Julia Judith “Juda” Gordon Swope (1838-1907)

Julia Judith “Juda” Gordon Swope

Birth

2 Sep 1838

Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, USA

Death

27 Nov 1907 (aged 69)

Bedford County, Pennsylvania, USA

Burial

Duvalls Cemetery

Six Mile Run, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, USA Add to Map

Memorial ID

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NO TRANSFER OF DIRECT ANCESTOR - MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER

Her name appears to be Judith, but went by Juda, or Judy and her death certificate uses the name Julia! Various documents refer to her as Judy. She was born in Todd Township, Huntingdon County. Todd township was erected from Union Township in April 1838, the same year she was born. Death certificate #100740, Julia Swope, died in Bedford County on November 27, 1907. Her death certificate gives her names as Julia (copy on file). Very often nicknames, or commonly used names were given to the coroner by family members. I have provided links to various documents the confirm the spelling variations. Burial in Duvalls Cemetery is confirmed by death certificate.

Variations of names used:
Judith Gorden - 1850 US Federal Census
Judia Swope - 1860 US Federal Census
Juda Swope - 1880 US Federal Census
Juda Swope - 1900 US Federal Census
Juda Swope - Marriage License of son Arthur Oct 1900
Juda Swope - Marriage License of son Cleve in 1907

A daughter of John (1791-1870) and Lydia (Trago) Gordon, her known siblings were:
Susanna Gordon (1836-?)
John J Gordon (1837–1873) married Caroline Gahagan (1841-1880)
Charles Gordon (1841–1910) married Nancy Ellen Buckwalter (Bookwalter 1843-1911)
Reuben Gordon (1845–?)

She married "Wild Mountain Bill" Swope. The family oral history is filled with stories about this incredible lady. She was said to be an excellent horse woman. She had a loud whoop holler that echoed across the mountains when she called for her family. Some say she was of Native American descent. This family legend was passed down through family lines that had never met, but without confirmation, it is just family lore. She was touted as a gentle, kind, sweet woman who loved children. Her mother, Lydia, had a daughter with the last name Trago. Lydia may have been married to a Trago prior to marrying John Gordon. After 40 years of research, her mother's ancestry is still a mystery.

Errors and missing connections:
James Swope 1860
Anna Mary Jane Swope 1871 – 1932 Creator of memorial refused to put her full name on memorial
Mertie M. Swope b. 1876. Found one time in the 1880 census

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