Caswell County Genealogy
 

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Swinson, John Thomas

Swinson, John Thomas

Male 1908 - 1990  (82 years)

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  • Name Swinson, John Thomas 
    Birth 22 Jun 1908  North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Name Tommy 
    Reference Number I66833 
    Death 24 Dec 1990  Durham, Durham County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I66833  Caswell County
    Last Modified 16 Apr 2024 

    Father Living 
    Relationship natural 
    Family ID F52967  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Green, Althea,   b. 22 Apr 1910   d. 3 Nov 1944 (Age 34 years) 
    Children 
    +1. Living
     2. Living
    Family ID F23727  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 16 Apr 2024 

    Family 2 Shaw, Alma Eliza,   b. 23 Jun 1921, Bladen County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 7 Jul 2014 (Age 93 years) 
    Children 
     1. Living
    Family ID F52964  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 16 Apr 2024 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 22 Jun 1908 - North Carolina Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 24 Dec 1990 - Durham, Durham County, North Carolina Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    John Thomas Swinson Trial Results
    John Thomas Swinson Prison Sentence
    Swinson Trial

  • Notes 
    • John Tommy Swinson

      Swinson

      Tommy Swinson Prison Sentence

      Swinson Trial Result

      (for larger image, click on photograph)
      _______________

      A.P. 11/10/1959 -- Rev. and Mrs. Tommy Swinson sit in Recorder's Court here [Yanceyville] (1/10), during hearing on charges of blackmail, conspiracy, and assault brought against them by fellow Baptist minister G. A. Hamby. Hamby accused the couple of trying to blackmail him with pictures allegedly showing him and Mrs. Swinson in scantily-clad compromising position[s]. Hamby was staying at the Swinson home at the time of the alleged incident, and also claimed he was beaten by Swinson." UPI TELEPHOTO -fw1

      It appears the "good" Reverend Swinson spent a while in Durham as a guest of the state. Click image to see a larger version. Query whether this was the only minister to spend time in the old Caswell County Jail. Did he leave a message on the wall?

      Why Judge W. H. S. Burgwyn was presiding in Caswell County Superior Court in 1959 is not understood. His biography states:

      "Appointed a special superior court judge in 1937, he held the position until 1953. During his long career on the bench, Burgwyn held court in eighty-eight of the state's hundred counties."

      Reverend Tommy Swinson's reputation apparently survived his criminal record as he presided over the wedding of his grandson in 1977. Query whether he pulled a Jimmy Swaggart.