John Swan, Jr.

A Patriot of the American Revolution for PENNSYLVANIA with the rank of CAPTAIN. DAR Ancestor # A111541

GEDCOM Note

John Swan (1744), born in Virginia at Fort Evans along Opequon Creek, was a great patriot and intrepid pioneer. In the last few years of the French and Indian War, although he was still in his teens, he fought alongside his father. In 1773, he received 1,000 acres along the Salt River in Kentucky for his service in the French and Indian War. He moved with his father to the frontier and helped to establish Ft. Swan. Ten years later, he was again at war, serving with Gen. George Rogers Clark in the American Revolution (1776-1781). In 1777, he enlisted as a substitute for his father under Col. Crawford, led the Jefferson Militia and was promoted to Lieutenant. At Ten-Mile, Lt. John Swan personally provisioned his company with flour and pork. In 1778, he again showed his intrepid spirit and moved with Gen. Geo Rogers Clark and 13 families to the Kentucky wilderness. In March 1778, Geo. Clark called a rendezvous at his house to launch the Kaskaskia Expedition. He was promoted to captain and was in the Company of his brother-in-law, Capt. William Harrod. In July 1780, he fought in the Shawnee Expedition. In 1782, as the war ended, before he could enjoy hard-earned peace, he was ambushed by Indian along the Ohio River and died from an arrow wound. He left his widow with children under the age of 12, including our ancestor Thomas Swan who was only five years old.

GEDCOM Note

April 12, 1778 Gen Clark rendezoused at Capt. Wm Harrod's house. Lt John Swan (Ten-Mile Creek) supplied Harrod's Cp. with rations until they embarked downriver for the Kaskaskia campaign.