William Crawford Will

In my search for records related to Mary Crawford, who owned land on Sugar Creek in Garrard County, Kentucky, I conducted a full-text search for “Mary Crawford” in Virginia prior to 1800. That search led me to a will recorded in Rockbridge County, Virginia, for William Crawford.

The will names the following heirs:

• Wife: Mary
• Daughter: Eleanor Crawford
• Daughter: Isabell Crawford
• Daughter: Mary Crawford
• Daughter: Elizabeth Crawford
• Younger son: William Crawford
• Younger son: George Crawford
• Younger son: John Crawford

So far, I have not located an exact match for this family in the FamilySearch tree. However, the following family appears to be a partial match:

William Crawford (1733–1835) – [LXQD-7P5]
Mary McRoberts (1735–1784) – [LH7F-YX9] listed in will

Children:

• Jean Crawford (1755–?) – [KC1T-RXP]
• James Crawford (1758–1836) – [L4B5-J8X]
• Eleanor Crawford (1770–1863) – [KHCX-HRP] listed in will
• Isabella Crawford (1772–1841) – [KDML-V8D] or Isabelle Crawford (1780–1840) – [LXQX-MQ7] listed in will
• John Crawford (1778–1858) – [LJNV-LH2] listed in will
• George Crawford (1778–1834) – [KZ43-7PQ] listed in will

There are a few discrepancies between the will and this FamilySearch profile:

• William’s recorded death date is after the date of the will.
• Sons Jean and James are not named in the will, although its wording suggests the existence of older sons.
• Daughters Mary and Elizabeth appear in the will but are not listed in the FamilySearch record for this family.

Because of these inconsistencies, more research is needed before drawing a firm conclusion that this will belongs to the same William Crawford family.

Below is a transcription of the will.

Will Book 1, 1778-1796
Rockbridge County Virginia

DGS 7646171 Item 2

“Rockbridge, Virginia, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PF-HLJW?view=explore : Aug 9, 2025), image 98 of 274; . Image Group Number: 007646171

Image 98 of 274

Possible Family
William Crawford 1733-? LXQD-7P5
Mary McRoberts (1735-1784) LH7F-YX9

Children:
Jean Crawford 1755-? KC1t-RXP
James Crawford (1758-1836) L4B5-J8X
Eleanor Crawford (1770-1863) KHCX-HRP in will
Isabella Crawford (1772-1841) KDML-V8D or Isabelle Crawford (1780-1840) LXQX-MQ7 in will
John Crawford (1778-1858) LJNV-LH2 in will
George Crawford (1778-1834) KZ43-7PQ in will

Also in will but not listed in FamilySearch tree
Mary Crawford
Elizabeth Crawford
William Crawford

page 102

In the name of God Amen , on the tenth day of April one thousand seven
hundred and eighty three I William Crawford of Rockbridge County and
State of Virginia ; being very Sick and low in body but of perfect mind and
memory thanks be to God for his mercies : therefore calling to mind the
uncertainty of life , do make this my last will and Testament that is to say
first of all I give and recommend my Soul into the hands of almighty
God that gave it and my Body to the earth to be deasently buried at the
discretion of my Executors and secondly as touching my worldly
Estate wherewith it has pleased god to bless me in this life I give Demise
and dispose of in the following manner and form . First of all I give
and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary Crawford the one third of all my
personal Estate and her Lawfull share of all my Lands and and next
I give to my four daughters to wit Elinor Crawford Isabell Crawford
Mary Crawford & Elizabeth Crawford the remaining two thirds of all
my personall Estate to be equally divided , and next I do give and
Bequeath to my three youngest sons to wit William Crawford George
Crawford & John Crawford all my Lands to be equally divided
and lastly I do hereby constitue and appoint my beloved wife Mary
Crawford and John Greenlee my Lawfull Executors of this my last
will and Testament and do revoke all former wills and Testaments
made or apointed to be made by me , in witness whereof I have here
unto set my hand and seal the day and year above written .
William his mark Crawford (seal)

Signed Sealed pronounced and declared to be the last will
and Testament of William Crawford in the presents of ⎬
John Gilmore
Geo Warren Parker
William Byers
[Z]epert Fiell

At a Court held for Rockbridge County June 3d 1783
This last Will and Testament of William Crawford Decd was presented in Court by
Mary Crawford widow & Executrix & John Greenlee Executor and proved by
the oaths of John Gilmore William Byers and Peter[Teel] Witnesses thereto
and ordered to be recorded -and on the motion of said Executrix & Executor
who made oath according to Law Certificate is granted them for obtaining
Probate thereof in due form Giving Security whereupon they together with
John Gilmore theirSecurity entered into and acknowledged Bond in the
Penalty of L 100 . conditioned according to Law
Teste Andw Reid C. R. C.