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« on: Wednesday 28 October 15 14:57 GMT (UK) »
Hi
I have been researching a gentleman who lived locally to me (Lathom nr. Ormskirk) and became famously known as the hermit of Lathom. His name was Robert Swarbrick and I have the following key pieces of information but seem to be coming to a dead end regarding any living decedents, ancestors or place of birth.
Robert was born around 1736 (place unknown)
He died on the 25th Dec 1824 aged 88 years and is buried at Ormskirk parish church
Burial record state that he was a catholic
He became famous due to the Rev Thomas Garret (of Altar) publishing a poem about him called 'the Hermit of lathom' in about 1821. Roberts death was reported in newspapers of the time as far away as London.
He was a bachelor
He had a brother Edward, a gentleman of Parbold, who died before him in 1805
He had a brother William who outlived him and a nephew John
He was given land by the Bootle-Wilbrahams who were living at Lathom house in about 1780 and he built a hermitage/nursery where he lived for 44 years until his death.
I would love to find more information regarding the hermits ancestors (where he came from) or any relatives from his brothers' families.
Can you help?