William SWINDAIL
| Town/City | Marayong 2148 |
|---|---|
| First name | William |
| Last name | SWINDAIL |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | c1855 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | c1882 |
| Submitted by | Leslie de Belin |
Story
William SWINDAIL was born in Church, Lancashire, England, about 1855 of parents Isaac SWINDAIL and Elizabetrh LEES. Church was the name of a small village, which was also known as Church Kirk. He was a stonemason.
Shipping records reveal W. and D. SWINDAIL sailed from from Gravesend, England, via Falmouth, on 2/11/1879, and arriving in Auckland, New Zealand, 4/2/1880, aboard the barque “British Empire” (Captain ROWE). When the “British Empire” sailed into New Zealand waters, it flew the yellow flag, denoting disease on board as 13 days into its voyage measles had been detected, and by 2 months, 36 people had been infected. The last person infected brought on a more noisome and deadly disease, scarlet fever, which resulted in the deaths of 8 passengers. After quarantine, the passengers were finally disembarked, and fittings of the ship were burnt, and the vessel fumigated.
It is possible that the D SWINDAIL on this boat, was David Manassah SWINDAIL, born in England about 1840, but what relation was he to William SWINDAIL? Both William and David were stonemasons, as were their fathers, however, on certain records, William’s father is listed as Isaac, while David’s father is listed as David. It is doubtful these two are brothers, more likely to be cousins.
David SWINDAIL remained in New Zealand, while William SWINDAIL sailed to Sydney, in the early 1880’s. He married widow Jane CORMICK MANN (nee MELVEN) on 26/4/1884. They had 2 boys 1) William b.1885 d.1936, a stonemason who worked on the Sydney Harbour Bridge 2) David b.1890 d.1948. Jane MANN was 10 years older than William, and had had 8 children by her first marriage.
As previously indicated, William SWINDAIL was a stonemason. It is known that he worked on St Marys Cathederal, Sydney, during the late 1880’s. He built his own home at 59 Pittwater Road, Hunters Hill (corner of Aston St). His sons, William and David, were born here. Hunters Hill Council have placed a Herritage Order on the house.
The “Sand’s Directory” has the address as Bridge Street, this apparently being the old street name before being changed to Pittwater Road. It appears the name of the house was “Wellwood”. The directory has William and his family living there until at least 1899, however sometime within the next 10 years, they moved to 63 Hill Street, Leichhardt.
William SWINDAIL died of heart disease on 23/6/1918 at “Seacombe” Private Hospital, Wolsley Street, Drummoyne. He is buried in Field Of Mars Cemetery CE 1274, and the headstone still exists.
The surname of SWINDAIL has always been used in Australia, however, variations of SWINDELL/SWINDALE/SWINDALL/SWINDELLS/SWINDLE ETC….are found in England.