Spunky Sisters

Who said strong, independent, women were a modern phenomenon!

Catharine A (1822) and Sarah M Swade (1826) were spinster daughters of Abraham Swade and Sarah Johnson out of Dutchess Co, New York, but as they were to prove, never underestimate a woman! 

Random female with shotgun

THE DAILY EAGLE, Fri, 14 Sep 1877

"Burglars in La Grange - On the last Saturday night, one or more persons entered a room, which is a little detached from the residence of Misses Catharine and Sarah M Swade, and tied up a feather bed and bedding and threw it out in a cellar way and were proceeding to bundle up the other beds in the room, but were heard by the ladies, who fired on them, when they departed without any plunder.  The Misses Swade are prepared to give them a warm reception should they return, as they have three shot guns loaded and are not afraid to use them."

The two girls lived together all their lives and on Sarah's death bed, she bequeathed everything to Catharine.  However, it wasn't formalized in a will and would result in Catharine fighting off extended kin. The family home, held onto by generations of Swades, would be split up.  

Catharine's obituary was so well written, I had to post verbatim.

THE NEWBURGH REGISTER, Mon, 31 Jul 1905
 
They Loved The Dear Old Farm - Four Generations Made It Their Home
Death of a Woman 82 Years of Age, Who Maintained the Customs of Her Girlhood Days and Was an Unique Character - She Could Drive a Bargain, Was Sharp As Any Man, But When it Came to the Law, She Wasn't Well Versed

A link between the present and the past was broken by the death of Catharine A Swade, on Tuesday last at her home in the Town of LaGrange, Dutchess County, aged 82 years.  Miss Swade was of the fourth generation of her family in La Grange, and she clung to the customs of living and habits of dress that obtained over seventy years ago, when she was a girl.  Her father was Abraham Swade, was born in LaGrange in 1787.  He died in 1862 leaving a large landed estate.  Abraham Swade's father was Richard Swade and Richard's father was Peter Swade, the first settler who purchased the farm where Miss Swade died.  The Swades from Peter's day down to that of Miss Catharine, clung to the old homestead, each succeeding generation passing their lives there.

Catharine Swade was recognized says the Courier, through all the countryside as a woman of remarkable force of character . She gave her personal attention to the management of the home farm.  She could rake hay like a man and buy seeds with the judgment of an expert.  She and her two sisters, Sarah and Susan, for many years occupied the Swade Pavilion - the name given to the dwelling house on the home farm, which was built specifically to provide room for them all.  Catharine did the business and could drive as sharp a bargain as any man.  Farm hands early learned that they could not escape her sharp and searching eye and that they had to perform their duties well or retire.

Catharine and Sarah never married but Susan did.  It is her children - the Delematers - who looked after Catharine in her declining days.  There was a brother, Johnson Swade, with whom Catharine was never on good terms.  Sarah Swade died several years ago, and on her death bed, gave her bank book and securities to Catharine and verbally made her heir to her interest in the real estate.  Catharine thought that the transfer was good and resented the interference of the courts.  She sustained her claim to the personal property, but the real estate was partitioned and the nephews and nieces received their legal share.

Catharine Swade's home was conducted as homes were a century ago.  She made her own cheese, her own rag carpet and did a thousand and one things that are neglected or unthought of today in farm houses.  She was direct and positive in her way and her strength of character and vigor of mind impressed all who met her and earned their respect and admiration.  She was a remarkable woman, with uncommon force and virility".

Tombstone for Both