Robert Swan (1802-1878)

A mid-20th-century relative (writing to Patterson relatives in New Zealand) said of him: "Bridge builder and Contractor, and there are many stone bridges around [Pittsburgh] that were built by him".

By 1870 he had eased off and described himself as a farmer.

He was probably acquainted with the Alston families, who also originated in Scotland and included at least one other stone contractor - later their descendants would marry.