Andrew Crawford, Craig's Creek, Botetourt, VA
Replies: 18
Re: Andrew Crawford, Craig's Creek, Botetourt, VA
 teddybrock58
(View posts)
|
Posted: 8 May 2008 7:27PM GMT |
Classification: Query
Dave,
I'm glad that I could help you to realize that the father of Andrew Crawford (d.1791) has not yet been established through documentation and is obviously not the John who died in 1796 for reasons stated in previous msgs.
There IS reason to think the wills of Andrew Crawford (d.1791) and John Crawford (d.1796) suggest a family connection, possibly brothers, because
a)both note a "brother" William in their wills,
b)Edward Mitchell was party to both wills and
c)witness Andrew Crawford Junr. to Andrew's will is likely son of John (d.1796).
There can be no doubt that John's father was an elder John Crawford of Craig's Creek and because of my Andrew's residence in same area, I think it probable that the elder John is also father of Andrew. BUT, before stating that unequivocally, we must find the evidence, a document, that supports that theory.
For some reason the will of the elder John (established as existing per will of John, d.1796) has not surfaced in Botetourt. I found a Montgomery Co. index for one John Crawford, d. 1779, but a friend looked it up in Salt Lake and its contents show no correlation to Crawfords of Craigs Creek. This is it and it is unusually brief:
***I leave to my true and loving wife Rebeccah her Thirds during her life and if she marys the Estate is to be Sold and (?) land is to be Equally divided between my two sons James & Nathan Crawford and a Equal Divide among all the children of the Stock and housel plenishing.
John Crawford
The Court held for Montgomery County 7th April 1779 this will was proved by the Oaths of George Douglas, James Crawford and Bazaliel Maxwell and ordered to be recorded.
Test James McCorkle c.m.***
NOW, as to finding the will of the elder John Crawford, consider the Botetourt Co. Deed transfer of 158 acres to Andrew Crawford 9 March 1779 for 10 pounds. On the same date, he in turn deeds half the acreage (79A) to JOSIAH Crawford for 5 pounds and his deed clearly states "Land that formerly belonged to John Crawford deceased". This could be the elder John and that phrase in said deed affixes his death before 9 March 1779. Also keep in mind that the elder John had a son named Josiah who was baptized by Rev. Craig in 1741---might these be the same Josiahs? Another confusing point, the grantor to Andrew Crawford on the 1779 deed is John Crawford "Senior", but learning this land came from 'a deceased John Crawford' whom I've considered to be the patriarch, it seems possible this John Senior is his son. This is just my assumption and I could be very, very wrong.
If we subscribe to the elder John Crawford's death before 1779 then his will could have been recorded in Fincastle Co. which existed 1772-1776 and after its extinction, those Fincastle records are noted as sent to Montgomery Co. and who knows how they were handled. Stuffed in a box, forgotten or considered of no importance to the new county of Montgomery? The other area of logical search for the will would be Augusta.
Finding the elder John Crawford's will seems the best way to prove the relationships of the Crawfords of Craigs Creek and the person who can do that will make an invaluable contribution to ongoing research of this branch of Crawfords. Good luck to us all!
Teddy (Gray) Brock
I'm glad that I could help you to realize that the father of Andrew Crawford (d.1791) has not yet been established through documentation and is obviously not the John who died in 1796 for reasons stated in previous msgs.
There IS reason to think the wills of Andrew Crawford (d.1791) and John Crawford (d.1796) suggest a family connection, possibly brothers, because
a)both note a "brother" William in their wills,
b)Edward Mitchell was party to both wills and
c)witness Andrew Crawford Junr. to Andrew's will is likely son of John (d.1796).
There can be no doubt that John's father was an elder John Crawford of Craig's Creek and because of my Andrew's residence in same area, I think it probable that the elder John is also father of Andrew. BUT, before stating that unequivocally, we must find the evidence, a document, that supports that theory.
For some reason the will of the elder John (established as existing per will of John, d.1796) has not surfaced in Botetourt. I found a Montgomery Co. index for one John Crawford, d. 1779, but a friend looked it up in Salt Lake and its contents show no correlation to Crawfords of Craigs Creek. This is it and it is unusually brief:
***I leave to my true and loving wife Rebeccah her Thirds during her life and if she marys the Estate is to be Sold and (?) land is to be Equally divided between my two sons James & Nathan Crawford and a Equal Divide among all the children of the Stock and housel plenishing.
John Crawford
The Court held for Montgomery County 7th April 1779 this will was proved by the Oaths of George Douglas, James Crawford and Bazaliel Maxwell and ordered to be recorded.
Test James McCorkle c.m.***
NOW, as to finding the will of the elder John Crawford, consider the Botetourt Co. Deed transfer of 158 acres to Andrew Crawford 9 March 1779 for 10 pounds. On the same date, he in turn deeds half the acreage (79A) to JOSIAH Crawford for 5 pounds and his deed clearly states "Land that formerly belonged to John Crawford deceased". This could be the elder John and that phrase in said deed affixes his death before 9 March 1779. Also keep in mind that the elder John had a son named Josiah who was baptized by Rev. Craig in 1741---might these be the same Josiahs? Another confusing point, the grantor to Andrew Crawford on the 1779 deed is John Crawford "Senior", but learning this land came from 'a deceased John Crawford' whom I've considered to be the patriarch, it seems possible this John Senior is his son. This is just my assumption and I could be very, very wrong.
If we subscribe to the elder John Crawford's death before 1779 then his will could have been recorded in Fincastle Co. which existed 1772-1776 and after its extinction, those Fincastle records are noted as sent to Montgomery Co. and who knows how they were handled. Stuffed in a box, forgotten or considered of no importance to the new county of Montgomery? The other area of logical search for the will would be Augusta.
Finding the elder John Crawford's will seems the best way to prove the relationships of the Crawfords of Craigs Creek and the person who can do that will make an invaluable contribution to ongoing research of this branch of Crawfords. Good luck to us all!
Teddy (Gray) Brock