Husband Peter Moody Crews
Born: 1804 - Virginia
Christened:
Died: 1870 - Perry County, AL
Buried:
Marriage: 18 Oct 1859 - Perry Co., AL
Wife Jane Coley
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - Peter Moody Crews
Name: CSA Veteran Co D 9th Fla When Clarisy "Clarisa D" Collier was born in January 1835 in Georgia, her father, Jesse, was 26, and her mother, Matilda, was 24. She married Stephen Larrisey Crews on January 23, 1856, in Hamilton, Florida. They had 12 children in 19 years. She died on July 16, 1922, in Otter Creek, Florida, at the age of 87. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88624164/malissa_rachel-collier: accessed December 25, 2024), memorial page for Malissa Rachel "Lissie" Peterson Collier (5 Aug 1864\endash 13 Feb 1940), Find a Grave Memorial ID 88624164, citing Statenville Cemetery, Statenville, Echols County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by I Dig Genealogy (contributor 47721320).
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88624253/james_p-collier: accessed December 25, 2024), memorial page for James P Collier (20 Jun 1848\endash 25 Jul 1924), Find a Grave Memorial ID 88624253, citing Statenville Cemetery, Statenville, Echols County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by I Dig Genealogy (contributor 47721320).
Marriage Events
• Friends: Abt 1835.
CREWS, DEMPSEY D. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28895188/piety-crews: accessed January 2, 2025), memorial page for Piety Collier Crews (1821\endash 1864), Find a Grave Memorial ID 28895188, citing Wauchula Cemetery, Wauchula, Hardee County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Myrtice Crews Lee (contributor 47142007).
"[The Bartow Courier-Informant of June 19, 1895 reported: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25091101/frances_isabelle-crews: accessed January 1, 2025), memorial page for Frances Isabelle Collins Crews (14 Dec 1855\endash 12 Aug 1890), Find a Grave Memorial ID 25091101, citing Crewsville Cemetery, Crewsville, Hardee County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Myrtice Crews Lee (contributor 47142007).
Name: Dempsey D. Crews Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24745254/goldwire_benjamin-colson: accessed July 20, 2025), memorial page for Goldwire Benjamin Colson (24 Jul 1883\endash 2 Mar 1962), Find a Grave Memorial ID 24745254, citing New Hope Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, La Crosse, Alachua County, Florida, USA; Maintained by gravetaker (contributor 46832389).
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24745243/alva_nancy-colson: accessed July 20, 2025), memorial page for Alva Nancy Crews Colson (11 Dec 1891\endash 14 Dec 1961), Find a Grave Memorial ID 24745243, citing New Hope Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, La Crosse, Alachua County, Florida, USA; Maintained by gravetaker (contributor 46832389).
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32732944/benjamin_corley-crews: accessed May 3, 2025), memorial page for Benjamin Corley Crews (9 Apr 1897\endash 14 Jan 1965), Find a Grave Memorial ID 32732944, citing Moniac Cemetery, Charlton County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by Elaine Wilson Toomey (contributor 46951411).
Spouse: Keziah "Kizzie" JOHNSON Son of John Crews and Sarah (Williams) Prevatt Crews. Husband of Lillie Mae (Combs) Crews. Daughter of James Combs and his 1st. wife Martha C. (Harvey) Combs. Wife of 1st. James Henry Crews and 2nd Thomas Lewis Cox. First married Mary ? Combs (born 1840 NC) Morgiana (Annie or Anna) Waldron, daughter of Elias D. Waldron and Nancy Thomas, was born 1845 in Ware County, GA and died September 22, 1909 in Echols County GA. She married first Samuel Crews, son of Joseph Crews and Sarah Johns.
Spouse's Name:
Event Date:
Event Place:
"Alabama, Marriages, 1816-1957," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FQKZ-XZ5 : accessed 05 Jul 2014), Peter M. Crews and Jane Coley, 18 Oct 1859; citing reference ; FHL microfilm 1290271.
I was wondering if anyone has any information on Peter Moody Crews family that was in Perry Co., AL? Peter was b. 1804 in VA and died between 1870-80 in Perry Co., AL.
Thanks,
Felicia
Husband Stephen Larrisey Crews
Born: Abt 1831 - Ware County, Georgia 333
Christened: 13 Jul 1861 - Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, Echols County, GA 334
Died: 10 May 1908 - Screven Co., GA 335
Buried:
Father: Stephen Crews
Mother: Elizabeth Larrisey
Marriage: 21 Jun 1856 - Hamilton Co., FL 36
Wife Clarisy Collier
Born: Jan 1835 - Georgia
Christened:
Died: 16 Jul 1922 - Otter Creek, Levy County, Florida, USA
Buried: - McDonald Baptist Church Cemetery, Sylvania, Screven County, Georgia, USA
Father: Jesse N. Collier
Mother: Jane M.
Children
1 M James Larrisey Crews
Born: 11 Jul 1857 - Sylvania, Screven County, Georgia, USA
Christened:
Died: 4 Aug 1930 - Otter Creek, Levy County, Florida, USA 336
Buried: - Galilee Cemetery, Levy County. FL
Spouse: Margarette Taylor
2 F Elizabeth Crews
Born: 1861
Christened:
Died: 5 Sep 1927 - Bulloch County, Georgia, United States
Buried: - Lotts Creek Church Cemetery, Bulloch County, Georgia
Spouse: Henry James Hurst
Marr: 4 Aug 1890 - Screven County, Georgia
3 F Missouri C. Crews
Born: 6 Sep 1865
Christened:
Died: 13 Jan 1944
Buried: - Green Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Sylvania, Screven County, Georgia, USA
4 F Viola Crews
Born: 26 Mar 1867 - Florida
Christened:
Died: 3 Nov 1953 - Chatham County, Georgia
Buried: - McDonald Baptist Church Cemetery, Sylvania, Screven County, Georgia, USA
Spouse: Richard Anthony Oglesby
5 M Stephen Larrisey Crews Jr.
Born: 1 Sep 1869 - Screven Co., GA 127
Christened:
Died: 1 Nov 1927 - Screven Co., GA 127
Buried: - McDonald Baptist Church Cemetery, Sylvania, Screven County, Georgia, USA
Spouse: Amanda C. Bragg
6 M William B. Crews
Born: Apr 1876 - Georgia
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
General Notes: Husband - Stephen Larrisey Crews
REGIMENT NAME:9th Regiment, Florida Infantry
SIDE:Confederate
COMPANY:D
SOLDIER'S RANK IN:Private
SOLDIER'S RANK OUT:Private
ALTERNATE NAME:
FILM NUMBER:M225 roll 2
NOTES:
PLAQUE NUMBER
Stephen Crews of Monroe County, FL Obtained 80 acres of Public Lands from the Federal Government 13 Feb 1884.
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=FL0490__.439&docClass=STA&sid=x5ls5bhf.czb#patentDetailsTabIndex=1
General Notes: Wife - Clarisy Collier
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/217663301/clarisy_d-crews: accessed December 25, 2024), memorial page for Clarisy D "Clarisa" Collier Crews (Jan 1835\endash 16 Jul 1922), Find a Grave Memorial ID 217663301, citing McDonald Baptist Church Cemetery, Sylvania, Screven County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by Stokley (contributor 48054195).
Husband Malissa Rachel Peterson
Born: 5 Aug 1864 - Echols County, Georgia
Christened:
Died: 13 Feb 1940 - Echols County, Georgia
Buried: - Statenville Cemetery, Statenville, Echols County, Georgia
Marriage:
Wife James P. Collier
Born: 20 Jun 1848 - Echols County, Georgia
Christened:
Died: 25 Jul 1924 - Echols County, Georgia
Buried: - Statenville Cemetery, Statenville, Echols County, Georgia
Father: Jesse N. Collier
Mother: Jane M.
Children
General Notes: Husband - Malissa Rachel Peterson
General Notes: Wife - James P. Collier
Husband Dempsey Dubois Crews Sr.
Born: 23 Jul 1806 - Colleton District, South Carolina 1
Christened: 1 Oct 1843 - Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, Ware County, Georgia 337
Died: 24 Jul 1892 - DeSoto County, Florida 338
Buried: - New Hope Cemetery, Zolfo Springs, DeSoto, Florida 338
Father: Alexander Crews
Mother: Lucy Dubois
Marriage: Abt 1835 - Camden Co., GA
Wife Piety Collier
Born: 1821 - Camden County, Georgia 339
Christened: 1 Oct 1843 - Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, Ware County, GA 340
Died: 1864 - Zolfo Springs, Manatee County, Florida 339
Buried: - Wachula Cemetery, Wachula, Manatee County, Florida 339
Children
1 M Henry Collier Crews
Born: 16 Aug 1836 - Florida
Christened:
Died: 1873
Buried:
Spouse: Susanne A. Bryan
Marr: 4 Aug 1858 - Hamilton County, Florida
2 M William Madison Crews
Born: 27 Aug 1838 - Camden Co., GA
Christened:
Died: 11 Feb 1922 - Zolfo Springs, Hardee, Florida
Buried: 12 Feb 1922 - New Hope Cemetery, Zolfo Springs, Hardee, FL
Spouse: Charlotte Ann Bethea
Marr: 21 Apr 1870
3 M Micajah Crews
Born: 22 Dec 1841
Christened:
Died: 1864
Buried:
4 F Elizabeth Crews
Born: 16 Feb 1844
Christened:
Died: 12 Nov 1918 - Ft Pierce, St Lucie, Florida
Buried: - Carlton Family Cemetery, Ft Pierce, St Lucie, Florida
Spouse: Reuben Carlton
Marr: 20 Apr 1866
5 M Dempsey Dubois Crews Jr.
Born: 23 Nov 1846 - Manatee County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 10 Jun 1895 - Crewsville, DeSoto, Florida 341
Buried: - New Hope Cemetery, Crewsville, DeSoto, Florida
Spouse: Frances Isabelle Collins
Marr: 5 Aug 1869 - Manatee, Florida
Spouse: Martha Jane Lanier
Marr: 6 Sep 1892 - Arcadia, DeSoto County, Florida
6 F Lydia Bea Crews
Born: 10 May 1849 - Columbia County, Florida 342
Christened:
Died: 26 Apr 1920 - Ft Drum, Okeechobee County, Florida 342
Buried: 27 Apr 1920 - Ft Drum Cemetery, Ft Drum, Okeechobee County, Florida
Spouse: Streaty Ashford Hair
Marr: 27 Aug 1866
7 M Willis Crews
Born: 27 Feb 1852 - Manatee County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 29 May 1944 - Nassau, Florida, United States
Buried:
Spouse: Martha P.
Spouse: Mary Ann Elizabeth Wingate
Marr: 6 Mar 1873 - Manatee County, Florida
8 M Crawford Crews
Born: 18 Sep 1856 - Manatee Co., FL
Christened:
Died: 13 Jan 1911 - Florida
Buried: - Hart Cemetery, Lemon Grove, Hardee County, Florida
Spouse: Nancy Edith Hart
Marr: 1886
9 F Mary Irene Crews
Born: 16 Nov 1858 - Manatee Co., FL
Christened:
Died: 1 Nov 1918 - Bowling Green, DeSoto County, Florida
Buried: - New Hope Cemetery, Crewsville, Hardee, Florida
Spouse: William Lee 267
Marr: 1875
10 M Willoughby Crews
Born: 26 Jan 1862 - Manatee County, Florida
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
General Notes: Husband - Dempsey Dubois Crews Sr.
Dempsey DuBois Crews was born in Colleton District, S. C., July 23, 1806, a son of Alexander Crews (Vol.II). He relocated during his youth with his parents to Camden County, Ga., where he grew up and lived until after the birth of his fourth child. He married Piety Collier, born 1820 in Camden County. She died in 1862 of small-pox. They had ten children, viz:
1. Henry C.
2. William M.
3. Micajah
4. Elizabeth
5. Dempsey Jr.
6. Lydia
7. Willis
8. Crawford
9. Mary
10. Willoughby
After the first wife's death Mr. Crews was married in Polk Co, Fla., in 1864 to Mehala Hair, daughter of Calvin; she was born Dec. 23, 1837. They had seven children, viz:
11. Sarah Jane
12. William C.
13. Isham
14. Sophia
15. Thomas
16. Edward
17. Charity
Dempsey D. Crews served in the Indian War in this section and over in Florida 1836-40, also in the Seminole outbreak in South Florida in 1849 and in the last Seminole War there 1856-58. In Georgia he served in Capt. William B. North's company, 2nd Regiment Florida militia, June 16 to Dec. 18, 1837, with the rank of 3rd Corporal.
Mr. Crews moved from Georgia to Florida in 1845 and was emumerated in Hamilton County, Florida during 1850. He later settled in Southwest Florida in what was then Manatee County. Out of which he was cut into Polk County in 1861. His first wife was buried in the Wachula Cemetery at Wauchula, Florida. He and his last wife were interred within New Hope Cemetery near present day Crewsville in Hardee County, Florida. His death occurred about 1893.
Dempsey Dubois Crews
1806-1892
Dempsey Dubois Crews was born in Colleton District of South Carolina on 23 Jul 1806. Dempsey was the son of Alexander Crews, born 1771 in Charleston District, and his second wife, Lucy Dubois who was born 1785 in South Carolina (her birth date being determined from the 1870 Camden County Census). DD's parents married late 1805.
Dempsey was the first born of Alexander and 2nd wife Lucy. His rather unusual given name is not that hard to trace. As shown, in the 1810 Federal Census for Colleton, South Carolina, the Dubois' and Crews were neighbors. Hence, Dempsey Dubois Crews was named for his maternal grandfather Dempsey DuBois (he was born about 1765).
The Alexander Crews family relocated from the Colleton District of South Carolina to Camden County, Georgia between 1815-1817. Dempsey grew up in the "Great Satilla River" area of Camden.
DD is likely the male child enumerated in father Alexander's the 1820 Camden Census (male 10 - 15) and again in the 1830 census in Camden (male 20-29).
Stephen was listed separately in 1820 Camden and William returned to South Carolina (his 1812 pension record stated he married Sarah Bradley in Beaufort, SC in 15 Jun 1820) and is in Ware along with, now returned, brother William by the 1830 census. Dempsey has yet to be married.
However, Dempsey's marital status changes about 1835. During the mid 1830s, Dempsey marries Piety Collier (date based on birth of first child Henry B.), a daughter of Henry Collier of Dooly County, Georgia (Piety Collier Crews is listed as an heir in Henry's estate proceedings. John Collier, Senior, who previously was said to be her father, is more likely her brother. Piety was born in 1820 in Georgia.
After DD's marriage to Piety, he served three different enlistments during the 2nd Seminole Wars, enlisting from Columbia County, Florida:
Enrolled in 22 Jun 1836 to 22 Oct 1836 in Captain William B. North's Company of 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade Florida Militia as a Corporal
Enrolled in 15 Jun 1837 to 18 Dec 1837 in Captain William B. North's Company of 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade East Florida Militia "Columbia County Rangers" as a Sergeant. Discharged from Ft Gilliland.
Enrolled in 12 Jul 1838 to 12 Jan 1839 in Captain William B. North's Company of 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade East Florida Militia as a Private. Discharged from Ft Gilmer.
By 1840, both Dempsey, half-brothers Stephen and William and his parents are found living in Ware County, Georgia.
About 1848, Dempsey moved his family to Hamilton County, Florida. He was found in the 1850 census of that county, where he was a farmer, along with some of Piety's relatives who had also moved there. There he applied for a land grant under the newly passed Bounty Warrant Act based on his Indian War service. The bounty and pension applications and/or papers in the military files of Dempsey Crews show that he served in the following military units:
Second Seminole War:
Muster Roll of Captain Asa A. Stewart's Company of Florida
Mounted Volunteers, commanded by Col. S. St. George Rogers
called into the service of the United States by Special
Instruction from the President dated War Department, Wash-
ington, May 28, 1857 at Alligator, Fla . on the 27th day of
July 1857 to serve for the term of six months unless soon-
er discharged - served from 27 July 1857 to 26 Jan. 1858.
This muster was certified at Fort Brook, Fla.,
7. CREWS, Dempsy D . , 45
Descriptive Roll of Captain A. A. Stewart's Company of the
Regiment of Florida Militia Volunteers mustered out of
service 26 day of January 1858.
CREWS, Dempsey D., Colleton, SC ; 5'10", dar k-biue-1 ight ,
farmer .
NOTE: This is a handwritten roll containing the following
designated columns: (1) Rank, (2) Name, (3) Where born:
(town, county, state or kingdom), (4) Height (feet-inchs)
(5) Color (complexion, eyes, hair) and (6) occupation.
7. CREWS, Dempsy D . , 45
Civil War
Enlisted in the Union Army by Captain Crane on May 28, 1864 at Fort Myers, serving as a Private in Company B, 2nd Regiment Florida Cavalry.
After his last Indian War service, Dempsey moved his family to South Florida, where he was found in the 1860 census of Manatee County. Not long after, Piety Crews died of Smallpox and was buried at the cemetery in Wachulla, Florida. Dempsey became Justice of the Peace and a cattle rancher in Manatee County. He registered the following mark and brand there in 1863: Swallowfork and underbit in one ear, nothing in the other; brand "DC".
In a 15 Jan 1956 newspaper article in the Tampa Tribune, Dempsey's son, Reverend Thomas Crews states, "Dempsey Crews Senior., blazed the first road from the Fort Green-Wauchula territory across the Peace River to the territory of Zolfo ( Springs) and (a later established settlement named) Crewsville. He selected the site for the ford, graded the slopes, and drove the first yoke of oxen across it. Being first known as Crews Ford, later as Beannen Ford, it was about a half mile east of the present state road from Wauchula to Zolfo".
In December of 1863, Dempsey Crews married Molcy Hair in Manatee County, the Reverend Jeremiah Hayman performing the ceremony. Molcy was born on December 23, 1837 in Columbia County, Florida, a daughter of William Calvin Hair, Jr. (b. 1809 in North Carolina) and Sarah Jane Parker (b. 1814 in North Carolina). She was the granddaughter of William Hair, Sr. (b. 1871 in North Carolina) and of Luke and Sophia Parker.
Dempsey applied for an invalid's pension in DeSoto County, Florida 6 August 1889 at age 83 for service rendered to the state of Florida in Capt. North's E Company of the Florida Mounted Volunteers for the years 1835-1840.
His partial physical disability was due to the measles and mumps, contracted while serving in Captain North's Company, which resulted in nearly total blindness. He also received leg injuries while marching through the Okefenokee swamp. Dempsey Dubois Crews died July 24, 1892 at Zolfo, Florida. His will recorded in Book D, pages 243-244 in Manatee County and in Book I, pages 16-17 in DeSoto County.
Molcy applied for a Widows Pension 20 Oct 1892 based on DD's service with North's Company E, 1st Florida Mounted Volunteers in the Indian Wars
Molcy Crews died 31 May 31 1925 at the home of her only surviving daughter, Ms. Charity Allen, at Balm, Florida.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Crews at buried in the New Hope Cemetery on SR 64 just east of Zolfo Springs in Hardee County, FL. Dempseys's service to the Union Army was recognized by the United States, Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans .
The children of Dempsey and Piety Collier Crews were:
1. William B., b. August 16, 1836; married Susan Bryan (daughter of Lewis)
2. William M., b. August 27, 1838; married Charlotte Bethea April 21, 1870
3. Micajah, b. December 22, 1841, died young
4. Elizabeth, b. February 16, 1844; married Reuben Carlton (son of Daniel) April 20, 1866
5. Dempsey Dubois, Jr., b. November 23, 1846; married Frances Collins (dau. of Enoch, Jr.) August 6, 1869
6. Lydia Bea, b. May 16, 1849; married Streaty Hair (son of William C., Jr.) August 27, 1866
7. Willis, b. February 27, 1854; married Mary Ann Wingate (dau. of William) March 6, 1873
8. Crawford, b. September 18, 1856; married Edith Hart (dau. of William)
9. Mary, b. November 16, 1858; married William Lee (son of Jesse)
10. Willoughby, b. January 26, 1862; died young
The children of Dempsey and Molcy Hair Crews were:
1. Sarah Jane, b. November 13, 1864; burned to death at age 8
2. William Calvin, born November 30, 1866; married Cornelia Whidden b. February 14, 1869 (dau. of David)
3. Isham, born July 17, 1869; married Azeline Gill (dau. Of James)
4. Sophia, born January 1, 1872; married Luke Altman (son of John)
5. Thomas, born January 25, 1874; married Ava Bailey (dau. Of Willoughby)
6. Edward, born October 15, 1877; died age 8 years
7. Charity, born June 18, 1879; married 1) Chester Burnett 2) Leslie Allen.
References:
National Archives: Military, bounty grant and pension record files
1850 Georgia Mortality Census
1840 Ware County, Georgia Census
1850 Columbia County, Florida Census
1860 Manatee County, Florida Census
PIONEERS OF WIREGRASS GEORGIA, Folks Huxford, Vol. II and V
Manatee County, Florida marriage records
Hardee County, Florida cemetery inscriptions
Manatee County, Florida mark and brand book
DeSoto County, Florida will records
Manatee County, Florida will records
"United States, Old War Pension Index, 1815-1926," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KZPT-7MB : accessed 25 Jul 2013), Dempsey D Crews, 1889
"United States, Index to Indian Wars Pension Files, 1892-1926," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KDRT-F61 : accessed 25 Jul 2013), Dempsey D Crews, 1892.
"United States, Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, 1879-1903," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V6HQ-6N8 : accessed 25 Jul 2013), Dempsey D Crews, 1892.' "United States, Civil War Soldiers Index," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FSYV-G5Q : accessed 25 Jul 2013), Dempsey D. Crews, 1861-1865.
Profile of John Collier, Edited by Spessard Stone from Kyle VanLandingham's revised article on John Collier in South Florida Pioneers 15/16 (Jan.-April 1978) as found at <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~crackerbarrel/Collier.html>
Fls War
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-26296-26809-35?cc=1979427&wc=M9M2-JH7:1216883145
General Notes: Wife - Piety Collier
Husband Dempsey Dubois Crews Jr.
Born: 23 Nov 1846 - Manatee County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 10 Jun 1895 - Crewsville, DeSoto, Florida 341
Buried: - New Hope Cemetery, Crewsville, DeSoto, Florida
Father: Dempsey Dubois Crews Sr.
Mother: Piety Collier
Marriage: 5 Aug 1869 - Manatee, Florida
Wife Frances Isabelle Collins
Born: 14 Dec 1855 - Florida
Christened:
Died: 12 Aug 1890 - Crewsville, DeSoto County, Florida
Buried: - Crewsville Cemetery, Crewsville, DeSoto County, Florida
Father: Enoch Collins Jr.
Mother: Elizabeth L. Blocker
Children
1 F Piety Elizabeth Crews 343
Born: 30 Aug 1870 - Manatee County, Florida, USA
Christened:
Died: 19 Aug 1958 - Florida, USA
Buried: - New Hope Cemetery, Crewsville, Hardee County, Florida
Spouse: Moses Berry Crews
Marr: 14 Feb 1894
2 M Enoch Edward Crews
Born: 23 Jan 1872
Christened:
Died: 4 Feb 1955 - Zolfo Springs, Hardee County, Florida
Buried: - Crews Cemetery, Crewsville, Hardee County, Florida
Spouse: Isabelle Bethea
Marr: 17 Sep 1908 - Arcadia, DeSoto, Florida
3 M Dr. Dempsey Dubois Crews III
Born: 30 Jan 1882
Christened:
Died: 1940 - Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida
Buried: - Riverside Memorial Park, Jacksonville, Duval, Florida
Spouse: Marion Ethel Peelman
Marr: 25 Dec 1907 - Bradford, Florida, United States
4 F Mary L. Crews
Born: 21 May 1884 - Polk City, Polk County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 31 Oct 1954 - Polk City, Polk County, Florida
Buried: - Oaklawn Cemetery, Winter Haven, Polk County, Florida
Spouse: James William Bowen
Marr: 1904
General Notes: Husband - Dempsey Dubois Crews Jr.
"Various reports have been in circulation about the killing of D. D. Crews by John Lucas, mention of which was made in our last issue: "The Arcadian published in full the evidence taken by the coroner's jury. "Ed Crews, John Collier, Jr. and Fitz Williams were the three witnesses--all of them testified to the same main facts, and we give below the testimony of the latter, as published:
"Mr. John Collier, Jr., and myself went to the store of D. D. Crews, at Crewsville, at about 8 o'clock on the morning of the 10th of June 1895. Mr. John Lucas was in the store trading when we got there.
"In a few minutes Mr. D. D. Crews came, being at the time armed with a shot gun and a pistol in a belt around his waist, when some difficulty occurred between Lucas and Crews, concerning the driving of some hogs, over which they seemed to have some hot words, but seemed to stop when Crews said to us it was time to go.
"We all started to get on our horses, Crews doing the same. Lucas then said to him that any man that would take up for a hog thief was no better than a hog thief.
"Crews replied that 'I am a white man in a free country and can say what I damn please,' when Lucas made a rush as if to take hold of him. Crews then took out his pistol and commanded him to stop.
"Lucas replied, 'By God I've got something too,' went to his wagon and took therefrom a double barrel shotgun, cocked, and put it to his face. About this time, John Collier said to Ed Crews, 'catch the gun.' Ed ran and took hold of Lucas.
"Lucas told Ed to turn him loose, and knocked or shoved him loose, when Ed ran to one side. Lucas then whirled facing Crews, when each fired almost simultaneously, one from Lucas and two from Crews.
"Lucas then scrambled off about 15 feet and fell on his face, saying, 'Oh, Lord, I am a dead man.' Crews went right on after him, and when he go almost to him, Lucas turned over and threw up his gun as if to shoot.
"Crews caught the gun and shoved it back, and turned and walked back the way he went and started to where his horse was. As he passed the side of the store where John Collier had lent his gun, he picked it up and started on towards the horse, when Lucas jumped up, stepped to the side of the store and fired the shot that killed him."
The coroner's jury, composed of J. D. Adams (foreman), J. S. Keen, D. D. Whidden, Henry Locklier, Arthur Daughtry, and W. E. Whidden, declared that D. D. Crews had died by gun shots at the hands of John Lucas who should be charged with murder. Lucas was brought to Arcadia and locked in the county jail. His wounds, inflicted by fine bird shots to the back of his hip, were not serious, and his wife, in the capacity of a nurse, was allowed to tend him.
This writer has not been able to learn the disposition of Lucas' case, but he probably escaped from jail. At least, available accounts indicate the Arcadia jail was not well-guarded. On December 27, 1893, all the prisoners, except one Belford Branch, had escaped when the jail was broken open to allow James North (who had been sentenced to hang for the April 1892 murder at Zolfo of S. A. Sauls) and Quinn Bass (sentenced to life for the murder of Hardy Johnson) to escape, although Bass was killed while resisting arrest.
Anyway, Lucas afterwards added to his infamy when he killed North, now outlawed with a bounty on his head for the murder. There was no "Wild West" heroics though Lucas had a "friend" of North, Jim Daniels, to lure him on a hog hunt. Hiding beside the road, Lucas shot and killed the unsuspecting outlaw and had delivered his body to Arcadia for the reward.
An extract from the Bartow Courier-Informant of November 24, 1897 noted the final disposition of the case: "John Lucas, who is well known to this county, and who, it will be remembered, shot and killed Dempsey Crews of DeSoto County, about a year ago, and afterwards killed Jim North, who was an outlaw, charged with murdering Bud Sauls was...himself literally cut to pieces..."
Postscript: Since writing this in 1990, I still haven't learned the disposition of the judicial handling of Lucas' killing of Crews. In rereading Nixon Smiley's article, I must conclude he didn't escape jail as, according to Smiley, "They loaded North's body onto Daniel's wagon and drove the body to Arcady (Arcadia). Lucas went in and collected the reward." Lucas, if a fugitive, would have been arrested; therefore, Lucas must have been let off lightly for the Crews' slaying.
References not cited: Nixon Smiley, "Bloodshed On The Big 90," Miami Herald, October 3, 1965; "Dempsey Dubois Crews 1846-1895," South Florida Pioneers (25/26 July/Oct. 1980), pp. 31-33; Janet Snyder Matthews, Edge of Wilderness, p. 328; Fort Myers Press, Jan. 5, 1885; Savannah Morning News, Jan. 8, 1885; The Florida Times-Union, April 27, 1892, Nov. 4, 13, 19, Dec. 29, Feb. 12 and June 12, 1895; newspapers clippings, courtesy of Canter Brown, Jr.
This article is adapted from the author's feature in The Herald-Advocate (Wauchula, Fla.) of June 14, 1990."
Dempsey Jr was named Executor of his father's will
Dempsey was the son of Dempsey Dubois Crews and Piety Collier. He was married (1) 5 Aug 1869 to Frances Isabelle "Fannie" Collins and (2) 7 Sep 1892 to Martha Jane E. Lanier.
D D Crews, "Florida, State Census, 1885"
Name:
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SELF
WIFE
DAU
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Sources
"Florida, State Census, 1885," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MNJH-N9H : accessed 25 Oct 2013), D D Crews, 1885.
General Notes: Wife - Frances Isabelle Collins
Notes: Marriage (Frances Isabelle Collins):
Sex: Male
Spouse's Name: Francis Isabel Collins
Spouse's Sex: Female
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 6 Aug 1869
Event Place: Manatee, Florida, United States
Household
Francis Isabel Collins
Digital Folder Number: 007245840
Microfilm Number: 1017159
Originating System: ODM
Indexing Batch: M51613-1
Citing this Record
"Florida, Marriages, 1837-1974", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5Z9-J2H : 11 January 2020), Dempsey D. Crews, 1869.
Husband Goldwire Benjamin Colson
Born: 1883
Christened:
Died: 1962
Buried:
Marriage:
Wife Alva Nancy Crews
Born: 11 Dec 1891
Christened:
Died: 14 Dec 1961
Buried: - New Hope Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, LaCrosse, Alachua County, Florida
Father: James Crews
Mother: Virginia Ella Harrell
Children
General Notes: Husband - Goldwire Benjamin Colson
General Notes: Wife - Alva Nancy Crews
Husband Benjamin Corley Crews
Born: 9 Apr 1897
Christened:
Died: 14 Jan 1965
Buried: - Moniac Cemetery, Charlton County, Georgia, USA
Father: Riley Crews
Mother: Annie A. Crews
Marriage: 23 Mar 1916
Wife Amanda Combs
Born: 9 Mar 1884 - Baker County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 7 Jun 1959 - Macclenny, Baker County, Florida
Buried: - North Prong Cemetery, Baxter, Baker County, Florida
Children
General Notes: Husband - Benjamin Corley Crews
General Notes: Wife - Amanda Combs
Florida Times Union, Monday. June 8, 1959
Mrs. Amanda Combs Crews, 76, of Macclenny died Sunday in a local hospital following a long illness. She was a native of Baker County and a member of Mount Zion Primitive Baptist Church in Baker County. Surviving are her husband, Ben Crews of Macclenny, one son, John Lester Crews of Baldwin, four brothers, Main Combs of St. George's, Georgia, Auzzie Combs of Glen St. Mary, Luke Combs and Naploean Combs, both of Jacksonville, one sister, Mrs. Josephine Rhoden of Tampa, and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon a 2 o'clock from the Mount Zion Primitive Baptist Church, north of Glen St. Mary in Baker County with Elder Ben Thomas officiating. The body will rest in the church from 1:30 P.M. until the funeral hour. Pallbearers will be A.D. Altman, Isiah Harris, J.O. Bennett, O.R Carroll and J.C. Howard, Interment will be in North Prong Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by John M. Brinkley, Macclenny. Florists are asked to have flowers in Macclenny by 11 A.M. Tuesday.
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47023279/amanda-crews: accessed May 3, 2025), memorial page for Amanda Combs Crews (9 Mar 1884\endash 7 Jun 1959), Find a Grave Memorial ID 47023279, citing North Prong Cemetery, Baxter, Baker County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Cissy (contributor 48922867).
Husband George William Combs
Born: 1 May 1861 - Florida 67
Christened:
Died: 18 Aug 1936 - Waycross, Ware Co., Georgia, USA
Buried:
Father: William Combs
Mother: Mary
Marriage:
Wife Kizzie Johnson
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
1 M John Hamilton Combs
Born: 1 Nov 1882 - Clinch County, Georgia
Christened:
Died: 14 Jan 1963
Buried:
General Notes: Husband - George William Combs
Married: 11 AUG 1881 Clinch County, Georgia
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George W. Combs , 77 , died at the home of his daughter Mrs. S.E. Smith in Emerson Park.
Left to carry on by his six children
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock following burial into Mt. Pleasant with the Rev. George Fowler conducting his service.
Mincy Funeral Home.
Gravesite Details
Buried beside wife.
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30314868/george_william-combs: accessed July 19, 2025), memorial page for George William Combs (1 May 1861\endash 18 Aug 1936), Find a Grave Memorial ID 30314868, citing Mount Plesant Cemetery, Waycross, Ware County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by d powell (contributor 48137798).
Husband James Henry Crews
Born: 23 Apr 1867 - Columbia County, FL 116
Christened:
Died: 23 Jan 1903
Buried: - Taylor Cemetery, Taylor, Baker County, Florida, US
Father: John B. Crews III
Mother: Sarah Williams
Marriage: 11 Mar 1888 116
Wife Lillie Mae Combs 116
Born: 16 Jun 1869 - Baker County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 16 Nov 1933 - Lake City, Columbia County, Florida
Buried: - Taylor Cemetery, Taylor, Baker County, Florida, US
Children
General Notes: Husband - James Henry Crews
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23521208/james_henry-crews: accessed May 5, 2025), memorial page for James Henry Crews (28 Apr 1867\endash 23 Jan 1903), Find a Grave Memorial ID 23521208, citing Taylor Cemetery, Taylor, Baker County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Elaine Wilson Toomey (contributor 46951411).
General Notes: Wife - Lillie Mae Combs
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23521307/lillie_mae-crews: accessed May 5, 2025), memorial page for Lillie Mae Combs Crews (16 Jun 1869\endash 16 Nov 1933), Find a Grave Memorial ID 23521307, citing Taylor Cemetery, Taylor, Baker County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Elaine Wilson Toomey (contributor 46951411).
Husband William Combs
Born: Aug 1826 - Florida
Christened:
Died: 1912 - Millwood. Ware, Georgia
Buried: - Mount Plesant Cemetery, Waycross, Ware County, Georgia
Marriage: 1880
Wife Morgiana Waldron
Born: 16 Apr 1842 - Ware County, Georgia 344
Christened: 17 Jan 1880 - Ramah Primitive Baptist Church, Clinch County, GA 345
Died: 22 Sep 1909 - Georgia 344
Buried: 1909 - Carter Family Cemetery, Echols County, Georgia, USA 346
Father: Elias David Waldron
Mother: Nancy Banner Thomas
Other Spouse: Samuel Crews - 1867
Children
General Notes: Husband - William Combs
They had two sons: George and Johnnie
Second married 1880 Morgiana Anna Waldron
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1910 Millwood/Manor area
William was living with his son George and his wife Kizzie Johnson Combs)
and Matilda Johnson was living with them also.
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/261106339/william_m-combs: accessed July 19, 2025), memorial page for William M "Bill" Combs (Aug 1826\endash 1912), Find a Grave Memorial ID 261106339, citing Mount Plesant Cemetery, Waycross, Ware County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by d powell (contributor 48137798).
General Notes: Wife - Morgiana Waldron
Annie had three children, though only two are known at this writing.
Samuel, Annie, daughter Sarah, and Samuel's baby sister, Julia Crews, were enumerated in the 1870 census in Clinch County, GA. At the time, Annie was approximately 5 months pregnant with son, Samuel.
First husband Samuel Crews died about 1875. Per the Clinch County Tax Digest of 1876, Elias D. Waldron (Annie's father) acted as an "agent for Mrs. A. Crews and children". In 1877, the Clinch County Tax Digest reports Mrs. Annie Crews declared her other property was valued at $125. In 1878, the Clinch County Tax Digest shows Annie's brother, Asbury Waldron, as an agent for Mrs. Annie Crews (as well as Mrs. Nancy Waldron). In the 1879 Clinch County Tax Digest, William Combs is the "agent for wife and children."
June 20, 1876 after Divine Service By the pastor H Cowart 20 Minutes Intermission the church came in Conference The Door of the church was opened for the Reception of members Sister Nancy Griffis Came forward and By letter from Bethel church Echolls County Ga was Received also, at the same time Morgann Crews came forward and was received by letter from the Same church.
On Oct 12th 1878 after Divine Service by the pastor H Cowart the church "tests" Anna Crews and withdrew her fellowship unanimously. I have no idea what or why this test was administered but obviously the result was she was no longer a member of Ramah.
The church of Ramah met Saturday morning Jan 17th 80 After Divine Services By the pastor H Cowart 20 Minutes Intermission the church came in Conferance a door was opened for the Reception of Members William Combs came forward and was Recd by Confession of faith also sister Annie Combs was Rectored
Morgiana later married William Combs The 1900 census indicates William and Annie were married for 20 years, therefore married about 1880. The couple was in Clinch Co at the time of their wedding in 1880.
Sometime after 1880 but before 1893, William, Annie, and family relocated to eastern Lowndes County.
The 1900 census for Lowndes County, Lake Park District, lists William Combs as head of the household, Annie Combs as his wife, Samuel Crews as his stepson and Sarah as his stepdaughter. George Combs was also enumerated in the household. The same census states Annie had 3 children, with 2 of the 3 living as of 1900.
Anna is interred in the Carter Family Cemetery next to Sardis Baptist Church in western Echols County, GA. Though she is not identified by name, the inscription on her headstones states, "Mother of Sam and Sarah Crews."
References:
1870 Census, Clinch County, GA
1880 Census Clinch County GA
1900 Census Lowndes County, GA
Judge Huxford's Personal Notes
1876 Clinch County Tax Digest
1877 Clinch County Tax Digest
1878 Clinch County Tax Digest
1879 Clinch County Tax Digest
Monument, Carter Family Cemetery, Echold County, GA 344