2nd American Crowe generation (Thomas)

John Crowe, our immigrant grandfather, arrived from Newton, county of Washford, Ireland, in 1620.  We have no marriage records.  I have seen genealogists list, Ann, as his wife's name.  But, right now, I'm not sure where this information comes.  In the future, it may be revealed.  Let's assume that in 1620, John was in his early 20's.  He would have been born around 1600, give or take.  (I've actually seen 1594 listed, but again, I'm not sure the documentation this is derived from.)

The following will links, John, with his son, Thomas. 

From the Essex County, VA, Will Book:  Pg. 154:

Will of William Green of Essex County, VA.

24 July 1703 Probated 10 Feb. 1703/4.

To “my cousin Thomas Games son of John Games” 166 acres “whereon I now live.”  He failing in heirs named Games the land to return to “my sister Sarah Games.”

To Thomas Games personal property which “was of my Father’s Estate.”

To Thomas Crowe son of John Crowe land “whereupon my father lived by Piscataway Perry on south side of the creek.”

To John Games a servant boy named William Lancaster.

To John Crow 2000 lb. tobo.

Residue of estate to be divided by Thomas Games and John Games, they to be exctrs.

Wit:                                                      Signed

William Johnson                                  William Green

Argoll Blackstone       

John x Taylor

(John Games must be a family friend, he's mentioned again in Thomas' will.)


This is the only on-line documentation I've found (in about 2 years of research) with written proof linking John to Thomas.  I'm hoping to uncover more about our immigrant grandfather....but, unless I go to Essex county, VA, it's probably not going to happen soon.  Showing up in person to an archives is usually the best way to uncover the nitty gritty.  Archivists are awesome people, too!  They are always so helpful. It's probably because they rarely have interaction with live humans.  Their interaction is usually with the dead ones' names written on yellowing parchment.



Generation No. 2
Thomas Crowe (d. 1708), son of John

I have not found record of Thomas' first wife.  Genealogists have recognized her as, Ann. 

Children of Thomas and Ann:
1.  John Crowe
2.  ? Crowe m. Evan Davis

Mary Newball was the second wife of Thomas (married between 1700&1708).  She was a widow, having buried her first husband James Newball.  In the 1699 records of Essex county, it is found she posted bond for the adminstration of James' estate.  No children issued from the Crowe marriage.

From the John Frederick Dorman transcription of Essex Co., VA, deeds, we find:

DORMAN, John Frederick: Essex County, Virginia Deeds and Wills No. 13, 1707-1711; Copyright, 1963, by J. F. Dorman; Published, 1963, by J. F. Dorman, Washington, D. C., USA, p. 40:

Essex Co., VA Deed & Will Book 13, p. 157
Will dtd. 21 Sept 1708; Proved & Rec. 11 Oct 1708
The will of Thomas Crow, being weake in body.
Unto my loveing wife Mary the third part of all my personall and
moveable estate. I discharge my son in law Evan Davis from all
debts, dues or demands belonging to me except 700 pounds of
tobacco now due to my estate. Unto my two grandchildren Thomas
and Elliner Crow all the remainder of my whole estate to be equally
divided between them and to be paid unto Elliner when she attaines
to the age of eighteen years, but if marryed bfore that age to be paid
at the day of marriage, and my grandson Thomas Crow be paid his

part when he attaines the age of twenty one years, but in case either
die before the age specified, his or her part to belong to the survivor.
Unto my grandson Thomas Crow my dwelling plantation with the land,
housing, fenceing and orchards.
My son John Crow executor.
Thomas Crow (T his mark)
Wits.: Danll. Dobyns, Nicho. Smith Junr., John Powell
Proved by Daniel Dobyns, Nicholas Smith Junr., and John Powell.11 Oct 1708. Bond of John Crow as executor of Thomas Crow.
Unto James Boughan of Essex County, Gent., in behalf of the
Court. For 500 pounds sterling. Securities, John Games and
Peter Harwood.
Joh. CrowJoh. Games
Peter Harwood (PH his mark)
Wits.: Edw. Gouldman, Ja. Alderson
Acknowledged.

The above will tells he had a daughter who married, Evan Davis.  He had two grandchildren, Elliner and Thomas.  Elliner was not yet 18 years in 1708 and Thomas was not yet 21 years in 1708.  Thomas had a son named, John, presumably in honor of grandfather, John Crowe.  Thomas may have been literate as he could sign a T.  He had an orchard.  Also, make note of the name named, Daniel Dobyns.  He comes up again.

-----
pp. 82-83:
Essex Co., VA Deed & Will Book 13, p. 308:
Will dtd. 21 May 1697/1698; Proved 10 Apr 1710
Will of John Dicks of Essex County, being sick and weak of body.
Unto my eldest son Thomas, my son James, my son William, and
my son John, 500 acres I formerly bought of James Vaughon and
John Vaughon [Vaughan, Vaughn] in Southfarnham Parish, to be
equally divided when my youngest son John shall arrive to the age
of twenty one years. But I give my eldest son Thomas free liberty
to seat upon the tract upon any part thereof when he shall attain to
the age of twenty one years and he have his first choice. In case
my eldest son Thomas or any of the rest of my sons die without
heirs, then the tract of land to be equally divided amongst the rest.
Unto my dear and loving wife Ursula my plantation on which I now
live upon which I formerly bought of William Covington Senr.,
lately deceased, to dispose of as she shall think fit, as also what
stock of cattles and hoggs, horses and mares and all other
moveables whatsoever I now have and enjoy. My dear and loving
wife Ursula executrix.
John Dicks
Wits.: Mary Nubell (M her mark), Samll. CoatesProved by Mary Crow LATE Mary Nubell [Newball, Newbill,
Newbell] and Samll. Coates.

More about John Crowe our (supposed) immigrant

ABSTRACT OF THE *■ ■ 

PROCEEDINGS OF THE Virginia Company of London

i 6 i 9 — i 624, (1619-1620)

PREPARED FROM THE 

RECORDS IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRE5S 

CONWAY ROBINSON, 

AND EDITED WITH AN 

INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 

R. A. BROCK, 

Corresponding Secretary and Librarian of the Society. 

p. 154 ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 

" To Arthur Swain, Nathaniel Basse, adventurers, and to their

associates, who undertake to transport ioo persons to Virginia.

"To Rowland Truelove and divers other patentees, adven-

turers, and to their associates, who undertake to transport ioo

persons.

"To John Crowe, of Newton, in the county of Washford, in

Ireland, Esquire, an adventurer, who undertakes to transport ioo

persons.

“The system of large plantations was in vogue in Virginia from the early years of the 17th century. Even before the days of Sir William Berkeley, many of the colonists possessed extensive tracts of land, only part of which they could put under cultivation. Doubtless the dignity which the possession of land gave in England was the principal inducement for the planter to secure as large an estate as his means would permit. The wealthier Virginians showed throughout the entire colonial period a passion for land that frequently led them into the grossest and most unjustifiable fraud.[43]

The tendency was accelerated by the law, made by the Virginia Company of London to encourage immigration, which allotted fifty acres of land to proprietors for every person they brought to the colony, "by which means [37]some men transporting many servants thither, and others purchasing the rights of those that did, took possession of great tracts of land at their pleasure."[44] In 1621 a number of extensive grants were made to persons thus engaging themselves to take settlers to Virginia. To Arthur Swain and Nathaniel Basse were given 5,000 acres for undertaking to transport one hundred persons. Five thousand acres was also given Rowland Truelove "and divers other patentees." Similar tracts were given to John Crowe, Edward Ryder, Captain Simon Leeke and others.[45] Sir George Yeardly received a grant of 15,000 acres for engaging to take over three hundred persons.[46]”  From Patrician or Plebian the Origin of the Social Classes of the Old Dominion. By Thomas J. Wertenbaker

WHO OUR JOHN CROWE WASN’T
1635 John Crowe that landed in Plymouth, Mass on the Ship Hopewell.  His descendants changed their name to Crowell and went north, according to internet research.

IN CONCLUSION
If this is our John Crowe, he emigrated from Newton, in the county of Washford, Ireland.

From whence the Crowe flew.....

I believe our Crow/Crowe family to be from the English isles.  The German Groh/Kroh may also be a source of Crowe surnames in the US (Immigration and Passenger Lists 1500-1900's), as well as the Native American tribe.  For a full explanation of the Crow/Crowe surname link to the surname website.

Although, there is no PROOF documentation that I'm aware of, I've seen most researchers trace our family to John Crowe who landed in America in 1620 with Captain John Smith.  John and William Crowe are listed in the book penned by Capt. Smith as Adventurers, Planters, and Governors from Virginia's first beginnning.  They are on a list with the likes of Oliver Cromwell and Lord Cavendish.  However, some of the Governor's never stepped foot on American soil. 

The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles: With the Names of the Adventurers, Planters, and Governours from Their First Beginning, Ano: 1584. To This Present 1624. With the Procedings of Those Severall Colonies and the Accidents That Befell Them in All Their Journyes and Discoveries. Also the Maps and Descriptions of All Those Countryes, Their Commodities, People, Government, Customes, and Religion Yet Knowne. Divided into Sixe Bookes. By Captaine Iohn Smith, Sometymes Governour in Those Countryes & Admirall of New England:
Electronic Edition.  Authored by Capt. John Smith, 1580-1631.

“God be thanked was recouered without maime, and now setled in Virginia: how many they lost we know not, but we saw a great many lie on the decks, and their skuppers runne with bloud, they were about three hundred tunnes apeece, each sixteene or twentie Brasse peeces. Captaine Chester, who in this fight had behaued himselfe like a most vigilant, resolute, and a couragious souldier, as also our honest and valiant master, did still so comfort and incourage vs by all the meanes they could, at last to all our great contents we arriued in Virginia, and from thence returned safely to England.”

The Names of the Aduenturers for Virginia,
Alphabetically set downe, according to a printed
Booke, set out by the Treasurer and Councell
in this present yeere, 1620.

• George, Lord Archhishop of Canterburie.
• William Lord Cranborne, now Earle of Salisburie.
• William, Lord Compton, now Earle of North-hampton.
• William Lord Cauendish, now Earle of Deuonshire.
• Richard, Earle of Clanricard.
• Sir William Cauendish now Lord Cauendish.
• Gray, Lord Chandos.
• Sir Henry Cary.
• Sir George Caluert.
• Sir Lionell Cranfield.
• Sir Edward Cecill.
• Sir Robert Cotten.
• Sir Oliuer Cromwell.
• Sir Anthony Cope.
• Sir Walter Cope.
• Sir Edward Carr.
• Sir Thomas Conisbie.
• Sir George Cary.
• Sir Edward Conwey.
• Sir Walter Chute.
• Sir Edward Culpeper.
• Sir Henry Cary, Captaine.
• Sir William Crauen.
• Sir Walter Couert.
• Sir George Coppin.
• Sir George Chute.
• Sir Thomas Couentry.
• Sir John Cutts.
• Lady Cary.
• Company of Cloth-workers.
• Citie of Chichester.
• Robert Chamberlaine.
• Richard Chamberlaine.
• Francis Couill.
• William Coyse, Esquire.
• Abraham Chamberlaine.
• Thomas Carpenter.
• Anthony Crew.
• Richard Cox.
• William Crosley.
• James Chatfeild.
• Richard Caswell.
• John Cornelis.
• Randall Carter.
• Executers of Randall Carter.
• William Canning.
• Edward Carue, Esquire.
• Thomas Cannon, Esquire.
• Richard Champion.
• Rawley Crashaw.
• Henry Collins.
• Henry Cromwell.
• John Cooper.
• Richard Cooper.
• John Casson.
• Thomas Colthurst.
• Allen Cotten.
• Edward Cage.
• Abraham Carthwright.
• Robert Coppin.
• Thomas Conock.
• John Clapham.
• Thomas Church.
• William Carpenter.
• Laurence Campe.
• James Cambell.
• Christopher Cletheroe.
• Matthew Cooper.
• George Chamber.
• Captaine John Cooke.
• Captaine Thomas Conwey, Esquire.
• Edward Culpeper, Esquire.
• Master William Crashaw.
• Abraham Colmer.
• John Culpeper.
• Edmund Colbey.
• Richard Cooper.
• Robert Creswell.
• John Cage, Esquire.
• Matthew Caue.
• William Crowe.
• Abraham Carpenter.
• John Crowe.
• Thomas Cardell.
• Richard Connock, Esquire.
• William Compton.
• William Chester.
• Thomas Couel.
• Richard Carmarden, Esquire.
• William and Paul Canning.
• Henry Cromwell, Esquire.
• Simon Codrington.
• Clement Chichley.
• James Cullemore.
• William Cantrell.

Another record states: 

“John Crowe

On November 21, 1621, John Crowe and his associates, who planned to take 100 new colonists to Virginia, received a patent for some land.  On June 10, 1622, Crowe was identified as the holder of a patent for a particular (or private) plantation (VCR 1:553-554, 561-562, 3:643).”

From:  Virginia Immigrants and adventurers, 1607-1635: a biographical Dictionary, page 236. 

Early immigration records show numerous Crow surname listings, beginning as early as 1620. Some of the earliest immigrants we have found include

William Crow to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620;

Henry Crow to Virginia in 1636;

James Crow to Virginia in 1657;

John Crow to Virginia in 1662;

Thomas Crow to Virginia in 1673;

John Crow to Maryland in 1666;

Francis Crow to Maryland in 1673;

and Thomas Crow to America in 1679.

Please see Ms. McClure's website for more information.

In my next post, we'll continue with the Crowe lineage.

Fast food genealogy?

When I was about 24, I met a genealogy researcher once at a Crowe family reunion in Indianapolis.  She was prim, coiffed, white haired lady with a pencil in one hand and a little pad of paper in the other.  She had family history forms in her purse.  She asked a lot of fun questions.  Because, they were about me and my family.

Her research was interesting.  I found myself asking her as many questions as she asked me.  She explained that she traveled all over the state to different libraries and archives digging through old papers.  It took her hours and hours and a bit of money in gas and lodging to do her research. 

With the internet, a shift occurred in the genealogy universe.   I've been doing genealogy research on the internet for 12 years.  I cannot imagine the torture the old ones had to endure in finding their proof material.  They had the patience of Job.  Traveling here to see one scrap of paper and traveling there to see another.  All I have to do is send a few key words through Google and I can find the best documents the world has to offer (well.....almost).

What I do have in common with the old ones is a love of cemeteries.  We'll delve into that another day.....

All the above is just to tell you my thought process when it comes to proving ancestry.  I like PROOF documents.  Those are the printings found at the archives, legal and binding.  Family Bibles are good, too.  I enjoy hear say and family stories.  But, I don't use them as source material.  I use them as clues to where to find the source material.  Here's a great explanation of citing sources.

I will always try to tell you where my information comes from.  You may not care a hill of beans.  But, if other serious genealogists peruse my blog, they will care immensely.