Curious Case of Isham Crews

1791- After 1860

 

Several online databases state “Isham Crews  was born in 1785 in Colleton County, South Carolina and he died in 1865 in Wayne Co. Georgia.  He  married Mary Johnson  during 1815 in South Carolina.  Mary was born in 1796 in South Carolina . She died in 1860 in Wayne Co. Ga.”

 

However, Lee Corso's catchphrase, "Not so fast, my friend!", comes to mind when taking a closer look into the facts of Isham’s life..

 

So far I have seen Isham was born 1790, 1785, and 1791 in Georgia and South Carolina.  I have also viewed Isham and Mary Johnson’s marriage in SC and in Georgia and this marriage took place during 1813 and 1815. 

 

In all the above cases viewed to date; none have documented their findings based on any type of municipal or government records.

 

In most of the postings, Isham is listed as a son of John and Nancy and/or a brother to Alexander.  I am sure this relationship was established from a sketch in Volume V of Huxford’s Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia (1):  “James Crews was born in 1819 in Camden County, a son of Alexander Crews (Vol.II) by his second wife, Lucy. He married in 1840, his cousin, Susan Crews, born 1820 in South Carolina, daughter of Isham and Mary Crews”.

 

In the above case, I will defer to Judge Huxford’s statement for the relationship between Alexander and Isham.  There is one caveat of the Judge’s statement; Isham can not be found among the forefathers of the Wiregrass Crews in South Carolina during the 1790, 1810, and 1820 Federal Census.  Alexander, Samuel, Joseph, Micajah, and John, are all found in St Bartholomew’s Parrish in the Colleton District of South Carolina.  Expanding the search to the entire state of South Carolina finds Ann, Charles, Isaac, Jonathan, Jessie and Stephen, in addition to the previously mentioned heads-of-households.

 

An expanded search into Georgia and Florida have returned no results for Isham during this period either.  It is not until 1812 does a record appear attached to the name of Isham Crews.  There is a record for Isham in Juhah Battalion of the South Carolina Militia (2).  A deeper look into this Militia finds Crews, Isham, Private and Crews, Samuel, Private in Juhan's Battalion (3).  This would lead a researcher to conclude he was in South Carolina but was not a head-of-household, perhaps a son or brother of the previously mentioned Samuel Crews.  One could speculate this Isham would be approximately 18 years of age or older making his birth date would be 1794 or perhaps earlier, if he was a little older.

 

The next factual record we find for Isham Crews is the 1830 U.S. Census for Wayne County, Georgia. 

 

 

Name:            Isham Crews (4)

Home in 1830 (City, County, State):         Wayne, Georgia

Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:               1 (Bartley)

Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:                1 (Jack)

Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:            1 (Jeremiah)

Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:            1 (Isham)

Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:            1 (Mary Ann)

Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14:       1 (Susan)

Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19:       1 ? (before Isham and Mary wed)

Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39:       1 (Mary)

Free White Persons - Under 20:   6

Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:  2

Total Free White Persons:  8

Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):           8

 

Based of the above, Isham is now married (Mary Johnson) with six children.  His age range indicates he was born between 1791 to 1800.  Keeping his military service in mind, the birth date now ranges between 1791-1794.

 

Later census records (below) will show the names of these children and their ages.  One of the above, a female described between 15-19, is likely not a child of this marriage as later records will indicate.  The eldest child is their son, Jeremiah as Lewis was old enough to be on his own.  The children from this union (the six that were born before the 1830 Population Schedule was taken, plus one after) are:

 

Lewis Crews  was born about 1815 (14). He died in 1880.

Jeremiah Francis Crews  was born about 1818 (15).

Susan Crews born about 1820 (16)

John “Jack” Crews  was born in 1822 (17). He died in 1908.

Mary Ann Crews  was born in May 1824 (18)

Bartley Crews  was born in 1828 (19)

Isham Crews Jr  was born in 1831.

 

Trying to determine when Isham and Mary left South Carolina has proven difficult.  All census agree Lewis was born in SC as was sister Susan. All census agree Jack was born in Georgia.  The problem is the location of #2 child, Jeremiah’s, birth place as both Georgia and SC are listed.  They could have moved back to SC for a year or two and then returned to Georgia, but that would be such a tremendous effort in that day and age.  It is more likely, the first three were born in SC and the family relocated from SC to GA between 1820-1822,

 

Moving along, records are found of Isham’s service during the 2nd Florida War beginning with the year 1836.  His first hitch was with Capt William B. North’s Company of the 1st Florida Regiment, 2nd Brigade from June to October (5).

 

The following year Isham served two hitches with Capt North’s Company; January to June and June to December of 1937. (6)

 

The final service occurred from July 1838 to January 1839 with the same Company. 

 

A few items to note from Isham’s Florida War participation.  The first is many familiar Wiregrass Crews served with Isham in Capt William B North’s Companies including; Stephen, Joseph Jr and Sr., William Jr and Sr. Edward Jr. and Sr., William B., Dempsey, etc.  All these Crews men lived in what was Ware County, now Echols.   Another point is during the July 1837 – January 1839 enlistment, Isham’s eldest, son Lewis also served with the Company.  Finally a note on the muster sheet for the same period states Isham was living 5 miles from the mustering point at “Camp North”.  Recent research indicates this is very close to Blount’s Ferry, in Columbia County, Florida.  So Isham, too, lived in the same vicinity as the other Crews.

 

Isham is next found within the 1840 Population Schedule in Wayne County.

 

Name:            Isham Crewes (7)

Home in 1840 (City, County, State):         District 335, Wayne, Georgia

Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:                 1 (Isham Jr)

Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:            1 (Bartley)

Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19:            1 (Jack)

Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29:            1 (Jeremiah)

Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49:            1 (Isham)

Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19:       1 (Mary Ann)

Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49:       1 (Mary)

Persons Employed in Agriculture:            3

No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write:      2

Free White Persons - Under 20:   4

Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:  3

Total Free White Persons:  7

Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:  7

 

Isham and Mary are a decade older as are the children.  The oldest daughter, Susan will marry the aforementioned James Crews this year, but until then she is still in the home of her parents.  The “*mystery female” found in the home during the 1830 census has since moved on. and baby brother, Isham Junior, makes his first appearance in a Federal census.

 

For a 25 day period, between 5 Apr 1842 to 20 Apr 1842, Isham served as a private in Captain North's Militia Company.  This mounted militia patrolled the area around Blount's Ferry near the end of the 2nd Florida War. (8)

 

When the Population Schedule for Wayne is taken in 1850, Isham is not enumerated.

 

Name:            Ths mary Crews (Mrs. Mary Crews) (9)

Age:    50

Birth Year:     abt 1800

Birthplace:     South Carolina

Home in 1850:          Division 92, Wayne, Georgia

Gender:          Female

Family Number:        78

Household Members:         

Name                     Age

Ths mary Crews       50 (Mary)

Bartty Crews            22 (Bartley)

Isom Crews              19 (Isham Jr)

 

Again, during the 1860 Census, Isham is not to be found.  Mary is now enumerated in the Johns household.  The relationship between the Johns and Mary is unknown.

 

Name:            Mary Crews (10)

Age in 1860: 65

Birth Year:     abt 1795

Birthplace:     South Carolina

Home in 1860:          Wayne, Georgia

Gender:          Female

Post Office:   Waynesville

Value of real estate:            View image

Household Members:         

Name Age

James Johns            35

Kesiah Johns           35

Seaborn Johns        12

Sylvester Johns       11

James Johns            9

Lucinda Johns          8

Keziah Johns            5

Franklin Johns          3

Mary Johns               1

Mary Crews   65

 

As one can see from the two previous censuses, Isham is no longer in his Wayne county home.  There are no death records, no cemetery records, nor divorce decrees.  Once again. Isham seems to have just disappeared; or did he? 

 

From the Florida War Muster sheets, it is known Isham was in Ware during 1836, 1837, 1838, Jan, 1839 and again during April of 1842.  Perhaps, he never left.

 

Name:            Isham Crews (11)

Home in 1840 (City, County, State):         District 719, Ware, Georgia

Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:                1 (Berry born 1840)

Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:            1 (Isham)

Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:           1 (Penelopy?)

Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:            2 (?? b. 1831-1835)

Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:       1 (Elizabeth)

Persons Employed in Agriculture:            1

No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write:      1

Free White Persons - Under 20:   4

Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:  2

Total Free White Persons:  6

Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:  6

 

The remaining portion of this sketch for Isham Crews is speculative, yet quite possible.

 

To begin, it is known the subject is listed between the ages of 40 – 49 in Wayne and the above (Ware) Isham is listed between 30 – 39.  Plus, the ages of the wife and children of “Ware” Isham are younger than those of “Wayne” Isham. 

 

A closer examination of the facts may “shed a little light”. 

 

The Isham of the 1840 Census for Ware County was enumerated within District 719.  This is the same District that his Crews relations that served with him in Capt North’s Company during the Florida Wars reside.  As a matter of fact, one muster sheet stated, “Isham was living 5 miles from the mustering point at “Camp North” in Blount’s Ferry”.  This would place the Wayne County Isham firmly within District 719 of Ware.  He was not living with any of his Crews relations during this period as the same 1837 muster sheets that indicated Isham was 5 miles from the muster point show his relations were between 10 to 20 miles from the muster point. 

 

Lewis Crews, son of Wayne County Isham, served a 6 month hitch with the same company as his father during 1838 so we can be sure we have the correct Isham in the muster sheets.

 

A few Crews families in the area did have sons named Isham however, they can be eliminated as they are much younger the both Ware and Wayne Isham.  His own son Isham would only be around 9 to 10 years of age and he would be the oldest of the younger “Ware County Ishams”. 

 

When the census for 1850 is taken, no Isham Crews of the age range of either Isham can be found in Georgia or Florida.

 

The only record I can find of an Isham during the 1850s is a Land Grant awarded to an Isham Crews during 1 May 1855.  The land in question is located in Polk County, Florida. (12)  This grant could have occurred as a result of Isham’s service in the War with the Seminoles.

 

Isham is found once more during the 1860 Census, but this time in Hillsborough County, Florida.

 

Age in 1860:  58 (13)

Birth Year:     abt 1802

Birthplace:     South Carolina

Home in 1860:          Hillsborough, Florida

Gender:          Male

Post Office:   Tampa

Household Members:         

Name Age

Isham Crews             58 b. 1802 in South Carolina

Elisabeth Crews       42 b. 1818 in Ware, Georgia

Penelopy Crews       21 b. 1839 in Ware,Georgia

Berry Crews              20 b. 1840 in Ware,Georgia

Mary Crews              18 b. 1842 in Ware,Georgia

Joshua Crews          16 b. 1844 in Ware,Georgia

Jefferson Crews         7 b. 1853 in Florida

 

The above census information accurately reflects the wife and children of the Isham Crews family enumerated in 1840 Ware County.  This census provides the state of birth for Isham (South Carolina) along with the names of his wife and children. 

Elizabeth  would survive Isham by many years.  She is found in the home of her daughter Mary and her husband Maxfield McClelland in the 1900 census for Zolfo Springs, DeSoto, Florida.her age is listed as 105 making her birth date 1795 (21).  This seems to be her true birth date instead of the 1818 date found in the 1860 Hillsborough.  Given this birth date it is easy to reconcile Isham's true birth date as 1791 as mentioned earlier.  This also places her in the immediate area of Dempsey DuBois Crews family and the family of Benjamin Crews.

 

A few additional, speculative, comments:  If this Isham. Who stated his home was in Hillsborough County, Florida in 1855, was the person granted land in Polk County, Florida, this would put him within the general area (maybe 20 miles) of his nephew Dempsey DuBois Crews Sr. and his family as well as the family of Benjamin Crews who also served with Isham in the Florida War. 

 

Hillsborough County borders old Manatee (part of which is now Polk, part Hardee). 

 

Wife, Elizabeth is thought to be a Bryan or Bryant.  The male children of their “union” can be found in Polk County, FL..

 

The 1860 Census for Hillsborough is the last record found for Isham Crews.  After this census no Isham (or Ishams) of the presented age ranges are found in any Florida or Georgia record to date. 

 

In summation, the beginning part of this sketch presents the known facts of Isham Crews to 1940, not what is assumed from various, online, family trees. 

 

The speculative portion of this essay presents the possibility of Isham Crews having two families.  Both families were enumerated in 1840.  The children of both unions are clearly birthed in consecutive order with no conflicts of dates.

The geographical locations, family connections, and Military records are presented in support of this theory as well.  If they are separate individuals, then why is there not two enumerated Isham Crews in the 1840 census when clearly both would have be in District 719 of Ware in 1840?  This researcher believes they are the same individual.  Isham must have misrepresented his age to the enumerators at the very least to conceal his identity; i.e. his family in Wayne;  and possibly his wife.  With Elizabeth at age 22 during the 1840 census, there is a big difference between a significant other whose age is given as 38 but is really 50.   Given the  age of Elizabeth in the 1900 Census . it seems she concealed her true age also.

 

 

D. Crews

25 June 2014

 

 

Works Cited:

(1) “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” Volume V. Folks Huxford, Author and Publisher.

(2) Direct Data Capture, comp. U.S., War of 1812 Service Records, 1812-1815 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.

Original data: National Archives and Records Administration. Index to the Compiled Military Service Records for the Volunteer Soldiers Who Served During the War of 1812. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M602, 234 rolls.

(3) http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~york/1812/Juhans.html

(4) 1830 US Census; Census Place:  , Wayne, Georgia; Page: 282; NARA Series: M19; Roll Number: 21; Family History Film: 0007041.

(5) Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762-1984; Washington, D.C.; Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers Who Served in Organizations From the State of Florida During the Florida USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

Original data: United States. Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records. Automated Records Project; Federal Land Patents, State Volumes.http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/. Springfield, Virginia: Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States, 2007.Indian Wars, 1835-1858; Series: National Archives Microfilm Publication M1086, 63 rolls; Roll #: M1086:9.

(6) “Seminole Indian War Muster Books” Volume 8 pgs 44-53

(7) 1840; Census Place: District 335, Wayne, Georgia; Roll: 53; Page: 242; Image: 498; Family History Library Film: 0007048.

(8) "History of Ware County, pg 234" Laura Singleton Walker Author, Publisher: The J.W. Burke Co 1934,

(9) 1850; Census Place: Division 92, Wayne, Georgia; Roll: M432_87; Page: 280B; Image: 162.

(10) Year: 1860; Census Place:  , Wayne, Georgia; Roll: M653_140; Page: 350; Image: 350; Family History Library Film: 803140.

(11)  Year: 1840; Census Place: District 719, Ware, Georgia; Roll: 53; Page: 242; Image: 498; Family History Library Film: 0007048

(12)  Ancestry.com. U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 [database on-line]. Provo, UT,

(13) Year: 1860; Census Place:  , Hillsborough, Florida Roll: M653_107; Page: 662; Image: 102; Family History Library Film: 803107.

(14) Year: 1860; Census Place: District 9, Pierce, Georgia; Roll: M653_133; Page: 1029; Image: 639; Family History Library Film: 803133.

(15) Year: 1860; Census Place: Centre village District, Charlton, Georgia; Roll: M653_115; Page: 442; Image: 442; Family History Library Film: 803115.

(16) Year: 1850; Census Place: Division 89, Ware, Georgia; Roll: M432_86; Page: 87B; Image: 182.

(17) Year: 1870; Census Place:  , Wayne, Georgia; Roll: M593_182; Page: 387B; Image: 456; Family History Library Film: 545681.

(18) National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Federal Mortality Census Schedules, 1850-1880, and Related Indexes, 1850-1880; Archive Collection: T655; Archive Roll Number: 7; Census Year: 1849; Census Place: Militia District 92, Wayne, Georgia; Page: 681.

(19) Year: 1850; Census Place: Division 92, Wayne, Georgia; Roll: M432_87; Page: 280B; Image: 162.

(20) Year: 1870; Census Place: Subdivision 100, Pierce, Georgia; Roll: M593_169; Page: 75A; Image: 155; Family History Library Film: 545668.

(21)  Year: 1900; Census Place: Zolfo, Desoto,Florida; Roll: 167; Page: 16A; Enumeration District: 0033; FHL microfilm: 1240167.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modified Register for Isham Crews

 

 

First Generation

 

   1.   Isham Crews  was born in 1785 in Colleton County, South Carolina . He died in 1865 in Wayne Co. Georgia.

 

Isham married Mary Johnson  in 1815 in South Carolina . Mary was born in 1796 in South Carolina . She died in 1860 in Wayne Co., Ga.

 

They had the following children: