Do you struggle with same name issues? If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know that my genealogy is plagued by same name issues. One of those names being James Crawford.
Thus, when I find a document for a James Crawford in a county where my ancestor lived, I can’t be certain it is my ancestor. Nor am I certain that the document is for any of the James Crawfords that I’ve researched.
So, when I find a power of attorney deed in Barren County Kentucky during the time period that I believe not one but two of my James Crawford families lived, I have to question whether it fits with what else I know about these men. This particular deed appoints James Crawford and Moses Dooley as attorneys for John Singleton. At this time, I don’t know anything about John Singleton. But I do know that Moses Dooley was a land owner in Garrard County, Kentucky with land on Sugar Creek. This places Moses Dooley in the same area as Rebekah Crawford and Mary Crawford. I also know that there is a Moses Dooley on the tax roles in Barren County at the same time both James Crawfords are listed on those roles. And the Moses Dooley family is found in Preble County, Ohio with both James Crawfords. Thus, I think this deed involves one of these James Crawfords.
One of these James Crawfords was a justice of the peace in Preble County. Between 1814 and 1824, a James Crawford was a county commissioner. Once James and Martha moved to Indiana, references to a Crawford hold office in Preble County, Ohio stopped. Thus, I have concluded that the James married to Martha is the office holder. Based on that conclusion, I think this power of attorney deed might be for this James Crawford.
Barren County, Kentucky
Deeds, 1798-1902, 1961Vols. B-C 1801-1813
Film 209720 DGS 0078991501803 Dooley et al Moses / John Singleton
P.of A. Book B page 331803
Image 28
Know all men by these presents that I John Singleton of St Clair County
in the Indiana Territory do hereby do make ordain constite and appoint
Moses Dooley and James Crawford both of Barren County and State of Kentucky
my true and lawful Attorneys for me and in my name to convey a
certain tract of land lying in Barren County in the State of Kentucky
on the head of the Glovers Creek containing one thousand acres as appears
by deed from William Croghan to me and also for me and in my name
to seal execute and deliver such deed as be the sd Moses hath agreed to give
conveyances, bargain and sale for the absolute sale and disposal thereof
or any part thereof with such clauses covenants and agreements to be
[therein] contains as my said Attorney or either of them shall think fit and [appoint] hereby
ratifying confirming all such deed conveyances bargains and sales
ratifying confirming all such deed conveyances bargains and sales
which shall any time hereafter be sealed and executed by my said Atttor
neys or either of them touching and concerning the premises In witness whereof I hae
hereunto signed my name and affixed my seal at Cahokia this 3rd day
of September in the year of our Lord 1803
John Singleton (seal)
Witness
John [Hay}
WIlliam AtchasonIllinois County Sct Be it remembered that on the 3 day of September
1813 personally appeared before me the [subin] one of the Justices of the
said county the above named John Singleton who acknowledged the
the above instrument of writing to be his voluntary act and deed in
Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and
year above written
N Parrot (seal)Indiana territory St Clair County Sct
I John Hay Esq [Prothanotary] of the Court of Common Pleas of the said
County do hereby certify that Nicholos Jarrod Esqr the person taking the
above acknowledgment is a Justice of the peace and Court of Common Pleas
of the same county of St Clair and to all act and deeds by him subscribed
as such full faith and credit is and right to be given.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said Court of common Pleas of the
said county the third day of September one thousand eight
hundred & three
John Hay [Prothonatory]
SClairBarren County To wit October County Court 1803
Kentucky, Barren County. Deeds. Film #209720 DGS 007899150. James Crawford, 3 sep 1803 Vol. B: page 33; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 21 February 2022.
This power of attorney from John Singleton to Moses Dooley and
James Crawford was produced in Court with the two certificates
thereon endorsed duly authenticated and was there upon ordered to
be Recorded
Test W Logan Clk
