My Genealogy Hound

JOHN SWEARINGEN, farmer, post office Clinton, was born on his farm in Findlay township, July 9, 1816, a son of Nicholas and Melinda (Blackamore) Swearingen. Nicholas, who was of English descent, was born near Thompsonville, Washington county, Pa. When Pennsylvania ceased to be a slave state he removed to Brooke county, Va., where he died. Melinda (Blackamore) Swearingen was a daughter of Samuel and Abrilla (Dowden) Blackamore, natives of Maryland. Samuel Blackamore was a son of Samuel Blackamore, Sr., an Englishman, who received from King William, for services rendered, a tract of land comprising 492 acres. Samuel Blackamore leased the land for ninety-nine years, and died some thirty years after. This land is now in the center of Washington city, and comprises the site of half the capitol building, the commons and other valuable property. The ninety-nine years’ lease expired about four years ago, and now the heirs of Samuel Blackamore claim the land. Samuel and Abrilla (Blackamore) Swearingen were early settlers of Findlay township, and had eight children who lived to maturity. John, our subject, is the eldest. He married, Nov. 18, 1838, Mary Ferguson, who was born in Findlay township, a daughter of John and Mary (Guy) Ferguson, old settlers of Findlay township, and they were the parents of four children, one living: Mary, wife of John Shillato, who resides in Beaver, Pa. Mrs. Swearingen died Feb. 24, 1884, a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Swearingen owns a fine farm of 106 acres, and ranks among our leading farmers. While not a member of any church, he aids in the building of all, and assists all worthy enterprises.