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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Yorkshire (West Riding) => Topic started by: jandamic on Friday 23 September 11 15:47 BST (UK)

Title: *COMPLETED* John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: jandamic on Friday 23 September 11 15:47 BST (UK)
Any information regarding a John Swann, born 1801, died 5 April 1868 in York. His occupation was butcher and he was a Freeman of York but I cannot find any information about him. The only record I have found is his death record.

Apparently he was married twice, his second marriage being to his housekeeper. This marriage caused a great rift in the family and on his death, it was found that he had disinherited his children in favour of his second wife.

The only child I have found is William Swann born 1829 in York.

Jan
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 23 September 11 17:48 BST (UK)
1861 census for 9 St Andrew Gate York

John Swann 60 butcher b Elvington
Mary 56 b York
RG9 Piece 3546 Folio 15 Page 7

1851 - mis-transcribed as Swaner

John Swann 50 butcher b Elvington
Mary 46 b York City
John 13 b York City
HO107 Piece 2355 Folio 282 Page 7

1841 mis-transcribed as Swarm - all b Yorkshire

John Swann 40 butcher
Ellen  35
Thomas  15
Mary  12
William 10
Ellen 8
John  4
HO107 Piece 1353/7  Folio 30 Page 11
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: lizdb on Friday 23 September 11 17:55 BST (UK)
I cant see anything for him in the Probate index
Nearest is a John Swan dying in April 1868 in Kingston upon Hull, a provision merchant.

HAve you actually seen the alleged Will?
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: jandamic on Friday 23 September 11 17:56 BST (UK)
Thanks Carole.

Sometimes you can't see what is right under your nose!!!

Jan
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: jandamic on Friday 23 September 11 18:00 BST (UK)
No Liz, I haven't seen a will. The information I have came from his great great grand-daughter in Australia. Unfortunately, she herself is now dead so I can't get anything else.

I do have a picture of his gravestone so I know his date of death and I have the death record.

Thanks anyway.
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 23 September 11 18:04 BST (UK)
Deaths June qtr 1847 
Ellen Swann  York  23 588
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 23 September 11 18:05 BST (UK)
Marriages September qtr 1848 
 
Mary GRAVES   York  23 661   
John SWANN   
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 23 September 11 18:07 BST (UK)
See

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.2/9QG2-SYB/p4

And from Yorkshire BMD  www.yorkshirebmd.org.uk

Yorkshire Marriage indexes for the years: 1848
Surname Forename(s) Surname Forename(s) Church / Register Office Registers At Reference
SWANN John GRAVES Mary St Saviour, York York SSAV/1/206
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: jandamic on Friday 23 September 11 18:30 BST (UK)
Many thanks again Carole. I've now got plenty to work with.

Jan
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 23 September 11 18:32 BST (UK)
If you live in York - that 1848 marriage can be looked up in the parish records as the church is known.  It will at least give you his fathers name and occupation
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: Tom Piper on Saturday 24 September 11 13:09 BST (UK)
Jan,

How do you know he was a Freeman of York? If he was then there would be a newspaper article about his induction as a Freeman and a presentation by the Mayor of York at least. The York Herald has little mention of a John Swann, apart from the mention of a John Swann being chairman of the enquiry into the affairs of the York and North Midland railway which was held in York in 1849. There is also mention of a John Swann as being living at Askham Hall, just outside York.  In York Town Hall there would be a list of the Freeman of the city, it was quite an honour, given for services rendered to the city.

When he died in 1868, many people would have gone to his funeral-the newspaper both in York and the nearby city of Leeds would have covered the story but there is nothing in either.

In 1879, a bank in York failed, it was owned by the Swann family.

Tom
Title: Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: jandamic on Saturday 24 September 11 15:28 BST (UK)
The only information I have about him being a Freeman came from his great great granddaughter who is now deceased but I have nothing else.

Thank you for your response in any case.

Jan
Title: *COMPLETED* Re: John Swann - Freeman of York
Post by: jandamic on Friday 30 September 11 20:55 BST (UK)
Thank you Tom but someone has now found the records regarding John Swann being a Freeman of York. He found them for me in the York library.