Newspaper feature: 'Newcomer' John Wendell Jones and 'Oldtimer' James Allen Crawford families

A two-column newspaper feature divided into ‘NEWCOMER’ and ‘OLDTIMER’ panels.

NEWCOMER

The John Wendell Jones Family

Wendell and I came to Fayette County in 1977. We didn’t come by wagon, but it still seemed to take forever to get here from Virginia. Some of our friends thought we were silly to leave Virginia Beach. But we’re really glad we came!

We came to Fayette County for two reasons. Employment for John and a beautiful rural setting to raise our two children. 11-year-old Tom, and 13-year-old John, Jr., just love our little house in the country. We have 3 dogs, 5 cats, 2 ponies, 5 chickens, and one rooster. Don’t laugh! We think we’re on a farm with so many animals! Back in Virginia Beach we couldn’t even have a dog for fear of bothering the neighbors! But here we have 5 acres where we can spread out! John just loves his work, and the people have been so friendly. We’re here to stay. This is where we want to put down our “roots”.

Both of our parents were natives of Virginia. We miss them and all the cousins and uncles, but our new friends have made us feel right at home. Actually, we’re the first ones to leave Virginia. John’s ancestors go all the way back to the earliest settlers in the state. His great-great grandfather was a blacksmith in Colonial Williamsburg. My grandfather was a Civil War veteran.

John is a carpenter, so one of the first things he did was to build a house for us. We were concerned about being able to find a plumber and an electrician, but by the time John had finished “roughing-in” our house, two neighbors came and assisted with these chores, in their spare time. When they were finished and John asked them to send us the bill, they smiled and said “we don’t want anything for it, we were just being neighborly”. Well! It just made us glow all over. John said it reminded him of the early pioneers … everyone pitching in to help. Before we finally moved into the house, we also had assistance from a bricklayer and roofer who lived nearby. John has already repaid some of the kindness shown to him. He has spent several week-ends helping two of our neighbors with their remodeling projects.

Both John and I are active in the Methodist Church. I sing in the choir and he teaches an adult Men’s class.

One tradition which we followed in Virginia continues to be part of our family, even though we have left the ocean. Every July 4th we take the family on a fishing trip. At the ocean it was deep-sea fishing, but here it’s fresh water. (I usually catch more than anyone else, and so I get kidded a lot, but that doesn’t matter.) In the evening, we build a fire and cook our meal. It seems to taste so much better when we’ve worked so hard for it! 486 words

Submitted by Mary Ellen Jones

OLDTIMER

The James Allen Crawford Family

Samuel Allen Crowell left his home in England in 1774. After what seemed like an eternity, he and his wife and small daughters landed in Philadelphia and set up housekeeping in Chester County, PA.

Originally the family carried the name Cromwell, but on their way to the Colonies, Samuel and his brother John resolved to change their name. This was done with a solemn ceremony by writing their names on paper and then cutting the letter “M” out of the paper and casting it into the sea. The family pedigree on vellum recording this fact remains with the descendants of Samuel Crowell, and is kept, along with other valuables, in an ornamental chest.

Soon after my great-great grandfather had built his cabin in Chester County, he heard of land which was available in Bedford County, PA. So Samuel and his wife Sarah loaded their belongings and started West. Twelve days later they arrived, and Samuel purchased a 160-acre tract of timber for $100. After months and months of hard work, the land was cleared and crops flourished. During this period, three more children were born. Two boys and a girl. The girl, Elizabeth, (who was the youngest) was my great grandmother.

In 1817 my great grandmother met Charles A. Crawford of Greene County, PA. In the Fall they were married. Soon Elizabeth settled into farm life in Greene County.

My Grandfather, Charles A. Crawford, II, was born in 1847. At the age of 16 he moved to Preston County, Virginia, and built a cabin in a remote section near the Cheat River. Grandpa enjoyed hunting and fishing … so much so he remained a bachelor until 42 years of age. At that time, he met my grandmother, Daisy May who lived near what is now known as Hudson. Two sons were born to that union: Thomas and Joseph. Thomas was the youngest, he was my father. In 1919 Thomas married my mother, Mary Elizabeth (Wiles).

Some of my fondest memories are my school days. I remember when my brother John was janitor at school, and I used to help him sweep. We each had a homemade corn cob pipe hidden in the coal bin. As we would clean the schoolhouse, we would smoke pencil shavings in our pipes. That seems so long ago, so far away!

My wife, the former Pearl Harris of Newburg, and I retired in 1977, and we love to sit by the fire talking about the early days of the County. We live in a cottage along the river where grandad had his cabin. The original cabin is gone, but we can see the foundation and like to go for walks along the trail above the river. On warm summer days, I take my grandsons Steven and Paul down to the river. They love to hear stories about great-grandpa Charles. 479 words

Submitted by James A. Crawford

Captioned photographs along the lower margin of the clipping:

John, John, Jr., Tom and Mary Jones

Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Crawford