ANDREW CRAWFORD is prominently identified with the oldest and most influential citizens of Peters township. His grandfather, Andrew Crawford, is supposed to have emigrated from Ireland. However that may be, it is certain that this ancestor came to Washington county, Penn., prior to 1783, and located on the farm in North Strabane township yet owned by his descendants. In the same year he received a patent for 415 3/8 acres of land, giving in payment f4, 9s. 2d. of Pennsylvania currency. In early life he was united in marriage with Sarah Speer, a native of Moon township, Allegheny Co., Penn. Their lives were passed on the farm in North Strabane township, where he died in 1795 from the effects of the bite of a copperhead snake. The children of this family were born as follows: Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret, James, Alexander and Ann, all of whom are now deceased. James Crawford was born in 1791, on the old homestead in North Strabane township, and was but four years old when his father died. His mother married again, and the child was thrown on him own resources at a tender age, as the stepfather had no property. However, he possessed plenty of perseverance, and worked for some time as a farm hand, meantime availing himself of every opportunity to secure an education. He then began teaching school, and in 1812 went to stay with his sister in Columbiana county, Ohio, while her husband fought in the war of 1812. While making his home here, young Crawford met Miss Nancy Crawford, who afterward shared his life (she was no relation). They were married in 1814, after which the young couple moved to the old place in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., where they always resided. Their farm contained over 200 acres of the original tract. In political opinion James Crawford was a Democrat, and served in many township offices. For thirty years he was identified with the United Presbyterian Church at Peters Creek, in which he was an elder, and afterward became a member of Mount Prospect Church. The following children were born to this couple: Sarah, Andrew, William (deceased in infancy), Tamar, Mary A., Agnes, Margaret (wife of A. M. Borland), Lizzie and Priscilla. Of these, Tamar, Mary A., Agnes, Sarah and Priscilla are deceased. Andrew Crawford, son of James and Nancy Crawford, was born December 4, 1816, in the old house on the farm of his forefathers in North Strabane township, Washington county. He remained on the place during his boyhood, and on April 5, 1838, was married to Martha, daughter of James Matthews. She was born in October, 1814, on a farm in Peters township adjoining the home of her future husband. After their marriage the young couple inherited seventy-five acres of the old place, where they have since resided. Children have blessed their union as follows: Martha J., Mary J., Alexander J., Nancy E., Tamar T., W. B. L., Sarah, Henrietta and Anna G., of whom Martha J. Nancy E. and Tamar T. are deceased. The father votes with the Democratic party, and has held various local offices. He was an elder in the United Presbyterian Church of Peters Creek until his membership was transferred to Mt. Prospect; he also led the choir for many years. James Alexander Crawford, eldest son of Andrew and Martha (Matthews) Crawford, was born May 6, 1842, and on December 21, 1865, was married by Rev. William Hanna, of the Presbyterian Church of Fairview, to Rhoda J., daughter of James Atkinson. Mr. And Mrs. Crawford have had the following children: Nettie B., William C., Mattie, James P., Edmund A., Caroline, Wallace, May, Harry, Lulu and Laura. Of this family Caroline, Wallace and Laura are now deceased. Mr. Crawford is at present living in McCook, Neb., where he has bought a farm of 160 acres, and expects to make his future home.

Text taken from page 639 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed April 1997 by Betty Stewart of Pittsburgh, PA as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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