USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 44
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fectionery of all kinds, and also has a retail store and ice cream parlor. These are also conducted in a progressive and up-to-date manner, and are considered among the finest in the city. He is a member of Beaver Valley Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Gilchrist married, October 18, 1911, Cora MacCall, born at Wellsburg, West Virginia, daughter of Thomas and Dorothy MacCall, the former a steam engineer. Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist have one child, Catherine Elizabeth, born July 26, 1912.
SWEARINGEN Gerret Van Sweringen was born in Beemsterdam, Holland, in 1636. He was the younger son of a family belonging to the nobility and received a liberal education. While still a young man he performed responsible duties in the service of the Dutch East India Company, and in 1656, when that com- pany fitted out a ship, "Prince Maurice," with emigrants and supplies for the Dutch Colony on the Delaware river in America, he was appointed as supercargo of the expedition. This vessel sailed from the port of Amster- dam, December 21, 1656, and was to have touched at New Amsterdam, now New York City, but on the night of March 8, 1657, the vessel was stranded off Fire Island, near the southern coast of Long Island, and the next day in freezing weather, the passengers and crew managed to get to the barren shore in a frail boat. They had no means of making a fire and were exposed to all the fury of the elements. On the third day they saw some Indians, and one of them was sent with a message to Stuy- vesant, then governor of New Amsterdam, who came with a sloop and carried them to safety in that city. A part of the cargo of the ship having been saved, it was put aboard another vessel chartered at New Amster- dam, and on April 16, they sailed for their destination, arriving there in safety after a further voyage of five days.
After his unfortunate experience with this vessel, the "Prince Maurice," Gerret Van Sweringen asked to be released from the service of the Dutch East India Company, as he intended staying in the new country and as there "was nothing more for him to do." His request was granted.
Fort Casimir, on the Delaware river, was established by the Dutch in 1651, and was surprised in 1654 by the Swedes, taken into possession by them, but regained by the Dutch in 1655. At this time its name was changed to New Amstel, now New Castle, Delaware. The Dutch held it until 1664, when all New Netherlands came under British dominion. Con- cerning current affairs, Gerret Van Sweringen says:
The Company being soe indebted to the Citty of Amsterdam as to the setting out of a man of war in reducing the South river (the Delaware) into their posses- sion again they were resolved to make sale of their said title unto the said Citty. In fine the Citty of Amsterdam were Lords and Patrons of that colony. A ship called the Prince Maurice was provided to goe to the said Colony, a Gov. and Coun- cils appointment, and a company of soldiers consisting of about sixty men put aboard, and I myselfe was made Supagargo over the said ship and goods. The passengers comeing into Deleware in a ship called the Beaver, hired at New York,
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after the ship Prince Maurice was lost. This was the 25th day of April, 1657, when we took possession of the fort now called New Castle, and the soldiers of the West India Company quitted the same. He was married at this place, about 1659. to Barbarah de Barrette, who was born at Valenciennes, France. He was sheriff commissary, and a member of the council, and was also interested in the cultivation of some low lands, a duck pond and trade.
The following letter of a personal nature was written to a friend in Holland, who was evidently a government official. It was filed with the official records, probably because of its reference to the affairs of the colony, which references are, in the main, omitted here:
Noble, Worshipful, Wise, Right Prudent Sir.
Sir :- With due respect and reverence have I hereby taken the liberty to greet you, through bounden duty of gratitude to devote to you all the days of my life. I hope you will not consider the insignificance of my person, but excuse the previous and present boldness of so freely writing to your Honor. Such being the case, I cannot neglect thereby to communicate my promotion; about a year and a half after my departure from Patria, with your Honor's favorable recommendation, I have been appointed schout (sheriff), here subject to the approbation of the Honor- able Principals; previously I have taken care of the store as a clerk; and, after J. Rinevelt's death, as a commissary, from which I have now requested to be dis- charged, as I have been recently made Second Councillor. Have received som goods from my Brother all which I have laid out in my house, horses and mules. I am also married. Herewith I commend your Honor to the mercy and protection of the Most High God, and remain your most Obedient humble servant.
G. V. Sweringen ; New Anstel, 8th of Dec. 1659.
In 1660 he went to Holland, taking his wife with him, and remained there one year in behalf of the colony. Returning the following year, he resumed his duties. After New Amsterdam was surrendered to the British in 1664, Sir Robert Carr was sent to demand the surrender of New Anstel. Gerret says :
The Fort and Country was brought under submission by Sir Robert Carr as dis- puted with two shipps to that intent. Sir Robert Carr did protest often to me that he did not come as an enemy, but as a friend demanding only in friendship what was ye King's right in that Country. There was taken from the Citty and inhabitants thereabouts one hundred ships, 30 or 40 horses, 50 or 60 cows and oxen, the No. of 60 or 70 negroes, and the estate of the Gov. and myself, except some house stuffe, and a negor I gott away, and some other moveables Sir Robert Carr did permit me to sell.
It has been said of him that after the surrender of the colony to the English, he publicly broke his sword across his knee, throwing the pieces to the right and left, and renounced all allegiance to the Dutch authorities. Shortly after the surrender he removed to Maryland. In April, 1669, his wife and two children, on their petition to Lord Baltimore, were natur- alized by the act of the general assembly held at St. Mary's in that province. The importance of this act will be understood when it is stated that the ownership of land was restricted to British subjects. Some years after going to Maryland he wrote an account of the Dutch settlements on the Delaware river, which account was probably written for the Maryland council to use as evidence in the boundary disputes between Lord Balti- more and William Penn. It was executed May 12, 1684, "at a council at Matapany Sewall, in the Providence of Maryland," and the jurat described Gerret as being "Of the City of St. Maries, gent, aged 8 and 40 yrs. or thereabouts." The extracts heretofore given are from this account.
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He was an "innholder" at St. Mary's and owned land in that county and also in Talbott county. In the proclamation of the charter of the City of St. Mary's, issued by Lord Baltimore in 1668, he was appointed an alderman of the city. In 1674 he built the city's stocks and whipping post. He was appointed sheriff of the county in 1686 and again in 1687. Barbarah de Barrette, his wife, was born at Valenciennes, France, died about 1670, and he married Mary Smith, of St. Mary's, the ante-nuptial settlement being executed October 5, 1676. He died in 1698 and his widow some years later. She "in the faith of the English Church." The issue of his first marriage: I. Elizabeth. 2. Zacharias, born in New Castle, Delaware, about 1663, was yet an infant when his father removed to Maryland; in 1694 he, with his father, joined in the address of the officials and freemen of the city of St. Mary's to the governor, against having the meeting of the assembly changed from that place to Annapolis; his widow, whose given name was Martha, survived him; in her will she mentioned a daughter Jane and appointed a guardian of her children, and refers to Zacharias as "late of St. Mary's county." 3. Thomas, see forward. Children of second marriage: 4. Joseph, who was probably born in St. Mary's in 1677; his father in his will appointed "wife and son Joseph" executors. 5. Charles, probably died before his mother, as he was not mentioned in her will while he was mentioned in his father's. 6. Eleanor, who married a Mr. Carroll. 7. Theresa. 8. Dorothy. 9. Another daugh- ter, who married William Bladen.
(II) Thomas Van Sweringen, son of Gerret and Barbarah (de Bar- rette) Van Sweringen, was the first American born ancestor of this family.
(III) John Sweringen, son of Thomas Van Sweringen, was probably born in Somerset county, Maryland, about 1702, migrated to Montgomery county, and settled on Rick Creek, not far from the site of Washington City. He married, and had children: Thomas; Samuel, see forward; Van; John; and several daughters.
(IV) Samuel Swearingen, son of John Swearingen, was born about 1732. Shortly after the close of the war of the Revolution he settled on what is now Hanover township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. His house was a stopping place for the Indian scouts. The farm on which he settled is still in the possessions of his descendants. He married Catherine Con- dell and had children: William, Mary, John, Van, Thomas, Samuel, Basil, see forward; Zachariah.
(V) Basil Swearingen, son of Samuel and Catherine (Condell) Swearingen, was born on his father's homestead, about two miles from - Kendall Post Office, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1782. At an early age he became interested in agriculture and succeeded in acquiring about one thousand acres of woodland, on the head waters of King's creek. By his industry and energy this was converted into productive farms, upon which were kept large numbers of sheep, the wool from these
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affording the bulk of the income. Another important production of the farms in those days was flax, which was grown in large quantities by Mr. Swearingen and manufactured into linen for home use, and some of it was sold. Almost all of this large tract of land is now owned by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Swearingen married Sarah Wilcoxen. He died May 15, 1852, and she died in March, 1856. They are buried in Bethel Cemetery, near Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on land donated for that purpose by a lineal descendant. They had children: I. Anthony, drowned while young, in the spring near his father's house; when found his head was at the bottom of the spring and his feet near the surface; it is supposed that he fell while trying to reach for a leaf at the bottom of the spring, which was about three feet deep and walled on three sides with rock. 2. Catherine, mar- ried Emmanuel Dornen. 3. Ruth, died in infancy. 4. Sarah, married John Wallace. 5. Elizabeth, married Dr. John Harsha. 6. Ruth, married John Campbell. 7. Jackson, see forward.
(VI) Jackson Swearingen, son of Basil and Sarah (Wilcoxen) Swear- ingen, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1815. After the war he removed to the village of Hookstown, where he died in 1887. He mar- ried Nancy Ann Laughlin, and had children: I. Basil, married Anna Boyd; children: Aldah, Maud, Yula. 2. Joseph Laughlin, see forward. 3. Samuel, married Mary Cloud; children: Edna, Nima, Jackson C. 4. Sarah, married James Brandon. 5. Elizabeth, married A. J. Scott.
(VII) Joseph Laughlin Swearingen, son of Jackson and Nancy Ann (Laughlin) Swearingen, was born September 20, 1840. During the Civil War he served in the Union army, as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was for the most part with the Army of the Potomac until the close of tlie war. The only injury he received was at Chancellorsville, when the ex- plosion of a caisson caused deafness and vertigo. Since 1873 he has been living at Milford, Nebraska. He has been a member of the state legisla- ture, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Swearingen married (first) Mary Laughlin, who died in 1869; (second) in 1873, Agnes Kirk, who died in 1879; (third) in 1885, Lucretia M. Terrell. Children: 1. Marilda, married Lee Atwood; lives at Brush, Colorado. 2. Anna Joetta, married George D. Lyon; lives in Pittsburgh. 3. Jackson, see forward. 4. Paul Vane, lives at Milford Nebraska. 5. Thomas, lives with his parents at Roca, Nebraska.
(VIII) Jackson (2) Swearingen, son of Joseph Laughlin and Mary (Laughlin) Swearingen, was born in Kendall, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, May 3, 1869. He was educated in the public schools of Hooks- town, and when he reached manhood engaged in teaming in which he was successful. He came to his present farm of seventy-six acres in 1891, and has another farm of forty acres. He has been an active and influential
1
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worker for the Republican party, and has held almost all the local offices in the township at various times. He and his wife are members of the Hookstown United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Swearingen married, De- cember 17, 1890, Lillian B. McDonald, and they have had children: Charles R., George L., James E., Ralph S., Mary M., Joetta L., Frederick V., Nina J., Joseph P.
Mrs. Swearingen is the daughter of James and Margaret (Sterling) McDonald, both born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and the grand- daughter of John and Margaret (Barkley) McDonald. John McDonald was born in Scotland, and was a child when he came to America about 1805 with his parents. They located in Greene township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on what is known as the Thomas Morris farm, now owned by Ramsey Brothers.
William Sterling, the maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Swearingen, came to America with his wife, Sarah (Abernethy) Sterling, and his two children, James and William Jr., and located near Noblestown, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. He was a stone mason by trade, and later removed to Raccoon township, Beaver county, where he purchased a farm of about one hundred acres, and there his death occurred. The children born to him in America were: John, Robert, Henry, Eliza, Sarah. William Ster- ling Jr., son of William Sterling Sr., was born in Ireland, and was about five years of age when he came to this country with his parents. He was also a stone mason and a farmer, and in 1843 removed to the farm on which R. S. Cowling now lives, this consisting of one hundred and three acres. He erected a barn the same year, and there he died. He was a Democrat in his political opinions, but never aspired to public office. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He married, and had children: John, who died at the age of three years; William, who was a member of the One Hundred and First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry ; Mary Jane; Sarah; Margaret, who became the mother of Mrs. Swearingen; Rebecca; Martha ; Lydia.
From far away Germany came Michael Fair with his parents,
FAIR settling on the Schuylkill river, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, prior to the Revolution, in which his father served as a soldier of the colonies. After the war Michael Fair settled in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, with his brother John, the lands they then acquired being yet owned by descendants. Michael Fair married Mary B. Steelsmith, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Steelsmith, the former named died in 1828, aged eighty-five years, and the latter named died aged ninety-three years. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Fair: John, of whom further; Eli, Frederick, Peter, Sarah. Michael Fair died August 10, 1860, aged eighty-four years and nine months, and his wife died in July, 1870, aged ninety years and thirteen days. Sarah, the youngest daughter, who died December, 1891, aged ninety-one years and twenty-nine days, was the wife of Peter Fair,
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who died September 23, 1878, aged eighty-two years, two months and five days. Leonard Fair, Esq., and Mrs. Elizabeth Helems, both now living in Washington township, are the two oldest children of Peter and Sarah Fair; they were both married long before the death of Mrs. Steelsmith, and their children were married and had children before Mrs. Steelsmith's death, and their children were married before Mrs. Fair died and their children in turn were married and had children before Mrs. Sarah Fair died, thus it appears that Mrs. Sarah Steelsmith and her daughter, Mrs. Mary B. Fair, each successively saw their grandchildren's children. Leonard Fair and Mrs. Helems both distinctly remember their great- grandparents, both of whom are yet living, and have been permitted to see their great-grandchildren. Thus the lives reaching backward and for- ward are in touch with seven generations. The above record is taken from the tombstones in a private burying ground, called the Fair Grave Yard, located in the southern part of Washington township, not far from the village of Cowansville. Side by side lay the bodies of six persons, repre- senting three generations, the sum of whose ages is over five hundred and twenty-five years.
(II) John Fair, son of Michael Fair, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, in which locality he was a farmer all his active years. He married Mary Chrisman; children: William; Philip, of whom further; Susanna, married David Yerty Chambers, who went out as a drummer boy with the Kittanning Band during the Civil War, contracted fever and died in the service.
(III) Philip Fair, son of John Fair, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1832, where his after life was spent, his death occurring May 3, 1898, aged sixty-six years. He learned the trade of stone cutter, which line of work he followed in connection with farming all his active life. He married, February 23, 1860, Nancy Jane Gregg, daughter of George Gregg, a riverman and raftsman, drowned in the Alle- gheny river. Children: Harvey, born December 24, 1860; George Elmer, born July 7, 1862; Mary Ann, born August 13, 1864, married Jacob Helms; Samuel J., born September 22, 1866; Charles D., born March 14, 1871; Ross Ralston, born April 7, 1873; Barney Otto, of whom further; Claude Willson, born May 3, 1878. The family were members of the Lutheran Church.
(IV) Barney Otto Fair, son of Philip Fair, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, November 10, 1875. He attended the public schools of Armstrong county until he was fifteen years of age, then began life as a wage earner. His first position was as clerk in the grocery store of his brother, George E. Fair, at Irondale, Ohio, continuing with him five years. He then formed a partnership with his brother, Ross R. Fair, and estab- lished a grocery store in Shamokin, Pennsylvania. After two years in business there he sold out and moved to Verona, Pennsylvania, where for two years he was engaged in the grocery and meat business. He then
Barney, O, Fair
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opened a bakery in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, but not being either familiar or pleased with that line of commercial activity, did not long continue. He sold out and for several months was a worker in the iron mills at Leechburg, Pennsylvania. He next bought out a general store at Glenfield, Pennsylvania, which he successfully conducted for six years. In 1906, realizing the coming importance of the automobile, he established a garage and repair shop in Beaver Falls, the first of its kind in Beaver county. He is now located at No. 1904 Seventh avenue, a growing and prosperous section of the borough, in a three-story brick and concrete building sixty feet by one hundred feet, as nearly fireproof as is possible. This building, which accommodates one hundred cars, is now taxed to its fullest capacity and further floor space is being added. His success has been rapid, the original garage twenty feet by sixty feet floor space having quickly been outgrown, and his present one, although the largest and best equipped of any in the county, already proving too small. His repair department is equipped with all necessary appliances and parts for the repair of automo- biles of any make, experienced workmen insuring the quality of all work turned out. Mr. Fair is popular with the automobiling public, his success proving their confidence and faith in his integrity. He is a member of lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic order, and of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, all of Beaver Falls. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in political faith a Re- publican.
Mr. Fair married, November 25, 1897, Mary L. Wolf, daughter of Joseph Wolf, of East Liverpool, Ohio. Children: Clarence S .; Ruth E., died in infancy ; Harry N .; Bonita, died in infancy.
BARCLAY The line of ancestry of the Barclay family herein recorded traces to Ireland, where have dwelt many of the name, mostly in the rural districts, where they have been engaged in agricultural pursuits. The first of this line to sunder the ties of home and country that bound him to his native land was Thomas Barclay, who came to the United States in the early part of the nineteenth century, settling in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Here he continued to follow the occupation to which he had been accustomed in his home-land, farming, and in this was very successful, the reason for this probably being that he began unusual practices. In the land of his birth intensive methods were used to obtain a fair yield from the soil that had been nearly exhausted by previous generations. These methods, being applied to the rich and fertile land of the region in which he settled, naturally produced banner crops, no doubt a surprise to their cultivator, as well as a revelation in the wealth of the soil. He invested heavily in land in Ohio and Brighton townships, and at his death, which occurred on his farm in Ohio township in 1833-34, he was the owner of a great amount of real estate. His wife, Jane, survived him, her death occurring in 1855. Children of Thomas
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and Jane Barclay: I. Robert, of whom further. 2. John, died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 3. James, died in Iowa. 4. Mary, married Anderson, and died in Iowa in 1912, at an advanced age. 5. Jane, married William Barclay, and died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 6. Nancy, married James Laird, and died in Iowa. 7. Eliza, died unmarried in Beaver county, Pennsylvania.
(II) Robert Barclay, eldest child of Thomas and Jane Barclay, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1816, died at his birtli- place, March 30, 1902. After attending the public schools for the usual length of time, he became a farmer and followed that calling throughout his entire life. After his marriage he and his brother John became joint owners of the old homestead, purchasing the interest held therein by their co-heirs. Here Robert Barclay made his home, tilling the soil that had once been turned by the hand of his father, until his death. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, his record in its history a glorious one, embracing fifty years of service as an elder. The changing principles of party and the inauguration of new organizations led him to change his political affiliations several times, although at all times he was prominent in local affairs. The Whig, Republican and Democratic parties at various periods claimed his allegiance, although his action was often regardless of party ties.
He married, June 25, 1844, Mary Johnson, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1823, died in August, 1910, daughter of Francis and Sarah (McKane) Johnson. He was a farmer of South Beaver town- ship, his wife surviving him several years. Children of Francis and Sarah (McKane) Johnson: I. Andrew, died in South Beaver township. 2. James, married a Miss Rhodes, and died in South Chippewa township. 3. George, a farmer of Indiana, where he died. 4. Thompson, died young. 5. Mary, of previous mention, married Robert Barclay. 6. Keziah, mar- ried George Barclay, both deceased. 7. Martha, married Wallace Ramsey, deceased, and lives in Brighton township. 8. Sarah Jane, married a Mr. Young, and died in Ohio. 9. Adeline, married John Moore McMillan, de- ceased, and lives on the old homestead. Children of Robert and Mary (Johnson) Barclay: 1. Francis Johnson, of whom further. 2. Sarah Jane, married Benjamin McGaffick, and lives at Fairview, Pennsylvania. 3. William H., a resident of Fairview, Pennsylvania. 4. Elizabeth C., married W. J. Johnson, and lives in Ohio township. 5. Adeline, married Todd Anderson, and lives at Beaver, Pennsylvania. 6. George S., lives on the homestead. 7. Margaret Linda, married James Dawson, and lives in Colorado. 8. Harry Mitchell, married Matilda McCloy, and lives in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. 9. Thomas Howard, farmer of the West. to. Etta, married Wellington Moore, and lives in California.
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