Born before 15 Nov 1685 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Janet (Stuart) Craig — married 1712 in County Antrim, Ireland

Descendants

Died about 21 Feb 1756 after about age 70 in Fort Defiance, Augusta, Colony of Virginia

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William Craig of Castle Craig

Biography

William Craig was christened on Nov 15 1685. in Edinbourgh,Midlothian, Scotland. ^[1]

William Craig was known as "The Covenanter" at a time when Covenanters were ruthlessly pursued and slaughtered. This means that he had "in covenant" with the Presbyterian church. Many flee to Ireland and America. For more about those that did not, and were martyred, see this site: https://drmarkjardine.wordpress.com/2015/09/11/the-killing-times-of-1685-ridpaths-list-of-covenanters-executed-in-the-fields/

William immigrated from Scotland to Antrim, Ulster, Ireland about 1712 then on to Chester County, Pennsylvania, by 1722. The family's last place of residence was Augusta County, Virginia, where they were residing by 1740.

He and his family helped to build the Old Stone Church in Defiance. ^[2] William's wife Janet was still living in 1759, but the date of her death is unknown. ^[3]

William died February 21, 1756 at Fort Defiance, Augusta, Virginia, United States, and his WILL was Recorded 26-Nov-1759, Augusta County, Virginia. ^[4]

• "William (his "a" mark) Craig's Will, yeoman--Wife, Janet; eldest son, Robert Craig; 3 sons, Robert, James and John. Executors, Robert and James Craig. Teste: George Crawford, James Laird . Proved, 26th November, 1759. ^[5]

Will

The Will of William Craig was recorded in Will Book 2, page 348, Augusta County, Virginia and reads as follows:

In the name of God, Amen. The twenty first day of Febry [sic] anno Dom: 1756. I William Craig, in the Colony of Virginia and County of Augusta ye man being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God therefore, calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament.

That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my Soul into the hand of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like & decent manner at the direction of my Executors, nothing doubting but a the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly Estate where with it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give and devise & dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

In Primis I give to Janet my dearly beloved wife the whole of my estate, Lands, chattels and household goods except one mare branded with DL and another branded this PC, which I give to my Eldest Son, Robert Craig and further I order that what remains of said Estate at my wife's decease shall be divided betwixt my three sons, Robert, James & John Craig and 2 shares shall be given to whom my said wife shall think fit.

Further, I likewise construct and ordain Robert Craig and James Craig my only & sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disanul [sic] all and every other former Testaments, Wills & Legacies bequests and Executed by me in any wise before this Time & bequeathed Ratifying and Executed and confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament in witness whereof I have here Set my hand and Seal the day and year above written. HIS SEAL

Witnesses were George Crawford and James Leard. The Will was recorded November 26, 1759, in August County, Virginia.

Researchers Notes

Date of death is set to after the date of the Will. The date of November 26, 1759 is the date of recording, however, he may have died somewhat before that date. According to Sterling Craig's sketch of William, James Craig refused to execute his father's Will. Wills are written in advance and in anticipation of death. Probate occurs after the death when the executors follow the directions. The three year gap may be due to James’s hesitation in probating the Will. Ancestry conflates and confuses these three events. However that said, the correct order of dates should follow the pattern of date of Will, date of death, date of probate. Probate frequently involves an inventory. If death is intestate then there most certainly will be an inventory.

The Biography of Rev. John Craig of Beverley contains lists of descendants of various immigrants to the colonies. In the case of this William, it states he was of the Craigs of Craig Castle, (Edinburgh) that he left Scotland for Ireland and with 3 brothers and three sisters immigrated to Chester County, Pennsylvania arriving abt 1721 and removing to Augusta abt 1744. The book states his wife was Jean Anderson widow Allen. This conflicts with the info above.

Siblings were Thomas, James, Daniel, Margaret, Jane and Sarah.

Children were their three sons, two which came to Augusta with their parents, with son Robert who came to Augusta in 1742.

Sources

1. ↑ International Genelogical Index, Record ID Number: MH:N772 : PRIN MH:I4592
2. ↑ Virginians & West Virginians 1607-1870 Vol 13 and Craig Links Vol. 5. No. 2 & 4. 1984
3. ↑ Early Western Augusta Pioneers, by George Washington Cleek, Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Com, Jun 1, 2009, Page 334
4. ↑ Court Will Book 2, page 348. "Page 348.--21st February, 1756
5. ↑ Record ID Number: MH:N771, : PRIN MH:I4592

• Source: S866 Record ID Number: MH:S866 User ID: 3232ECB2-1E83-4DC3-88F6-51249106591B Author: Linda Anderson Title: Anderson Web Site Text: MyHeritage.com family tree, Family site: Anderson Web Site, Family tree: NEW 2012 Anderson and Baker Tree Media: 122702491-10 Type: Smart Matching Record ID Number: MH:SC7248 Page: William Alexander Craig Event: Smart Matching Role: 10067264 Data: Date: 30 JUL 2012 Text: Added by confirming a Smart Match Quality or Certainty of Data: 3

Acknowledgments

• Thank you to Sonja Ratliff for creating WikiTree profile Craig-2262 through the import of Maitland.ged on Oct 4, 2013