Crawford Will

Have you used FamilySearch’s experimental labs? While I haven’t made any discoveries to break thru some of my brick walls, I am finding the search and transcription capabilities a great tool. After working thru several Lincoln county deeds, I’m migrating to Virginia prior to 1800.

Today’s find is a Botetourt county, Virginia will for John Crawford. This 1796 record identifies the following family members:

• Wife: Margaret
• Son: James
• Son: John
• Son: Andrew
• Son: William
• Son: Samuel
• Daughter: Margaret
• Brother: William

The will contains a major clue to the age of the children: William is not yet 21. So far, I haven’t found a family that matches where William was born after 1775. However, the family of John Crawford [G8ZB-R4G] seems to be a close match:

• Wife: Margert (?-1796) [G8ZB-PQ2]
• Son: James (1766-deceased) [G8Z1-SZD]
• Son: WIlliam (1771-1855) [LVSF-BCK]
• Son: Samuel (1772-1854) [LRJJ-4MX]
• Daughter: Ufus (1772-1829) [MBG1-CFB]
• Son: Andrew (deceased) {G8ZB-YMK]
• Son: John (deceased) {G8ZB-YFL]
• Daughter: Margaret (deceased) [G8ZB-Y3C]
• Brother: William (1745-1835) [GH1S-P1Z]

In addition, researchers have attached a transcription of the will as a note on the profile of John Crawford [G8ZB-R4G]. Thus, I attached the will to John Crawford and uploaded images of the will as a ‘mermory’.

Botetourt County Virginia

Will Book A, 1770-1880

007644336, Item 1

Image 229 and 230

Image 229 – page 438

In the name of God Amen I John Crawford of Botetourt
County in Virginia being of sound mind and memory . tho weak
in Body and knowing the great uncertainty of this life – -do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in
manner following to wit . In the first place I recommend my
soul to its great auther earnestly imploring his mercy through
the merits of his dear Son Jesus Christ – my Body I desire to be decent
ly Buried at the discretion of my Exr hereafter named
And as to my worldly Estate I do dispose of it in manner following
my will to that my loving wife Margaret Crawford have her living on my
plantation untill it is sold and if my said Wife Should Survive the
Sale of Said Land that She Shall then live with one of my three sons
John Crawford William Crawford or Andrew Crawford which she shall
Choose and the other Two to be at an equal share of Expence in mantain
ing her during her Natural Life . And whereas my Father John Crawford
Decd did will that the Land I and my Brother William Crawford now
lives on should be equally divided between me and my said Brother
William . My will is and I do hereby authorise and direct my son
James Crawford to divide the Land equally to my Said Fathers Will
And to make a Deed to my Said Brother William for his half of said Land

Image 230 – page 439
I give and bequeath to my Son Samuel Crawford Crawford my young black mare
I Give to my Son John Crawford Crawford my Bald Horse
I give to my son Andrew Crawford Crawford my Horse calld Martin
I give to my Loving wife Margaret and my Son William the Sorrel
mare between them I give my Daughter Margaret Crawford my young
roan Mare and the Cows that are calld h[ers] and her Bed and
furniture , My will further is that my old mare be sold to pay
funeral Charges my will further is that the cows calld Johns
Should be Equally divided between my three sons John Andrew
& William , I also will that the Waggon Be kept for the use
of the plantation my will further is that my Daughter
Margaret Shall be maintained by her Brothers John
Andrew & William till she Marries I also give to my said
Daughter Margaret A Saddle I give Also to my wife my
Bell cow there are three young Steers I desire should be killed
for the use of the family my sheep my wife may divide
as she pleases among my Children and the hogs for the use
of the family I also give my Negro Woman Kate to my
Wife and my Rifle give to my Son James Crawford I give
to my Son John my Family Bible my will further is
that my three youngest Sons John Andrew & William
Crawford live on my said Plantation untill William comes
to the age of Twenty One Years and then all my lands to be
Equally divided between my said sons John Crawford
Andrew Crawford & William Crawford to them their
Heirs and assigns for Ever I also will that my said sons
John Andrew & William Crawford pay to their Brother
James fifteen pounds Currant Money as soon as
they can procure it on the Land I also give to my three
Sons John Andrew & William all my farming utensils
& the balance of the Bond due from John Moore to
purchase them Saddles and I do hereby appoint my
sons James Crawford and John Crawford Exectors of this my
last will and Testament hereby revoking all other
Wills In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand

page 440

and Seal this Twenty Fourth day of September 1796
John his mark Crawford (seal)
Signed sealed and delivered ⎬
in presence of
Edward Mitchell
Jno Eager
Robert Delbridge
John Crawford Junr
At December Botetourt Court . . 1796
This Instrument of writing purporting to be the
last will and Testament of John Crawford decd was exhibited
in Court and proved by the Oaths of John Eager and John
Crawford In Witness thereto Subscribed and thereupon ordered
to be recorded .

A copy [Test] Bowyn [ECl]