Chris Knudsen 1998
aspi@harbornet.com

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The following undated letter signed by H.R. Swisher and John M. Swisher enclosing a copy of "Partial Swisher Resume", was forwarded to Birl Wilson on September 11, 1986, by Helen Swisher, widow of Charles Franklin Swisher, along with other data that had been in possession of Charles during the period he prepared the booklet "History of Benjamin Swisher and His Family" for his sister, Martha Swisher Horner.

Authenticity of the "Partial Swisher Resume" is unknown, as it is undated; and all sources providing information are not fully documented. However, it appears sufficiently authentic to be included in this history for refernce purposes for those who, in the future, may work on this history.

As of September 20, 1986, H.R.Swisher was not listed in the Springfield, Ohio telephone directory and neither was John M. Swisher listed in the telephone directory of Sun Valley, California, per long-distance information operators of those cities. In the future, inquiries should be made of genealogical sources in those cities for the results of H.R. and John M. Swisher's work to develop a Swisher Tree.

On October 2, 1986, Sephen A. Swisher III, of Florida, telephonically advised that he believes the material may have been received by Stephen Alfred Swisher, his grandfather. He does not know if the individuals were furnished a copy of his grandfather's original history on his father {Benjamin Swisher b.4-2-1817 - d. 7-20-1885}, or if a Swisher Tree was received in return from the two individuals. He rather doubts one was received, as it would have been found following his grandfather's death.

By letter, dated October 12, 1986, Helen Swisher advised that to the best of her knowledge, the material was received by Charles, via Martha Swisher Horner.

By letter, dated October 13, 1986, Bo {Horner} Glaza advised that she and her mother cannot furnish any information regarding the origin of the material, but is certain her mother was aware of its existence.

Birl Wilson 1986 {now deceased}
Buffalo, NY

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After several attempts to continue an on going correspondence with the late H.R. Swisher I heard that his death had occurred back in 1986. Inquiry regarding his papers resulted in no reply. During the recent years the Internet connections with Walter Swisher in California, and Chris Knudsen has resulted in a few papers and correspondance of H.R. Swisher reaching me. I will attempt to disiminate these to the Internet, hoping to encourage others who may have some parts of his letters to add to this.

It would seem that some 500 copies were sent out before 1985 in order to shed light on the early arrivals and the various spellings of the ?original? Schweizer/Schweitzer family and it's origins. Both religion and land seems to be behind the westward movement. While the Inquisition and it's extention into northern Europe areas may be familiar to some, my discovery that a John Sweitzer, an Anni-Baptist was burned at the stake in Canton Berne in 1567, Switzerland by the then Catholic Bishop of Berne was my first education in the matter. Difference in land laws between Dutch patroon system early settlers resulted in seizure of farm lands developed for years under Dutch rule in New Jersey being acquired by English (Quaker) laws for various reasons. The English legal system land laws that enabled Quit Rent Freeman use but not ownership of land, were the result of brothers Lorentz and Heinrich Schweizer moving to PA, Philadelphia County, Worcester and Skipjack Twp before 1720. This was a carryover of the legal system where the Lord of the Manor owned the serf's land and body. Perhaps this exposure to the theories of Herman Swisher may being a renewed interest in genealogy that will bring out many missing links in the history of the family. Unlike the late Herman R. Swisher, I had heard that many of the SWISHER spellings were the result of the family splitting up after the 1795 Whiskey Rebellion in Paxton Twp, PA. But more investigation finds the VA and WV SWITZER to SWISHER name change earlier yet.

John D. Sweitzer 1998
sweitzer@flash.net

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Friends 'SWISHER'
by Herman R. Swisher - before 1985

It will be a monumental task at this time to get much of a connected back-ground, on any of the original Families. However, I think you will agree, that, most all of us have heard a little legend from our forbears, and how ever insignificant it may be, it could be a real help. As little as thirty years ago, one of the Original Lorentze's (Lawrence) decendents had a copy passed down of the Families, that adopted the 'SWISHER' spelling. As I remember it, there were either 103 or 93 families, all known relatives. This fine member, of our family passed on and the writer at that time was in another part of the country ard his passing was not known, until some time afterwards.In the meantime, his family had moved to the west coast and this most important list lost. His father had either passed it to him,him or thru research had located this information and the unfortunate part is - its loss. The meeting of part of the family deciding to take the Swisher spelling was in Wheeling, West VA. However, seven families had adopted it as early as before 1790; four families in Pennsylvania and the three Schweitzer boys who came here in the 1750's and sixties. These boys came via Philadelphia and settled in Virginia and it is most likely they originally came to the Locality where the first Lawrence finally settled, after coming from Hew York to Pennsylvania and then to Virginia. Nothing is known of Christop's or Michaels possible families,and it is hoped to find information concerning them in this attempt.

Heinrich (Henry) had four children over ten when he came in 1709-10 and it will be interesting if something of his trail from New York to Maryland maybe Virginia and thence to Lancaster County, Penna., where he settled and some of his family stayed - but where did he return to? He did not live his life out in so far as is known in Lancaster County, Penna.

It's not going to make any of US'n's any better, poorer or richer to figure out a connected story; but don't you think it will be interesting to do it?

One thing that makes it harder is the fact that most Male descendents were gone and family records, left to the Sisters who married and in a generation or so were of no interest to the Smiths, Jones, or who ever read them, so they were inevitably discarded.

The family is rapidly enlarging In Pennsylvania, VA, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, well over a thousand families could be found. Only 500 of this letter will be mailed at this time. It will help a great deal; if you will read it, answer it if you will, and send it on to another who may be interested in it. That will help us get greater coverage and will catch others of the family, who are interested in past history.

In a study of the telephone directories of our nation, Ministers, Doctors, Dentists, Teachers, Engineers, farmers and in about every vocation,'SWISHERS' are found. Don't think there are any more bad apples in our basket than in any other family, and never have found any. The writer has met a great many Swishers and has enjoyed meeting every one of them.

Regardless of how little you have heard - won't you take time to write and tell us about it?

SWISHER FAMILY

If you are interested in the History and Facts concerning our Family, you are invited to assist Us with information you have concerning "Swishers." Please give all possible information on your family as far back as you are able to trace. After hearing from the many hundreds of Swishers we hope to contact, we should be able to make a more complete "Swisher Tree. The results will be sent without cost to those who are interested. It is requested that you enclose a self addressed stamped envelope to hasten our Job. Thank you.

H.R. SWISHER (deceased)
1733 Sunset
Springfield, Ohio

John M. SWISHER (old)
8440 Sharp Ave.
Sun Valley, California
(above from original, no longer there)

- - - - - - - - - - - PARTIAL SWISHER FAMILY RESUME - - - - - - - -- -

Early History--
According to various sources on the History of the "German Swiss" people, nearly 30,000 of them came to America from 1700 to 1770. This tribe which is known as the "ALUMNI" was the fourth and last Germanic tribe to push up out of southeastern Asia and began their movement around 300 A.D. They moved up across southeastern Europe and became members of a religious sect who were Christians; but believed in different concepts than the Orthodox Greek church which was in the process of for- mation at that period. This caused some friction over the years and because of the friction and a rapidly expanding population, they kept pushing northward in the path of the tribes who had gone before. By around 1200 they began to push into Northern Switzerland and finally formed what became the Palinate which reached clear across Southern Germany to France. By 1500 to 1600 they had increased in population to around 500,000 people and had held their own and conquered all in their path as well as breaking up the attempts of the Roman Empire to forage clear across Europe, sometimes as far as England. This was of course the time of the Reformation, Martin Luther, Calvin, and other movements. No doubt being adverse to the Greek Orthodox church they were not easy to convert to the Roman Church and the majority were converted to Lutherans and the German Reformed, which I understand followed after Calvin. Of course many were converted to Catholicism and here the downfall of these people started as they commenced to fight among themselves over this issue. Up to this time they had held their own with all comers; but in a short time they became victims to forays from the German Princes on the North and particularity to raids from the French on the West who were activated, supposedly by the Roman church of the time. By 1650 or roughly there abouts the previous population of around 500,000 had been depleted to around 50,000 people. Unable to defend themselves they up and went into other parts of the German Provinces and many of the first ones into Holland. The French raids were fairly constant and finally the Palintates who strangely were ruled by Princes and not Kings, had the ruling Prince of the time converted to Catholicism via marriage to a French Princess. Since they were predominately Protestant and particularity since the French King continued to raid both Protestant and Catholics alike, the population largely just took up and lit out as described above.

Movement from Europe - -

So many came to Holland, destitute; because of the immediate past experiences that the Hollanders had to figure out what to do about it. The easiest thing was to unload them on the Engish, which they proceed to do. Apparently the problems of the people who wish to go to a different country did not exist at the time and the Dutch just kept loading them on their boats for the SHORT haul to England. This continued roughly from around 1700 to 1710 and finally 7 to 10 thousand of these people were on the hands of the English who had to feed those who could not find work to subsist on. Pastor Kotheral, a Lutheran Minister, was able to gain a hearing with the English Queen, around 1707-08, and she decided to start colonizing the State of New York, or at least a certain portion of it with these people and in turn for land to be given them, they were to help in the manufacture of Marine products, such as Tar and Turpentine, for the British Navy. In 1708 the first couple of boat loads came and later in early 1709, some 13 more brought approximately 3000 people At the same time some 3000 of these people were colonized in Southern Ireland. What happened to them, I so far, have bean unable to ascertain; although no doubt many later came over to America.

Early American History - -
The first of these people coming to America were graciously received; but when the larger group came, the previous English settlers felt too many were brought and that it constituted a menace to the safety of the colony to have so many Palintates put down on them. Governor Hunter was Governor of New York at that time and he was determined to use them to the greatest advantage in the manufacture of marine products (and masts) for the British Navy. He do doubt would have succeeded if the English had given the land they were promised, since they were at that time essentially an agricultural in experience and if the pine in New York had been the right variety to use in the making of products to manufacture the products the British wanted. The land was not given as promised, and the Pine species was not suitable to the purpose at hand and so the trouble started. These people were held largely by force in villages and forced to work against their desire, until nearly 1720. In the meantime Emmissaries of the Wm Penn foundation had succeeded in starting later immigrants of our people to coming into Southeastern Pennsylvania via the way of Philadelphia. Many thousands of them cae\me and were treated well and given land. Of course this story soon reached the first ones to come to New York and they started drifting southward to Penn. While the main exodus from New York did not start until after the 1720's, there is reason to believe the first of the Swisher clan had made it to Philadelphia Co. PA by earlier than 1714. At that time theyu sold land in Philadelphia Co. and one of the early Swisher's, Lorentz, went on to (VA?) where he and his family lived until his death. Only one son returned to Penna. According to records so far. Heinrich apparently went to Baltimore Co. MD, and where else is simply conjecture, since he came to Lancaster Co. PA from Baltimore Co.MD in 1732.

Starting with John, who succeeded to the home place and vicinity, the picture still needs verification as to what happened to the decendents - John had four sons; JOHN, ADAM, Henry and Philip - if you remember the Philip of Lorenze who returned to Penna. from Virginia. He is no doubt, an Uncle to this younger Philip, the son of John. Lorenze's boy, Phillip as above, was seized with cramps while swimming in a branch of the Susquenna River, and at 36 years old, was drowned. He, however, left three sons; Philip, Abraham and Jacob, and the family, no doubt, was not too far from the Close Relative, JOHN. John's son, John, had five sons and three daughters. The sons were John Jr., Simeon, Henry, Jerimah and Uriah, born from 1790 to 1809. So far as is known, Henry (Bro.) had only one son, Henry Jr., who in turn had Uriah, George, Joseph and John. So far as Adam and Philip of John family, born in 1720,(MD) no record is available as yet.

Legends--
Most all SWISHERS, through legend, originally start from the vicinity of Berne, Switzerland, it the story goes back far enough. However, some recall Manheim, Strassburg, and other places which no doubt were places of refuge at the time Philip of France was carrying out his nefarious expeditions against the people of the Pallinate, murdering and pillaging and destroying.

Of course, the three Brother Legend would link up to Virginia, since they first came there so far as this country is concerned. The two or four Brother Legend, if assumptions are correct, should carry something about coming from New York State. One of My uncles still claims he is a New York Yankee, and he can't be shaken from it. Even though his father's record is established in court and church records, and Father never saw any place but Pennsylvania and Ohio. Also, decendents of Henreich the First, no doubt will have some story about their firstland being secured from the Quakers or the Indians for some payment of wheat, of which quantity I've heard many conflicting stories It may be true some payment was also given the Indians, since the Home Village of what was left of the Susquenna Indians was located on the Swisher Homestead. Prior to 1732, probably in 1731, Heinrich and family came by Lancaster County and went to Western Pennsylvania and stayed about a year, and then came back to Lancaster County with Son John, and so far as I know, he may have left other sons in Western Pennsylvania.(and MD, JDS) Find swishers migrating to Ohio in or around 1800 from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and elder relatives claimed them as cousins. Others came into Ohio about the same time from New Jersey, West Virginia and Virginia. It is entirely within reason to believe the migration story was traveling in the family at that time, so they came and settled fairly close, although the particulars are not available. Boys from this Family also went back to Virginia, South to Tennessee, and likely from there all over the south, and the family today is well scattered over the nation, with little or any connections being known - largely because without research, it is difficult to go back and find a place to hook on to. Places and Birth dates are more important in checking than names, since the spelling of the name depended largely on the one spelling it.

Possible Early Swishers - -
Amongst the people who came with the 'KOTHERAL' immigration were Lorenze Schweitzer, Heinreich Schweitzler, Michael Schweitzer and Christop Schweitzer. Heinreich's name was spelled Schweitzer when he left Rotterdam, so he and Lorentz were the Brothers, no doubt, in the two Brother Legend, as they are established by record, However, in the Swisher Family there runs a four Brother Legend and the above are the four, in my opinion, although so far I have no data on Michael or Christop. Lorenze has two children born in New York, Joahana and Heinrich, and how many more is yet unknown, although Philip was born in 1739, some 37 years later. Heinrich came with four children over ten years old, one of which was Hans Georg, and the rest are possible to secure, when and if I ever get to New York to search the records. Members of this family have been found on record as, Schweitzler, Schweitzer, Switzer,Swisser, and Swishers of course came some time after 1790. In 1749 John and Valentine came on the ship "Fane" via Philadelphia. Their younger Brother Nicholas came in 1761 on the ship, "Snow Squirrell". I find on checking, that John (above) came on the ship "Pane", and Valentine on the ship 'LYdia". These last three start the three brother legend. Considering the fact these brothers came to same part of Virginia, and that (error?) Lorenze and family were living in some part of Virginia and later settled in Hampshire County, which later became a part of rest Virginia, and also the fact these folks apparently started the name 'SWISHER', since they and SWISHERS in York County Penna. were the only ones listed as Swisher in the 1790 census, and the fact that later the Switzers at that time in Lancaster Co. took the Swisher spelling, along with many others who had migrated elsewhere, certainly proves without a doubt that. those first taking the spelling (outside o f Colored Retainers who later adopted the name after freedom) were close BLOOD KIN. It is possible to secure from. the one who has it, a fairly good chart of the three Brother Family. However, such is not the case with the Family who came earlier. Many of their decendents, no doubt, still carry the first spellings. Consider the Heinrich or Henry who had four children children over ten when he came. Hans Georg was apprenticed out in New York around 1710, or later, so by 1732 he roust have been in his thirties, so he and other brothers must have married along the road, and no doubt settled, at least for a time, in the spots where they rrarried. Record jumps from Hans Georg in Henrys case, to JOHN who was born in 1720, somewhere along the line from New State to Lancaster Co. Penna Possibilities of other Brothers, according to place and age arid association, were: Heinrich, Stephan and Leonhart. Considering also that sorry 37 variations of Schweitzer immigrated through Philadelphia from 1708 to 1770, it increases the difficulty of identifying relatives.

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Notes of Birl Swisher Wilson appended to the above document in Chris Knudsen's Swisher Family History.

It is noted from review of above, the John Schweitzer, (last name and most variations changed to Swisher about 1790), born in 1720, a descendant of Heinreich Schweitzer of the four brother legend, succeeded to the home place and vicinity (apparently Lancaster County, PA, as Heinreich went there in 1732 from Baltimore, MD). John (born 1720) had four sons, John, Adam, Henry and Philip. This John, son of John (born 1720) had five sons and three daughters. The sons, John Jr., Simeon, Henry, Jerimah and Uriah were born 1790 to 1809.

It appears highly possible that the John Jr., born about 1790, a descendant of John (born 1720), may be the father of Benjamin Swisher. Benjamin's father John was married in 1815 at Pickaway County, Ohio, and would have been 25, marriageable age. If John Jr. was the father of Benjamin Swisher, the brother of John Jr., who lived at Columbus, Ohio, to whom Benjamin Swisher was bound out until age 21, would have been Simeon, Henry, Jerimah or Uriah, all born in the period 1790 to 1809.

However, another possibility exists. It is stated that so far as is known, Henry (Bro) (apparently brother of John, the son of John, born 1720) had only one son, Henry Jr., who in turn had four sons, Uriah, George, Joseph and John, ages not known. This John, son of Henry Jr., possibly could also be the father of Benjamin Swisher.

Effort should be made in the future to determine if Simeon, Henry, Jerimah or Uriah, all born in the period 1790 to 1809, lived at 8 Columbus, Ohio from about 1824 to 1840; and if one is the uncle to whom Benjamin Swisher was bound out following the death of his parents. If this cannot be established, same inquiries should be made regarding Henry Jr.'s children, Uriah, George and Joseph.

Birl Swisher Wilson 1986
Buffalo, NY

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This was the end of these pages of the original Herman R. Swisher material. I can only hope that those who read this will add their material to the Internet Sweitzer web pages available today.

John Sweitzer 1998
sweitzer@flash.net

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