, Cambridge Domain Board, Waikato Hospital Board, Hautapu and Fencourt Drainage Boards. He was also a Director of the Cambridge Dairy Company for 15 years. He died in 1934 age 83.
As the wife of a man prominent in public affairs in the early days, Mrs Swayne also contributed in no small measure to the pioneering work of what was then a remote inland settlement.
Of their family Bob, Alf and Frank were well known farmers of Fencourt. They all had outstanding records in the war of 1914-18, Alf also commanding 'A' Company of the Homeguard in World War Two. Another son was Leonard. Ethel Swayne, a daughter, was the Matron of Whangarei Hospital and also served overseas as a nurse. Blanche lived at home and Amy married N Goodall.
source - Cambridge Museum
Till we meet again - Regards -edmondsallan
The above journal was from the site Cambridge Museum Biographies
- a fantastic website with biographies of 100s of settlers
Robert (1851-1934) and Catherine 'Kate' (1856-1949) were married on
23 August 1877
- their 8 children were:
(some birth dates may be based on age at death)
1878 - 1957 Amelia 'Amy' Swayne
- married Norman Frederick GOODALL (1885-1930) in 1910
1880 - 1919 Minnie Eleanor Swayne
- Minnie died aged 38
1883 - 1959 Robert 'Bpb' Leonard
- married Vera May DENNETT (1882-1960) in 1910
1884 - 1980 Blanche Swayne
- born 27 October 1884
- Blanche did not marry
- she died aged 95
1886 - 1973 Ethel Swayne
- born 28 October 1886, 2 years & 1 day after sister Blanche
- served in WWI 3 times (1915 - 1917 - 1918) on board the "Marama" as Nurse & Staff Nurse 22/219
- her Next Of Kin was listed as her sister Blanche
- did not marry
- died aged 86
1888 - 1920 Catherine Mary Swayne
- Catherine died aged 31
1891 - 1875 Alfred James 'Alf' Swayne
- served twice (1914 - 1916) in WWI as Trooper 13/459
- Next of Kin was his father Robert Swayne of Cambridge
1896 - 1934 Frances Henry 'Frank' Swayne
- served in WWI as Trooper 13371
- Next of Kin ws his mother Catherine Swayne of Cambidge
- married Marian Blachford COX in 1922
Robert and Catherine lived on their farm 'The Oaks' at Fencourt all their married life
There is a SWAYNES ROAD named after them
PHOTO of Robert Swayne
And one more son born November 1900. Albert, who as adopted out.
Hi,
Catherine Swayne was the 5th daughter of Michael Canny and Mary Hoare.
She was one of 6 sisters and 1 brother,who left Ireland BallinalacKen Lisdoonvarna in the 1860s 1870s period.
They were James Hoare Canny who joined the 2nd WaiKato
Militia.He married Elizabeth Curtin,and for some time had 50 acres at Kihikihi.
Bridget Canny married Francis Mcgovern in 1872. Francis was the first policeman to be stationed in Hamilton.
Johanna Canny,She arrived in NZ 25 December 1865 aboard the Gala with her sister Bridget. They were sponsored by James Canny.
Unfortunately we have found no more trace of Johanna.
Susan,the 4th daughter born 1853 married James Robbie in 1870.They had 4 children when he died in 1877.
Susan then married John Dore in 1882 and they had 1 son John Mathew.
Then we had Catherine the 5th daughter.
The final daughter Margaret Canny was born in 1858. Margaret married Alexander Stronach in 1877 Roman Catholic Church in Kihikihi.
Michael Canny was born 1808 and died in Ballinalaclen 21 September 1886,While Mary was born 1817 and died in Poulan 3 May 1892.
Cheers