Burgess of the City of Swansea. Possessed property at Penclawdd Llanrhidian, which he bought on November 9 1694 from Richard Davis and Joan, his wife, for 8 pounds. Various farms and lands were bought including Gwen-y-Goredd, Tyry Gorge, and the Marsh and Lands adjacent to the sea. These estates were eventually sold on January 2nd 1786 to John Morris, of Clasemont, and were held in 1923 by Sir Robert Morris Bt of Sketty Park, Swansea.

Silvanus married Jane Phillips in 1685 and they had five sons and six daughters. Silvanus II was their eldest son.