1767, March 15 Born, Waxhaw settlement, N.C./S.C.
1775-1780 Attends schools conducted by Dr. William Humphries and James White Stephensen.
1780-1781 Serves in American Revolution, captured and wounded by a British officer; imprisoned in Camden and later released in a Prisoner exchange.
1781 Death of his mother Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson
1781 Lives briefly at the homes of Thomas Crawford and Joseph White; assists in saddler's trade.
1783-1784 Teaches school in Waxhaw.
Every school child knows a little bit about Andrew Jackson and the role he played in our early American history. Andrew Jackson was named Andrew after his father. Andrew Jackson Sr., married Elizabeth Hutchinson and they came to America from Northern Ireland. Andrew and family sailed from Carrikfergus in 1765 accompanied by his neighbors, James, Robert and Joseph Crawford (or Crafford). James Crawford's wife was Isabella, Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson's, sister. When they arrived at Waxhaw family greeted them. Waiting to greet them was the George McCamie family, Mrs. McCamie-a recent bride was the sister of Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Crawford. Several other sisters lived there as two of the Hutchinson female family members had married brothers by the name of Leslie.
Andrew Jackson was born in America, March 15, 1767. There has always been a dispute whether he was born on the North Carolina side or the South Carolina side. The Leslie story says that Andrew was born at the McCamie's house; however, Elizabeth had been on her way to the Crawfords.
All of this country at one time was considered part of Anson County, N.C., until Mecklenburg County was formed from Anson County, N.C. in 1775. Later, when Union County, N.C., was formed from Mecklenburg County and Anson, the rights to this land were given to Union County, N.C.
This short story of history will be used as a back drop for the following Bible records that were taken from the Scott Family Bible by a Reporter in the Supreme Court in Little Rock, Arkansas and will be shared with you. These Bible records were found at the Winthrop University Archives, Rock Hill, S.C. 29733. The copy was sent to someone as the top of the page is dated March 1936. The paper is in handwriting, and the scanner will not scan it, so for those of you who may be interested, I will type word for word of what I see
Taken from the Scott Family Bible:
James Crawford, Sr. died 6th of December 1812.
First wife, Isabelle, died March the 2nd, 1792
Second wife, Nancy, died August 14th, 1838
Alexander Crawford married January 2nd 1816
Sarah born March 24th 1799
Alexander born March the 6th 1783
Departed this life the 2nd February 1851. Son of Isabelle and James
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Isabella Crawford Sexton, daughter of James Sr., wife of Cornelius
Sexton, departed this life March 1st 1827. Nancy, her daughter, died
9th March 1827.
George Crawford, son of James Crawford, Sr. departed this life January
22, 1829
.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Children of Alexander and Sarah Crawford.
James Harvey Crawford born November 27, 1816.
William Alexander Crawford, born May 19th 1819
Departed this life the 22nd of October 1821
George Harrison Crawford born April 5th 1822
Departed this life January 25, 1832.
Alexander LaFayette Crawford born May 14th 1824
Mary Arminda Crawford born Dec. 20, 1826
Sarah Jane Emoline Crawford born April 12, 1829
Departed this life November 25, 1831.
Edward Newton Crawford, Born Dec. 2nd 1831
Margaret Jane Crawford born March 4th 1834
Susan Isabella Crawford born June 9th 1837.
Children of Alexander LaFayette and Melinda Crawford
John Harrington Crawford, Born Feb 16, 1853
Alexander Baxter Crawford born Dec. 5, 1854. Died---
Walter Preston Crawford, born November 27, 1856. Died June 30, 1858.
Ada Louise Crawford, born November 8, 1858
Thomas Dwight Crawford born Dec 21st, 1860
Harriet Harrington Crawford born May 19th 1863
Nellie Crawford, born October 15th 1865 Died.
Bessie Hemphill Crawford, born January the 29th, 1870
Mary Jane (Mamie) Born 1873. Died.
(Elisa Davison departed this life 22nd of September 1827. Daughter of
Jane and Morris/Mosis Davison.)
. From "The Records of Session of Fishing Creek Church " from 1799 to 1859. Page 38, Record from 1818 to 1819. On certificate Edward Crawford, Jane Crawford.
Page 39. Will Bradford Late of Purity and Edward Crawford late of
Waxhaw
Were chosen to serve as Elders & were installed on the 24th July 1818.
24th July 1819..
On examination Isabel F. Crawford,
also
24th July 1819..
On examination James D. Crawford
(Note Edward served as elder from this date until his death in 1845)
He baptised
no children but several joined the church that must have been his.
On May 21st, 1825, received on examination, Mary D. Crawford.
April 17th, 1825 J.D. Crawford baptized infant Robert
Archibald
May 09th, 1828 J.D. Crawford baptized infant Mary Jane
July 14th, 1831 J.D. Crawford baptized infant Edward Alexander
July 14th, 1834 J.D. Crawford baptized infant Amelia Eleanor
April 30th, 1838 J.D. Crawford baptized infant Agnes Isabella
October 28th 1832. On examination, David C. Crawford, Jane C.
Crawford,
April 27th 1834, Received on certificate, Alexander Crawford,
Sarah Crawford
July 20th, 1835 Alexander Crawford baptized infant Margaret Jane
Oct. 18th, 1835 Received on examination A. Crawford
August 1st. 1835 Alexander Crawford installed as Elder
August 20th 1838 Alexander Crawford baptized infant Susan
Isabella
August 20th, 1838 Mary Crawford joined church on exmination
1838 - Agnes Crawford died
3rd Nov, 1838 Baptized Mary Crawford, an adult
Nov 23rd, 1839 received on examination, Jas. H. Crawford, R.A.F.
Crawford
June 9th, 1840 D.C. Crawford baptized infant Rebecca
Robinson
June 28th, 1841 Dr. H.D. Gibbes baptized infant Edward
Crawford
Oct 30th, 1841 Jas. H. Crawford baptized infant John
Alexander
Oct 24th, 1841 Mrs. Jane Crawford died
June 5th, 1842 David Crawford baptized infant Edward Dunlap
July 30th, 1842 Harvey Crawford James Pagan
Nov. 5th, 1844 Mary R. Crawford died
April 27th, 1845 Rec'd on examination, Mary Jane Crawford
Sept. 1st, 1845 James Harvey Crawford baptized infant Sarah
LaFayette
April 28th, 1845 Edward Crawford, Elder, died
April 26th, 1845 J. Harvey Crawford elected an Elder
May 9th, 1846 J. Harvey Crawford baptized infant Mary Gill
Jan. 16th, 1848 David C.&Mary Crawford baptized infant Martha Jane
April 2nd, 1848 J.H.&Rebecca Crawford baptized infant Robert White
April 7th, 1850 on exmination, Margaret J. Crawford
May 19th, 1850 David C. Crawford baptized infant Mary
Hope
May 19th, 1850 J. Harvey Crawford baptized infant George Harvey
Sept 22th, 1850 Rec'd on examination, Mrs. Amanda Crawford, Ed Newton
Crawford
Feb. 2nd, 1851 Alexander Crawford, Elder died
June 12th, 1852 Married-Margaret J. Crawford to Mr. Wilfong (Later
spelled Willfong)
June 6th, 1852 J. Harvey Crawford baptized infant Julius Green.
July 8th, 1852 Married Edward N. Crawford to Miss Elen Ashe.
Sept. 26th 1852 Rec'd on examination, Mrs. E.N. Crawford
Dec. 19th 1852 David Crawford baptized infant Name not given
Sept 25th, 1852 Mrs. Amanda Crawford died.
July 1, 1853 Ed. N. Crawford, baptized infant Samuel
Ashe
July 2nd, 1853 Dismissed David Crawford and Mary Crawford
Oct 22nd, 1854 Harvey Crawford baptised infant Rebecca
Sumpter
May 26th, 1855 E.N. Crawford baptised infant Edward Alex.
March 1856 Married Miss Agnes Crawford to Joe McFadden.
Sept 20th 1856 Jas. H. Crawford asked for certificates for self,
wife, & servants to join Bethesda Church
Sept. 20th 1856 E.N. Crawford asked certificates for self, wife &
servants to
Join Bethesda Church.
1859 Record ends but no other Crawfords mentioned.
March 30, 1937
Dear Mrs. Wylie:
The material which you graciously send me with your good letter of February 22, indicates that you have access to the source records from which the Rev. James H. Saye book his manuscript history of Fishing Creek Church. You gave data, which he does not include. Among them are several items, which refer to the members of the branch of the Crawford family to which I belong. The Edward Crawford mentioned as becoming an elder is listed among the sons of the James who died December 6, 1812 in the will he made two days earlier. Alexander and Sarah I am sure, are my great-grand parents, and their children, Margaret Jane, Susan Isabella, Alexander (no doubt my grandfather) and James Harvey, are all mentioned in the Scott Family Bible. Aunts' Sue and Margaret married brothers, Wilfong, by name, and moved to Warren, Arkansas, where my grandfather followed with his wife and young family; my father was born there. Sarah Culp Crawford died and was buried there. Uncle Harvey went to Texas, struck oil on his farm, and was fairly well to do. The only one of the connection I know of. The others have lived comfortably, been looked up to in their communities, none of them on the town rolls, but none among the first ten taxpayers. It is a better life, I think, in the golden mean rather than at either extreme.
I find Uncle Harvey's children listed too. The only one I had heard of was my father's cousin George Harvey. After his first wife died, he married a first cousin, like him bereaved and in middle age, a daughter of Aunt Sue, my father's cousin Ella Wilfong. I have been corresponding with Cousin Ella. We never knew the Wilfong until quite lately. Father had met the brother, Cousin Dan Wilfong, and liked him very much. He was writing to Cousin Ella in the last few months of his life, exchanging family papers in copies, etc.
I am hoping Cousin Ella will be able to put me on the track of a will of her grandfather, Alexander Crawford, so we can get at the bottom of the 1776 will of James Crawford. I am sure the gristmill is the clue.
I note further, the death in 1838 of Agnes Crawford. You write of an Anges Crawford buried in the Waxhaw Cemetery, Lancaster County, S.C. She was born March 6, 1771, died August 14, 1838, aged 61 years, etc. The Witherspoon genealogy (by the way, my father's mother, the former Melinda Harrington, was related through her mother's mother to the Wilsons and Witherspoons. Her grandmother, Janet Gregg Hudson, was a daughter of James Gregg and Mary Wilson Gregg. The geneaology speaks of James Crawford born July 8, 1769 married Agnes Cousar, born March 6, 1771, died August 14, 1838. Their issue, Robert, Charles, does not tally with the Scott Bible record. Furthermore, James Crawford was a Captain of the Fair-Forest men, so he would have been more than 7 years old in 1776. He lost his first wife in 1792, when he already had a considerable family, and this Witherspoon James Crawford would have been only 23 yards old in 1792. Furthermore, there are two entries about his second wife in the Scott Bible, which is in five large volumes. One entry, among the jottings kept in the place appointed for the purpose, refers to Nancy, wife of James Sr. died August 14, 1838. In another volume is a whole shelf of notations, including, Agnefs (that is the old-fashioned symbol with two ss, the first looking like an elongated f, the second a true s) died August 14, 1838, Aged 82 or 83. You mention a Fishing Creek burial stone for Agnes Crawford wife died ________14, 1838, Aged 82 years. There seems to have been a curious coincidence here. The missing month, in view of my evidence in the Bible, may well be August. Incidentally, the two handwritten entries are in different ages of ink, I believe, and clearly not the same handwriting, as if neither writer knew of the other putting down the date. I wonder if a Nancy and an Agnes died the same day? More probably Nancy was a nickname for Agnes.
I mean to copy off the Saye letters he sent to me, and will let you read a copy.
With best wishes,
John W. Crawford
Book B.E.
Page 212-216.
(In
pencil or ink is written in the
Right hand corner-B: June 21,
1746)
South Carolina Chester District:
I, James Crawford Senr, Of the District and State aforesaid now experience the affixing hand of my Almighty God, am Weak in body though in perfect mind and memory do ordain this my last Will and Testament and desire it may be executed by my Executors agreeably to the true meaning and tenor thereof.
First I bequest my Soul to Almighty God beseeching his most gracious acceptance of it, and that my burial may be decent and in Solemn Christian Order.
Item: that all-just demand against my Estate to be punctually paid.
Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Agnes Crawford, a Negro girl named Hannah forever also a Negro woman named Beck, during her lifetime-(and then to revert to my Estate to be disposed of as will be hereafter mentioned)---and to reside in my house under the care and protection of my tree sons, George, Robert, and Alexander, also a Black Mare and colt and two cows and Calves the choice of the stock and one Sow and pigs-and one bed and furniture, her riding saddle and bridle.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son, James Crawford, Jr., one hundred acres of land whereon he now lives on the New Survey (and what it lacks to be made up of the land where I live). Binding on Andrew Crosset, John Walker, Hirkiziah Ingram and William Hicklin Land. Also a Negro boy named Issac-
Item: I give and bequeath to my three sons---Robert, George and Alexander Crawford the tract of land whereon I now live and should tow of them wish to sell, the third to comply-
Item: I give and bequeath to my son George Crawford-all the stock of horses and cattle under his name heretofore-
Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Alexander Crawford, all the stock of horses and hogs under his name heretofore-and also a Negro man named Sam-forever.
And now considering other legatees not yet provided for, I desire a drawback from Robert, George, Alexander, and James Crawford for that purpose as follows. Two hundred dollars from Robert, one hundred and fifty dollars from George, and one hundred and fifty from Alexander, and fifty dollars from James Crawford, Junr---
Item: I give and bequeath to my Daughter, Sarah, a Negro boy named Ben during her lifetime, and at her death to go to her son, James R. Darling. Also the cow and calf excepted in Robert's legacy-also Fifty dollars out of my Estate to purchase a horse---and saddle, also the bed and furniture she now claims.
Item: I give and bequeath to James R. Darling one cow (and calf) out of my Est. to be appointed by my executors for his schooling-
Item: I give and bequeath to my Daughter, Isabel Sexton, three hundred dollars out of my Estate (to with the drawback money) to purchase a Negro girl by my executors-and at her death to go to the heirs of her body, also one cow and calf-
Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Edward Crawford, Seventy-five dollars of said drawback money to be paid him by my executors and lastly after the death of my wife, Agnes Crawford, that the Negro named Beck, and her Increase, and the amount to be equally divided between the nine legatees and the said winch to have choice which of the legatees she will live with.
Item: And further the two tracts of land on Dutchman Creek in Spartanburgh District each one hundred acres as also all and singular of the remainder or surplus which is not disposed of in this will, for to be sold at public sale, and after all my lawful debts are paid as before mentioned-that the residue be divided equally between the nine legatees---
And I do hereby Constitute and appoint my Two sons, George and Alexander Crawford, my Sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament, and I do hereby utterly revoke and disannul all and every other will or testaments legacies, or executors ratifying this and no other to be my last will and testament. Witness my hand and seal this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve, and in the Thirty Seventh year of America's independence
James Crawford Sr.
Signed and delivered in the presence of us:
J.D. Maxwell, Wiley Crook, John Cooper.
This is a true, certified copy of the will of James Crawford, Sr., dated December 4, 1812, and filed in the office of the Probate Judge, Chester District, and S.C. on January 1, 1813.
J.B. Yarbrough
Probate Judge, Chester Co.,
and S.C.
Page 22 & 23 Waxhaws-Mentions Wm. H. Crawford
There was also a Major Robert Crawford, Sarah
Crawford who
Married Issac Donnovon, her daughter married
Williams
These families are mentioned.
Witherspoons
Flemming
Heathly
Crawfords
White
Dunlap
Jones
Wordlaw/Wordlow
(All of this history is not here. There are 17 pages all in handwriting.)
It starts with page no. 3.
-Stories bore a conspicuous part in all the prominent events of
Scottish history. When Scotland was a separate kingdom the nobility,
who were Dukes, Marquises, Earls and Lords were by the King made made
hereditary Barons of Parliament. Such were the Crawfords who from
time on until the union of England continued to be members of the
Council of Barons who ruled Scotland. At the union, when James II of
Scotland became James I of England, they were still associated with
the rulers of the Kingdom. Reginald de Crawford surnamed "The Good",
was great grandfather of Margaret Crawford who married Malcolm Wallace
and became the mother of Scotland's immortal hero William Wallace.
It was Reginald the brother of Margaret, who was with so many of the brave Barons of the Council, was treacherously murdered under Edward at Avon on 15 of June 1297. Thomas Crawford, on the 2nd April 1378, took the Castle of Dumbarton, then held by Sir James Flemming, and at that time deemed impregnable. Sir James and his wife were the only ones who made their escape from the Castle. The ancient family crest was in Dumbarton Castle with the motto Ex Pugnavi as a distinction commemorative of the event. Kilbournie Castle and Kirk were ancient possessions of the Crawford family. The former was destroyed by fire in 1757. One of the Earls of Crawford had it repaired. On the front gallery there are emblazoned the armorial bearings of twelve families with who the family of Crawford were allied. Kilbournie Kirk attracts the curious in heraldry and antiquities, and is a fair specimen of a humble Scottish Kirk.
All of the above was according to Sir Henry Teetor, the ancestors of Col.. John Crawford, who came direct from Ayrshire to Pennsylvania. The three sons of Col. Crawford moved from Pennsylvania to South Carolina with a number of Scots Irish. Among those that came were the families of the Whites, Jackson and Dunlap. This branch of the Crawfords family did not move to the Northern part of Ireland and sail from some port in that country, but remained in their native land until they came direct from Scotland to Pennsylvania. There was a Col. John Crawford who went to Ireland and afterwards formed a Scots-Irish settlement in America, but this settlement was on the Hudson River. Robert, James, and Joseph, sons of Col. Crawford of Penn., moved to the Waxhaws now Lancaster County, S.C. about 1760, where the two former lived and died. Joseph is supposed to be the same Joel who settled first in Edgefield, S.C., and then moved to Georgia and became the father of the great William Crawford, so distinquished in the affairs of Georgia.
Robert Crawford was born in Pennsylvania, in 1728 and died in the Waxhaws October 5, 1801. He was interred in the old Waxhaw graveyard. His tombstone bearing on one side the inscription, Major Robert Crawford, died October 5, 1801, was born 1728. He was a gallant and distinquished officer in the Revolutionary War and is said to have furnished a company at his own expense. His Commission was preserved for many years by his grand daughter, Mrs. Judge G. McWitherspoon, but was finally lost during Sherman's raid in 1865. History of the Presbyterian Church of South Carolina, Revrend George Howe, D.D. Volume 1, page 54 says: Many of the Waxhaw men were numbered among the patriots of the Revolution. Besides Major, afterwards General and subsequently Governor, Wm. R. Davie, there were Major Robert Crawford, etc.: Again in Vol. II Page 694, Dr. Howe mentions Major Crawford as being "conspicuous in the time of the Revolution, etc." He is mentioned on page 348 of "Johnson's Traditions", quoting from a letter from Jas. F. White, which says, "Major Crawford was with Sumter at the time of his defeat." He is also mentioned In Wheeler's History of North Carolina, Page 190 and there are also cards, etc., in the office of the Historical Commission at Columbia, S.C. which shows conclusively that he was a Captain and then a Major in the Revolutionary War.
In Wheelers Reminiscences page 286, Major Crawford was granted 620 acres of land in the Waxhaws under date of February 9, 1775. It seems that the Governor of N.C had formerly granted this tract to Andrew Pickens. See Vol. II, Page 240 State Records in office of Secretary of State referring again to Col. John Crawford, Judge G. McWitherspoon, who were of the opinion that they came from Ireland that that Robert was born in Ireland.
Major Robert Crawford married Jean White, daughter of William and Sarah White. She must be buried by Robert's side at Waxhaw, but I could not find any stone to mark this place. Their children are:
1. Sarah Crawford born, June 27, 1764 died March 3, 1805. She married March 2, 1784 to Captain Donnor (or Donnon). Their issue was (1) Jean born Nov. 19, 1786 died January 1, 1834, married Col. J.H. White (2) Elizabeth born Nov. 17, 1787 died Nov. 25, 1787
2. Mary Crawford born June 26, 1767 married Dr. Samuel Dunlap, son of Samuel Dunlap one of the original settlers of Waxhaw. Mary is said to be the one who rejected Andrew Jackson. Their issue was (1) Eliza Jane, born November 6, 1791 died October 6, 1853 in Georgia. Married on 1810 Dr. Bartlett Jones. (2) Sarah born _____died early (3) Emily _____unmarried (4) George Washington born _____died_____ married (a) Elizabeth Harris, (b) Delia Harris and moved to Texas. (5) Samuel F. born Dec. 28, 1799 died August 17, 1834 married Sarah Crawford Witherspoon
3. James Crawford born July 8, 1769 married Agnes Cousar who was born March 6, 1771 and died August 14, 1838. (*This is the one John Crawford has questions about in his letter.) Issue: Robert Donnon Crawford, Charles Pickney Crawford, Mary Jane Crawford, and Harriett Crawford.
4. Isabella Crawford born May 3, 1770, married Thomas White, brother of John Doby's wife. Issue: (1) Margaret P. b-1811 died June 1, 1831 (2) James A. born April 19, 1837 died _____
5. William Crawford born September 18, 1773 died October 19, 1803. He married Mary Phifer, daughter of Col. Martin Phifer, Jr. & Elizabeth Locke. She was born December 1, 1784 and died 1860. Martin Phifer was a Col. Of a regiment of Calvary during the Revolutionary War and was distinquished for gallantry in the field. He is said to have been the largest landowner in North Carolina. Mary married (B) James Childers of N.C. and moved to Alabama. Issue with William: (1) Elizabeth C. who married John Doby. Issue: Joseph, Martha, James and William (2) William C. who married Lucretia Mull, issue: Thomas, William, James, Robert, Lee.
6. Robert Crawford born 7, 1776, died unmarried.
7. John Crawford born Dec. 24, 1778 died April 23, 1834, married October 17, 1816, Ann B. Phifer who was born March 8, 1788 and died July 11, 1855. She was also the daughter of Col. Martin Phifer. Issue: (1) Eliza Jane born June 4, 1820, (2) John Locke, born December 23, 1822 (3) Martin Phifer born March 29, 1824 died April 4, 1862 Married Dec. 10, 1850 Mary Alice Harris. (4) Robert LaFayette born Dec. 25, 1823 died April 20, 1863 married March 1851, Molivia Nancy Massey.
8. Jean Crawford born April 23, 1785 died unmarried July 1811.
9. Martha White Crawford, Born Feb. 27, 1778 married Col. Thomas Williams who was born in Williamsburg Dist, June 8, 1789. He studied law with William Grant of Georgetown admitted to the bar January 1811. Members of the Legislature 1820 to 1834, Lieut. Governor of S.C. in 1828, while Stephen D. Miller was governor. He moved to Mobile Alabama in 1835 and to Montgomery in 1841 where he died. He practiced law in Lancaster or York Co., S.C. and rose to great prominence in his profession. Issue: (1) Annie (2) John (3) Martha born Dec. 16, 1820 died July 10, 1868. She married W.I. Clawson, Esq. (4) Sallie married Dr. Charles L. Clawson (5) Betsy.
10. Elizabeth Crawford born March 28, 1791 died____She married William Vaughn. Issue (1) William, (2) Robert, (3) Lawrence, (4) Louisa
James Crawford, the second son of Col. Robert Crawford of Pennsylvania would have been born Ca. 1735-1740. He married a Miss Hutchison who sister was the mother of Jackson. We learn that one of his sons, James Jr. married Christiana White thereby becoming the brother-in-law of his own Uncle Major Robert Crawford.
Connection of Crawfords to Witherspoons -
Sarah (Crawford) Born June 27, 1716, the Crawfords were Caledonians
and derived their lineage from the old Earls of Richmond.
This information was taken from the Genealogy of Witherspoon family written by Joseph G. Wardlaw/Wordlow in 1910.
Copyright © 1998 by Barbara Parsons