Christian Hill Cemetery, Colrain, MA

My cousin Elisha Lee visited this cemetery several years ago, and wrote me this:

“In the northwest corner of Colrain – an obscure little mountainside burial ground with a beautiful view. Levi, Joel, Salome, and Rhoda Swain are all in the southwest corner of the lot. Joel’s stone is broken, but notes his death on July 29, 1897. Levi’s stone indicates a death date of September 30, 1851 AE 72 years. This is slightly different from the date on file. Salome (not Saloma or Sally, at least on the stone) died June 12, 1854 AE 69 yrs.

Rhoda’s stone bears the inscription

“Rhoda, Consort of Levi Swain, Died Aug 13th 1822 AE 40 years. Unveil thy bosom faithful tomb, Take this new treasure to thy trust, And give there sacred relix room, To seek a slumber in the dust.”

Levi’s grave has a veteran’s marker with a flag – he was too young, I think, for the Revolution…did he serve in the War of 1812, or were the locals simply misinformed?”

–EFL, Jr.

Levi Swain

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=72715329

Birth: Nov. 14, 1777, Hampton Falls, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

Death: Oct. 1, 1851, Colrain, Franklin County, Massachusetts

His birthplace is listed as Poultney, Rutland Co, Vermont on his death record, but his son Joel’s 1897 death record lists his birthplace as Gilmanton,NH.

Son of John Swain (b.1719) and his second wife, Eunice (Rogers? Swett?) Swain (1739-1774). It is possible that Levi may be a half-brother of Benjamin Swain.

He married, first, on Jul 20,1808 at Brattleboro,VT, Rhoda Eaton.

He married, second, Salome “Sally” Hall. There is a marriage recorded at London,NH on Jan 9,1827 between Levi Swain of Gilmanton,NH and Sally Eaton of London,NH which could possibly be this marriage…. Eaton may have been a prior married name of Sally’s, it may be an error, or she could be related to Levi’s first wife in some way.

Children(by first marriage): Julia Ann Swain Judd, Joel Eaton Swain, and Emily Swain.

Children (by second marriage): William Dexter Swain, Joel Swain, and Samuel H. Swain.

Spouses (of Levi):

Rhoda Eaton Swain (1783 – 1822)

Salome Hall Swain (1785 – 1854)

Children:

Joel Swain (1829 – 1897)

Find A Grave Memorial# 72715329

levi-swain-at-christial-hill-alt1

Rhoda Eaton Swain

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=70656484

First wife of Levi Swain.

Children: Julia Ann Swain Judd, Joel Eaton Swain, and Emily Swain.

Spouse:

Levi Swain (1777 – 1851)

Find A Grave Memorial# 70656484

rhoda-eaton-swain-grave-1-alt1

rhoda-eaton-swain-grave-2-alt1

Salome “Sally” Hall Swain

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=72715173

Birth: Apr. 22, 1785, Keene, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Death: Jun. 12, 1854, Colrain, Franklin County, Massachusetts

Her death record indicates she was born in Putney, Windham Co, Vermont. But her son Joel’s 1897 death record indicates she was born in Keene,NH.

Daughter of Samuel Hall and Susanna (Chamberlain) Hall(here?).

Second wife of Levi Swain. It is possible that she may have married previously, and perhaps to an Eaton who may have been related to Levi Swain’s first wife. There is also a marriage on Mar 30,1824 in New Hampshire between a Salome Hall and a Miles Burnham. Her history needs to be sorted out further. Her son Joel’s death record clearly indicates her maiden name was Hall.

Children: William Dexter Swain(father of Frances Swain Gleason), Joel Swain, and Samuel H. Swain.

Spouse:

Levi Swain (1777 – 1851)*

Children:

Joel Swain (1829 – 1897)

Find A Grave Memorial# 72715173

salome-hall-swain-grave-alt1 .