Hannah Crawford Elementary School
Grades PreK through 5

This school carries the name sake of
Colonel William Crawford’s wife Hannah (Vance) Crawford

HANNAH   VANCE
By Bill Coup

Hannah Vance was a daughter of John Vance of Frederick County, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley about 1724. John Vance, an early settler and surveyor. He also was a farmer and cooper. His young surveyor assistants included William Crawford, who metand wooed his daughter, Hannah, and married her in 1747. They started a family, having two daughters, Sarah (Sally) and Ophelia (Effie) and one son, John, from about 1749 to1751.

The family spent their early years in the Shenandoah Valley region until about1766, when William and Hannah Crawford took their family to settle on the banks of the Youghiogheny River in western Pennsylvania where Connellsville now stands. William had explored the region and built a cabin for his family in the wilderness. The cabin was about 14 x 16 feet with two openings in the logs that served as windows, one near the door,facing the river, and the other facing the nearby hills. It had a floor of split logs and the roof was rough planks. They lived there for the rest of their lives. William used his home as his base of operations and took an active part in public affairs.

William Crawford was born September 22, 1722 in Westmoreland County,Virginia. His father's name was either William or Valentine and died when William was young. His mother, Honora Grimes Crawford, remarried to Richard Stephenson and had children by him. William was trained as a surveyor and through that he met and became friends with George Washington. He was an ensign in the Virginia troops, which included George Washington that accompanied General Braddock at Braddock's Defeat in 1755 while attacking Fort Duquesne. During this expedition they both showed great courageunder fire, and as a result, Crawford was promoted to lieutenant for his actions. He lateralso accompanied Virginia troops under General Forbes and took up the land in Pennsylvania mentioned above after the Bouquet expedition in 1764.

Hannah Crawford was well known for her hospitality in western Pennsylvania.Their home was called Spring Garden and was located at a place called Stewart's Crossing, about 40 miles from Pittsburgh. The wilderness drew pioneers in search of new homes, and hospitality was deeply appreciated by them. The Crawford's kept an "open house" during those years. Since lodgings were scarce, travelers were welcomed by them. Among their visitors over the years were their old friend, George Washington, and Lord Dunmore, Royal Governor of Virginia. No woman was more highly respected and remembered with deep affection.

The Crawford's place became a favorite resting point for travelers to and from Virginia to Fort Pitt and its neighborhood, and the generous hospitality of William Crawford proved a serious tax upon his resources. His business capacity suggested some means of stopping this drain, and there is this interesting passage in a letter to George Washington, dated January 15, 1774: "I intend public house-keeping, and 1 am preparedfor it now, as 1 can no longer live without that or ruining myself - such numbers constantly travel the road and nobody keeping anything for horses but myself. Some days, now, if 1 had rum I could make three pounds. I have sent for some by Valentine Crawford, and can supply you with what you want as cheap as you can bring it here, if you carry it yourself."Prohibition was undiscovered at that time. It seems that Crawford was not averse to selling rum even without a license, and that Washington took his "nip" with regularity. Perhaps there were good reasons for it in those days. The winds of winter were biting and the snakes were numerous and biting in the summer season.

While her husband was surveying and scouting in the wilderness in the years before the Revolution and served his country in the war for independence, Hannah raised,educated and looked after their young family. At the beginning of the revolution William Crawford raised and commanded the 7th Virginia Regiment, serving served under GeneralGeorge Washington until 1777 when Congress asked that Washington send him to Fort Pittto command troops there under Brigadier General Hand. He continued there until 1781when he retired from service.

With his retirement from service William and Hannah Crawford planned to live outtheir lives in peace. That was not to be. The relations between the settlers and Ohio Indians on the frontier were very bad, and a state of terror reigned on the frontier. There were depredations on both sides with no quarter given. When an expedition against the Indiansin their strong hold at Sandusky was organized they turned to William Crawford to lead the forces in the coming battle. Hannah Crawford saw her husband, son John, Sally's husband William Harrison, and nephew William Crawford, son of her husband's late brother,Valentine, off on the expedition against the enemy. Only John returned alive.

After the disaster at Sandusky the survivors returned under the command of David Williamson, his second in command. Other stragglers returned in the following weeks. Asother survivors returned they were asked if they knew anything about their commander.None of them knew anything. On July 4th , 1782, after escaping from the Indians and surviving nearly three weeks evading them and surviving on his own in the wilderness,Doctor John Knight returned to Fort Pitt with the news of William Crawford's horrible death. John Slover, who had been a scout on the expedition, reported that he had found the bodies of William Harrison and young William Crawford. They too had died cruel deaths.Their home on the  shore of the Youghiogheny River was a house of mourning.

Her husband had been away for too long and his private affairs were in disorder. His estate was swept away by claims, some unjustified. The State of Pennsylvaniareim bursed his estate for losses that occurred on the expedition. The State also gave her apension based upon her husband's service. She also applied to Congress for a pension but was unsuccessful. She remained in her old home for the rest of her life, dying there nearly destitute in 1817.

"I well recollect," says Uriah Springer, quoted in the book, Our Western Border,"when I was a little boy, my grandmother Crawford took me behind her on horseback, rode across the Youghiogheny, and turned into the woods, where we both alighted by an old moss-covered white-oak log. 'Here,' she said, as she sat down upon the log, and cried asthough her heart would break - 'here I parted with your grandfather!'"

A recent book, County Chronicles, describes Hannah Crawford as follows:"The discomforts and hardships of transporting a family with small children from Virginia over the mountains to this rough country, in 1766, can scarcely be imagined; bu tWilliam and Hannah Crawford did it. None but the most courageous of women would have attempted this dangerous journey; but the Celtic-spirited Hannah Vance Crawford is said to have been of unusual valor and vivacity, able to meet every pioneer challenge and emergency. I marvel at how she persevered in that lone cabin in what as then deep wilderness and untamed frontier - without her husband, when his duties took him oft away. By all accounts, she was a true match for her soldier-spouse, whom Connellsville folk know as the "bravest of the brave."

After the colonel's tragic torture and death at the hands of the Delaware and Shawnee, Hannah continued, for thirty-five years, to reside in the one-room cabin on the western banks of the Youghiogheny. According to historian Franklin Ellis in his History of Fayette County, when her son John set out for his new home in Kentucky, the widow was left to the care of an old slave "Daniel" and another servant "Ladd," both of whom she outlived, passing away in 1817, a month prior to her ninety-fourth birthday. Hannah, to the end of her life, was remarkably active. A story survives in the Ellis book, from Provance McCormick of Connellsville, of an incident when Mrs. Crawford, then well past eighty,came on horseback to call on the McCormick's. "She rode a good-sized mare, and, when ready to return home after her visit, went to mount... "Wait, wait!" called one of the boys,'wait till I bring your horse to the block.' 'I don't want a horse block, my boy,' blithely countered the old lady. 'I'm better than fifty horseblocks.' And so saying, she moved briskly forward, placed a hand upon the horn of the saddle... and in a single bound was firmly seated, 'There,' she cried, 'what do you suppose I want of horse blocks!'"

Crawford's daughters, need to be remembered for their mettle and perseverance, as well. Sarah, the eldest and a great beauty, was married to Major William Harrison, who along with her father Colonel Crawford, was killed by Indians in the ill-fated Sandusky Expedition (1782). Sarah later married Captain Uriah Springer and lived in a small house a  top New Haven (West Side) Hill. Sh e adored children, and in her golden years, the youngsters in the area affectionately christened her "Granny Springer.''''

When Hannah Crawford was trying to deal with her husband's creditor's, she wroteto her old friend, George Washington, and asked for his assistance.

Hannah Crawford to George Washington.

Stewart's Crossing, June 4, 1784.

Sir: I offer my compliments to you I am now to inform you that uppon examining the accounts of my husband do find that there is the sum of one thousand and one hundred pounds Virginia currency coming from the State of Virginia to the estate and as I am very much harrowed by the creditors for debts due by the estate. Do now Sir beg and entreat of you to befriend me in getting of that money although I must confess it is too much of an obligation to now uppon you. But from my husbands connections with you informer times and your considering the great disadvantages I am lying under still I hope make some attonement for offering to trouble you on any such occasion and indeed I did not know unto whome I should apply to for a redress of grievances I saw a letter which you sent to brother John Stephenson concerning their accounts between you and them as also concerning some transactions of land which you are concerned in so have not as yet gotthe books all gathered together nor yet the papers but as soon as we can get them you shall have a coppy of them.

I am Sir with Respect your most obedient humble servant. Hannah Crawford.

George Washington to Thomas Freeman

Mount Vernon, May 8, 1786.

Sir: Being informed that Mrs. Crawford is on the point of having her negroes sold to discharge a Debt due from her late husband, Colo. Crawford, to Mr. James Cleveland, for whom you are Agent; 1 will, rather than such an event shall take place, agree to apply anymoney of mine, which may be in your hands, towards the discharge of the execution; anddesire, in that case, you will receive such security as Mrs. Crawford can give for reimbursing me. I am, etc.

Hannah Crawford to George Washington

Fayette County, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1787.

Dear General: 

I have no doubt that you have heard of the Resolution of the Legislative Body of your statepassed in my favour which will enable me to make you satisfaction for your great kindless to me. You may depend on having the bond paid as soon as I draw the first years allowance. Money being so hard here and so dificult to come at, that it will not be in my power to do any thing sooner. The first year allowance becomes due the 9th day of Jany next. I propose making application to Congress for the five years pay allowed to officers ofthe Continental Army & if I obtain  a certificate for it, it will be in my power to discharge agreat part of the debts due the creditors of my deceased husband's estate. Please Present my compliments to your Lady.

I am with much great esteem.

My dear friend. Your obedient and very humble servant. Hannah Crawford.

Sources:
1. Pennsylvania Women in the American Revolution. by William Henry Egle, Polyanthos, Cottonport, Pennsylvania, 1972, pages 58-61.
2. The Hero-Martyr of the Youghiogheny. Colonel William Crawford: Pioneer and Patriot. His Lite and Public Services and His Tragic Death at the Stake. Address delivered be/ore the Historical Society of Washington, Pa., February 22, 1909, by Henry P. Snyder, Editor of The Courier, Connellsville, Pa.
3. George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress. 1741-1799: Series 4. General Correspondence. 1697-1799.
4. An Overview of William Crawford's Life. as compiled by a descendant, Lucy Pancoast, 1956.
5. County Chronicles: A Vivid o(Fayette County. Pennsylvania Histories by Ceane O'Hanlon-Lincoln, Mechling Bookbindery, Chicora, Pennsylvania, 2007, pages 190, 191.
6. Our Western Border, by Charles McKnight, J.C. McCurdy, Philadelphia, 1875, page 466