 Rev. Swancey's surname is spelled "Swancy" in several places instead of "Swancey."
James Swancey was born in October 1864 in Athens, Henderson County, Texas, son of William M. Swancey, Sr. (born Tennessee) and Mary A. Roper (born Alabama). The 1870 census for Henderson County, shows James as the 3rd of 4 children; his father was a farmer. By the summer of 1880 the family is living in Harrison County. (Editor's Note: In the 1870 and 1880 census the surname for the family is spelled "Swanson." James and Arilla Dickson were married December 22, 1890 in Gregg County, Texas. The 1900 census lists James, his wife Arilla, and 6 children living in the same household as James' parents. James' occupation is listed a "preacher." Denison City Directories listed Rev. James R. Swancey as the Hopewell Baptist Church pastor from 1907 to 1915. The 1911 Denison City Directory lists James and wife residing at 716 N. Lamar Avenue, as well as his brother who was a hallman at the Denison Hotel. By 1913 the couple had moved next door to 718 N. Lamar Avenue. Two years later they were again living at 716 N. Lamar Avenue. Reverend Swancey and his first wife, Willie, divorced sometime before February 1923 since Texas Marriage records list Mrs. Willie A. Swancy married Simp Campbell on February 16, 1923 in Grayson County; their marriage evidently did not last long as she is listed in the 1927 Denison City Directory as living alone at 720 N. Lamar Ave. Willie remained in Denison until her death in 1950. Her Death Certificate states she is widowed and is buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Denison, Texas. James married Alberta Paxton on April 11, 1916 in Fannin County, Texas. The 1920 Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas City Directories lists only James (minister) and wife, Alberta, living in the household. In mid-February 1920 "Rev. Swancy of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church" preached in Denton shortly after his return from Seattle, Washington.  Rev. J.R. Swancy, a Texas man, who has gone to the far Northwest and entered the mining industry. He has already organized the Seattle Lucky Wednesday Mining Company, and has obtained bona fide leases on proven territory. With the aid of Negro mechanics, saw-mill workers, contractors and miners, he expects to make this one of the Race's greatest enterprises. Rev. Swancy's Texas address is Honey Grove. (The Dallas (TX) Express, Saturday, February 5, 1921, pg. 2) The Dallas Express Saturday, February 6, 1921 pg. 2 A NEW FIELD OF ENDEAVOR Rev. J.R. Swancy, a Texas man, who has gone to the far Northwest and entered the mining industry. He has already organized the Seattle Lucky Wednesday Mining Company, and has obtained bona fide leases on proven territory. With the aid of Negro mechanics, saw-mill workers, contractors and miners, he expects to make this one of the Race's greatest enterprises. Rev. Swancy's Texas address is Honey Grove. The company was incorporated at $50,000. Officers were J.R. Swancy, President; Mrs. E.B. Walker, Secretary-Treasurer, temporary address 613 E. Pecan Street, Sherman, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Wyatt, agent and office secretary; resident office for J.R. Swancy was Box 301, Honey Grove, Texas. Mr. V.L.S. Booker represented the company in Dallas and Ft. Worth, Texas. The mines contained copper, gold, silver and platinum as well as sapphires, turquoise and topaz. The Mining Company was located in the Olympia Mountains on Skokomish River, 11 miles northwest of Lake Cushman, Mason County, Washington and 111 miles from Seattle, Washington. In February 1921 to prepare for the final opening between July and October 1921. Thirty to forty small houses were built as well as one or two hotels. A complete automobile line was used for the conveyance of passengers and other freight from Lake Cushman to the mines. (The Dallas Express, February 12, 1921) At the Liberty Baptist Church Association meeting Dallas, Texas during November 1921 "Rev. Swancey and a portion of his membership helped in the meeting, and Rev. Swancey delivered an inspiring talk. Among the many things he said, was: "It is high time the Negroes unite their efforts and be not divided from a denominational nor any other lines, but be as one people." (The Dallas Express, November 19, 1921) Dr. Swancy, who preached his last sermon Sunday, May 28, 1922, had pastored Eastland Baptist Church at Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas for 11 years. (The Dallas Express, May 28, 1922) Not long after he left Honey Grove for Seattle, Swancy was made pastor of East Mount Olive Baptist Church in January 1922. For 14 years he was President of the Negro Sunday School Convention; Vice-Moderator of the Northwestern Convention; and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the North Texas Baptist College and Seminary. (Beaumont Enterprise, January 2, 1922, pg.9) His name appeared in the 1925 and 1927 Beaumont (TX) City Directory as pastor of East Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas. They resided at 1497 Beech Avenue. Shortly after the move to Beaumont, Rev. Swancy returned from a visit in Beaumont to Honey Grove to conduct the funeral service of George H. Coleman, who passed away Saturday night, May 6, 1922. (The Dallas Express, Saturday, May 13, 1922) In late October 1925 J.R. Swancy, Negro pastor of East Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Beaumont, appeared in the 58th District Court when the Judge lifted temporary injunctions against him which restrained him from going about the church. T.T. Benson, J.Ross, E.R. Williams, Frank Finkley and Collin Williams, ousted trustees and deacons of the church were seeking to oust the pastor and other members on grounds that Swancy preached supremacy of the Negro over the white race (a doctrine likely to cause a riot), immorality (making disparaging remarks concerning white women), and other things that did not follow the Baptist creed. Other plaintiffs were Tom Lewis, Emanuel Anderson, Sherman Heron, Jesse Davenport, Thomas C. Phis, Wm. Red, Sr., B.R. Miller and the Texas National Bank Beaumont. The bank was listed as a defendant so that the bank could be restrained from paying out any money until further orders were received from the court. (Beaumont Enterprise, Thursday, October 15, 1925, pg.2) A temporary injunction was ordered, preventing Rev. Swancy from coming near the church or having anything to do with its affairs. Judge O'Brien after hearing attorneys argue points of the law for two hours, urged the members of the congregation to go back and settle their differences among themselves. He also permitted Rev. J.R. Swancy to continue as pastor of the church. (Beaumont, Texas Enterprise, October 25, 1925, pg.7 & November 15, 1925, pg.2) On October 7, 1927 a congregational meeting was held upon Judge Campbell's orders in the 60th District Court to elect a pastor. J.R. Swancy insisted upon taking charge of the services, believing he was the desired minister of the church. Neither of the contesting ministers, Rev. J.R. Swancy and Rev. J.H. Rhone, were permitted to attend the meeting. Rev. Swancy received 2 votes out of 86 that were cast. (Beaumont Enterprise, October 8, 1927, pg.10) Rev. Swancy, a widower, resided alone at Salisbury, Cheriton County, Missouri at the time the 1930 census was taken. Biography Index African American Biography Index Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |