Author: James Edward Mitchell
Cornelius parents were recorded as Johannes (aka Johnny) Swartwout (1716-1805) and Neeltje (aka Nelle) Van Bogert (1718-1795) married during 1743 at Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County (Co) New York (NY). Cornelius’ parents are recorded as witnesses for the 21 Sep 1766 baptism of Neeltje (niece?) a child of Cornelius Van de Bogert and his wife, Neeltje Van de Bogert within the Baptismal Records, of the Dutch Reformed Church Congregation of Poughkeepsie-the Flats.., Image 34.

Cornelius Swartwout was recorded in a family record born on 12 Jul 1757; source, www.Fold3.com; see, https://www.fold3.com/image/27266521 Among hand-written (ink) birth records were Cornelius’ wife, “Sarah Ter Bush” was boarn (sic) 30 Mar 1757. Children born to their (1780) union were subscribed as first born, Johannes (aka John) 15 Sep 1780 baptized by Rev. Wm. Fraligh; a second son, Henry Swartwout born 24 May 1782, baptized by Rev. Livingston; and, daughter, Nelle Swartwout 15 Sep 1783, baptized by Reverend Livingston. Third son, Myndert Swartwout born 31 May 1785, baptized by Rev. Rizendike; fourth son, Abraham Swartwout born 25 Mar 1787, baptized by Rev. Rizendike; fifth son, George Washington Swartwout born 20 Dec 1788, baptized by Rev. Rizendike; sixth son, Jacobus Swartwout born 19 Oct 1790, baptized by Rev. Wm. Gray and a seventh son, Nathan born 17 Oct 1792, baptized by Rev. Wm. Fraligh. Source, Baptismal Records, Dutch Reformed Church Congregation of Poughkeepsie –the Flats near Nether Rhinebeck, Johannes born 15 Sep, ba. Oct 1, 1780, Image(s) 81; Henry bo. 24 May 1782, Image 88; Nelle bo. 12 Sep 1783 Witnesses: Myndert Swartwout and, wife Nelle, Image 97,and Jacobus Swartwout Nov 28; born Oct 19, Image 103.

An online search of military records for Cornelius Swartwout determined a Muster Roll between 28 Jun 1775 and 28 Sep 1775 for Capt Lewis Dubois’ (aka Du Bois) Company 3rd (NY) State Rgt, New in the Services of the United Colonies at Camp at Ticonderoga under the Command of Col James Clinton, Esq., the 28 Sep 1775, initially as a fifer. Capt Dubois’ company was listed with a Capt., 2 Lieuts, 1 Sgt, 2 Corporals, 1 Drum, 1 Fife (listed on the Muster Roll as Cornelius Swartwout) and 16 Privates.

Later, Swartwout was promoted while in service to the rank of sergeant in Capt Wood’s company raised for Dutchess County (Co.,) New York (NY) State Rgt. of Levies, under the command of Col Levi Pawling; source(s), Ibid; and, https://www.fold3.com/pdf/M881.pdf pg 21 and also, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-08-02-0391

Recorded at the Albany Co, NY Court on 30 Apr 1839, was a hand-written affidavit ink-signed, “george w swartwout” that stated, being duly sworn…, he was a son of Sarah Swartwout. He resided within the same house with the said Sarah, in the Town of Westerlo where his father, Cornelius Swartwout died on the 22nd day of Sep 1831. The said Sarah had remained a widow ever since…. The affidavit was signed, John Niles a Judge of Albany Co., Courts on 30 Apr 1839; see, https://www.fold3.com/image/27266523?terms=Cornelius%20Swartwout

A separate signed affidavit “Sarah (X) Swartwout” dated 26 Sep 1838, sworn and subscribed before Andrew Myers, Commissioner of Deeds of Albany Co., stated that Sarah a resident of Westerlo, Albany Co., NY was born in Fishkill, Dutchess Co., NY and the affiant advised that she was now age 82.

The affiant advised the Court that on 30 Mar 1780, she had married Cornelius C. Swartwout at Poughkeepsie in Dutchess Co., where she and the said Swartwout resided. At the time of their matrimony she understood, Cornelius had served a total of 4 years attached to the (NY) State Rgt., during the (American) Revolutionary War. Sarah stated that her husband had informed her that his (1777) military service had initially begun for him as a fifer for approximately 2 years…, a part of that time in a company raised at Poughkeepsie led by Capt Swartwout, an uncle. Sarah had been informed by neighbors and family that Cornelius’ Dutchess Co., company and (NY) State Rgt. was commanded for a period by Col Van Benschoten. After their 1780 marriage, her husband was again drafted for 3 months into the (NY) State Rgt. of Levies (Militia). She only would see her husband for a few occasions, when the deponent was on furlough.

Note: Cornelius Swartwout and Sarah Bush’s (aka Boss, Sic) names were recorded with bold ink, script “Reg(istered) Mar 11, 1780; notation: “Cornelius –Pou [Pou(ghkeepsie) State of NY] both live there. Sarah Boss –Fishkill.” Source, Marriage Records, Dutch Reformed Church Congregation of Poughkeepsie –the Flats near Nether Rhinebeck, Image 180.

Sarah advised at Court in 1801, that she and husband Cornelius Swartwout removed to Albany Co., NY and settled at Westerlo, formed 1815 from parts of the towns of Coeymans and Rensselaerville. The couple resided at Westerlo, until Cornelius’s death. Sarah Swartwout stated that a local Westerlo resident and associate of her deceased husband Cornelius, was Josiah Hinkley. She noted that her husband, had said, he had served for a (NY) militia tour with Hinkley during the Revolutionary War in the (NY) State Rgt..

A separate affidavit was determined that Josiah Hinkley appeared in Albany Co., Court on 29 Jun 1838 to file a pension claim that he was born in Dutchess Co., and Putnam Co., NY at the town of Paterson. Hinkley initially enlisted on 1 Aug 1776 for 5 months within the (NY) State Rgt., (Militia) raised at Fredericksborough in the company led by Capt Wm. Most. The Rgt, was commanded by Col. (Jacobus) Swartwout and, they marched to defend Kings Bridge. After initially marching, Hinkley befriended an 18 year old fifer, Cornelius Swartwout attached to the company of Capt (Abraham) Swartwout from Poughkeepsie or some place near Poughkeepsie. This (NY) State Rgt., was commanded by Col (Jacobus) Swartwout from Fishkill, Dutchess Co., NY.

After the Revolutionary War ended Hinkley and Cornelius re-settled to Albany Co., within 5 miles of each other; Hinkley in the town of Coeymans and Swartwout at neighboring Westerlo; source, ibid, see: https://www.fold3.com/image/27266537

Cornelius Swartwout, age 74 died on 22 Sep 1831 at Westerlo, Albany Co, NY and was buried now, at Oakwood Cemetery, 50 101st Street, Troy, Rensselaer Co, formed 1791 from Albany Co. Although Cornelius Swartwout’s upright headstone is inscribed at Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, NY mapped at Latitude: 41.76390 and Longitude: - 73.76390, the headstone has approximate dates of birth and death; however, his son, George Washington Swartwout’s horizontally positioned slab marker, headstone lies near his father’s. George W.’s name is above in the 2nd paragraph as a fifth son! See: Find A Grave Memorial# 89857838 for George’s father, Cornelius and a headstone color photograph taken with a SAR bronze pole Lug; and, Find a Grave Memorial# 144980929 for George Swartwout.