Heartland Genealogy

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Maybe Brothers

Have you ever found people of the same surname in a census record and later wondered whether they were an unknown sibling? If so, then you understand when I wonder whether Alexander Crawford could be a sibling to the other Crawfords who married in Lincoln County, Kentucky prior to 1800?

Alexander Crofford is listed on the 1789 tax list for Lincoln County, Kentucky. Even though I have been researching other Crawford families in this area, I had ignored Alexander Crofford because other researchers have identified Alexander Crawford as a descendant of Alexander Crawford and Mary McPheeters.

However, when I found Alexander Crawford on the Pulaski County, Kentucky tax lists along with William Crawford, I began to research Alexander Crawford.

The will of Thomas Adams identified the wife of Alexander Crawford as Margaret McElwee, niece of Thomas Adams. Since Alexander Crawford married Margaret McElwee in Lincoln County, Kentucky in 1788, I believe the Alexander Crawford of Pulaski County, Kentucky is the same Alexander Crawford found in the Pulaski County records.

The Find a Grave entry for Alexander Crawford uses family relationships in Augusta County, Virginia to make the case that the Alexander Crawford of Pulaski County, Kentucky is likely descended from Alexander and Mary McPheeters Crawford -- or a relative of this Alexander Crawford.

Two of Them

Have you ever suspected that there were two men of the same name in a community but lacked the proof? Once I discovered John Crawford owning land on the Hanging Fork of Dix River, I've wondered about the possibility of two John Crawfords.

Thanks to the help of other researchers, I've placed two brothers, James and William living along Paint Lick Creek. We've suspected that their brother's (John) widow was Rebecca Crawford who purchased land from George Douglass.

The deeds found for the John Crawford land on Hanging Fork do not support his being the father of the Sarah and Mary Crawford who married William and James Sellers in Lincoln County, Kentucky. Thus, it is unlikely that he is the husband of Rebecca Crawford.

As I was reading the Lincoln County Court Order book for 1783, I came across verification of TWO John Crawfords living in the area at that time. These records also show that William and James Crawford were also living in that vicinity at that time.

Suit Against George Douglass

Lincoln County Kentucky
Court Order Books 1781-1919

Vols. 2 1785-1786
FS Film 192253 - DGS 7763893

A suit against George Douglass for ejectment was discontinued.

Image 339

June Court 1785

John Crawford on Jury

Lincoln County Kentucky
Court Order Books 1781-1919

Vols. 2 1785-1786
FS Film 192253 - DGS 7763893

John Crawford served on a jury in the February 1785 court for Lincoln County, Kentucky

Image 325

February Court 1785

Feathergill Adams Deed

Garrard County Kentucky
Deed Book A
page 690 - 691

This Indenture made this 21st day of January 1803
between Richard Cave & Elizabeth his wife of the county of Woodford and Common
wealth of Kentucky of the one part and Feathergill Adams
of the county of Garrard and State aforesaid of the other
part witnesseth that the said Richard Cave and Eliza
beth his wife for and in consideration of the sum of one
hundred pounds current money of the Commonwealth
of Kentucky to them in hand paid by the said Feather
Gill Adams, the receipt where of they do hereby acknowledge
and they themselfes fully satisfyed an content therewith
and for themselves and their heirs de freely clearly and
absolutely bargain and sell unto the aforesaid Feathergill
Adams and unto his heirs and assigns forever, one
certain tract dividend or parcel of land containing by

Logan vs McElwee

Lincoln County Kentucky
Court Order Books 1781-1919

Vols. 1-2 1781-1786
FS Film 192253 - DGS 7763893

Image 115
August Court 1783

James Logan Plt
against
Jane McElwee Deft