Hillsboro was a farming district about two miles and a half south-west of Camden Village. It was
settled by nearly all nationalities that were emigrating about 1828 and 1830. Those that came
from the northern part of Ireland were in the linen industry. After cotton was introduced it
had a great effect on that business, so they sought homes in a new country.
The first that came from Scotland was Robert Morton. He wrote back glowing accounts of the cheap
farms and fine country, and through him others became interested in this neighborhood. There was
a parish in Scotland called Gladstone. A man by the name of Brown owned most of it, and had a
number of farms. On one called Calieth, John Richmond Sen. lived. John Lambie Sen. lived on
another called Fiddlefield. William Swanson Sen. and family of Mortons lived on two other farms.
These men settled in Camden. It must have been a severe trial to leave the land of their birth,
the cherished home of earliest associations, and cross the broad Atlantic to sojourn in all
probability, the remainder of their lives in a strange land. They had left dear old Scotland with
its beautiful scenery. Near where they lived was a place called Lowden Hill; at the foot it was
one mile in circumference and half a mile high at any point. There was a well of refreshing
water on top of it. One half of the hill was of large rocks of different formation and color;
the other side and beautiful verdue like a cultivater garden. It was a favorite place for picnics
and friends met here from far and near. It is no wonder that the wives of these pioneer Scotchmen
shed tears when settled in this hilly place in the forest, with hard work before them.
There is a strong tide of Scotch blood running in the arteries of many descendants of this part of
the town.
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William Swanson and family arrived in this country from Scotland in 1828; first went to Lockport,
then came to North Hillsboro in 1832. His wife was sister to John Lambie Sen., they had six children,
three born in Scotland, William born on board ship, the others natives of this country. Mrs. Margaret
Lambie Swanson was born in Scotland, Gladstone Parish, March 3, 1791; died July 27, 1873. William
Swanson Sen. born January 1, 1797; died November 1, 1882. George Swanson died January 9, 1888; he
was largely interested in the lumber business. He was a valued member of the Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Swanson died February 18, 1891, aged 64. They had five children, one daughter and four sons.
John Swanson was a soldier of the civil war and belonged to the 146th Regiment. William Swanson
married the daughter of Daniel T. Morton who came to Hillsboro from Pennsylvania in 1847.
William Swanson Jr. when a lad four years old was perfectly fearless; and bears were plentiful.
One day hearing the dog bark, he started for him, and there was a bear ready to grab him, when his
brother George snatched him away. After a number of years his sister was married to Mr. Burney of
Lee. After the wedding they were invited to Mr. Richmonds to a party; they went with a four horse
team. Soon after their arrival there came up a fearful storm, it was impossible to drive home.
William, then a large boy, started home unbeknown to them; he had two miles to go. When he had got
half way, he heard something stepping ahead of him that sounded like a man, when he stopped to listen;
then the stepping stopped: finally he shouted. "Hallo there". It was pitch dark and he could not
see anything before him; but at the sound of his voice something gave a bound through the bushes. He
hastened home and told his father and early in the morning they went out to see what it was. They
found that a bear had been backing up on his haunches, ready to grab with his fore paws. If he had not
escaped an everlasting hug, I should not have known this story as he told it to me. Morris of this
place and Eugene of Batavia, NY are sons of William Swanson Jr.
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