For the next couple of weeks, we will look at David and Mariah Stockton Craig and their descendants; particularly their three sons who served in the 42nd Virginia Infantry, Company G, Thomas Richard Craig; William S. Craig; and Peter David Craig.
David Craig was born on the second of November 1790 to Thomas Craig, Jr. and Lucy Byrd. David married Miss Mariah Stockton on the 13th of October 1818 in Franklin County, Virginia. David and Mariah’s marriage is recorded on page 65 of the Franklin County Marriage Bond Index of 1786-1858. Mariah, born in 1792, was the daughter of Richard Stockton and Elizabeth Copeland of Franklin County.
David and Mariah are found in the census records of Henry County in the 1850’s, along with their six children, Elizabeth “Betsy”; Sophia; Thomas Richard; William; Peter David; and Charles Copeland. The oldest child, Harriett, had already left home and was married to Washington Eggleston of the Leatherwood community of Henry County.
Tragedy struck on the 26th of February 1854 when David Craig was crossing the Smith River and fell from his horse and drowned. It was thought that he hit his head on a rock, which caused him to lose consciousness. It is interesting to note that the newspaper, the Floyd Intelligencer, reported David Craig as an old man, but he was only 63 years old. Sixty-three years of age does not seem that old to me anymore.
More tragedy soon followed with the death of David and Mariah’s daughter; 30-year-old Sophia succumbed to an epileptic seizure on the 20th of May 1859. Her death was recorded in Henry County in the Virginia, U.S., Deaths and Burials Index, for 1853-1917.
The first son of David and Mariah Craig to marry was 19-year-old William S. Craig who married Miss Elizabeth Wood, who was 21 years old at the time. Elizabeth was the daughter of Edward “Ned” Wood and his first wife, Mary “Polly” Moran of Patrick County. William and Elizabeth’s first child, Edward “Ned” Craig was born in 1857, followed by David Alexander in 1858, Mary Jane “Mollie” in 1863, and William “Willie” Craig in 1863. We will explain next week why Willie’s birth was especially bittersweet.
Peter David was the next Craig son to marry, and he too married a Wood. Peter married Miss Sarah “Sallie” Wood, the daughter of Edward “Ned” Wood and his second wife, Nancy Adeline Nolen/Nowlin on the 30th of December 1858. Edward’s first wife, Mary “Polly” Moran had died shortly after the birth of her fifth child, she was only 26 years old. So…. William Craig and Peter Craig married half-sisters.
Peter and Sallie settled near the home of Sallie’s parents in the Lone Ivy community of Patrick County. John Copeland Craig was born to Peter and Sallie in 1860; followed by Nancy Ellen in 1863; Martha Eveline in 1865; Sallie Elizabeth in 1867; Susan Ann Mariah in 1869; William German “Billy” in 1871; Mary Lou in 1872; Lula Alberta in 1879; Thomas E. in 1879; and Oma M. in 1888. Sallie Wood Craig was 44 years old when her youngest child, Oma was born.
Thomas Richard Craig married Miss Sarah Philpott of the Horsepasture area of Henry County on December 1st, 1859. Thomas and Sarah’s first child, Julia Virginia was born in 1866; followed by William in 1867; Charles Columbus in 1868; and Thomas Jefferson Craig in 1870. Sarah Philpott Craig died shortly after the birth of baby Thomas; she was only 36 years old.
38-year-old Thomas Richard Craig married the following year to 18-year-old Lucy Jane Shumate of the Oak Level area of Henry County. Thomas and Lucy’s first child, Sallie Bet was born in 1873; followed by Ellen Clifford in 1876; Samuel in 1877; and John in 1880. Lucy Shumate Craig lived only three more years, passing away in 1883, at the age of 30.
Thomas, now widowed twice, with eight children to raise, married Miss Nancy Susan Stone of the Horsepasture community. Thomas was 50 years old, and Nancy was 25. Thomas and Nancy’s son, Edward Peter Craig was born in 1885; followed by Jesse Ben in 1887; James Marshall in 1889; Lucy Anne in 1891; George Cornett “Net” in 1894; and Walter Hurt Craig in 1897. Thomas Craig was 64 years old when his youngest child, Walter, was born.
At the Bassett Historical Center in Bassett, there is a wonderful photograph of Thomas Richard Craig, his third wife, Nancy Susan, their living children, and the surviving children from his first two marriages. Left to Right (Back) Lucy Ann Craig Jarrett, Jesse Ben Craig, Pete Craig, Jim Craig, Sallie Bet Craig Via, Sam Craig, Ellen Clifford Craig, and John Craig. Left to Right (Front) Tom Craig, Julia Craig Adkins, Thomas Craig (father) Walter Craig, Nancy Susan Stone Craig (mother) Cornett (Net) Craig, and Charlie Craig.
Of David and Mariah Stockton Craig’s remaining two children, Elizabeth “Betsy” never married, and Charles Copeland married Miss Araminta Atkins (sometimes listed as Adkins) of Horsepasture. Copeland and Araminta had four children, Samuel David, born in 1882; John Montague in 1884; William Posey in 1886; and Lucy Alice in 1888.
Next week, we will focus on Thomas, Peter, and William’s time in the War Between the States and concentrate on William and Peter’s wives (both daughters of Ned Wood) and who were raised in Patrick County.
Woody may be reached at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com or (276) 692-9626.
