Person Page - 3504

Birth     1759, Augusta County, Virginia, USA
Death     1835 (aged 75–76), Okolona, Clark County, Arkansas, USA
Burial     Burial Details Unknown
     Ann Gragg was born to of Robert and Lydia (Harrison) Gregg, neighbors to the Walter Crow family in Augusta County, Virginia.
     Either before he was discharged from the Virginia Militia or shortly after, she married Benjamin Crow. We believe this to of been around 1779-80.
     Their history is posted on Benjamin's memorial, which is linked to her. They are believe to be buried next to one another on part of what was once land they owned. They are not in a cemetery and she has no stone, we know of. His was placed 145 years after his death by the S.A.R.
     In all Benjamin and Ann (Gragg/Gregg) Crow had 11 known children, they are:
     She is my 4th Great Grandmother on my Maternal side, through her daughter Mary "Polly" Crow.
Family Members
Parents
     Robert Gregg Sr 1732–1796
     Lydia Harrison Gregg 1737–1788
Spouse
     Benjamin Crow 1758–1832 (m. 1779)
Siblings
     Henry Gragg 1755–1824
     Robert Gragg Jr 1755–1800
     Samuel Ole Gregg 1757–1841
     Thomas Gragg Sr 1761–1862
     Thomas Gragg Sr 1761–1827
     Mary "Polly" Gragg Morris 1771–1869
     William Gragg 1775–1793
Children
     Walter Crow 1783–1863
     Mary "Polly" Crow Morris 1786–1875
     Rev John Finley Crowe Sr 1789–1860
     Nancy Crow Gragg 1798–1861
     Rachel Crow Gibbins 1802–1877
Maintained by: Find a Grave •
Originally Created by: W. Loy Frisk Simmons
Added: Jan 18, 2011
Find a Grave Memorial ID: 64376027.²

Birth     1758, New Castle, New Castle County, Delaware, USA
Death     1832 (aged 73–74), Okolona, Clark County, Arkansas, USA
Burial     Piney Ridge Cemetery, Dobyville, Clark County, Arkansas, USA
     This is a record that was found on his life, written Aug of 2001 by Darlene Chaffin Law, his 3rd great-grand daughter. It has not been changed except for a couple of dates on his children. Here is his wonderful history;
     Benjamin Crow was born in the British American Colonies about 1756 or 1757 in the county of New Castle, Delaware. His parents were Walter and Ann(e) Crow. He was a middle child in a family of eight children, whose names were Mary (called Polly), James, John, William, Benjamin, Jacob, Nancy and Rachel. There is no family bible, diary or journal to tell us of this family, only documents showing their area of residence. Understanding the historical setting in which they lived helps us to understand their lives.
     From 1760-1764, Benjamin's father, Walter, was the proprietor of an "inn," "tavern," or "public house," located on the Upper King Road which connected Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Wilmington and New Castle, Delaware1. Whenever a direct and much traveled road was developed within the Colonies, a network of inns, ordinaries and taverns sprang up placed strategically to anticipate travelers' needs. The trip from Philadelphia to New Castle, made either on foot, by horseback or coach, could be dusty and tiresome. The road was a simple dirt track running through the forest, and the trip took from three to eight days depending on the weather and road conditions. Walter Crow's establishment, a forerunner of our modern motel, provided weary travelers with a meal and accommodations for the night.
     Walter Crow's inn was located thirteen miles south of New Castle, between Christiana Bridge and Blackburn Bridge. His place was known by "Crow's Tavern," or "Sign of the Tun" (the Cask). After he left, it became "Ham's Inn," then "Carson's," and later "The Buck Tavern." This region achieved more than local fame as the combined British and Hessian armies launched their Philadelphia campaign from this area in late August of 1777.
     In late 1763 or early 1764, Walter moved further West over the Appalachian Mountains into Augusta County Virginia. He purchased land located on the South Branch of Linville Creek near Harrisonburg, Virginia. This was considered the Western frontier and had only been opened to settlement for about 20 years. In mid 1750's there were many Indian raids through these valleys in conjunction with the French and Indian Wars. Here Benjamin grew to adulthood. One can imagine him as a young adult wearing buckskins or homespun clothing along with homemade moccasins or boots clearing trees or planting or harvesting crops. He would have helped build the log cabin or barns for the livestock. He learned to hunt and trap animals for food, clothing and trade. He would have attended socials to mingle with his neighbors.
     Although the colonists were still loyal to England for the most part, they were beginning to feel some dissatisfaction with the continued increase in taxes and control. The discontent grew with the passage of the Stamp Act by Parliament in 1765. The Virginia House of Burgess replied with a paper called "The Declaration of Rights" which caused the Act to be repealed only to be replaced by new taxes on tea, glass and painters materials in July 1767. To enforce the collection of these duties, two Regiments of British soldiers were sent to Boston. This trouble continued to escalate until April 19, 1775 when the first shots were fired at Concord, Massachusetts.
     The first written record found of Benjamin Crow is his military service pay slips for service in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted on December 26, 1776 in Captain David Stephensen's Company of the 8th Virginia Regiment of Foot. He served under the Command by Colonel Abraham Bowman for a period of three years. He received pay of seven and one-third dollars per month. He was promoted to Corporal on August 5, 1777, then to Sergeant March 1, 1778. His pay was increased to eight dollars per month. These dated pay slips show that he received pay for November and December 1777, January through June 1778 at Valley Forge, part of this time he is listed as "sick." There is a gap in the pay slips from June 1778 to May 1779, when he became a part of Captain John Steed's Company of the 3rd & 4th Virginia Regiment of Foot, Commanded by John Nevill and his pay was increased to ten dollars per month in Virginia Currency. As of August 1779, he received his pay at Camp Ramapoo, and the very last pay slip dated December 9, 1779 shows he was stationed at a Camp near Morriston, (?). His three-year enlistment ended on December 26, 1779.
     Either before his discharge from the Virginia Militia or shortly after, he married Ann Gragg, daughter of Robert Gragg and Lydia Harrison Gragg, neighbors to his family in Augusta County, Virginia.
     On September 19, 1780, Benjamin purchased part of 400 acres in Augusta County. This transaction is witnessed by Robert Gragg (Gregg). Two years later, on September 28, 1782, Benjamin and his wife, Ann, sold this property. The witnesses of the sale were Robert Gragg and Samuel Gragg. Just before the sale of this property, on August 18, 1782, Benjamin made a claim in Court to be compensated for a rifle that was lost while serving during the Revolutionary War. "Came into Court Benjamin Crow and made oath that there was a Rifle gun, powder horn, shot pouch and knife taken from Him When a continental soldier in the year 1777 and put into the Magazine for which he received a certificate which he lodged with Walter Crow who also came into Court and made oath that he has lost the said certificate and never received any value for ye same the Court is therefore of the opinion that ye said Benjamin Crow be allowed 7 Pounds 10 shilling for said gun, powder horn, shot pouch and knife and the Same is Ordered to be certified."
     Shortly after the sale of his land Benjamin moved his family to the Holston River Valley in Southwestern Virginia. This area extended into what was then North Carolina and later to become Greene County, Tennessee. This valley lay between the Appalachian Mountains on the East and the Clinch Mountains on the west. In this raw untamed wilderness Benjamin began to clear land and build cabins. He built with the cabins facing each other and a stockade fence with a gate at the ends. These gates were to be closed in case of an Indian attack. This was the home that he prepared for his family. In spite of the fact that one-time tax records "as insolvent and delinquent, as he had gone to the Holston," moving his family and working hard to reestablish himself must have paid off.
     In the book of North Carolina Land Grants recorded for Greene County, Tennessee, "For 10 pounds per 100 acres - to Benjamin Crowe 300 acres in Greene County on south side of Nolichucky River on both sides of Meadow Creek, to watery fork of Meadow Creek. s/Richard Caswell, Governor at Kinston, N.C; 20 September 1787."
     Then in Deed Book 3, "Benjamin Crow - 200 acres. Consideration of 10 Pounds (No further description) s/Alexander Martin (Governor) at Newbern, N.C. dated 26 December 1792".
     Deed Book 3, "3 October 1799; Benjamin Crow, Greene County, Tennessee To Thomas Pate for $728.00, 440 acres in Greene County (further property description and location not recorded). Witnesses William Rankin, Sally Rankin. (Registered 24 Jan 1801).
     Thomas Pate then conveyed this property back to Benjamin Crow.
     Benjamin Crow then conveyed this 440 acres to John Neash, on 25 November 1801.
     Benjamin Crow sold 30 acres in Greene County to Michael Neese for $100.00. (Registered 5 January 1804)
     Benjamin Crow sold 27 acres to Joseph Patterson for $37.00. Witnesses, Thomas McLaughlin, John Reynolds, Robert Gragg. (Registered 24 December 1803).
     Benjamin Crow was very active in public and civic affairs. In the records of the Greene County Tennessee Court of Common Pleas there are numerous entries for Benjamin Crow to serve as a jurist, to lay out a road, to act as a witness or to help settle an estate or other legal problems. Benjamin was appointed a Colonel in the local Militia to defend against the Indians. He was on the committee that offered its help to General George Washington in fighting the French.
     Then in early 1802, Benjamin Crow with his extended family left Tennessee for the Louisiana territory. Louisiana Territory at that time belonged to Spain who invited settlers to move west of the Mississippi River. The three oldest children were married, and they along with their spouses moved with Benjamin and Ann.
     Since Benjamin's property was located near or on the banks of the Nolichucky River, which flowed into the French Broad River, a tributary of the Ohio River their quickest and easiest means of transporting the large family group to the wilderness would have been via raft or houseboat. This would go along with leaving Tennessee in the spring to take advantage of the higher water flowing down the rivers. What an undertaking to take all of your household items, animals and family members down a wild and turbulent river.
     While traversing this river, the first grandchild was born. Walter's wife Margaret gave birth to their first child a daughter, who they named Elizabeth (Betsy) Waters Crow.
     Upon arriving in the Louisiana Territory, they traveled westward until they came to a beautiful valley called Bellevue, there they chose land, erected homes and established farms. Benjamin received a Spanish Land Grant of approximately 1055 acres. His son, Walter received a Land Grant of at least 385 acres.
     Prior to 1803 control of the Missouri section of the Louisiana Territory (or New Spain as it was termed) was passed back and forth between France and Spain. In 1803, this land was purchased by the United States from France, known as the "Louisiana Purchase". In 1805, the area known as Missouri became a part of the Territory of Louisiana and remained so until 1812 when it was divided off and became Missouri Territory. In 1813, Washington County was created. August 10, 1821, Missouri became the 24th State of the Union. Their first census was taken in 1830.
     Few records remain regarding the time the Crow family immigrated to Missouri. Among those are minutes of the Board of Land Commissioners, which includes a list of the men in the District of Louisiana in December 1805. This roster is the nearest thing to a census and represents the entire population of the area south from St. Charles to New Madrid. Appearing on the roster were the following men named Crow:
     Benjamin Crow St. Louis District,
     Henry Crow St. Louis District,
     John Crow St. Louis District,
     Godfrey Crow St. Louis District,
     Godfrey Crow St. Louis District,
     Michael Crow St. Louis District,
     Walter Crow St. Louis District.
     An account of one dramatic experience that Benjamin Crow's family had while living in this area follows:
     At 2:00 AM December 16, 1811, citizens of New Madrid were awakened from their sleep by a violence of the earth they could not understand. The log cabins sat at the epicenter of the first of many shocks which were to last for thirteen months and create unbelievable havoc. Eyewitness accounts of the scene at New Madrid: "The Earth was observed to roll in waves a few feet high, with visible depressions in between. By and by these swells burst, throwing up large volumes of water, sand and coal. When the swells burst, fissures were left running in a northern and southern directions, and parallel for miles. Some were five miles long, four and one-half feet deep and ten feet wide."
     The first thing that happened in the destruction of New Madrid was when the graveyard slid into the Mississippi River. Escarpments in firmer rock below the soil and sand formed rapids and waterfalls in the Mississippi. One waterfall eight miles down river could be heard from what was left of New Madrid. The eastern bank of the Mississippi below New Madrid was raised several feet while New Madrid and the western bank sank about 25 feet.
     Two lakes were formed. Reelfoot Lake, 10-mile long, five miles wide, on the Kentucky-Tennessee line, still has the dead hardwood tree trunks standing where they drowned in the 1811 sinking of the land. Lake Francis is 40 miles long and a half mile wide, and also has thousands of tree trunks preserved in the water.
     Few people were killed as there was so few living in this almost virgin forest, in this far tip of the Louisiana Purchase. Also, if you wanted to build a quake-proof house, a notched, horizontal log one room enclosure would be about as good as you could figure out, if you suddenly found the earth flouncing up and down beneath you.
     The next year in 1812, there was a great revival of religious fervor. Maybe it was because the people were getting more established and settled and they wanted the steadying influence of religion, or maybe it was in reaction to the terrible fright from the recent earthquakes. Many traveling preachers came to the area and held camp meetings and revivals. A man by the name of William Stevenson, who resided in and made his living as a farmer in the Bellevue Valley, had been licensed as a minister in Tennessee. His brother, James whose home was on the Ouachita River in Clark County, Arkansas came to visit him... James lamented the lack of preaching in the wilderness and prevailed upon William to go to Arkansas with him to see the people and preach. James was very influential in persuading Benjamin's son John to become a preacher. Following these religious urgings, John, returned to Kentucky to attend a seminary. Several members of the family joined with William Stevenson and the Methodist sect.
     Shortly after the Crows settled in Bellevue and established their homes, there seemed to be conflicts over the land claims. The land records and disputes started in 1806 and continued all the time that they were living there.
     Benjamin must have deeded 137 acres of his grant to his son, Robert, as Robert and his wife sold this land on January 17, 1819. Benjamin and his wife sold their land on October 18, 1818. Walter and his wife sold their land in January 1819. On January 25, 1819, Benjamin and his sons, Walter and Benjamin, signed as witnesses to a Court Administration of James McLaughlin's will.
     Shortly after Benjamin and Walter removed themselves to the Arkansas Territory settling in Clark County. Robert and his wife, moved across the Mississippi River into Southern Illinois, where many of his wife's family resided. The other children moved to Arkansas along with Benjamin and Ann. Their daughter, Nancy, went with her husband to Bates County, Missouri, and John F. had already settled in Kentucky.
     We do find Benjamin on the 1823 and 1829 tax lists for Arkansas. Beginning in July of 1824, Benjamin started applying for a pension from the United States Government based on his Revolutionary War Service. Several letters and affidavits were sent to the War Department in Washington, D.C. In October 1829, his application for a pension was denied because he had no written evidence or proof of his service.
     These letters provide evidence that at this time, Benjamin was old, ill and very poor living in Antoine, Arkansas. One letter mentions that he is a member of the Methodist Church. The last known record of Benjamin is the 1830 US Census for Arkansas, Antoine Township. The census shows that the household consisted of one male, age 70-80, one female, age 70-80; and one female age 20-30. Although no specific death record has been found, it is believed that both he and Ann died and are buried in Arkansas.
     On August 17, 1977, approximately 145 years after Benjamin's death, The Sons of the American Revolution placed a marker at the intersection of Highway 26 and Christian Camp Ground Road near Arkadelphia in Clark County Arkansas to commemorate the Revolutionary War Service of Sgt. Benjamin Crow. The marker was placed at what is believed to be the site of his grave.
     In all Benjamin and Ann Gragg Crow had eleven children:
He is my G-G-G-Great Grandfather on my Maternal side.
Inscription     Virginia Sgt 4 VA REGT Rev War
Gravesite Details     How to find burial; Hwy 26 & Christian Camp Ground Rd. Near Ocolona & Arkadelphia. The S.A.R. erected this stone for him. Not in a cemetery, believed to be on part of what was his land.
Family Members
Parents
     Walter Crow 1717–1789
     Anne Miller Crow 1720–1811
Spouse
     Nancy Ann Gragg/Gregg Crow 1759–1835 (m. 1779)
Siblings
     James Crow 1750–1819
     John Crow 1751–1795
     William Crow 1751–1821
     Jacob "Blue Springs" Crow 1759–1823
     Nancy Ellender Crow 1764 – unknown
     Rachael Crow Harned 1767–1851
Children
     Walter Crow 1783–1863
     Mary "Polly" Crow Morris 1786–1875
     Rev John Finley Crowe Sr 1789–1860
     Nancy Crow Gragg 1798–1861
     Rachel Crow Gibbins 1802–1877
Originally Created by: Ron Newberry
Added: Mar 20, 2014
Find a Grave Memorial ID: 126645347.²

Birth     23 Aug 1717, Cecil County, Maryland, USA
Death     28 Sep 1789 (aged 72), Rockingham County, Virginia, USA
Burial     Old Union Cemetery, Perryville, Boyle County, Kentucky, USA
Find A Grave contributor Ron Gragg provided the following Biographical Information:
     Walter Crow was born August 23, 1717, in North Sassafras Parish, Cecil County, Maryland, United States; he passed away on September 28, 1789, in Mercer County, Kentucky, United States. Walter was the son of John Crow and Martha Newman. About 1747, he was married to Ann Miller. She was the daughter of John Miller and Sarah Hadley. Ann was born 26 Apr 1720, in Christchurch, Middlesex Co., VA. She died 4 May 1811, Mercer, Mercer County, Kentucky. Walter passed September 28, 1789 in Mercer, Kentucky, was buried at the Old Union Cemetery, Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky.
     Will Abstract [from Chalkley's, Vol. 1]
Vol. 1 - A copy of the will of Walter Crow. Fee, 70 cents, paid in the office by W. Roalston. H. J. Gambrill.
     : I, Walter Crow, of Rockingham County.
     :To wife, Ann. To eight children, viz: Mary Harnsberry, James, John, William, Benjamin, Jacob Crow, Nancy Gregg, Rachel Harnett. Executors, wife Ann, and William Crow, third son of testator.
     :"A certain obligation which John Crow obtained from William Crow at Lewis (Levines) Ferry, on James River, which John assigned to his father, Walter Crow, amounting to £20 principle, interest from August, 1784, if John shall pay some to Anne, etc.," otherwise the amount is to be deducted from John's share. :Signed, sealed, etc., 6th August, 1789.
     :Test: William Dunlap, Hannah (mark) Roadecap and lie for, etc.
     :(Signed) William Ewen, C. R. C. Proved in clerk. 28th September, 1789, Rockingham County.
     :Proven by Hannah Roadecap and lie for, etc.
     :(Signed) William Ewen, C. R. C. Proved in Rockingham, 26th October, 1789, by Elizabeth Roadecap. :Administration granted widow, Anne; other executor failed to appear.
     :By the Court. (Signed) William Ewen, C. R. C. A copy.
     :Test: H. J. Gambill, D. C. R. C.
Family Members
Parents
     John Crow 1695–1733
     Martha Newman Crow 1697–1734
Spouse
     Anne Miller Crow 1720–1811
Children
     Walter Crow 1783–1863
     Mary "Polly" Crow Morris 1786–1875
     Rev John Finley Crowe Sr 1789–1860
     Nancy Crow Gragg 1798–1861
     Rachel Crow Gibbins 1802–1877
Created by: Marie and Dale V
Added: Nov 26, 2011
Find a Grave Memorial ID: 81013733.²

Birth     15 Oct 1755, Augusta County, Virginia, USA
Death     21 Mar 1824 (aged 68), Ray County, Missouri, USA
Burial     Burial Details Unknown
     Advisory: This Henry Gragg has been confused/conflated by some researchers with his brother Thomas Gragg, and some have combined the two naming him "Thomas Henry Gragg", but they are clearly two different persons. Henry Gragg appears to have been married twice, the identity of his first wife has been listed by some as Nancy Crow, daughter of Walter Crow, but most researchers believe she was the wife of his brother Thomas Gragg, so additional research is needed.
     Henry Gragg was married twice. The identity of his first wife is unknown, which likely occurred in Augusta County, Virginia. [marriage records begin 1785 in Augusta County, so the marriage likely occurred just before that time period]
     The children of his first marriage are as follows:
     Henry married 2nd, Elizabeth "Betsy" Pharoah [Farrow] on 25 Nov. 1800 in Greene Co., TN [Tennessee Marriage Records, 1780-2002]
     The children of his second marriage are as follows:

Will Transcript
     In the name of God Amen. I HENRY GRAGG of Ray County and State of Missouri, being in good health and sound mind, but calling to mind the uncertainty of human life, I do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following:
     That is, first, I leave and give unto my beloved wife Betsey Gragg, all my moveable or perishable property as long as she continues a widow, but if she marries, then the property to be sold and the money to be equally divided among my nine children that live at home with me, and the one that my wife is pregnant with, if it is born and lives, shall have its share equal with the rest of my children: Robert, William, John, James Henry, Mahala, Jefferson, Jacob, Rachel and Martha Jane.
     It is my wish that $1400 be laid out for land and divided amongst my six sons and the one that is not born at this time if a son when they arrive at the age of 21 but to remain in the executors' hands.
     Each one to have possession of his part when he arrives at the age of 21. The rest of my money to be made use of as the family needs it and the executors think best not to make waste.
     It is my will that a house be builded and made comfortable to live in and ¼ of land where my wife chooses to live and not to be turned out of it during her natural life.
     And I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons Samuel Gragg, Benjamin Gragg and Robert Gragg Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of July 1823.
(signed) Henry Gragg
Will of Henry Gragg was proved in court on 3 May 1824.
Family Members
Parents
     Robert Gregg Sr 1732–1796
     Lydia Harrison Gregg 1737–1788
Spouse
     Elizabeth "Betsey" Pharoah Gragg 1784–1860 (m. 1800)
Siblings
     Robert Gragg Jr 1755–1800
     Samuel Ole Gregg 1757–1841
     Nancy Ann Gragg/Gregg Crow 1759–1835
     Thomas Gragg Sr 1761–1862
     Thomas Gragg Sr 1761–1827
     Mary "Polly" Gragg Morris 1771–1869
     William Gragg 1775–1793
Children
     Thomas Gragg 1795–1862
     John Gragg 1810–1881
     Mahala Gragg 1814–1885
Created by: Delijim
Added: Mar 26, 2024
Find a Grave Memorial ID: 268745834.

Name     William Gragg
Home in 1830 (City, County, State)     Greene, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14     2 [1816-20] Benajmain 1815, Elijah 1818
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29     1 [1801-10] Samuel 1810
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59     1 [1771-80] William 1775
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29     2 [1801-10] Anna 1808, Sara 1798??
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59     1 [1771-80] Annas (SMART) unk
Free White Persons - Under 20     2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49     3
Total Free White Persons     7
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored)     7.³