Swezey-Tomsic Ancestors

Swezey Beginning-the 1470s: from the Sweezey Web Site - indicating research shows the original family name was SWEZEY, dating back to 1400s.

http://sweezey.com/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I00148&tree=sweez

The following is an excerpt of an article by Donald Bayles regarding the Swezey/Swazey family genealogy. It is the first that I have seen which mentions an Israel Swazey from Wales. Many other sources claim William from Normandy as an ancestor, but usually as a great-grandfather of John.
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"The Swezey (swazey) family is descended from John Swesye who was born in France in 1474 in France where a son William was born in 1496. They left Normandy in 1524 and settled in Weymouth, Dorsetshire, England. John Swezey of Southold was born in England in 1600, the son of Israel Swazey of Wales. John emigrated to Salem Mass. in 1629 with two sons Joseph and John. In 1652 John moved to Southold and in 1661 received an allotment of land in Aquebogue where he settled."

Year by Year for 1st Swezey in USA
from Sweezey web site:
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1621 - Christened - John, son of Robert Swasie - listed in "Parish Registers of St. Mary's, Bridport, Dorset, England. I believe this listing pertains to this John Swasie.

1633 - It is speculated that John arrives in America on the ship "Recovery", from London with his Aunt and Uncle - Elizabeth Swasie and her husband John Hardy. Elizabeth Swasie and John Hardy were married in St. Mary's, Bridgeport, Dorset, England on 11 Jan 1612/13. I cannot find any records for this ship in 1633.

1640 - John settled in Salem, Essex Co., Mass., where in 1640, John had four acres of land allotted to him on "ye Mayne road", what is now Essex Street. This is stated in B. F. Swaseys "Genealogy of the Swasey Family", but after much research, I have not been able to find any documents relating to this claim.

1651 - Feb 13, 1651/2 The Selectmen of Salem "Granted to John Swasey 40 acres of land to be laid out near Henrie Bartholmew his farme".

1651 - 14 April 1651, Robert Gutch assigns the apprentice contract of John Woolly to John Swasey of Salem. (from the Southold Records)

1652 - 14 January - Sells to his mother-in-law, Dorothy King (a Widow) his land and house. It would appear that John and his family moved soon after to Long Island.

1653 - 30 June 1653, sells lot to Jeffrie Massey of Salem.

1654 - Purchased Land from the Rev. John Youngs in Southold, Long Island. I have not found this document, only references regarding the purchase.

1655 - John was appointed one of the commissioners to fix the boundary line between Southold and Smithtown, Long Island, NY. On 14 April 1655, along with five others he was employed by the Assembly of the New Haven Colony, of which he was a member, to purchase of the Indian Sachem Warawacmy, the town of Brookhaven, Long Island. He acquired large tracts and water privileges of this new territory. At this time, Long Island is still under the jurisdiction of The New Haven Colony.

1658 - A John Swasey is listed in "List of Heads of Families in Southold, 1658", from the Town Records.

1659 - John Swasey refuses to take "The New Haven Colony Oath of Fidelity". Around 1658, the new "religion" known as "The Quaker Movement", arrived in America from England. In response to this new 'movement', the New Haven Colony officials instituted the Oath. It is quite possible that John was either a member, or sympathetic to this new 'movement', which is why he first refused to sign the Fidelity Oath. After numerous threats, John signed the Oath in 1660. I have found no documentation to show that John was ever a Quaker. This information comes from B.F. Swasey's book, "Genealogy of the Swasey Family".

From a book titled "Records of the Colony or Jurisdiction of New Haven, from May 1653 to the Union. Together with the New Haven Code if 1656" by Charles J. Hoadly. Hartford, Case, Lockwood & Company, 1858. pg 302.
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Information being given that John Corey, John Swasey, Mr. Jon Booth, Joseph Younges senior, Tho: Ridar, Edward Petty, Tho: More junior, refused to take the oath of fidelity, it is ordered, that they shall appeare at the court of magistrates, the 19th of October, next, to answere it, if in the meane time they take not the said oath & certify it unto the court.
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1661 - On Nov 20, 1661, a John Swasey is allotted 4 lots of land in the Occabauck (Aquebogue) Dividend. Each lot consisted of approximately 250 acres. Only one other person (John Budd) received 4 lots, out of a total of 38 lots. The 4 lots were not contiguous, but was 2 separate double lots. I am not positive what the criteria was for allotting 'Lots', but I was under the impression it had to do with the size of a persons family, particularly the number of males in the family.

1665 - A meeting on 19 Mar 1665/66 in Southold agreed to divide Plum Island into shares for every man in Southold. A document dated 22 May 1666 lists a John Swazye, who is given 4 shares.

1667 - Supposedly moved to Aquebogue, on a lot later owned by descendant Rev. Moses Sweezey.

1675 - On the 16 Sept 1675 List of Taxpayers in Southold, we see a John Swasie Senior (2 heads), a John Swasie Jr., and a Joseph Swasie. This would be John Sr., with his two sons John Jr. and Joseph. The second "head" living with John Sr. would be his son Samuel. In 1675 he is taxed for 1 head, 10 acres, 28 pounds; 2 oxen, 2 cows, 22 pounds; 1 2-year-old, 1 yearling, 8 pounds 10 shillings. Amount, 58 pounds 10 shillings. Another list I found says John was taxed for 200 shillings for 1675.

Between 1676 and 1679, there is a 2nd and 3rd Aquebogue Land Division. There is a John Swazy listed who is given 4 more lots of land in the 3rd Division. I believe these documents pertain to John Sr. But, why are his two sons not mentioned? They are both of age, and Joseph was married by 1677.

1683 - A John Swazey and a Joseph Swazey appear on a "Rate Lists of Long Island" for Southold, with estimated value of property. John is 202 pounds, and Joseph is 99. I am not sure how to interpret this information. We know that son Joseph is married to Mary Betts at this time, and since he appeared to be living on his own in the 1675 tax list, this must be the same Joseph. But there should be two John Swazeys at this time - John Sr., who appears in the 1675 tax list, and his son John Jr. who was also listed in 1675 as a separate Tax Payer, and is 32 years old. This Tax Listing does not mention the number of heads in the household, so I guess it is possible that John Jr. has now moved into the house with his father. This is very hard to interpret. And, where is son Samuel? He is 30 years old at this time, and should be listed also. Maybe Samuel is also living with his father and brother John.

1686 Census - There is a listing for a John Sr. (3 males, 4 females), a John Jr. (2 males, 1 female), and a Joseph (1 male, 4 females). This appears correct. Two of the males in John Senior's household are John and son Samuel. Three of the females are his wife, and daughters Mary and Sarah.