A Pair of Peddling Pioneers: Mary and Michael Swaid

Many of the early Lebanese immigrants worked as peddlers. Mary and Michael Swaid were two such people. They came to St. John’s around 1891, likely arriving from the United States. Using the modified surname “Sweet,” Michael set himself up as a jeweller. Mary travelled the city to sell their goods door-to-door.

Black and white exterior portrait. A woman stands at her door holding five spoons. A man in a hat, coat and scarf holds a cane in his right hand and five wooden spoons in his left hand. He is standing on the woman’s step wearing a pack on his back filled with wooden spoons and ladles.

Door to door peddler, Germany. 1905.

Peddling was not easy. Passing children would hurl rocks and insults at Mrs. Sweet while she was working. They threw rocks through the window of her home and business. Mary, however, was a lively character. She was able to hold her own. Once, she chased down one “city tough” herself. Another time, a customer broke a piece of merchandise. Mary yelled at the woman so loudly that a police officer was called to the scene.

Michael Sweet died in 1902 at the age of 61. He was buried in Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Cemetery. His funeral was well-attended by the Lebanese community. All the Lebanese in the city followed his remains to the cemetery to see him buried.

Black and white printed notice. It says, Maronite Funeral - The funeral of the late Michael Sweet, Maronite, took place yesterday at Mount Carmel. All the Maronites in the city followed the remains to the grave and buried the deceased with the rites peculiar to this people.

Funeral Notice for Michael Sweet (Swaid). 1902.

Mary continued to operate a peddling business in St. John’s by herself. After 1905, she went to live with a brother in New York. Mary and Michael Sweet made only a small mark in St. John’s. But other Lebanese peddlers went on to establish long-standing businesses in the province.

Mapping the Lebanese Community in St. John’s, 1898-1936 Kalleem Noah – A Founding Father