The first mention of the Swell family in Warborough is in 1835 when John and Eliza Swell’s daughter Helen Matilda was baptised on 20th September. John is a labourer and is Charles’ grandfather.
On 26th February 1843 John and Eliza’s son, Stephen, was baptised in Warborough, this is Charle’s father.
The 1861 Census shows Stephen is living with John & Eliza, is 17 and is an agricultural labourer.
Stephen married Ellen Bowsher in Spring 1867, and they lived on the Green, Stephen was an agricultural labourer, although on Charles’ marriage certificate he is recorded as being an Engine driver. Stephen and Ellen had seven children:
Stephen Henry b 1868, Henry 1869, Sophie 1871, Mary 1873, Charles Oliver 1874, William 1877 and Eliza 1879.
By 1871 Stephen and Ellen have a three-year-old son, Stephen Henry, and daughter, Sophie, who is just 11 months old.
The family is growing by 1881 and Mary, Charles, William & Eliza have been born.
1891 Census – Stephen & Ellen have just William & Eliza at home. Charles is at the Salutation Hotel in Great Faringdon where he is a servant ‘boots’ which historically is the lowest ranking male servant.
In 1895 Charles was working in North Peckham as a groom he met and on the 12th April married Eliza Steed, a widow.
When they returned to Warborough is unclear but following the death of Rebecca Tripp, Charles took over the tenancy of the Cricketers Arms.
Cricketers Arms 1900
The 1901 census records his profession as Butcher and Publican. It was not uncommon for publicans to have an extra profession and he is working at home. His father, Stephen, is living on The Green without Ellen, who is at her son William’s home in Wantage.
Stephen, Charles’ father died in Wantage in 1904.
Ten years later on the 1911 census Charles and Eliza have Eliza’s grandson living with them. Charles gives his profession as Publican and Carrier.
His first listing as a Carrier in Kelly’s directory appears in 1911 showing that he is going to Wallingford, daily. According to the Kelly’s directories this continued until 1928.
In 1911 his mother is living in Paddington with his sister Mary. Ellen died in 1912 and the death was registered in Wallingford.
At the time of the 1921 census Charles is still a Publican and Carrier but was also landlord of the George in Shillingford and in 1922, shortly before the George ceased trading, he successfully applied to transfer the licence to the Cricketers Arms. The transaction is fully documented in our article on the Cricketers Arms
Eliza died on 6th February 1924 and is buried in St Laurence Churchyard
Following Eliza’s death Charles married Daisy Alethea Emma Belcher on 3rd January 1925
Charles died on 24th June 1936 and was buried in St Laurence Churchyard.
He left his estate to Daisy, his widow.
Charles Swell headstone in St Laurence Church
Following Charles’s death, Daisy married Francis Frederick Townsend and continued to run the Cricketers Arms until her death in 1957.
Researched by Lynda Raynor -July 2026