When we encounter a will during genealogical research, we typically expect to find references to a spouse, children, and occasionally grandchildren. However, not all wills follow this pattern. The will I’m sharing today is especially valuable because it does not name a spouse or descendants—instead, it provides insight into an extended family network by naming several siblings, nephews, and a niece.
This particular will identifies the following individuals:
- James Crawford – [K81J-3V8] – the testator
- Father – James Crawford [LWFH-9FT]
- Nephe James Alexandenr Ervine [MXBP-Z7M]
- Nephew John Hendersin Ervine [MXBP-ZHX]
- Sister – Anne Ervine [K85H-NTH]
- Sister – Elizabeth [MT1P-SHG]
- Sister – Jane [M4DM-NY3]
- Sister – Mary Bell [MYM7-8DX]
- Sister – Anne [K8NY-MBX]
- Niece Eliza Jane Hoinger (possibly K6M3-DPY)
Below is a transcription of the will, which may help clarify family relationships and guide further research into the Crawford, Ervine, Bell, and Hoinger families.
Will Book 17,1829-1833, Augusta County, Virginia
DGS 7643872 item 2“Augusta, Virginia, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P7-3NQ6?view=explore : Jul 21, 2025), image 250 of 301; . Image Group Number: 007643872
Augusta County
Will books, 1745-1871
Will books, v. 16-17 1827-1831 DSG 7643872
image 310 – start of volume 17
Image 555 of 607Full text search image 249 of 301
In the Name of God Amen I , James Crawford [K81J-3V8] son of James [LWFH-9FT],
being weak in body but of sound mind & disposing memory do make &
publish this my last will & Testament .
In the first place I direct that all my just debts & funeral
expenses be paid as soon as convenient after last will & my decease .
Secondly I bequeath to my Negro man David his freedom together with
five hundred dollars to be made out of the plantation on which
I now live & to be paid to him before he leave this states
Thirdly I direct that all my personal property ( except the above
named Negro man David ) be sold & the proceeds thereof be applied
to the education of my nephews James Alexander & John
Henderson ( son of my sister Anne Ervine [K85H-NTH])
Fourthly I give & bequeath the plantation on which I now reside
to my Mother & my sisters Elizabeth [MT1P-SHG] & Jane [M4DM-NY3] during their life time
and at the decease of the Last surviving one of the these I direct [that]
the same be sold & the proceeds thereof divided unto [?]
parts of which my sister Mary Bell (Possibly MYM7-8DX) shall [?]image 250 of 301
my sister Anne I [give] to have three parts to be to her heirs & assigns
forever & my niece Eliza Jane [Hoinger] (possibly K6M3-DPY) to have one part to be to her heirs & assigns forever
Fifthly , I direct that all my land in
the County of Botetourt be sold & the proceeds thereof be divided
into four equal parts – one of which part to be to my sister
Mary Bell , to her , her heirs & assigns forever – one other part to my
sister Anne Ervine to her , her heirs & assigns forever – & the remaing
two parts to be to my sisters Elizabeth & Jane during their natural
lives , & at the decease of the last of them to be equally divided between
my above named nephew James Alexander Ervine [MXBP-Z7M] & John Hanson Erwin [MXBP-ZHX]
Sixthly . I bequeath all monies due to me together with all property
to which I may have any claim & which is not above mentioned
to my sister Elizabeth to her , her heirs & assigns forever .
Lastly I constitute & appoint my friends Charles A. Stewart &
John Crawford jr Executors of this my last will & Testament
In testimony whereof & hereby revoking all former wills by me
made & declaring this & this only to be my true one , I have hereby
set my hand & seal the fourth day of January 18[2]8 .
James Crawford
Signed Sealed&& [jus] declared
as the last will & testatment
of James Crawford in our ,
presence who have at
his request & in his presence
hereunto subscribed our names
James Nelson
John Crawford jr
John Crawford
Wm A. Hanger
Augusta County Court February Term 1831
This last will & Testament of James Crawford Crawford decd was presented
in Court and proved by the oaths of James Nelson and John Crawford C
two of the subscribing witness thereto & ordered to be recorded and on
therein named who made oath thereto according to law and together
with John M. Estill and John Crawford so their securities entered with
& [?] bond in the penalty of $20,000 conditional as the law describ what
bond is ordered to be recorded certificate is granted the said Chas A [?]
and John Crawford Jr for obtaining probate thereof is desc from
page 549 for other order of ct.
Teste
Eramis [?]Image 300 of 301
page 549Augusta County Court August Term 1833
On Motion it is ordered that the order heretofore made by this Court
Committing the Estate of James Crawford decd to the hands of Clandius [Bu?]
tter then the Sheriff of this County be recorded & on the motion of John J Craig
who made oath thereto according to Law , together with William Poagee his
security entered into & acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $ 18 , 000
Conditioned as the Law directs which bond is ordered to be recorded . Certif
[?t] is granted the said John J. Craig for obtaining letters of Administration
do [Commission] in due form with the will annexed of James Crawford dec
Teste
Jefferson Kinney C. A. C.