James Swaby
About James Swaby
Lived 1798 – 1863 (aged 65).
James Swaby (14 January 1798 – 3 February 1863) was a Jamaican man of colour who was one of the first non-white commissioned officers in the British Army. He purchased a commission with the 49th Regiment of Foot when aged 16, and served as an ensign on half pay from 1814 to 20 November 1829.
He was the son of John Swaby and Frances King, "a free mulatto". He was educated at Charterhouse School in England.
Swaby inherited substantial estates and became a wealthy planter and slave owner; he owned "considerable property" in Manchester Parish, Jamaica. In 1823, he was granted "all the privileges ... of a British subject". As a slave owner, he received compensation under the Slave Compensation Act 1837.
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Important facts
People in James Swaby's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped James Swaby's
Frequently asked questions
Who was James Swaby?
(1798-1863)
When was James Swaby born?
James Swaby was born on 14 January 1798.
When did James Swaby die?
James Swaby died on 3 February 1863.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Swaby. https://biography.guide/james-swaby/
MLA: "James Swaby." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-swaby/.
Chicago: "James Swaby." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-swaby/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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