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Robert CROW

Male 1751 - 1834  (83 years)


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  • Name Robert CROW 
    Born 01 Jan 1751  [1] 
    • In sworn testimony given in 1819, Robert Crow stated that he would be 69 years old on January 1 next.
    Gender Male 
    Land Grant 29 Aug 1785  Montgomery County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    • 241 acres on Hungers Mother branch Middle Fork of Holston River
    Died 02 Feb 1834  Roane County, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Circuit Court March Term 1834 .. . Personally appeared Wm. Crow & Gilbert Christian in open court and made oath that Robert Crow late a pensioner of the Revolutionary War of said county departed this life on the 2nd day of February 1834 and that Polly Crow is his widow. . .[Original document in loose military records at Roane County Archives]
    Event-Misc 1850  Eastern District (Roane & Morgan Counties), Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    • William P. Rutherford v Wm. Andrew & Others - Chancery Court suit involving the heirs of Robert Crow.

      To the Honorable Thomas L. Williams, Chancelor of the Eastern Division of Tennessee, holding Court for the Counties of Roane and Morgan.

      Humbly Complaining show to your Honor your orator and oratrix William R. Rutherford and wife Martha formerly Martha Crow that some sixteen or seventeen years ago Robert Crow the father of your oratrix Martha departed [1834 + 16/17= 1850/51] this life in Roane County, intestate and leaving the following named persons his children and heirs at Law to wit [1] John Crow [2] Nancy who intermarried with Samuel Berry: [3] Robert C. Crow [4] Cary who intermarried with Henry Nave. [5] Thomas Crow [6] George Crow [7]William Crow [8] Elizabeth who intermarried with Jenkins [9] James Crow [10]Margaret who intermarried with Isaac Worley [11]Edward Crow [12] Jane who intermarried with Martin Burnett and your oratrix [12] Martha then an infant en ventre sa mere and now the lawful wife of your orator William R. Rutherford.
      Of the above named children and heirs [1] John Crow has died and left Benjamin Crow who now lives in Rhea County Robert Crow who now lives in Meigs County and Polly Crow
      Crissy Crow and Sally Crow who all live in Roane County his children and heirs at law.
      [2] Samuel Berry who married Nancy Crow P. 2 is dead and his widow is said Nancy Berry now living in Roane County. [Nancy still alive in 1834 in Roane Co., Tennessee]
      [3] Robert C. Crow [4] Henry Nave and wife Cary formerly Cary Crow [5] Thomas Crow and [8] Elizabeth Jenkins whose said husband is now dead formerly Elizabeth Crow all live in Carter County in this state.
      [6] George Crow is dead and left Polly who intermarried with Benjamin Hustt who live in parts unknown to Complainants. [9] James Crow who is dead leaving Mary Ann, George, and Sarah his children and heirs at Law whose residences are unknown to Complainants. [7] William Crow whose residence is unknown Robert N. Crow who lives in Roane County Angilina who intermarried with William Qualls and who lives with her said husband in Roane County Nancy who intermarried with John Butler and who lives with her said husband in Roane County. Manerva who intermarried with Richard Stubbs and who lives with her husband in Roane County George Crow who lives in Roane County and Sarah Crow who is a minor and who lives in Roane County his children and his heirs at law
      [11]Edward Crow and [10] Isaac Worley and wife Margaret formerly Margaret Crow live in parts unknown to your Complainants. [missing pages] P. 7 said land has continued in the said June until about two years ago when she and her husband joined in a conveyance of the same to a certain William Andrew who lives in Roane County. Complainants state that the said William Andrew bought the said land of the said Burnett and wife with a bull and a pair Ruoulidge of the claim and right of your oratrix, Martha to one half the same as the child and heir of the said Robert Crow. The previous conside and your complainants consider that your oratrix Martha is entitled absolute title to one half the said land wherefore complainants pray that the heirs of the said Robert now living and the heirs of those that are dead all of whom are before named and the said Andrew be made partier defendant to this Bill.. And that they be all required to answer this Bill and all its charges in as full and ample a manor as if the same were here citerated.. Let all the heirs of the said Robert now living and the heirs of such as are dead who are before named state what advancements were made to them and their ancestors by the said Robert in his life time and of what character and amount Let the said William Crow answer and P. 8
      say to what extent the said Robert Crow was invested in the afore said purchase.. and what division was made of the land between heirs and the said Robert Let him also state the nature of the request or authority given him by the said Robert to convey the said land to the said form of any such authority existed Let the said Andrew answer and say whether he has not bought the said land and what knowledge he had of your ontrix claim to the same missions to his purchase
      Complainants pray that all papers process may issue to compel the said defendants to answer this Bill and that publication be made as to the soon and upon the hearing of this cause Complainants pray that then the title to a morgage of the said land be decreed in your oratrix by the Court and if they are mistaken in this preface prayes they ask such other further or different belief as they may prove titled to, by the acts of the Honorable Court
    Reference Number 1829 
    Buried Robinson Cemetery, Roane County, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I1829  Bennetts of Pittsylvania County
    Last Modified 3 May 2014 

    Family 1 Nancy,   b. Abt 1755,   d. Between 26 Jul 1823 and 1825, Roane County, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 68 years) 
    Married Y  [4] 
    Children 
     1. Edward CROW
     2. George CROW
    Married:
     3. James CROW
    Married:
     4. John CROW
    Married:
     5. Margaret CROW
     6. Nancy CROW,   b. Abt 1778, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location
     7. Robert Campbell CROW,   b. 19 Oct 1783, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Mar 1867  (Age 83 years)
     8. Cary CROW,   b. Abt 1784, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location
    Married: Henry NAVE
     9. Thomas CROW,   b. Abt 1784, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location
     10. William CROW,   b. Abt 1788, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location
     11. Elizabeth CROW,   b. Abt 1793, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location
    Family ID F461  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Polly COX 
    Married 23 Sep 1825  Roane County, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Children 
     1. Clary Jane CROW,   b. Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location
     2. Martha CROW,   b. Abt 1831, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location
    Family ID F589  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Documents
    Rutherford v Andrews, Roane County, Tennessee, 1850    		Rutherford v Andrews, Roane County, Tennessee, 1850

  • Notes 
    • Some researchers believe Nancy's last name may have been Campbell. Robert and Nancy lived in Washington, VA on the south side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River. In 1797, they are found in Carter, TN until 1811 when they moved to Roane , TN where they both died.

      On the 1772 Fincastle tax records found in Botetourt, VA, Robert, who just turned age 21, is declared by his father, Robert Crow, to be his son.

      Robert served in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in 1777 for three years as a private in Captain Joseph Crockett's Company, 7th Virginia Regiment, Virginia Line. He marched from Fincastle, VA to Valley Forge, PA to Monmouth Courthouse, NJ where he fought in the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse. He then went to White Plains, NY. In July 1779, he was given an early discharge for apprehending three deserters. Robert applied for a war pension on Oct, 1819. In 1822, Robert stated his wife, age 67, was nearly blind and that he was old and very infirmed and indigent and incapable of supporting himself by his own labor.

      Circuit Court March Term 1834 .. . Personally appeared Wm. Crow & Gilbert Christian in open court and made oath that Robert Crow late a pensioner of the Revolutionary War of said county departed this life on the 2nd day of February 1834 and that Polly Crow is his widow. . .[Original document in loose military records at Roane County Archives]


      Some researchers believe Nancy's last name may have been Campbell. Robert and Nancy lived in Washington, VA on the south side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River. In 1797, they are found in Carter, TN until 1811 when they moved to Roane , TN where they both died. On the 1772 Fincastle tax records found in Botetourt, VA, Robert, who just turned age 21, is declared by his father, Robert Crow, to be his son.

      Robert served in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in 1777 for three years as a private in Captain Joseph Crockett's Company, 7th Virginia Regiment, Virginia Line. He marched from Fincastle, VA to Valley Forge, PA to Monmouth Courthouse, NJ where he fought in the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse. He then went to White Plains, NY. In July 1779, he was given an early discharge for apprehending three deserters. Robert applied for a war pension on Oct, 1819. In 1822, Robert stated his wife, age 67, was nearly blind and that he was old and very infirmed and indigent and incapable of supporting himself by his own labor.
    • In January, 1774, surveys were recorded for Robert Crow (241 acres), Thomas Crow (226 acres), and Edward Crow (299 acres) on the middle fork of Holston River in Fincastle County, Virginia. (Fincastle & Kentucky County Va.
    • I am reasonably certain that the father of Robert Crow is also named Robert Crow. From his Rev. War pension application I know that his birthdate is 1 Jan 1751. On one web site I found the following, "On the 1772 Fincastle tax records found in Botetourt, VA, Robert, who just turned age 21, is declared by his father, Robert Crow, to be his son." (Source: http://www.joepearce.com/gen/ghtout/np11.html) We also know that Robert Crow enlisted for service in the Rev. War in Fincastle County.

      I also think that Robert had brothers named Edward and Thomas. Here is another record posted on a different website: "ROBERT CROW and JOHN CROW paid tithes in Augusta [Botetourt] County. In 1771 the delinquent tithes record reveals that "ROBERT CROW and sons, THOMAS, JOHN and EDWARD, delinquent." Later we find in 1771 ROBERT CROW, gone to Holston; THOMAS CROW, gone to Holston; JOHN CROW, gone to Holston; EDWARD CROW, gone to Holston." (Source: http://www.tngenweb.org/tncolor/crow.htm)

      FincastleCounty was formed in 1772 from Botetourt County. Here we have a Robert Crow with sons named Edward and Thomas. Edward and Thomas are each a little older than our Rev. War soldier. I'm not exactly certain if John is another son of Robert or is his brother.

      Now consider the following property records.

      Fincastle County Surveys
      12 Jan 1774 Thomas Crow survey for 226 acres on Middle Fork of Holston River
      21 Jan 1774 Robert Crow survey for 241 acres on Hunger's Mother br. Of Holston River
      21 Jan 1774 Edward Crow survey for 299 acres on Middle Fork of Holston River
      25 Feb 1775 John Crow survey for 210 acres on Hunger's Mother br. Of Holston River
      (Source: Lewis Preston Summers, History of Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786, Washington County, 1777-1870; J.L Hill Printing Company, Richmond, 1903.)

      These are clearly the same people noted in the tax record above. BTW, the property of Robert Crow adjoins that of Edward Crow.

      Now some Virginia land grants from the Library of Virginia website.

      29 Aug 1785, Robert Crow, Montgomery Co., 241 acres on Hunger Mother a branch of the middle fork of Holstein
      30 August 1785, Edward Crow, Montgomery Co., 299 acres in a branch of the middle fork of Holstein River adjoining the land of Robert Crow
      1 September 1785, Thomas Crow, Montgomery Co., 226 acres on the middle fork of Holstein River and near the head thereof

      These are the exact same tracts of land recorded in the Fincastle County surveys.

      Now, looking at the 1793 land tax list of Wythe Co. we find Edward Crow with 299 acres, Thomas Crow with 226 acres, and Robert Crow with 250 acres. Once again, these are the same three people. (Source: http://www.newrivernotes.com/va/wythe93l.htm)

      There is an affidavit in Robert Crow's Rev. War pension application which states that Robert Crow enlisted in Fincastle Co. in what is now Wythe Co.

      So, I think I have found Robert's family. The question is, "is the Robert Crow in the property records above our soldier or is it his father?" I'm inclined to believe it is the father.

      Our soldier apparently moved into Washington County, Virginia. The will of Mary Chambers (1796) states that Robert Campbell was of Washington County. His oldest daughter was married in Washington County. Here are some surveyor's records from Washington County.

      Page 91 - Andrew Evans...36 ac...on the waters of the middle fork of Holstein River...Commissioners Certificate...Beginning on Evans old line...August 15, 1783 - Andrew Evans, assignee of John Crow...300 ac...on both sides of Hungers Mother, includes improvement...210 ac surveyed on February 25, 1775...actual settlement made in 1775...August 25, 1781

      Page 281 - Joshua Roman...300 ac...on both sides of Hunger Mother, branch of the Middle of Holstein River...Commissioners Certificate...Beginning on Hays line...on a spur of the Brushey Mountain...on the west side of the creek - March 26, 1785 - Andrew Evans, assignee of John Crow...300 ac. on both sides of Hungers Mother, includes improvements, 210 ac. surveyed on February 25, 1775...actual settlement made in 1775...August 25, 1781.

      Page 298 - Joshua Romans - 87 ac - treasury warrant #16519 - on Hungers Mother waters of the Middle Fork of Holstein - beginning corner to former survey - corner to Robert Crow - November 12, 1785

      Page 459 - Robert Crow, assignee of James Montgomery - 49 ac - Preemption Warrant #2029 dated February 12, 1782 - on the south side of the middle fork of Holstein River - corner to Samuel Edmondson's land - February 11,1796

      It appears that this creek, Hunger's Mother, crosses the Wythe/Washington County line. This area is in Smyth County today. You can find Hungry Mother State Park on a map. This seems to be the area where Robert lived.

  • Sources 
    1. [S471] Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, (NARA), Robert Crow Application, S39365.

    2. [S464] Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, Site Owner: Library of Virginia, Robert Crow Land Grant, Grants R:263.

    3. [S472] William P. Rutherford v. Wm. Andrew & Others, William P. Rutherford.

    4. [S463] Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Volume IX, 1796-1800, Hutchinson, Elmer T., (Heritage Books, Westminster, Maryland, 2008, Original Date, 1944), p. 64-65.

    5. [S467] Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950, 16 Jan 2011.


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