George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Major Swiney, 25 October 1792

From Major Swiney

Harrisburg, Pa., 25 Oct. 1792. Writes that he left Ireland “to participate in the asylum your laudable and ever memorable conflict with the arbitrary enemy prepaired for us in America.” He named his oldest son George Washington Swiney “in full hopes that some day . . . when he arrives at such an age as to be able to contemplate the character of the man he was named for, it will at least inspire him with a courage becoming a good Soldier; his situation in life will preclude him from emulating your Excellency in any other line.” His two younger sons are named “Montgomery, & Frankland.”1

ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters.

1Major Swiney has not been identified. A Montgomery Sweeny is listed on the 1820 Pennsylvania census as living in the town of Milton in Northumberland County (see Pa. 1820 Census Index, description begins Ronald Vern Jackson et al., eds. Pennsylvania 1820 Census Index. Bountiful, Utah, 1977. description ends 357).

Index Entries