Earliest Swift Journal

EC.Mason

EC.Mason

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Feb 6, 2009
674
1,041
West Liberty Kentucky
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Garrett AT Max
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
EC.Mason said:
Hey hope all is well with everyone. I was wondering when the earliest mention of Swifts journal was. Was it documented early or did it not come about till later? There are so many versions I am wanting to try and figure which ones would be the most reliable. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I do not know about the others but Michael Paul Henson's copy, I believe came from the original left at Bean's Station supposedly by J. Swift himself. Don't know. I have never seen the others. I have read a couple on line. The one by Indian Joseph seems logical but it is not a Swift Journal, it is one handed down to him about the Swift Mines.
 

Thanks! I used to have Hensons John Swift book but it got lost during a move!! Divorce causes a person to lose a lot lol. Is there a copy of this online anywhere. I looked on amazon to buy the book but its out of stock.
 

Ok so Im a teacher and took my kids to the school library today. I found a copy of Collins history of Ky written in 1874. In it he talks about Judge Haywood who wrote about Swift in 1823, and in his account he mentions Swift leaving the journal with Mrs. Renfro. I know this is not new news to everyone, but its the earliest mention of the journal I have found so far.
 

That is the copy that Michael Paul Henson sold. His son may have a page somewhere he and his family sells them. I really do not know?

If you ever get up towards Wisconsin or look on the World Wide Web you may be able to find some in the Old Draper Manuscripts. The manuscripts has stories back before the Revolutionary War from eye witnesses. There is one in there of two long hunters finding silver in Kentucky before going to the Battle of King's Mountain. It was told by John Redd and he fought at the Battle of Yorktown and was at Martin's Station at about the same time as Daniel Boone. The story relates silver was found on top of a knoll or small hill where the high snow had melted. Great read. I tracked those two hunters down. One stayed at Martin's Station during some Indian Attacks and the other got a Treasury Warrant on land down near Bowling Green Kentucky. I do not know which was the location of the silver find. Most likely near Bowling Green, Kentucky.
 

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Wow that is interesting Franklin. Im looking up the Draper Manuscripts now! I work in Powell County, right in the heart of the Red River Gorge. I plan on going to the historical society and library here to see if there are any other references to Swift or silver in this area. THere are so many stories out there I would love to really get to the root of it and go from those sources.

Years ago I had ordered copies of Hensons books and other material from his wife Nancy. I believe she has passed since then so if anyone knew how I could get a hold of his son or know where copies of his books may be found I would greatly appreciate it!
 

EC.Mason said:
Hey hope all is well with everyone. I was wondering when the earliest mention of Swifts journal was. Was it documented early or did it not come about till later? There are so many versions I am wanting to try and figure which ones would be the most reliable. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Rebecca Timmins claimed she had the original and found Swift's mine opening along Swift Camp Creek in the mid to late 1800s. She published parts of the Journal in the Hazel Green Herald (local paper to the RRGorge area at that time)the two-part article is titled 'Written by the one who knows'. Links below from my searches read and enjoy. Search Timmins, Swift + Silver, ect..ect lots of articles to find in KY related to topic. The first listed talks about a Mrs. Perkins...the author calls her that for some unknown reason but it is Mrs. Timmins.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=2

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=2

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=2

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
 

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Yes sir! Even had one of our fine members PM me and offer to mail me copies of the Swift journal. The fellowship of discussing and helping one another is truly the best part of the hunt!
 

Hey im up for one any weekend! Would absolutely love to get in the gorge and camp off the beaten path.
 

EC.Mason said:
Wow that is interesting Franklin. Im looking up the Draper Manuscripts now! I work in Powell County, right in the heart of the Red River Gorge. I plan on going to the historical society and library here to see if there are any other references to Swift or silver in this area. THere are so many stories out there I would love to really get to the root of it and go from those sources.

Years ago I had ordered copies of Hensons books and other material from his wife Nancy. I believe she has passed since then so if anyone knew how I could get a hold of his son or know where copies of his books may be found I would greatly appreciate it!
Click to expand...

Used book stores are your best bet for finding a surviving copy. You may want to make a visit to Rebecca Timmins grave. It should be near the old Calaboose school house site, she lived near there and also did her first dig near there and found some ore. It should be off Calaboose road North of Campton.
 

There is a book site that has Henson's books--both on the JS silver. I am at work but will try to post it soon.
 

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