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Swearingen, Elemelech Sr. (1805-1887)
Swearingen, Elemelech
Life Sketch
1887
Elemelech was born in Shepherdsville, Bullitt County, Kentucky to Samuel and Margaret Payton Swearingen on September 25, 1805. He married Angelina Weeks. They together with his brother and parents came to Texas in 1831 and settled in what is now Austin County. They were the first Anglo-Americans to settle at that place.
Elemelech enlisted with the Army of the Republic of Texas on March 1 serving as a 2nd Sg't. of Company ‘B' of the 1st Regiment of Infantry under Capt. Amasa Turner. With so many soldiers from all over the country thrown into close quarters, a measles epidemic broke out, and an emergency "hospital" was set up at Groce's plantation. When Houston moved his army to San Jacinto, those who were too sick were left there. Elemelech was one of those who was left behind. Six year later, when a Mexican army invaded Texas, in 1842, and hostages from San Antonio were taken, Sam Houston sent out a force to enter Mexico and bring back some prisoners in order to make an exchange. This became the ill-fated Mier Expedition. Elemelech was left in charge of the camp guard to protect their equipment while the main force crossed the Rio Grande and entered the Mexican town of Mier. Because of this Elemelech avoided capture and imprisonment. |
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Swearingen
Elemelech
32117
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