Swaller, George

Known only from Franklin’s correspondence.

Although Swaller himself has left no traces, the names he mentions may have been known to Franklin. “Vanbevres” was probably a member of the Van Bebber family, who were among the first settlers of Germantown; in the early eighteenth century, Matthias Van Bebber moved to Maryland, where he became a justice of the peace. Joseph Hunter might have been the resident of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, whose cousin James lived in Philadelphia and was acquainted with Franklin. “Mr. Colwels” was most likely one of the many Philadelphia Caldwells.