Configuring Crawford FAN Club in My Tree

Do you have ‘floating’ or ‘orphan’ trees in your Ancestry tree? I know that I do have ‘floaters’ in my tree. I recently watched a Genealogy TV video by Constance Knox on how to make connections to link some of those ‘floaters’ to my big tree.

Today, I decided to get this set up for some of the members of my Crawford FAN Club:


First, I created a ‘Custom Tag’ called FanClub Crawford and attached it to each member of the FAN club.

I also added comments:

  • Explain FAN club membership
  • Explain links located at bottom of page
  • Provide link to my blog — particularly the Untangling James Crawford post when appropriate

Hopefully, this will not only help me ‘migrate’ around my tree, but also help others see potential connections among this group of people.
This process has been very helpful since it helped me put in writing the members of the fan club. 

Following Women to Find Hints

Do you research the spouses of your ancestor’s siblings? If you are like me, you don’t spend much time identifying let alone researching the parents of an ancestor’s sister-in-law.

However, with my Crawford research, I’m finding valuable clues from published genealogies. Many of those published genealogies are for the families of women who married into the Crawford family.

There are a couple of McPheeters genealogies that include the family of Alexander and Mary (McPheeters) Crawford. These works have helped me separate my Crawford line from the descendants of Alexander Crawford.

Since my ancestor, James Crawford, was married in Garrard County, I have spent a lot of time researching the Crawford families in Garrard County at the time. I suspect that my James Crawford is somehow related to the James Crawford that owned land along the Paint Lick Creek in Madison and Garrard counties. This James Crawford was married to Rebecca Anderson.

Thru the John Anderson deed found in Madison County, Kentucky (Book D page 712 and 713), I was able to identify the siblings of Rebecca Anderson Crawford. This deed along with additional research on James and Rebecca Crawford led me to a Maxwell Family History.

I also found information on some of James and Rebecca Crawford’s children in the Vawter Family History. 

By researching these VAWTER families, I came across a WPA Interview with James Vawter Crawford and hist mother Mary F Cowgill (Crawford) Coon.

The transcript of the interview contains a ‘Life Sketch of Philamen V. Crawford, written by himself in 1882.’ This life sketch includes information on James and Rebecca Crawford, the grandparents of Philamen V. Crawford.

All of these sources provides clues about the family of James and Rebecca (Anderson) Crawford. Armed with these clues, I have been able to locate marriage records, deeds and court documents to further document this family.

Even though I’ve been able to back up the information from these family genealogies with other records, that isn’t always the case. Scott Fisher reminds us to utilize caution when working with published genealogies in episode #77 of Fisher’s Top Tips.

“Early genealogists were just as prone to error as anyone posting a public tree today … use that old book as a clue, then validate that the author got it right,” said Scott Fisher on Episode #77 of Fisher’s Top Tips.

I’m no closer to proving a relationship between my James Crawford and James and Rebecca (Anderson) Crawford. However, I’m thankful that I’ve found these published genealogies. Who knows, one of these clues might lead to a document connecting the two men.

Sources Used:
Forbes, Amanda Crawford Arbogast and Lucetta Eggleston Crawford Sammis. Descendants of Alexander & Mary McPheeters Crawford: Pioneer Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia. Silver Spring, Maryland: A.A. Forbes, c1980.

Grace Vawter Bicknell, Vawter Family in America: with the Allied Families of Branham, Crawford,Wise, Lewis, Stribling, Glover, Moncrief (Indianapolis: The Hollenbeck Press, 1905), p. 324; digital images, Internet Archive (us.archive.org : downloaded pdf May 2019).

Houston Florence Wilson, Laura Cowan Blaine, Ella Dunn Mellette, Maxwell History and Genealogy (Indianapolis, IN: C. E. Pauley & Co, 1916), 255; digital images, Google Books (books.google.com : viewed online August 2016; Rebecca Anderson / James Crawford family.)

Interview with James Vawter Crawford and his mother Mary F. Cowgill (Crawford) Coon (Shedd, Oregon), by WPA Interviews for Linn County Oregon and transcribed by Patricia Dunn, transcribed 2000. transcription held by WPA Interviews (http://www.lgsoregon.org/lgstng/showmedia.php?mediaID=22398).

Rice, Helen McPheeters. The McPheeters Family. Winter Park, Fla.: Russell Fuller Multi-copy, 1956.

Samuel Anderson Will

Madison County, Kentucky
Family Search
Mixed Probate Records, Vols. A-B 1787-1819
FS Film 183266 DGS 007553082

Will
Vol. A
page 351 (Image 184)

In the name of God Amen
I Samuel Anderson being a low state of
health and knowing the uncertainty of Humane existence although in
my propoer sence and memory for which I bless God do make [co?]
and appoint this to be my last will and testament [?]
dis[cumuling] all other to wit, Impres[?] my [w?]
just debts to be first paid out of my personal estate [?]
hereafter [? – blurred ink]
and to my niece Betsy Campbell my stock of horse Creator, to be
equally divided between them Item I give all my [?ing]

page 352

wearing apparel to my brother William Anderson
Item I give to my brother Isaac my stock of hogs
Item I give to my sister Margaret Maxwell, Rebecah Crawford
Mary Campbell and Anne Gass and my brother John
Anderson each twenty five cents Item I give to my
Brother James Anderson my plantation and land adjoining
my brother Isaac, Joseph Kennedy and William Morrison
together with all my farming tools and all other property
not herein mentioned and I do appoint my said brother James
Anderson my sole executor of this my last will and Testament
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal
this 10th day of December 1804
Samuel Anderson
Signed and Acknowledged
In presence of
William Briscoe
David Maxwell
At a Court held for Madison County on Monday the 7th day of
April 1806 this will was proved to be the last will and
testament of Samuel Anderson deceased by the oath of William
Briscoe and on another day to wit on the 5th day of May 1806
The said will was fully proved by the oath of David Maxewell
another witness thereto an ordered to be recorded

Albert Will Irvine CMC

John Anderson Deed

Madison County Kentucky

Deed Book D
page 712 and 713
FamilySearch Film #183285

This indenture made this third day of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight between Samuel Campbell and Mary his wife of the County of Madison, Bez’ l Maxwell and Margret his wife, James Crawford and Rebeca his wife of the County of Garrard, James Anderson and Hannah his wife of the county of Madison, John Gap and Anne his wife of the County of Bourbon and William M. Morrison

Page 713

and Betsey his wife of the County of Madison and all  of the State of Kentucky being the part of the  legatees  to the estate of John Anderson Dec’d  not provided for of the one part and Isaac and Samuel Anderson legatees of the other part witnesseth that the said Samuel  Campbell, Bezabel  Max well , J ames Crawford, James Anderson, John Gaps and William M. Morrison and each of their wives for and in consideration of them the said Isaac and Samuel Anderson relinquishment of their interest and claim to all other parts of the said John Anderson Dec’d forever estate doth grant bargain and telling wish unto Isaac and Samuel Anderson  the heirs and  assigns all  am right title interest claim and demand of in and to  two hundred acres of land adjoining  the land of Joseph Kennedy on the north which  is the balance of six hundred acres obtained in two surveys by John Anderson Dec’d and bounded on the south of the lands conveyed by the John Anderson Dec’d to William and John Anderson and the land William Morrison on the east with its appurtenances to have and to hold the said land or parcel of land be the same more or less with i ts premises and every of its appurtenances  until the said Isaac and Samuel Anderson the i r heirs and assigns forever and the said Samuel Campbell, Bez’l Maxwell, James Crawford, James Anderson, John Gap and William M. Morrison for themselves their heirs executors and administrators the said land and  premises  unto the said Isaac and Samuel Anderson their heirs, executors and administrators shall and will warrant and forever defend against the claim of them the said Baz’l Maxwell and Margret his wife, James Crawford and Rebeca his wife , Saml Campbell and Mary his wife, James Anderson and Hannah his wife John Gaps and Anne his wife William M. Morrison and  Betsy  his wife their heirs, executors, and administrators or from any other person or persons claiming by or under them.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this day and year above written in presence of Jas Barnett, William Anderson, John Anderson.
Bez’lMaxwell
Maggaret Maxwell
Saml Campbell
Mary Campbell
James Crawford
Rebecca Crawford
Jas Anderson
Hannah Anderson
John Gass
Anne Gass
Wm. M. Morrison
Betsey Morrison

Botetourt Virginia Titheables

Last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit the Family History Center in Topeka, Kansas. During this visit, I was able to access digitized images from Botetourt County, Virginia. I was thankful these records were available at the family history center since they were locked at affiliate libraries.

Botetourt County, Virginia
List of Tithables, 1770-1789
FS Film 9106467 DGS 7856374

Looking for Crawford, Douglass, Maxwell

1770

Image 9
Anderson, Lemuel – 1
Crawford, James – 1
Dooley Kenery – 1

Image 14 – List of Tithebles take in by William Ingles
Image 15 James Craford – 1

Image 16 –
Henry Dooley
Samuel Bozewell

image 17 – start of 1771

Image 19 – List of tithables take by Benjamin Estil 1771
Wm Maxwell
J L Maxwell
John Maxwell
Image 20 – left side – col. 2 – Wm Crawford

Image 20 – right side – List of Tithables taken by John Boxman

image 22
List of the Tithables on the Head of Little River

Image 23
List of Tithables [my] Company
John Maxwell

Image 25 A list of the tithables in the Lower District
of New River

Image 26
A list of tithables taken from the north side
Buffelo Creek to the County line & from Mountain [Harris]
tax for the year 1771
William Crawford

Image 29
Tithables no returned at Agt Court 1771

Image 31
A list of tithables taken in by Walter Crockett from William
Sayers to the Head of Holstans RiVer for the year 1771

Image 33
A list of Tithables in Capt Campbells Company

Image 34
A list of Tithables in Capt Bledsow Company
John Douglass
John Douglass

Image 37
John Crawford – 2
John Crawford – 2
Wm Crawford – 1

Image 42 – 1772

Image 45 List of tithables on Jacksons River including the Cord parchased and Down James River as Lord as James Lawrence
taken according to order Court by John Robinson Jun the 10th 1772

Image 47
Lists Tithables for
Craigs Creek taken
by Ben Hawkins 1772
Crawford John – 1
Crawford John Junr – 1
Crawford Andrew – 1
Crawford William – 1
Crawford Elias – 1

image 52 List of Tithables taken in Capt James Thompson’s Company 1772
Henry Dooley

Image 58
A list of Tithables in Capt Doachs and my own company for the year 1772
Walter Crockett

Image 61 A list of the Tithables on the North side of Buffaloe Creek
Botetourt County taken by Wm McKee 1772

Image 63 – new list – but no heading at top of page
Crawford John – 1
Crawford Samuel – 1

Image 68 A list of tithables in Capt Campbells for 1772 take by R D.

Image 70 A list of tithables in Capt Bledsoes & Capt Looney Company for 1772
Returnt to R. Douch

Image 72
A list of the tithables in the upper settlement of Little River

Image 73
A list of the tithables on new river & sinking creek

Image 76 A list of tithables taken in by James McGavock from James River to Buffalo Creek from Mountain to Mounty of the year 1772
Craford William 2
Maxwell John – 2
Maxwell James – 1
Maxwell William – 2
Maxwell THomas – 1

Image 78 List of titheables taken by Ohis[ons]

1773

image 83 – 177[3] A list of tithable taken by order of court
Wm Mc[th]ee
names on lists
Crawford John – 1
Crawford John Junr – 1
Crawford William – 1
Crawford Josiah – 1
Crawford Andrew – 1
Crawford Andrew [z] 1

Image 85 A list of tithables taken by Benjamin Estil for year 1773
Crawford William – 2
Maxwell John – 1
Maxwell William – 1

Img 86 – Maxwell Thomas – 1

image 87 The list of tithables from William Huggards up Jacsons River to the County line and to the western waters

Image 90 A list of the tithables on the waters of Breenbriers 1773

Image 91 – right side – List of the tithables from Buffalo Creek to the North River Below the great road taken by James [timbold] in compliance to an order of court to him Directed 1773

image 92
A list of the tithables from the mouth of Craigs Creek up the cowpaster to the county line
and up jecksons river to William Hogarts

Image 97
A list of tithables taken by Geo Skillens for a part of the County of Botetourt and order of the court for the year 1773

image 99 Lit of delinquents

Image 101 List of deliquents
Thos Maxwell – no inhabitant Fincast Co – 0

Did I Find a Marriage Record

Have you ever looked at a court document trying to figure out who all of the people are and suddenly realize you may have stumbled across something totally different?

Well, that was my situation yesterday. I found additional documentation for the 1779 will of John Crawford in Montgomery County, Virginia (Order Book 2, image 292),

At a court c/ and held for Montgomery County April 7th 1779

Last will and testament of John Crawford deceased proven by oath of George
[D]ouglas James Crawford and Bazewell Maxwell and ordered to be recorded

Administration of the Estate of Jno Crawford deceased with  the will annexed
[?]granted Rebecca Maxwell and James Crawford who entered into bond
[?] [a]nd security according to law

Ordered that Patrick Campbell James Campbell Robert Black and Archbald
Reaugh or any three of them being first sworn appraise the personal estate
and slaves if any of John Crawford Decd and make return thereof to the next
Court.

Inventory and appraisement of the Estate of John Maxwell decd returned
[?] Court and Ordered to be recorded

When I first looked at this entry, I was trying to link this record to my Kentucky research. One of the Crawfords I’m researching in Kentucky is Rebekah Crawford. Rebekah Crawford appears on the 1787 tax list in Lincoln County, Kentucky.

It is believed that Rebekah’s husband was John Crawford — the same John Crawford mentioned in the Montgomery County court record. I had previously located John Crawford’s will in the Montgomery County Virginia Wills Book B on image 474. 

I leave to my true and loving wife, Rebecah her thirds during her life and if she merys the estate is to be sold the land into be equally divided between my two sons James & Nathan Craford and a equal devid mong all the chidren of the stock and housal plenishingJohn Crawford

Since Rebekah Crawford of Lincoln County, Virginia is believed to be the mother of the James Crawford who married Martha Knight, this will could be for Rebakah’s husband. However, I don’t have any mention of a Nathan Crawford in my research. Thus, I needed more proof. 

I believe that yesterday I found the support to tie the will of John Crawford in Montgomery County, Virginia to Rebekah Crawford in Lincoln, County, Kentucky. The names of the witnesses to the Montgomery County will are also found in the area of Kentucky where Rebekah lived.

Rebekah may have been listed on the tax roles in Lincoln County, Kentucky, but the land she purchased lies in what is now Garrard County, Kentucky. Rebekah purchased that land from George Douglass. George Douglass is believed to be the brother of Rebekah Crawford. 

Other Crawfords living in Garrard County include James and William Crawford. James’ wife was Rebecca Anderson Maxwell. James and his wife Rebecca, along with Bazewell Maxwell and his wife and others are the grantors on a deed for land from the John Anderson estate. Thus, James Crawford and Bazewell Maxwell are brothers-in-law.

Thus, all three witnesses to the John Crawford will can be found in Garrard County, Kentucky.

As I re-read the court entries, I couldn’t figure out the reference to Rebecca Maxwell. None of the information I have suggested that Rebecca Crawford remarried. Then it dawned on me — Rebecca Anderson Maxwell married James Crawford. 

I think the marriage bond of Rebecca Maxwell and James Crawford is buried between entries regarding the will of John Crawford.

[?]granted Rebecca Maxwell and James Crawford who entered into bond
[?] [a]nd security according to law

Unfortunately, the left side of the page is missing, so I will never know for certain that this is a record for a marriage bond. However, the names, date and place fit.

So, what do you think?

Are the witnesses enough to tie the death of John Crawford in Montgomery County, Virginia to Rebecca Crawford of Lincoln/Garrard Counties, Kentucky?

Is that a record of a marriage bond for Rebecca Maxwell and James Crawford?