This blog will look at the different side of the Vivian Family and connections with Swansea.
We all know about the Vivians who lived at Singleton Abbey and vast industry they owned, with Vivian & Sons, established in 1810 having a variety of locations Swansea being the main place. The first Vivian to make his mark in Swansea was John Henry Vivian.
It is John's brother Richard Hussey Vivian where we begin our journey of discovery.
Richard was born 1775, Truro, Cornwall. Like at the time, all eldest sons were packed off to the army, Richard was no exception, entering the army in 1793. Vivian by 1804 was an Lieutenant Colonel and by the time of the Battle of Waterloo, had command of the 6th Brigade, situated on Wellington's left flank.
After the Waterloo, Vivian was an MP for Truro and Windsor, from 1821 and 1831. During 1827 he was created baronet of Truro, 1841 the peerage raised to Baron Vivian. He died the yeas later, 1842 in Baden-Baden.
The title was passed to his son, Charles Vivian.
Charles born 1808 was a Member of Parliament between 1835 to 1842, dying 1886. The title was passed to his son, Hussey Vivian
Hussey born 1834. He was a British diplomat, dying in Rome in 1893.
Here is one of the first Swansea connections, with this person. Hussey's daughter, Dorothy Maud Vivian married Douglas Haig.
It was Douglas Haig that laid the foundation stone at the Swansea Cenotaph
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After Hussey's death the title was passed to his son, George.
George born 1878, saw distinction in both the Second Anglo-Boer War and the First World War. Died 1940.
This bit a little complicated so I'll try and make it easy. His daughter, Daphne Winifred Louise Vivian, married the Henry Thynne. Even though the marriage didn't last they had 5 children, one daughter, Caroline Jane Thynne, who in turn married David Somerset
Here's the second Swansea connection. David Somerset, was the 11th Duke of Beaufort.
It was this Duke of Beaufort who had been paid by Swansea Council in 2009, £281,431 for 70ft bridge to be built over River Tawe. The Duke was granted ownership of the river bed which had lasted for over 400 years. The Council had to seek his permission to build the bridge. David died this year, 2017.
Going back to the Vivian. After the death of George, the title was passed to his son, Anthony Vivian.
Anthony born 1906. His claim to fame, was during 1954, when his lover Mavis Wheeler shot him in the abdomen. Mavis Wheeler was the lover of Augustus John, the Welsh painter. One of his subject was Dylan Thomas, the Swansea poet.
Anthony died in 1991, and the title was passed to his son, Nicholas. Nicholas, born 1935, was another solider and officer of the British Army. He died in 2004.
The title of Baron Vivian was passed to his son, Charles Vivian, who is the 7th Baron.