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Archelaus Craft, Sr

Archelaus Craft, Sr

Male 1749 - 1853  (103 years)

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  • Name Archelaus Craft  [1] 
    • What's in a name?
      I have seen this name spelled more ways than any other over the years of my research. In my opinion, the correct spelling would be Archelaus after the historic biblical person, Herod Archelaus. I don't believe that our ancestors during his lifetime were purposefully imaginative and inventive in the naming of their children as became so common in the United States in the Twentieth Century. Given that so many people were unable to read and write during this time period, it is far more likely that the name was simply spelled phonetically resulting in the many variations that we see in records. Having seen so many variations, It is just as likely that the writers of the various records were trying to spell the name Achilles after the Greek Warrior.
    Suffix Sr 
    Born 25 Dec 1749  North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4, 5, 6] 
    • Archelaus was NOT born in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Wilkes County did not come into existence until 1777, many years after his birth. If you assume that Archelaus was born in Wilkes County, you have to go all the way back to 1734, to the formation of Bladen County from New Hanover County to find the county name at the time of his birth. The "New" in New Hanover County MIGHT be related to the statement regarding place of birth that Archelaus made in his pension file. While there appears to be four characters in the word (see previous note), the first three appear to be "N E W". Further, Archelaus stated that he moved away from the county of his birth at an early age.
    • In his pension file Archelaus states that, "I was born in *Newi County on Roanoke River in the state of North Carolina on the 25th day of December in the year 1749 as I am informed by my father I left that county when I was small and recollect very little about it".
      *The county name appears to be four characters and might be an abbreviation.
    Archelaus Craft 1850 Census Enumeration    		 Archelaus Craft 1850 Census Enumeration
    Archelaus Craft, 2nd wife Scena, Archelaus Jr's family, and many other related individuals on this and the surrounding census pages.
    Gender Male 
    Military Service 1778  Wilkes County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    1. Enlisted for Service (Three Months) 
    Military Service 1778  North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    2. Discharged from three month term 
    • The pension is difficult to read but, Archelaus may have said that the division massed to return home at the head of the Catawba River in North Carolina. The place is clear, it is the part that may say, "div massed" that is difficult to transcribe. Nevertheless, Archelaus was only serving a three month term on this tour of duty. During this tour they were marched against the Cherokee Indians on the French Broad River. The actual statement is, ". . . He was marched against the Indians on French Broad at the Cherokee Indians . . . ".

      "At the Cherokee Indians" probably means that there was a large, well known Cherokee town some place along the French Broad River and researching that would probably reveal more historical detail, specifically, dates.
    Military Service 1780  Brier Creek, Wilkes County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Enlisted for Service (Nine Months) 
    Archelous Craft Revolutionary War Pension File    		 Archelous Craft Revolutionary War Pension File
    Archelous Craft Revolutionary War Pension File
    Military Service 1781  Wilkes County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    1. Enlisted for three months (his 2nd tour of 1781) 
    Military Service 1781  Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    2. Discharged from 2nd tour of 1781 
    Military Service 1781  Wilkes County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Discharged at Belly Branch. Or perhaps, Billy Branch but a dotted "i" is not discernable. 
    Residence 1787  Wilkes County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    North Carolina, State Census 1784-1787, p. 178    		 North Carolina, State Census 1784-1787, p. 178
    Possessions 22 Aug 1800  Wilkes County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Land Survey for Archelaus Craft 
    Archelaus Craft Land Survey    		 Archelaus Craft Land Survey
    A survey performed for Archelaus Craft for land in Wilkes County, North Carolina
    Residence 7 Aug 1820  Floyd County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    The 1820 Census enumeration of Archelaus Craft Sr in Floyd County, Kentucky; Stephen Hogg; other associated families.    		 The 1820 Census enumeration of Archelaus Craft Sr in Floyd County, Kentucky; Stephen Hogg; other associated families.
    Residence 1830  Perry County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Both father and namesake son are enumerated on this census page. There are many other individuals of associated families enumerated on this census page. 
    The 1830 Census enumeration of Archelaus Craft Sr; Archelaus Craft Jr; Joesph Back (I975); many other associated families.    		 The 1830 Census enumeration of Archelaus Craft Sr; Archelaus Craft Jr; Joesph Back (I975); many other associated families.
    Military Pension 23 Oct 1833  Perry County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    S30357 
    Archelous Craft Revolutionary War Pension File    		 Archelous Craft Revolutionary War Pension File
    Archelous Craft Revolutionary War Pension File
    Residence 1840  Perry County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    The 1840 Census enumeration of Archelaus Craft Sr; Archelaus Craft Jr; many other associated family members.    		 The 1840 Census enumeration of Archelaus Craft Sr; Archelaus Craft Jr; many other associated family members.
    Residence 03 Sep 1850  Letcher County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    Archelaus Craft 1850 Census Enumeration    		 Archelaus Craft 1850 Census Enumeration
    Archelaus Craft, 2nd wife Scena, Archelaus Jr's family, and many other related individuals on this and the surrounding census pages.
    Died 8 Nov 1853  Craft's Colly, Letcher County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 14, 15] 
    The Death Record of Archelaus Craft and others.    		 The Death Record of Archelaus Craft and others.
    This register of deaths includes the following individuals known to be relatives or closely associated individuals:
    Archelaus Craft (Sr)
    Archelaus Craft (Jr)
    Samuel Maggard
    Nancy An Purkins
    . . . and probably others with names like Craft and Adams and Hogg.
    Archelaus Craft Revolutionary War Pension Role    		 Archelaus Craft Revolutionary War Pension Role
    Archelaus Craft on the Kentucky role of pensioners including date of death.
    Miscellaneous 1974  History of Indian Bottom Church Find all individuals with events at this location  [16] 
    History of Indian Bottom Church    		 History of Indian Bottom Church
    A history of Indian Bottom Church in Letcher County, Kentucky from the 1974 Thornton Union Association Minutes; Arthur Dixon
    NSDAR Ancestor Number A027159 
    Military Service (Specific) American Revolutionary War
    Captain Johnston's Company, Colonel Herndon's Regiment (NC Militia) 
    Person ID I706  Schimka Family Tree
    Last Modified 23 May 2013 

    Father James Craft,   b. 1721,   d. 1793  (Age 72 years) 
    Mother Sarah Hammons,   b. Abt 1718 
    Documents
    The Death Record of Archelaus Craft and others.    		The Death Record of Archelaus Craft and others.
    This register of deaths includes the following individuals known to be relatives or closely associated individuals:
    Archelaus Craft (Sr)
    Archelaus Craft (Jr)
    Samuel Maggard
    Nancy An Purkins
    . . . and probably others with names like Craft and Adams and Hogg.
    Family ID F325  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Elizabeth Adams,   b. Abt 1770, Louden County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1881, Letcher County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 111 years) 
    Married 1 Dec 1785  Wilkes County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [17, 18, 19] 
    • North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868

      Bride: Elizabeth Adoms
      Groom: Archeleus Craft
      Bond Date: 01 Dec 1785
      County: Wilkes
      Record #: 01 059
      Bondsman: Jacob Addams
      Witness: G Wheatley
      Bond #: 000164743
    Archelaus Craft and Elizabeth Adams Marriage Bond    		 Archelaus Craft and Elizabeth Adams Marriage Bond
    The marriage bond of Archelaus Craft and Elizabeth Adams dated the 1st of December 1785.
    Archelaus Craft and Elizabeth Adams Marriage Record    		 Archelaus Craft and Elizabeth Adams Marriage Record
    Record of marriage between Achelaus Craft and Elizabeth Adams at Ancestry.Com
    Children 
     1. James CRAFT  [Natural]
     2. John CRAFT  [Natural]
     3. Ezekial CRAFT  [Natural]
     4. Sarah CRAFT  [Natural]
     5. Stephen CRAFT  [Natural]
     6. Archelaus Craft, Jr,   b. Wilkes County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Oct 1853, Letcher County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location
     7. Charity CRAFT  [Natural]
     8. Nancy Craft,   b. Abt 1786, Wilkes County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Jul 1880, Letcher County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 94 years)
    Last Modified 19 Jan 2013 
    Family ID F324  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 25 Dec 1749 - North Carolina Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMilitary Service - 2. Discharged from three month term - 1778 - North Carolina Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMilitary Service - Enlisted for Service (Nine Months) - 1780 - Brier Creek, Wilkes County, North Carolina Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 7 Aug 1820 - Floyd County, Kentucky Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Both father and namesake son are enumerated on this census page. There are many other individuals of associated families enumerated on this census page. - 1830 - Perry County, Kentucky Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMilitary Pension - S30357 - 23 Oct 1833 - Perry County, Kentucky Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1840 - Perry County, Kentucky Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 03 Sep 1850 - Letcher County, Kentucky Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 8 Nov 1853 - Craft's Colly, Letcher County, Kentucky Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    Archelaus Craft State Historical Road Marker    		Archelaus Craft State Historical Road Marker
    This road marker is placed at the corner of US Hwy 119 and Jenkins Road in Ermine, Letcher County, Kentucky at what appears to be the southwest corner.
    Liberty Bell, signifying a person in an accepted NSSAR or NSDAR lineage.    		Liberty Bell, signifying a person in an accepted NSSAR or NSDAR lineage.
    The Liberty Bell displayed here simply acts as a means to easily identify a patriot recognized by the NSDAR or NSSAR who was a participant in the fight for American Independence or a person of direct, recognized lineal descent from a patriot appearing in one or more accepted applications to NSDAR or NSSAR. The image is a "marker" visible in certain tree views and serves no other purpose or meaning.

  • Sources 
    1. [S652] GEDCOM File : cra_mey_gedcom.ged, Pam Crain.
      10 APR 2002

    2. [S1054] 1850 U.S. Census, Department of Commerce and Labor - Bureau of the Census.
      Place of birth on the 1850 census is given as North Carolina

    3. [S1073] Revolutionary War Pensions & Bounty Land.
      Pension file states that his place of birth was North Carolina

    4. [S742] Kentucky Death Records 1852-1953.
      Place of death is given as, "Old VA"

    5. [S1123] SAR Membership Application (M141494 - Archelaus Craft).

    6. [S1125] DAR Membership Application (M790582 - A027159).

    7. [S1073] Revolutionary War Pensions & Bounty Land.

    8. [S1225] North Carolina, State Census, 1784-1787, Register, Alvaretta K., (Genealogy Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD 2001), ISBN: 0-8063-0556-8., p. 178.

    9. [S815] North Carolina Land Grants.

    10. [S1057] 1820 U.S. Census, Department of Commerce and Labor - Bureau of the Census.

    11. [S1056] 1830 U.S. Census, Department of Commerce and Labor - Bureau of the Census .

    12. [S1055] 1840 U.S. Census, Department of Commerce and Labor - Bureau of the Census.

    13. [S1054] 1850 U.S. Census, Department of Commerce and Labor - Bureau of the Census.

    14. [S742] Kentucky Death Records 1852-1953.
      Name: Archelas Craft
      Death Date: 8 Nov 1853
      Age: 100
      Gender: Male
      Birth Date: abt 1753
      Father's Name: James Craft
      Mother's Name: Sarah Craft

    15. [S1125] DAR Membership Application (M790582 - A027159).
      Date, County and State from this source.

    16. [S687] History of Indian Bottom Church, Arthur Dixon, (Name: Thornton Union Association Minutes;).

    17. [S1185] North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979.
      name: Archelus Craft
      titles & terms:
      event: Marriage
      event date: 01 Dec 1785
      event place: Wilkes, North Carolina, United States
      age:
      estimated birth year:
      father:
      father's titles & terms:
      mother:
      mother's titles & terms:
      spouse: Elizabeth Adams
      spouse's titles & terms:
      spouse's age:
      spouse's estimated birth year:
      spouse's father:
      spouse's father's titles & terms:
      spouse's mother:
      spouse's mother's titles & terms:
      reference number:
      film number: 000546477
      digital folder number: 004364151
      image number: 00432

    18. [S816] North Carolina Marriage Collection, 1741-2004, Ancestry.com. North Carolina Marriage Collection, 1741-2004 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.

    19. [S1125] DAR Membership Application (M790582 - A027159).
      Date and place of marriage from this source.