Genealogy

The Will of Martha Swain, of 1818, has greatly extended the Swain family of Lyme Regis, and their in-laws. John Swain married Martha Smallwood on Jan 4, 1763, Lyme Regis. The will identifies 9 children, clearly - two sons, Joseph and Thomas, four married daughters, Martha, wife of John Lock, Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Scriven, Mary, wife of William Hook(e), and Nancy (Ann), wife of James Lorani., and three unmarried daughters, Hannah, Amelia and Susan.

John Swain’s parents are not yet proven, though there is a potentially good candidate, John Swain, bapt, Oct 7,1740, the son of Mr John Swain in the Lyme Regis Baptisms, 1720 - 1760. The identity of the mother is also not proven, although a Mr John Swain married Mrs Armonel GUPPY, Dec 15,1738. Armonel Guppy is transcribed as Arminall, bapt. Dec 22,, 1719, Axminster, dau. of Joseph Guppy and Armonell née Liddon , married Feb 18,1695.Both families had a Joseph, Thomas. Mary and Hannah, but it is still speculation Martha Smallwood was the dau. of Joseph Smallwood and Betty, née Mumford,who were married on Jul 28, 1744. Martha must have been born about 1745, as she would only have been 17 at her marriage in Jan 1763..

John Swain was married, Jan 4, 1763, which date would suggest a birth about 1740, giving a marriage at age 23. The Lyme Regis baptismal records, 1720 - 1760,show a John Swain bapt. Oct 7,1740, son of John Swain. Also attributed to John Swain are Mary, bapt.Sep 27,,1745, Hannah, bapt. May 20, 1748,Thomas and Joseph, bapt. Feb 27, 1754. Joseph was buriedOct 18, 1754, and a second Joseph was bapt. Jun 30, 1756. A further son, William, was bapt. Mar 28,1759.

There are significant difficulties,as John Swain, the father, is specified each time,but the identity of the mother is either not given at all, or is confused. There is, however, a marriage, in Lyme Regis, of John Swain to Mrs Armonel GUPPY, of Axminster,Dec 15.1738. The latter is transcribed as Arminall , bapt. Dec 22,1719, Axminster, daughter of Joseph Guppy and Armonell, née Liddon, who married Feb 8, 1695.

Is it not suggestive that, at Lyme Regis. a John Swain, who married in Dec 1738, and who is credited with children John, Joseph, Thomas, Mary and Hannah, must have some connection with a John Swain who, just 23 years later , had a family including Joseph, Thomas, Mary and Hannah? Alas, no proof has been found and I would welcome any relevant suggestions.