THE SWITZER FAMILY
The Switzer family, assumed by many in the Botetourt County acres, to be of German descent, were Swiss. About the year 1750, John Schweiber, born in 1730, came to America, possibly in the company of brothers, who it is said, scattered to various sections of the Country, but this has not been documented. John Schweiber became an Indian Trader and merchant. He made extensive trips into the interior of the State, returning to Philadelphia heavily freighted with valuable furs. These trips were made about once in six weeks, and the value of the merchandise brought back varied from two hundred to seven hundred dollars, as is shown in receipts given at that time. The oldest of these receipts preserved is dated at Philadelphia, July 24, 1767, and is for thirty-nine pounds, two shillings and ninepence. In these receipts the spelling of the name varied, sometimes being Schweiber, Sweitzer or Switzer. In no instance does the name Swisher appear. Sometime during John Schweiber's stay in the vicinity of Philadelphia, he married Anna Warner. He soon afterwards moved to McGaheysville, Rockingham County, Virginia, where he engaged in merchandising. he later moved to Augusta County, Virginia, where he died in 1802, and was buried in what is known as Spring Valley Farm. The progenitor of the family in America left a large family of children:
1. John, married Catherine Trout in 1811.
2. Jacob
3. Henry, married Cloe Chenowith 
, and settled in Botetourt County, Virginia. [Note: other sources have this Henry Switzer marrying Susanna Trout on 21 January 1812 in Rockbridge County, Virginia. The Henry Switzer that married Cloe chenowith appears to be too old as a son of this family]
4. Samuel
5. George
6. Nancy, married a man named Pence.
7. Elizabeth, married a Fauber
8. Mary, married Philip Thurman, of Illinois.
