John Swinton

John Swinton (1621?–1679) was a Scottish politician active during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and during the Interregnum. At the Restoration he was found guilty of treason and was imprisoned for some years before being released. In later life he became a Quaker. Early life Swinton, born about 1621, was the eldest son of Sir Alexander Swinton of Swinton, by his wife Margaret, daughter of James Home of Framepath, Berwickshire. Sir Alexander Swinton, who was sheriff of Berwickshire in 1640 and M.P. for the county in 1644–1645, died in 1652. Alexander Swinton (1625?–1700) was John's younger brother. John received "as good an education as any man in Scotland", and devoted his attention especially to law. Wars of the Three Kingdoms In 1646 and 1647 his name appears on the committee of war for Berwickshire, together with that of his father.