First Families - Crafton

Crafton marriages in Clay County, Indiana (1826-1860):

Horace [Harris] Crafton to Martha Jane Phipps, 28 September 1860

Martha Crafton to Henry Gilbrech, 24 September 1850

The courthouse burned on 30 November 1851, destroying all marriage records. Sometime later, a few people voluntarily went into the new courthouse and re-recorded their marriages by affidavit. Martha's was one.

Some information about people with the Crafton/Crofton surname from 1884 History of Clay County by Blanchard follows:

Page 304, Cass Township: Among the very first settlers was James Crafton, who located near the village of Poland about the same time that Rizley came to the county, or perhaps a little later. He appears to have been an easy going, lazy, good-natured sort of a character, with no particularily bad traits, yet not entirely free from imperfections. He entered a tract of land in Section 21 in the year 1823, and was a resident of Cass for many years, afterward selling out and moving into the adjoining township of Washington.

Page 311, Cass Township: The earliest marriage traceable was solemized in the year 1828, the contracting parties being James Crafton and Sarah, daughter of Joshua Cromwell. The ceremony was performed by Squire Samuel Risley.

Page 166, Washington Township: in 1831 ... James Crofton, ... made entries

Lora was my Grandmother and she was born in Brazil, Indiana. I beleive that all of the children were born in Brazil, or close to Brazil.

Samuel's parents were John Hochstetler and Phoebe Burger. Phoebe was the daughter of Samuel J and Rachel (Stiffi) Burger. John was born 8 April 1851 and married Phoebe 1 January 1874. Their children were Anna, Samuel, Amanda Belle, James, Effie Alice and Sylvia.

I have the information on marriage of Samuel and Margaret from the library in Terre Haute, Indiana. I don't have a clue as to what his occupation was or where they lived in Clay county. If anyone would have that information it would be appreciated.