John Boggs Crail (abt. 1745 - 1839)

Born about 3 May 1745 in Harsford, Maryland [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Alethea Erwin (Body) Crail — married 1777 in PA

Descendants

Died 3 Apr 1839 at about age 93 in Raccoon Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kathleen Melendez [send private message]

Biography

JOHN BOGGS CRAIL son of Thomas Crail and Jane Wilson, is given as born 13 September 1745 in Allegheny County, Maryland by some researchers ^[1] ; 3 May 1745 MD (perhaps Harford Co., MD)^[2]; and Scotland by others.

He is given as the brother of Phillip Crail; Thomas Crail, Jr.; James Crail; Richard Crail; and others. ^[3]

John Boggs Crail married 1777 in Pennsylvania to Alethea / Alethia Erwin Body. Her name is also given as Allethia Ervin Body.^[4][5]

Private John Crail served with 12th Virginia Regiment (1777), Continental Army during the American Revolution.

John Crail is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A027688.

John enlisted at Fort Pitt in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a Private in Capt. Waggoner's Company, Colonel Woods' 12th Virginia Regiment and served in the Virginia Continental Line for two years during the Revolutionary War. ^[6][7][8] He was engaged in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and in 1777-78 was at Valley Forge.

He acquired land in Washington County Pennsylvania (now Allegheny County, Pennsylvania) on 15 December 1778.^[9]

On 22 August 1785 John Crail purchased 403 acres on Miller's Run (No. 215) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

1790 U. S. Federal Census^[10]
Residing in the portion taken from Washington, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA
2nd column
Jn. Crail
Males: 3
1 (16y+)
2 (under 16y)
Females: 4
Also, listed is William Boggs.

1800 U. S. Federal Census^[11]

Beaver County, Pennsylvania, USA
Second Moon Township
John Crail
9 members in family:
Males:
1 (45y+)
1 (16-25y)
4 (under 10y)
Females:
1 (26-44y)
2 (10-15y)
Census sheet is very light, but appears to also be a Peter Boudy (perhaps-Body) enumerated.

1800 Septennial Census
Moon, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863
John Crail

1810 U. S. Federal Census^[12]
Beaver County, Pennsylvania:
Shenango
John Crail
Males:
1 (10 thru 15)
2 (16 thru 25)
1 (26 thru 44)
1 (45+)
Females:
1 (45+)
1 (16 thru 25)
1 (Under 10) Enumerated on same page appears Edward Crail, Peter Body, John Boyd (perhaps Body).

1820 U. S. Federal Census^[13]
Beaver County, Pennsylvania
Moon Township
7 August 1820
John Crail
Males:
1 (45+)
1 (26-44)
1 (16-25)
Females:
2 (45+)
1 (16-25)
1 (Under 10)
2 (Engaged in agriculture) Enumerated on same page was William Crail, Benjamin Crail, William Irvin, and John Irvin.

John Crail's Revolutionary War Pension Files (W4426) contains numerous handwritten papers relating to correspondences and court files concerning his service. There appears to be a dispute. He relates on 28 August 1829 his military engagements and his family is mentioned. At this time he gave his age as 83y 11m. ^[14] He received a pension on 28 August 1829. ^[15][16] "John Crail" was placed on Pension Rolls in 29 December 1829 at 88 years in Pennsylvania. His pension commenced on 11 January 1830 receiving $96.00 annually.^[17]

1830 U. S. Federal Census^[18]
Beaver County, Pennsylvania
Moon Township
John Crail
Males:
1 (80- 89)
Females:
1 (60 thru 69)
1 (15 thru 19)
1 (5 thru 9)
Enumerated on same page was Samuel M. Crail.

John Crail, the Revolutionary War Veteran, is given as having died at his home on 3 April 1839 in Racoon, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. (Reference unknown) He is buried at the Crail Farm Cemetery in Holt, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, USA.^[19]

Before his death Allethia is said to have begun receiving John's pension benefits. Perhaps he was in declining health in his later years, and after his death his wife, whose name was given as "Allathea" and "Allithia" began receiving his pension benefits in 1841.^[20]

Children of John and Allethia:^[21]

1. Edward Crail

2. Jane Crail (b 1781)

3. James Crail

4. Mary Ann Crail (b 1785)

5. Peter Crail (b 24 Jan 1787)

6. Allethia Crail (b 2 Mar 1789)

7. Benjamin Franklin Crail

8. Sethelius Middleton (Milton) Crail

9. Elizabeth Crail

10. John Ervin/Irvin Crail (b 1795)

11. Joseph Crail (b 4/28/1791)

Notes

Surname spellings: CRAIL, CRALE, CREAL and CREEL and Surnames perhaps connected with the family: BODY, BOYES, BOYD, LONG, IRVIN, & IRWIN.

Sources

1. ↑ FindaGrave Memorial 5760199 FindaGrave.com
2. ↑ Prall, Terry D., 2017, TDP Genealogy Blog[1]
3. ↑ FindaGrave Memorial 5760199 FindaGrave.com
4. ↑ FindaGrave Memorial 5760199 FindaGrave.com
5. ↑ Prall, Terry D., 2017, TDP Genealogy Blog[2] names her as Althea Body]
6. ↑ Prall, Terry D., 2017, TDP Genealogy Blog[3]
7. ↑ Revolutionary War Pension
8. ↑ DAR Ancestor A027688 [4]
9. ↑ Prall, Terry D., 2017, TDP Genealogy Blog[5]
10. ↑ 1790 U. S. Federal Census
11. ↑ 1800 U. S. Federal Census
12. ↑ 1810 U. S. Federal Census
13. ↑ 1820 U. S. Federal Census
14. ↑ Crail Family Research by Audrey (Shields) Hancock
15. ↑ The Pension Roll of 1835, Vol. II, Pennsylvania: Beaver County, Pennsylvania
16. ↑ Prall, Terry D., 2017, TDP Genealogy Blog[6]
17. ↑ Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Department of Veterans Affairs, Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C. : Archive Publication M804; Roll 678; 60 pages in packet.
18. ↑ 1830 U. S. Federal Census
19. ↑ FindaGrave Memorial 5760199 FindaGrave.com
20. ↑ Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Department of Veterans Affairs, Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C. : Archive Publication M804; Roll 678; 60 pages in packet.
21. ↑ FindaGrave Memorial 5760199 FindaGrave.com

Acknowledgements

Kathleen A. Melendez, formerly Halley aka Marrero]]
David E. Hancock & Audrey (Shields) Hancock (ash)