Christopher Swackhamer (1824 - 1914)

Born 14 Nov 1824 in Halton, Ontario, Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Esther (Zimmerman) Swackhamer — married 25 Dec 1882 in Halton, Ontario, Canada

Descendants

Died 30 Jul 1914 at age 89 in Halton, Ontario, Canada

Biography

Birth: Nov. 14, 1824 Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada Death: Jul. 30, 1914 Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada

Obituary of Christopher Swackhamer: - 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 ninety years ago; he lived all his life on this farm, and he was buried in Churchill Cemetery, which occupies a site on the northwest corner of the farm, lot 32, on third 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 and settled at Grimsby. Jacob Swackhamer was a soldier in the war of 1812, and acted as orderly for General Brock and 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, and which for more than ninety 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 and the history of Acton and of the Swackhamer family have been concurrent for the ninety years and 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 and subsequently was elected to the honorable position of Warden of the native county of himself and his father. Deceased was one of a family of fifteen. He had thirteen sisters and one brother. Of these the following survive: Hiram, of Ospringe; Mrs. George Martin, Campbellville; Mrs. David Ryder, Erin; and 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 and Miss Amanda.Mr. Swackhamer was first married to Elizabeth Denny, sister of the late Robert and Samuel Denny, in 1849. She died in 1876, and 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 and during his declining years was most devoted to him. For six years he was unable to walk, and for fourteen months he was bedfast. During this long period Mrs. Swackhamer waited upon him with loving care and he was always most restful and contended when she was at his bedside.Deceased was the father of eleven children all of whom are living and were present at the funeral. There are also twenty-three grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Nine were children of the first wife and two 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 and Mrs. Smith Griffin, Erin; James Arthur and Clinton, Esquesing. Strong feelings of affection always characterized the family and the Christmas gatherings of the children, and grandchildren, with their wives and husbands has been an annual event of pleasurable re-union.Christopher was a man of God and 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, and 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 and 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 and 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 six sons of the deceased and 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.

1891 Census of Canada Page Information District: ON Halton Subdistrict: Esquesing Surmame: Swackhammer Christopher 67 Esther 48 Helen 26 Annette J 23 Amanda M 20 James A. 7 Clinton B 5

1901 Census of Canada Page Information District: ON Halton ( Subdistrict: Esquesing

Swackhammer Christopher Head Nov 14 1824 age 76 Swackhammer Ester Wife Dec 25 1842 age 58 Swackhammer James A Son Jan 12 1884 age 17 Swackhammer Clinton B Son Mar 20 1886 age 15 Burton Minnie Adopted Daugh Mar 20 1888 age 12 Zimerman Matilda friend Widow Oct 18 1839 age 61

Home / 1911 / Ontario / Halton / 5 Esquesing

Snackhamer Clinton B. Head M Mar 1886 25 Snackhamer Neta Elizabeth? Wife Nov 1888 22 Snackhamer Christopher Son Married Nov (This is Clinton's Father and husband of Esther. Swackhammer Christopher Nov 14 1824 age 87) ? Ester F ? Married B: Dec ? ( This is Clinton's mother:Swackhammer Ester b:Dec 25 1842 age 69) Gob?? Ernest? M Servant S Mar 1886 25

Family links: Parents: Jacob Swackhamer (1793 - 1874) Maria Thompson Swackhamer (1799 - 1890)

Spouses: Elizabeth Denny Swackhamer (1828 - 1876) Esther Zimmerman Swackhamer (1842 - 1926)

Children: Mary Maria Swackhamer Leslie (1852 - 1940)* Thomas Austin Swackhammer (1854 - 1935)* William Eli Swackhamer (1856 - 1932)* Elizabeth Ellen Swackhamer Hilts (1864 - 1942)* James Arthur Christopher Swackhamer (1884 - 1967)* Clinton Bennett Swackhamer (1886 - 1958)*

Siblings:

Hannah Swackhammer Martin (____ - 1918) Swackhamer-32

Nancy Ann Swackhammer Gibbons (1818 - 1908) Swackhamer-38

Susan Margaret Swackhamer Tuck (1820 - 1902) Swackhamer-12

Christopher Swackhamer (1824 - 1914)

Amanda Marilla Swackhammer (1825 - 1841) Swackhamer-39

Julie Ann Swackhamer (1827 - 1842) Swackhamer-40

Emeline Drusilla Swackhamer Smith (1831 - 1904) Swackhamer-41

Robert Swackhamer (1832 - 1832) Swackhamer-31

Phoebe Cordillia Swackhamer Ryder (1835 - 1926) Swackhamer-42

James Swackhamer (1836 - 1842) Swackhamer-43

Mary Priscillia Swackhammer Ryder (1839 - 1872) Swackhamer-44

John Swackhamer (1839 - 1842) Swackhamer-45

Caroline Swackhammer (1841 - 1842) Swackhamer-46

Caroline Swackhamer Ryder (1845 - 1883) Swackhamer-47

Burial: Churchill Cemetery Acton Halton Regional Municipality Ontario, Canada

Sources

• https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=118149768