Charlotte Serjeant 1829

Biography

The youngest of 5 children of James Serjeant and Ann Mount, Charlotte Serjeant, the first cousin five-times-removed on the mother's side of Nigel Horne, was born on 28 Mar 1829, was baptised in Chislet, Kent, England on 14 May 1830 and was married to Jackson Swain (with whom she had 7 children: James E, Mary E, George G, Idella Josephine, Charles F, Frances E and Ella O).

During her life, she was living in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana, USA on 22 Aug 1850 and on 28 Jul 1870 following the death of her husband on 20 Jan 1870; at 60 West Main Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1873, in 1874 and in 1875; at 69 Douglas Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1878 and in 1879; at 73 West Dewald Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1891, in 1897 and on 6 Jun 1900; at 323 West Dewald Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1902, in 1903, in 1905, in 1906 and in 1908; and at 1502 Spy Run Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana on 19 Apr 1910, in 1915, in 1916 and on 5 Jan 1920.

She died on 17 Mar 1920 at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana (fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 18 March 1920, p. 3. Aged Resident Dies at Lutheran Hospital; Mrs. Charlotte Swain Had Reached Age of Ninety-one Years; Mrs. Charlotte Sargent Swain, aged 91 years, died Wednesday evening at 5:20 o'clock at the Lutheran hospital following a very short illness of complications of old age. Mrs. Swain had been at the hospital since December 1, 1919. For the past year her health had gradually failed her until it became necessary to remove her to the hospital where attention of the most skilled nature obtainable could be given her. Mrs. Swain was born in Kent, England and came to America with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Sargent, landing in New York City on her tenth birthday. She was the youngest of a family of sixteen children. The family came direct to Fort Wayne on a canal boat and Mrs. Swain on many occasions has related early experiences with the Indians. She was married seventy-two years ago to Jackson Swain who for several years owned and operated a livery stable on West Berry street. Mr. Swain died fifty years ago. Mrs. Swain is survived by three daughters and one son, Mrs. Mary Walters, of Marion, Ohio; Mrs. Della and Mrs. Ella Botter, and George Swain, of Fort Wayne. For the past ten years Mrs. Swain has made her home with her son, George. She was a member of the English Lutheran church and a prominent figure among the members of the congregation) and is buried at Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne.

In 1841, she travelled from London, England to New York, New York, USA arriving on 14 May.

Parents

James was born in 1777
Ann M was born c. 1784

Children

James E was born c. 1846
Mary E was born c. 1849
George G was born c. 1852
Idella Josephine was born on 23 Nov 1853
Charles F was born c. 1859
Frances E was born c. 1862
Ella O was born on 25 Jun 1863

Notes

The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel 28 Mar 1919. Reads News and Sentinel at age of Ninety Years; Mrs. Charlotte Swain Came to Fort Wayne Eighty Years Ago Today. Remembers Early Days; With her hearing not impaired in the least and able to read the News and Sentinel without the aid of spectacles, Mrs. Charlotte Sargent Swain today celebrated her ninetieth birthday anniversary. She resides with her son, George Swain, and his wife, at 1602 Spy Run avenue, and is enjoying the best of health despite her advanced age. This morning early a grandson came to her room to extend birthday greetings and jokingly remarked that he would run her a foot race this morning. To which she replied that she was ready whenever he announced the time to start. Mrs. Swain was born in Canterbury, Kent county, England, arriving in Fort Wayne just eighty years ago, on her tenth birthday. She came with her parents, who reached Fort Wayne by way of the canal. At Defiance, O., she saw the first maize corn. A large quantity was piled on the wharf and her curiosity was aroused, so she inquired of the captain of the boat what it was. He told her and gave her permission to get some if she wished. Mrs. Swain can remember how she took all that her apron would hold. When she arrived in Fort Wayne March 23, 1939, the little village contained only a few hundred people and the court house was one of logs. Indians were numerous in this vicinity but she stated that all were friendly. Mad Dresses for Indians. A few years after Mrs. Swain arrived here she started to sew dresses for the Indian women here. She stated this morning that she sewed the first white woman's dress that old Mrs. Godfrey, of the best known Indian family of this vicinity, ever wore. Jackson Swain, the husband, who died years ago, was a pioneer livery stable owner of Fort Wayne. He conducted his place of business on West Barry street where the Arcade and the Steele-Myers store now stand. During the civil war he operateda stage coach line between this city and Kendallville. The latter place was a draught station then where all the men were examined physically. Mrs. Swain was the youngest of a family of sixteen children. She has five children who are still living.