Asher Swift and Sarah Ann Greyburn

Buckingham Street, Hull
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian S - geograph.org.uk/p/4916925

Asher Swift (b. 1827), son of William Swift and Mary Ann Lister, married Sarah Ann Grayburn, reputedly daughter of John Grayburn, on 12 Mar 1848 in the parish of Sculcoates All Saints, Yorkshire. As the church of All Saints wasn't opened until 1869, the likely venue for the marriage was either St Mary's, or St Paul's, both of which have since been replaced. [See: Churches in Sculcoates]

There is a baptism of a Sarah Ann Graburn at Hull Holy Trinity on 5 Jul 1837 with parents John Graburn and Frances Crawford. As several siblings are listed as being born that year, it seems more likely to me that they were born in different years and were baptised together in a catch-up as Civil Registration was introduced that year. Additionally, as one of Asher and Sarah Ann's children is named Frances, this also supports the theory that this is the correct baptism and parents.

Asher and Sarah had eleven children, ten survived:

1. Mary Ann Swift b. 1850 S Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 22 Page 564
2. Henry Swift b. 1852 D Quarter in OF BRADFORD & NORTH BIERLEY YORKSHIRE  Volume 09B Page 132
3. Frances Swift b. 1854 J Quarter in CHORLTON Volume 08C Page 566
4. John William Swift b. 1857 M Quarter in SCULCOATES Vol 09D Page 140
5. Sarah Swift b. 1859 S Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 153
6. Albert Swift b. 1861 M Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 137, died aged 2, in 1863 S Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 119
7. Elizabeth Swift b. 1862 D Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 140
8. Rebecca Swift b. 1864 J Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 148
9. Jim Swift b. 1866 S Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 133
10. Ada Grayburn Swift b. 1868 S Quarter in SCULCOATES Vol 09D Page 154
11. Alice Swift b. 1871 J Quarter in HULL Volume 09D Page 201

The mother's maiden name on these births is listed as Grayburn, Greyburn or even Graburn. All spellings have been checked year-by-year at the GRO.

In 1851, Asher Swift (24) Mechanic, was living in Upper Green, Bradford, with wife Sarah A Swift (23) and daughter Mary Swift (0).

In 1871, it appears they were living in St Luke, Hull, Yorkshire.

In 1881, the family was living at 7, Goschen Place, Drypool, Sculcoates, Yorkshire, with John Swift (54) Engine Fitter - was Asher known as John in the family perhaps - Sarah A Swift (52), Elizabeth Swift (18) Laundress, Jim Swift (14) Boiler maker apprentice, Ada Swift (12) and Alice Swift (10).

In 1891, in Pelham Street, Southcoates, were Asher Swift (64) Steam Engine Fitter, wife Sarah A Swift (62) and just youngest daughter Alice Swift (20).

Then in 1901, Asher Swift (74) Retired Fitter and wife Sarah A Swift (72) were living in Buckingham St, Hull.

Both Asher (1901 J Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 115) and Sarah Ann Swift (1901 J Quarter in SCULCOATES Volume 09D Page 92) died, aged 74 and 73 respectively, in the June quarter of 1901.