Yost SWOPE came to America about 1720, settling in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was the 7great-grandfather to my wife Charlene. His youngest child was given the name Hans Ulrich, however as an adult, he took the english equivelant of his fathers name, being Joseph. Joseph was an early explorer of the frontier area of what eventualy became West Virginia. There are a few stories about him escaping from indian attacks. One of his sons, Joseph, was captured by the Shawnee indians as a boy, but was later released after living with them for some time. Joseph SWOPE, Sr settled in Monroe County(now in present day West Virginia) on Wolfs Creek. There is a story that he took a journey back to Pennsylvania, on the way ,he fell off his horse and a few days later died from his injuries. There are no known dates for when this happened and it is unknown exactly where it took place.

Michael SWOPE was the third son of Joseph SWOPE, Sr. It is unknown who the wife of Joseph was. Michael was the first white child born in Monroe County. There is a monument in the Swope cemetary south of Union, West Virginia to him. He is not buried there, where he is buried is a mystery. Michael SWOPE and Mary ELLISON had at least 15 children. A few of these children later moved to new territory on southeastern Indiana, in particular Decatur County. One of these children was Joseph SWOPE, the 4great-grandfather to Charlene. Joseph SWOPE married Margaret MILLER in Monroe County, West Virginia,and after the birth of thier second child, they came to Decatur County, Indiana. Joseph died and Margaret remarried. Their second child, John SWOPE, married Catherine Jones. Except for her date of birth from her tombstone and the census records saying she was born in Kentucky

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