While reviewing deeds involving Thornton Berry and members of the Crawford family, I’ve discovered that the current FamilySearch tree does not reflect many of the relationships these documents reveal.
Today’s featured document is an 1842 deed in which Thornton Berry purchases land from Elizabeth Crawford. Although I have not yet traced the history of the land itself, the deed references several members of the Crawford family, providing valuable clues for reconstructing family connections:
- James Crawford – named in a 1787 deed and a 1791 will
- Alexander Crawford – identified as a son in James Crawford’s 1791 will
- Elizabeth Crawford – sister of Alexander
- Jane Crawford – sister of Elizabeth Crawford
- Thornton Berry’s wife – described as the niece of Elizabeth Crawford
Based on this deed and other records from Augusta County, Virginia, I believe the individuals mentioned align with the following profiles on the FamilySearch Family Tree:
- James Crawford – father [LWFH-9FT]
- Anne Crawford – daughter [K8NY-MBX]
- Elizabeth Crawford – daughter [MT1P-SHG]
- James Crawford – son [K81J-3V8]
- Martha Crawford – daughter [K2Q1-JNV]
- Alexander Crawford – son [KHRS-SND]
- Jenet Jane Crawford – daughter [M4DM-NY3]
- George Crawford – [KHT2-S7N]
- Mary Crawford – daughter [MT1L-XK7]
This deed not only connects some of these individuals but also suggests relationships that are missing or unclear in existing online trees.
Below is a transcription of the 1842 deed between Elizabeth Crawford and Thornton Berry.
Deed Book 64, 1843-1844
Augusta County, VIrginia
DGS 8571090 Item 1“Augusta, Virginia, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C379-19VZ-X?view=explore : Jul 23, 2025), image 48 of 306; . Image Group Number: 008571090
Image 48 of 306
This Indenture , made this 27th day of December in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two Between Elizabeth Crawford [MT1P-SHG] of
the County of Augusta and State of Virginia of the one part and Thornton Berry [29CX-VW8]
of the same County and State of the other part Witnesseth , that the said Eliza
beth Crawford for and in consideration of the natural love and affection [she]
has which she has for the said Thornton Berry who hath intermarried with
her niece as well for the further consideration of one dollars lawful money of
Virginia to her in hand paid by the said Thornton Berry the receipt whereof
is hereby acknowledged she the said Elizabeth Crawford hath given granted
bargained and sold & by these presents doth give grant bargain and sell
unto the said Thornton Berry his heirs and assigns forever , all her undive -ded right title interest & estate whether at law or in equity in & to a certain
tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County aforesaid between the
South River and Mountain containing by[antient] survey four hundred acre
be the same more or less being the same land conveyed by James Cole
& wife to James Crawford by deed dated 19th of November 1787 and duly re
=corded , bounding the same as follows : Beginning at 3 pines James Kerr’s land
& running thence So 75 degrees E 122 poles to two pines and an oak corner to William
Callam S 60 degrees E 230 poles with Callans line to Jonathan Waters line W 75 poles
with Waters line to three pines corner to Waters S 30 degrees W. 112 poles to two black
Oaks by a large pond S 10 degrees S 10 degrees W 74 poles to three pines corner to Jonathan Water .
W 120 poles to two red oaks S [4 deg] 83 Degrees W 180 poles to two pines corner to James
Kerrr thence No 40 E 94 poles to two pines corner to Kerrs land N 130 ° E 160 poles
with James Kears line to the Beginning . and was thereafter devised by said
James Crawford [LWFH-9FT] to Alexander Crawford [KHRS-SND] by Will duly recorded , dated October
5th 1791 and the said Alexander Crawford having departed this life intestate
unmarried and without issue the said tract or parcel of land descended to his
heirs at law of whom the said Elizabeth Crawford his Sister one and
entitled to an undivided fifth part thereof in her own right and her [sister]
Jane Crawford who was entitled to an undivided fifth alrady [?[
her said interest to the sid Elizbeth by will duly recorded dated [?}image 49 of 306
1840 the interest hereby conveyed being the undivided two fifths of said four
hundred acres of land together with all and singular the appurtenances there unto
belonging or in any wise appertaining . To have and to hold the said undivided
two fifths of said land to him the said Thornton Berry his heirs and assigns
forever . To the only proper use and behoof of him the said Thornton Berry his heirs
and assigns forever . And the said Elizabeth Crawford for herself her heirs executor
and administrators doth covenant with the said Thornton Berry his heirs & assign
that she the said Elizabeth Crawford her heirs executors & administrators the
said undivided two fifths part of said land unto him the said Thornton Berry
his heirs & assigns against the claim or claims of all persons whatsoever , she
the said Elizabeth Crawford her heirs executors & administrators will forever war
rant and defend by these presents . In Testimony whereof the said Elizabeth
Crawford hath hereunto set her hand and seal the day and year above written
Elizabeth Crawford ℗
signed sealed and delivered ⎬
in presence ofState of Virginia , Augusta County to wit :
We Saml Harrisbarger and Edward G. Moorman
Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that
Elizabeth Crawford a party to the foregoing conveyance personally appeared be
fore us in our County aforesaid and acknowledged the said conveyance to be
her act and deed and desired us to certify her said acknowledgement to the Clerk
of the County Court of Augusta in order that the said conveyance may be re
corded Witness our hands and seals this 30th day of December 1842
Saml Harrisbarger ℗
Edward G. Moorman J. P . ℗ Seal
In the County Court of Augusta June 26th 1843
This deed of Bargain and Sale for real estate between Eliz
abeth Crawford of the one part and Thornton Berry of the other part was
presented in Court and being acknowledged by said Elizabeth Crawford
before two Justices of the Peace for this County is with the Certificates
said Justices thereon endorsed ordered to be recorded
Teste
Jefferson Kinney Clk .