Joseph Crews

1805 – Abt. 1856

 

Joseph Crews (sometimes listed as Joseph Crews, Jr. to differentiate from another Joseph Crews in the area) was born in Beaufort County, South Carolina in 1805 (Note:  Birth date based on the 1850 census for Ware.  The 1840 census for the same area indicates he was born between 1791 and 1800.)

 

Joseph’s parents remain a mystery.  Judge Folks Huxford’s personal notes and later his sketch of Joseph, in Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia, Volume III, state he was a son of Samuel Crews and Elizabeth Griffis (both born 1790).  The birth dates of this couple simply do not support his statement, considering Joseph’s birth date is 1805 or earlier.  An entry in near the end of this same sketch seems to contradict the Judges statement and puzzled this author for many years.  The quote:  “Joseph Crews was a first-cousin to Wm. B. Crews (Vol. I) according to his (Joseph's) daughter, Mrs. Corbitt; their fathers being brothers”.  The “Mrs. Corbitt” was Julia Ann Crews, the youngest daughter of the subject.  William B. Crews is a son of Stephen, making Joseph a grandson of Alexander, at the very least.  However, for Crews researchers, this may open up an entirely new set of questions or/or issues.

 

1)     Alexander’s birth date of 1771 has been established.  With Joseph’s birth being 1805 (earlier) that makes a gap of 34 years.  Alex would to have fathered this unknown son at age 17 and he in turn fathered Joseph at 17.   

2)     Perhaps Mrs. Corbett was speaking of her brother Joseph that is the first cousin of William B., making Stephen and Joseph, the subject, brothers and therefore, sons of Alexander.

3)     The most troubling theory is Stephen (and brother William) are NOT sons of Alexander.  One Crews researcher, back in 2005, made the following statement within an online discussion database:  “…Mary was the daughter of Steven and Nancy Bradley-Crews. Steven was not the son of Alexander but was a brother to Old Samuel (referring to 1790 Samuel). The pension records of War of 1812 show that William who m. Sarah Bradley, was a bro. to Stephen. John/Catherine Prevatt-Crews and Roger/Elizabeth Mitchell-Crews were also brothers.”

 

Another interesting item of note is the names of some the children of the principals.

 

Joseph

Micajah

Stephen

John

Alexander

Roger

Alexander

Joseph

William

William

Alexander

Roger

Joseph

Mary

Joseph

John

William

Joseph

Mary

Charity

John

Roger

Samuel

William

Charity

 

Micajah

Mary

Micajah

 

Samuel

 

Mary

Joseph

Sophia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What we do know, is where Joseph the subject is found Stephen, William, Roger, and Alexander are very close-by.  Whether in the Ware census of 1840 and 1850 or in the Indian war muster sheets from 1836-1838, these few are almost always together indicating a close family relationship.  Perhaps, the only way to resolve these issues in this modern era is through DNA testing of the male descendants of the key ancestors.  Until such a time we move on to what we do know about this Joseph. 

 

The first records found for Joseph are in Camden County, Georgia during the mid-1820s.  Even these first records are debatable but can be resolved.

 

A Joseph Crews and Amy Johns were granted a license to marry in Camden County, Georgia on 7 February 1825.  They married 10 Feb 1825.  The ceremony is performed buy Camden Justice of the Peace Robert Paxton.  However, the JP erroneously enters the name Stephen Crews instead of Joseph on the license and was recorded as such in the Camden County records.

 

Amy is the daughter of Jacob Johns and Elizabeth Stafford.  She was born about 1808 in Camden County, Georgia

 

During the November Term, 1830, Camden Superior Court, Amy sued for a divorce; he not being found in the county was ordered served by publication.  At the April term, 1834, a first verdict for divorce was granted, and at the April term, 1835, a second verdict was granted.  Judge Huxford questioned whether this Joseph Crews is the same that married Amy as there are least three contemporary Joseph Crews' in the general area., Joseph born 1794 (son of Micajah), living 1830 in Camden and in 1860 in Hamilton Co. Fla.; Joseph born 1800 in S. C., living 1840 and 1850 in Ware (now Echols) with wife Jeannette; and Joseph, intended as the subject.

 

By process of elimination we find, Micajah’s son, Joseph was married and fathered children during 1829, 1831, 1835, and 1836 with wife Catherine.  Joseph and Jeanette had 5 children based on the 1840 Ware census.  The eldest, a daughter was born between 1831 and 1834, the second oldest, John, was born 1835 (Note: the 1840 census did not identify names of children, so all three of the females names are unknown; the 1850 census shows no female children and sons John and Isham). It also appears Joseph Senior never lived in Camden coming over to Ware from Lowndes County, Georgia about 1840.  In fact, he (Joe Sr.) can not be found anywhere in Georgia prior to 1840, to date.  Hence Joseph, the subject, married Amy Johns.  Information gathered by Mr. Huxford from the descendants, state Joseph married Sarah Johns.  It would seem likely that he married Sarah after the divorce, their first child not being born until 1835 (Samuel), and the separation from Amy having occurred in 1830. Relationship of Amy and Sarah Johns is that Amy is a half-niece to Sarah.

 

Joseph remarried sometime during 1834-1835 to Sarah Johns, born 1815 in Georgia. (Ed, Note:  The 1860 Mortality Schedule for Clinch County indicates Sarah was born 1812 in South Carolina, however, this may be 2nd hand knowledge and this author will defer to the 1850 US Census) Sarah was the daughter of Jeremiah “Jerry” Johns and Levicy.  The couple likely married in Ware County, Georgia, shortly before or shortly after his divorce from Amy was finalized.   

 

Joseph and Sarah had eight children, all born in Georgia.  They are:

 

Samuel

b. 1835, m. Morgiana Waldron, dau. of Elias D. Waldron

Martha Mary

b. 1839, never married. At least 4 illeg. children.

Joseph

b. 1841, m. Fannie Corbett, dau. of David

Alexander

b. 1842, wounded and captured in war.  Died in Union prison.

Charity

b. 1844, m. Wily Shaw of Hamilton County, GA

Elizabeth

b. 1846, never married

Simon

b. 1850, m. Nancy Waldron, dau. of Elias D.

Julia Ann*

b. 1855, m. Henry Corbitt, son of Daniel

 

*erroneously identified as Mary Ann in POWG Vol. III

 

One may notice the amount of time passing between the births of Samuel (1835) and Mary (1839).  The best explanation is Joseph put down his plow and picked up his rifle to defend his and other Wiregrass families from marauding bands of Seminoles. 

 

Beginning in 22 June, 1836 Joseph signs on as a private in Capt William B. North's 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade of the Florida (Mounted) Militia.  The Company mustered in Columbia County, Florida at “Camp North” which was recently discovered to be located in Blounts Ferry. This initial enlistment ended in October 1836.  Lt. Col. W. J. Mills, Commanding Officer of the 1st regiment stated in his “Record of Events:  “This company was greatly distinguished for its services and exploits in seven brilliant affairs against the Creek. Indians who were paddling down attempting to join the Seminoles. Killing a great many and taking prisoners on the frontier of Georgia along on the Florida and Georgia line in the country bordering on the Suwaney and St. Mary's called the Okefeenokee Swamp Bend”.

After his initial six month tour of duty was complete, Joseph again signs on with the same unit from Jan 1837 to June 1837 and again from June 1837 to December 1837.

 

Private Joseph Crews Jr. continued to patrol against Indian excursions into Georgia from Florida in Capt William B. North's Co. of Florida mounted militia from 4/6/38 to 7/12/38.

 

With the 2nd Indian War over, Joseph returns to his family and farm where they  were enumerated in Ware County during 1840 (district 719).  This would now be Echols County.  Joseph's closest neighbors during the 1840 Ware census are Stephen, Alexander, and Joseph Sr., Crews.

 

Joseph again served as a private in Captain North's Militia Company for a 25 day period between 5 Apr 1842 to 20 Apr 1842.  This mounted militia patroled the area around Blount's Ferry near the end of the 2nd Florida War.

 

Joseph and Sarah were active at the closest church to the family’s domicile; Bethel Primitive Baptist Church.  The church, also known as Boney Bluff, was established in 1843.   Among the earliest members of Bethel are Dempsey, William B., Stephen, and Joseph’s wife, Sarah.  First mentions of Sarah in the church minutes began in 1843 with her christening. Joseph was received by the Church in April of 1847 and christened during June, 1847.

 

The family was still residing within the same area of Ware during the 1850 Census though the Enumeration District was changed to 89.  This area would later become Echols County in 1858.  In the 1850 census, Joseph Sr., William B. and Elizabeth Crews (widow of Stephen) households are his closest neighbors.

 

Sometime after the 1850 Census was taken, the Joseph Crews family relocated north into Clinch County.

 

Joseph passed away there 1856 and his wife died in March of 1860.  Both were buried in a private burying-ground on lot of land 310, 12th district of Clinch County.  This location was now known as the Ramah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family was then living in that community. 

 

After Sarah’s death, the children were taken in charge by neighbors and reared to maturity.  The 1860 Census for Clinch County, Georgia shows Joseph and Sarah's children were split up among neighbors.  Simon and Julia (ages 11 and 12) were in the Thomas L. Morgan household.  Samuel, Joseph, and Alexander (ages 24, 20, and 18) were in the James North household.  

 

 

Works Cited:

Huxford, Pioneers of Wiregrass, Vol. III pg. 59.

Huxford, Pioneers of Wiregrass, Vol. V Additions and Corrections pg. 557

Judge Folks Huxford's Personal Notes in file at Huxford/Spear Library; Homerville, Georgia (Joseph Crews, Jr. and Joseph Crews Sr.).

1840 Census Ware County, GA ED 719, Roll 52, page 133

1850 U.S. census, Clinch, Georgia, population schedule, dwelling 464, family 464, Joseph Crews; digital images, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZYD-6P2 : accessed 22 Jun 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M432.

 “Florida Militia Muster Roles, Seminole Indian Wars”, Volume 8. pgs 39-54.

"United States Census, 1860," index, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZMJ-BWK : accessed 11 Jun 2014), Thomas L Morgan, Southern District, Clinch, Georgia, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 24, household ID 142, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803117.

"United States Census, 1860," index, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZMJ-Y47 : accessed 11 Jun 2014), John J North in household of James North, Southern District, Clinch, Georgia, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 24, household ID 143, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803117.

"United States Census, 1870," index and images, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MCS5-921 : accessed 11 Jun 2014), Julia Crews in household of Samuel Crews, Georgia, United States; citing p. 28, family 205, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000545643.

"Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," index and images, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KXVV-PNC : accessed 11 Jun 2014), Henry Corbitt and Jule Ann Cruse, 17 Jan 1873; citing Clinch, Georgia, United States; FHL microfilm 459214.

"United States Census, 1870," index and images, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MCS5-ZHC : accessed 12 Jun 2014), Joseph Crews, Georgia, United States; citing p. 18, family 130, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000545643.

"United States Census, 1880," index and images, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8LV-HLX : accessed 12 Jun 2014), Martha Crews, Morgans, Clinch, Georgia, United States; citing sheet 548B, NARA microfilm publication T9.

http://genealogytrails.com/geo/clinch/mortalityschedules.html#1860 (Sarah Crews)

Bethel Primitive Baptist Church Meeting Minutes 1843-1847 http://www.wiregrassgenealogy.com/captdave55/Bethel_1A.pdf

"History of Ware County, pg 234"