Husband David Lawton Crews
Born: 24 Mar 1862
Christened:
Died: 21 Oct 1945
Buried: - Moore Cemetery, Hoboken, Brantley County, GA
Father: John Jackson Crews
Mother: Sabra Selina Dowling
Marriage:
Wife Mary Roberson
Born: 10 Oct 1856 134
Christened:
Died: 30 Oct 1943 - Brantley County, Georgia
Buried: - Moore Cemetery, Hoboken, Brantley County, GA
Father: Wiley Roberson
Mother: Mary Altman
Children
General Notes: Husband - David Lawton Crews
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33100018/david_lawson-crews: accessed December 28, 2024), memorial page for David Lawson Crews (24 Mar 1862\endash 21 Oct 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 33100018, citing Moore Cemetery, Hoboken, Brantley County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by Michael H Pafford (contributor 46805670).
General Notes: Wife - Mary Roberson
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33100032/mary-crews: accessed December 28, 2024), memorial page for Mary Roberson Crews (10 Oct 1856\endash 30 Oct 1943), Find a Grave Memorial ID 33100032, citing Moore Cemetery, Hoboken, Brantley County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by Michael H Pafford (contributor 46805670).
Husband David Layton Crews 27
Born: 20 Jan 1883 - Georgia 27
Christened:
Died: 3 May 1927 - Ware County, Georgia 27
Buried:
Father: Bryant M. Crews
Mother: Mary Leticia Dowling
Marriage:
Wife Lilla Tatum 27
Born: Abt 1903
Christened:
Died: 3 May 1927 - Ware County (Now Echols) Georgia
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - David Layton Crews
Other information in the record of D. L. Crews Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25208809/david_lee-crews: accessed August 9, 2025), memorial page for David Lee Crews Sr. (22 Apr 1894\endash 24 Mar 1969), Find a Grave Memorial ID 25208809, citing Westview Cemetery, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, USA; Maintained by RJ (contributor 47172169).
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25208837/ethel_lurena-crews: accessed August 9, 2025), memorial page for Ethel Lurena Pickett Crews (6 Mar 1896\endash 6 Dec 1923), Find a Grave Memorial ID 25208837, citing Westview Cemetery, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, USA; Maintained by RJ (contributor 47172169).
Name: Mac Crews METES AND BOUNDS II: DAVID CREWS, ANCESTORS & DESCENDANTS by Donna Hechler Name CREWS, DEMPSEY D. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125258290/dempsey_dubois-crews: accessed January 1, 2025), memorial page for Dr Dempsey Dubois Crews (30 Jan 1882\endash 1940), Find a Grave Memorial ID 125258290, citing Riverside Memorial Park, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Cissy (contributor 48922867). Her maiden name was Peelman, not Pulman, as was her son's middle name, Walter Peelman Crews. Her mother: Charlotte Rinkenberger Peelman. Her father: Henry C Peelman., info contributed by Roger, FAG member #49008102 Name: Dempsey D. Crews "[The Bartow Courier-Informant of June 19, 1895 reported: Name: Dempsey D. Crews Name: Benjamin L. Crews Hampton Walker Sr. is the son of Jeremiah Walker and Nancy Dowling. According to family traditions Hampton Walker is buried in New Hope Cemetery. His grave is unmarked at this time. The old wooden marker has faded with time.
Other information in the record of Darah Walker
from Georgia Deaths
Name
Event Date
Age (Formatted)
Event Place
Birth Year (Estimated)
Birthplace
Gender
Marital Status
Race
Ethnicity
Spouse's Name
Father's Name
Mother's Name
GS Film number
Citing this Record
"Georgia Deaths, 1914-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDJX-J1W : 24 December 2014), Bryant Crews in entry for D. L. Crews, 03 May 1927, Ware, Georgia, United States; citing reference 12659, Department of Archives and History, Atlanta; FHL microfilm 2364789.
Husband David Lee Crews
Born: 22 Apr 1894 - Florida
Christened:
Died: 24 Mar 1969 - Duval County, Florida
Buried: - Westview Cemetery, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida
Father: David Caleb Crews
Mother: Frances Missouri Prevatt
Marriage:
Wife Ethel Lurena Pickett
Born: 6 Mar 1896 - Florida
Christened:
Died: 6 Dec 1923 - Duval County, , Florida
Buried: - Westview Cemetery, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida
Father: Harrison Jefferson Pickett
Mother: Lurena Barbara Plonk
Children
General Notes: Husband - David Lee Crews
General Notes: Wife - Ethel Lurena Pickett
Husband David M. Crews
AKA: Mac
Born: May 1877 - Georgia
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Noah Crews
Mother: Rebecca Gunter
Marriage: 26 Mar 1898 - Charlton County, Georgia
Wife Hattie Johns
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - David M. Crews
Sex: Male
Age: 23 years
Birth Date: May 1877
Birthplace: Georgia
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Years Married: 2
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Father's Birthplace: Georgia
Mother's Birthplace: Georgia
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1900
Event Place: District 32, Charlton, Georgia, United States
Event Place (Original): Militia District 32, Folkston Folkston town, ED 105, Charlton, Georgia, United States
Household Identifier: 235
Line Number: 29
Sheet Letter: A
Sheet Number: 14
Affiliate Publication Number: T623
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Household
Noah Crews
Becca Crews
Ella Crews
Maggie F Crews
Hattie Crews
Digital Folder Number: 004119690_004_M9K1-LZ6
Microfilm Number: 1240184
Image Number: 28
Indexing Batch: N00807-9
Citing this Record
"United States, Census, 1900", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3F1-JY2 : Wed Oct 22 03:26:08 UTC 2025), Entry for Mac Crews and Hattie Crews, 1900.
Husband David Milton Crews
Born: 3 Mar 1740 - Hanover County, Virginia 147,239
Christened:
Died: 2 Nov 1821 - Madison County. Kentucky 147
Buried: - Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Madison, KY 147
Father: David Crews
Mother: Mary Stanley
Marriage: 1760-1761 147
Wife Annie Magee
Born: Abt 1745 - Virginia 147
Christened:
Died: 1796-1802 - Madison County. Kentucky 147
Buried:
Father:
Mother: Mary Ladd 147
Children
1 M David Crews Jr.
Born: 17 Nov 1770 - Virginia 420
Christened:
Died: 19 Jul 1833 - Howard County, MO 420
Buried:
Spouse: Sally Tribble
Marr: 5 Mar 1799 - Madison County. Kentucky 420
2 M John Crews
Born: Bef 1774 - Bedford County, Virginia 421
Christened:
Died: 1812 - Henry County, Virginia 421
Buried:
Spouse: Lucy Hardwick
Marr: 26 Jan 1795 - Bedford County, Virginia
General Notes: Husband - David Milton Crews
Porter
pg. 83-84
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF DAVID MILTON CREWS
Madison County, Kentucky Will Book C, pg. 192-194
In the name of God Amen. I, David CREWS of Madison County and State of
Kentucky, do hereby declare this to be my last Will and Testament hereby
revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made.
In the first place, I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Mary NEWLAND, one
dollar having heretofore advanced to her all I intend giving her. ----
Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Mildred BELL, my negro woman
called Sarah to her and her heirs forever ---- Thirdly, I give and bequeath
to my son, Jeremiah CREWS, one dollar having heretofore advanced to him all I
intend giving him ---- 4th I give and bequeath unto my son, Elijah CREWS, one
dollar having heretofore advanced to him all I intend ----
5th I give and bequeath unto my son, David CREWS, the land I purchased of
William HOY being the land whereon I formerly lived lying on the west side to
Tates Creek. ---- 6th I give and bequeath unto my daughter Nancy MCQUEEN, one
dollar having advanced to her heretofore all I intend giving her ----
7th I give and bequeath to the heirs of my deceased son, John CREWS, one
dollar having heretofore in the lifetime of my said son, John, advanced to him
all I intend giving him. ----
8th I give and bequeath to my daughter, Rody, one dollar having heretofore
given her all I intend giving her ----
9th It is my will and desire that my beloved wife, Mildred, remain on the
plantation whereon I now live during her natural life or widowhood, and, that
the Stock _____ and negroes be by my Executors kept on the plantation, and
that out of the proceeds arising from the farm my wife is to have a
comfortable Support during her natural life or widowhood, and that that
balance of the proceeds arising from the farm I wish my Executors to make use
of in raising and Education of my children by my last wife and giving them a
good English education.
10th It is my will and desire that my negroes _____ _____ that so soon as all
my children by my last wife become of age that if it is possible they be
equally divided between them
11th It is my will and desire that my negro man, Jupiter, be permitted at my
death to make choice of which of my children by my first wife he pleases to
live with, and to the one he makes choice of I give and bequeath him and their
heirs forever.
12th I give and bequeath unto my son, Andrew, my Tract of land lying on Muddy
Creek to him and his heirs forever.
13th I give and bequeath unto my son, Temple, the Tract of land whereon I now
live at the death or intermarriage of his mother which ever may first happen.
14th It is my will and desire that the residue of my estate both real and
personal be equally divided between my children by my last wife towit:
Andrew, Temple, Anna, Sophi, China to be equally divided amongst them when
they become of age all of them.
Lastly, ------- I do hereby constitute and appoint John PACE and David IRVINE
my Executors of this my only true last Will and Testament
In testimony whereof I have here unto Set my hand and affixed my seal to this
my last Will and Testament this 12th Day of May 1819
Signed Seal & ack -----David CREWS
In presence of
R.C. HOLDER
Will JENKINS
Jno DUNCAN
Thomas GENTRY
William STURGIS
Kentucky Madison County Court
I, David IRVINE, Clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do hereby
certify that at a County Court held for Madison County on Monday the 5th day
of November 1821 this Instrument of writing was produced in open Court and
proven to be the last Will and Testament of David CREWS Dec'd by the oath of
John DUNCAN and Thomas I GENTRY both subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered
to be Recorded and the same has been done accordingly.
Yes, David Milton. In my book I stated he was born in New Kent. Older records before I started researching stated Henrico County but there was no evidence for that that I ever found. I don't know how that was ever given. I couldn't decide at the time between Hanover County or New Kent. His dad was listed as being part of the Cedar Creek meeting and being dismissed right after David's birth (but he obviously made restitution at some point), so I don't really know why I didn't have the birth listed as Hanover at the time. With the surfacing of the store records it fairly well cements his birth in Hanover County.
Husband David Mitchell Crews
Born: 11 Nov 1859 - Echols County, Georgia
Christened:
Died: 4 Sep 1936 - Ocala, Marion, Florida
Buried: 6 Sep 1936 - Ocala, Marion, Florida
Father: William B. Crews
Mother: Martha M. North
Marriage: 1882
Wife Sidney Susan Ellis
Born: 1864
Christened:
Died: 1934
Buried:
Children
1 M David Edward Crews
Born: 26 Aug 1885 - Stockton, Lowndes, Georgia
Christened:
Died: 15 Jul 1947 - Ocala, Marion, Florida
Buried: 17 Jul 1947
Spouse: Thelma Lee Sullivan
Spouse: Dossie Sullivan
Marr: 26 Aug 1924 - Marion County, Florida
2 M Charley L. Crews
Born: Oct 1887 - Florida
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
3 M Cleveland Y. Crews
Born: 5 Apr 1892 - Florida
Christened:
Died: 10 May 1950 - Warren County, Mississippi
Buried: - Cedaar Hill Cemetery, Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi
Spouse: Evelyn Anna Gotthelf
Marr: 24 Jun 1920 - Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina
4 M Fred Lillian Crews
Born: 3 Dec 1896 - Florida
Christened:
Died: 3 Jun 1959 - Duval County, FL
Buried: - Greenwood Cemetery, Ocala, Marion, Florida
5 F Vera Myrl Crews
Born: Jul 1899 - Florida
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Ira Walter Stewart
Marr: 1 Mar 1919 - Ocala, Marion, Florida
General Notes: Husband - David Mitchell Crews
Sex
Age
Birth Date
Birthplace
Marital Status
Race
Years Married
Relationship to Head of Household
Father's Birthplace
Mother's Birthplace
Event Type
Event Date
Event Place
Event Place (Original)
Household Identifier
Line Number
Sheet Letter
Sheet Number
Affiliate Publication Number
Affiliate Name
David M Crews's Spouses and Children
Open All
Charley L Crews
Son
Susan Crews
Wife
Vera M Crews
Daughter
Cleaveland G Crews
Son
Fred Luthur Crews
Son
David E Crews
Son
"United States, Census, 1900", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M369-4PL : Tue Jan 14 13:21:35 UTC 2025), Entry for David M Crews and Susan Crews, 1900.
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: 16 Dec 1863 - Manatee County, Florida 1
Wife Mahala Molcy Hair
Born: 23 Dec 1837 - Columbia County, FL 1
Christened:
Died: 31 May 1925 - Balm, Hillsborough County, Florida
Buried: - New Hope Cemetery, Crewsville, Hardee, Florida
Father: William Calvin Hair Jr.
Mother: Sarah Jane Parker
Children
1 F Sarah Jane Crews
Born: 13 Nov 1864 - Manatee County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 1872
Buried:
2 M William Calvin Crews
Born: 30 Nov 1866 - Manatee County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 13 Dec 1940 - Hardee, Florida, United States
Buried: - New Hope Cemetery, Crewsville, Hardee, FL
Spouse: Cornelia C. Whidden
Marr: 29 Aug 1888 - DeSoto County, Florida
3 M Isham Crews
Born: 17 Apr 1869 - Zolfo Springs, Manatee County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 5 Aug 1938 - Hardee County, Florida
Buried: 7 Aug 1938 - New Zion Cemetery, Ona, Hardee County, Florida
Spouse: Mary Azalene Gill
4 F Sophia T. Crews
Born: 1 Jan 1872
Christened:
Died: Jan 1898
Buried: - Altman Family Cemetery, Polk County, Florida
Spouse: Louis H. Altman
Marr: 17 Jan 1889 - Arcadia, DeSoto County, Florida
5 M Reverend Thomas Jefferson Crews
Born: 25 Jan 1874
Christened:
Died: 31 Aug 1963 - Hillsborough, Florida, United States
Buried: - Venus United Methodist Church Cemetery, Vensus, Highlands County, Florida
Spouse: Ava Bailey
6 M Edward Crews
Born: 15 Oct 1877
Christened:
Died: 1886
Buried:
7 F Charity Crews
Born: 18 Jun 1879 - Zolfo Springs, Manatee County, Florida 226
Christened:
Died: 25 May 1964
Buried: - Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Wimauna, Hillsborough County, Florida
Spouse: Chester Burnett
Marr: 28 Jul 1901 - Arcadia, Desoto, Florida, United States
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
Husband Dr. Dempsey Dubois Crews III
Born: 30 Jan 1882
Christened:
Died: 1940 - Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida
Buried: - Riverside Memorial Park, Jacksonville, Duval, Florida
Father: Dempsey Dubois Crews Jr.
Mother: Frances Isabelle Collins
Marriage: 25 Dec 1907 - Bradford, Florida, United States
Wife Marion Ethel Peelman
Born: 29 Jun 1888 - Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Christened:
Died: 15 Sep 1978 - Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, USA
Buried: - Riverside Memorial Park, Jacksonville, Duval, Florida
Children
General Notes: Husband - Dr. Dempsey Dubois Crews III
Name: Dempsey Crews
Sex: Male
Age: 38
Birth Year (Estimated): 1882
Birthplace: Florida
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Father's Birthplace: Florida
Mother's Birthplace: Florida
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1920
Event Place: Jacksonville, Duval, Florida, United States
Event Place (Original): Jacksonville Ward 10, ED 67, Duval, Florida, United States
Household Identifier: 214
Line Number: 69
Sheet Letter: B
Sheet Number: 9
Affiliate Publication Number: T625
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Household
Henry Peelman
Frances Crews
Dorothy Crews
Marion Crews
Charlotte Peelman
Digital Folder Number: 004964400
Microfilm Number: 1820218
Image Number: 954
Indexing Batch: N01957-8
Citing this Record
"United States, Census, 1920", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNYX-ZQV : Wed Jan 22 03:44:30 UTC 2025), Entry for Dempsey Crews and Marion Crews, 1920.
General Notes: Wife - Marion Ethel Peelman
Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125258293/marion_ethel-crews: accessed September 13, 2025), memorial page for Marion Ethel Pulman Crews (29 Jun 1888\endash 15 Sep 1978), Find a Grave Memorial ID 125258293, citing Riverside Memorial Park, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, USA; Maintained by Cissy (contributor 48922867).
Notes: Marriage (Marion Ethel Peelman):
Sex: Male
Spouse's Name: Marion Ethel Pulman (Peelman)
Spouse's Sex: Female
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 25 Dec 1907
Event Place: Bradford, Florida, United States
Source Details: pg 102
Reference: Volumes D-F
Household
Marion Ethel Pulman
Digital Folder Number: 007621256
Microfilm Number: 966197
Originating System: EASY
Indexing Batch: M73499-2
Citing this Record
"Florida, Marriages, 1837-1974", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWWL-PLW : 11 January 2020), Dempsey D. Crews, 1907.
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: 6 Sep 1892 - Arcadia, DeSoto County, Florida
Wife Martha Jane Lanier
Born: 24 Feb 1871 - Ft Meade, Polk County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 22 Dec 1910 - Crewsville, DeSoto County, Florida
Buried:
Other Spouse: Benjamin L. Crews Jr - 8 Jul 1897 - Arcadia, DeSoto County, Florida
Children
1 M Thomas Watson Crews
Born: 21 Oct 1893
Christened:
Died: 23 Sep 1969
Buried: - Woodlawn Memorial Park, Gotha, Orange County, Florida
2 M David Crews
Born: 23 Oct 1895 - DeSoto County, Florida
Christened:
Died: 12 Mar 1900 - Ft Meade, Polk County, Florida
Buried: - Crewsville Cemetery, Crewsville, DeSoto County, Florida
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"
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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.
Notes: Marriage (Martha Jane Lanier):
Sex: Male
Spouse's Name: Martha Jane Lanier
Spouse's Sex: Female
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 6 Sep 1892
Event Place: Arcadia, DeSoto, Florida, United States
Event Place (Original): Arcadia, Desoto, Florida, United States
Source Details: Vol 1 pg 114
Reference: Volume 1
Household
Martha Jane Lanier
Digital Folder Number: 007621636
Microfilm Number: 945004
Originating System: EASY
Indexing Batch: M73747-7
Citing this Record
"Florida, Marriages, 1837-1974", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWSF-D52 : 11 January 2020), Dempsey D. Crews, 1892.
Notes: Marriage (Benjamin L. Crews Jr):
Sex: Male
Spouse's Name: Martha J.e. Crews
Spouse's Sex: Female
Spouse's Marital Status: Unknown
Spouse's Previous Husband's Name: Crews
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 8 Jul 1897
Event Place: Arcadia, DeSoto, Florida, United States
Event Place (Original): Arcadia, Desoto, Florida, United States
Source Details: Vol 1 pg 244
Reference: Volume 1
Household
Martha J. Crews
Crews
Digital Folder Number: 007621636
Microfilm Number: 945004
Originating System: EASY
Indexing Batch: M73747-7
Citing this Record
"Florida, Marriages, 1837-1974", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWSF-X4Z : 11 January 2020), Benjamin L. Crews, 1897.
Husband Hampton Walker
Born: 1850 - Ware County, Georgia
Christened:
Died: 1890 - Hickox, Ware County, Georgia, United States
Buried: - New Hope Primitive Baptist Cemetery, Hickox, Ware County, GA
Marriage: 25 Feb 1869
Wife Dorinda Crews
Born: 27 May 1848
Christened:
Died: 14 Sep 1922 - Hickox, Brantley, Georgia, United States
Buried:
Father: Archibald Crews
Mother: Lucretia Purdom
Children
General Notes: Husband - Hampton Walker
General Notes: Wife - Dorinda Crews
from Georgia Deaths
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Event Date
Age (Formatted)
Event Place
Birth Date
Birthplace
Gender
Marital Status
Race
Ethnicity
Spouse's Name
Spouse's Titles and Terms
Father's Name
Mother's Name
GS Film number
Citing this Record
"Georgia Deaths, 1914-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDXZ-YLR : 24 December 2014), Arch Crews in entry for Darah Walker, 14 Sep 1922, Hickox, Brantley, Georgia, United States; citing reference 22266, Department of Archives and History, Atlanta; FHL microfilm 2320107.
Daughter of Archibald & Lucretia Purdom Crews
Georgia Marriages 1851-1900:
Married Hampton Walker Feb 25, 1869 in Wayne Co, GA
1870 US Federal Census, Sanderson, Baker Co, FL
Hampton Head age 20
Dolly wife age 22
Martha dau age 6/12
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1880 US Federal Census, Center Village, Charlton, GA
Hampton Head age 35
Dora wife age 30
Martha dau age 10
Nancy dau age 8
Lizzie dau age 4
John W son age 1
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1900 US Federal Census, Hoboken, Pierce Co, GA
Dora Head age 52 widowed
Lizzie dau age 28
John son age 22
Pollie dau age 19
Samuel son age 17
Hampton son age 12
Alice dau age 18 married
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1910 US Federal Census, Hoboken, Pierce Co, GA
Dora Head age 61
Hamp son age 22