The most comprehensive work on the early history of the Swett family in America is entitled "Swett Genealogy: Descendants of John Swett of Newbury, Mass." by Everett S. Stackpole (The Journal Printshop, Lewiston, Maine; undated, but published about 1914. The latest year mentioned is 1913 on page 69).

More recent researchers have discovered information that Stackpole did not have, plus a great deal of unsubstantiated speculation. Therefore, this document starts with Stackpole, focuses on what is (and isn't) known about John Swett of Newbury and his immediate family, compiles additional research findings to the end of the lifetime of each of his sons, verifies Stackpole's account insofar as possible and corrects that account where necessary.

Stackpole assigned a number to each male Swett who established a family, based on the information available to him. Although his sequential numbering system does not permit insertion of additional numbers as more information becomes available, it is widely referred to in other documents. Therefore, I have continued to reference his numbers [in square brackets] and noted the males of this lineage to whom he did not assign a number, because each of them may be a potential avenue for further research.

It is important to note that two different calendar systems were in use during the 1600's and early 1700's. Puritans counted March 23rd as the first day of the new year, and all of March as the first month, so any date in January, February or March should be written as, for example, "1660-1" which means 1660 under the Puritan system and 1661 under the conventional system. The Puritan calendar was abandoned and January 1st became the first day of the new year in 1752. For the sake of clarity, I have converted Puritan dates to the conventional calendar system except in direct quotations.

These papers are intentionally not copyrighted. I have placed my name on each paper so it may be copied separately.

Ben H. Swett