It is our hope that this site will be a pathway for research and building of the Swails/Swales family tree. We hope to add records, pictures, documents and stories.

What can we learn about our family's past? Do we bear a resemblance, a talent, or perhaps an odd quirk?

What hardships did they suffer? What did they overcome? Do you have stories that were passed down? Not all stories will be pretty. Some things may be a bit of a surprise. Oh, I will say it! They may be shocking for some people!

We hope we can help you find your Swails connection.

Thank You Jeannie

The third cousin of this website's creator, Jeannie W., has graciously given us permission to share her research on this site. Jeannie is the great grand-daughter of George Swails, son of Abigale/Abigal Swails and the named William C. Swails.

Jeannie has spent decades and countless hours trying to untangle the four youngest children of Abigal, from the oft-married George to the family and wife deserter William Sylvester. It has not been easy and I don't think I could ever have her fortitude.

This is done to the very best of her knowledge. We know that dates can be transposed accidently and spellings will vary. We hope that people who nave other knowledge will come forward. We welcome corrections with documentation, and if possible, stories, and we would so love to have pictures. Pease send information regarding descendants.

We cannot thank Jeannie enough. If you wish to reach Jeannie regarding this research, please contact this site and we will relay it to her. We are also grateful for the picture she has supplied of George and his fourth wife (added to George W. Swails' page).

Update - A photograph of George Washington Swails and his fourth wife has been added to the George W. Swails page.

The Journey Begins

Isaac Swailes - is thought to be born about 1790 and died between 1840 - 1850

Margaret - his wife was born in 1810. We do not have a maiden name for Margaret.

We like to have documentation for our research but we do not have it for Isaac and Margaret. This information is generally agreed upon by Swails researchers of this line.

Isaac and Margaret had five children.

  Abigail D. b.1831-1833
  L. b abt.1831
  John M. b. Sept 1836 In Pennsylvania
  Susan Elizabeth b.10 Oct 1840 Juniata Co. Pa. d. 18 Mar. 1914 in Everett, Bedford Co. Pa.
  T.b.Abt 1843

Abigail married William C. Swails 31 Jan 1850 in Lack Twp, Juniata Co. Pa.
It is assumed that William C. was a cousin.
Marriage between cousins was not uncommon for that time period.

William C. Swails was born Abt.1831 in Juniata Co., Pa.
William died in a military hospital in Philadelphia, Pa. in Sep 1862.
Civil War enrollment, mustered in 24 Oct. 1861- VA Comp 1 49th Reg.

Abigail and William had three children

  Mary Elizabeth b.16 Dec.1854
  Nancy Wilson b.29 Jan.1860
  Unknown d.Bef.Sep.1861

Pension papers of Jul 1863 list Abigail as 32 years old which would indicate a birth year of 1831.

Abigail is found in the 1880 census. It lists her age as 40 but she has to be older.
Abigail is shown as the mother of four more children, all sons.

  George Washington b.25, Aug. 1863, Horse Valley, Juniata Co.Pa.
    d.07 May 1940. Bellwood, .Blair, Co. Pa.
  Elijah "Reed" b.Abt 1866 Pa. d. 26, Jun. 1931 Harrisburg, Pa.
  William Sylvester b. about 1870, Pa.
  John b. Abt.1877, Pa.

We know that William Sylvester Swails listed his mother's deceased husband, William C. Swails as his father on documents.

It is assumed among researchers that Abigail did not marry again because she needed the pension she was receiving.
It has been assumed that Abigail's last four children shared the same father, but we cannot be certain.


Carrie Ruth Swails Colyer (1895 - 1979) was the daughter of William Sylvester Swailes and Mary Elizabeth Pennebaker.
She was born on 21 Mar 1895 and died on 7 Aug 1979 at the age of 84.
Carrie Ruth Swails married Luther Roy Colyer.
They had seven children
  Douglas Earl
  Chester Roy
  Elizabeth Jane
  Gladys Irene
  Ruth Ellen
  Catherine Caroline
  Luther Lehmen



The spelling of the Swailes name at the start of the documents is how this generation spelled its name.
The spelling of the name changes frequently in various documents.


Note: In the future, we will be expanding this and other pages on the site, as well as adding new pages as research provides additional information on the participants of this family genealogy adventure.

If you have any comments or corrections for the contents provided thus far, please feel free to contact us utilizing the email address at the bottom of each page.


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