James Crawford Attorney?

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, 1961

Vols. B-C 1801-1813
Film 209720 DGS 007899150

1803 Dooley et al Moses / John Singleton
P.of A. Book B page 33

1803

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 Atchason

Illinois 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]
SClair

Barren County To wit October County Court 1803
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

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.

Douglass Land on Beaver Creek

Do ‘bright shiny objects’ cause you to change direction with your genealogy research? That’s where I find myself right now: chasing those bright shiny objects versus working on my stated goals. So, what has me distracted? My Crawford puzzle of course!

I’ve recently been updating my research of my 3rd great grandfather, Nelson Crawford — which is one of my 2022 goals. Since Nelson bought and sold land to and from descendants of James and Martha Crawford, updating my research on that family distracted me.

Then, I recently received an email from a descendant of James and Martha Crawford telling me about a message he received from a George Douglass descendant. This connection grabbed my attention since we believe that George Douglass is the uncle of James Crawford. We had already verified that George Douglass sold Rebekah Crawford land in Garrard County, Kentucky.

Since learning more about George Douglass may help us trace our Crawford lines back to Virginia, I decided to review my Douglass notes and see what else I could dig up. Like James and Martha who migrated from Garrard County to Barren County, George Douglass also made that trek. In looking at Barren County Kentucky land records, a George Douglass purchased 300 acres of land on Beaver Creek in 1808 from Levi Hollingsworth.

Vols. B-C 1801-1813
Film 209720 DGS 7899150

Image 117
Volume B page 210

Hollingsworth to Douglass Deed

This Indenture made this 24th day of February in the year of
our Lord 1802 between Levi Hollingsworth of the City of
Philadelphia by Thomas Badley his attorney in fact of the
County of Fayatte and Commonwealth of Kentucky of the one part
and George Douglass of the County of Barren and Commonwealth
afrsd of the other part witnesseth that the sd Levi Hollingsworth
for and in consideration of the sum of $400 current money of
Kentucky to him in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged hath granted bargained & sold and by these presents
doth grant bargain sell & confirm unto the sd George Douglass
his heirs or assigns all that tract or parcel of land situate and being
in the County of Barren on the waters of Beaver Creek containing
300 acres and bounded as follows to wit) Beginning at a red
oak & hickory and poplar John Mosby Shepherds north East
corner of his survey of 1000 acres on the sinks of Beaver Creek
N ° 390 and runing N 49 ° west 29 poles to a chestnut and hickory thence
N 45 ° E 128 poles crossing Beaver Creek at 102 poles to Hickory &
walnut standing in the edge of the Barrens thence with the Barrens
S 79 ° W 148 poles thence North 73 ° West 210 poles thence North
70 ° West 127 poles to two Sycammores and hack berry on Beaver
Creek in the edge of the Barrens thence south 186 poles to
Shepherd North west corner a red [oak] poplar and hickory thence
east with John Mosby Shepherds line 400 poles to the beginning
which was entered surveyed & pattented in the name of Levi
Hollingsworth it being within the District set apart for the
officers and soldiers of Virginia state line together
with all and singular the premises thereunto belonging
or in any wise appertaining to have & to hold

page 211
the land hereby conveyed with the appurtenances unto the sd George
Douglass his heirs and and assigns forever and the sd Levi Hollingsworth
for himself his heirs executors and administrators the afsd tract of land
and premises unto the sd George Douglass his heirs or assigns against the claim
or claims and every person or persons whatsoever doth and will warrant and forever
defend by these presents In Witness whereof the sd Levi Hollingsworth by
Thomas Bedley his attorney in fact duly authorized by power of attorney
recorded in the clerks office of the Court of appeals hath hereunto set his hand
and seal the day and date first above written.
Levi Hollingsworth (seal)
By Thomas Badly his
Attorney in fact

Acknowledged
in presents of
Wm Todd

State of Kentucky Lexington District (to wit) as Deputy
Clerk of he Court for the District aforesaid I do hereby certify that this
indenture was this day acknowledged before me by Thomas Bradley
as attorney in fact for Levi Hollingsworth party thereto and that a
true copy thereof is entered on record in my office Given under my hand
this 24th day of February 1802
Wm Todd Dc[S.D.C]

Barren County (to wit) September the 10th 1808 This Indenture form
Levi Hollingsworth by his atty Thomas Bradley to George Douglass with
the certificate thereon endorsed was proved to me in my office and at the
request of the sd George Douglass was admitted to record [?}
Test W Logan Clk

To try and understand what this parcel of land looked like, I plotted it in my Deed Mapper software.

Since Levi Hollingsworth was an original land owner, I was able to locate the survey and associated documents on the Kentucky Secretary of State Virginia and Old Kentucky Patent site. Levi Hollingsworth had an Old Kentucky patent – certificate number 1893. The 1785 survey of Levi Hollingsworth’s land looks very similar to the plot view from Deed Mapper.

In 1815, George Douglass sold 200 acres of this land to Joseph Neville.

Barren County Kentucky
Deeds, 1798-1902, 1961; indexes, 1798-1935

Vols D-E 1813-1818
Film 209721 DGS 7896473

Image 222 start of Volume E

1815 Douglass Geo to Joseph Nevill book E page 52 200 A Beaver Cr

Image 263
Volume E Page 52

This Indenture made this twenty third day of August
one thousand eight hundred and fifteen between George
Douglass of the County of Barren & State of Kentucky
of the one part and Joseph Neville of the County & State aforesaid Witnesseth
that the said George Douglass for and in consideration
of the sum of eight hundred and twenty dollars to
him in hand paid the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledged
doth bargain sell alien and convey unto the said Joseph
Neville his heirs or assigns a certain tract or parcel of land
lying & being in the county of Barren & State of Kentucky
on the sinks of Beaver Creek which was entered and surveyed
in the name of Levi Hollandsworth containing two hund
red acres tot he same more or less and bounded as followeth
(to wit) Beginning at a red oak hickory and poplar corner

page 53

to a 1000 acre survey of John Mosby Shepherd and
runneth thence north fortynine degrees west twentynine
poles to a Chestnut and hickory thence North forty five
East one hundred and twenty eight poles to a hickory
& walnut standing in the edge of the Beavers thence
South seventy nine West one hundred & forty eight
poles; thence North Seventy three West one hundred
and fifty seven poles to a gum & two Spanish oaks
thence South sixteen West seventy eight poles to a
Black oak; thence North eighty eight degrees west
one hundred and fifty poles to three black walnuts
thence South sixty two poles to a red oak poplar & hickory
thence East four hundred poles to the beginning. to have
and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with the
appurtenances unto the said Joseph Nevill his heirs or assignees
forever from me my heirs #c & from the claim of all
& every other person or persons whatsoever shall forever
warrant and in witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal the day and date above written.
George Douglass (seal)
Signed sealed & Delivered in
presence of
Teste Rougherty
Sherod Bybee

Barren County Sct October the 7th 1815
This Indenture of bargain and sale from George
Douglass to Joseph Nevill was on the day of the date
hereof acknowledged before me by the said Douglass
to be his act and deed and there upon the same was
admited to record in my office Teste T W Davis DCl

Below is a plot of the 200 acres (in pink) over the tope of the original 300 acre plot.

The final 100 acres of this piece of land was sold by Samuel Douglass in1829 to Thomas Br[oa]dy. This deed is on page 390 of volume L of Barren County Deeds (FamilySearch digitized microfilm)

While these deeds do not show any connection between the Douglass family and either Crawford family, they do place George Douglass in Barren County, Kentucky where James and Martha also owned land. The Crawford land was on Marrowbone Creek. At this time, I have no idea whether the Douglass land was close to the Crawford land or whether several hills and valleys separated the two pieces of land.

New Connection

In your genealogy research, do you have a FAN (Family Associates, Neighbors) club? If so, do you ever see a name and question whether to add him/her to your FAN club? If so, that’s how I felt about Moses Dooley.

It was like that name, Moses Dooley, kept cropping up in different places and times. My first notes for Moses Dooley are from tax records for Preble County Ohio — living in the same community as my ancestor, James Crawford (wife Sally Smith Duggins) and ‘big’ James Crawford (wife Martha Knight).

Thinking that I should find Moses Dooley in Kentucky with these same Crawford families, I looked back at my Kentucky notes and discovered that I didn’t record anything about Moses Dooley. Rechecking the tax records, I found Moses Dooley in 1794 Madison County, Kentucky — on the same page as several Crawfords. [Kentucky, Madison. Tax Books, 1787-1874. Kentucky Historical Society, Frankfort, KY. Film #8126 DGS 7834478. Crawford James, William, 1794 Tax bookx 1787-1797, 1799-1807: image 197; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online February 2019.]

Assuming the Moses Dooley of Preble County, Ohio is the same person as the Moses Dooley of Madison County, Ky, that places Moses Dooley traveling a similar migration path as that traveled by the two James Crawford families.

A brief study of the information about Moses Dooley on the FamilySearch tree [L66r-BYH] revealed other connection points with my research:

• Moses Dooley was born in Augusta County, Virginia in 1748. Augusta County, is where my ancestor, James Crawford, is said to have been born.
• Moses Dooley died in 1822 in Preble County, Ohio. James Crawford was living in Preble County, Ohio in 1822 and died there in 1854.
• Moses Dooley’s grandson, Silas Dooley married Isabel McCracken. Isabel’s grandparents were Nathan Sellers and Sarah Finley. The Sellers family is part of my Crawford FAN club.
• Moses Dooley’s son, Abner married Nancy Douglas. Nancy is the daughter of George and Rebecca Douglas. George Douglas is believed to be the brother of Rebekah Crawford. Rebekah Crawford is believed to be the mother of Sarah Crawford (md Williiam Sellers), Mary Crawford (md. James Sellers) and James Crawford (md Martha Knight)

With all of these loose connections to my Crawford family, I decided to see what else I could learn about Moses Dooley and his family. Digging thru Google searches, I stumbled upon a biography of Reuben Dooley, son of Moses Dooley.

Not only does this biography provide a lot of detail about Reuben Dooley and his parents, but it provides details for their migration path. This path took the family from Bedford County, Virginia to Madison County, Kentucky in 1781. From there the family moved to Barren County, Kentucky and then to Preble County, Ohio.

This migration path is very similar to that of the Preble County Crawfords. Deeds place James and Martha in Barren County, Kentucky prior to moving to Preble County, Ohio. Marriage records place both James in early Kentucky. James and Martha were married in Lincoln County, Kentucky in 1793. James and Sally were married in Garrard County Kentucky in 1799. Both James are believed to have been born in Augusta County, Virginia, one in 1770 and the other in 1772.

Although I haven’t found any relationship between my Crawford line and the Dooleys, this biography provides support for the migration of the Preble County James Crawfords South onto the Marrowbone out of the Garrard County Kentucky area prior to the migration North into Preble County, Ohio.

I am glad I followed that ‘nudge’ to do more research on Moses Dooley. He is now an ‘official’ member of my Crawford FAN club.

Who Is This James Crawford?

Have you ever run across a record in a county you’ve been researching and have no idea how the person in the record fits with known families in that area? Well, that’s my situation — and it is anoter James Crawford.

James and Martha Crawford sold land in Barren County, Kentucky. Tax lists for Barren County show a James Crawford with 200 acres on the Marrowbone River. These tax lists also show another James Crawford with 50 acres on the Marrowbone. This second James Crawford is thought to be James and Sally (Smith Duggins) Crawford.

I’ve also identified the family of David Crawford who died in Barren County, KY in 1812.

Now, I’ve found a deed for a James Crawford and Patsy his wife selling land in Wythe County Virginia to Peter Kinson. This 1806 deed indicates that James and Patsy were living in Montgomery County, Ohio at the time.

So, who is this James Crawford? Patsy could be a nickname for Martha. Unfortunately, every record I’ve seen for James and Martha use her given name and not the nickname, Patsy.

Being in Montgomery County, Ohio in 1806 would imply that James and Patsy were early settlers of that state.

Based on that, I checked History.Geo’s First Landowners Project. There are 3 entries for James Crawford in Preble County. Two of these entries are for James and Martha while the third is for James and Sally. The Montgomery county entry is for Robert C. Crawford in 1816. Darke County has two entries: Alexander Crawford 1832 and Norman B Crawford 1831.

The Bureau of Land Management’s General Land Office Records has 3 entries for Crawford in Montgomery County. All of those entries are for Robert Crawford.

A search of ‘Settlers and Builders’ of Ohio does not include any James Crawford nor any Crawford in Montgomery County, Ohio.

Since the 1882 book, History of Montgomery County, Ohio has been digitized and is part of the book collection on FamilySearch, I searched it for James Crawford. Other than references to Col. William Crawford, the only Crawford reference from the early history was in a section on James Grimes. James Grimes emigrated from Rockbridge County, Virginia in 1805 travelling thru Crab Orchard, Kentucky. The James Grimes section names Mr. Crawford as one of those who made the trip with him.

At this point, I can’t place the James Crawford in this deed.

Using Land to Verify Heirs

ne of the challenges I regularly face when researching my Crawford brick wall is trying to verify the identity of a James Crawford. That is the case with my attempt to rule out David Crawford of Barren County, KY as the father of my ancestor, James Crawford.

The 1812 will of David Crawford indicates he had a son named James, James Fisher Crawford to be exact. I believe that the James F Crawford in the 1860 and 1870 census records is this same James Crawford.

Unfortunately, I haven’t found a record that clearly proves that the James Crawford in the census record is the same James Crawford in the will. However, I have found three land records that may provide supporting evidence. One is a partition of land by the sons of James F Crawford.

Another deed is the purchase of land by the ‘Heirs of David Crawford.’ The third deed is the sale of land by Polly Crawford to James Crawford. I believe the partition deed is referencing the land from these other two deeds.

Overlaying the two images shows that the land descriptions are not an exact match. However, I believe they are close enough to consider the possibility that they reference the same land.

Below are the deeds involved in this study:

1828 Deed  Herod Bybee to Heirs of David Crawford

Barren County, Kentucky
Deeds, 1798-1902, 1961; indexes, 1798-1935
Vols. L-M 1826-1833
FS Film 209725 DGS 7899154

1828 Crawford heirs David Herod Bybee Deed Book L page 298 tract on Beaver Creek

Image 156

Page 298

This Indenture made and entered into this 18th day of July 1828 between Herod
Bybee of the one part and and the heirs and Devisees of David Crawford deceased
of the other part all of Barren County and State of Kentucky Witnesseth that the
said Herod Bybee for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred dollars
the payment whereof is hereby acknowledged hath bargained and sold and by these
presents doth bargain sell alien and convey unto the said heirs and devisees of
David Crawford Deceased a certain tract or parcel of land situate in the
County aforesaid on the waters of the [links] of Beaver Creek and bounded as follows
to wit Beginning on a red Oak the North West corner of a 200 acre survey
the name of John Bybee thence South 11 east 159 Poles to two hickories on Levi
Hollonworths line thence with his line South 78 East 128 poles to a Sasafras and
Sycamore thence North 12 west 198 poles to a red and post oak thence south 88 west
93 poles to the beginning to have and to hold unto the said heirs and devisees
of David Crawford deceased the aforesaid tract of land with all & singular the
appurtenances tot hem and their heirs forever and the said Herod Bybee doth
covenant and agree to warrant and defend the title of said tract of land unto the
said heirs & devisees of David Crawford deceased against the claims of all manner
of persons whatsoever In testimony whereof the said Herod Bybee hath herewith
set his hand and seal the day and date above written.
Herod Bybee

Barren County Kentucky, to wit
I William Logan Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that
that the foregoing deed of conveyance from Herod Bybee to the heirs and Devisees
of David Crawford deceased was acknowledge before me by the said  Herod Bybee
to be his act and deed, whereupon the aforesaid deed of conveyance and this certificate
hath been duly admited to record in m office this 18th day of July 1828
Test DWL

1842 Deed Polly Crawford to James F Crawford

Barren County Kentucky
Land Records

Vol. P-Q, 1838-1842
FS Film 209727 DGS 8568124

1842 Crawford Polly to James F Crawford Deed Q page 392 dated 1841 110 A Beaver Cr

This Indenture made this third day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty one between Polly Crawford of the County of Barren
Commonwealth of Kentucky of the one part and James F Crawford of the 
County and Commonwealth aforesaid of the other part witnesseth that the
said Polly Crawford for and in consideration of one hundred & [twenty] dollars 
in hand paid the receipt whereof hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained
& sold and by these presents doth grant bargain & sell unto the said James F
Crawford his heirs and assigns all that tract or parcel of land situate & lying
in the County Barren & State of Kentucky on the waters of Beaver Creek &
bounded as follows to wit beginning on H Dickson SE corner two Spanish Oaks
thence N23E 50 poles to two black oaks thence S 81 W 100 poles to a stake
thence South 44 poles to a stone thence S 80 W 121 poles to a forked chestnut
thence S 70 E 12 poles to two chestnuts Wm Bells N w corner thence with his
line S 66 E 220 poles to a stake thence to the beginning containing one
hundred & ten acres be the same more or less together with all & singular
the appurtenances thereunto belonging [or] any wise appurtenances to have
and to hold the land hereby conveyed with the appurtenances unto the said
James F Crawford his heirs and assigns forever and the said Polly Crawford
for herself her heirs executors and administrators the aforesaid tract of
land and appurtenance unto the said James F Crawford his heirs or

page 393

assigns against the claim or claims of all & every person or persons whatsoever
claiming by through or under her the said Polly Crawford but from no
other person in witness whereof the said Polly Crawford hath hereunto
set her hand the day & date first above written
Polly (her mark) Crawford
Signed Sealed & delivered in
presence of
S Anderson
Thomas Lo[v]e
State of Kentucky, Barren County
I Thomas J Helm Clerk of the county Court for said county certify that
the deed from Polly Crawford to James F Crawford [was] on this day
proven before me by the oath of Samuel Anderson & Thomas Love
subscribing witnesses thereto to be the act and deed of said polly Crawford
whereupon the same & this certificate has been recorded in my office
Given under my hand the 21 day of March 1842
Thos J Helm BCC

1878 Deed of Partition

Barren County Kentucky
Deeds
Vols. 12-14 1875-1880
FS Film 469203 DGS 8150775

1878 Crawford David M & MB to WT & Mary J Crawford D of D book 13 page 103 1876 127 A Beaver Cr
1878 Crawford Mary J W T to D M & M B Crawford D of D book 13 page 103 1876 87 A Beaver Creek

Vol 13 starts on image 336
page 103 on image 388

Crawford to Crawford
This deed of partition made and entered into this 14th day
of January 1876 between Wm Crawford & Mary J Crawford and
D M Crawford all of the county of Barren and State of Kentucky
Witnesseth that whereas we are the joint owners of a certain
tract of land in the county and state aforesaid and on the
waters of Beaver Creek, we have this day divided said tract
of land and the said D M Crawford takes the following
boundary: Beginning at a stone running thence N 11 1/2 W 50 1/2 
poles to a post oak, thence N 19 3/4 E 72 poles to a Gum and
persimmon thence S 81 1/4 W 108 1/4 poles to a stone, thence
S 2 W 60 3/4 poles to a stone thence S 83 1/2 W 101 3/4 poles to
a double chestnut thence S 64 E 109 poles to a chestnut
thence N 79 1/2 E 100 1/4 poles to the beginning containing
87 acres
and the said W T Crawford & Mary Crawford the re-
mainder which is bounded as follows to wit: Begin
ning at a stone on the South side of a road, running
thence N 7 3/4 W 194 poles to a black oak thence West 93
poles to a stone thence with the dividing line S 79 1/2
W 100 1/4 poles to a chestnut thence S 64 E 116 poles to a post
oak, thence S 9 E 14 poles to a stone, thence S 3 1/2 W 23 poles
to a stone thence S 40 W 46 poles to a stone in Johnsons
line the lines and corners from the above post oak to
Johnson line were made by an agreement between
us and Nickols) thence S 67 E 37 1/2 poles to a Stake and 
pole north of a fur thence S 71 E 103 1/2 poles to the
beginning containing 127 acres and we hereby war-
rant the same reciprocally free from all claims with 
covenant of General warranty. Given under our hands
this 17th day of January 1876
W T Crawford
Mary J Crawford
David M Crawford
M B Crawford
State of Kentucky
Barren County
I W W Franklin clerk of the county court
for said county hereby certify that the foregoing joint
deed between W T Crawford & D M Crawford was acknowl
edged before J m Renfro an acting deputy for J P Nackols
former clerk of the court by all the parties thereto to be 

page 104

their act and deed as appears by his endorsement
thereon as follows “1846 January 26” acknowledged by
W T Crawford & Mary J Crawford, D M Crawford and his
wife M B Crawford J M Renfro DC for J P Nuckols
B C C “ and on the 7th day of June 1878 siad deed was
filed for record whereupon the same and this certificate
have been recorded.
Given under my hand this 17th day of Jun 1878
W W Franklin CBCC
by H C Crunshan DC

David Crawford to Kinson

I found the following deed in Barren County for a James Crawford and his wife, Patsy. This James Crawford was living in Montgomery County, Ohio in 1806. I currently do not know anything about this James Crawford.

Vols. Before A 1798-1807 Vol. A 1799-1899
FS Film 209719 DGS 7899149

Vol. A page 277 Image 270

Page 277
Crawford to Kinson

This Indenture made this 29th
day of August in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and six between James
Crawford and Patsy his wife of the County of
Montgomery and State of Ohio of he one part and
Peter Kinson of he County of Wythe and State of
Virginia of he other part witnesseth that the said
James and Patsy his wife in consideration of the
sum of two hundred dollars to them in hand
paid, before the insealing and delivery of these
presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowled
ged have bargained and sold and by these presents
do bargain and sell unto the said Peter his heirs
and Assigns a certain tract or parcel of land
containing one hundred acres by survey lying &
being in the County of Wythe on the waters of
Cripple Creek and bounded s followeth: to wit,
Beginning at a white oak in a line of Peter
Colheps and Frederick Branstetter thence S 25 degrees E
38 poles between a black and white Oaks S 47 degrees W 18
poles to a double white Oak caplin S 77 degrees W 40 poles
to two white oak saplins S 52 degrees West 82 poles to a spa-
nish oak N 80 degrees W 58 poles to a white oak S 57 degrees W 44 poles
to two large white Oaks N 47 degrees W 50 poles to two white
Oaks thence N 71 degrees E 268 poles to the Beginning
To have and to hold the said parcel of land with

page 278

all and singular its appurtenances unto the sd
Peter Kinson his Heirs and Assigns forever and
the said James & Patsey his wife for themselves
and their heirs the said tract of Land with the
appurtenances unto the said Peter his heirs &
assigns free from the claim or claims of them
and their heirs and all and every person or persons
whatsoever shall and will warrant and forever defend
by these presents In witness whereof the said
James Crawford and Patsey his wife have here
unto set their hands and seals the day and year
first above written.
James Crawford
Patsey Crawford

Signed Sealed and Delivered
in presence of
W Logan ACopy Teste
W Logan Clk

Barren County To wit August the 30th
This Indenture was acknowledged by the within
named James Crawford to be his Act and
Deed and a Copy thereof was admited to
Record in my Office & Certified to be Recorded
in Wythe County
Teste W Logan Clk

David Crawford’s Will – Barren County, Kentucky

One of the tasks handed me during my ‘Brick Wall’ Consultation was to review all of my data and document the elimination of individuals as potential fathers to James Crawford (1772-1854) of Preble County, Ohio.

Thus, I’m digging thru both my memory and my files. My memory was telling me that I had found a will for a Crawford in Barren County, Kentucky that eliminated this person as a father to James. Digging thru my files, I found some handwritten notes about a will in Barren County, Kentucky.

Thanks to FamilySearch’s digitization of the microfilm, I was able to locate the will and transcribe it.

Barren County Kentucky
Wills
Mixed Records, Vols. 1-2 1799-1829
FS Film 209740 DGS 4818752

Pge 200
Image 115
Will of David Crawford

In the name of God Amen
I David Craford of Barren County and State of Kentucky
being in sound mind & memory thanks to God for the same
I hereby make and ordain this my last will and statement
Beginning as followeth vix Items I give and be-
queath unto my loveing wife Polly all the land
whereupon I now live containing one hundred acres
more or less one bay mare called Couney bridle and
saddle one Horse Jack all the gear with one Plow
and irons one weeding hoe three Cows and Calves three
yews and lambs all the stock of hogs & all the House
hold & Kitchen furniture to have and to hold
during her single life or widow hood
Item
All the residue of my Estate not mentioned I wish sold to the
best advantage & after my just debts paid I wish applied to the maintaining &
schooling of all my children equally to them their heirs and assigns forever
Item provided my beloved wife shall intermarry my wish and desire is that all that I have
mentioned except the land shall be sold and equally divided between all my children.
Item provided my wife shall intermarry my wish & desire is the land shall be equally
divided between my two sons Jesse and James Fisher, to them their heirs
and assigns forever.
I hereby nominate and appoint Samuel Douglass
and my wife Polly Executors to this my last will and
Testament given my hand and seal this tenth day of
April 1812.
David (his mark) Crawford
Patrick Boisseau
George Douglass

Barren County Kentucky
Wills
Mixed Records, Vols. 1-2 1799-1829
FS Film 209740 DGS 4818752

Pge 358
Image 195

Estate of David Crawford
D Crawford settlement
Agreeable to an order of the Court of Barren County
to us Directed we the subscribers have examined the accounts of
Samuel Douglass Executor and Polly Crawford Executrix to the
Estate of David Crawford [vz ?] and find the sum of one
hundred and fifteen dollars 32 1/2 cents  in the hands of Samuel
Douglass due the Estate and find the sume of Ninety Eight Dollars and
20 cents in the hands of Polly Crawford due the Estate [to be wise]
the sum of one hundred and twenty eight dollars 5 cents of
Different notes not yet collected given under our hand this
17th of August 1816
Samuel Douglass Due to the Estate of D Crawford 115.32
By Commission for his services                               10.00
                                                      105.32
Polly Crawford due to the estate D Crawford         98.30
Do not collected                                                     28.05
                                                                             _______
                                                                               331.68
Patrick Boisseaur
Wm Renick
Joseph Neville
Barker T Anderson
returned August 1816 &O.R.

Dooley

Have you ever seen a name in a deed or court document and thought to yourself, ‘Hey, I’ve seen that name before?’ Well that was my situation when I was looking at tax records for Barren County, Kentucky.

Since I found James Crawford with 200 acres of land on the Marrowbone listed on the 1800 tax list for Barren County, KY, I started looking for other people owning land on the Marrowbone. That’s when I found Moses Dooly Junr also owning 200 acres of land on the Marrowbone.

Not only was Moses Dooly Junr in Barren County, but so was his father and brothers.

I remembered the Dooly name from my Garrard County map of the original land owners. Moses Dooly had a land grant (#912) for land in the line fork of Sugar Creek.

This land is near the Mary Crawford land purchased from Richard Cave. Mary’s land would be to the East of Moses Dooley’s land. Just to the Southwest of Moses Dooley’s land is the land grant for Jacob Myers. Some of this land was sold to George Douglas. George Douglas then sold a portion to Rebekah Crawford.

So when I saw Moses Dooly Junr as a potential neighbor to James Crawford, I started paying attention to the Dooly family. Since James and Martha Crawford sold 200 hundred acres of land on the Marrowbone (see Barren County Connection), I believe the James Crawford in the tax record is the James Crawford married to Martha Knight. However, I haven’t found the deed for James’ purchase of the land. Thus, I can’t say for certain which James Crawford is listed in the tax record.

As I was researching the two James Crawfords in Preble County, Ohio, I discovered the Dooly family on the tax records in Preble County, Ohio. The 1816 Preble County, Ohio tax list shows Moses Dooley Senr and Moses Dooley along with several other members of the family.

Since I’ve found the Dooley family and likely both James Crawford families in Barren County, KY and Preble County, OH, I began wondering if Moses Dooley was on the tax lists for Lincoln or Madison Counties. Thus, I returned to the tax lists for Lincoln County, KY where I had previously found George Douglas and Rebekah Crawford along with some Sellars families in 1787. I didn’t find any Dooley names living near Rebekah Crawford in 1787. So, I checked Madison County, KY where I found Moses Dooley and John Doly in 1787.

This places Moses Dooley in the same taxing district as Mary Crawford, James Crawford and William Crawford in 1787. 

This may all be coincidence, but it appears that the Dooley clan followed the same migration path from the Garrard County, Kentucky area in 1787 to the Barren County, Kentucky area in 1799 to Preble County, Ohio in 1816.
Thus, I’ve added the Dooley surname to my FAN club.

Barren

Have you ever re-looked at some tax records and discovered that you can now figure out who these people might be when before they were just a list of names found in that county?

Well, that has been my experience as I’m going back thru some of my Crawford Kentucky research in hopes that it leads me back another generation.

I’ve recently re-looked at Madison, Lincoln and Garrard county tax lists and combined with land records, I have a much better understanding of who the various Crawfords listed in these tax roles are. Since I have deeds indicating James Crawford (husband of Martha Knight) lived in Barren County, Kentucky, I decided to re-look at those tax records.

I first searched the Barren County KY tax lists some time ago. Based on the “V20-0014” notation on my notes, I’m guessing I used the American Genealogical Lending Library to research these records at home.

Unfortunately, at the time, I didn’t know enough about the family for this information to help me.

Since that time, I’ve discovered a couple of land records that place James Crawford in Barren County, KY. The first one I found was for the sale of 200 acres of land on the Marrowbone in 1821. The second deed was for the sale of Rebecca (Rebekah) Crawford’s land in Garrard County, KY in 1804.

These deeds and my additional knowledge about the families and neighbors has made easier for me to figure out the Barren County, KY tax records.

• David Crawford who is listed in 1799 and later is an unknown (image 10)
• James Crawford who is found on image 31 with 200 acres on the Marrowbone
• The Dooley and Douglass families are found in these early tax lists.
• By 1800, James Crawford owned an additional 50 acres on the Marrowbone and 200 acres in Cumberland County (image 67)
• By 1802 William Sellers is listed with 100 acres of land in Barren County (image 141)
• By 1802, there is a second James Crawford (image 119)
• By 1805 James Crawford Jr is listed with 50 acres of land on the Marrowbone (image 275)
• By 1806, William Sellers is no longer listed as owning land on the Marrowbone. There is a James Crawford owning 50 acres of land on the Marrowbone (image 335)
• In 1806, there is a James Crawfford owning 190 acres of land on the East Fork of the Barren River (image 372)
• By 1808, no Crawfords are listed owning land on the Marrowbone

Based on this information, I’ve developed some theories:

• James Crawford shown in the tax list owning 200 acres on the Marrowbone is the James Crawford who sold 200 acres of land on the Marrowbone in 1821
• James Crawford listed as ‘little’ or ‘junior’ is the other James Crawford who migrated to Preble County – the one married to Sally Smith Duggins
• William Sellers is the William Sellers who purchased land in Ohio as a tenant in common with James Crawford
• The Dooley and Douglas families in the Barren County tax records are the same Dooley and Douglas families from Garrard County, KY
• James and Martha left Barren County earlier than James and Sally – thus arriving in Preble County earlier 

I will need to find land and/or court records to help prove these theories.
Notes from the tax lists:
Barren County Kentucky

Tax Books 1799-1816

FS Film 7865 DGS 7834396

image 4 – 1799
Image 9 – C
Image 10

• Crawford David — 1 male > 21, 1 horseNote: David Crawford is between two Cochrans

Image 20 – S

• No Sellers

Image 26 1800
Image 31 – C

• Crawford James – 200 acres Barren Marrowbone – Thomas Minor – 1 male > 21, 3 horses
• Cole Stephen – 200 acres Barren Marrowbone Stephen Cole 1 male > 21, 1 black > 16, 1 total black, 4 horses

Image 32

• Dooly Moses Junr — 200 acres Barren Marrowbone – Moses Dooly 1 male >21 – 2 horses
• Douglass John — 200 acres Barren Marrowbone – John Douglass 1 male over 21, 1 horse

Image 40

• Railsback John 200 acres Barren Marrowbone John Railsback 1 male > 21, 1 male >16, 3 horses

Image 41 – S

• No SELLERS

Image 47 1800 #2
Image 50 – C (faint – watercourses mostly illegible)

• No Crawford

Image 58 – S –

• No Sellers

Image 61 – 1801
Image 66 – C
Image 67

• Crawford David – 200 acres Barren Skaggs Creek – Sparker – 1 male > 21, 1 horse
• Crawford James – 200 acres Barren Marrowbone – Minor -Crawford James – 200 acres Cumberland S Creek BBay
• Crawford James 50 acres Barren Marrowbone D Allen 1 male > 21, 4 horses

NOTE: All three James Crawford properties lumped together for the 1 male >21, and 4 horses

Image 68

• Dooly Moses — 200 acres Barren Middle fork of – 1 male > 21, 5 horsesImge 69
• Duglass John 200 acres Barren Little Barren – 1 male > 21

Image 79 – R

Image 79

• Ralsback John – 200 acres Barren Marrobone – 1 male >21, 2 males >16, 2 horses

Image 90 – 1801
Image 94 – C
Image 95

• Crawford James – 1 male > 21, 2 horses – no mention of land

Image 96-97 –

• no Dooley or Douglass

Image 104-105 –

• no Railsback
• No SELLERS

Image 111 – 1802
Image 118 – C
Image 119

• Crawford James (small) ?jr – 1 male > 21, 2 horses
• Crawford James (big) Senr – 200 acres Barren Marrowbone – Thos Minor – same AND 50 acres Barren  Marrowbone – Thos Minor – same – 1 male > 21, 4 horses

Image 122

• Dooley Douglass Nathan
• Douglass John

Image 141

• Sellers William 100 Barren [to]Bob – Jacob Lasland – same – 1male > 21 1 horse

Image 149 – 1803
Image 157 – C
Image 158 – 

• Crawford David – 1 male > 21, 1 horse
• Crawford James – 200 acres Barren Marrowbone – Minor200 acres Cumberland Spring Ck – D Day same, 50 acres Barren Marrowboon DAlley – 1 male > 21, 6 horses
• Crafford James Jr – 50 acres Barren Marrowbone- Dooley – same 1 male > 21, 2 horses

Image 161

• Crawford James – 200 acres Barren E Fk BBarren – Jos Gest – same – 1 male > 21, 8 horses
• Dooley Moses Senr
• Dooley George
• Dooley Thomas
• Douglass William
• Douglass Samuel
• Douglas Nathan
• Douglas John
• Douglas George

Image 162

• Dooley Rubin
• Dooley Abner
• Dooley Moses Jr
• Douglas John

Image 190

• Sellers William 130 acres Barren L Barren J Railsback – same – 1 male > 21, 4 horses

Image 203 – 1804
Image 213 – C
Image 214 – no land listed for these Crawfords

• Crawford James (little) 1 male > 21, 2 horses
• Crawford James 1 male > 21, 1 horseCrawford David 1 male > 21, 3 horses
• Crawford James (taylor) 1 male > 21, 3 horses

Imge 217

• Crawford James (big 200 barren Marrowbone – Miner – same ; 200 acres Cumberland Spring Ck – Ray – same – 50 acres Barren – Marrowbone – Alley – 1 male > 21, 6 horses

Image 219 – Douglass
Image 248 – S

• No Sellers

Image 262 1804 Added

Image 263 1805
Image 273 – C
Image 274

• Crawford David – 1 male > 21, 2 horses

Image 275

• Crawford James Senr 200 acres Barren Marrowbone – Thos Minor – Same; 200 acres Cumberland – Spring Ck – Robert Phay – same , 1 male > 21, 8 horses
• Crawford James Jr – 50 acres Barren – Marrowbone – Abner Dooley – same – 1 male > 21, 2 horses
• Crawford James – 190 acres same E F B Barren – same- same – 1 male > 21, 2 horses

Image 277 – D

• Nathan Doulgass

Image 278 –

• Dooley

Image 279 –

Image 313 – S
Image 315

• George Douglass
• Sellers William – 100 acres – same – Little Barren- Jacob Railsback – same – 1 male > 21, 5 horses

Image 329 1806
Image 334 – C

• Crawford James – 50 acres Barren Marrowbone A Dooley – same 1 male > 21, 1 male > 16, 1 horse

Image 335

• Douglass George and others

Image 358

• No Sellers

Image 369 – book 2 1806

Image 371- CI

mage 372 –

• Crafford James – 190 acres Barron East Fork Barron – same – 1 male > 21 , 3 horses

Image 385 – S

• No Sellers

Image 392 – 1807
Image 398 – C
Image 400 

• Crawford James – 190 acres – Barren – E F B Baren – J Crawford same – 1 male > 21, 1 horses

Image 421 – S

• No Sellers

Image 431 – 1807

Book 2

Image 435 – C

Image 436

• David Crawford – 100 acres Barren Beaver Cr Jno Bybee – same 1 male > 21, 2 horses

Image 437

• Crawford James 50 acres Marrobone – Ab Dooley – same – 1 male > 21, 3 horses

Image 439 –

• Douglas
• No DUGGINS

Image 455 – S

• No Sellers

Image 464 – 1808 Book 1 – Lower District

Image 470 – C

• Crawford James – 190 acres – same – E F B Barren – J Crawford – same – 1 male > 21, 1 male > 16 3 horses

Image 494 – S
Image 505 – 1808
Image 510 – C
Image 511

• Crawford David – ? – ink smeared 1 male > 21, 2 males >16, 4 blacks > 16, 8 total blacks, 12 horses
• Crawford [Phelp} – ink smeared – 1 male > 16, 4 total blacks, 2 horses

Image 512 –

• George Douglas

Image 527 – S

Image 533 – 1809
Image 539 – C

• Crawford James – 190 acres Barren – E F B Barren – J crawford – same – 1 male > 21, 3 horses

Image 562 – S
Image 573 – 1809 – Book 2

Image 578- C
Image 579 

• Crawford, Phebe – 4 total blacks, 1 horse

Image 580

• Crawford David – 100 acres Barren, Beaver , J Byber – same –  1 male > 21, 3 horses
• Crawford John – 1 male > 21, 1 horse

Image 605 – 1810

Stopped searching for now

Barren County Connection

Have you ever questioned whether an ancestor lived in a certain place because the migration path was illogical?

Well, that is the case with our Crawford research. James Crawford and Martha Knight were married in Lincoln County, KY in 1793. James Crawford and Sally Duggins were married in Garrard County, KY in 1799. Both families migrated to Preble County, Ohio.

So when clues pointed to at least one of them being in Barren County, KY (South of Lincoln and Garrard), those clues were questioned because it seemed illogical for these couples to migrate South before migrating North to Ohio.

That gut feeling was proven incorrect when a Barren County deed was discovered. This 1821 deed was for the sale of land by a James Crawford of Preble County, Ohio. Records place both James Crawfords in Preble County, Ohio at the time. So far, no record has been found for a third James Crawford in Preble County, Ohio in 1821.

Since the deed identifies the wife of James Crawford as Martha, this deed places James and Martha owning land in Barren County, KY. Another set of deeds for the sale of land in Garrard County, KY by Rebecca Crawford and James Crawford, both of Barren County, provide additional evidence that James Crawford was in Barren County, KY (See Rebekah’s Land)

Barren County Kentucky
Deed Book J page 1
Family Search Film #007899153 image 12

This Indenture made the eleventh day of December in the year of or Lord
one thousand eight hundred and twenty one between James Crawford of the
county of Preble state of Ohio of the one part and John Moorehead
of Barren County Kentucky state of the other part and
witnesseth that the said James Crawford for and in consideration
of the sum of two hundred dollars recents to the said James Craw
ford in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledge
have granted bargained aliened conveyed & confirmed & by these presents
do grant bargain sell alien convey and confirm unto the said John
Moorhead his heirs & assigns forever a certain tract of land containing
two hundred acres of the county of Barren & State of Kentucky on
the waters of Marrawbone bounded as follows to wit: beginning
at a maple & hickory running thence west 119 poles to a chestnut
& hickory thence south 179 poles to two black oaks thence east 179
poles to a popular & dogwood thence north 179 poles crossing a 
branch to an ash and hicory thence west 60 poles to the beginning
to have and to hold the said granted patented & bargained premaces
with all the privileges and appurtenances to the same belonging
or in any wise apertaining in the only proper use benefit and behoof
of the said John Moorehead his heirs and assigns. and the said
James Crawford doth for himself his executors and administrators
do hereby covenant promise & grant to and with the said John Moorhead
his heirs & assigns that before the ensealing ‘ho’ the sd James
Crawford was the true sole & lawful owner of the above barga
ined premises & was lawfully seized and possessed of the
the same in his own rights and good perfect & absolute
estate of inheritance in the fee simple and had in himself good
right full powers lawful authority to grant bargain sell convey
and confirm the said bargained premises in the manner aforesaid
and that the said John Moorehead his heirs & assigns shall at
and at all times forever hereafter by force & virtue of those
presents lawfully peaceably and quietably have hold use
occupy possess & enjoy the said demises & Bargained premises
with the appertenances free & clearly acquitted exonhorated are
discharge of an all & all manners of former or other gifts [grow]
to sales incumbrances if what name or nature soever that might
in any measure or degree obstruct or make void this present
deed.
Furthermore, the said James Crawford for himself his heirs
executors & administrators doth covenant & engage the above demise
premasis to him the said John Morehead his heirs & assigns
agants the lawful claims of any person or persons whatsoever
forever hereafter to warrant secure & defend by these presents

page 2
In testimony whereof, the said James Crawford & Martha his wife has
hereunto set their hands and seal the day and year first above written
James Crawford
Martha (her mark) Crawford
Sealed and Delivered
in the presence of us
David Williamson
Nathan D Sellers
The state of Ohio Preble County SS
Before us the undersigned two of
the justices of the peace in & for the sd county came personaly James
Crawford and Martha Crawford wife of the said James Crawford
the within named grantors she bing examined separate & apart from
her said husband they acknowledge the within deed of
conveyance to be their voluntary act and deed for the use and purpose therein
mentioned In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and
seals this 11th day of December 1822
Isaac Stephens
David Williamson

Kentucky, Barren County. Deeds. Film #007899153. James Crawford to Alexander Moorehead, 11 Dec 1821 J: 1-2; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online January 2019.