What the Records Really Say About the Craig and Crawford Families
When working with early Virginia records, it can be tempting to connect families quickly—especially when the same surnames appear together repeatedly. However, as I’ve been reminded in my recent work with the Craig and Crawford families of Augusta County, Virginia, the key is to separate what the records actually say from what we might assume they say.
In this post, I’m stepping back to look at five sets of information:
- Two deeds dated 20 June 1798
- Two marriage records from Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia
- Compiled entries for Samuel Crawford and Martha Crawford from Descendants of Alexander & Mary McPheeters Crawford
The goal is simple: What can we confidently conclude about these two families—and what remains unproven?
What the Deeds Tell Us (1798)
The two Augusta County deeds identify the heirs at law of Samuel Craig, deceased intestate. Across these deeds, the following individuals are named:
- James Craig
- William Craig
- Alexander Craig
- Samuel Craig
- Margaret (wife of William Jameson)
- Elizabeth Crawford
- John Crawford
These deeds establish several important facts:
- Samuel Craig died before June 1798 and left no will.
- The individuals named are his heirs (or representing heirs).
- Margaret and Elizabeth are daughters (identified through their marital status).
- The Craig men listed are likely sons.
But the deeds do not tell us:
- Which Crawford man married which Craig daughter
- How John Crawford fits into the family
What the Marriage Records Tell Us (1789–1790)
The marriage records provide two key pieces of direct evidence:
- 1789 – William Jameson married Margaret Craig, daughter of Samuel Craig
- 1790 – Samuel Crawford married Elizabeth Craig
These records allow us to confidently state:
- Margaret Craig = wife of William Jameson
- Elizabeth Craig = wife of Samuel Crawford
This is critical because it prevents a common mistake—assuming that Elizabeth Crawford in the deeds is the wife of John Crawford. The marriage record clearly shows otherwise.
What the Forbes Book Tells Us (and What It Doesn’t)
The compiled source Descendants of Alexander & Mary McPheeters Crawford adds helpful context, but it must be used carefully.
From the entries for Samuel Crawford and Martha Crawford, we learn:
- Samuel Crawford married Elizabeth Craig ✔
- Martha Crawford married Alexander Craig ✔
- Samuel Crawford died in 1795, leaving a widow Elizabeth ✔
The book also suggests a broader pattern of intermarriage between the Craig and Crawford families. However, these statements are often phrased as conclusions rather than documented facts.
Most importantly:
- The book does not provide direct evidence identifying
- which Craig daughter married John Crawford
- whether John Crawford was a sibling of Samuel or Martha Crawford
Pulling the Evidence Together
When we combine all five sources, we can construct a careful, evidence-based picture.
What Is Well Supported
- Samuel Craig had multiple heirs, including:
- James, William, Alexander, and Samuel Craig
- Margaret Craig (wife of William Jameson)
- Elizabeth Craig (wife of Samuel Crawford)
- Elizabeth Craig married Samuel Crawford (not John Crawford)
- Martha Crawford married Alexander Craig
- Elizabeth Crawford appears in the 1798 deeds as an heir, likely representing her share after the death of her husband Samuel Crawford (proved 1795)
What Is Likely—but Not Proven
- John Crawford is named among the heirs of Samuel Craig
- His presence strongly suggests a connection to the Craig family
However:
- No record directly identifies his wife
- No record states that he married a daughter of Samuel Craig
- No record proves he is a sibling of Samuel or Martha Crawford
Why This Matters
This case highlights a key principle in genealogy:
Repeated association does not equal proven relationship.
Yes, the Craig and Crawford families are clearly connected:
- Through marriage (Elizabeth Craig ↔ Samuel Crawford; Martha Crawford ↔ Alexander Craig)
- Through land transactions (1798 deeds)
- Through geographic proximity (Augusta County, Little Calf Pasture)
But we must resist the urge to over-define those connections without direct evidence.
A More Careful Conclusion
Based on the available records, we can confidently say:
- The Craig and Crawford families were closely associated in Augusta County
- At least two marriages connected the families
- A third connection involving John Crawford is possible—but not proven
Final Thoughts
This is exactly the kind of situation where genealogy becomes both challenging and rewarding. The records give us just enough information to see the outline of a family network—but not enough to fill in every detail.
And that’s okay.
Because good genealogy isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about knowing which answers are supported by evidence and which are still questions waiting to be explored.
If nothing else, this exercise is a reminder to:
✔ Separate fact from assumption
✔ Let records speak for themselves
✔ Be comfortable with “unknown” when the evidence requires it
And perhaps most importantly:
👉 Keep digging.