Josiah Swann (1795 - 1871)

Born 5 Oct 1795 in Amherst, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Edith (Moab) Swann — married 19 Aug 1819 (to 15 May 1822) in Barboursville, Cabell, Virginia, United States

Husband of Rachel (Morrison) Swann — married 11 Dec 1830 in Cabell, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 16 Jul 1871 at age 75 in Ousley Gap, Cabell, West Virginia, United States

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Biography

Josiah Swann was born October 5, 1795 in Amherst County, Virginia, United States. Birthdate derived from subtracting his age at death from the date of death. He was the son of Leven Covington Swann (1764-1842) and Elizabeth Jenkins Swann (1766-1839). On August 19, 1819 in Cabell County, Virginia, Josiah married Edith Maab (pronounce Moab). Edith died about 1828 in Missouri, United States. Josiah returned to Cabell County with his eldest child, Calvary Swann (1820-1870).

"When Josiah and Edith went to Missouri, they intended to stay. According to family tradition, they had three children after Calvary was born. When Edith died, Josiah decided to return to Cabell county. He hunted the children homes and then boarded a boat for home. Calvary, the oldest, came and hid on the boat until it was too far from shore to put him off, then emerged to find his father. Josiah and Calvary returned to Ousley's Gap together. Family tradition holds that both Edith and Josiah's second wife, Rachel, are buried to the left of his grave in Swann Cemetery. There are two sets of stones marking graves to the left of his. But, if Edith died in Missouri, I would think it difficult to transport her body back here for burial." Source: George Swann (contributor 46955392), Find A Grave Memorial 104556951 for Edith Maab Swann.

In 1830 Cabell County, Virginia, Josiah married Rachael Morrison (1814-1897). Rachael Morrison was a daughter of John Tyler Morrison and Nancy Ann Thompson Morrison. Children of Josiah and Rachel were: John Tyler Swann (1831-1892), Benjamin Franklin Swann (1832-1923), Elizabeth Jane Swann Hinchman (1836-1915), Beverly R. Swann (1839-1877), Amasetta Swann Algeo (1841-1905), Thomas J. Swann (abt 1843 - ?), Cynthia Ann Swann Vess (1846-1932), Sarah Etta Swann Wilson (1848-1916), George Washington Swann (1850-1913), and Joseph Ellison Swann (1853-1931).

1840 United States Census, Virginia, Cabell County. Josiah Swan: 1 white male under age 5, 2 white males age 5 to under 10, 1 white male age 40 to under 50, 1 white female under age 5, 1 white female age 20 to under 30.

1850 United States Census, Virginia, Cabell County, 10th District, HN 408, FN 422, enumerated 15 August 1850. Josiah Swann, 54, male, farmer, VA. Rachael Swann, 36, female, VA. John T Swann, 19, male, farmer, VA. Benjamin F Swann, 17, male, farmer, VA. Elizabeth Swann, 14, female, VA. Beverley J Swann, 12, male, VA. Amicetta Swann, 8, female, VA. Thomas J Swann, 6, male, VA. Cynthia A Swann, 4, female, VA. Sarah Swann, 2, female, VA. George W Swann, 9/12, male, VA.

1860 United States Census, Virginia, Cabell County, Court House Post Office, Page 49, FN 317, enumerated 14 June 1860. Josiah Swann, 64, male, farmer, personal estate value $400, VA. Rachel Swann, 46, female, VA, cannot read or write. Thomas Swann, 17, male, farmer, VA. Cynthia Swann, 15, female, VA. Sarah Swann, 12, female, VA, attended school. George Swann, 10, male, VA, attended school. Joseph Swann, 7, male, VA, attended school.

1870 United States Census, West Virginia, Cabell County, McComas Township, Ousley Gap Post Office, Page 4, HN 18, FN 18, enumerated 22 July 1870. IsiahSwan, 74, male, white, farmer, real estate value $2000, personal estate value $786, VA. Rachel Swan, 55, female, white, keeping house, VA, cannot read or write. Beverly Swan, 27, male, white, farmer, WV. George W Swan, 19, male, white, farmer, WV, attended school. Joseph E Swan, 17, male, white, farmer, WV. Sarah Swann, 21, female, white, at home, WV. John Vess, 23, male, white, works on farm, VA. Cintha A Vess, 24, female, white, at home, WV. [Next family enumerated (HN 19, FN 19) is of Josiah's eldest son by his first marriage, Calvary Swan.]

Josiah Swann was a blacksmith in Cabell County. He died July 16, 1871 in the Ousley Gap Community and was buried in Swann Cemetery at that community.

Register of Deaths, West Virginia, Cabell County. Josiah Swan, white, male, farmer, married, age 75y 9m 11d, death 16 July 1871 Cabell County, s/o Leven C. & Elizabeth Swann, spouse of Rachel Swann.

JOSIAH SWANN, SR. 1795 - 1871 Obituary - original source unknown http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~swannfamily/genealogy/Obituaries/JosiahSwann.html ""Josiah Swann, Sr., "whose loss we are called upon to deplore, bid farewell to the sorrows and trials, Sabbath morning 7/10/1871, age 75Y 9M 11D. He was born in Amherst Co, VA 10/5/1795, moved to Cabell in 1812. He married twice, and was the father of 14 children, the oldest being C. M. Swann, dec'd., Past Master of Minerva Lodge. His mother was sister to William Jenkins, Sr. consequently, the Jenkins of Greenbottom are cousins-german. We have been intimately acquainted with Father Swann for a number of years, and we can say; that few have lived purer and better lives than he. He lived to see his children and children's children rise up and call him blessed. "

Find A Grave. Josiah Swann BIRTH 5 Oct 1795 Amherst County, Virginia, USA DEATH 16 Jul 1871 (aged 75) Ousley Gap, Cabell County, West Virginia, USA BURIAL Swann Cemetery, Barboursville, Cabell County, West Virginia, USA MEMORIAL ID 23127616

Sources

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M88T-SJ4 : 23 December 2020), Josiah Swann, Cabell, Carroll, Virginia, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104556951/edith-swann : accessed 20 January 2022), memorial page for Edith Maab Swann (unknown–unknown), Find a Grave Memorial ID 104556951, citing Swann Cemetery, Barboursville, Cabell County, West Virginia, USA ; Maintained by Geo. Swann (contributor 46955392) .
• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M41X-2TT : 13 December 2017), Josiah Swann, 1860.
• https://www.swann-family-genealogy-research-dna.us/getperson.php?personID=I233&tree=Tree1