Jesse Crawford

Jesse H. Crawford, the son of James and Elizabeth Crawford, was born April 27, 1784 in North Carolina. He was married to Hannah on April 24, 1806. Hannah was born on August 31, 1788 in Georgia. They lived in Georgia and Tennessee for a while and at least two of their children were born in these states. While in Tennessee, Jesse served in the War of 1812, having signed up for service at the age of 28 years in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Other records show that Jesse received a land grant in Greene County, Alabama on February 10, 1821 and on Feb. 4, 1822 he received a land patent in Greene County. Several of their children list Alabama as their place of birth. From depositions in Nacogdoches County probate records we find that Jesse and his family lived in Noxubee County, Mississippi.

From Mississippi the Crawford family settled in Texas in Nacogdoches where he lived and worked as a farmer until his death. Jesse also was given land by the State in San Augustine County and he owned several hundred acres in Rusk County. While living and working his land here, Jesse made several trips back to South Carolina on buying trips to purchase slaves (1) , mules and other items he needed to work his land. He was know in his community to have been the local "private banker" because he would loan money to people in the area he lived, issuing them promissory notes and adding a healthy 10 percent interest to the note.

Jesse and Hannah were legally separated in the early 1860’s. After his separation, Hannah went to live out her life in Henderson, Texas where she died in 1866. One of the terms of the separation was that Jesse and Hannah were to divide equally the promissory notes that he had issued. We hope that they both had good luck in making collections on them. Jesse lived with daughter Mariah Theresa Yancy who took care of him until his death on August 12, 1862. He left the bulk of his money and properties to Mariah Theresa which caused much conflict in the family causing the will and properties to be tied up in court battles which lasted until the early 1870’s. He is thought to be buried at Old North Cemetery in Nacogdoches, but there is no marker for him. Hannah died in Rusk County and is buried there.

There were 13 children born to Jesse and Hannah, five sons and 8 daughters; Thomas (1806); Jane C. (5-8-1807, Mrs. ? Galloway); Nancy J. (4-10-1809); Colby (4-21-1811, Tenn.); Reuben (2-10-1816, Ala.); Zenobia (6-20-1818, Georgia, Mrs. Gibson Russell); Mariah Theresa (12-19-1820, Ala., Mrs. Archelaus Yancy); Bernetty Amanda (Ala., Mrs. ? Houston); Amalsantha (Mrs. Elijah Bynum); William H. (11-22-1822, Porilla Melton); Simon B. (3-13-1827, Ala., Elizabeth Baysinger); Darcas Ann (8-30-1829, Mrs. Vance Wallings); Emma F. (3-7-1832, Ala., Mrs. John C. Cruze).

Jesse Crawford came to Nacogdoches County 145 years ago after much traveling. Since that time, his family has continued to live here and has expanded and multiplied many times. Today his name and his memory are still alive and well in his descendants.

By Wanda C. Key

Source: Nacogdoches County Families

by The Nacogdoches County Genealogical Society

Curtis Media Corporation 1985

(1) According to the 1847 census in Nacogdoches County, Jesse Crawford owned 20 slaves.