Benjamin Swan (November 12, 1762 – April 11, 1839) was an American merchant, banker and politician. He was an important political figure in Vermont and served as state treasurer.
Early life Swan was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on November 12, 1762,Clarence Winthrop Bowen, The History of Woodstock, Connecticut, Volume 5, 1933, page E-315 the son of William Swan and Lavina (Keyes) Swan. He trained as a merchant in Worcester, Boston, and Montreal before moving to Woodstock, Vermont, in 1791.Henry Swan Dana, History of Woodstock, Vermont, 1889, pages 485-486
Business career Swan continued his mercantile career and was also successful as a banker, including serving on the board of directors of the Vermont State Bank.Henry Swan Dana, History of Woodstock, Vermont, 1889, page 487Vermont General Assembly, Journal of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, 1830, page 151 He was also an owner or partner in several ventures, including a pearl ash factory.Henry Swan Dana, History of Woodstock, Vermont, 1889, page 320David Lowenthal, George Perkins Marsh, Volume 1, 1953, page 20
Political career A Federalist,Marcus Davis Gilman, The Bibliography of Vermont, 1897, page 214 Swan served in local offices including postmaster.Vermont Historical Society, News and Notes, Volumes 11-15, 1959, page 36 He served as Justice of the Peace when holders of that office still heard court cases.Vermont General Assembly, Journal of the Vermont General Assembly, 1829, page 153Vermont Supreme Court, Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont, 1821, page 148 He was also active in the militia, and achieved the rank of major.Henry Swan Dana, History of Woodstock, Vermont, 1889, page 486
In 1796, Swan was appointed county clerk, an office in which he served until his death.Lewis Cass Aldrich, Frank R. Holmes, History of Windsor County, Vermont, 1891, page 99 Swan was elected Vermont state treasurer in 1800. He served until 1833, and is the state's longest-tenured treasurer.E. P. Walton, Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont, Volume IV, 1876, page 531
After years of running virtually unopposed, even after the demise of the Federalist Party, in 1833 Swan narrowly lost his bid for reelection to Augustine Clarke, 19,661 (50.8%) to 19,056 (49.2%). Swan was a Mason, and Clarke was the candidate of the Anti-Masonic Party, so his win demonstrated the strength of that third party movement.Vermont Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, 1989, page 288
Death and burial Swan died in Woodstock on April 11, 1839.David H. Williams (Boston), The American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge, for the Year 1840, 1839, page 319 He is buried at River Street Cemetery in Woodstock.Clarence Winthrop Bowen, The History of Woodstock, Connecticut, Volume 5, 1933, page E-315
House The Major Benjamin Swan home at 37 Elm St. in Woodstock was constructed in the mid-1790s. It is a local landmark, and is a privately owned residence.AOL Real Estate, Town of Woodstock Real Estate, Search of 37 Elm St., retrieved December 31, 2013
Family In 1804 Swan married Lucy Gay. Their children included: Benjamin (1805–1852); William (1807–1811); Lucy (1810–1892); William (died 1816); Eleanor (died 1817); and Mary (1813–1867).Henry Swan Dana, History of Woodstock, Vermont, 1889, page 487
Swan's brother Timothy Swan was an eccentric composer and poet who lived at Suffield, Connecticut.The History of the Descendants of John Dwight, of Dedham, Massachusetts, Vol. II, Benjamin Woodbridge Dwight, John F. Trow & Son, New York, 1874 Swan's sister Lavina married Vermont Lieutenant Governor Jonathan Hunt of the prominent Hunt family of Vermont. Swan's nephew was U.S. Congressman Jonathan Hunt.
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