1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 14 August, pages 71-72, Hse/Fam #577 W D McSwain 35 M Farmer $700 Real Estate $1368 Personal born North Carolina [b abt 1825] -- page 72 -- Arelia McSwain 30 M born North Carolina [b abt 1830] Issabella McSwain 14 F born North Carolina [b abt 1846] Thomas McSwain 12 M born North Carolina [b abt 1848] Vina C McSwain 10 F born North Carolina [b abt 1850] William H McSwain 8 M born North Carolina [b abt 1852] Anonymous McSwain 6 M born North Carolina [b abt 1856] Francis McSwain 3 F born North Carolina [b abt 1857] Salena McSwain 2 F born North Carolina [b abt 1858] The Hamrick pages had a list of all the children. The daughter Frances (spelled Francis in the census) is reported in the Hamrick genealogy under her nickname of Frankie. McSwain, William (*1826 - ) father: McSwain, Thomas (1796 - 1872) mother: Bridges, Salena W "Frankie" (1793 - 1862) spouse: Gipson, Malissa (*1830 - ) spouse: Ledbetter, Arrienia (*1829 - ) ----------child: McSwain, Thomas (*1846 - ) ----------child: McSwain, William Anonymus (*1853 - ) ----------child: McSwain, Salena (*1860 - ) ----------child: McSwain, Vianna (*1860 - ) ----------child: McSwain, Henry (*1861 - ) ----------child: McSwain, Frankie (*1861 - ) ----------child: McSwain, Isabell (*1861 - ) ----------child: McSwain, Josina (*1861 - ) "My father's grandmother was Josina A McSwain Bridges the youngest child of William D and Arrenia Mcswain. My dad has told me stories of talking to William Henry McSwain (Uncle Henry) and aunt Frank (Frances or Frankie McSwain) when he was a boy. He is now 87 and I have some 1st hand accounts and other info I have found." -- David Bridges, email to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 2 March 2017 In 1900, Frankie was living with her sister Isabella and husband TImmons McSwain, reported as Single at age 36 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 29 June, Shelby, District 55, Page 21B, Hse/Fam #388 McSwain, Timmons Head W M July 1842 57 Married 20 yrs NC NC NC Farm Laborer Rents McSwain, Isabel Wife W F Dec 1845 54 Married 20 yrs 0 children/0 living NC NC NC McSwain, Frankie Sis-in-law W M Jan 1864 36 Single NC NC NC Farm Laborer Travice [Travis?], Evie Adopted W F Sept 1894 5 Single NC NC NC
1850 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 23 August, p 284, Hse/Fam #379 Benjamin McSwain 68 M Farmer $1000 Real Estate b NC [b abt 1782] Rebecca McSwain 60 F born NC Francis E McSwain 24 F born NC In the 1860 census, the child matching Francis is named Esther, matching the middle initial in 1850. 1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 18 August, PO Not Stated, page 182, Hse/Fam #1092 Benjamin McSwain 77 M Infirm $0 Real Estate $250 Personal Estate born NC Rebecca McSwain 18 F born NC Esther McSwain 28 F b NC
1850 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 4 September, p 31, Hse/Fam #587 George McSwain 57 [b abt 1793, note differences in ages from census to census] Farmer $600 Real Estate b NC Catharine McSwain 34 b NC Polly G McSwain 7 b NC Sally H McSwain 5 b NC Phillip K McSwain 3 b NC ** Francis M McSwain 1 b NC ** Andrew Ruske 21 [Not known who this is] Farmer b NC Mary Weathers 75 [b abt 1775] b NC 1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 4 August 1860, p 54, Hse/Fam #385 George McSwain Sr 61 M Farmer $100 Personal Estate b NC Catherine McSwain 40 F b NC Francis M McSwain 10 M b NC Francis was the first of the family of North Carolina McSwains to settle in Arkansas County. I found him in Prairie Township in 1870, while his mother Katy (Catherine) and his other brothers and sister Nancy are in Giles County, Tennessee, for the 1870 census. (This is also where the Butler family lived before some of them also showed up in Prairie Township of Arkansas County.) Francis is single and living alone in a separate household, but next door to cousins John F and Mary G McSwain, both also born in North Carolina. They are shown with a Post Office of St. Charles, but both John and Francis are shown as farmers. They probably were living south of St Charles, the nearest post office. This is where the whole McSwain clan later settled, near Ethel. Ethel later got its own post office. Both St Charles and Ethel are in Prairie Township. 1870 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 4 July, Prairie Township, PO St Charles, page 15, Hse/Fam #119 McSwane, Framcis 22 M W Farmer $No Real Estate $220 Personal Estate NC (b abt 1848) 1870 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 4 July, Prairie Township, PO St Charles, page 15, Hse/Fam #118 McSwane, John F 30 M W Farm Laborer $No Real Estate $140 Personal Estate NC (b abt 1840) McSwane, Mary 26 F W Keeping House NC (b abt 1844) McSwane, George F 9mos b Oct 1869 M W Tennessee Also nearby, next door to John and Mary, is another cousin, Virgil Weathers. 1870 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 4 July, Prairie Township, PO St Charles, page 15, Hse/Fam #117 Wethers, Virgil 30 M W Farmer $160 Personal Estate b SC (b abt 1840) Wethers, Sarah 26 F W Keeping House b NC (b abt 1844) Wethers, George W 4 M W b Tennessee (b abt 1866) George and his family are still reported in or near St. Charles, still in Prairie Township, in 1880, when Katy, Francis and the whole family (less father George who died before they moved to Tennessee) are a bit farther south near Ethel, in the same Prairie Township or Arkansas County. John and Mary moved to St Charles only a few months before the census in July of 1870. Their son John F is reported as born in Tennessee in October 1869. (Birth months of those less than one year old are included in this census.) So they had to move from Tennessee between October 1869 and July 1870. I expect that they were living near Katy and the family in Giles County, Tennessee, where John was born, then Francis moved with them to Arkansas, likely in the Spring of 1870, after the winter. John F's son, George F, later moved to Texas, where other McSwains of the Carolina clan also moved directly or from Arkansas.
Frank never married. U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1 Birth Date 13 Apr 1955 Melford Dr, Little Rock, AR, 72209 Frank McSwain's Voter Registration Registered to Vote 10/09/1980 in Pulaski County, Arkansas Precinct 103 103.01 Congressional District 002 House District 029 Senate District 031 School Board District 137 -- https://voterrecords.com/voter/68428598/frank-mcswain -------------------------- Frank McSwain Little Rock, AR, 1955 - 2018 Frank McSwain, 63, died October 11. He was born April 13, 1955 in DeWitt to Oliver and Bertie McSwain. Survivors include brothers, George McSwain of Garland, Texas, and Ricky McSwain (Janice) of Pennsylvania, sister, Edith Jenkins (Orville) of Arlington, Texas, one niece and two nephews. There will be a memorial service at a later date. Cremation arrangements by Essex Funeral Home. www.essexfuneralhome.com OBITUARY SUBMITTED BY: Essex Funeral Home 1405 S. Grandview Drive, DeWitt, AR E-mail: essexfh@hotmail.com Phone: 870-946-3104 -- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, October 12, 2018, https://www.arkansasonline.com/obituaries/2018/oct/12/frank-mcswain-2018-10-12/ -------------------------- A memorial service was conducted at Essex Funeral Home, DeWitt, at 2:30 Sunday, 28 October 2018, conducted by the current pastor of Belleview Missionary Baptist Church, Ethel, Arkansas County, Arkansas. Frank grew up in Ethel. No cemetery service was held. The following note reporting on the trip for the funeral was written on email by Orville and Edith (McSwain) Jenkins to their church community home group after return home to QArlington, Texas. “We drove back from Arkansas on Monday. Both our two sons did get to go and we had some good time with family who hosted us in 2 different homes. Our sons renewed acquaintance with some family they had met and had only brief time with in previous years and some they had never met. The short memorial service, led by the current pastor of the church in the Community where Edith grew up, was simple and well done.†-- Orville Boyd Jenkins, email to Sherry Christopher for the Pauol Johnson Community Group, 31 October 2019
1910 Federal Census, Cherokee County, South Carolina, 22 April, Cherokee Township, District 3, page 6A, Hse/Fam #94 McSwain, Hugh K Head M W 29 Widowed 5 yrs SC NC NC Farmer Owns McSwain, Vadar Dau M W 7 SC SC SC McSwain, Frank M Son M W 5 Single SC SC SC 1920 Federal Census, Cherokee County, South Carolina, 17 January, Cherokee Township, District 3, page 11A, Hse #188, Fam #190 McSwain, Lewis M Head Owns M W 68 NC NC NC Farmer [b abt 1851] McSwain, Sarah A Wife F W 78 NC NC NC [b abt 1841] McSwain, Frank Grandson M W 14 SC SC SC [b abt 1905] Frank and his brothers and sisters are the children of Lewis and Sarah's son Hugh, whose wife Addie Sherer died before the 1910 census, probably in the birth of the last child Roy. Hugh remarried about 1911, and is enumerated with his new wife Lizzie (Elizabeth Adeline Fulton), in Limestone Township of Cherokee County, South Carolina. Frank lived in Cherokee County all his life. He is buried in Frederick Memorial Cemtery in Gaffney. Gravestone of Frak M and Mary P McSwain, Frederick Memorial Cemetery, Gaffney, Cherokee County SC 1973 McSwain Frank Marion Aug 1, 1904 July 30, 1973 Mary P Feb 2, 1908 June 1, 1994 ----------------------- Frank M McSwain Birth Aug. 1, 1904 Death Jul. 30, 1973 Spouse Mary Ellen Patrick McSwain (1908 - 1994) Children: Frances McSwain Whelchel (1927 - 2012) Burial Frederick Memorial Gardens, Gaffney, Cherokee County, South Carolina Created by Keith & Linda Robertson Jan 28, 2011 -- Find A Grave Memorial #64798259, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=64798259 -----------------------
North Carolina Marriage Collection, 1741-2004 Elizabeth L. Flow Spouse Gabriel W. McSwain Marriage 18 Dec 1841 Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Bondsman Daniel Asbury 1850 Federal Census, Marshall County, Mississippi, 15 November, Northern Division, scan p 345, Hse/Fam #902 McSwain, Gabriel W 33 M Farmer North Carolina [born abt 1817] McSwain, Elizabeth L 31 F North Carolina [born abt 1819] McSwain, Hamilton A 8 F Laborer North Carolina [born abt 1842] McSwain, Caleb O 6 M North Carolina [born abt 1844] McSwain, Jane L M 4 F Mississippi [born abt 1846] McSwain, Hannah J 2 F Arkansas [born abt 1848] 1860 Federal Census, Columbia County, Arkansas, 18 August, Alabama Township, p 5, PO Falcon, Hse #31, Fam #32 G W McSwain 43 M Farmer $2000 Real Estate $1500 Personal b North Carolina [born abt 1817] Elizabeth McSwain 40 F North Carolina [born abt 1820] Hamilton A McSwain 17 M Mississippi [born abt 1843] Caleb O McSwain 15 F Mississippi [born abt 1845] Jane L McSwain 14 M Mississippi [born abt 1846] Hanah J McSwain 11 M Mississippi [born abt 1849] Charles D McSwain 9 M Mississippi [born abt 1851] Lusious McSwain 7 months M Arkansas [born abt Jan 1860] What was then Columbia County is now called Nevada County. 1870 Federal Census, Columbia County, Arkansas, 8 July, Alabama Township, p 4, PO Falcon, Hse/Fam #32 McSwain, Gabriel 53 M Teacher $600 Real Estate $500 Personal b North Carolina [born abt 1817] McSwain, Elizabeth 50 F North Carolina [born abt 1820] McSwain, Charles G 25 M W Mississippi [born abt 1845] McSwain, Lucius 10 M W Arkansas [born abt 1860] McSwain, Edward 14 M W North Carolina [born abt 1866] McSwain, George D 7 M W Arkansas [born abt 1863] Charles G here should be Charles D, for Douglas. In 1871, a new county, Nevada County, was formed out of parts of Columbia and other counties. So the name of their location changed from Columbia County to Nevada (pronounced in Arkansas as Nuh-vay-duh). 1880 Federal Census, Nevada County, Arkansas, 29 June, Alabama Township, page 34, Hse/Fam #1 McSwain, G W W M 63 Husband Farmer NC NC NC McSwain, Elisabeth W F 60 Wife Keeping House NC NC NC McSwain, Lucious W M 20 Son Single AR NC NC ---------------------------------- "...A leading figure in the Emmet Church in the early twentieth century and one who may have led the way in the construction of the present church was Rev. C. D. McSwain. Born in Marshall County, Mississippi, in 1850, McSwain came to Falcon, then in Columbia County and now in Nevada County, with his parents G. W. and Elizabeth McSwain in 1859. ... a series of deaths in C. D. McSwain´s family. Other members of the McSwain family had moved to Emmet earlier. His brother Caleb Orr McSwain had died there in 1883, leaving a family. C. D. McSwain´s first wife Lucy Jones had died in 1888 after a brief two-year marriage, leaving an infant daughter who lived less than three weeks. His father G. W. McSwain died at Emmet in February 1889. A younger brother Lucious H. McSwain also died at Emmet in July 1898, leaving a family. His mother Elizabeth McSwain, then almost eighty, died there in August 1899. All are buried in the Snell Cemetery. In 1891, McSwain had married Mrs. Lula Trotter at Monticello, Arkansas. His second wife had a daughter Junie Trotter from her previous marriage. A special life-long relationship between this step-daughter and step-father developed. McSwain and his second wife also had a son, C. D. McSwain, Jr.[James A. Anderson, Centennial History of Arkansas Methodism: A History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, In the State of Arkansas, 1815-1935 (Benton, Arkansas: L. B. White Printing Co., 1935), 236.] -- "Emmet United Methodist Church, Emmet, Nevada County [Arkansas]," /16/2011, http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/historic-properties/_search_nomination_popup.asp?id=915 ---------------------------------- Gabriel Washburn McSwain Birth: 25 Jan 1817 in North Carolina Death: 20 Feb 1889 Burial: Snell Cemetery, Emmet, Nevada Co., AR Father: Charles McSwain b: 13 Aug 1786 in North Carolina Mother: Lewraner Washburn b: 5 Dec 1794 Marriage 1 Elizabeth Flow b: 4 Dec 1819 in North Carolina Married: 18 Dec 1841 Children: 1. Hamilton A. McSwain 1. b: ABT 1842 in North Carolina 2. Caleb Orr McSwain b: 20 Feb 1844 in North Carolina 3. Jane L. M. McSwain b: 8 Mar 1846 in Mississippi 4. Hannah Josephine McSwain b: 30 Aug 1848 in Mississippi 5. Charles Douglas McSwain Sr. b: 24 Sep 1850 in Mississippi 6. Lucius H. McSwain b: 13 Jan 1860 in Arkansas -- David Holden, http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=dwh1951&id=I24921 ---------------------------------------- Gabriel Washburn McSwain Birth Jan. 25, 1817 Death Feb. 20, 1889 Spouse Elizabeth Flow McSwain (1819 - 1899) Children: Hannah Josephine McSwain Garland (1848 - 1915) Charles Douglas McSwain (1850 - 1917) Burial Snell Cemetery, Emmet, Nevada County, Arkansas Created by Gladys Hathcoat Cavazos Aug 07, 2004 -- Find A Grave Memorial #9283164, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9283164 ----------------------------------------
1880 Federal Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, 2 June, Centre [sic], District 202, page 3, Hse/Fam #3 McSwain, M W M 50 Husband Farmer NC NC NC b abt 1830] McSwain, Sarah A W F 47 Wife Keeping House NC NC NC [abt 1844] McSwain, Mettie W F 21 Dau At Home NC NC NC [abt 1859] [matches Williamette and William] McSwain, N E W F 18 Dau At Home NC NC NC [abt 1862] McSwain, George W M 10 Son At Home NC NC NC [abt 1870] McSwain, Gabriel W W M 7 Son At Home NC NC NC [abt 1873] McSwain, Nancy G W F 3 Dau At Home NC NC NC [abt 1877] North Carolina, Deaths, 1906-1930 Gabriel Washburn McSwain Age 55y 4m 29d, Retired 20 July 1872 Father Martin McSwain born Stanly County NC Mother Sarah Howell b NC Informant Mrs G W McSwain, Winston-Salem NC (Spouse Flora Conrad) Death 19 Dec 1927 608 W 5th St (home), Winston-Salem, Forsyth, North Carolina Cause of Death Acute Dilation of Heart, Contributory Endocarditis & Arteriosclerosis Burial 21 December 1927 Moravian Graveyard, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina Gabriel Washburn McSwain Birth Jul. 20, 1872 Stanly County, North Carolina Death Dec. 19, 1927 Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina Husband of Flora (Conrad) McSwain; son of Martin McSwain and Sarah Howell. Cause of death Acute dilatation of heart. Spouse Flora Ellen Conrad McSwain (1873 - 1936) Burial Salem Moravian God's Acre, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina Created by Rich Kreiss Feb 18, 2015 -- Find A Grave Memorial #142759304, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=142759304
1880 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 14 June, Township 2, District 66, page 22B, Hse #207, Fam #215 McSwain Benj F W M 61 Farmer NC NC NC McSwain, Judia W F 42 Wife Keeping House NC NC NC McSwain, Galveston W F 2 Dau NC NC NC
1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 11 August, page 69 (scan 881), Hse/Fam #491 George McSwain 33 F Widow $0 Real Estate $125 Personal born NC [born abt 1827] Malissa McSwain 27 F NC [born abt 1833] Martha McSwain 4 F born NC [born abt 1856] 1880 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 11 June, Township 2, District 66, page 17 (scan 477), No Hse #159, Fam #165 McSwain, George W M 53 Laborer NC NC NC McSwain, Malissa W F 47 Wife Keeping House NC NC NC McSwain, Martha W F 23 Dau NC NC NC McSwain, Sarah L W F 6 Dau NC NC NC I found some genealogies that include this family. The following one has a date of death for George, whom the genealogy names George William. But the date of death is 10 years before he is enumerated in the 1880 census. So the genealogy has given this son of Thomas McSwain and Selena Bridges the date of death for another George McSwain. Several genealogies have somehow confused information for George and his brother William. George William McSwain Birth 1827 in North Carolina Death 4 Jul 1870 in Boiling Springs, Cleveland, North Carolina [wrong info] Parents Thomas McSwain 1796 - 1872, Salena W Frankie Bridges 1793 - 1862 -- McSwain, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/20021413/person/895972073?ssrc=&ftm=1 This error in the death date also brings into question the middle name, and likely the place of burial. As I looked further, I discovered several genealogies who have this date of death for George's brother William D. This date of death is not documented in these genealogies, alas, but I found WIlliam in the Boiling Springs Cemtery registry online. The above genealogy reported the place of burial for George as Boilng Springs, along with the date for William. The genealogy has confused or merged George with William.
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] George McSwain 7 M NC [b abt 1843]
Sources with full birth dates report the same birth date for George and his sister Judith McSwain. I find no comment in any of these sources, but if this is accurate, it means they were twins. One genealogy compilation I found only in February 2010 directly reports this. "The Judith McSwain who married John Greene, was the daughter of William McSwain and Judith Moore. She was born October 31, 1798, and was a twin sister of George McSwain." This source also reports George's wife Catherine as Mary Catherine: "George, married Mary Catherine Weathers." -- http://carolinagenealogy.org/all/pafg50.htm This name seems to be a combination of two wives of George, likley both surnamed Weathers. George was over 20 years older than his wife Catheriine, as reported in the 1850 census in Cleveland County, North Carolina. Boith the 1850 census and 1860 census report George's wife as Catherine. George was hard to find historically, starting with the family in Arkansas and working back. Family memory had the first name of George, but the family had never made any tie to the North Carolina origins reported in the Arkansas census. I could not match him with any Georges I could find to match the age of his wife Catherine, who was a widow in the first record of the family in Arkansas. As I gathered more information on more McSwain families, I finally found George, born in 1798. This told me why I had had such difficulty identifying him -- he was 21 years older than his wife. (In the 1850 census, the difference is reported as 23 years.) I first found the McSwains in the 1880 Arkansas County, Arkansas, census. They moved there about 1875. They are found in Giles County, Tennessee for the 1870 census, as well as the Padgetts who are kin to them, and who move on to settle near them in the Ethel area of Prairie Township, Arkansas, near the White River. The father of the first family that settled in Arkansas, George, was not in the 1870 census, which indicates he had already passed away in North Carolina. I began finding other McSwains from North Carolina is various places in Arkansas in 1880 and later, and arious ones have been connected. 1850 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 4 September, p 31, Hse/Fam #587 George McSwain 57 [b abt 1793, note differences in ages from census to census] Farmer $600 Real Estate b NC Catharine McSwain 34 b NC [b abt 1816] Polly G McSwain 7 b NC Sally H McSwain 5 b NC Phillip K McSwain 3 b NC Francis M McSwain 1 b NC Andrew Ruske 21 [Not known who this is] Farmer b NC Mary Weathers 75 [b abt 1775] b NC Most family genealogy compilations report North Carolina as George's birth state, as stated in this census and again in 1860. I found, though, that in the 1900 census, his daughter Nancy (married Henry J Turner in Arkansas County, Arkansas) reported her father was born in Virginia. The name Ruske here appears later in Arkansas County, Arkansas, so this may be a kin of some kind. Next door to George and Catherine is 80-year-old James Hamric, alone in his household. A few houses away is a James McSwain, born about 1815. In the 1860 census, we find George and Catherine again in Cleveland County, North Carolina, with other members of the extended family. 1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 6 August, p 54, Hse/Fam #385 George McSwain 61 [b abt 1799, note differences in ages from 1850, only 4 years] Farmer $100 Real Estate b NC Catherine McSwain 40 b NC [b abt 1820] Mary G McSwain 17 [Note change of name from Polly G to Mary G] b NC Sallie H McSwain 15 b NC Phillip R McSwain 12 b NC Francis M McSwain 10 b NC Julius L McSwain 8 b NC George McSwain 7 b NC Nancy McSwain 6 b NC William W McSwain 5 b NC James L McSwain 1 b NC Mary Weathers 84 [b abt 1776] b NC All were reported born in North Carolina It appears George died between the 1860 and 1870 censuses. George is not with Catherine and the children in Tennessee in 1870. It appears they are on their way to Arkansas, along with the Padgetts. Philip is shown as head of the household and Catherine, with other children, are in his household, but there is no child Julius or JL. It appears that 84-year-old Mary Weathers is Catherine's mother. From some genealogies, it appears Mary also had a daughter Mary. Some genealogies show George was married to both sisters. Mary died in 1835, according to some compilations. David Holden, who seems to have done careful work, and with whom I have corresponded on some of these families, reports that George was married first to Mary Weathers McSwain and that she died in January 1842. "George McSwain was born Twin Oct 17 1798. He married Mary Weathers. She was born 1796, and died 21 Jan 1842. He married Catherine Weathers 8 Sep 1842. She was born ABT 1820 in North Carolina, and died AFT 1880." -- David Holden, http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=dwh1951&id=I68 David is apparently referencing family records, but sources are not clear to me. Catherine Weathers and George McSwain married 8 Sep 1842. George was 43 years old when he married Catherine. One family genealogy reports Catherine as Mary Catherine. The first Mary was considerably older than Catherine, born in 1796. One early source I found in One World Tree had an exact birth date for George, 01 Oct 1798. This is only about one year earlier than the common estimate of 1799 from the age at most censuses. However, this source and another also have some significant errors, duo mixing up this George with another George McSwain who moved to Polk County, Missouri. This source has a death date of June 1834, which does not match our George. Arkansas family memory indicated the father of the early settlers was named George, but it had been difficult finding a connection in North Carolina with a family that would match that pattern. I found them finally in the censuses of Cleveland County, a county with which I had not previously found McSwains associated. Cleveland was created out of the larger Rutherford County in 1841. There were hundreds of McSwains in the areas of Rutherford County or neighbouring South Carolina, Pendleton District, and some in Georgia. It appears that the McSwains in Georgia, some of whom went on to Florida, are part of this same clan. Clear links with the branch moving into and through Kentucky are established in the Genealogy of Ran Raider, "My Maternal McSwain Ancestors." -- http://www.geocities.com/graal1/surnames/mcswain.html?200716 There are also about three separate lines of McSwains in North and South Carolina who migrated directly to those areas from the Isle of Skye. Names vary in spelling: MacSween, McSwane, McSwaine and MacSwine are found among other forms. The relationshp between the vairous McSwain lines is murky. In the 1880 Arkansas County, Arkansas, census, the age of Phillip is 31 at this census. His birthday was 30 January 1847. Up to 13 months before the birth of the first child would still be in the previous calendar year. I first estimated 1846 as the likely year of marriage of George and Katy, parents of William, J L, George and James. I later found the marriage registration of George and Catherine, transcribed in the North Carolina Marriage collection at Ancestry.com These provided the actual marriage date of 8 September 1842. This was one year after Cleveland County was established out of the large earlier Rutherford County.
George A. McSwain Birth 2 April 1825, Death Unknown Parents Charles McSwain 1786-1848 Luraner Washburn died 1845 Spouse Martha A. Randle -- Schiebler/Cacopardo, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/10227346/person/791341000?ssrc=&ftm=1 George A. McSwain Birth Abt 1825 in North Carolina Father Charles McSwain b 13 Aug 1786 in North Carolina Mother Lewraner Washburn b 5 Dec 1794 Marriage Martha A Randle b ABT 1829 in North Carolina Children: Charles J McSwain b ABT 1849 in North Carolina John A McSwain b 26 Aug 1852 in North Carolina Thomas M McSwain b 10 Mar 1855 in North Carolina Edward R McSwain b ABT Oct 1856 in North Carolina Sally McSwain b ABT 1859 in North Carolina George D McSwain b 1864 in Arkansas -- David Holden, http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=dwh1951&id=I25038 1850 Federal Census, Stanley County, North Carolina, 4 October, Ross District 8, page 103 (scan 52), Hse #727, Fam #733 George McSwain 25 M $200 Real Estate b NC Martha A McSwain 21 F b NC Charles J McSwain 1 M b NC George and Martha were among the first McSwains to move into Arkansas from North Carolina. They were there before the Civil War, in Jefferson County. 1860 Federal Census, Jefferson County, Arkansas, 25 September, Talladega Township, p 21, PO Locust Grove, Hse/Fam #146 George A McSwain 34 M Farmer $560 Real Estate $180 Personal b North Carolina [born abt 1826] Martha A McSwain 31 F North Carolina [born abt 1839] Charles J McSwain 11 M North Carolina [born abt 1849] John A McSwain 9 F North Carolina [born abt 1851] Tom M McSwain 7 M North Carolina [born abt 1853] Edmond [Edward] R McSwain 3 M North Carolina [born abt 1857] Sally A McSwain 10mos F North Carolina [born abt 1859] Wm R McSwain 20 M North Carolina [born abt Jan 1840] I cannot account for the last entry here, William R McSwain, born about 1840. Sally's full name is probably Sarah, as usual with this nickname. McSwain researcher David Holden lists her as Sarah Ann. Edward Randle is entered here as Edmond R. He appears in various records as Edmond or Edward. The transcription of this record reports this as being in Cleveland County. But Cleveland County, Arkansas, did not exist until 1885. The area had formerly been part of Jefferson County. It was separated into a new county in 1873 as Dorsey County, and Dorsey County was renamed in 1885 to Cleveland County. The original document does not mention any county but Jefferson County. It appears the record has the designation Cleveland County because that is the county in which the land lies today and in whose seat the records are now stored. A descendant says that the McSwains moved to Arkansas in company with related Kendalls. Lea Harville Morgan states that she is descneded form both these families: "Edmond Kendall and Minor M. McSwain were my 2nd great-grandfathers." She summarizes her understanding of their situation after moving, form family information and records. ------------------------- My theory is that George A. McSwain, husband of Martha Randle, joined the 26th Arkansas Infantry, raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is the only George McSwain I could find on the 1860 Arkansas census. His cousin Lewis Jones McSwain's son, William R. McSwain, apparently came out to Arkansas with the McSwain-Kendall party about 1855. William R.enlisted in a different Arkansas regiment and saw action in northern Georgia where he lost his left arm. He returned to Stanly County, North Carolina (his home town of Norwood) after the war. By the end of the 1860s, George A. McSwain and his wife Martha Randle, have passed away, and their surviving sons are taken in by their Uncle Gabriel McSwain or Uncle Minor McSwain. John A. McSwain, the eldest son, was out on his own. 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. Our family story is that when the Civil War broke out, that Minor M. McSwain "went to Pine Bluff Arkansas and took the train home to North Carolina where he enlisted in the CSA Army at the train depot in Raleigh." He enlisted with an Alexander McSwain who may have been the elder brother to William R. McSwain who was living with George A. McSwain's family in 1860 Arkansas. Minor was wounded twice, got through Gettysburg without a scratch, and was wounded and captured in the fall of 1864 after fighting at Winchester VA, and sent to Point Lookout POW camp in Maryland. -- Lea Harville Morgan, Ancestry Messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, Apr 09, 2016 ------------------------- U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 George A McSwain Issued 1 Jul 1861, Land Office Little Rock 40 Acres, 5th Prime Meridian, Cleveland [Jefferson] County, Arkansas, Township 8-S, Range 11-W, Section 24 Authority April 24, 1820: Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566) Document #13918 I find no record for George and Martha after this 1861 land record. Children are in various other households in 1870, seeming to indicate that George and Martha died before the 1870 census. A descendant genealogist reports that two brothers took in some of the children after George and Martha died. This would mean they died before 1870. "Minor M. McSwain, George A. McSwain's brother, was my 2nd great-grandfather. I see that Minor took in Thomas M. after George & Martha McSwain died, and that his brother, Gabriel McSwain took in the two youngest boys." -- Lea Harville Morgan, Ancestry Messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, Apr 06, 2016
In 1870, George and his brothers and sister were with the widowed mother Hannah in the home of her widowed father Thomas. 1870 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 13 July, Township 3, PO Stices Shoals, page 15 (scan 116), Hse #109, Fam #115 McSwain, Thomas 74 M Farmer $200 Real Estate $100 Personal born North Carolina [b abt 1796] McSwain, Hannah 45 F W Keeping House born North Carolina Cannot read or write [b abt 1825] McSwain, Marion [Marcos?] L 20 M W Farm Laborer born North Carolina Cannot read or write [b abt 1850] McSwain, Perry G 17 F W Farm Laborer born North Carolina Cannot read or write [b abt 1853] McSwain, William K 14 M W Farm Laborer born North Carolina Cannot read or write [b abt 1856] McSwain, Thos 14 M W Farm Laborer born North Carolina Cannot read or write [b abt 1860] McSwain, George A 8 M W At Home born North Carolina Cannot read or write [b abt 1862] In 1900, George is unmarried and his mother is living with him. He is enumerated here as George S McSwain, where we first met him as George A in the 1870 census. 1900 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 26 June, Boiling Springs, District 49, page 15B, Hse #338, Fam #339 McSwain, George S Head W M Dec 1862 37 Single NC NC NC No Occupation Rptd Owns McSwain, Hannah Mother W F Oct 1825 74 5 children/4 living Widow NC NC NC Notice that George's middle initial varies in reports and genealogies. He appears as George A and George S. Vonnie Cantrell has full names for many of this family and reports George as George Wellington McSwain. But there is no documentation and I have not found any for this name. I have not found his death or burial information. One undocumented genealogy reports his name as George Davis. this appears to be an error based on an 1880 census where George D is a child of Thomas and Hannah McSwain in Cleveland County. This is a confusion with another McSwain family in the area. The son in focus is George David McSwain, who also appears in our genealogy. The George McSwain we are discussion here was the son of George Washington McSwain, who died in 1864, and Hannah McSwain (maiden name). 1910 Federal Census, Jones County, Arkansas, 26 April, Laurel Ward 4, District 79, Sheet 12A, Hse #195, Fam #201 McSwain, George A Head M W -- Married 25 yrs [married abt 1885] NC NC NC Lumberer, Lumber Mill McSwain, Charity R Wife F W 60 Married 25 yrs 2 children/2 living SC SC SC Cheeks, Idabelle Granddau F W 17 Single MS SC SC U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989: Laurel, Mississippi, City Directory, 1912, p 160 McSwain George A (Charity) wks Eastman-Grardiner Co h 1147 13th Av 1920 Federal Census, Jones County, Mississippi, 4 January, Laurel Ward 3, District 88, Page 5A, 1147 13th Avenue, Hse #83, Fam #88 McSwain, George A Head Owns M W 58 Married NC NC NC Mill Laborer McSwain, Charity R Wife F W 70 Married SC SC SC
1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 4 August 1860, p 54, Hse/Fam #385 George McSwain Sr 61 M Farmer $100 Personal Estate b NC Catherine McSwain 40 F b NC Mary G McSwain 17 F b NC Sallie H McSwain 15 F b NC Phillip R McSwain 12 M b NC Francis M McSwain 10 M b NC Julius L McSwain 8 M b NC ** George McSwain 7 M b NC ** Nancy McSwain 6 F b NC William W McSwain 5 M b NC James L McSwain 1 M b NC Mary Weathers 84 F b NC About 1865, George moved with his widowed mother and siblings to GIles County, Tennessee. 1870 Federal Census, Giles County, Tennessee, 15 August, Pulaski, Civil District 4, Enumeration District page 41, Hse/Fam #306 McSwain, Phelp 21 M W Farmer NC McSwain, Catheron 52 F W Keep House NC McSwain, George 17 M W Farm Labor NC The McSwains came to Arkansas from North Carolina about 1876, along with other relateives, named Padgett and Weathers. In 1870 Catherine and son Phillip's family are found in one household in Giles County, Tennessee. Other later residents of Prairie Township, Arkansas County, Arkansas, also lived in Giles County, such as the Butlers and Davidsons. George and his wife Harriet were born in North Carolina. Likewise all the brothers were born in North Carolina, and all their wives were except for William's wife, whom he married in Arkansas, and James, still unmarried at age 21 in the 1880 census. I had not found any actual marriage records until November 2010, when coresearcher Stephen McBride found George and Harriet's marriage record. Family History Library, Arkansas Marriage Records: Groom's Name George B. Mcswain Groom's Birth Date 1854 Groom's Birthplace Not Stated Groom's Age 22 Bride's Name H L Padgett Bride's Birth Date 1857 Bride's Birthplace Not Stated Bride's Age 19 Marriage Date 16 Apr 1876 Marriage Place Arkansas County, Arkansas Their first child Wiley was born in Arkansas, and is reported as 3 years old in June 1880. The family knows his birth date to be 3 July 1877. Other factors about the family situation and the record of marriage in Arkansas County, it appears they arrived in Arkansas sometime in early 1876. George's brother William and his Arkansas-born wife Sarah had also been married about 3 years at the 1880 census, since their daughter Edna Earl was 2 years old. 1880 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 7 June, Prairie Township, District 2, page 9A, Hse #52, Fam #55 Geo McSwain W M 26 Farmer NC NC NC Harriett McSwain W F 23 Wife Housekeeping NC NC NC Wiley McSwain W M 3 Son AR NC NC (Infant) McSwain W F 1 Dau AR NC NC The Infant was Callie D. Also living with George and Harriett is the minister of Christ Church Episcopal: P D Roberson W M 68 Minister E Christ C LA GA SC U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971 Calvin Tichenor, Appointed 15 Nov 1887 Tichnor Geo B McSwain, Appointed 21 Mch 1891 Arkansas County, Volume #56, p 3, 1882-1892 I created a memorial for George on Find a Grave. George B McSwain Birth Jun 20, 1853 Cleveland County, North Carolina Death Apr 10, 1900 Ethel, Arkansas County, Arkansas Burial Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Arkansas County, Arkansas Created by Orville Jenkins May 12, 2015 -- Find A Grave Memorial #146366037, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=146366037
In 1880, George's family are reported in the census for Prairie Township of Arkansas County, Arkansas. Details about the location of their house and neighbours indicates they are near the settlement of Ethel. George's father William died before 1900, and details about the family are sparse. I finally found the 1900 census record for Sarah and two of her children. This gave us birth months for the Sarah and the other children. 1900 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 20 June, Prairie Township, District 7, page 15A, Hse #254, Fam #261 McSwain, Sarah Head W F Jan 1856 44 AR MS TN Farmer McSwain, Edna Dau W F Oct 1877 22 AR NC TN McSwain, George Son W M Aug 1884 15 AR NC TN Note that the father of the children is now said to have been born in Tennessee, not North Carolina. In 1930, George's parents are both reported as born in Missouri. We know from other family and documentary sources that his father born in North Carolina and his mother in Arkansas, where his parents met. George got married to Thelma Musten on 21 February 1917 in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 G B McSwain Age: 30, Est Birth Year 1887 Residence Stuttgart, Arkansas, Arkansas Spouse's Name Thelma Musten Spouse's Age 20 Spouse's Residence Stuttgart, Arkansas, Arkansas Marriage 21 Feb 1917 Arkansas County Marriage License Date: 21 Feb 1917 But they moved soon to Memphis, where we find in 1918 he was working as a machinist for a railroad company. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 George Burton McSwain Birth 26 Aug 1884 [no location stated Residence 1029 Rayburn, Memphis, Tennessee Occupation Machinist Helper, IC Railroad Nearest Relative (Wife) Thelma McSwain, same address Tall Medium Build, Blue Eyes, Brown Hair Registration 12 Sept 1918 Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee Signed George Burton McSwain Their grandson James B McSwain says that his father John William McSwain was born in Stuttgart. It may be that George's wife went back to Stuttgart to have the baby at her parent's home, while George stayed in Memphis to work. Maybe George did not stay in Memphis very long in his work with the railroad. "My father, John William McSwain, was born in Stuttgart, AR, in 1919; his father was George (Burton?) McSwain, also called "Slim." He had some brothers and sisters near DeWitt, AR. He was an oil/water well driller, and died in Columbus, Ohio, in 1947-48." -- James B McSwain, McSwain Family Genealogy Forum, 03 November 1999, http://genforum.genealogy.com/mcswain/messages/220.html Notice that James is uncertain about his grandfather's middle name. But now the WWI draft registration card quoted above confirms that George's middle name was Burton. They went to Texas over the next year or so, where they are in Plainview, Hall County, for the January 1920 census. But they are back in Arkansas County in 1930. 1920 Federal Census, Hall County, Texas, 28 January, District 107, p 4B, Hse #63, Fam #64 McSwain, George B Head Rents M W 36 Mar AR NC NC Runs Cotton Gin McSwain, Thelma Wife F W 22 Mar TN TN TN McSwain, John Son M W 1yr 8 mos AR AR TN In 1930, George and Thelma are back in Stuttgart, Arkansas. In this census, both of George's parents are reported as born in Missouri. I cannot figure out why. 1930 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 14 April, District 8, p 9A, Stuttgart, 520 N Grand Ave, Hse #183, Fam #215 McSwain, George B M W 45 Married 13yrs AR MO MO Well Driller McSwain, Thelma F W 33 Married 13yrs TN TN TN McSwain, John W M W 12 AR AR TN George moved up to Ohio to work in the oil fields. In 1933, George was listed in the Columbus, Ohio, City Directory, reported as an oil well driller. He constitutes on of two McSwain households in Columbus. The other is There is one other a Captain McSwain and his wife Belle, living in another part of Columbus. It is not known if this Captain McSwain is related to the same lineage as Geor4ege. he has been identified with any known member of the North Carolina-Arkansas lineage we present in this genealogy. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Columbus, Ohio, City Directory, 1933, p 724 McSwain Captain (Belle) lab h 611 E Engler McSwain Geo B driller r 117 S Cypress Ave In 1935, Mrs Bell McSwain is reported alone, without a mention of her deceased husband. The directories normally list this by (wid. Bell is at a different address now. George is living a couple of houses down the street now, if the directory has his street number right. This entry may have a typo for the same address 117 S Cypress Ave. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Columbus, Ohio, City Directory, 1935, p 770 McSwain Belle Mrs h 492 E Noble McSwain Geo B well driller r 111 S Cypress Ave In 1939, George is at a similar hosue number on a different street. In this directory, George is the only McSwain listed. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Columbus, Ohio, City Directory, 1935, p 787 McSwain Geo B driller Layne Ohio Co r 117 S Dakota Ave The 1940 census also confirms signs that George and Thelma have divorced, or at least are in a permanent separation. George is reported as Single, living in Columbus, Ohio. Thelma was enumerated in the 1940 census in her grandmother's household in Memphis,Tennessee, her home area, aloing with her widowed mother. Oddly, Thelma McSwain is reported there as Married, not Divorced. I have not found the divorce record. I do not have any further information on Thelma Mustin McSwain after the 1940 census, until her death information in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1984. It is possible that George and Thelma never formally got divorced. In 1940, two census records match George. One reprorts him boarding with a family named Stutzman in the town of Rittman, in Wayne County, in the northern part of the state. This record reports he lived Columbus in 1935. 1940 Federal Census, Wayne County, Ohio, 8 April, Rittman Village, District 85-29, page 5B, 170 N Main St, Hse #108, Rents $19 McSwain, George Lodger M W 56 Divorced Grade 8 b Arkansas Columbus OH in 1935 Oil Driller [b abt 1884] A second census record matches him, but this one is in Columbus. The record also reports he was resident in Columbus in 1935. This could be the same George B McSwian. I have seen the current situation of many people working in well drilling who maintain two different residences, one near the site (Wayne County in this case) and another more permanent for their offtime (Columbus in this case). Note that the street address reported in this census record is the same one he reported in his WWII draft registration in 1942, and that was reported in the 1939 directory. 1940 Federal Census, Franklin County, Ohio, 9 April, Columbus Ward 9, District 93-148, page 7B, 117 S Dakota Ave, Hse #199 McSwain, George Lodger M W 56 Single Grade 8 b Arkansas same place in 1935 Oil Driller, Welder [b abt 1884] The next record I find for George is his WWII draft registration card, in 1942, when he registered for the draft in registered in Columbus, Ohio. U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 George Burton McSwain Birth 26 Aug 1884 Ethel, Arkansas Residence 117 Dakota Ave, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio Employer Layne Ohio Water Supply, Columbus Contact person Mrs. H A Kendrick, 1870 Gains St, Little Rock AR (back) 6'1 3/4" 199 lbs, Blue Eyes, Brown Hair, Light Complexion Registered 25 April 1942 Columbus, Ohio Signed Geo McSwain In 1945, another McSwain household appears in the city directory. Richard with his wife Jessie are not identified as related to Georege's McSwain line. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Columbus, Ohio, City Directory, 1945, p 899 McSwain Geo B driller Layne Ohio Co r 51 1/2 E 5th Ave McSwain Richd (Jessie) constrwkr r 3233 Galloway Ave There are records for a George McSwain that match George Burton, and his death record reports that his father's name was William W, another important match. But the birth date reported in the Ohio records is 26 October 1884, rather than 26 August 1884. And his WWII registration indicated he was there on a temporary assignment, since the contact address he gave was in Little Rock. Discrepancies like this are pretty common in that era. And otherwise, other records strengthen his identification with Ohio, including the residences and death of his son John W McSwain in Columbus. John's son reports his father died there. No death or burial record has been found for John. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 George B McSwain Birth Date Aug 1884 Death 23 Mar 1948 24 Mar 1948 SSN 291097397 05 Aug 1977 Name listed as GEORGE B MCSWAIN George's memorial on Find a Grave was updated 12 June 2015 with information I provided. ------------------------ George Burton "Slim" McSwain Birth Oct 26, 1884 Ethel, Arkansas County, Arkansas Death Mar 23, 1948 Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio Spouse Thelma Mustin Kenny (1897 - 1984) Burial Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, Section 106, Lot 39 Jan 2016: A Find A Grave volunteer visited the grave and reports no marker was found [A photo of the location on the memorial also shows the plot with no marker, and designates the location with George's info] Created by Dave Davisson Jun 15, 2011 -- Find A Grave Memorial #71393318, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=MCS&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSst=37&GScntry=4&GSsr=241&GRid=71393318&&ftm=1 --------------------- McSwain, George Burton Birth 10/26/1884 Death 03/23/1948 Father McSwain, William W -- Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio, Burial Register, http://greenlawn.delaohio.com/greenlawn/greenlawndata/m.txt?ftm=1
In 1870, George and his older brother Edward R McSwain are living with their uncle, Gabriel Washburn McSwain, the brother of their father George A McSwain, in Columbia County, Arkansas. This seems to indicate that both George A and Martha Ranlde McSwain died before 1870. I find no record for them after the 1860 census. 1870 Federal Census, Columbia [Nevada] County, Arkansas, 8 July, Alabama Township, p 4, PO Falcon, Hse/Fam #32 McSwain, Gabriel 53 M Teacher $600 Real Estate $500 Personal b North Carolina [born abt 1817] McSwain, Elizabeth 50 F North Carolina [born abt 1820] McSwain, Edward 14 M W North Carolina [born abt 1866] McSwain, George D 7 M W Arkansas [born abt 1863] A family researcher who is a descendant of George and Martha (Randle) McSwain confirms that Gaorge and Martha's three yougnest sons were taken in by Gaorge's brother's after they died. "Minor M. McSwain, George A. McSwain's brother, was my 2nd great-grandfather. I see that Minor took in Thomas M. after George & Martha McSwain died, and that his brother, Gabriel McSwain took in the two youngest boys." -- Lea Harville Morgan, Ancestry Messaging to Orville Boyd Jenkins, Apr 06, 2016 In 1880, George is living with the Hardgrave family in neighboring Johnson County, Arkansas. 1880 Federal Census, Johnson County, Arkansas, 19 June, Horsehead Township, page 25, Hse #224, Fam #227 McSwain, George W M 17 Single Laborer [Head?] Ark -- -- McSwain, Ellen W F 41 No Relation Widow Keeping House TN NC TN McSwain, William W M 21 Son Married Farmer AR TN TN McSwain, Martha W F 18 Dau Single At Home AR TN TN McSwain, George W M 13 Son Single Works on Farm AR TN TN McSwain, Bernice (?) W F 6 Dau Single AR AR GA McSwain, Billie W F 17 Dau-in-law [wife of William] Single [sic] At Home AR AR GA The entries on this page are oddly labeled. In more than one household the first entry is labeled by the job, not as "Head" or "Self" or blank as usual for a head of household in the 1880 census. George is labeled in the relationships field as "Laborer" He is single. Ellen Hargraves appears to be the actual head of household, a widow with her children. Ellen's son William is reported as Married but his wife is reported only at the end of the list of children, Billie, age 17. David Holden comments that George's gravestone has his middle initial as W. Find a Grave Memorial online has the details. The following entry seems to be for George D McSwain. George W McSwain Birth 1864 Death 1899 Husband of Nan Son Casper J McSwain (1893 - 1964) Burial Hardgraves Cemetery, Johnson County, Arkansas Created by Bea Smith Daniel Nov 07, 2008 -- Find A Grave Memorial #31213762, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=McSwain&GSfn=George&GSiman=1&GScid=54194&GRid=31213762&
1870 Federal Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, 19 August, Center, PO Albemarle, page 8, Hse/Fam #54 McSwain, M 41 M W Farmer $200 Real Estate $200 Personal born South Carolina [b abt 1829] McSwain, Sarah A 35 F W Keeping House b NC [b abt 1835] McSwain, Charles J 19 M W At Home born NC [b abt 1951] McSwain, James E 16 M W At Home born NC [b abt 1854] McSwain, William 12 M W At Home born NC [b abt 1858] McSwain, Nicey E 8 F W At Home b NC [b abt 1862] McSwain, Eldridge T 5 M W At Home born NC [b abt 1865] McSwain, George D 1 M W At Home born NC [b abt 1869] 1880 Federal Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, 2 June, Centre [sic], District 202, page 3, Hse/Fam #3 McSwain, M W M 50 Husband Farmer NC NC NC b abt 1830] McSwain, Sarah A W F 47 Wife Keeping House NC NC NC [abt 1844] McSwain, Mettie W F 21 Dau At Home NC NC NC [abt 1859] [matches Williamette and William] McSwain, N E W F 18 Dau At Home NC NC NC [abt 1862] McSwain, George W M 10 Son At Home NC NC NC [abt 1870] McSwain, Gabriel W W M 7 Son At Home NC NC NC [abt 1873] McSwain, Nancy G W F 3 Dau At Home NC NC NC [abt 1877] George David McSwain Birth Jun. 6, 1869 , North Carolina Death Sep. 7, 1916 North Carolina Spouse Mintie Hudson McSwain (1879 - 1914) Children: Nancy McSwain Upchurch (1900 - 1951) William Belk McSwain (1908 - 1978) Ellen McSwain (1909 - 1911) Ebenezer Gabriel McSwain (1911 - 1980) Burial Old Hudson Cemetery, Stanly County, North Carolina Created by Angela Short Hudson Mar 04, 2010 -- Find A Grave Memorial #49080569, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=49080569
Most genealogies have his middle name as Davis. One has Drayton. Records have George D. 1870 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 8 September, Township 2, PO Mooresboro, page 5 (scan 132), Hse/Fam #35 McSwain Thomas 49 M W Farmer 600 400 NC McSwain Hannah 44 F W Keeping House NC McSwain George 8 M W Attending School NC 1880 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 14 June, Township 2, District 66, page 22B, Hse#204, Fam #211 McSwain Thomas W M 59 Farmer SC NC NC McSwain, Hannah W F 54 Keeping House NC NC NC McSwain, George D W M 18 NC SC NC Several McSwain genealogies report that George Davis died in York County, South Carolina. But the North Carolina Death records say he died in his traditional home residence of Cleveland County, North Carolina (across the state border from York). NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67 G D McSwain Age 73, est Date of Birth 1861 Death 6 Apr 1934, Cleveland County, North Carolina With the death date I could tell which of the many Georges this was, and was able to find him in the Cemetery records for Cleveland County, which had been compiled and placed online by W D Floyd. McSwain, George D b December 19, 1861 d April 6, 1934 Boiling Springs Cemetery Cleveland Co., NC -- Old Rutherford County and Cleveland County, NC, Burials, http://www.rfci.net/wdfloyd/cemm5.html George D McSwain Birth Dec. 19, 1861 Death Apr. 6, 1934 Spouse Lilah Womick McSwain (1882 - 1964) Burial Boiling Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Boiling Springs (Cleveland County), Cleveland County, North Carolina Created by Sharon Jul 26, 2007 -- Find A Grave Memorial #20650331, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=20650331
George Davis McSwain Birth Jan. 13, 1854 Death Jul. 8, 1855 1 yr.,5 mos.,25 days Parents: Hugh Kerr McSwain (1817 - 1899) Adlissa Hopper McSwain (1818 - 1857) Burial Buffalo Baptist Church Cemetery, Blacksburg, Cherokee County, South Carolina Created by Elizabeth Dec 18, 2008 -- Find A Grave Memorial #32256935, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=32256935
1870 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 4 July, Prairie Township, PO St Charles, page 15, Hse/Fam #118 McSwane, John F 30 M W Farm Laborer $No Real Estate $140 Personal Estate NC (b abt 1840) McSwane, Mary 26 F W Keeping House NC (b abt 1844) McSwane, George F 9mos b Oct 1869 M W Tennessee Note the 1870 census says he was born in North Carolina. Most later censuses say he was born in Tennessee, but the 1900 census reports his birth place as Arkansas. There may be two George McSwains involved here. I have not found a matching entry for 1880. In 1900, we find George in Delta County, Texas, as a grocer, boarding in the home of Edward J Conway. Note that he reports his birth date here as Sept 1869, though his parents (presumably) reported in 1870 that he was born in October 1869. George's granddaughter reports his birthday as 29 September 1869, favoring the 1900 census report over the 1870 report. 1900 Federal Census, Delta County, Texas, 21 June, Justice Precinct 3, District 36, page 18B, Hse #320, Fam #332 Conway, Edward J Head W F Jan 1868 32 Married 13 years GA AR SC Farmer Rents Conway, Sarah E Wife W F Sept 1869 30 Married 13 years 6 children/6 living TX MS MS Conway, William A Son W M Feb 1889 11 TX GA TX Conway, Thomas J Son W M Sept 1889 10 TX GA TX Conway, Fred A Son W M Feb 1892 8 TX GA TX Conway, Roni M Dau W F May 1895 5 TX GA TX Conway, John H Son W M Nov 1896 3 TX GA TX Conway, Edward W Son W M Aug 1899 9mos TX GA TX McSwain, Geo F Boarder W M Sept 1869 30 AR AR AR According to the report in the 1910 census, George married soon after the 1900 census, to a widow, Julia Castleberry Gross. They are living in Taylor County, Texas, which is the Abilene area. This is 280 miles away in West Texas. 1910 Federal Census, Taylor County, Texas, 4 May, Justice Precinct 3, District 271, page 12, Hse/Fam #197 McSwain, G F 40 Married 10 years TN NC NC Photography Owns McSwain, J E Wife F W 34 Second Marriage Married 10 yrs 8 children/5 living AR MS GA Buman, Gross Stepson M W 12 TX Unknown AR McSwain, Russel Son M W 6 TX TN AR McSwain, Ernest Son M W 5 TX TN AR McSwain, Elden Son M W 3 TX TN AR McSwain, Owen Son M W 10mos TX TN AR Notice that George and Julia's first son is named Russell. A descendant, Judy McSwain Miller, contacted me in November 2011 and told me that according to a family Bible, George had three brothers that I had not found in records. One of them was named Russell. The others were John and Charlie. In censuses of Ethel, Arkansas County, Arkansas, among the McSwains there, there was a Russell McSwain I could not account for, who did not belong to any of the families enumerated there. In 1900 he is age 21, living in the home of a Cook family, near Wiley Carey McSwain. That would make him 9 years younger than George. This is likely George's brother Russell. There are other Russells in the Arkansas County McSwain clan. George's son Eldon's Bible has a list of all the chdilren and their birthdays. I have no other reference to the last one listed, named Ester [Esther?]. She is not in lists of the children, and I note that her birth date would be before Russell. Maybe she is a chidl who died as an infant before the 1910 census. George Franklin McSwain Sept 29, 1869 Julia McSwain June 24, 1875 Russell McSwain Aug 11, 1904 Ernest McSwain April 19, 1906 Eldon McSwain July 30, 1907 Ernest McSwain April 19, 1906 O N McSwain July 5, 1910 Ruby McSwain June 8, 1911 Albertus McSwain Dec 25, 1913 Frank McSwain Feb 10, 1918 Bumon Gross Feb 14, 1897 Ester McSwain May 10, 1901 [The last two lines are written in a different hand] Benyamen [Benjamin,] Texas Time 715 AM March 11, 1952 Marion Franklin McSwain went in service March 11, 1952 -- Bible of Millard Eldon McSwain, courtesy of Judy McSwain Miller, daughter of McSwain Neal McSwain, 14 August 2014 Judy McSwain Miller also commented that Julia's first husband was named Gross. Note the first child in 1910 is George's stepson. The names on this page are faded and scrawled. The entry appears to be Buman, but may be Bowman, Gross. The surnames are first in all cases except this one. Buman Gross is also listed in the list of births of the McSwain family. Marion Franklin McSwain is a son of Millard Eldon McSwain and Olive Bell Howry. Judy further reported that after the 1910 census George and Julia moved to Seymour, in Baylor County, Texas, and lived there until 1931. -- Howard Randy Martin, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/7106982/person/-1159815466 1920 Federal Census, Baylor County, Texas, 7 January, Justice Precinct 1, District 10, page 2A, Throckmorton Rd, Hse #21, Fam #22 McSwain, George F Head Owns M W 50 TN NC NC Farmer (b abt 1869) McSwain, Julia E Wife M W 48 AR TN AL (b abt 1871) McSwain, Russel M Son M W 17 TX TN AR (b abt 1902) McSwain, Ernest J Son M W 15 AR TN AR (b abt 1904) McSwain, Eldon M Son M W 12 TX TN AR (b abt 1907) McSwain, O N [Owen] Son M W 10 TX TN AR (b abt 1909) McSwain, Ruby B Dau F W 8 TX TN AR (b abt 1911) McSwain, Alburtus Son M W 6 TX TN AR (b abt 1913) McSwain, William F Son M W 1yr10mos TX TN AR (b abt Mar 1918) 1930 Federal Census, Baylor County, Texas, 11 April, Justice Precinct 5, District 7, page 5A, South Hwy 30, Hse #83, Fam #86 McSwain, George F Head Rents, Owns a radio M W 60 First Married at age 29 TN NC NC Farmer [b abt 1870] McSwain, Julia E Wife F W 53 First Married at age 22 AR MS MS [b abt 1867] McSwain, Russell M Son M W 25 Single TX TN AR Farmer [b abt 1905] McSwain, Ruby B Dau F W 18 Single TX TN AR Farmer [b abt 1905] McSwain, Elbertus Son M W 16 Single TX TN AR No Occupation [b abt 1914] McSwain, William F Son M W 12 Single TX TN AR No Occupation [b abt 1918] Their son Millard, called Eldon in earlier censuses, is living next door to them in his own household. 1930 Federal Census, Baylor County, Texas, 11 April, Justice Precinct 5, District 7, page 5A, South Hwy 30, Hse #84, Fam #87 McSwain, Millard E Head Rents, Owns a radio M W 22 First Married at age 19 TX TN AR Farmer [b abt 1808] McSwain, Olive B Wife F W 19 First Married at age 16 TX TX TX No Occupation [b abt 1811] McSwain, Millard N Son M W 1 Single TX TX TX No Occupation [b abt 1929] 1940 Federal Census, Gaines County, Texas, 4 April, Seagraves, District 83-1B, page 4B, Hse #74, Owns $1000 McSwain, George Head M W 70 Married Grade 7 Tennessee Rural Terry County TX in 1935 Farmer [b abt 1870] McSwain, Julia Wife M W 64 Married Grade 7 b Arkansas Rural Terry County TX in 1935 [b abt 1876] 1940 Federal Census, Gaines County, Texas, 4 April, Seagraves, District 83-1B, page 4B, Hse #77, Owns $20 McSwain, Bert Head M W 26 Married Grade 6 Texas Rural Terry County TX in 1935 Farm Laborer [b abt 11914] McSwain, Helen Wife M W 18 Married Grade 5 b Texas Rural Kiowa Co OK in 1935 [b abt 1922] In his genealogy of the McSwains, Howard Randy Martin reports that George died in Seagraves, Gaines County, Texas on 16 Apr 1947. However, the Texas Death Index reports his death as occurring in Lubbock County. This appears to mean that his home address at the time of death was Gaines, but he died in Lubbock. He was likely in the hospital or a nursing home there. Texas Death Index, 1903-2000 Certificate #17858 George F. McSwain Death 16 Apr 1947 Lubbock County George's death certificate reports different parents than other sources. The informant was his son Russell Murphy McSwain, so you would think he had accurate information. Russell reports that George's parents were George McSwain and Ida McSwain. But others family sources indicate that George Franklin's parents were John Franklin McSwain and Mary G McSwain. Some genealogies report that Mary (Polly) G McSwain (maiden name) had the nickname of Ida. Thus this could be the proper reference as we have it. George is the most popular name in the McSwain lineage, so it is likely that George's son Russell just got his grandfather's name wrong in the death certificate report. It is not unheard of, either, for the info from the informant to be written down wrong on the certificate. Birth certificate names are also often misspelled or erroneous. Many details and several family genealogies support John F McSwain as George's father. I have not been able to correlate a George and Ida that could have been parents of a George McSwain that might match. All the siblings, places and family details match the son of John Franklin McSwain and Mary (Polly) G "Ida" McSwain. ---------------------------- George Franklin McSwain Birth Sep. 27, 1869, North Carolina Death Apr. 16, 1947 Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas Son of George & Ida [nee McSwain] McSwain Husband of Julia Emiline [Castleberry] McSwain [From his death certificate] George F. McSwain Residence Seagraves, Gaines, Texas Rooming House Operator Death 16 Apr 1947 Plains-St.Mary's Hosp, Lubbock, Lubbock, Texas Cause of death acute cardiac dilation, contributory arteriosclerosis and prostatic obstruction Death Age 77 years 6 months 19 days Birth 27 Sep 1869 North Carolina [all censuses but one report Tennessee, one says Arkansas] Married Father's Name George McSwain, born North Carolina Mother's Name Ida McSwain (Correct Maiden), born North Carolina Informant Russel McSwain (son) Burial Seagraves, Texas, 17 Apr 1947 by Joe H Webb Funeral Home, Seagaves, Texas Certificate #17858 Filed 23 April 1947, Filed State 7 May 1947 Spouse Julia Emiline Castleberry McSwain (1875 - 1952) Children: Russell Murphy McSwain (1903 - 1963) Ruby Bele McSwain (1911 - 1936) William Franklin McSwain (1918 - 1968) Burial Gaines County Cemetery, Seagraves, Gaines County, Texas Created by JoAnne Keene Jan 18, 2012 -- Find A Grave Memorial #83662203, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=83662203 ----------------------------