Ann Perry

https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~perryfamily/genealogy/jamesperryofp...

The Swift family has a long a somewhat famous history. Anne was a first cousin of the writer, Jonathan Swift9. Her grandfather, Thomas Swift, was a famous and controversial clergyman in England who supported Charles the Second during the time of Oliver Cromwell. Ann's father Adam Swift along with two brothers, all attorneys, left England during Cromwell's reign. They went to Ireland where they practiced law and were connected to the upper political class. 

Anne has been reported as born abt 166110, but this would have made her almost 50 when her son John was born and thus unlikely. Her parents were married in 1668 and Anne was probably born between 1669 and 1675. It is not known when James and Anne were married, but it was probably around 1693/98 and certainly before 1700 as they had two sons born at that time. One source states that Jonathan Swift listed "Nan" as single in the mid 1690's, but I have not confirmed that statement. There is a tradition that the marriage between James Perry and Anne Swift angered Adam Swift enough that he threatened to disown Anne. Apparently, he later reconsidered and gave her a dowry in his will11. Jonathan Swift also was not too happy about his cousin Anne marrying James Perry. Some evidence about the Perry family points to them being possible supporters of Oliver Cromwell and that may have been Adam's problem with James Perry. Whatever the problem was, James and Anne seemed to have reconciled it with Adam when they named a son after him who was listed in his Will in 1704. 

The following is from letter #23 CHELSEA, May 12, 1711; written by Jonathan Swift in "Journal to Stella"12, which mentions James Perry and Anne Swift, published 1784 (Thanks is to be given to Project Gutenberg for the online printing of Swift's works): 

"Going to town this morning, I met in the Pall Mall a clergyman of Ireland, whom I love very well and was glad to see, and with him a little jackanapes, of Ireland too, who married Nanny Swift, Uncle Adam's daughter, one Perry; perhaps you may have heard of him. His wife has sent him here, to get a place from Lowndes; because my uncle and Lowndes married two sisters, and Lowndes is a great man here in the Treasury; but by good luck I have no acquaintance with him: however, he expected I should be his friend to Lowndes, and one word of mine, etc., the old cant. But I will not go two yards to help him."

Children of James and Anne Perry

Swift Perry

Adam Perry

Martha Perry

Joseph Perry

Jane Perry

John Perry

• MyHeritage Family Trees
• The Fuller Family Tree in The Fuller Family Tree Web Site, managed by Linda Kilkenny (Contact)
• Birth: 1671 - Greencastle, Down, Ireland
• Death: 1753 - Perrymount, County Down, Ireland
• Parents: Adam Swift, Margery Ann Swift (born Cottrell)
• Siblings: Martha Swift, William Swift, Anne Swift
• Husband: James Perry
• Children: Daniel Perry, Swift Perry, Swift Perry, John Perry, Adam Perry, Martha Perry, Jane Ann Perry, Josep