Willis G. Crawford (c1793-1850) and Sarah Bethea of Marion County, South Carolina

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The author (Marty Grant) is a 1st cousin 6 times removed to Willis G. Crawford.

Willis G. Crawford was born ca 1792/93 per his age of 57 on the 1850 census. He was born in Georgetown District (that later became Marion County.) His middle initial of "G" might be for Gibson after his mother, but that is just a guess.

Willis is a proven son of Hardy Crawford and Rhoda Gibson as proven by several records (see below).

Willis seems to be home with his parents for the 1800 census, listed (not by name) as "under 10" (born ca 1790/1800).

Willis' father died ca 1807 timeframe, and his brother James was later appointed his legal guardian in 1811.

It looks like Willis was probably home with his older brother James G. Crawford for the 1810 census, listed in the age 10-15 category (born ca 1794/1800) or possibly in the age 16-25 group (born ca 1784/94). There is no way to be sure it is Willis, but it probably is.

Willis was listed on the 1820 census as head of household, apparently living alone. This census was alphabetical so I don't know who his neighbors might have been.

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Marion Dist, SC pg 57 Willis Crawford 00010-00000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 18-25       (1794-1802)	Willis G. CRAWFORD (1792/93) s/o Hardy

On 6 Oct 1820, an Equity case was brought before the Court of Equity against Gadi Crawford, James G. Crawford and Nathaniel Murfee by Charles C. Williams, Survivor of "Mott and Williams" for debts related to a business venture. This record proves that Gadi Crawford, James G. Crawford, Willis Crawford and Rhoda Crawford, wife of Hugh Godbold, were all children of Hardy Crawford who died "in 1807 or 8". The record clearly gives this relationship. ("Marion County South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls", Roll # 44, page 13, by Lucille Utley)

These familial relationships are further proven by another Equity case, dated 28 Jul 1849 regarding the Estate of James G. Crawford. This record mentions he made his Will 12 May 1846 naming his "deceased sister Mary Finklea", "brother Stephen Crawford", "brother Willis G. Crawford", "sister Rhoda Godbold". ("Marion County South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls", Roll # 117, page 40 by Lucille Utley)

On 18 Nov 1820, Willis Crawford was named as one of the purchasers at the estate sale for William White. (Marion Dist, SC Sales Book A, page 257, published in the "Pee Dee Queue").

On 20 Nov 1821, Willis Crawford, by himself, and also in conjunction with his brother James G. Crawford, was named among the notes in the estate of John Henry, deceased, meaning they owned money to John Henry. (Marion Dist, SC Inventory Book 1827-1836 page 14, published in the "Pee Dee Queue"). 

Sometime in the 1820's, Willis G. Crawford married Sarah Bethea in Marion Dist, SC. Sarah was born ca 1806/07 in Marion Dist, SC, daughter of James and Margaret Bethea. This marriage was mentioned by Sellers. I'm not sure if there is other proof of her maiden name.

On 13 Mar 1829 Willis Crawford was one of the purchasers at the estate sale for Enos Tart, deceased. (Marion Dist, SC Sales Book A, page 208, published in the "Pee Dee Queue").

Willis G. Crawford and family left for Monroe Co, AL sometime ca 1829 or 1830. He was there in time for the 1830 census.

Willis Crawford was listed on the 1830 census in Monroe Co, AL, he was listed near several other former Marionites including Charles and John Finklea, Solomon and David Blackman and others. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

"W. G. Crawford" was listed on the 1840 census in Monroe Co, AL. He was listed near "M. Crawford" (probably Mahalalel Crawford, also from Marion Co, SC, his cousin.). Willis was near several Marion families including A. Godbold who was next door. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Willis and family returned to Marion District, SC in the 1840's. I guess they were homesick, or just didn't like Alabama. It may have to do with Willis brother James G. Crawford having died in the 1840's leaving property to Willis, and also due to Sarah's parents death around the same time.

They were in Marion District for the 1850 census. They weren't listed near any other Crawfords, but were two houses from Sarah's brother Samuel J. Bethea. Even though several of his children should have been born during their stay in Alabama, all were listed as born in "Marion".

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1850 MARION DIST, SC Page 89B   House/Family # 1346/1352

CRAWFORD WILLIS       57 M W FARMER                1500 MARION               1792/1793
CRAWFORD SARAH        43 F W                            MARION               1806/1807
CRAWFORD HARDY        20 M W                            MARION               1829/1830
CRAWFORD THOMAS       19 M W                            MARION               1830/1831
CRAWFORD RODA         17 F W                            MARION               1832/1833
CRAWFORD MARGARET     14 F W                            MARION               1835/1836
CRAWFORD WILLIS       13 M W                            MARION               1836/1837
CRAWFORD WILLIAM      10 M W                            MARION               1839/1840
CRAWFORD GIDEON        6 M W                            MARION               1843/1844
 

Sellers wrote a little bit about Willis' family:

"... Willis Crawford, who married Sallie Bethea, and raised a large family, and died in 1851, in what is now Bethea Township; his sons were James, Hardy B., Thomas C., Willis G., William and Gibson G. Crawford; his daughters were Rhoda and Margaret..." ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", page 145, 1902, by W. W. Sellers, Esq)

According to Sellers, Willis Crawford died in "1851". Equity records give his death date as "1850".

Sarah and several of the children were listed on the 1860 census in Marion Dist, SC.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1860 MARION DIST, SC Page 98B   House/Family # 1538/1522 -- MARION Twp

CRAWFORD SARAH        48 F W FARMER            9000  2500 SC                   1811/1812
CRAWFORD HARDY B      29 M W FARM LABOR                   SC                   1830/1831
CRAWFORD THOMAS C     27 M W FARM LABOR                   SC                   1832/1833
CRAWFORD MARGARET     23 F W                              SC                   1836/1837
CRAWFORD WILLIAM H    18 M W FARM LABOR                   SC                   1841/1842
CRAWFORD GIDEON G     16 M W FARM LABOR                   SC                   1843/1844
 

On 14 Aug 1861, several heirs made an Equity case pertaining to Willis G. Crawford's estate. The records prove Willis' heirs as: Gideon G. Crawford, Rhoda Easterling, wife of Henry Easterling, William H. Crawford, Margaret E. Crawford, Thomas G. Crawford, Hardy B. Crawford, Willis B.  Crawford, son of deceased son Willis Crawford. (Roll # 308 "Marion County South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls", page 99 by Lucille Utley)

Sarah Bethea Crawford was listed on the 1870 census in Bethea Township.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 MARION CO, SC Page 66    House/Family #  107/ 112--BETHEA Twp

CRAWFORD W H          29 M W FARMER                           SC              1840/1841
CRAWFORD SARAH        63 F W FARMER                           SC              1806/1807
CRAWFORD MARGARET     35 F W DOMESTIC                         SC              1834/1835
 

Sarah was with her daughter Margaret for the 1880 census, still in Bethea Township.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1880 MARION CO, SC Page 4B    House/Family #    11/  13 -- BETHEA Twp

CRAWFORD MARGARET    W F  45    S FARMER               SC  SC  SC  1834/1835
CRAWFORD SARAH       W F  73 MO W KEEPING HOUSE        SC  SC  SC  1806/1807
 

Sarah died sometime after 1880 in Marion County.

Children of Willis and Sarah (Bethea) Crawford. Willis and Sarah had six children as proven by various records.

James Crawford (c1825/30)

Hardy B. Crawford (c1830)

Thomas C. Crawford (c1831)

Rhoda Crawford (c1833)

Margaret E. Crawford (c1836)

Willis G. Crawford (c1837)

William H. Crawford (c1840)

Gideon Gibson Crawford (c1844)

James Crawford was born ca 1825/30, though that is a rough guess. Willis did have two sons aged under 5 on the 1830 census. One of them is Hardy (c1830) so the other is probably James. James still seems to be home in 1840, aged 10-14 (born ca 1825/30).

This child is known only because Sellers mentioned him, saying Willis had a son named James who "died before he was grown".

Hardy B. Crawford was born ca 1829/30 in Marion Dist, SC.

Hardy was apparently home with his parents for the 1830 census in Alabama enumerated in the under 5 age group.

Hardy seems to be with his parents for the 1840 census in Monroe Co, AL, enumerated in the 5-9 age group (born ca 1830/35).

He was with his parents for the 1850 census in Marion District, listed as "Hardy" age 20.

He was with his widowed mother for the 1860 census, listed as "Hardy B.", age 29.

For the Civil War, Hardy B. Crawford enlisted as a Private in Company I, 8th Regiment Infantry. He later transferred to Cavalry. ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902, page 592, by W. W. Sellers, Esq)

According to Sellers, Hardy B. Crawford married a "Miss Platt" and moved to Mississippi and was still living at the time of his writing (ca 1898-1901).

Another researcher told me that "Miss Platt" is Catherine Susannah Platt, daughter of Daniel Platt and Mary Lane. I don't know what the proof of this is.

I don't know where Hardy B. Crawford moved to in Mississippi. More research is required.

Thomas C. Crawford was born ca 1830/31 in Monroe Co, AL (though the 1850 census shows Marion Dist, SC and both 1860 and 1870 show "SC").

Thomas seems to be with his parents for the 1840 census in Monroe Co, AL, enumerated in the 5-9 age group (born ca 1830/35).

He was with his parents for the 1850 census in Marion District, listed as "Thomas" age 19.

He was with his widowed mother for the 1860 census, listed as "Thomas C.", age 27.

According to Sellers, Thomas C. Crawford married a Miss Morgan who died shortly afterwards, childless.

Thomas C. Crawford next married Caroline R. McPherson on 16 May 1866 (surname and date per Sellers). Caroline was born ca 1833/34 in Marion Dist, SC. I found her on the 1850 census with her parents James and Eleanor McPherson (Listed as "Pherson" on that record). In 1860 she was in Marion with her older sister Ann.

Thomas and Caroline were listed on the 1870 census in Marion County, in McMillans Township. A 50 year old Elizabeth McPherson was with them. I think this is the same person as Caroline's sister Ann, or at least she is the same age.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 MARION CO, SC Page 206B  House/Family #  101/ 102--McMILLAN'S Twp

CRAWFORD THOMAS C     40 M W FARMER                4800  1365 SC              1829/1830
CRAWFORD CAROLINE R   35 F W KEEPING HOUSE                    SC              1834/1835
McPHERSON ELIZABETH   50 F W AT HOME                          SC              1819/1820
 

Thomas and Caroline were still in McMillan Township for the 1880 census.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1880 MARION CO, SC Page 258   House/Family #   385/ 385 -- McMILLAN Twp

CRAWFORD THOMAS      W M  48    M FARMER               AL  SC  SC  1831/1832
CRAWFORD CAROLINE    W F  46 WF M                      SC  SC  SC  1833/1834
 

McMillan Township and others were cut off to form Florence County in 1888.

** I have not traced Thomas' family beyond 1880 yet.

Rhoda Crawford was born ca 1832/33 in Monroe Co, AL. She seems to be with her parents for the 1840 census in Monroe Co, AL, enumerated in the 5-9 age group (born ca 1830/35).

Rhoda was home with her parents in 1850, listed as "Roda" age 17, born "Marion".

According to Sellers and the Equity records mentioned previously, Rhoda married Henry Easterling. They married ca 1850/52 in Marion Dist, SC. Henry was born ca 1819/20, son of James and Sarah Easterling.

Henry and Rhoda were listed on the 1860 census in Marion, next door to her widowed mother. ** I don't have this record typed up yet.

Henry Easterling died during the Civil War, on 2 Oct 1864 at "Fort Harrison". ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902, page 597, by W. W. Sellers, Esq)

Rhoda and children were listed on the 1870 census in Bethea Township of Marion County. ** I don't have this record typed up yet.

Rhoda apparently died between 1870 and 1880, for she wasn't listed on the 1880 census, yet most of her children were living together, though single, in Bethea Township. ** I don't have this record typed up yet.

Margaret E. Crawford was born ca 1835/36 in Marion Co, SC. She seems to be with her parents for the 1840 census in Monroe Co, AL, enumerated in the 5-9 age group (born ca 1830/35).

Margaret was home with her parents in 1850, listed as "Margaret" age 14, born "Marion".

She was home with her widowed mother in 1860, listed as "Margaret" age 23.

She was home with her mother in 1870, listed as "Margaret" age 35.

She was listed as head of household on the 1880 census, with her mother with her. She was listed as "Margaret" age 45, and single.

According to Sellers, Margaret never married, and had "died a few years ago" by the time of his writing (ca 1898-1901).

Willis G. Crawford was born ca 1836/37 in Marion Dist, SC (or perhaps Monroe Co, AL). He seems to be with his parents for the 1840 census in Monroe Co, AL, enumerated in the under 5 age group (born ca 1835/40).

He was with his parents for the 1850 census in Marion District, listed as "Willis" age 13.

Willis G. Crawford married Mary Morgan sometime in the 1850's. Her given name is proven by Equity records (see below) and Sellers referred to her as a "Miss Morgan", and a sister of Thomas C. Crawford's wife, also a Miss Morgan.

Willis was not with his widowed mother for the 1860 census, so he was dead by then probably. Equity records (mentioned in the main section) show that Willis was dead before 14 Aug 1861, leaving a widow "Mary", and a son born a few months after his death, named "Willis B. Crawford". (Equity Roll # 308, "Marion County South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls", page 99, by Lucille Utley)

I did not find Willis' widow Mary, nor his son Willis B. Crawford on the 1860 census.  Since she was from Charleston District, perhaps she was back home with parents then.

Sellers reported this about Willis G. Crawford:

"Willis G. Crawford was a doctor; married a Miss Morgan, of Charleston, a sister of his brother Thomas' wife. Not long after his marriage he was on a fox chase, and galloping his horse through the woods, his horse bogged down and threw the doctor, whose gun was lying across his front, and in the fall of his horse and himself, the gun was discharged and he was killed; he left no child." ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902, page 145, by W. W. Sellers, Esq)

Note that Sellers didn't know about Willis' son Willis B. Crawford. This might indicate that the child died young.

William H. Crawford was born 7 Nov 1841 (per tombstone) in Marion Dist, SC (or perhaps Monroe Co, AL).

He was with his parents for the 1850 census in Marion District, listed as "William" age 10.

He was with his widowed mother for the 1860 census, listed as "William H.", age 18.

For the Civil War, "W. H. Crawford" was a 2nd Lieutenant in Company E, 23rd South Carolina Regiment. ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902, page 609, by W. W. Sellers, Esq)

Either the same man, or another man named "W. H. Crawford" was listed as a Captain in Company D, 7th Battalion, South Carolina Reserves. ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902, page 642, by W. W. Sellers, Esq)

For the 1870 census, William was listed in Bethea Township as head of household with his widowed mother living with me, and also his sister Margaret.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 MARION CO, SC Page 66    House/Family #  107/ 112--BETHEA Twp

CRAWFORD W H          29 M W FARMER                           SC              1840/1841
CRAWFORD SARAH        63 F W FARMER                           SC              1806/1807
CRAWFORD MARGARET     35 F W DOMESTIC                         SC              1834/1835
 

William H. Crawford died on 3 Mar 1872 and is buried at the Dothan Methodist Church Cemetery in present Dillon County (then still part of Marion County.)

Mr. Sellers said that William never married.

Gideon Gibson Crawford was born 1843 (per tombstone) in Marion Dist, SC.

He was with his parents for the 1850 census in Marion District, listed as "Gideon" age 6.

He was with his widowed mother for the 1860 census, listed as "Gideon G.", age 18.

For the Civil War, "G. G. Crawford" was a Second Corporal (Promoted from ranks) in Company E, 23rd Regiment (same company as his brother William). ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902, page 613, by W. W. Sellers, Esq)

Gideon G. Crawford married Catherine Bethea before ca 1868 in Marion Dist, SC. (Name given as "Kate Bethea" by Sellers). Catherine was born 28 Apr 1840 (per tombstone) in Marion Dist, SC, daughter of Col. James R. Bethea. I did not find this Bethea family on the 1850 census, but they were in Marion for the 1860 census, with Catherine still at home, age 11.

Gideon and family were listed on the 1870 census in Moody Township.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 MARION CO, SC Page 236   House/Family #  183/ 185--MOODY'S Twp

CRAWFORD GIDEON       25 M W FARMER                       400 SC              1844/1845
CRAWFORD KATE         24 F W KEEPING HOUSE                    SC              1845/1846
CRAWFORD SARAH         2 F W                                  SC              1867/1868
CRAWFORD MARY          0 F W 6/12                             SC              1869/1870
 

Catherine Bethea Crawford died sometime ca 1876/80 in Marion Co, SC.

Gideon and family were on the 1880 census in Moody Township.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1880 MARION CO, SC Page 263B  House/Family #    48/  48 -- MOODY Twp

CRAWFORD GILBERT G   W M  36    M FARMER               SC  SC  SC  1843/1844
CRAWFORD JESSIE      W F  12 D  S                      SC  SC  SC  1867/1868
CRAWFORD MARY        W F  10 D  S                      SC  SC  SC  1869/1870
CRAWFORD MADGE       W F   8 D  S Blind                SC  SC  SC  1871/1872
CRAWFORD JAMES C     W M   6 S  S                      SC  SC  SC  1873/1874
CRAWFORD SAMUEL B    W M   4 S  S                      SC  SC  SC  1875/1876

I have not traced this family beyond 1880 yet, though I know Gideon died in 1913 according to his tombstone at Magnolia Cemetery in Dillon County, SC. Catherine died on 11 Sep 1894 and is buried at Dothan Methodist Church Cemetery in Dillon County.

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