Washington County PA Archives Obituaries.....Swearingen, Andrew June 26, 1824

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Lola Weber hunter6806@msn.com February 19, 2011, 2:39 pm

The Reporter (newspaper of Washington PA) Monday July 19th, 1824 

COMMUNICATED
Departed this life on Saturday, the 26th of June last, Andrew Swearingen, Esq. 
at his late dwelling, near Washington PA in the 78th year of his age.

It has become too common, in obituary notices, to eulogize the deceased, 
sometimes extravagantly, whetehr possessed of merit or not. A good man is 
entitled to such posthumous praise, and society is benefited by it, that others 
may be induced to tread in his footsteps, and emulate his deeds; not so an 
unworthy character; for in proportion to his demerits, the praises of such a 
person do injury to posterity.

The subject of this communication was among the earliest settlers of this 
county, having emigrated from old Virginia in 1772. He took a very active part 
in settling the disturbed state of affairs, occasioned by the inroads of the 
savages; and soon became a leader -- was a captain in Machintosh's campaign -- 
was at Wheeling fort, when invested by the Indians; and indeed on almost every 
dangerous expedition against them, till the commencement of the Revolutionary 
War. He then received a captain's commission; and headed a company of spies, 
during the greater part of our struggle for independence; when that was 
attained, and he became permanently settled he made an open profession of 
religion and joined the Presbyterian church, under the inspection of the General 
Assembly. His religious deportment was so exemplary that he was elected an Elder 
in the congregation of Washington, at its first organization; and continued a 
zealous member of session, in that church, till the time of his death.

Soon after the state constitution was formed he was commissioned as a Justice of 
the Peace, in which capacity he acted throughout the remainder of his life. He 
was a judicious, upright magistrate, and did everything in his power to promote 
peace and harmony among the citizens. It was his constant aim, to accommodate 
differences between neighbors, without recurring to law suits. In his civil, 
moral, and religious deportment, it is believed, he had few to surpass him, 
notwithstanding, like a true Christian, he utterly disclaimed all merit of his 
own, relying entirely for salvation on the atonement and perfect righteousness 
of his Redeemer --  And now he "has come to his grave in a full age, like a 
shock of corn cometh in his season".


Additional Comments:
Buried at Cooke Burial Ground, Washington County, PA


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