John Crews of Camden and His Ancestors

John Crews was born about 1763 in Virginia (1). He is a son of Stanley and Agnes Crews and a grandson to David and Mary Stanley Crews of Virginia (2). He was married to 1st Elizabeth aka Betsey (maiden name unknown); 2nd to Elizabeth Stafford Johns, widow of Jacob Johns.

He was one of two of the surname Crews to settle in Camden County, Georgia, during the early-to-mid 1790s. The other Crews family being Isaac Crews, later the Clerk of Court in Camden County, Georgia (no relationship established). These two gentlemen were the first of the Crews surname to settle in Southeast Georgia.

John’s grandfather, David Crews (born about 1710-1766) married Mary Stanley (1706- 1766) at the “Friends Meeting House” in Hanover County, Virginia on 9 Nov 1733/34 (2).

The children attributed to this union of David and Mary (2) are:

David Milton 2 Mar 1740 New Kent County, VA d. 2 Nov,1821 Madison Co., KY Elizabeth born about 1745 Hanover County, VA; m 3 July 1753 (3). John Crews Mary Crews m. Charles Ballew, died about 1811 Stanley - 1740 in VA, died 1792 Wilkes Co., GA m. Agnes (Martin)

John's father, Stanley, was the only one of the above-mentioned siblings to settle into Georgia. All others appear to settle in Kentucky. The Stanley Crews family removed from Virginia to Wilkes County, Georgia, after the children were born and he and his brother David’s service in the Continental Army during the American Revolution (2). Stanley’s name began appearing in Wilkes County Deed Books beginning in 1785 (4).

[WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA] DEED BOOK "AA"--1785-1787 Page 71--DENLEY, JAMES and wife Elendor to Stanley Crews 227 acres on north fork of Clarks creek, orig. grant 1785 to said Denley. Nov. 9, 1785. John Culpepper, John Dale, Test.

Page 11--SUDWORTH, LAWRENCE to Stanley Crews, a slave Charity, Bill of sale. Jan. 8, 1787. David Hillhouse, L. Coats, Test.

[WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA] DEED BOOK "G.G" Page 458--CREWS, STANLEY and wife Agethy (Agatha?) to Wm. Gilbert 227 acres on north fork of Clark's creek, part of 2140 acres orig grant 1785 to Jas. Denley, adj Wm. Muckleroy, John Dale and Sylvanus Gibson. Jun. 29, 1786. John & Martin Crews, John King, test. [WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA] DEED BOOK "C C"--BADLY WORN Page 106--CRISWELL, SAMUEL to Wm. Stokes 300 acres on Savannah river including an island formerly known by the name of Macklemore's Island, orig. grant 1787 to said Samuel. May 11, 1787. Lesley Coats, Stanley Crews, Test.

[WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA] DEED BOOK "E E"--1788-1790 Page 30--BIRD, MARK to Stanley Crews bill of sale for slave Jack. Feb. 11, 1789. Buckner Harris, Peter Stubblefield, Test.

The above highlighted Wilkes County records (4) establishes Stanley’s residence in Wilkes. The last highlighted record (dated Feb. 11, 1789) is the last known transaction conducted by Stanley Crews. The next group of records come from the Wilkes County, Georgia Inferior Court.

[WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA] MINUTES OF INFERIOR COURT-- 1792-1793

Page 72--Apr. 11, 1793. James and Nancy Crew choose Martin Crew guardian, George Barber and Francis Callaway, Security.

Page 73--Agatha Crews appointed guardian of David, Frances, and Elizabeth Crews, orphans of Stanley Crews. David Bagby bound to John Walker for three years to learn the trade of carpenter.

[WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA] ORIGINAL PAPERS [part 1] Warrant of appraisement Feb. 7, 1793. Petition of heirs Nov. 1800 for div of 570 acres on Clarks creek. viz; Martin Crews, Agnes Crews, wid., for herself and as gdn of Betsy and Francis Crews, minors; Simon Hughes in right of his wife Patsy; Benajah Smith in right of Clayton Talbot who intermarried with Polly Crews; Susannah, James, and John Crews, and the heirs of Nancy Crews.

[WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA] MINUTES OF INFERIOR COURT--1801-1812 Page 91--Aug. 7, 1804. Agnes Crews, dec'd. Chas. L. Morton appointed Admr. Peter B. Terrell, Security.

[WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA] ORIGINAL PAPERS [part 1] CREWS, AGNES, dec'd. Petition of Chas. Morton in right of his wife Fanny late Fanny Crews, with Elizabeth Crews "yet an infant" to divide the land now held in co-partnership with said Elizabeth, Jul. 3, 1804, 28 1/2 acres surveyed for Chas. Morton and Betsy Crews each, being the real estate of said Agnes Crews, dec'd. Dec. 21, 1804.

Based on Wilkes County, Georgia records, Stanley’s son Martin Crews, serves as Executor of Stanley’s will in the year 1794. “"Wilkes Co. 1794 Martin Crews is executor for Joseph Crews, Susky Crews, Patty Crews, and Nancy Crews - Standly Crews"

“In 1794 Martin Crews returns for himself also as executor for Standly Crews - Patty Crews, Susky Crews, Nancy Crews and Joe Crews - 587 acres of land"

The Inferior Court records (4) indicate Stanley passed away sometime in late 1792 or, more likely, early 1793. Wife Agnes followed him about a decade later. These records also, identify Stanley Crews’ wife, children and the children’s spouses, in some cases. Stanley Crews (1740-1793) m. Agnes in Virginia, about 1757/58. The children of this union are:

1. John Crews b. abt. 1763 m. 1st Elizabeth (maiden name unknown) 2nd Elizabeth Stafford 2. Martin Crews (1764? - 1827?) m. 1st ??? Jennings (12), 2nd Jenny Jordan Nov 22, 1800 3. Susannah (Susky) Crews m. Stephen Barkwell 13 Oct 1831 4. Polly Crews b. 1770 m. Clayton Talbot (5) 5. Patsy Crews m. Simon Hughes 6. James Crews m. Benedictine Monkin, 10 Jan 1822, d. 24 Mar 1824. 7. Nancy Crews – died before Nov., 1804 8. David Crews 9. Frances (Fanny) Crews m. Chas Morton 10. Elizabeth (Betsy) Crews – Stanley’s children, now classified as orphans applied for the 1803 Georgia Land Lottery.

[WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA] LOTTERY OF 1803 Crews, Stanley orph.s of 1

Based on the preceding records, sons John and Martin appear to be the eldest of Stanley’s children. Martin was designated Executor of his parent’s estate after his mother passed. John may be the older of the two, however, John was no longer residing in Wilkes at the time of his father and later, mother’s death and the subsequent probate of the wills.

John is likely the listed “Jno Crews - Tax Defaulter" in a 1793 record in neighboring Burke County, Georgia (8). This record indicates John had lived in Burke prior to 1793 but no longer resided within that county.

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1792 Map of Georgia Including the Referenced Counties of Wilkes, Burke, and part of Camden (6)

John, having removed from Burke County, is found living in Camden County Georgia in 1793. His first appearance in Camden County, Georgia records was as a Private in Capt. Eliha Hubbard’s Company of Camden County Militia; 24 May 1793 to 1 Aug 1793. (7)

John paid taxes in Camden County, Georgia (Tax Record 1794 Camden County).

Soon after this initial record, John’s name appears in multiple Camden County Official Records (books and pages within are note for each entry).

Land Warrant for 200 Acres on Tods (Todd’s) Creek (off the Satilla River) dated May 2nd, 1796 and surveyed for John Crews on April 14th, 1797. (below).

Book E page 35 - John Crews and his wife Elizabeth (Betsey) of Camden Co., to James Mason Lindsey of same county, Deed dated 3 Jun 1797 for 450 acres

John Crews Book D page 21, 4 Sep 1798: John Crews and John Patterson purchase land at a tax sale in Camden.

13 Jul 1799 John takes the "Oath of Allegiance". Book D page 181. This oath was taken in the State of Georgia by all Government and Public Servants. Records in Camden later show John was a Justice of the Peace, so he could have assumed this office in 1799. (10)

John served on the Camden County Grand Jury during 1799. (9)

Book H page 479: Thomas Wright and Catherine his wife, of Camden Co., cooper, to John Crews, deed dated 19 Aug 1801, conveying 287 1/2 acres on Great Satilla River in said county granted 22 Dec 1791, to John Wright; and transferred by said John Crews and Elizabeth his wife to John Floyd 24 Jan 1808. Transfer recorded with deed. John Crews purchases slaves in 1801 for $84

Grand Jury 1803 Camden County

Voted 3 Oct 1803 in the Georgia State Elections in Camden County.

John returned to Wilkes County after his mother passed away signing a few documents; one of which, was a deed record selling his portion of his inherited property to his brother James: Nov 14, 1804 Deed Book John Crews of Camden Co., Ga. to James Crews of Wilkes Co., Ga for $200 57 acres on Clark Creek in Wilkes Co., adj. Bramlett (signed John Crews. Wit. C.S. Martin, Simon Hughs, George Johnson, J.P.

Book D page 497: John Crews and wife Elizabeth sell land to Charles Floyd 25 Jan 1805. 200 acres on the Great Satilla River for $1000.00

From History of St Marys and Camden County article; Camden County Tribune Friday Jan 11, 1952. Tax digest for the year 1809 ...Capt. Grayham’s District...John Crews.

John was a Justice of the Peace in Jefferson (Camden) in 1812, to wit:

George G. Fleming was born in Camden County, Georgia on August 10, 1791, the second son of John and Ann Grey Fleming (Q.V.). He grew up in Camden County, and was married there on March 26, 1812, to Elizabeth Mills. She was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Lane Mills, a prominent pioneer Camden County family. She grew up in South Camden County. Their application for a marriage license was dated March 24, 1812, and the ceremony was performed on March 26, 1812 in Jefferson (the county seat at that time) by John Crews, J.P. "Excerpt from POWG"

Received a Headright grant in 1814 while residing in Camden.

John does not appear in the 1820 census for Camden as a head of household. County records suggest this was an omission, in at least 1820. There are no censuses for Camden for 1790, 1800, and 1810. In fact, a John Crews of the subject’s age range was never enumerated in a Camden County Census. Without Census data, it cannot be determined if John had any children.

John appears in the 1822 Tax Digest Camden County.

He likely passed away before the 1830 census was taken. Or… perhaps not.

Camden County Marriages CREWS, John to Mrs. Elizabeth JOHNS July 15, 1830 (10)

Is it possible a 67-year-old John married 26-year-old widow (also named) Elizabeth, a mother of two young children?

When reviewed, the 1830 and 1840 Populations Schedules for Camden identify 1 John in each census, both enumerated John Crews are John Crews II (b. 1805). Once again, the subject has evaded the Enumerators.

Elizabeth Stafford born 17 Aug 1804, a daughter of Robert Stafford and Jane Blair. She married Jacob Johns in Camden County 21 Dec 1826 and they had two girls; Malinda and Amy. Jacob passed away during 1829. He was around 22 years of age.

Levi Johns, Jacob’s father, was appointed trustee by the Camden Courts.

On 12 July 1830, Elizabeth made a gift of cattle to her two daughters. Book L page 459.

Camden Court Minutes Jan, 4, 1831: Levi Johns, trustee of Malinda and Amy Johns, infants of the late Jacob Johns, applied for leave to remove 22 head of cattle of said orphans as he is about to remove out of state. He was allowed to do so by giving bond; "inasmuch as the said children will remain with their mother, Elizabeth Crews, who says she is in indigent circumstances, she was permitted to take possession of said cattle provided she through her husband, John Crews, file a bond for $200.00 to make legal returns &c. If she fails to post bond, then the Trustee may move the cattle out of state by posting bond".

The point of the previous three paragraphs is to inform the reader of Elizabeth’s circumstances and why she would marry a gentleman 40 years her senior (she would be 26 and John about 67). She was a widow with daughters that are approximately 3 and 4 years of age and “is in indigent circumstances”. She has a father-in-law, Levi that wants to take close to half her girl’s inheritance, so one can imagine her deceased husband’s father cared more about himself that than Malinda and Amy’s well- being. Also, another puzzling aspect, is the Stafford family is quite prominent in Camden and quite wealthy. An uncle, also named Robert, owns one of the larger plantations in Camden (Cumberland Island). Obviously, she is getting no assistance from her family either. Finally, in the era in which she lived, this was a male dominated society. She had to have a court-appointed male trustee to manage her affairs.

John’s reasons for entering into a marriage with a much younger woman with two very young children can be explained as well.

First, John is a widower himself and of advanced years. It appears he and his first Elizabeth had no children. Under this circumstance, John would not have anyone to care for him in his twilight years. The following excerpt from Camden County records also makes one think he perhaps had a softer heart that of the John’s and Stafford’s.

Minutes, June 5, 1832: John Crews appeared before the Court and stated he had 43 cattle belonging to the heirs of Jacob Johns, and that he made no charge against the orphans "who were children of his wife, Elizabeth".

It is very possible this “December-May” marriage was one of convenience; not unheard of in the Wiregrass.

No additional records can be located for any member of this family. The 1932 entry in CCC book the last for John, Elizabeth and even Amy and Malinda.

Source Information:

(1) Signers of the Oath of Allegiance in Bedford Co., Virginia, Published in Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, December 1957, Vol. 91, p 1343, 1 September 1777. David Crews and Stanley Crews. (2) “Metes and Bounds II – Crews” Donna Hechler Porter, The Gregath Publishing Company 2003 pg. 15. (3) “The Place of Our Abode: John Crew and Sarah Gately” Donna Hechler Porter, Donna Hechler Porter Publisher, 2014, pg. 32. (4) http://www.giddeon.com/wilkes/books/early-records-of-ga-vol2/192-224.shtml (5) Obituary of Mary Polly Talbot, 1830, Huntsville, Alabama (6) Cir 1792 Map of Greene County, Georgia. http://www.jhowell.com/blog/archives/2006_01.html (7) Ancestry.com. Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, (8) USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Georgia Tax Digests [1890]. 140 volumes. Morrow, Georgia: Georgia Archives. (9) FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FWWL-M2B : accessed 13 Jul 2014), John Crews and Elizabeth Mrs. Johns, 15 Jul 1830; citing Camden, Georgia, United States; FHL microfilm 177192. (10) Camden County Ordinary Court Books found in Bryan-Lang Historical Library Woodbine, GA (11) Camden County Inferior Court Books found in Bryan-Lang Historical Library Woodbine, GA (12) http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/oglethorpe/wills/j5520001.txt; Estate of Miles Jennings, Sr., 1796, Oglethorpe Co. GA