Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Swain, Anthony
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Bristol Township


ANTHONY SWAIN lawyer, P.O. Bristol, was born October 6, 
1815, on the banks of the Neshaminy, opposite Newportville.  
His father was Samuel Swain, and his great-grandfather 
Benjamin Swain, who came from England about 1725, owned a 
tract of land about three miles north of Bristol, on which 
he built a house of bricks made on the land, as was the 
custom in early times.  He died there in 1793.  He had one 
son, Abraham, who died before him, leaving several children, 
of whom Samuel was one.  Samuel was married in 1810 to 
Martha, daughter of John and Letitia Briggs, of Newtown 
township, this county, and some years after purchased and 
improved the above Newportville farm now belonging to the 
estate of William Elmslie, where he resided until 1833, when 
he sold the farm and removed to Bristol.  Anthony lived at 
this father's, mostly working on the farm, except in winter, 
when he attended the neighboring schools.  He also attended 
boarding-schools in Bristol, Burlington, N. J., and 
Alexandria, Va.  He taught school in Bristol and other 
places until September, 1837, when he commenced the study of 
law at Doylestown, in the office of Hon. Thomas Ross, the 
father of George Ross, Esq., the present state senator.  He 
was admitted to the bar in February, 1840, and began 
practice in Bristol, which he has ever since continued, but 
since completing his 70th year in 1885 he has withdrawn from 
active business.  On the 26th of October, 1843, he married 
Abby, daughter of Joseph Warner, of Bristol, to whom he was 
devotedly attached.  She departed this life January 26, 
1883.  His principles always allied him firmly to the 
republican party, and though he neither sought nor held 
public office yet he discharged all duties of citizenship 
cheerfully and conscientiously, aiding all movements for the 
benefit of the community in which he lives.  He has been 
president of the Bristol Water company since its inception, 
also president of the Bristol Gas company, and director of 
the Farmers' National bank for many years.  He and his 
ancestors, both paternal and maternal, nearly all of whom 
trace back to settlers contemporary with William Penn, have 
been consistent members of the Society of Friends and true 
followers of its doctrines and discipline, and the Bristol 
meeting has seldom contained a more valued member.  He was 
identified with the anti-slavery cause in his youth and has 
always been a friend to the colored man.  He has also been a 
warm advocate of the temperance cause, and in all walks of 
life is regarded as one of Bristol's most respected 
citizens.