Have you ever used land transactions to connect family members in your genealogy research? Have you come across two deeds describing the same parcel of land—but with no clear record of how the second party acquired title?
That’s the mystery I’ve encountered while researching a James Crawford mentioned in Miami Valley Genealogies. In 1747, James Crawford purchased land along the Cathey River, with the deed describing the property as follows:
Beginning at a Double Elm in a line of Robert Patterson’s land on the south side of Cathey’s River, and runneth thence south thirty-seven degrees west one hundred and forty-three poles to a stake, corner to Lohr Dowd’s land; thence with his line south sixty degrees east three hundred and forty-eight poles, crossing Lewis Crook, to a boared oak under a lully; thence south forty-eight degrees east seventy-two poles to three white oaks; thence north forty-one degrees east one hundred eighty-eight poles to one white oak and one pine; thence north seventy degrees west seventy-eight poles to three pines, corner to George Anderson’s land, and one white oak on a steep hill of the river; thence up the several courses of the river to the beginning.
That exact land description appears again nearly a century later in a deed dated 15 April 1842. In this second deed, Mary Bell of Braxton County sells her share of the land “devised to her in the last will and testament of James Crawford.”
However, the James Crawford who purchased the land in 1747 had his estate inventoried in 1750. This suggests the will referenced in the 1842 deed belongs to a different James Crawford—possibly a descendant. Unfortunately, no will or intermediary deed has yet been found to connect the original landowner to Mary Bell.
Below is a transcription of the 1842 deed between Mary Bell and Thornton Berry from deed book 63 in Augusta County, Virginia.
page 180
THIS INDENTURE : — Made the 15th day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand
and Eight Hundred and Forty Two between Mary Bell of Braxton County and State of Virginia
of the one part and Thornton Berry of the County of Augusta and State aforesaid of Test Wm . A. Burnett
the other part , WITNESSETH : — That the said Mary Bell of the first part for and
in consideration of the sum of Twelve Hundred Dollars current money of Virginia to
her by the said Thornton Berry in hand paid the receipt whereof the said Mary Bell
doth hereby acknowledge hath granted bargained sold and conveyed and by these presents
doth grant bargain sell and convey unto the said Thornton Berry his heirs and assigns
the undivided three sevenths of her entire share and interest consisting of the undi
vided seven elevenths devised to her in the last will and testament of James Crawford
Dec ‘ d of a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being situate in the County of
Augusta containing Four Hundred and One Acres be the same more or less and bounded as
follows , viz : Beginning at a double elm in a line of Robert Patterson ‘ s land on the
south side of Middle or Cathey ‘ s River and running thence S. 37 degrees W. 143 poles to a
stake corner to McDowell ‘ s land thence with his line S. 60 degrees E. 348 poles crossing Lewis
Creek to a red oak under a hill thence S. 48 degrees E. 72 poles to 3 white oaks thence N. 41 degrees
E. 188 poles to a white oak and pine thence N. 70 degrees W. 78 poles to 3 pines corner to
George Anderson ‘ s land and one white oak on a steep hill of the river , thence up the
several courses of the river to the beginning , together with all and singular the ap
purtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining . To have and to hold the
said undivided three sevenths of the said Mary Bell ‘ s whole and entire share and inter
est whether at law or in equity consisting of seven elevenths of the said tract or par
cel of land above mentioned with the appurtenances thereto belonging or in any wise
appertaining , whether legal or equitable unto him the said Thornton Berry his heirs
and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of the said Thornton Berry his heirs
and assigns forever and the said Mary Bell for herself her heirs extors and adm’rs
doth hereby covenant and agree to and with the said Thornton Berry his heirs and assig
ns that she the said Mary Bell and her heirs the said undivided three sevenths of her
whole and entire share and interest of the said tract or parcel of land lying and be
ing situate as aforesaid whether in law or equity with the appurtenances thereto be
longing or in any wise appertaining whether in law or equity unto him the said Thorn
ton Berry his heirs and assigns against her the said Mary Bell and her heirs and assig
ns against all persons whomsoever shall and will by these presents forever warrant and
defend . In witness whereof the said Mary Bell hath hereunto set her hand and affix
ed her seal the day and year above written .
Mary K. Bell , ( Seal ) , State of Virginia , Braxton County To wit : – we Fielding Berry and Asa Squires Justices of the Peace in the County aforesaid I
n the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Mary Bell a party to a certain deed ,
bearing date on the 15th day of April 1842 and hereto annexed personally appeared be
fore us in our County aforesaid and acknowledged the same to be her act and deed and
desired us to certify the said acknowledgment to the Clerk of the County of Augusta
County in order that the said deed may be recorded . Given under our hands and seals
this 15th day of April 1844 .
Fielding Berry , ( Seal ) ,
Asa Squires , ( Seal ) .
Augusta County Court Clerk ‘ s Office , September 2nd 1842 .
This deed of bargain and sale from Mary Bell to Thornton Berry was this day presen
ted in the office aforesaid and being acknowledged by the said Mary Bell before two
Justices of the Peace for the County of Braxton and certified here , is together with
the certificate of said Justices hereon endorsed admitted to record .
Teste : — Jefferson Kinney , Clerk .
These two deeds raise intriguing questions about the chain of title and family relationships surrounding this parcel of land. While both documents clearly describe the same property, the connection between the original 1747 purchaser, James Crawford, and Mary Bell remains elusive. Was there an unrecorded inheritance, a missing deed, or another James Crawford in the family line? Until additional records come to light—such as a will, land division, or chancery case—we’re left piecing together the puzzle with the documents we have. If you’ve encountered similar gaps in land records or have information about this Crawford line, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.