Swain - Boyd Hill Cemetery List - Town of Grove, Allegany County, NY

This cemetery is located on a very steep hill (Swain Hill Road) in the village of Swain. From Route 70, take Route 24 into Swain, over the Railroad tracks and a turn right takes you uphill to the cemetery (immediately across from the entrance into the ski resort). The cemetery is "tiered", with stone walls forming the steps of the tiers. It appears to be an active cemetery, as there are recent burials there. The Whitney graves are set off at the top of the cemetery by a wire fence. There is minimal care given to the cemetery. This list was started by Wilma Abplanalp's 1981 recording and a few more headstones were added by a walk thru in 2006. Transcription and Photos by Mary Rhodes.

GPS Cordinates: N42 28.721' W077 51.448'

This information is meant to help you in your quest for family. As with all material provided by others, you must verify using your own methods. Please report any errors you may discover (with proof of correction needed) so we can provide accuracy on the web.

BOWLES: Rev. George Bowles, died Apr 16, 1884 Aged 75 Yr. 3 Days

BOWLES: Alice, Died Jan 24, 1905 Aged 95 Yrs 1 Mo 6 Days

BALCOM: Mother, Mary E. 1888 – 1918

BALCOM: Son Charles 1915 – 1918

CLEVELAND: Anna E., Wife of C. Cleveland, born May 18, 1862, Died Apr 28, 1890

CLEVELAND: Lewis, Infant son of H.C. Cleveland & H.E. Born Apr 1890 Died Aug 14, 1890

DODGE: K. Eugene, 1902 – 1912

DECKER: Frederick R. 1836 – 1886

DECKER: Mary E., His Wife 1844 – 1923

Note -- "Ossain Giant" For story of Frederick Decker, PRESS HERE

DONNELLY: James, Died Feb 8, 1877 Age 73 years.

DONNELLY: Polly, His Wife, Died Oct 18, 1885 Age 79 Years 14 Days “Blessed Are The Dead That Die In The Lord”.

DAVIES: Joanna Ellen, beloved wife of Dr. James Davies 1828 – 1887

NOTE – Dr. Davies was also a Rev. preached in Canaseraga and Garwoods, NY at one time. It is strongly believed that he is also buried there, but no marker etc, for him. I do have an old clipping from Nunda News, of his death, that that was in my grandma Sommers’ Bible, it states the following: “Itinerant Practitioner of Royal Lineage, Falls Dead” Apr 15, 19—(date not clearly visible, but looks like 1920??) He dropped dead near Crosiers Store in Oakland, NY, Thursday afternoon. He was born in Wales, in 1838, lived on his fathers farm until age 12. He was educated in Oxford University and occupied a chair in a medical college in London. He was also a Navigator, sailed his own ship on the Atlantic and came to America about fifty years ago. Was rector of the Canaseraga Church in 1872 (Episcopal Church) coming there from Wellsville, NY. His ancestry extends back to BROMVEN an Irish Queen, and also a kin of the crowned heads of Europe, declared himself a true American. Dr. Davies suffered an accident some twenty or so years ago that cost him his left arm. He went bear hunting in PA Mts with the brother in law of Ulysses S. Grant (Wm. Dent). He walked for miles from place to place up until the very end. Many of his medicines were made from roots etc. and erbs which he gathered. Burial was yesterday, from the home of Mrs. Wilkins, of Oakland, Rev. A. E. Herrick officiating, burial at Swain, NY.”

DUNN: Charles L. Born Jan 8, 1850, Died May 13, 1903

DUNN: Mary E, Daughter of Charles L. died July 18, 1890 Aged 1 Yr 6 Mo

HAIGHT: Thomas, 1834 - 1920

HAIGHT: Mary, His Wife 1835 – 1914

HAIGHT: Ida, Daughter of Thomas and Mary, Born 1856, Died Feb 1930? (Just a stake type marker for Ida and hard to read as it is very faded. However, I vaguely remember her, she was unmarried.

HALL: George J. “In Loving Remembrance of” Died June 12, 1896 Aged 59 Years 6 Days

HALL: Mother 1848 – 1917

ELDRIDGE: Job B. Died June 9, 1878 Age 74 Years

ELDRIDGE: Elizabeth, His Wife Died Oct 27, 1884 Aged 76 Years 4 Mo

FISK: Mallie Wife of F. C. Fisk Died Nov 11, 1906 Aged 23 Yrs 4 Mo

HEATH: Mark W. 1842 – 1923 He was a soldier (GAR 1861 – 1865)

HEATH: Edora His Wife 1847 – 1906

HEATH: Sylvester 1807 - 1893

HEATH: Catherine His Wife

HEATH: George W 1844 – 1916

HEATH: Sarah M. Wife of George 1840 – 1917

KNIGHT: Columbus 1834 – 1910

KNIGHT: Mary J. His Wife 1835 – 19--

MERITHEW: Mother, Wife of Mordecai Merithew, Mar 17, 1828 Died June 9, 1894

MERRILL: Erwin D 1880 – Uncut

MERRILL: Grace A 1879 – 1958

ORCUTT: James M 1864 – 1936

ORCUTT: Della (Unable to read dates)

PITCHER: John Died Apr 14, 1887 Aged 67 Yrs.

PITCHER: Mary His Wife Died 1904 Age 75 Yrs.

PITCHER: Walter G. Son of William and Jennie, Died Aug 25, 1882 Aged 12 Days.

PITCHER: W. G. Sr. (No Dates)

PITCHER: Jennie Purdy, Wife of William Jr. 1855 – Oct 1948 (She died in Canaseraga NY Nursing Home aged 92 years)

PITCHER: William Jr. Born 1853 Died 1925

NOTE: Will Jr. was killed in the fall of 1925 by a train on the Erie tracks, Swain, NY while walking home at night from old Brewer place where he had been helping sort potatoes etc. Accident was not discovered until next AM where train got into the train sheds, etc. in Buffalo. Then they found evidence on the engine. Will and Jennie (who I knew very well) had two daughters: Fanny, who married Henry Guay, lived in Buffalo, NY, now deceased, and Mallie, who died in childbirth 1906. She was wife of Fred Fisk.

Mallie is also buried in Swain. Mallie was 28 years old at time of her death, her baby died and is buried with her.

STUART: John H. Died Oct 11, 1881

SAXTON: Cyrus D Died Dec 6, 1878 Aged 80 Yrs 8 Mo

SAXTON: Elizabeth, His Wife Died 1898 Aged 92 Yrs 7 Mo

SPENCER: William V. 1927

SPENCER: Ida E 1933

SEAGER: “Father” William, 1836 - 1918

SEAGER: “Mother” Hattie, Wife of William Seager Sr. 1841 – 1925

SEAGER: Rose N., “Doll” 1866 – 1941 Wife of William Jr.

SEAGER: William A Jr., 1863 – 1935

NOTE: Doll and her husband ran a store/post office in Swain, NY for years, located in the old building which is now the Seirra Hotel. (Doll was Rose Northrup)

SCOTT: Isaac, Died Apr 25, 1872

SCOTT: Linda, Wife of W. I. Scott, died Feb 22, 1887 Age ?? (Unable to read)

SCOTT: Winfield I Scott Sr., Died May 6, 1879

SWAIN: Theodore I October 27, 1924 – Jan 1, 1998 “Ted”

THOMAS: Charles W 1860 - 1935

THOMAS: Anna P. 1865 – 1941

THOMAS: Helen M. Hall, Wife of Truman 1865 - 1935

THOMAS: Our Baby Charles 1901 - 1903

THOMAS: Truman B. 1863 – 1937

THOMAS: John C. 1899 – 1918

THOMAS: L. George, 1890 – 1978

THOMAS: Laura R., His Wife, 1890 – 1971