Individual Details
Captain John Swan
(7 May 1744 - Abt 1782/83)
With members of his own and his wife's families, John Swan, Jr., with his wife and small children were floating down the Ohio River to take up land [in Kentucky], and when a short distance below Fort Pitt, while John Swan, Jr., was fast asleep on the flat boat with his young daughter in his arms, he was shot through the breast by an Indian on the shore. So fatal was the shot that those aboard were unaware of the incident until the child cried out: "Oh! Papa has been shot and warm blood is running over me." The party on board made ready to repel an attack and began a vigorous fire at the enemy on the shore, the newly-made widow of John Swan, Jr., loading guns for Joseph Hughes, brother-in-law of the dead man, until they drove off the raiders. The party then sadly proceeded to their destination.
Events
| Birth | 7 May 1744 | Maryland, United States |  |  | |
| Marriage | 1769 | Greene, Pennsylvania, United States - Elizabeth Van Meter | | ||
| Military | Ca 1776 | American Revolution | | ||
| Will | 17 Jul 1780 | Lincoln, Kentucky, United States | | | |
| Death | Abt 1782/83 | when Shawnee Indians shot him on the Ohio River enroute to Kentucky | |
Families
| Spouse | Elizabeth Van Meter (1752 - 1848) |
| Child | John Swan (1770 - ) |
| Child | Joel Swan ( - ) |
| Child | Thomas Swan (1777 - 1845) |
| Child | Letitia Swan (1778 - 1845) |
| Child | Elizabeth Swan (1780 - 1838) |
| Father | John Swan Jr. (1721 - 1800) |
| Mother | Elizabeth Lucas (1723 - 1805) |
| Sibling | Thomas Swan (1747 - 1779) |
| Sibling | Col Charles Swan (1749 - 1839) |
| Sibling | Elizabeth Swan (1751 - ) |
| Sibling | Richard Swan (1752 - 1822) |
| Sibling | Sarah Swan (1755 - 1838) |
| Sibling | Nancy Swan (1757 - ) |
| Sibling | Mary Swan (1758 - ) |
| Sibling | Martha Swan (1760 - ) |
| Sibling | William Swan (1762 - ) |
Notes
Birth
Date found in Swan-Hughes Bible (Leckey, 200).Will
Abstract -John Swan - Book A, page 11 - Sons, John, Joel, Thomas, posthumous child, daughters. Elizabeth, Lettis, Wife. Exec's. Wife, Richard Swan, Jacob Van Metree. Witnesses, Mary Hinton, Rebecca Rowling and Margaret Haycraft. Written July 12, 1780. Probated Feb. 18, 1783
John SWAN's will was probated in February of 1783 in Lincoln County, Kentucky. Located in Will Book A, page 11. In it he names his children John, Joel, Thomas, Elizabeth and Lettie [Letitia]. He also refers to "my son or daughter that my wife is big with.
"In the name of God, Amen, I, John Swan of Kentucky County, being sound in body and perfect memory, Blessed be God, do this day, it being the 17th day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and Eighty, make this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say -- first, I give and bequeath to my son John the choice of three hundred acres out of mine laying on the North fork of Elkhorn with Mill seat, Mill stones, and Mill irons; also I give and bequeath to my son Joel the next choice of three hundred acres of land across; also I give to my son Thomas three hundred acres -- this makes up the nine hundred acres of land.
I give and bequeath to my son or daughter that my wife is Big with if-born and if not born the two hundred acres to be equal divided amongst the three boys; also I give to my daughter Elizabeth two hundred and fifty acres of land that John may clear out, laying on Salt River waters, and one Negro girl Hanner; also I give to my daughter Lettie two hundred and fifty acres of land that John may clear out to the halves laying on the waters of Salt River, and also one Negro girl Judy; also I give to my wife one Negro woman, Beck, and her rising generation to my boys shall be equally divided and all my ....................................
I give to my wife to raise my children and my money I give all to my wife but three thousand Pounds to my three sons above mentioned i do make and ordain my wife Richard Swan, Jacob Vanmeter Executrix and executor of this my will in trust for the intent and purpose in this my will contains and make my living funds of this my last will take care and on the same performed according to my intent and meaning to-wit: In witness I the said John Swan as witness I set my hand, sign, sealed, and delivered in the presents of you all by me."
John Swan (SEAL)
Mary M. Henton (X) her mark
Rebekah Rawlings (X) her mark
Margaret Haycroft.
Endnotes
1. Kemp, AnnaBelle, Lucas genealogy (Hollywood, Calif.: A. Kemp, 1964, 493 pgs.).
2. Howard L. Leckey, The Tenmile Country and Its Pioneer Families: A Genealogical History of the Upper Monongahela Valley (1977; reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Com, 2009), 200; digital images, Google, Google Books ( : accessed 6 April 2015.
3. Kemp, AnnaBelle, Lucas genealogy (Hollywood, Calif.: A. Kemp, 1964, 493 pgs.).
4. McClure, Daniel E. Jr., Two Centuries in Elizabethtown and Hardin County, Kentucky. Including Biographical Sketches of Some of Their Prominent Citizens of Past and Present Times. (Elizabethtown: KY. The Hardin County Historical Society, Inc. 1979.), p. 17.
5. McAdams, Mrs. Harry Kennett., Kentucky Pioneer and Court Records. (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1981).
6. Howard L. Leckey, The Tenmile Country and Its Pioneer Families: A Genealogical History of the Upper Monongahela Valley (1977; reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Com, 2009), 200; digital images, Google, Google Books ( : accessed 6 April 2015.
7. McClure, Daniel E. Jr., Two Centuries in Elizabethtown and Hardin County, Kentucky. Including Biographical Sketches of Some of Their Prominent Citizens of Past and Present Times. (Elizabethtown: KY. The Hardin County Historical Society, Inc. 1979.), p. 17.