My brother’s BigY test recently verified what I and others have believed for a long time: that my James Crawford is somehow related to the James Crawford (1758-1836) of Garrard County, KY that was married to Rebecca Anderson. These results also indicates a relationship to Edward Crawford (1762-1826) of Overton, TN.
One of my yDNA 67 matches is a descendant of William Nelson Crawford (1829-1907). I am also an autosomal DNA match with descendants of William Nelson Crawford. This descendant also shares autosomal DNA with a descendant of James Crawford (1770-1833) who married Martha Knight and with a descendant of William Crawford (1748-1809). James Crawford (1770-1833) and William Crawford (1748-1809) were both in the Garrard County, KY area at the same time as my ancestor.
A descendant of Alexander Crawford (1715-1764) is grouped in the R1b group on the Crawford project.
The researcher who is a descendant of William Crawford (1748-1809) believes that his William Crawford is a 1st cousin once removed from Alexander Crawford.
The above photo is an attempt to show how this researcher believes these various lines might be related. Note that my James Crawford line is not connected. Nor is the Edward Crawford line.
Do you like to dig into old deeds and court records to figure out family ties? If so, has the closure of libraries and Family History Centers impacted your ability to access those records? My answer to both questions is YES. Of course, I could be using Ancestry databases to research other branches of my tree, but the pull to research my Crawford line is very strong — and that means accessing Virginia records.
Even if the Family History Centers were open, I’m under a county ‘Stay at Home’ order. Thus, I’m digging thru my files from previous Virginia research to see if I can make pull any new information from that research.
Out of curiosity, I searched my Crawford files to see if I had any records mentioning Overton, Tennessee. (One of my brother’s BigY matches is to a Crawford family from Overton County, Tennessee.) Since I’ve never done any Tennessee research, I didn’t expect to find much. Thus, I was surprised when I found a document titled: Crawford Families of Virginia and Overton County Tennessee.
What I have is a scanned image of a photocopy.
Based on the third page of the scanned image, this document was found by my mother and came from
Johnson, Frank W. A History of Texas and Texans Vol. V. Chicago: The American Historical Society, 1914.
A scanned image of this book is on the Internet. The book is also available on Ancestry. However, I have not found anything in the book that matches the photocopy. Unfortunately, I’ve found that the research my parents helped me with is not always well sourced. This must be one of those ‘unfortunate’ times.
Not only does this document connect a Crawford family in Botetourt County, Virginia to a Crawford family in Overton County, Tennessee, but it identifies three generations of this family and cites a will and deeds to support the family.
Crawford Families of Virginia and Overton County Tennessee by George and Lydia Fetzer, 1624 Rio Vista, Dallas, Texas 75208 The Crawford Family is of Scottish ancestry. They were among the earliest settlers of Augusta County, Virginia. The Crawfords first arrived in Pennsylvania and came from Pennsylvania to Orange County and Augusta County, Virginia about 1740. Two brothers, said to be sons of Colonel William Crawford and Mary Douglas who were married in Scotland and migrated to the north of Ireland were: Alexander Crawford and Patrick Crawford. Patrick Crawford (1) died in 1787; married Sally Wilson. He came to Orange County, Virginia and proved his importation on July 24, 1749, bringing with him Ann, James, George, Margaret and Mary Crawford (Order Book II, page 211, Orange County, VA). His will was dated December 4, 1786 and recorded December 18, 1787 in Will Book VII, page 31, Augusta County, VA. It mentions sons, George, John, James and William (twins); daughters Martha and Mary; grandson George McChensey; and other children have received their part.” Executors: sons, George and John —— Early Western Augusta Pioneers, by Geo. W. Cleek, Staunton, VA 1957 (DPL) John Crawford, the Elder (2) born about 1726 (estimated by GIF) Probably born in Ireland. Children: John Crawford, Sr. (3) and William Crawford, Sr. (3) and others. John Crawford, Sr. (3) William Crawford, Sr. (3) ba 1748 Est d 1796 ba 1750 Est d after 1813 Wife: Margaret Wife Margaret (Dean?) James (4) ba 1770 William Crawford, Jr. (4) b1787 d 1860 Samuel (4) ba 1772 Joseph Crawford (4) John, Jr (4) ba 1774 Andrew (4) ba 1776 William (4) ba 1778 Margaret (4) ba 1780-? Last Will of John Crawford, Sr. (3) of Botetourt County VA John Crawford of Botetourt County VA, being weak in body, made a will 9-24-1796. His wife, Margaret, was to live on his plantation until it was sold. If land was sold, then she shall live with one of my three youngest sons, John, Andrew or William; She shall chose which; the other two to share her expense. My father, John Crawford, dec’d (2 – the elder) did will that the land I and my brother William Crawford now lives on shall be equally divided between me and my brother William. John Crawford Sr. authorized his son James to divide the land equally and to make a deed to my brother William for his half of said land. John Crawford left personal properties to each of the six children named above. To daughter Margaret he left a mare, a saddle, some cows and her bedroom furniture. Further: my daughter Margaret shall be maintained by John, Andrew and William until she marries. My negro woman, Kate, to my wife. My rifle gun to James. My family bible to John. My youngest sons, John, Andrew and William to live on my plantation until William is 21 years of age; then, all my land to be divided between John, Andrew and William, who are to pay James fifteen pounds current money as soon as they can procure it on the land. Executors: James and John. Will proved December court 1796. signed by mark James Crawford carried out the wishes of John Crawford, the elder, (his grandfather) and the wishes of John Crawford, Sr. (his father). On June 11, 1797, James deed to William Crawford, Sr. (the brother of John (3)) 95 acres of land, which was one-half of 190 acres. This tract had been purchased by John the elder from John Craig on the north side of Craig’s Creek. Deed Book 6, page 313
The remaining 95 acres out of the 190 acre tract became the property of John, Andrew and William, under the terms of the will of John Crawford, Sr. who died 1796. John Crawford (4) on April 9, 1799 sold to Thomas Allen his land on the north side of Craig’s Creek, which land was devised to him by the last will of his father, John Crawford, Dec’d. DB6-730. Proved September Court 1799. Deed signed by mark. Andrew Crawford (4) on April 9, 1799 sold to Thomas Allen one-third part of land owned by Andrew by virtue of last will of John Crawford, dec’d, being 93 acres of an old grant formerly occupied by John Crawford, dec’d adjoining the land of William Crawford. Signed by Andrew. Proved April Court 1799. DB6-662 William Crawford (4) apparently signed a deed to his interest in the land, but the deed can not be found of record. Perhaps he was under 21 years of age, and the court would not approve the deed for recording. The following deed will clear this point four our purpose: Thomas Allen and wife, Polly, On Oct 20, 1807, sold to Malcom Allen a tract of land which was conveyed to Thomas Allen from Andrew and William Crawford, heirs of John Crawford, dec’d on the north bank of Craig’s Creek, adjoining the land of William Crawford. DB? page 384. Margaret Crawford (4) is to be maintained by her brothers John, Andrew and William, under the terms of the will of her father, until she marries. She has the right to choose which brother she will live with, and the other two are to share in her expense. Her name is not among the names on the marriage records of Botetourt County. We have no further record of her until Census 1820 of Overton County, TN. On this date, we are almost certain that she is the Peggy Fetzer who is listed next to William Crawford on the census report. Margaret was a first cousin of William K. Crawford (4), son of Williams Crawford, SR. (3). These two families lived side by side nearly all of their lives. Proof of her relationship with William K. Crawford of Overton County TN follows: William Crawford, Sr. (3) and his wife Margaret on June 2, 1813 in consideration of $1.00 and love and affection deeded to their sons William Crawford, Jr. and Joseph Crawford a tract of land on the south side of Craig’s Creek, a branch of the James River, containing 44 acres of land. This land had been granted to William Crawford, Sr. by patent August 3, 1771. Note that this land is on the south side of Craig’s Creek, while all land previously discussed was on the north side of the creek. Deed Book 11, page 165. William K. Crawford (4) of Overton County TN for $250. sold to his brother, Joseph Crawford his one-half interest in 44 acres which had been given to them by their father, William Crawford in 1813. Deed Book 16, page 262. Deed signed by Wm K. Crawford in Overton County TN on 11/16/1824 William K. Crawford (4) and Elizabeth his wife, both of Overton County TN signed another deed conveying 44 acres on the south side of Craig’s Creek to Joseph Crawford. Deed dated October 4, 1841. Deed Book 25, page 335.
I would love to connect with anyone researching this John Crawford (the elder) family or anyone that can help identify the actual source of this information.
Have you ever felt the need to go back thru your genealogy research hoping that some new insight can be obtained from those notes and records located years ago? That’s where I’m at with my Crawford research. I started with some marriage records from Augusta County, Virginia.
Vogt John & T. William Kethley, Augusta County Marriages, 1748-1850 (N.p.: Iberian Publishing Company, 1986).
While reviewing these records, I found that I already had most of these Crawfords in my database. However, I often was missing their spouse and/or documentation of their marriage.
In the process of re-looking at these records, I also took the time to find them on FamilySearch so I could see what other researchers might have on these families.
Below are my notes for Crawford males and females married in Augusta County prior to 1801.
Augusta County Marriages 1748-1850
Crawford.VA.030
by John Vogt & T. William Kethley Iberian Publishing Company, np, 1986
Only transcribing marriages prior to 1801
page 66 – Men’s Names
Alexander Crawford [FS LZN5-951 – grandson of Alexander & Mary(McPHeeters) Crawford] & Rachel Lessley [Leslie FS 2W3B-9BV] – 20 Feb 1793 consent William Bell
Andrew [FS 9jHH-3KJ] & Rachel Hunter [FS MYMQ-2MC] – 22 Aug 1799 d William who consents & Mary Hunter who consent test – William Crawford Andrew of age b – William Benson
George [FS KLBL-VM2 – son of Patrick Crawford] & Nancy Winters [FS LZLH-G9W] – 22 Jun 1789; b – Robert Gamble Min – Benjamin erwin – 23 Jun 1789
James & ?? 30 Oct 1762; license only
James & Mary Crawford 27 Dec 1786; b – George Crawford wit – _____ Urquhart min – Archibald Scott – 18 Mar 1786 min- Archibald Scott – 31 Jan 1797
John (FS LHNZ-MB7) & Rebecca Allen (FS M1QM-1MW) 5 Jul 1791; d James, who consents wit – David Hanna & Daniel Early b – James Allen min – John McCune 5 Jul 1791
John (FS KZYZ-8X8)& Sally Newman (FS LC7L-3JW) 11 Fe b1797; widower Sally (of age) d Leavy b – Joshua Parry min – Archibald Scott – 24 Feb 1797
Robert(FS LHXT-KP8) & Anne Allen (FS K67S-K3J) 9 Jan 1787; b – Andrew Anderson certificate by William Craig min – William Wilson – 10 Jan 1788
Samuel (FS LKR7-VMY) & Elizabeth Craig (FS G79H-T62) 9 Oct 1790 ; d Margaret, who consents wit – Alexander & James Craig b – William Crawford min – archibald Scott – 12 Oct 1790
William (FS G9VM-S44) & Martha Cooper (FS KH5R-B3X) 16 Jun 1786; min – Samuel Shannon – 16 Jun 1786
page 263 – Women’s Names
Crawford
Ann (FS LY4M-KRK) & William Robertson (FS 27S1-FBK) 2 Jun 1788; b – John Crawford min – William WIlson – 3 Jun 1788
Florence (FS LH5N-4DC) & Christian Surface (FS LZNG-P51) 17 Jul 1799; “Sirfes?’ both of oage b- Martin Surface, bro of Christian
Isabella (FS LHD8-6JW) & James Ritchey (FS LHD8-6TT) 16 Fe b1798; d James Crawford, dec. con – Hugh Fulton test – Robert Fulton James Ritchey from Rockbridge b – John Fulton min – Archibald Scott 22 Feb 1798
Margaret (FS KCRZ-JDT) & Daniel Fall (FS LYHW-VD6)30 Aug 1797; d John who consents test – John Rees b – James Brown min – William Wilson – 31 Aug 1797
page 264
Martha (FS LZZ1-66K) & Andrew Anderson (FS l41L-V37) 12 Mar 1788; b – John Miller min William Wilson – 13 Mar 1788
Martha (FS LCZF-9NC) & Robert Poage (FS LCZF-936) 16 Sep 1791; d James who consents b- Robert Crawford & John Robertson b – William Crawford min – William Wilson – 15 sept 1791
Martha (FS KGMT-W76) & Andrew Stull (FS KVLK-9VL) 7 May 1798; Minister’s return spells name as ‘Andrew Steele’ d William b – William Crawford min – William Wilson – 9 May 1798
Mary (FS MYM7-8DX) & William Bell (FS MYM7-8D9) 1 Mar 1796; Mary (of age) d James Crawford, dec. b – Alexander St Clair Approbation of Jane Crawford min – William Wilson – 3 Mar 1796 –
Nancy (FS LCZH-DXP) & James Tallman (FS LCPB-226) 4 Dec 1790; Bond lists James’s name s Tolman d William b – John Armstrong s Benjamin, who consents wit – William Tallman & THomas Hunter min – Archibald Scott – 10 Dec 1790
Polly (FS KL6W-NRL) & John Armstrong (FS KLYG-VFZ) 4 Dec 1790; d William B – James Tallman min – Archibald Scott 10 Dec 1790
Rachel & William Bell 17 Sep 1799; widower & widow (of Charles) b Alexander Crawford
Rachel [Barclay? FS LHZ6-DL2 widow of John Crawford [FS LCMX-T8Y] & John Poage [FS LBKT-RF5]26 Nov 1792; b – THomas Wilson min – William Wilson – 27 Nov 1792
Sarah [FS GSMP-GLR] & Theobald John Campbell [FS MYMH-CVN] 7 Aug 1792; Minister’s return spells name as ‘Polly’ b – John Campbell Sr mini William Wilson 9 Aug 1792
Violet (FS LHGZ-WMK) & David Gwinn (FS LHJ6-RHM) 11 Nov 1790; Minister’s return spells name as ‘Grim or Ginn’ d William who consents b – J Lyle Jr min – John Montgomery 11 Nov 1790
I am thankful that I reviewed this lists of marriages and took the time to figure out how each of these couples connected to the various Crawford lines in Augusta County, Virginia. Now to see if I have something else hidden in my files to help me piece together these families.
Heartland Genealogy 