Life History

Notes

• 1860 Federal Census, Jefferson County, Arkansas, 25 September, Talladega Township, p 20, PO Locust Grove, Hse/Fam #139
  M M McSwain 24 M Farmer $No Real Estate $100 Personal b North Carolina [born abt 1836]
  Lucy A McSwain 30 F North Carolina [born abt 1830]
  -- page 21 --
  Lewis G McSwain 6 M North Carolina [born abt 1854]
  
  Lewis is sometimes listed as Gabriel L.  He apparently went by Gabriel at times, as in the 1870 census, when he is Gabriel L.  In the 1880 census for Dorsey County ((formerly Jefferson, later Cleveland County), Arkansas, Lewis was an enumerator, and on the census forms he filled in, he signs his name as Lewis G McSwain.
  
  1870 Federal Census, Jefferson County, Arkansas, 10 July, Talladega Township, p 4, PO Randall, Hse/Fam #34
  McSwayne, M  68 (? should be abt 38) M W Miller $800 Real Estate $No Personal Reported b North Carolina [born abt 1802 (1832-36]
  McSwayne, Lucyann 43 F W K House North Carolina [born abt 1827]
  McSwayne, Gabriel L 17 M W North Carolina [born abt 1853]
  
  By 1880, they are living in a sectoin of the county that has become Jefferson County.
  
  1880 Federal Census, Dorsey County, Arkansas, [no date], Niven Township, District 80, page 8, Hse/Fam #71
  McSwain, Lucy W F 60 Widow Keeping House Ark -- --
  McSwain, Lewis  W M 26 Son Single Farmer NC NC NC
  McSwain, Nancy  W F 24 Dau At Home NC NC NC
  McSwain, Elizabeth  W F 18 Dau Single NC NC NC
  McSwain, Sallie  W F 15 Dau At Home Ark NC NC
  
  On 5 March 1885, Dorsey County was renamed to Cleveland County.  In 1900, Lewis is a little bit south of his parents' home, working as a grocer in Bowman Township of Cleveland County.  Cleveland County shares its northern border with Jefferson County, whose county seat is Pine Bluff.
  
  1900 Federal Census, Cleveland County, Arkansas, 5 June, Bowman Township, District 36, page 3B, Hse #54, Fam #55
  Strahan, James W Head W M Apr 1864  36 Married 12 yrs  GA GA GA Farmer Rents
  Strahan, Rosa E Wife W F Sept 1869  30 Married 12 yrs  6 child/4 living AR AL GA
  Strahan, Nolia P Dau W F Oct 1888  11 AR AR AR At School
  Strahan, Ecker Dau W F Sept 1893  6 AR AR AR
  Strahan, Hattie Dau W F Dec 1896  3 AR AR AR
  Strahan, Pratt H  Son W M Mar 1899  2mos Single  AR AR AR
  **McSwain, Lewis G  Son W M Dec 1854  45 Single  NC NC NC Grocer Owns (?)**
  Strahan, Mary Mother W F June 1835  64 Widow 9 child/6 living GA GA GA
  Trucks, Pink Cousin W M Sept 1887  22 Married 3 years AR AR GA Farm Laborer
  
  The census record reports that Lewis owns his home, yet he is a boarder in the Strahan home, and they are renting it.  The last entry in this household, Pink Trucks, is reported as married, but his wife is not reported in the household.  Pink is the last entry on this page.  The first entry on the next page is the head of a new Strahan household.

Sources

• 1. 1870 Federal Census, Jefferson County, Arkansas
  • 10 July, Talladega Township, p 4, PO Randall, Hse/Fam #34
• 2. 1900 Federal Census, Cleveland County, Arkansas
  • 5 June, Bowman Township, District 36, page 3B, Hse #54, Fam #55
• 3. 1880 Federal Census, Dorsey County, Arkansas
  • [no date], Niven Township, District 80, page 8, Hse/Fam #71
• 4. 1860 Federal Census, Jefferson County, Arkansas
  • 25 September, Talladega Township, p 21, PO Locust Grove, Hse/Fam #139