Elizabeth Crawford, wife of Nathan Plummer, daughter of Moses Crawford Sr. and great granddaughter of Col. William Crawford

Moses was affiliated with the prominent Ettele family, of German Swiss descent. It is here in Dauphin County that Moses courted and won Rebecca Etley (Ettele) for his wife. This marriage is mentioned in the Bradford Bible but without a date. It is estimated to be in 1795 as their first born child, Mary Crawford was born in 1796. 

Rebecca Etley's family stems from Gottleib David Etley, the first known immigrant by that name among early American records. The Ettele family settled in Dauphin County, with Harrisburg as the county seat, within Swatara Township, near Middletown. It is recorded as this family having at least seven children if not more. The will of Gottleib David Ettlein was written in German and was not recorded, however it is noted in Paxton Township of Lancaster County and dated June 9, 1781. We know the Ettele family resided in the Lancaster area from a deed recorded on Oct. 28, 1752. Gottleib David Ettlein was the driving force to erect the St. Peter's Church of Lutheran faith in Middletown, Pennsylvania. A plaque in front of this historical landmark honors him to this extent. In Rebecca's younger years, this is the church she most likely attended. 

Where Moses and Rebecca began their married life remains obscure but most likely in this vicinity or very near. A deed recorded on April 6, 1806 shows Moses Crawford of Swatara Township, purchased eight acres from Philip Ettle. Prior to this land transaction, three children had come to bless the union of Moses and Rebecca: Mary, born in 1796; Elizabeth, born in 1802; and Samuel, born in 1805. A fourth child, Moses, Jr. born in 1808 was born after the date of this land purchase. 

In a record of 1809, Moses and Rebecca sold the eight acres and moved to present day, Lewis County, Kentucky. There Moses joined his brother Richard and other family members. It is believed they lived in the area of Vanceburg, Kentucky and that Moses taught school there. No land deeds are recorded in the name of Moses or Rebecca while residing in this area. Rebecca died in either 1808 or 1809. Rebecca was laid to rest in the little Alum Hill Cemetery at Vanceburg, Kentucky. This cemetery was exhumed about 1950 and nothing remains to bear record of Rebecca's existence. 

Moses and his children relocated to Washington County, Pennsylvania, near the location of his grandmother, Hannah Crawford, wife of Col. William Crawford. Hannah was yet living at Stewart's Crossing or New Haven which is now Connellsville, Pennsylvania, Fayette County on the Youghiogheny River. It is here that Moses met and married a young widow, Jemima Moore Estep. Jemima was the daughter of Aaron Moore, one of the first land owners in Adams County, Ohio. Her first husband by the last name of Estep was killed by Indians. Moses was believed to be 12 years her senior, thus becoming a much younger wife and step-mother to his four children. 

Families from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania were leaving this area in 1799 for a new territory along Zane's Trace known at the time as "Standing Stone' which was a sandstone cliff along the Hocking River. This location became known as the town named Lancaster in Fairfield County, Ohio. The first land deed recorded for Moses Crawford was in Fairfield County, Ohio in 1827. However it is believed that he and Jemima lived in this area much earlier than that as research discloses the first child born to them was a daughter whom they named Isabel, born in 1812. A second child, James was born in 1814 and a third and last child was John, born in 1818 in Ohio. A story has been discovered in referring to a Crawford teaching school south of Lancaster, Ohio at a very early date.

According to records in Probate Court at Lancaster, Ohio, it reveals the first four children of Moses by his first wife Rebecca applied for their marriage license there. 

Mary Crawford to Daniel Sharp, on Sept. 5, 1816. In 1833 owned land, Daniel Sharp (husband of Mary Crawford) – Richard Hooker of Jefferson County, Ohio, Range 20, Township 15, (Violet Township) Section 36. Through which the C&O Railroad and Highway No. 33, now passes. Book V. Page 386

Elizabeth Crawford to Nathan Plummer, on August 11, 1817. In 1830, Nathan Plummer (husband of Elizabeth Crawford) owned land, Sheriff Book S. page 316. Range 20, Township 15, (Violet Township) Section 31, (located in or near Canal Winchester). 

Samuel Crawford to Phebe Plummer, on Dec. 5, 1837 (Phoebe McPherson) was first married to Henry Plummer, 1836)

Moses Crawford Jr. to Rebecca Donaldson, on May 9, 1837

In the Fairfield County Recorder's Office, book P, page 520 dated Oct. 23, 1827, Moses Crawford purchased from Alex Nedles a 60 acre farm for the sum of four hundred dollars in Range 20, Township 14, Section 2. This place may be located in the northern part of Bloom Township, very near the course of the old Ohio Canal. The house was built of logs, two stories high, nestled in the rolling hills of Fairfield County, Ohio and for which this beautiful county was named. The house is rather large and in late years has been altered by modern day convenient living, yet the old structure remains about the same, including the old brick walk, unused since the changes caused by the county road surveys. The place is most quaint and picturesque, with a fence and a white picket gate. Tall pine trees shading a long narrow porch, suggesting the most welcome rest on a summer evening. The Crawford place dates back to Samuel Spurgeon, the first owner, who sold it to Henry Dove in 1807, who in turn sold it to George Needles in 1820. George Needles then sold it to Alex Nedles (Needles) in 1823. Alex Needles sold it to Moses Crawford (Crofford) Sr., October 23, 1827.   The Crawford home was located in the town now known as Lockville, Ohio which is named because of the locks in the Ohio Canal. Daniel and Mary Sharp as well as Nathan and Elizabeth Plummer owned land in Fairfield County, Ohio.

Three years and three months passed after Moses Crawford purchased his farm in Fairfield County, Ohio until he passed away on January 8, 1830. The details of where and why the death of Moses Crawford occurred is not clear. A gravestone in the Lee Cemetery near Vanlue, Ohio of Hancock, County is located near the homesteads of his two older sons, Samuel and Moses, Jr. Crawford, bearing the name and dates of Moses Crawford Sr. The stone stood for many years to his memory, but in later years the stone had disappeared and only the footer remained. In 1924 a search led to the gravestone of Moses Crawford, Sr., and was found in very good condition at that time. After the finding of the gravestone, the family Bible of Samuel Crawford has come forth with the same information derived as on the gravestone. The gravestone reads: Moses Crawford Sr. Buried Here Grandson of Col. William Crawford Son of Lt. John Crawford d. Jan 8 1830 Aged 65 years 1st Wife Rebecca Ettley Buried in Ky. 2nd Wife Jemima Moore Estep d. Sept 13, 1847 Aged 70 Years Buried Here

Moses left a will that portrayed him as a family man, being sick at the time, certain of death and concerned about the welfare and education of his children. Mentioning the heirs of his deceased daughter, Mary Crawford Sharp who passed away the year before. The will is concise and to the point, informing of the children who were younger. The will is dated November 16, 1829 and is recorded in Fairfield County, Ohio. The Probate Court at Lancaster, yields information in will No. 770, concerning his will dated in 1820. Pro. A. Case 1007, Feb. 1835 by Loammi Moore. Book 2, page 435. Dr. William McNeil and David Hart present at his death. Bill of Sale on Aug. 22, 1833, amounting to $338.88. The will is witnessed by Ozias and Aaron Moore, family members of Jemima Moore Estep Crawford. Among other names on the gravestones in the little cemetery where Mary Crawford Sharp is buried, near the Crawford farm, is the name of Ozias Moore, who was one of the witnesses of Moses Crawford Sr's will. 

The will of Moses Crawford names his daughter Mary (deceased), Daniel Sharp's wife who is now deceased, her children are to have their mother's share. Mary, the eldest child of Moses and Rebecca Etteley Crawford had four children with Daniel Sharp. The date given for these heirs was Feb. 5, 1848.

1.      Mary Sharp, who was born in 1818, was married to George Fairchild, both of whom are buried at Fletcher Chapel in Fairfield County, Ohio.

2.      John Sharp

3.      Samuel Sharp and wife

4.      Jemima Sharp, interred at Baltimore, Ohio

On Feb. 5, 1848, Mary and Daniel Sharp, heirs of Moses Crawford, Sr., (Mary deceased) Sold to Thomas Holmes, 60 acres, $155.00 East half section No. 2, Township 14, Range 20. Recorded May 10, 1848. Vol. 15, page 47. (This transaction names the heirs of Mary Crawford and Daniel Sharp). See above.

·        Other land sales by the Crawford children are:

Nov. 5, 1830, George Tong and his wife Isabel, sold to John Chaney, 60 acres. $155.00* East half section, No. 2. Township 14, Range 20, Vol. 15, page 46

Nov. 17, 1838, Nathan Plummer and his wife Elizabeth of Adams County, Ohio sold to Thomas Holmes, 60 acres, East half section No. 2, Township 14, Range 20. $150.00* A forehand was sold to Moses Crawford by Alex Nedles and wife on Oct. 23, 1827. Witnessed by William McNeil of Adams County, Ohio

Dec. 14, 1839, Samuel Crawford and his wife, Phoebe, of Hancock County, Ohio sold to Thomas Holmes, 60 acres, $150.00* East half section No. 2, Township 14, Range 20. Formerly owned and occupied by Moses Crawford, Sr. Owned and held by Samuel and Phoebe Crawford as tenents in Common with the other children and heirs of Moses Crawford, Sr. Witnessed by Samuel Gordon, Justice of Peace.

Oct. 25, 1847, John Crawford of Hancock County, Ohio sold to John Chaney of Fairfield County, 60 acres, $160.00* East half section No. 2, Township 14, Range 20, Recorded May 1, 1848

May 1, 1848, Moses Crawford and wife Rebecca, sold to John Chaney, 60 acres, $150.00* East half section No. 2, Township 14, Range 20, Formerly owned and occupied by Moses Crawford, Sr.

The Plummer family who was so closely connected with the Crawford family in Fairfield County, Ohio, descend from Abraham Plummer, one of the earliest Ohio settlers. He was the father of children that intermarried with the Crawford line. Nathan Plummer married Elisabeth Crawford, daughter of Moses Crawford, Sr.

*Research for Moses Crawford Sr. was taken from Fairfield County Ohio Probate and Land Records, Ancestry.com, FindAGrave.com and the book, From River Clyde To Tymochtee and Col. William Crawford by Grace U. Emahiser.