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Swallows Genealogy
Genealogy Contact - Trisha Carden

G followed by dash, then ma, at sign, tcarden, dot, and finally com.

Sumner County man named Swallows!

Who is this man?  Please help solve the mystery.
This webpage created March 2006

In the book "Rebellion Revisited" by Walter Durham, a history of Sumner County from 1861 to 1870. Originally published in 1982, there is an incident in question on page 155 is as follows;

"Stepped up activity against the guerillas by the 106th Ohio drew a bold response from Captain Ellis Harper; he offered a reward for the head of their commander. However, neither head nor reward was ever claimed.

On the other hand, the 106th hounded Harper's every move. On several occasions he was so closely pressed that he was compelled to abandon his horse and take to the woods. On December 4, 1863, some of the 106th, returning from a scout, came upon Harper's gang at a camp on Dry Fork Creek, and though Harper escaped, his companion Willie Berryman was killed. In their hasty departure, the guerillas left behind over one hundred horses and miscellaneous provisions and stores.

When they returned Berryman's body to their camp at Rock Bridge, the Ohio soldiers observed an example of the bitter hostility that existed between local persons on opposite sides of the conflict. Moments after the body was laid on the ground, a Union sympathizer named Swallows, who lived a short distance away, walked over and ground his spur in the dead man's face. Incensed by Swallows' action, the Ohio camp commander, a captain, sent word to the guerillas, explaining, "we don't fight dead men." A few days afterward Swallows was taken from his home and killed by some of Harper's band."

 I'd like to know more about this man named Swallows and his family. I you can help please contact me. - Trisha Carden G followed by dash, then ma, at sign, tcarden, dot, and finally com.

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More information on Ellis Harper: Partisan Raider

Born in 1842 in Richland (now Portland), Tennessee just below the Kentucky border, Ellis Harper  was just 19 years old when he enlisted in the 30th Tennessee Infantry, Co. "I" at Tyree Springs on November 22, 1861.  Private Harper and the 30th were ordered to garrison duty at Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River and when that fort fell on February 16, 1862 he found himself among the thousands of captured enlisted men sent to the prison at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois. Harper's name appears on the prisoner rolls, which cryptically note his escape, "date unknown".

After making his way home, Harper came in contact with Captain C. A. Petticord and his company of scouts.   Petticord's company had been detailed by Col. John Hunt Morgan ( then operating in the vicinity of Carthage, Tennessee ) to cross the Cumberland River and tear up the Louisville & Nashville Railroad and to procure what he could in the way of munitions and supplies from captured trains and other Federal supply stations.  He was also to bring out any recruits he could find.   Harper and several others returned with Captain Petticord's company and reported to Colonel Morgan, who formally mustered them in and then sent the company back out on their second raid.  On either this or a subsequent raid Petticord and most of him men were captured.  Ellis Harper and a handful of others, making their escape, returned to Morgan's command.  Taking note of his knowledge of the country and his native shrewdness and grasp of military tactics, Colonel Morgan authorized Harper to recruit a company of men on or near the line of the Louisville & Nashville, and procured for him a commission as Captain.

Captain Ellis Harper's Partisan Raiders did their work with a vengeance -- derailing and attacking trains, burning bridges and water tanks, and attacking Federal forage and supply details wherever they could be found.  Before long, the mere mention of the name "Ellis Harper" struck fear into the hearts of both the occupying Federal forces and the local population of "Lincolnites" in Northern Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky.

On May 9, 1865, Harper and 24 of his men rode in and surrendered to a detachment of the 11th Minnesota Infantry near Gallatin, Tennessee, and were paroled to return to their homes.

Less than two weeks then passed before Harper learned that fellow partisan Captain Champ Ferguson had been seized at his home only three days after receiving his own parole and had been imprisoned at Nashville, awaiting trial on charges of treason.  A few weeks after hearing of Ferguson's arrest, he also learned that the Kentucky partisan "Sue" Mundy had been hanged before a crowd of 12, 000 onlookers in Louisville. No fool, Harper shortly thereafter disappeared, making himself scarce for the next five years.  Only after obtaining special pardons from the governors of both Tennessee and Kentucky did he return home.

Ellis Harper then moved to Lebanon, in Wilson County, Tennessee, where he married into a prominent family and resided until his untimely death.  On June 25, 1908, he was shot and killed by a much younger man after a heated political argument related to the Carmack - Patterson election.

In his eulogy to Harper, Colonel Baxter Smith ( formerly of the 4th Tennessee Cavalry, C.S.A. ) said "He was a man of strong likes and dislikes and quick to resent an insult for whoever offended him was sure to bring a fight upon himself.  He could never forget an injury, but he was a staunch friend to those so fortunate as to gain his esteem..."

A Roster of Captain Ellis Harper's Company

William Clay "Buck" Ausbrooks [buried in Patterson Cemetery ]
Bill Barber
James Cullen Bell
Thomas Berry
James M. Berryman
William "Willie" Berryman
Peter Blain
William "Bill" Bradley
Dallas Braswell
Marion Jasper Brizendine
Seth Colley
James Durham
Beverly Fleming
James Freedle
Orville Houston Freedle
Benton Fykes
 William Henry Fykes
G. M. Gant
William H. Gant
Charles Goodall
Zachariah Green
Newton Guy
Ben Hardin
Robert M. Hestor
John Costello Hill
J. W. Hornbuckle
Marshall House
John James
James Leshen
Dick Little
Thomas E. Marr
George Washington Martin
James "Cate" May  Perry "Boss" Meador
Thomas Morrow
Henry W. Moye
Seaton Moye
Jim Moye
Marion B. Perdue
Robert Posey
Newton Ray
Seaton Ray
Sidney Ray
William Harvey Ray
Benjamin Franklin Sheppard
William "Bill" Shy
Newton Shy
Bob West
Charles West
Thomas Wright

I find this question  intriguing.  I wish I knew who this Swallows man was.  But I do not.

I have an ancestor Noah S. SWALLOWS who is buried in Sumner County, Tennessee in Patterson Cemetery Located 1 3/10 mi. west of Rock Bridge on Womack Road.  Noah S. SWALLOWS fought with Co D 12 Ohio Cavalry.  Noah S. SWALLOWS was born Abt. 1846 and died May 1916 so he is not the man.  Noah, after the war,  went to live in Vanderburgh County, Indiana.   Noah S. Swallows may  have fought during the Civil War (Federal troops) under the alias of Charles Garson.  Noah S. Swallows' widow filed for pension from the state of Indiana as Mary C. Swallow. Was it possible that Charles GARSON paid Noah to fight in his place?

I notice that AUSBROOKS, W. C. Jr. - 16 Apr 1845 - 1 Dec 1913 who was listed in the Roster of Captain Ellis Harper's Company was also buried in the same "tiny" cemetery.  There are only 75 people buried there.  Another familiar sounding name buried there is BRIZENDINE, G. O. - Dau of H. L. & C. J. BRIZENDINE - 31 May 1888 - 6 Apr 1897.  There is a Marion Jasper Brizendine in the Roster of Captain Ellis Harper's Company.  These all may coincidences but Brizendine is an unusual name.

Gallatin Sumner County News
Microfilm Roll #502 - Date: 1912 - 1916
Thursday, May 4, 1916
Noah Swallows, aged 78 years, died last Thursday. The burial was at the Patterson Burying Ground Friday with funeral services conducted by James W. Simpson. The deceased had recently professed religion and was leading a devout Christian life.
 

I love a good mystery so I will continue to seek who the Swallows man could be.
 


1880 Census Trousdale County, Tennessee
Alven Swallow Mary Swallow Hartsville, Trousdale, TN <1854> Tennessee  Self
Mary Swallow Alven Swallow Hartsville, Trousdale, TN <1859> Tennessee  Wife
Sarah Swallow Alven Swallow, Mary Swallow Hartsville, Trousdale, TN <1877> Tennessee  Daughter
Elizabeth Swallow Alven Swallow, Mary Swallow Hartsville, Trousdale, TN <1878> Tennessee  Daughter
Giddeon Swallow Alven Swallow, Mary Swallow Hartsville, Trousdale, TN <1880> Tennessee  Son

1900 Census Sumer County, Tennessee
Alvin Swallow Civil District 10, Sumner, Tennessee abt 1851  Tennessee  White Head
Joe Swallow Civil District 10, Sumner, Tennessee abt 1886  Tennessee  White Son
M E Swallow Civil District 10, Sumner, Tennessee abt 1890  Tennessee  White Daughter
M R Swallow Civil District 10, Sumner, Tennessee abt 1897  Tennessee  White Daughter
Mary Swallow Civil District 10, Sumner, Tennessee abt 1858  Tennessee  White Wife
P M Swallow Civil District 10, Sumner, Tennessee abt 1890  Tennessee  White Daughter
Tommie Swallow Civil District 10, Sumner, Tennessee abt 1884  Tennessee  White Son

1910 Census Sumer County, Tennessee
Alvin Swallows  10-DIST, SUMNER, TN  1849  Tennessee  White  Male
Lane Swallows  10-DIST, SUMNER, TN  1885  Tennessee  White  Male
 

1920 Census Sumer County, Tennessee
Swallows, Thomas  District 10, Sumner, TN  1881  Tennessee  White
Swallow, Mary A  District 10, Sumner, TN  1861  Tennessee  White
 

1930 Census Sumer County, Tennessee
Joe Swallows 42 1887 Tennessee  Head  White  District 10, Sumner, TN

Tom Swallows 52 1877 Tennessee  Head  White  District 10, Sumner, TN
Lavada Swallows 50 1879    Wife     District 10, Sumner, TN
Mary A Swallows 20 1909    Daughter     District 10, Sumner, TN
Mattie V Swallows 15 1914    Daughter     District 10, Sumner, TN
Clarence R Swallows 9 1920    Son     District 10, Sumner, TN
Effie Swallows 1 1928    Daughter     District 10, Sumner, TN
Elsie Swallows 1 1928    Daughter     District 10, Sumner, TN

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Swallows, Joe
  Age: 42 Year: 1930
  Birthplace: Tennessee Roll:  T626_2282
  Race: White Page:  2B
  State: Tennessee ED:  11
  County: Sumner Image:  0273
  Township: District 10
  Relationship: Head
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Swallows, Tom
  Age: 52 Year: 1930
  Birthplace: Tennessee Roll:  T626_2282
  Race: White Page:  8B
  State: Tennessee ED:  11
  County: Sumner Image:  0285
  Township: District 10
  Relationship: Head
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Swallows, Lavada
  Age: 50 Year: 1930
  Birthplace:   Roll:  T626_2282
  Race:   Page:  8B
  State: Tennessee ED:  11
  County: Sumner Image:  0285
  Township: District 10
  Relationship: Wife
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swallows, Mary A
  Age: 20 Year: 1930
  Birthplace:   Roll:  T626_2282
  Race:   Page:  8B
  State: Tennessee ED:  11
  County: Sumner Image:  0285
  Township: District 10
  Relationship: Daughter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swallows, Mattie V
  Age: 15 Year: 1930
  Birthplace:   Roll:  T626_2282
  Race:   Page:  8B
  State: Tennessee ED:  11
  County: Sumner Image:  0285
  Township: District 10
  Relationship: Daughter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swallows, Clarence R
  Age: 9 Year: 1930
  Birthplace:   Roll:  T626_2282
  Race:   Page:  8B
  State: Tennessee ED:  11
  County: Sumner Image:  0285
  Township: District 10
  Relationship: Son
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swallows, Effie
  Age: 1 3/12 Year: 1930
  Birthplace:   Roll:  T626_2282
  Race:   Page:  8B
  State: Tennessee ED:  11
  County: Sumner Image:  0285
  Township: District 10
  Relationship: Daughter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swallows, Elsie
  Age: 1 3/12 Year: 1930
  Birthplace:   Roll:  T626_2282
  Race:   Page:  8B
  State: Tennessee ED:  11
  County: Sumner Image:  0285
  Township: District 10
  Relationship: Daughter

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Swallows, Thomas   View Image Online
  Age: 38 Year: 1920
  Birthplace: Virginia Roll:  T625_1770
  Race: White Page:  13A
  State: Tennessee ED:  202
  County: Washington Image:  61
  Township: National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers

Site copyright 1999, 2000, 2001 Trish S. Carden (Please feel free to use this information but if you do please put a link back to this page)