Life History

Notes

• Julius L McSwain appears first in the 1860 census in Cleveland (formerly Rutherford) County, North Carolina, at the age of 8.
  
  1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina, 6 August, p 54, Hse/Fam #385
  George McSwain     61
  Catherine McSwain 40
  Julius L McSwain       8
  
  1870 Federal Census, Giles County, Tennessee, 15 August, Pulaski, Civil District 4, Enumeration District page 41, Hse/Fam #306
  McSwain, Phelp 21 M W Farmer NC
  McSwain, Catheron 52 F W Keep House  NC [widowed mother of Phillip and Logan]
  McSwain, Login 18 M W Farm Labor NC
  
  After the move of some members of the family to Arkansas County, Arkansas, about 1875, J L appears in only the 1880 Arkansas County, Arkansas, census.  Two children are reported n that census: Samuel, age 4, who was buried in March 1905 in Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Ethel, Arkansas, and J W, about whom we have not yet learned anything further.
  
  1880 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 10 June, Prairie Township, page 16, Hse #110, Fam #113
  J L McSwain Self W M 27 Farmer NC NC NC
  Viney McSwain Wife W F 25 Hsekpg NC NC NC
  Sam'l L McSwain Son W M 4 AR NC NC
  J W McSwain Son W M 1 AR NC NC
  
  I originally expected that Viney was a nickname for Lavinia, a common name in that era, and in related families in North Carolina.  Details on the families around indicate that Viney is Levina (Lavinia) Padgett, daughter of Wiley and Lavinia McSwain Padgett.
  
  This was confirmed as I gradually found more information coming online and other genealogies included Lavina/Levina.  In November 2010, another researcher with whom I was in contact, Stephen McBride, found their marriage record.
  
  Family History Library
  Groom's Name Logan Mcswain
  Groom's Birth Date 1851
  Groom's Birthplace Not Reported
  Groom's Age 22
  Bride's Name Lavina Padgett
  Bride's Birth Date 1854
  Bride's Age 19
  Bride's Birthplace Not Reported
  Marriage Date 13 Nov 1873
  Marriage Place Arkansas County, Arkansas
  
  J W is possibly the J W McSwain born in Arkansas that I later find in Texas.  That J W was John McSwain, who died in Gray County, Texas on 21 April 1927.
  
  It appears to be Julius who marreid Helen Kennedy in 1885.  I have information on no other J L McSwain of that age in this area.  I have found no death information for Levina, nor indeed for Julius.  But this marriage record in 1885 would lead us to believe that Levina died before July 1885.
  
  Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957
  J L McSwain
  Gender Male
  Age 34, Birth Year abt 1851
  Spouse's Name Helen Kennedy
  Spouse's Age 28
  Marriage 16 Jul 1885 Arkansas County
  Marriage License Date 15 Jul 1885
  
  It is possible an entry in the Panola Mississippi census in 1920 (Beat 5, Page: 4A, Hse #7) is for our Julius L, but the age is older than we expect J L to be from our previous information:
  
  J L McSwain, Home in 1920: Sardis, Panola, Mississippi
  Age: 74 years, Estimated birth year: abt 1846
  He is sharing accommodations with William Smith, 60, and another couple named F J Maris, 26, and wife Lela, age 23.

Sources

• 1. 1860 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina
  • 6 August, p 54, Hse/Fam #385
• 2. 1880 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 10 June, Prairie Township, page 16, Hse #110, Fam #113
• 3. U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1
• 4. 1870 Federal Census, Giles County, Tennessee
  • 15 August, Pulaski, Civil District 4, page 41, Hse/Fam #306
• 5. 1850 Federal Census, Cleveland County, North Carolina
  • p 31, Hse/Fam #587
• 6. Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957
• 7. Edith Marie McSwain Jenkins, Personal Knowledge
• 8. Gravestones of Mt Pleasant Cemetery
• 9. Family History Library, Arkansas Marriage Records
• 10. 1880 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • Household #110