Rev. John Swift
Rev. John Swift
1713-1777
First Pastor of the Church of Acton
From The Acton Monitor, December 16, 1875
IN 1738, THREE YEARS AFTER Acton was incorporated as a town,
the Rev. John Swift was called to be pastor of the First Church.
Erection of the tablet on the grave of Rev. John Swift and Family
Decoration Day May 30, 1877
TOMB OF REV. JOHN SWIFT& FAMILY
of the Rev. John Swift, dated October 24, 1775
SEVERAL CHURCHES IN ACTON
History of the Town of Acton
By Harold R. Phalen - copyright 1954
Middlesex Printing, Inc. Cambridge, MA. pages 407-408
Rev. John Swift
Mr. Swift was the only son of the Rev. John Swift of Framingham. He was born in 1713; graduated at Cambridge in 1736 and at the time of his ordination was twenty-five years of age. He was a little above the common height, rather slender, his manners and address agreeable and pleasant. He was somewhat economical in the management of his affairs, but kind to the poor and a good neighbor. He was opposed to excess and extravagance of every kind and to promote peace and good feeling was his constant care. He had some singularities of character, but led an exemplary life, and retained the affection and respect of his people through a ministry of thirty-seven years. His preaching was practical, plain and serious, though it is said he had occasionally some unusual expressions in the pulpit, which were rather amusing.
Acton in History, compiled by Rev. James Fletcher pg. 244
Epitaph
TOMB OF REV. JOHN SWIFT
& FAMILY
Rev. John Swift
died Nov. 7, 1775
aged 62
He was ordained the first pastor
of the Congregational Church of Acton
Nov. 8, 1738 and continued in this
relationship until death.
He was a plain, Practical and serious
preacher and a faithful minister.
WILL
of the Rev. John Swift of Acton, MA.
His will, dated October 24, 1775, commences in the usual manner:
Imprimis. I will that all my just debts and funeral charges be well and truly paid in convenient time after my decease.
Item. I give unto my beloved Wife Abigail Swift my Horse and Chaise and Eighty pounds lawful money, together with two-thirds part of all the remainder of my personal estate, money, &c., to be at her disposal forever; and likewise the improvement of two-thirds part of all my Real Estate lying in Acton, so long as she remains my widow.
Item. I give unto my only Son, John Swift, all the remainder of my Real and personal Estate lying in Acton, not before disposed of. My will is that my said Son John shall come in possession of the whole of my Real Estate lying in Acton, after my wife's marriage or decease.
I give unto my Grand Children, Hollis and Luther, all my lands in Ashburnham in the County of Worcester, in the province aforesaid, to be equally divided between them in quality. My Will is that if either of my said Grand Children should die in minority, or when in a single state, the whole of said lands in Ashburnham I give to the other surviving grand son. Furthermore, I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved wife Abigail and my son John Swift to be Executors to this my will and testament.
JOHN SWIFT
Signed, sealed, and pronounced to be his last will and testament before
EDWARD SPRAGUE,
DANIEL ADAMS,
ABEL FISK.
Descendants of John Swift
Generation No. 1
1. JOHN5 SWIFT (JOHN4, THOMAS3, THOMAS2, ROBERT1) was born January 12, 1713/14 in Framingham, Middlesex, MA., and died November 07, 1775 in Acton, Middlesex, MA.. He married ABIGAIL ADAMS November 19, 1740 in Medway, Norfolk, MA., daughter of JEREMIAH ADAMS and REBECCA WHEELOCK. She was born July 20, 1717 in Medway, Norfolk, MA., and died March 18, 1782.
Notes for JOHN SWIFT:
SWIFT, John
Death Date: Nov. 7, 1775 Burial Place: Acton
Relative: Age:
Source: Vital Records of Acton
Complete Record: SWIFT, John, Rev., Nov. 7, 1775. ["first Pastor of the Chh. in Acton," of his Ministry the 37th," in 62d year, C.R.1. age 62, G.R.1.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SWIFT, John
Death Date: Nov. 7, 1775 Burial Place: Chelmsford
Relative: Age:
Source: Vital Records of Chelmsford
Complete Record: SWIFT, John, Rev., of Acton, Nov. 7, 1775. C. R. 1.
During the prevalence of the small pox in Acton, he was severely attacked by the disease and never able to preach afterwards.
He was a little above the common height, rather slim, of pleasing address and manner; opposed to excess and extravagance of every kind, and was a gentleman of talent, learning and piety, thought occasionally facetious, witty and eccentric.
Swift, J.C. The memoirs of Gen. Joseph Gardner Swift, LL.D., U.S.A., first graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point, Chief Engineer U.S.A. from 1812 to 1818 : 1800-1865 : to which is added a genealogy of the family of Thomas Swift of Dorchester, Mass., 1634 Worcester, Mass.: Press of F.S. Blanchard & Co., 1890, 370 pgs. (Genealogy page 14 & 15)
More About JOHN SWIFT:
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
Cause of Death: small pox
Education: 1733, Harvard University
Occupation: Bet. 1733 - 1738, Schoolmaster, Framingham, MA.
Ordination: November 08, 1738, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
More About ABIGAIL ADAMS:
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
Marriage Notes for JOHN SWIFT and ABIGAIL ADAMS:
Name: John SWIFT
Spouse: Miss Abigail Adams
Marriage Date: Nov. 19, 1740
Marriage Place: Medway
Source: Vital Records of Acton
Full Text: SWIFT, John, Rev., of Acton, and Miss [publishment of intention of marriage Mrs.] Abigail Adams of Medway, Nov. 19, 1740, in Medway.
Child of JOHN SWIFT and ABIGAIL ADAMS is:
2. i. JOHN6 SWIFT, b. November 18, 1741, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. December 23, 1781, Billerica, Middlesex, MA..
Generation No. 2
2. JOHN6 SWIFT (JOHN5, JOHN4, THOMAS3, THOMAS2, ROBERT1) was born November 18, 1741 in Acton, Middlesex, MA., and died December 23, 1781 in Billerica, Middlesex, MA.. He married KATHERINE DAVIES December 03, 1767 in Acton, Middlesex, MA., daughter of SAMUEL DAVIES and SARAH. She was born April 25, 1748 in Acton, Middlesex, MA., and died September 28, 1834 in Stow, Middlesex, MA..
Notes for JOHN SWIFT:
possibly maried Katherine Davies b. 1748 d/o Samuel and Sarah Davies
Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the
War of the Revolution, - Vol. I-XVII (17).
Boston: Wright and Potter Printing Co., 1896
Volume 15 page 316
Swift, John, Acton.Private, Capt. Simon Hunt's co., Col. Eleazer Brooks's regt.; service, 6 days; company called out March 4, 1776, at the time of fortifying Dorchester Heights.
Notes for KATHERINE DAVIES:
Katharine Davies
Birth: 25 APR 1748 Of, Acton, Middlesex, Massachusetts
Parents:
Father: Samuel Davies Family
Mother: Sarah
Catherine SWIFT
Birth Date: 1747
Volume: 173
Page Number: 31
Reference: History of the des. Of John Whitman of Weymouth, Ms. By Chas. H. Farnam. New Haven, Ct. 1889. (15,1246p.):70
Marriage Notes for JOHN SWIFT and KATHERINE DAVIES:
Name: John SWIFT
Spouse: Catharine Davies
Marriage Date: Dec. 3, 1767
Marriage Place: Acton
Source: Vital Records of Acton
Full Text: SWIFT, John, Dr., and Catharine [publishment of intention of marriage Mrs. Catharin] Davies, both of Acton, Dec. 3, 1767 [6 written over 7].
Children of JOHN SWIFT and KATHERINE DAVIES are:
i. JOHN HOLLIS7 SWIFT, b. 1768; d. September 18, 1793.
Notes for JOHN HOLLIS SWIFT:
Hannah H. PULSIFER was born ABT. Dec 1798 in Aceworth, N.H., and died 29 Feb 1864 in Ipswich Essex Co. Ma.. She was the daughter of Richard PULSIFER and Sarah OBER. She married John Hollis SWIFT 1 Jan 1822 in Pelham, N.H..
ii. WILLIAM PITT SWIFT, b. March 03, 1771, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. March 26, 1774.
iii. JEREMIAH ADAMS SWIFT, b. October 08, 1772, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. March 31, 1774.
iv. LUTHER SWIFT, b. April 20, 1775; d. December 06, 1857; m. HANNAH BROWN, August 04, 1799, Stow, Middlesex, MA.; b. May 26, 1777; d. July 25, 1850.
Notes for LUTHER SWIFT:
Middlesex County, Massachusetts Probate Index, 1648-1870 records matching your search for Luther Swift during 1775
All Records > Court, Land, Probate > Middlesex County, Massachusetts Probate Index, 1648-1870> Individual View
Given Name: Luther
Surname: Swift
Location: Acton
Date: 1781
Subject: Guardian
Number: 22052
More About LUTHER SWIFT:
Census: 1850, Massachusetts State Census for Stow
Occupation: Carpenter
Marriage Notes for LUTHER SWIFT and HANNAH BROWN:
Marriage Index: Massachusetts, 1633-1850
Swift, Luther Sex : M
Spouse : Brown, Hannah
Marriage Date : Aug 24, 1799
Town : Stow
County : Middlesex
In Memoriam.
ORDER OF EXERCISE
Woodlawn Cemetery Acton
on
Decoration Day Wednesday May 30th, 1877
Citizens are invited to meet at the Grove at 9 o'clock A.M.
The following exercise will take place at the tomb
of Revlon Swift, the first Minister, and thirty-
eight years pastor of the Church of Acton, on the
occasion of the erection of a tablet to mark his
resting place.
1. HYMN. How Swift the Torrent Rolls
Tune, Boylston,
1 God of our fathers, hear,
Thou everlasting friend!
While we as on life's utmost verge,
Our souls to thee command.
2 Our father, where are thee
With all they called thee own?
Their joys and grief's, and hopes and cares,
And wealth and honor gone!
3 Of all the pious dead
May we the footsteps trace,
'Till with them, in the land of light,
We dwell before they face.
2. SCRIPTURE READING AND PRAYER
3. Erection of a tablet to the memory of Rev. John
Swift and Family
4. Remarks by Rev. F.P. Wood and others
5. ORIGINAL HYMN Tune, Federal St.
1 Eternal God! a thousand years
Are but a day in thine abode;
A century but passing hour
Where all is Light and all is Love
2 Thy servant sleeps a blessed sleep -
And memory wakes to crown the day,
When bold he laid the corner stone
Of this, our goodly heritage
3. His times were strange to us, free born,
Old England claimed him for her son,
Nor dreamed he of the Eagle's power
To drive the Lion from his lair.
4. Great God! we bless thy Providence
That raised for us this man of prayer;
Who, when th' initial acts began,
Did nerve our arms to free the land
5 With grateful song we lay this stone,
Memorial of his work well done;
Come, Angel of the backward look,
Make record of this act of Love.
