A marriage record in Arkansas County for Charlie McSwain appears to be for this Charles, son of John Franklin. His residence is Ethel, where the McSwain clan lived, and a few miles south of St Charles, where his parents were enumerated with their first child George in 1870. Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 Charlie McSwain Age 19, Birth Year 1874 Residence Ethel, Arkansas, Arkansas Spouse's Name Lizzie Riggs Spouse's Age 17 Spouse's Residence Ethel, Arkansas, Arkansas Marriage 20 Jul 1893 Arkansas County Marriage License Date 18 Jul 1893
1920 Federal Census, Logan County, Arkansas, 6 January, Revilee Township, District 55, page 2B, Hse/Fam #27 McSwain, John A Head Rents M W 47 Ar SC SC Farmer McSwain, Dessie [Vessie] Wife F W 36 Widow IL IL IL None McSwain, Allen Son M W 1yr2mos AR AR AL 1930 Federal Census, Beckham County, Oklahoma, 10 April, Elk Township, District 5-121, page 5A, Hse #78, Fam #79 McSwain, John Head M W 56 First married at age 26 [abt 1900] AR NC NC Cotton Farmer McSwain, Bessie [Vessie] Wife F W 44 First married at age 19 [abt 1923] AL AL AL McSwain, Allen Son M W 11 AR AR AR From the information in the 1940 census, it looks like Allen married in about 1939. His father had died in 1938, and he is reported as the head of the family household in the 1940 census. 1940 Federal Census, Beckham County, Oklahoma, 9 April, Elk Township, District 5-12, page 4A, Hse #68, Rents $2 McSwain, Allen C Head M W 11 Married Grade 8 Arkansas Same house in 1935 Farmer [b abt 1938] McSwain, Mariam N Wife M W 22 Married Grade 6 b Oklahoma Rural Beckham County OK in 1935 [b abt 1918] McSwain, Vessie Mother F W 55 Widow Grade 6 b Alabama Same house in 1935 [b abt 1885] McSwain, Henry D Brother M W 17 Single Grade 8 b Arkansas Same House in 1935 No Occup [b abt 1923] Allen's wife here is named Mariam N. The only wife I had been able to document is named Oneda Burns, from information in her memorial on Find a Grave. She is confirmed as the wife of Allen, who was her second husband. He was going by Chester by that time. This is the name on his Social Security records and his burial information. More information about Mariam was discovered only in January 2020, when Chester's WWII registration was found. This gives the full name of his wife as Marion (not Mariam) Nadeene McSwain. U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 Chester Allen McSwain Age 22 Birth 9 Mar 1918 Magazine, Arkansas, USA Residence Elk City, Beckham, Oklahoma, USA Employer Farm (Self-employed farmer) Next of Kin Marion Nadeene McSwain 5' 9' 148 lbs, Blue Eyes, Black Hair, Light Brown Complexion Registration 16 Oct 1940 Elk City, Beckham, Oklahoma, USA U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current Chester McSwain Born 9 Mar 1918 Died Jul 1973 SSN 445-18-8279 issued Oklahoma (Before 1951) Chester Allen McSwain Birth Mar 9, 1918 Magazine, Logan County, Arkansas Death 1973 Oklahoma Parents: John Allison McSwain 1873-1938 Vesta Estella Weaver McSwain 1885-1964 Spouse Oneda Burns McSwain 1917-1996 Siblings: Ruby M McSwain Sullins 1905-1992 Jewel Rebecca McSwain Loyd 1907-1953 John Edwin McSwain 1912-1968 Henry D McSwain 1922-1996 Burial Fairlawn Cemetery, Elk City, Beckham County, Oklahoma Created by Cokeman2 Dec 18, 2011 -- Find A Grave Memorial #82103145, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82103145
1900 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 5 June, Rippys Township, District 50, page 4B, Hse #48, Fam #49 McSwain, Sarah E Head W F July 1846 53 Widow 3 children/3 living NC NC NC Farmer Owns Griffin, Will M Son-in-law W M Aug 1876 23 Married 4 yrs SC SC SC Farm Laborer Griffin, Clara D Dau W F Aug 1881 19 Married 4 yrs 3 children/1 living NC NC NC Griffin, Earl Grandson W M Apr 1900 1mo Single SC NC NC North Carolina, Death Collection, 1908-2004 Daisy Griffin Widowed White Female Age 88, Birth 1881 Residence Shelby, Cleveland County Death 9 May 1969 Home, Shelby, Cleveland County Recorded Date May 1969
1930 Federal Census, Cleveland County, South Carolina, 16 April, Shelby, District 16, page 29A, South Jefferson St, Hse #578, Fam #635 McSwain, Hugh K Head Rents M W 49 Married at age 31 SC SC NC No Occupation [b abt 1881] McSwain, Lizzie Wife F W 39 Married at age 31 SC SC SC [b abt 1891] McSwain, Claude Son M W 7 Single SC SC SC No Occup [b abt March 1923] U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 Claude Willard McSwain Age 19, Birth 7 April 1923 Gaffney [Cherokee County], South Carolina Residence 112 Seaboard Ave, Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina Employed by Wright's Barbecue, S Washington St, Shelby Contact Mrs H K McSwain, 112 Seaboard Ave, Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina (back) 5" 6" 146 1/2 lbs Hazel Eyes, Brown Hair, Light Complexion Registered 30 June 1942 Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina Signed Claude McSwain U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 Claude W McSwain 7 Apr 1923 Died 29 Jul 2003 Last Residence West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Florida 33403 SSN 240-30-8794 issued North Carolina (Before 1951) U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 Claude Willard McSwain Birth 7 Apr 1923 Gaffney [Cherokee County], South Carolina Death Date 29 Jul 2003 SSN 240308794 Mar 1942 Name listed as CLAUDE WILLARD MCSWAIN; 02 Aug 2003 Name listed as CLAUDE W MCSWAIN
1930 Federal Census, Cleveland County, South Carolina, 16 April, Shelby, District 16, page 29A, South Jefferson St, Hse #578, Fam #635 McSwain, Hugh K Head Rents M W 49 Married at age 31 SC SC NC No Occupation [b abt 1881] McSwain, Lizzie Wife F W 39 Married at age 31 SC SC SC [b abt 1891] McSwain, Clyde Son M W 7 Single SC SC SC No Occup [b abt March 1923] Find a Grave identifies this child as a girl named Blidie. -------------------- Clidie Wilma McSwain Kaylor Birth Apr. 7, 1923 North Carolina Death Jun. 1, 2010 Gaston County, North Carolina Clidie Wilma McSwain Hoyle Kaylor, 87, died June 1, 2010, at Belaire Health Care Center. She is survived by her son and one sister. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; five brothers and four sisters. A private graveside service was held June 2, 2010, at Gaston Memorial Park. Published in Gaston Gazette on June 4, 2010 Parents: Hugh Kerr McSwain (1880 - 1955) Elizabeth Adeline Fulton McSwain (1891 - 1971) Spouse Hubert Frederick Hoyle (1920 - 1978) Burial Gaston Memorial Park, Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina Created by Carolyn Licurgo Apr 02, 2013 -- Find A Grave Memorial #107735623, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=107735623 --------------------
North Carolina, Death Indexes, 1908-2004 Cordelia Hamrick Age 73 Birth 1854 Death 14 Nov 1927 Cleveland County, North Carolina NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67 1880 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 7 June, Township 7, District 71, page 7, Hse #59, Fam #62 D C Hamrick W M 28 Father Farmer NC NC NC [b abt 1852] C D Hamrick W F 25 Wife Keeping House NC NC NC [b abt 1855] S E Hamrick W F 7 Dau NC NC NC [b abt 1873] D W Hamrick W M 5 Son NC NC NC [b abt 1875] C Hamrick W M 4 Son NC NC NC [b abt 1876] H L Hamrick W F 1 Dau NC NC NC [b abt 1879] Beaverdam Baptist Cemetery Register, Shelby, Cleveland, North Carolina Hamrick, D C April 5, 1851 April 13, 1923 Hamrick, C D April 10, 1854 November 14, 1927 -- W D Floyd, http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/cleveland/cemeteries/bdamclev.txt ------------------ Cordelia D McSwain Hamrick BIRTH 10 Apr 1854 DEATH 14 Nov 1927 (aged 73) BURIAL Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cemetery, Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina Parents: William Berry McSwain 1822-1904 Barbara Padgett McSwain 1818-1910 Spouse David Christopher Hamrick 1851-1923 Siblings: Lucindy Harriott McSwain McSwain 1847-1903 Larkin Arkansas McSwain 1849-1929 Barbara Finette McSwain Green 1856-1942 William Berry McSwain 1858-1920 Drury Reuben McSwain 1863-1948 Children: Louvicea E Hamrick Bailey 1873-1953 Dow Webb Hamrick 1874-1935 Charles C Hamrick 1876-1922 Hallie Lutisha Hamrick McSwain 1879-1919 Elijah Oger Hamrick 1880-1932 Bezola Hamrick 1895-1967 Created by Virgil & DeAnna Hancock-Cooley 23 Jan 2003 -- Find A Grave Memorial 7110540, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7110540 ------------------
1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 10 August, page 66, Hse/Fam #468 B B McSwain 30 M Farmer $750 Real Estate $250 Personal born North Carolina Cannot read or write [b abt 1830] Eliza McSwain 31 F born North Carolina Cannot read or write [b abt 1829] Cynthia McSwain 3 F born North Carolina [b abt 1857] 1870 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 13 July, Township 3, PO Stices Shoals, page 15 (scan 116), Hse #111, Fam #117 McSwain, Burwell 40 M Farmer $150 Real Estate $100 Personal born North Carolina Cannot read or write [b abt 1830] McSwain, Eliza 41 F W Keeping House born North Carolina [b abt 1829] McSwain, Cynthia 12 F W At Home born North Carolina [b abt 1858] 1880 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 3 June, Township 2, District 66, page 6 (Scan 471B), Hse #49, Fam #52 McSwain, Burwell B W M 51 Husband Farmer NC NC NC Cannot read or write [b abt 1829] McSwain, Louisa J W F 51 Wife Keeping House Cannot write NC NC NC [b abt 1829] McSwain, Cyntha W F 21 Dau Single NC NC NC [b abt 1859]
Lester is reported in Phillip's household in the 1900 census as Phillip's grandson, age 1 year. Again the 1910 census reports him as Phillip's grandson. Phillip took him in as his own son, and it is possible he had legally adopted him. His great grandson Kevin McSwain of DeWitt, reports Lester was a grandson of Phillip (P K) McSwain, a son of one of Philip's daughters who died in childbirth. It is likely that Lester's mother, known as Tissie (or Tisey) in family memory, was born after the 1880 census. She died at his birth in 1899, so does not appear in any census. We are told she was buried in an unmarked grave. 1900 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 19 June, Prairie Township, District 7, Page 13B, Hse #218, Fam #293 McSwain, Phillip K Head W M Jan 1847 53 Married 25 years NC NC NC Farmer McSwain, Marth [sic] E Wife W F Oct 1847 52 Married 25 years Housekeeping NC NC NC McSwain, Lester Grandson W M Mar 1899 1 AR NC NC 1910 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 22 April, Prairie Township, District 13, page 4A, Hse/Fam #58 McSwain, Philip Head M W 69 Married 36 years NC NC NC Farmer McSwain, Martha Wife F W 67 Married 36 years NC SC NC McSwain, Lester Grandson M W 11 Single AR NC NC Lester is reported as the grandson of Phillip in these two censuses. Philip took him in and treated him as a son. "Phillip also left him an equal share of his property when he died" (Shirley Rowland Mitchell, email to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 8 April 2015). Lester's WWI Draft Registration card tells us a lot about his current situation in 1918. U. S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Cyrus Lester McSwain Age 19, b 16 Mar 1899 (no location given) Residence Ethel, Arkansas, Arkansas Wife M E McSwain Occupation Farmer Medium build, slender, blue eyes, sandy hair Registered Stuttgart, Arkansas, 12 September 1918 Signed as Siros Lester McSwain Arkansas County Marriages Index 1837-1957 Mattie Helen Jones Age 17, Birth Year abt 1902 Residence Ethel, Arkansas, Arkansas Spouse's Name Lester McSwain Spouse's Age 21 Spouse's Residence Ethel, Arkansas, Arkansas Marriage 20 Mar 1919 Arkansas County Marriage License Date 19 Mar 1919 In 1920, Lester (age 20) has his own household with his wife Mattie Jones (age 18). All indications are that he went by his middle name Lester. This is the way he is always reported in the census. 1920 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 4 February, District 16, Page 7A, Ethel & Chute Rd, House #119, Fam #123 McSwain, Lester Head M W 20 AR AR AR Farm Laborer, Working Out McSwain, Mattie H Wife F W 18 AR AR MS In the 1930 census, Lester is living next door to Robert Oregon Knowlton, Jr, in Prairie Township (Ethel). On the other side of Knowlton is Lester's uncle Joseph E McSwain. Lester appears with his second wife, Eunice (Davis), and son Lester, Jr., age 4. It was some time before the marriage record of Cyrus and Eunice was found. This record reports that they married in December 1923, meaning Cyrus and Mattie Jones were probably divorced some time in1923. Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 Eunice Davis Age 18 (born abt 1905) Residence Ethel, Arkansas, Arkansas Lester McSwain Age 24 (born abt 1899) Residence Ethel, Arkansas, Arkansas License issued 12 Dec 1923 Marriage 17 Dec 1923 Arkansas County 1930 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 21 April, District 25, page 6B, Prairie Township, Ethel & Chute Rd, Hse #116, Fam #117 McSwain, Lester Head M W 30 First married at age 19 AR AR AR Farmer McSwain, Eunice Wife F W 28 First married at age 18 AR MS AR McSwain, Lester Jr Son M W 4yrs 10mos AR AR AR Notice that here the birth place of Lester's parents has changed from both in North Carolina to both in Arkansas. Early censuses reported both born in North Carolina. But his mother Tissie was born in Arkansas. Reports differ for John, one reporting North Carolina and another Arkansas as his birthplace. 1940 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 8 April, Prairie Township, District 1-26, page 3B, Belleview Road, Hse #49, Own $200 McSwain, Lester Head M W 41 Married Grade 8 b Arkansas Same House in 1935 Farmer [b abt 1899] McSwain, Eunice Wife F W 34 Married Grade 7 b Arkansas Same House in 1935 Housewife [b abt 1906] McSwain, Cyrus Son M W 14 Single Grade 7 b Arkansas Same House in 1935 [b abt 1926] Later information about both Eunice and Lester place them in DeWitt, Arkansas, about 20 miles from his original home in Ethel where he lived with his grandfather then in his own household with Mattie. Lester was living in DeWitt when he died, according to the Social Security Death Index. Social Security Death Index: U.S., Broderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 M-Z, Ed. 6 Mcswain, Lester Social Security #432-32-8310 Issued in Arkansas Birth 03/16/1899 Death 11/00/1987 Last known residence 72042, DeWitt, Arkansas Marriage date has not yet been exactly documented. Lester McSwain appears with his second wife Eunice Davis, and son Lester, Jr, is 4 years old; Eunice's age at marriage is reported there to be 18, so she married Lester some time after he birthday in November 1924. I have reported the marriage as 1925. Later information about both Eunice and Lester places them in DeWitt, the southern county seat of Arkansas County. Place of marriage is the residence at time of marriage. It is not yet known where the actual solemnization ceremony took place. It could have been by a pastor in the community, or in the county seat of DeWitt, about 20 miles from Ethel center. No details are available on when Lester and Mattie divorced. Cyrus L McSwain, Sr Birth 1899 Death 1987 Spouse Eunice D McSwain (1906 - 1994) Burial Cedarcrest Memorial Gardens, De Witt, Arkansas County, Arkansas Created by Jerry Grisham Mar 01, 2012 -- Find A Grave Memorial #86051540, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86051540 ---------------- Cyrus Lester Mcswain Sr, Tissie's son, was married to my grandma's sister Eunice Davis and Kevin [McSwain]'s wife Gina comes through the Criswell line from Lavada Mae West. Lavada Mae was daughter of Charles Winston West. He was Eunice Davis' uncle. Eunice and my grandma Lela Bridgette Davis were daughters of great grandma Maggie West, who married Alex Davis first and had several girls. When Alex died she married Henry Oliver Marcum. H O had two kids by his marriage to a Rosie? (I can't find what her last name was.) She died then H O married Maggie West then H O's boy Roy Marcum married Lela Davis, Maggie West Davis' daughter. So I wound up with two great grandparent sets that way on them. Roy and Lela's daughter Maggie Marcum (mom) married my dad Floyd Utley. -- Ancestry Messaging from Mike Utley to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 19 January 2020 ----------------
His son Kevin McSwain reports that his father goes by C L. In the 1930 Arkansas County census, he is reported as "Lester, Jr." He is age 4 in that census, indicating birth sometime before June 1926. From this I estimate marriage of his father Lester and mother Eunice about 1925. 1930 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 21 April, District 25, page 6B, Prairie Township, Ethel & Chute Rd, Hse #116, Fam #117 McSwain, Lester Head M W 30 First married at age 19 AR AR AR Farmer McSwain, Eunice Wife F W 28 First married at age 18 AR MS AR McSwain, Lester Jr Son M W 4yrs 10mos AR AR AR The 1940 census reported him as Cyrus McSwain. 1940 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 8 April, Prairie Township, District 1-26, page 3B, Belleview Road, Hse #49, Own $200 McSwain, Lester Head M W 41 Married Grade 8 b Arkansas Same House in 1935 Farmer [b abt 1899] McSwain, Eunice Wife F W 34 Married Grade 7 b Arkansas Same House in 1935 Housewife [b abt 1906] McSwain, Cyrus Son M W 14 Single Grade 7 b Arkansas Same House in 1935 [b abt 1926] U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 1 Cyrus L McSwain Jr Birth Date 15 May 1925 Phone Number 846-1338 612 W 6th St, DeWitt, AR, 72042-2416 (1991) Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 Cyrus Lester McSwain Age 22, Birth Year abt 1925 Residence De Witt, Arkansas, Arkansas Spouse's Name Betty Rutherford Spouse's Age 18 Spouse's Residence Stuttgart, Arkansas, Arkansas Marriage 19 Jul 1947 Arkansas County Marriage License Date 19 Jul 1947 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current Cyrus L. McSwain Jr Born 15 May 1925 Died 30 Aug 2010 Last Residence De Witt, Arkansas, Arkansas 72042 SSN issued Arkansas (Before 1951) Cyrus Lester McSwain, Jr Birth 15 May 1925 Ethel, Arkansas County, Arkansas, USA Death 30 Aug 2010 (aged 85) De Witt, Arkansas County, Arkansas, USA Burial Cedarcrest Memorial Gardens, De Witt, Arkansas County, Arkansas Parents: Cyrus Lester McSwain 1899-1987 Eunice D Davis McSwain 1905-1994 Spouse Lillian Victoria Carle McSwain 1931-1993 Created by Ruby Allen 22 May 2016 -- Find A Grave Memorial 163039375, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/163039375/cyrus-lester-mcswain
The name of the clan derives from Norse word and name, from the Viking settlement of northern and western Scotland and Ireland centuries ago. The name and common word "swain" is the same word borrowed into the English language from the related Scots language in eastern Scotland. The line of McSwains followed in this genealogy derive from one David McSwain born in the Isle of Skye, who immigrated to the American colonies in 1731. The clan settled in Carolina Colony, in the area that became Rutherford and Cleveland Counties of present-day North Carolina and the neighboring York and Cherokee in what Counties to the south is now South Carolina. The commercial site Crest.com comments on the history of the name and clan, with focus on Ireland, whence the Scots came in their migration across the Hebrides and to the settlement and finally the conquest of Pictland, now known as Scotland after those invading Irish and Irish-Viking tribes. ------------------------ The McSWAIN, McSwyne, MacSweeney and McSweeney families are the descendants of the gallowglass warriors who settled in County Donegal, where they had come first as mercenaries. By the 15th century they had formed three septs named Mac Suichne. The surname is found mainly in Munster, particularly in County Cork, where a branch of the family migrated from Ulster, established itself, multiplied and flourished. The Irish MacSuibhne denotes 'pleasant'. Ireland was one of the earliest countries to evolve a system of hereditary surnames. They came into being fairly generally in the 11th century, and indeed a few were formed before the year 1000. When the sparse Irish population began to increase it became necessary to broaden the base of personal identification by moving from single names to a more definite nomenclature. The prefix 'Mac' was given to the father's Christian name, or 'O' to that of a grandfather or even earlier ancestor. -- McSwain Coat of Arms/McSwain Family Crest, http://www.4crests.com/mcswain-coat-of-arms.html ------------------------ ------------------------ The Scottish Clans and their Tartans, give the source of our name as follows: MacQueen (Gaelic) MacCuine for MacShuibbne, from N.Sweyn. Gaelic MacSwan. In Skye MacQueens. The MacQueens are of Norse origin, from Iweyn or Suyne, rendered in Gaelic MacCuine or McShuibhne. A Sween McQueen signed the Clan Chattan Bond of 1609. Although latterly regarded as a sept of the Clan Chattes, they are more likely to be of the Clan Ronald origin. In the thirteenth century a family of MacSweens held lands in Kinteze, especially Castle Sween. In Skye we find the Gaelic name McSwain taking the form of MacSweens, MacSwan and Swan in English. Although originally but an offshoot of the Hebridean MacQueens who owed allegiance to the Lord of the Isles, the MacQueens of Corrybrough, who settled in Strathdearn, may be said to have occupied the positions of the "Head of the haill (whole) name." The MacQueens were known as Clan Rovan, the circumstance which the MacQueens left the West Coast and settled in Strathdearn are stated to be as follows: Early in the Fifteenth century Malcolm Beg MacKintosh (10th of MacKintosh) married Mora MacDonald of Moidart and with the bride came, as was the custom, several of her kinsmen, who took up their abode near her new home. Among the followers were Revan MacMulmon MacAntus, of whom the Clan Revan are descended, and Dolan MacGillandrisch of whom the Clan Revan is descended. Roderick Dee Revan MacQueen is said to have fought under MacKintosh at the battle of Harlaw in 1411. -- Electronic Scotland, http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/minibios/q/queen_family.htm ------------------------ The clan or totem name Revan is also found spelled Rovan in some sources and authorities. The McSwains are a sub-sept of the McQueens, and have their center in the Isle of Skye. The McSwain name is registered as a separate name and has a separate crest, coat of arms and tartan in heraldry. Here is some background information on the Macsuibhne (McSween/McSwain) and Mcuin (McQueen) lineage. "Ireland: My brother once found something that told him David had married a Betty Sergeant that he might have met while they were living in Ireland, waiting on the next ship to America, it could have been all rumor though." -- Larry Dean McSwain, Comment on this genealogy on Ancestry.com, 4 Dec 2014 Passenger records seeming to be for this David McSwain are documented in a book by David Dobson. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s David McSwain Arrival in America [nio port stated here] in 1731 Source Publication Code: 1639.20 Date of emigration with intended destination, date and place of naturalization, or date and place of first mention of residence in the New World. Source Bibliography: DOBSON, DAVID. Directory of Scots in the Carolinas, 1680-1830. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1986. 322p. Page 227 Some confusion has been caused by the DAR about the spouse of this David McSwain. Some genealogies have paired this David with Susannah Hamrick, the wife of his son William David (also called David). A descendant Douglas details the family and explains this historical anomaly. Douglas has done very good critical work in reconstructing this family. I am including some of the good commentary from his website, which you should visit for high-quality information on the early American McSwains in the line I detail in this genealogy. -- Doug McSwain, http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/c/s/Doug-Mcswain/ Doug comments on the burial place and replacement headstone on David's grave in the McSwain Cemetery in Cleveland County, North Carolina: "This stone was erected in the 1930s by the DAR. It is located at the McSwain Family Cemetery in Cleveland County, NC believed to be the burial site of David McSwain." Douglas indicates the DAR put the wrong wife's name on here, putting Susannah Hamrick, the wife of David's son, William David. This error has been picked up by some other genealogies. I have also found that some genealogies seem to have confused (mixed) two different McSwain lines. A family in Baltimore, Maryland, who later also migrated into North Carolina, are inserted in this or the next generation, showing the wrong parents for William McSwain who married Judith A Moore. My wife's ancestor George was one of William and Judith's sons. The David shown here is thought to be the correct ancestor of William, husband of Judith Moore and father of George McSwain who married Catherine Weathers, who moved to Arkansas with her sons, after the death of George. ------------ [David McSwain] and his son, among other family groups (Bridges, Hamricks, McSwains, Ledbetters and on) found property to be expensive and hard to obtain in the more settled areas of VA, PA etc. They joined groups from Germantown PA, Prince William, VA and came down what was called the great wagon trails or road in to the Charlotte/Mecklanburg area of North Carolina. They headed west in to the area known then as Tryon and Rutherford counties, found suitable farmland and water sources and hacked their homeplaces from the wilderness and Indian country. I could tell you much about this but would be best done over a nice glass of aged whiskey. The people we are interested [in] had homeplaces on what is now known as Buck Ford Road (old Buck McSwain house my dad called it) and what I will call the James Bridges homeplace. -- David Bridges, Ancestry messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 3 March 2017 ------------ Here is Douglas McSwain's summary statement of the family's progress from Pennsylvania to North Carolina: ------------------------------------------ My MCSWAIN branch is found almost exclusively in what is today southern Cleveland County, NC. Cleveland County was formed in 1841 when the N C Legislature created it from Rutherford County. Rutherford County came into existence in 1779 during the American Revolution. Prior to 1779, Rutherford County was part of Anson and Old Tryon Counties. The earliest McSwain moved to this area between 1760 and 1770 when it was still a colony of the Crown and very much a frontier. Most researchers claim the Isle of Skye, Scotland as the ancestral home of the McSwains. Many feel the McSwains are a branch of the MacQueen clan. The spelling of McSwain sometimes appears as MacSwain, McSween, McSwaine, or other variations, depending on how the census enumerator heard it pronounced. It is doubtful that many of the early settlers in this area were literate or even able to write their names. David McSwain, the patriarch, is thought to have arrived in Philadelphia with his family in 1731 probably as an indentured servant. This was the most common way an immigrant earned his passage to the New World. He would have been required to work seven to ten years before being released from his indenture. During this time he would have been seeking land of his own so that he too could prosper. But eastern Pennsylvania was getting crowded and as a result land was becoming expensive. Many immigrants chose to leave for the frontier of western Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. It appears that David and some of his family began the trek south between 1750 and 1760. By this time all of his known children were adults. They were the ones most likely to feel the pressure to go. David would follow them because in those times, family was your only support in old age and he would not wish to be left behind. The family's route south would take them on the Great Philadelphia Wagon Road from east-central Pennsylvania through western Maryland into the Shenandoah Valley of western Virginia. This would not be a trip with a beginning and a quick end but more of a quest for a better way of life. They would travel and settle in an area for a period of perhaps two to three years. Some of David's children and grandchildren may have married and stayed as the family group moved on. The Great Philadelphia Wagon Road south continued from Virginia into the northern piedmont of North Carolina. Their route would have gone past present day Winston-Salem and Salisbury into the Yadkin River Valley. The McSwains would have followed the rise of the Appalachian mountains to the west into what would become Cleveland County, NC. Some of the family found a home in the rolling hills along the Broad River. Others moved on into South Carolina and northern Georgia while David, the patriarch, most likely in his sixties and weary, stays with his son, David. -- Douglas McSwain, http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/c/s/Doug-Mcswain/ ------------------------------------------ Gerald K Cunard provides the following references to sources: ------------------------------------------ Source: FGS 1236.001 Harvey GREEN, starts his McSWAIN family with David McSWAIN (b. 1700) of "Isle of Skye," Scotland. m. Margaret MOORE (b. 1702) only one child traced, "David" McSWAIN (no dates) ..prs [?] Not Wm. David! Source: FGS 1236.002 Mrs. Ray Mode (Mary), in the Cleveland Hist. Soc, 1980, Pg 402-3 F.G. 758. "Son William McSWAIN and wife Susanna Hamrick, settled near his father David McSWAIN on the East side of the 1st Broad River and is buried in the old McSWAIN graveyard, which is now known as the old Buck McSWAIN graveyard." Source: FGS 1236.003 Mrs. Jean Oates McSWAIN, in the Cleveland Hist. Soc, 1980, Pg 406-7 F.G. 764 "There is a controversy in the research of the McSWAIN Family. S. C. JONES in his book 'Hamrick Generations' states that David 1 & his son David, Jr came to Rutherford County, NC, and David, 1 was the first white man to be buried in this part of the country. He also states that David, 1 son James married Elizabeth MOORE and left no 'heirs.'" In Eleanor McSWAIN's book 'Some Descendants of David McSWAIN Isle of Skye,' she reports David 1 as being born in 1700 in the Isle of Skye, Scotland. He came to America aboard the ship 'The Snow Louther' (per Joseph Fisher Master from Rotterdam last from Dover, Oct. 14, 1731) "David, 1 his wife, and two sons David, Jr. and Charles left Skye. Son William was born en-route." I have been unable to find any documents of the McSWAIN family name in the Old Tryon, Lincoln, or Rutherford Counties prior to the Deed of 13 May 1789, in Rutherfordton, NC. John LOAGAN conveys to William McSWAIN, some 500 acres of land lying on "Bowen's Creek" adjoining land of Jacob RANDAL Wit: Abednego ADAMS Wit: David McSWAIN -- Gerald K Cunard, http://gw.geneanet.org/kcunard?lang=en;pz=jonathan+riggins;nz=cunard;ocz=0;p=david;n=mcswain ---------------------------------------------- David was buried in the Old McSwain Cemetery, or Buck McSwain Cemetery, Tryon (later Rutherford, now Cleveland) County, North Carolina. It is south of Shelby close to the South Carolina border. -- RootsWeb Trees, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~prsjr/families/sc/mcswain/fgs0731.htm ---------------------------------------------- David McSwain Birth 1700, Scotland Death 1770 North Carolina 1723- Married at [on] the Isle of Skye, Scotland. 1731- Came to Virginia on the Lowther. 1765- Moved to North Carolina. 1770- Died in Cleveland County. His wife was Margaret Sargent, born 1702 in Ireland. Spouse Margaret Seargent McSwain (1702 - ____) Children David McSwain (1734 - 1805) Burial McSwain Cemetery, Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina Created by Elizabeth Olmstead Jun 09, 2009 -- Find A Grave Memorial #38136539, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=38136539 ----------------------------------------------
1840 United States Federal Census, Rutherford County, North Carolina, page 292, Hse #140 David McSwain head of household Males 1 x 20-30 Females 1 Under age 5; 1 x 5-10; 1 x 20-30 Slaves, Male 2 Under age 10 1850 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 27 August, page 294, Hse/Fam #457 David McSwain 40 M Farmer $100 Real Estate b NC [b abt 1810] Lucy McSwain 29 F NC [b abt 1821] -- page 295 -- Sally McSwain 15 F NC [b abt 1835] Jacinth S McSwain 13 F NC [b abt 1837] James McSwain 11 M NC [b abt 1839] David L McSwain 8 M NC [b abt 1842] George McSwain 7 M NC [b abt 1843] Elizabeth McSwain 7 F NC [b abt 1843] David is the son of David M, son of William David McSwain and Judith Moore. By consulting some genealogies I figured out that David's wife is Lucinda McSwain, daughter of James McSwain, David M's brother. David and Lucy were first cousins, as was very common in all the Rutherford/Cleveland County families. David and Lucy are living next door to his brother George Washington McSwain, son of David M McSwain. The children are different enough that this could be two different Davids married to a Lucy. But I do not have another David McSwain born about 1810 or 1811. Daniel L in 1860 matches David L in 1850. I think the correct name is David L, which appears in some genealogies. James is pretty close with only 2 years difference from expected age, aging 8 years between censuses. The age of George in 1860 is only 6 years more than in 1850. I have seen such variation in what is definitely known to be the same person. 1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 14 August, page 134, Hse/Fam #967 David McSwain 49 M Farmer $850 Real Estate $1805 Personal born North Carolina [b abt 1811] [The enumerator noted that David is his father, as he did for George W] Lucy McSwain 54 F born North Carolina Cannot read or write James McSwain 19 M Farmer born North Carolina Married within the year Unicy J McSwain 15 F born North Carolina Married within the year Daniel L McSwain 17 M Laborer born North Carolina George C McSwain 12 M Laborer born North Carolina William P McSwain 6 M born North Carolina Sarah McSwain 73 F born North Carolina [b abt 1787] Cannot read or write The enumerator has checked the box indicating that James and Unicy (Eunicy or Eunice) have married within the year. It seemed likely that Sarah was the mother of David, but the name I knew for his mother was Susannah Hamrick. I found helpful details on the Hamricks of Ireland genealogy. This genealogy does not have documentation, but it provides insider family information, and I have found this compilation reliable. This genealogy knows David's mother as Sarah Susanna Hamrick. The age would match other reports we have, except that the Hamricks of Ireland have her born in 1783 instead of about 1788, as the Hamrick Data Pages. Lucy's mother was Sarah Bostic. I am inclined to think this Sarah McSwain in 1860 was Lucy's mother Sarah Bostic, wife of James McSwain, David's uncle. In 1880, Lucy and David's widowed daughter is with them, as well as their grandson, both reported only by initials. 1880 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 10 June, Sandy Run, Township 7, District 71, page 15 (576), Hse #143, Fam #144 David McSwain W M 69 Farmer NC NC NC Lucy McSwain W F 62 Wife Keeping House Cannot Write NC NC NC J C S McSwain W F 43 Dau Widow NC NC NC W T D McSwain W F 18 Granson [sic] Laborer NC NC NC
This person is reported as David McSwain in Sarrett, but as Achella McSwain in Hamrick Family data. Date of birth is the same, so this appears to be the same person. The spouse of Achella McSwain is Delphia Street Harrell, confirming that Achella is a male. Children are all named McSwain also. It is uncertain which name was the first, but since sources usually show this person as David, I am assuming that Achella is the middle name. I thus show this person as David Achella McSwain. 1850 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 17 August, Hse/Fam #295 William McSwain 44 M Baptist Preacher $150 Real Estate born North Carolina Judith McSwain 41 F born North Carolina David McSwain 19 M Farming born North Carolina By 1960, David is married to Delphia and they are living a few doors down from his parents and siblings. On the opposite side of his parents is David's older brother Elijah and his wife Susannah (Susan) Hamrick. 1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 13 August, page 132, Hse/Fam #947 Wm McSwain 29 M Farmer $300 Real Estate $70 Personal born North Carolina Delfa S McSwain 25 F born North Carolina Judith V McSwain 1 F born North Carolina North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 David McSwain, Intestate Petition to Probate Judge by William McSwain, father/administrator 11 Dec 1861 Probate 1861 Cleveland County, North Carolina Death Abt 1861 North Carolina North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 David McSwain, Intestate Petition to Probate Judge by Delpha McSwain, widow 11 Dec 1861 Children J V [Judith Vernetia] and John L [Leonard] Death Abt 1861 North Carolina
Genealogies who have parents for David J McSwain report David's father as Jonathan born about 1758. There are other Jonathans and Davids in the primary line of McSwains we follow in our genealogy, but dates do not clearly match to confirm that David J McSwain's father Jonathan is part of that same line of McSwains. David J McSwain Birth 1805 in York Dist, SC Death 1850 in Rutherford, North Carolina Parents: Jonathan McSwain 1758 - 1835 Sarah Norwood b 1774 Wife Elizabeth Hamrick Birth 1801 in Rutherford, North Carolina Death 1850 in Rutherford, North Carolina Married 22 Nov 1866, North Carolina -- Davis Family, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/23944576/person/12469957830?ssrc=&ftm=
1860 Federal Census, Jefferson County, Arkansas, 25 September, Talladega Township, p 20, PO Locust Grove, Hse/Fam #138 David K McSwain 30 M Supt of Sugar Mill $No Real Estate $5000 Personal b North Carolina [born abt 1830] alone in household "George A. McSwain's wife, Martha A Randle is from Stanly County, North Carolina as were the McSwain brothers David K, Minor M, George A and cousin William R. McSwain. Their friends, Alexander and Edmond Kendall, were also from Norwood, Stanly County, North Carolina, and most likely traveled in a large party to Arkansas with the McSwains." -- Lea Harville Morgan, Ancestry Messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, Apr 09, 2016
1920 Federal Census, Franklin County, Arkansas, 31 January, Altus, District 47, page 3B, Hse #57, Family #65 McSwain, Walter E Head Owns M W 35 AR NC AR Farmer (b abt 1884) McSwain, Deana L Wife F W 31 AR AR AR (b abt 1888) McSwain, David L Son M W 1yr6mos AR AR AR (b abt June 1918) 1930 Federal Census, Polk County, Arkansas, 8 April, Ozark Township, District 19, page 4A, Hse #66, Fam #68 McSwain, Walter E Head Rents M W 45 First married at age 21 AR NC AR Farmer McSwain, Kate A Wife F W 39 First married at age 19 AR TX TX McSwain, David L Son M W 12 Single AR AR AR
1850 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 27 August, page 295, Hse/Fam #455 David McSwain 40 M Farmer $100 Real Estate b NC [b abt 1810] Lucy McSwain 29 F NC [b abt 1821] David L McSwain 8 M NC [b abt 1842] 1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 14 August, page 134, Hse/Fam #967 David McSwain 49 M Farmer $850 Real Estate $1805 Personal born North Carolina [b abt 1811] Lucy McSwain 54 F born North Carolina Cannot read or write Daniel L McSwain 17 M Laborer born North Carolina
1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 14 August, page 134, Hse/Fam #967 David M McSwain, Sr 78 M born North Carolina in household of his son: George W McSwain 40 M Farmer $230 Real Estate $404 Personal born North Carolina "My great grandmother was Sarah Ann McSwain Callahan (1875-1961) born and died in Cleveland Co., N.C. According to my research her father was Larkin Arkansas McSwain (1849-1929); son of Wm. Berry McSwain (1822-1904: son of David McSwain (1782-1860) who was married to Susanna Hamrick (1784-1894, which would have made her 110 yrs old). Sarah and Berry are buried at Beaver Dam Baptist Church west of Shelby, N.C. Larkin Arkansas McSwain is supposedly buried at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Swainsville, N.C." -- George Callahan, Geneanet Messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 27 October 2018
David Oliver McSwain Birth 1863 in Cleveland Co, NC, Death Unknown Parents Richard McSwain b 1812, Susanna Moore -- Ed Ellis, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/24895727/person/1576559569
1870 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 13 July, Township 3, PO Stices Shoals, page 15 (scan 116), Hse #111, Fam #117 McSwain, Burwell 40 M Farmer $150 Real Estate $100 Personal born North Carolina Cannot read or write [b abt 1830] McSwain, Eliza 41 F W Keeping House born North Carolina [b abt 1829] McSwain, Franklin 1 M W At Home born North Carolina [b abt 1869] Doctor Franklin McSwain Birth 7 APR 1869 in Cleveland County NC Death 21 JUL 1920 in Cleveland County NC Parents Burwell Blanton McSwain 1829-1903, Elizabeth McSwain 1829-1874 Marriage 23 Aug 1893 Cleveland County NC to Margaret Ann Holland Birth 30 JAN 1871 in Cleveland County, NC Death 21 JUL 1919 in Cleveland County, NC -- Douglas McSwain, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/4520040/person/-1590235387 1900 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 12 June, Boiling Springs, Township 2, District 49, page 4A, Hse #59, Fam #60 McSwain, Doctor Head W M Apr 1869 31 Married 6 years NC NC NC Farmer Owns McSwain, Moddie Wife W F Feb 1872 28 Married 6 years 2 children/2 living NC NC NC McSwain, Peyton Son W M May 1895 5 Single NC NC NC McSwain, Landon Son W M March 1897 3 Single NC NC NC McSwain, Burwell B Father W M Feb 1829 71 Married 25 years NC NC NC Farm Laborer McSwain, Louisa J Step Mother W F July 1829 70 Married 25 years 2 children/2 living NC NY NC Harrill, David A Boarder W M Sept 1878 21 Single NC NY NC Farm Laborer