From the research of June Baldwin Bork
   jbbork at msn.com
   http://www.junebaldwinbork.com

 
  JEFFREY CROWLEY and his first wife EFFANIAH "Effie":    Jeffrey was born about 1700 and died 1762 in Halifax Co, VA in Antrim Parish where he lived.  His wife Effie was born about 1700-20 and died after 22 Sep 1755 and prior to Mar 1757 when Jeffrey sold land in Bedford Co, Va. to his long time associate, Col. William Callaway.      

After Effie died, Jeffrey married MRS. MARTHA EDWARDS, the widow of Thomas Edwards.  Her son, Thomas Edwards Jr. was clerk of the Vestry and sometimes county court clerk of Pittsylvania Co, Va.  Martha was his widow in 1762 and she probably died a year or two later.     The name of Jeffrey's first wife is on a deed dated Sep 1755 in Bedford Co in which Effie and Jeff sold 200 acres in Bedford to William Callaway.  The Crowley-Callaway relationship extended back to 1735 in Orange County.From Jeffrey's will and inventory, we learn he was a gentleman who wore stockings and had a GREAT COAT and this coat was valued at more than his bull.  He was a breeder of fine horses used for racing.  He said one mare was "running at Thomas Callaway's and another was running at Leatherwood [Leatherwood Creek in Henry County].  It is also believed that Jeffrey owned a peach orchard on the James River back in 1738 and most likely owned a distillery to make peach brandy.  His associate, Col. William Callaway owned a store and sold brandy.    

In the codicil to his will, Jeffrey said that he wished the remainder of his property to be divided among MY FOUR CHILDREN.  He named only two, being BENJAMIN and SAMUEL CROWLEY.  But over the years, other family historians have determined the identity of the two who were not named.  One was MARY CROWLEY who married RANDOLPH GIBSON named in Jeffrey's will and the other is assumed to be the eldest son, JOHN CROWLEY.  By the laws of progenitor (ancestor), often the first son was not named in the wills as it was understood he would inherit the family homestead.  And as we have seen in hundreds of wills regarding the Burnetts, often the first family of children are not named and often the ones who have married and left the nest are omitted.  A will is not conclusive evidence that ALL CHILDREN WERE INCLUDED.       The children of JEFFREY CROWLEY and EFFANIAH:
1) JOHN CROWLEY, b. about 1723-30; his wife's name is unknown.  John went to Georgia during the Land Lottery.
2) MARY CROWLEY, b. about 1735-7; m. RANDOLPH/Randall GIBSON, son of James Gibson & Elenor his wife.  Mary and Randolph moved to Georgia.
3) BENJAMIN CROWLEY, b. about 1739; m. SARAH STRONG, b. 24 Jul 1742, dau of William Strong of Halifax.
4) SAMUEL CROWLEY, b. ca 1741-2; was killed by Indians on 10 Oct 1774 at Point Pleasant; m. ELIZABETH STRONG, b. 21 Jul 1744, sister of Sarah above.      Jeffrey was first located 1731 in Orange County, Virginia when he sold land to James Stodgill.  A reference to this sale was referred to on 16 Jun 1735, when Jeffrey signed over a note receivable of William Callaway to Stodgill, a debt of 4 lbs and 8 shillings.  The following day, Jeffrey petitioned the court in a suit against said Stodgill for 260 pounds of tobacco. 

 
1761 Oct 17 - HALIFAX CO, Va - Will Bk O:137  Will of JEFFREY CROWLEY written: CODICIL: 17 Oct 1761; Proved: 18 Feb 1762"

In the name of God, Amen... I, JEFFREY CROWLEY of the Parish of Antrim in the County of Halifax, planter BEING VERY SICK & WEAK IN BODY, but of perfect mind & memory, thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, do make & ordain this my last will & Testament that is to say, principally & first of all I give & commend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it & for my body I commend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like & decent manner at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give devise & dispose of the same in the following manner & form:  #1 - It is my will & I do order that all my just debts & funeral charges be paid & satisfied.   #2 - I give unto my dearly beloved wife, MARTHA [2nd], one NEGRO FELLOW NAMED PETER with all my stock of cattle & hogs & household goods & my work horse & a YOUNG BAY MARE & moveables during her life.  #3 - I do give to my well beloved CHILDREN after her decease, all my estate to be divided among them & their heirs & assigns forever.  #4 - I give to my well beloved SON, BENJAMIN CROWLEY, ONE GRAY MARE RUNNING AT THOMAS CALLAWAYS & to my SON, SAMUEL CROWLEY ONE BAY MARE NOW IN HIS POSSESSION & A COLT that came of the gray mare 2 years old next spring & to RANDOLPH GIBSON, a BAY MARE that I had of Joseph Austin & HORSE COLT THAT RUNS AT LEATHERWOOD [Creek in now Henry Co] & some debts that is due to me in BEDFORD COUNTY & a HORSE THAT RAN AWAY INTO AUGUSTA [Co, Va] if he can get him & a bond of 46 shillings on William Walker & same in COLO. WILLIAM CALLAWAYS HANDS & same in JAMES TILLEYS HANDS. And to BENJAMIN and SAMUEL CROWLEY 10 lbs, 11 shillings & 6 pence that DANIEL DUNN owed me & to John Heale a BAY YEARLING MARE COLT that I had of him.  And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke & disannul all & every other former testament wills legacies & executors by me in any way before this time. Ratifying & confirming this & no other to be my last will & testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written.. /s/ JEFFREY (o) CROWLEY [his mark, a circle containing a cross].  Signed, sealed, published, pronounced & declared by said Jeffrey Crowley as his last will & Testament. Witnessed by GEORGE BRITTAIN, JOHN (X)

 
JONES, JOHN HARRIS Codicil written same day (p.138):  I Jeffrey Crowley of Antrim Parish, Virginia on this 17 of Oct make this my codicil: It is my desire that after my wife?s decease that the NEGRO FELLOW PETER be given between my TWO SONS, BENJAMIN CROWLEY & SAMUEL CROWLEY and the other part to be DIVIDED BETWEEN MY FOUR (4) CHILDREN EQUALLY & if either of them can pay the other his part of the NEGRO [Peter] to keep him & if not to sell him to the highest bidder & divide the money equally & a red cow with her horns sawed off to RANDOLPH GIBSON & a heifer that came of a cow named Chanak to my son BENJAMIN & another of the same age to SAMUEL CROWLEY.  /s/ JEFFREY (JC) CROWLEY. 
 
1762 Feb 18 - Halifax Co, VaAt a Court held for Halifax Co, the last will was proved by the witnesses & the testator having appointed no Executor of his last will, certificate was granted to MARTHA HIS WIDOW who obtained letters of Admr. and THOMAS EDWARDS & WILLIAM WRIGHT became her securities. 

