Crawford Find

Did you catch Elizabeth Shown Mills’ Facebook post about her success using FamilySearch’s experimental labs to locate deeds and wills? Her experience provides compelling evidence of the effectiveness of this new tool!

While I haven’t uncovered 43 documents for a single individual like Mills, I am using the tool to locate records for everyone with the Crawford surname in Montgomery, Botetourt, and eventually Augusta counties in Virginia, prior to 1820. My goal is to use these documents to distinguish between the various Crawford lines and identify my ancestral lineage. Although I could rely on the traditional grantor/grantee indexes, the experimental labs index offers a faster alternative and helps me uncover records that mention a Crawford, even in passing.

Today’s discovery is an 1831 deed involving two Deyerle families. Based on the information in the FamilySearch tree, I believe the individuals mentioned in the deed are from the John Bowman Deyerle Sr. family and the Abram Deyerle family.

• John Bowman Deyerle Sr (1772-1871) LRNN-L9P
  • Jane [Doyerle] widow (1780-1842) LB9Q-4D6]
  • Peter Doyerle (1796-?) [L423-XFH]
  • Rebecca Doyerle (1800-1875) [LC8Y-3HP]
  • [Crockett] Doyerley (1796-1848) [L423-NZG] & Mary his wife,
  • Catherine Doyerle, widow of
  • [Buchanan] Doyerle decd
  • John Doyerle (1804-?) [KCDK-WYG] and Elizabeth his wife,
  • John Chapman and Nancy (1813-1880) [LC8Y-3MY]his wife
  • Walter Doyerle (1817-?) [LC8Y-3NZ]

• Abram Deyerle (1777-1831) LWVQ-7WG
  • Sally Doyerly, (1784-1859) [2MB1-74N] widow of Abram Doyerle dec’d,
  • [Salome] Duckwiler [LZPF-991] wife of Isaac Duckwiler,
  • Eliza Crawford (1803-1850) [L5DC-NVJ]wife of James Crawford (1802-1871) [LZ88-VZ9]
  • Rebecca Hill (1803-?) [KPSW-MF6] wife of James [Hille]
  • Sally Doyerle (1812-1849) [LC33-F7V]
  • Thomas Jefferson Doyerle (1811-1872) [KPSR-G53]
  • Alexander Doyerle (1812-1870) [KPSW-MQ6]
  • [Regany] Doyerle (1803-?) [M7FM-MKH]
  • Abram Doyerle — IS THIS PETER?
  • Jackson Doyerle (1823-1907) [LCCK-D5Y],

The names listed in the deed align with the structure of these two families, so I have attached the document to the profiles of John Bowman Deyerle Sr., Abram Deyerle, their widows, and the identified children. Given the deed’s date of 1831, it’s clear that John Bowman Deyerle Sr. could not have passed away in 1871 as currently listed. Hopefully, relatives of the Deyerle families will notice this discrepancy and update his death date accordingly.

Interestingly, this Deyerle deed also identifies a Crawford. It reveals that Eliza Deyerle’s husband was James Crawford. According to the FamilySearch tree, James Crawford is the son of James Crawford and Jean Poage. Tracing the Crawford line further back, it appears that Eliza Deyerle’s husband, James, descends from the David Crawford lineage, which immigrated to early Virginia.

Below is the transcription of the Deyerle deed.

Montgomery County VA

Deed Book L, 1832-1835
DGS 7645571, item 2

image 93 of 271

This Indenture made this [14th] day of October in the year of our Lord
1831 between Jane [Doyerle] widow of John B Doyerly and Peter Doyerle, Rebec
ca Doyerle, [Crockett] Doyerley & Mary his wife, Catherine Doyerle, widow of
[Buchanan] Doyerle decd John Doyerle and Elizabeth his wife, John Chapman
and Nancy his wife and Walter Doyerle, children and heirs at law of John
B. Doyerle decd of the one part and Sally Doyerly, widow of Abram Doyerle
dec’d, [Salome] [Duckwiler] wife of Isaac Duckwiler, Eliza Crawford wife of
James Crawford, Rebecca Hill wife of James [Hille] Sally Doyerle, Thomas
Jefferson Doyerle, Alexander Doyerle, [Regany] Doyerle, Abram Doyerle and Jack
son Doyerle, children and heirs at law of Abram Doyerle decd who died
intestate of the other part, all of Montgomery County and State of Virginia
witnesseth that whereas Peter Doyerle decd by his last will and testament
which is duly admitted to record in the county court of Montgomery after
divising certain tract of land to his three sons directed that after the death
of his wife the home tract of land should be sold and the proceeds of
the sale were to be divided equally among all his children mentioned
in said will. And whereas the said John B. Deyerle decd was a son of the
said Peter Deyerle decd and entitled under his father ‘ s will to a child’s
share of whatever the said home tract of land , directed to be sold might
sell for, which would be one sixth part and whereas the said John
B. Deyerley deced in his life time , and in the lifetime of said Abram
Doyeller decd did sell to him the said Abram Deyerle decd all the interest that
would accrue to him under that clause of his father’s will which directed
his home tract of land to be sold , for the sum of six hundred dollars which
was paid to him by the said Abram Deyerle in his life time , but the said
John B. Deyerle decd has not made a conveyance of his interest to the said
Abram Dayerle -Now for and in consideration of the premises the said Jane
Deyerle widow of the said John B. Deyerle decd Peter Deyerle, Rebecca Deyerle
Crockett Deyerle & Mary his wife , Catharine Deyerle widow of Bowman Deyerle
decd John Deyerle and Elizabeth his wife , John Chapman and Nancy his wife
and Walter Deyerle children and heirs at law of John B. Deyerle decd doth
by these presents , give , grant bargain sell , alien and confirm , unto the said
Sally Deyerle widow of Abram Deyerle decd Salome Duckwiller wife
of Isaac Duckwiler, Eliza Crawford wife of James Crawford, Rebecca Hill wife
of James Hill, Sally Deyerle, Thomas Jefferson Deyerle, Alexander Deyerle, Regany Dey
erle, Abram Deyerle and Jackson Deyterle children and hirs of Abram Deyerle
dec’d all the right title and interest or clam that hath or might in any
manner accrue or be coming to them by virtue of the will of Peter Dey
erle decd directing his home tract of land to be sold and the money divi
ded among his children and whether that interest be land itself or a clam to
receive money for which the land may be sold, the same is herby conveyed
in as full and as ample a manner as the same is or might or thereafter may
be vested in the said Jane Deyerle, widow of John B. Deyerle, Dec’d Peter Deyerle
Rebecca Deyerle, Crockett Deyerle and Mary his wife, Catharine Deyerle widow
of Bowman Deyerle decd John Deyerle and Elizabeth his wife , John Chapman
and Nancy his , wife , and Walter Deyerle children and heirs of John B. Deyerle
decd to have and to hold the same , unto the said Sally Deyerle widow
of Abram Deyerle Deyerle decd Salome Duckwiler Duckwiler wife of Isaac Duckwiler, Eliza
Crawford wife of James Crawford, Rebecca Hill wife of James Hill, Sally
Deyerle , Thomas Jefferson Deyerle, Alexander Deyerle, Regany Deyerly, Abram
Deyerle and Jackson Deyerle children and heirs of Abram Deyerle decd and
their heirs and assigns forever . In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our
hands and seals , the day and year above written .
Jane (her mark) Deyerele

image 94 of 271
Peter Deyerle
Rebecca Deyerle
Cambell Deyerle
Mary Deyerle
Catherine M Deyerle
John Deyerle
Elizabeth Deyerle
Pater [F] Chapman
Nancy Chapman

Montgomery county SS
We Joseph King and John Pepper Justices of the peace in the coun
ty aforesaid in the sate of Virginia do hereby certify that Peter Deyerle, Crocket Deyerle,
John Deyerly and Walter Deyerle parties to a certain deed bearing date on the 16th day of
October 1831 and [hereto named] personally appeared before us in our county afore
said and acknowledged the same to be her act and deed and desires us to certify the
said acknowledment to the clerk of the county court of Montgomery in order that the
said deed may be recorded. Given under our hands and seals this 14th day
of October 1831
Joseph King
JPepper

Montgomery County
We Joseph King and John Pepper Justices of the peace in the county aforesaid
in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that Jane Dyeerly, the widow of John B. Deyele
and Elizabeth Deyerly, the wife of John Deyerle, parties to a certain deed bearing date on the 14th
day of October 1831 and hereunto annexed, personally appeared before us in our county aforesaid
being examined by us privily and apart from their husbands and having the deed aforesaid
fully explained to them, they the said Jane Deyerle, Mary Deyerle, Mary Deyerle, Rebecca Deyerle, Catharine Deyerle and Elizabeth Deyerle acknowledged the same to be thier acts and deeds and
that they had willingly signed, sealed and delivered the same and that they wished not to re
tract it. Given under our hands & seals this 14th day of October 1831.
Joseph King
J Pepper

Montgomery County
We Henry Edmundson and John Pepper Justices of the peace in the County
aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that John S Chapman, party to a certain deed
bearing date on the 14th day of October lot and hereto annexed , personally appeared before us in
the County aforesaid and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed and desired us to certify
the said acknowledgement to the Clerk of the county court of Montgomery in order that the
said deed may be recorded . Given under our hands and seals this 9th day of March 1831 .
Hy Edmundson ℗
JPepper ℗

Montgomery County
We Henry Edmundson and John Pepper Justices of the peace in the county
aforesaid in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that John S. Chapman a party to a certain deed
bearing date on the 14th day of October 1831 and hereto annexed personally appeared before us in
our county aforesaid and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed and desired us to certify
the said acknowledgment to the Clerk of the county court of Montgomery in order that the
said deed may be recorded. Given under our hands and seals this 9th day of March 1831
Hy Edmundson
JPepper

Montgomery County SS
We Henry Edmundson and John Pepper justices of thepeace in the county
aforesaid in the State of Virginid do hereby certify that Nancy Chapman the wif eof John S
Chapman, a party to a certain deed bearing date on the 14th day of October 81 31 and here
unto annexed personally appeared before us in our county aforesaid and being examined
by us privily and apart from her husband and having the deed aforesaid fully ex
plained to her she the said Nancy Chapman acknowledged the same to be her act and
deed and declared that she had willingly signed sealed and delivered the same and that
she wished not to retract it. Given under our hands and seals this 9th day of March 1833
Hy Edmundson
JPepper

In the Clerk’s office of Montgomery County Court the 1st day of October 1833 .
This deed of bargain and sale from Jane Deyerle widow and and relict of John B.
Deyerle decd Peter Deyerle , Rebecca Deyerle , Crockett Deyerle and Mary his wife CatharineDeyerle , widow of Bowman Deyerle dec ‘ d John Deyerle and Elizabeth his wife and John
Chapman and Nancy his wife to Sally Deyerle widow of Abram Deyerle decd Salome
Duckwiler wife of Isaac Duckwiler , Elizabeth Crawford wife of James Crawford
Rebecca Hill wife of James Hill, Thomas J. Deyerle, Alexander Deyerle, Regania Dey
erle, Abram Deyerle and Jackson Deyerle, children and heirs of Abram Deyerle
deceased, was delivered to me , and with the certificates thereon endorsed admitted
to record .
R. D. Montague . C.