John Craighead Sr (1745 - 1808)

Born 1745 in Chesterfield, Franklin, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Jane Elizabeth (Maxey) Craighead — married 1763 (to 1785) in Scruggs, Franklin, Virginia

Husband of Elizabeth (Edmonson) Craighead — married 3 Apr 1786 (to 1788) in Franklin County, Virginia, United States

Husband of Elizabeth (Robinson) Craighead — married 22 Oct 1799 (to 1808) in Bedford Co Virginia

Descendants

Died Jun 1808 at about age 63 in Franklin County, Virginia, United States

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Biography

John Craighead Sr performed Patriotic Service in Virginia in the American Revolution.

John Craighead Sr is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A027287.

John Craighead Sr lived in Virginia.

'Gave Material, Non-Military Aid during The Revolutionary War: '
“ John Craighead, Daughters of American Revolution Ancestor #: A027287; Service: Virginia Rank: Patriotic Service, Birth: ante 1746; Death: ante 4 Jul 1808 Franklin Co. Virginia; Service Source: ABERCROMBIE & SLATTEN, VA REV PUB CLAIMS, VOL 1, P 101; Service Description: 1) Gave Material Aid”……excerpted

John was born in 1745 in Chesterfield, Franklin County, Virginia. His parents are Robert Craighead Sr and his third wife Unknown Craighead (possibly Susannah (Haile). He was married three times and had a total of twelve children.

Occupation: Farmer, Owner and Proprietor of Grist Mill

First Wife: He married first to Jane Elizabeth "Betty" Leodicea (Maxey) Craghead in 1763 in Scruggs, Virginia. They were married 22 yrs and had eleven children together before Betty passed away in 1785:

1. John Craighead (1774 - 1859)
2. Timothy Craighead (1774 - 1847)
3. Robert Craghead (1772 - 1857)
4. Isaiah Walter Craighead (1782 - 1864)
5. Susannah “Suckey” Craighead Key (1764 - 1840)
6. Dicey Craghead Maxey (1768 - 1842)
7. Jane "Jenny" Craighead Haile (1770 - 1850)
8. Nancy Anne Craghead Haile (1768 - 1850)
9. Hester Easter Craighead Burrell (1778-1840)
10. Mary Elizabeth "Molly" Craighead Allen (1769 - 1790)
11. William Craighead (1775 - Unknown)

Second Wife: He married second wife Elizabeth (Edmonson) Hale, widow of Richard Hale/Haile, in 1786 in Franklin, Virginia. ^[1] This marriage lasted only two years as she passed away in 1788. There are no children recorded of this marriage.

Third Wife: He married his third wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” Robinson, in 1799 in Bedford, Virginia. ^[2] They had one daughter, Lucinda “Lucy” Robinson (Craighead) English (1801-1851). Per his Will, “Guardianship of his orphan daughter, Lucy R(obinson), was given to Betty Craighead (her mother). He left to his “wife Betty and all of his children 200 pounds each, and made the extra provision that daughter Lucy should have her schooling out of the estate”. ),……Will, Franklin Co VA, Bk 1, p 57, Franklin Co VA, Mar 5 1810.

John passed away on Jun 1808 in Franklin Co, Virginia. He is buried at the Scruggs- Emily Ayers Cemetery in Scruggs, Franklin County, Virginia. His Will was probated in Franklin County, Virginia ^[3]

'CRAGHEADS IN VIRGINIA FRANKLIN COUNTY: '
“In researching records of early settlers in this area, two brothers, John and Peter Craghead were the first Craghead’s found in what is known as Franklin and Henry Counties. The first records on Peter Craghead were in Henry County in 1777 and the first record of John Craghead was in 1770 in Amherst County. These brothers raised their families and died in Franklin County. Both brothers recorded their Will at Franklin County’s courthouse at Rocky Mount. Marriage records, census records and John’s Will identify most of the children of these two brothers. John is thought to have 12 children and Peter possibly 3 to 5. It is also noted that neither brother could read or write.”……Excerpted from http://www.virginiaroom.org/digital/files/original/33/3469/CragheadFamily.pdf, (pg. 10)

'Notations on John Craighead of Franklin County, Virginia: '
“John Craghead was active in the affairs of the county as was found when he signed a petition for the formation of Franklin County. Old court records show that in February 1788 John Craghead, Richard Booth, Richard Compton and Phillip Rasley or any three of them are appointed to view a road from Hales Ford on Staunton River across the county South, to cross Blackwater River near John Cragheads and to lead into the road that goes by the Black place at the mouth of Snow Creek and make a report there of. In August 1788 the court ordered that leave is granted to John Craghead to build a water grist mill on Gills Creek, he being proprietor of both sides of the said creek.

A book titled “Marriages of Some Virginia Residents 1607-1800” Vol. 2 by Wulfec states that John Craghead was born at Chesterfield Virginia in 1740 and that he married Jane Dicia Maxey from Lynchburg Virginia, who was born in 1747. The book also states the John died in Franklin County June 1808 and that Jane died at Hales Ford Virginia in 1833. The book listed a son Timothy who was born in 1777. Amherst County Deed Book C page 37 – March 5, 1770 John Craghead sold, for 40 pounds, 170 acres on Lackeys thoroughfare and both sides of North branch Davis Creek to John and Agnes Key. December 6, 1773 John Craghead and wife Jenny, ac, to John Boles, Buckingham County for 67-10 pounds for surveys of 309 acres on both sides of Lackey’s Mountain and Corbin Creek and North side Davis Creek lines. The Virginia Taxpayers 1782-1787 lists John as paying a poll tax and tax on two slaves in Bedford County. John’s name appears on a petition dated May 23, 1780 to the General Assembly for a new county to be formed on the south side of the Staunton River, then in Bedford County. From the land books in the land office at Richmond Virginia: John Craghead purchased 270 acres on the South side of Blackwater River adjoining Samuel Smith June 1, 1784.“…. Excerpted from: http://www.virginiaroom.org/digital/files/original/33/3469/CragheadFamily.pdf, (pg. 10)

'The Will of John Craghead Sr: '
"In the name of God Amen I John Craighead, Franklin County, being of sound and perfect memory, thanks be to Almighty God, do manke and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following. I recomend my soul to God who gave it, hoping through the merits of My Savior Jesus Christ to receive pardon and forgiveness for all my sins, my body I desire it to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter I have disposed of my Estate which is hath pleased God to bless me with in this world in the following manner and for viz: Item first, It is my desire that all my just debts should be paid. Item, I give and bequeath to my son John Craighead the land on Staunton River that he now lives on and also the land I bought from Simmons, adjoing it. Item, I give and bequeath to my wife Betty Craighead, Molly Allen, Susannah Key, Nancy Haile, Jane Haile, Robert Craighead, Dicy Maxey, Easter Burrell, William Craighead, Timothy Craighead, Isaiah Craighead, and Lucy Robinson Craighead, two hundred pounds each to be raised out of my estate to them and their heirs forever and also my wife is to have little Jerry her lifetime or Widowhood and then to go to my daughter Lucy and shis is to have a fether bed and furniture. Item. My desire is that my daughter Lucy Robinson Craighead have her schooling out of this estate. Item. My desire is if any of my children should died without heir his or her part ot be equally divided amongst the rest of my children and should there be a balance left the same to be devided amongst them all. Item. I do constitute and appoint John Craighead and Robert Craighead Executors of this my last will and testament utterly revoking and disannulling all former wills and testaments confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness thereof I the said John Craighead have set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of May in the year of Our Lorde 1808. his mark X John Craighead

Item. It is my desire that all my property be sold as soone as possible after my decease and the money equally divided among them all and the land as soone as convenient to be sold and also that equally divided.

At a Court held for Franklin County, July 4th 1808. This last will and testament of John Craghead deceased, was proved by the oath of Nicholas Robinson, William Wright and Benjamin Watts, three of the witnesses hereto, and ordered to be recoreded, and on the motion of John Craghead and Robert Craghead the Executors herein named who made oath as the law directs and together with Issiah Craghead, James Hail and George Bradford their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of four thousand pounds, conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted for obtaining a probate in due form. Teste, James Callaway CFC Will 29 May 1808"

Notations on Land Purchase in Amherst County, Virginia by John Craighead: “ John and Agnes Key, Jr. sold property in Amherst County to John Craighead, who became George Key's father-in-law. (It should be noted that Nelson Co., was created in 1808 from the eastern part of Amherst Co., VA.)”….. excerpted

Note

Second marriage: Elizabeth (Richardson) Hail, the mother-in-law of his daughter Jane Hail, MB, Franklin Co VA, Apr 3 1786. Appointed guardian of her son Richard Hail, Jan 3 1791, Bedford Co VA. Third marriage: Betsy Robinson, Oct 28 1799.

DEATH: Will, Franklin Co VA, Bk 1, p 57, Guardianship of his orphan daughter, Lucy R(obinson), was given to Betty Craighead (her mother), Franklin Co VA, Mar 5 1810.

The Cra(i)ghead Family: VA-MO, 1953, by Mrs W B Craghead and Mrs F A Craighead.

For Revolutionary War services received one beef, Bedford Co VA, 2 Nov 1781.

It is probable that the marriage of John Craighead and Betsey Robinson refers to this man. His wife at the time of his will was Betty, which could be either Elizabeth (Edmonson) Hail or Betsey Robinson. The minor daughter, though, is more likely the child of this third marriage.

From "JR Young Ancestors" at Ancestry.com, edited: Since Walter Maxey had requested in his will that Jane's children have a share of his real and personal property equal to that of one of his own children, it was necessary for John Craighead to come into court in January 1798 and acknowledge that he was guardian of his minor children, William, Timothy, and Isaiah, and to be bonded to cover their share of their grandfather's inheritance. The older Craighead children were also included in the chancery suit filed on 8 May for the purpose of having commissioners appointed to sell some of Walter's land. In his will dated 29 May 1808, John left his land on the Staunton river to his son John, Jr. -- land on which the son was then living -- and also the land adjoining it. He then left to his wife Betty and all of his children 200 pounds each, and made the extra provision that daughter Lucy should have her schooling out of the estate.

Sources

1. ↑ John Craghead, "Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1901"; Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1901", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6JB7-YN69 : Sat Nov 04 01:07:03 UTC 2023), Entry for John Craghead and Elizabeth Hale, 4 Mar 1786
2. ↑ John Craghead, "Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1989"; "Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1989", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZH7-NWSK : Tue Oct 31 06:43:03 UTC 2023), Entry for John Craghead and Betsey Robinson, 28 Oct 1799.
3. ↑ Wills of John Craighead in the Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900; Franklin County, Virginia

• John Craghead, "Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1989"; "Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1989", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6Z4T-K4P1 : Tue Oct 31 03:22:01 UTC 2023), Entry for George Key and Suckey Craghead, 22 Aug 1785.[Marriage Record of daughter Susannah]

• The Cra(i)ghead Family: VA-MO, 1953, by Mrs W B Craghead and Mrs F A Craighead.
• Lineage application of Katherine Alvis Patterson, national no. 554801, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, supplemental (John Craighead), "Add" volume 956, approved 2008.

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54327129/john-craghead: accessed 16 September 2022), memorial page for John Craghead (1745–Jun 1808), Find a Grave Memorial ID 54327129, citing Scruggs-Emily Ayers Cemetery, Scruggs, Franklin County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Kathy Alvis Patterson (contributor 47061683) .

• The Will of John Craghead, made on 29 May 1808; probated at Franklin County, Virginia on July 4th 1808; (see above)

• Franklin County Genealogy, Wills, Estates; Images of Wills, Inventories, Orphans Records, Post Mortems 1786 to 1812; lists “Craighead, John, Craighead Peter, Craighead, Timothy”…..https://www.virginiapioneers.net/counties/countyfranklin.html

• https://www.seekingmyroots.com/members/files/H011549.pdf; "Pioneer Families of Franklin County, Virginia" by Marshall Wingfield, Copyright 1964, The Virginia Book Company; Craighead Family- John Craighead; pg.39-40

• https://alvispat.wordpress.com/craighead-robert-sr-of-baltimore-and-virginia/

• http://www.virginiaroom.org/digital/files/original/33/3469/CragheadFamily.pdf; (pg.4), (a compilation of research and documents by Paul D Craghead of Roanoke, Virginia, entitled "The Craghead Family of Western Virginia", research started circa 1960's)

• The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 8, July-Sep 1964, pg. 118.

• The Virginia Genealogist - The Keys of Key West, Vol. 8, Oct-Dec 1964, pg. 182, 183.

• The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 18, Jan-Mar, 1974, pg. 7. By Marcus M. Key, Rhoda (Freer) Newman and Helen (Kay) Yates.KAAF pg. 317

• Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 18, Jul-Sep 1954, pg. 219.