My Genealogy Hound

SWAN, J. C., was the son of Deacon Jonathan Swan, who was one of the first founders of the Baptist Church in this place; Mr. Swan was about the only young man in the town belonging to a Baptist family, and says at the time that it did not add to his popularity; he was urged, he says, by one of the prominent men of the Congregational Church, to join them, on the plea that it would be more pleasant for him; he replied that he did not think himself a fit person to join a church, nor was the church what it should be; he was strongly urged, but steadfastly refused. Mr. S. was a member of the Masonic Order, and he says that many were prejudiced against him on that account; Mr. S. also had some trouble with school officials on account of a serenade given a newly-married couple by some school boys; the boys were to be expelled, and Mr. S. contended the School Directors had no authority to expel them for such an act. On account of the attacks, Mr. S. published a pamphlet vindicating his course; while the above unfortunate occurrences have caused an unpleasant feeling to exist between Mr. S. and some of his neighbors, yet, Mr. Swan says he has acted from a sense of duty; as this is a free country, and every man has a right to act as he sees fit, so long as he keep within the bounds of law and good morals.