Elizabeth Crawford Meriwether
© The Meriwether Society, Inc.

Elizabeth Crawford, sometimes spelled Crafford, was the daughter of David Crawford and an unknown wife. See "Volume I: The Colonists" for a detailed account of the Crawford family.

She was named in her husband's will, and left a will herself, establishing her relationship and the approximate period when she died.

Birth
There are no records establishing the date or place of Elizabeth's birth. It is likely that she was a few years younger than Nicholas, so a birth sometime around 1670 seems likely. Her first child, William, was born about 1688, so she would have been around 18, possibly a few years older, at that time, which seems reasonable. In 1753 she stated she was 78 years old, indicating a birth year of about 1675. This seems much too late if her children birth date are remotely accurate.

She was probably born in New Kent County; since her father's plantation “Assasquin” probably did not exist until after 1680, claims that she was born there are suspect.

Death
There are no reliable records establishing her date of death. Her will was signed in 1753 and proved on 21 May 1762, so she died sometime between those years, most likely closer to 1762.

Her will was probated in Louisa County, but she may have died in Albemarle County.

Burial
Her burial location has not been identified in any records, though some state “Clover Fields", though it and its cemetery probably did not exist in 1762. More likely she was in the Meriwether Burial Ground with Nicholas on the Rivanna River.

Elizabeth (Crawford) Meriwether 76

Will dated: 2 March 1753
Witnesses: Henry Tate, James Lasley, Mary Lasley,
Will Recorded: 11 May 1762 in Louisa County, Virginia
Executor: Col. Robert Lewis

Named in the will:
Col. Robert Lewis, son in law & executor of will
Robert Lewis, Grandson, son of Col. Robert Lewis
Ann Cosby, daughter
William Meriwether, son
Richard Meriwether, grandson, son of William
Mrs. Jane Chapman, from whom Anne purchased land
James Lasley, from whom Anne purchased land

The Meriwethers and Their Connections (Artcraft Press, Columbia, Missouri, 1964) pp. 53-55.

Nicholas Meriwether II & Elizabeth Crawford Family
This marriage to a member of the prominent Crawford family, backed by their service to the governing bodies of the Crown, and their large landholdings, served eventually to place Nicholas and his descendants in the forefront of the planter class in Virginia, as well as to serve as a springboard for his service in the House of Burgesses for so many years. His marriage to Elizabeth Crawford is not to decry the ability of Nicholas; rather, it was to place him in a close association with his knowledgeable father-in-law [David Crawford], and through him, to find himself in a strategic position with the governing powers of the Colony.

TMSI’s Child (FG) List: 39
M121. William
M122. David
M123. Thomas
M124. Anne
M125. Sarah
M126. Nicholas
M127. Elizabeth
M128. Jane
M129. Mary

WRG’s Child List: 40
1. David, b. 1690, d. 25 Dec 1744; m. Anne Holmes.
2. Jane, b. ____, d. ____; m. Robert Lewis.
3. Ann, b. [1694], bap. 15 Jul 1694, d. [1785] wp 9 May 1785; m1. Thomas Johnson; m2. John Cosby.
4. William, b. ____, d. ____; m. ______; had seven children.
5. Sarah, b. ____, d. 2 Jul 1733; m. William Littlepage of K&Q Co.; Issue Judith.
6. Mary, b. ____, d. 1745; m. John Aylet. No issue.
7. Nicholas, b. 11 Jul 1699, d. 1739; m. Mildred Thornton.
8. Thomas.
9. Elizabeth, b. 20 Jun 1703, d. 4 Jan 1732; m. Thomas Bray.

NHM’s Child List 41
1. David, b. 1690, d. 25 Dec 1744; m. Anne Holmes.
2. Thomas. b. ____, d. ____. Never married. Had one son, Nicholas. No further record. (Note: did not exist)
3. William, b. circa 1792 (sic), d. ____; m. Elizabeth Bushrod.
4. Anne, [b. 1694], bap. 15 Jul 1694, d. 1785; m. Thomas Johnson.
5. Sarah, b. ____, d. 2 Jul 1733, m. William Littlepage. Issue Judith.
6. Nicholas, b. 4 Jul 1699, d. 1739; m. Mildred Thornton. (Note: death and marriage are incorrect)
7. Elizabeth, b. 20 Jun 1703, d. 1 Jan 1724; m. Thomas Bray.
8. Jane, b. circa 1705/6, d. bef Sep 1757; m. Robert Lewis.
9. Mary, b. ____, d. 1745; m. John Aylett.

STLA’s Child List: 42
1. Jane, m. Robert Lewis.
2. Nicholas, b. 11 Jul 1699, bap. 6 Aug 1699; m. Mildred Thornton.
3. William, m. ____.
4. Thomas, m. ____; had a son Nicholas.
5. David, b. 1690, d. 25 Dec 1744; m. Anne Holmes.
6. Elizabeth, b. 20 Jun 1703, bap. 3 Jul 1703, d. 1 Jan 17__; m. Thomas Bray.
7. Ann, [b. 1690?], bap. 15 Jul 1690 (sic) d. ____; m1. Thomas Johnson; m2. ___ Cosby.
8. Sarah, b. ____, d. 2 Jul 1733; m. Wm.Littlepage. Issue Judith
9. Mary, b. ____, d. ____; m1. Mr. Aylett; m2. Samuel Cobb of Georgia.

GWM’s Child List 43
1. Jane
2. Thomas, b. ____, d. ____; had a son by name Nicholas
3. Nicholas, b. ____, d. ____; had a daughter named Mildred..
4. William, b. ____, d. ____; (lists children)
5. David, b. ____, d. 25 Dec 1744
6. Elizabeth, b. ____, d. 1 Jan 1725; m. Mr. Bray.
7. Anne, b. ____, d. ____; m. Mr. Johnson.
8. Sarah, b. ____, d. 2 Jul 1733 6 o’clock p.m.; m. Wm. Littlepage.
9. Mary, b. ____, d. 1745; m. John Aylett.

MDP’s Child List: 44
1. David, b. ~1690, d. 25 Dec 1744; m. Anne Holes.
2. Jane, b. ~1694, d. ____; m. Robert Lewis.
3. Anne, [b. 1697], bap. 15 Jul 1697, d. 1785], wp 9 Mar 1785; m1. Thomas Johnson; m2. John Cosby
4. William, b. 1692, d. ____; m. _______
5. Sarah, b. ____, d. 2 Jul 1733; m. Wm. Littlepage, Kg. & Q. Co., Va.; issue Judith.
6. Mary, b. ____, d. 1745; m1. John Aylett; m2. Samuel Cobb of Ga.
7. Nicholas, b. 11 Jul 1699, bap. __ Aug 1699, d. 1739; m. Mildred Thornton.
8. Thomas (Sheriff), b. ____, d. ____; m. Jane Lewis; Issue Nicholas.
9. Elizabeth, b. 20 Jun 1703, d. 4 Jan 1832 (sic); m. Thomas Bray