General John Swift, Founder of Palmyra, N.Y. [New York]

Unpaginated. In commemoration of dedication of General John Swift, Memorial Cemetery, August 18, 1923. James R. Hickey Post, No. 120, American Legion. "John Swift (June 17, 1761 – July 12, 1814) was an American military officer during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. He founded the town of Palmyra, New York. In the winter of 1788–89, with the Wyoming Valley situation not going in the Connecticuters' favor, John Swift and John Jenkins purchased a large tract within the Phelps and Gorham Purchase in what is now Wayne County, New York, with the intent of helping their fellow Connecticuters settle there instead. When Swift set up residence near Ganargua Creek in 1790 (after buying out Jenkins), the area was named "Swift's Landing".[2] It later was named "Tolland" before being renamed "Palmyra" at the first town meeting in 1796.[3]"