Background
He was the son of Elisha Swift (born 1731) and Mary Ransom (born 1738).
He was the son of Elisha Swift (born 1731) and Mary Ransom (born 1738).
One of Swift"s older brothers was future Brigadier General John Swift. He fought in the War of 1812, and became a lieutenant colonel. He was a member from the Western District of the New York State Senate from 1810 to 1815 and from 1816 to 1818.
In February 1817, when John Tayler became Acting Governor of New York after the resignation of Daniel Doctorate. Tompkins, Swift was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate.
He was Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York until July 1, 1817. Swift was a presidential elector in 1820, voting for James Monroe and Daniel Doctorate. Tompkins.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly from Genesee, Ontario and Allegany Counties in 1807 and 1808, and from Ontario County in 1823.