Benjamin Crowley
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Crowley II was an early settler
of Arkansas.
Crowley was born in Halifax County, Virginia. He was the son of Benjamin Crowley
I and Sarah Strong. By 1787, he was living in Oglethorpe County, Georgia
where the Crowley and Strong families had migrated. On December 15, 1795, he married Catherine Annie Wiley, the daughter of Peter Wiley and Mary Sharkey. Catherine was born c. 1771 in Augusta County, Virginia
and died in 1850 at Crowley (present day Walcott
), Greene County, Arkansas.
On August 9, 1808 he patented
200 acres (80.9 ha) in Christian County, Kentucky
. He was listed living there on the 1810 census. By June 16, 1817, Benjamin was listed in Lawrence County, Arkansas where he was the administrator of his son John’s estate.
On October 12, 1819 Benjamin Crowley purchased land from Solomon Hewitt for $200 on the Spring River
about two miles (3 km) above the mouth of the Eleven Point River
, on the North side of said Spring River where Benjamin was currently living. On November 27, 1820 Benjamin Crowley was issued a land bounty of 160 acres (64.7 ha) for his service in the War of 1812
. The land was in Phillips County, Arkansas. He was listed as a Matross
in Hobart’s Company of Light Artillery. In 1821 he moved to and founded Crowley's Ridge
. In 1832 he founded the Post Office for Greene County, which was formed in 1833. On August 16, 1838, Benjamin Crowley had 80 acres (32.4 ha) bounty land, his son, Wiley, had 40 acres (16.2 ha). Benjamin died in 1842 and is buried at Pioneer Cemetery, also called Shiloh Cemetery. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps
built numerous buildings on Crowley's Ridge State Park
which encompasses his estate. They also constructed a monument where he was buried.
Benjamin Crowley helped found Greene County, Arkansas, was its first postmaster and also founded the first church. He has many descendants living on Crowley's Ridge to this day, and his land, now Crowley's Ridge State Park, is a very popular tourist destination. Arkansas also built the Crowley's Ridge Parkway
, linking many of the parks and popular attractions throughout eastern Arkansas.
Their children were:
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
of Arkansas.
Crowley was born in Halifax County, Virginia. He was the son of Benjamin Crowley
Crowley (surname)
The name Crowley may derive from the Irish or the English. The Irish Crowleys are more numerous and are known in Irish as "O Cruadhlaoich" or "Ua Cruadhlaoich", a Gaelic name meaning "descendant of the hard hero" or "descendant of the hardy warrior", and which was anglicised to "Crowley" or...
I and Sarah Strong. By 1787, he was living in Oglethorpe County, Georgia
Oglethorpe County, Georgia
Oglethorpe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the largest county in Northeast Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 12,635. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 13,963...
where the Crowley and Strong families had migrated. On December 15, 1795, he married Catherine Annie Wiley, the daughter of Peter Wiley and Mary Sharkey. Catherine was born c. 1771 in Augusta County, Virginia
Augusta County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
and died in 1850 at Crowley (present day Walcott
Walcott, Arkansas
Walcott is an unincorporated community in Greene County, Arkansas, United States. Walcott is located at the junction of Arkansas Highway 141 and Arkansas Highway 168 west of Paragould. Walcott has a post office with ZIP code 72474....
), Greene County, Arkansas.
On August 9, 1808 he patented
Land patent
A land patent is a land grant made patent by the sovereign lord over the land in question. To make a such a grant “patent”, such a sovereign lord must document the land grant, securely sign and seal the document and openly publish the same to the public for all to see...
200 acres (80.9 ha) in Christian County, Kentucky
Christian County, Kentucky
Christian County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1797. As of 2000, its population was 72,265. Its county seat is Hopkinsville, Kentucky...
. He was listed living there on the 1810 census. By June 16, 1817, Benjamin was listed in Lawrence County, Arkansas where he was the administrator of his son John’s estate.
On October 12, 1819 Benjamin Crowley purchased land from Solomon Hewitt for $200 on the Spring River
Spring River (Arkansas)
The Spring River is a 57-mile long river which flows through the U.S. states of Missouri and Arkansas.The Spring River consists of two branches, the South Fork of the Spring River and the Spring River proper....
about two miles (3 km) above the mouth of the Eleven Point River
Eleven Point River
The Eleven Point River is a river in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, United States. It originates near Willow Springs, Missouri. It more than doubles in flow when Greer Spring Branch runs into it, adding over of water per day to the river. The name derives from the Mississippi Valley...
, on the North side of said Spring River where Benjamin was currently living. On November 27, 1820 Benjamin Crowley was issued a land bounty of 160 acres (64.7 ha) for his service in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. The land was in Phillips County, Arkansas. He was listed as a Matross
Matross
Matross was a soldier of artillery, who ranked next below a gunner.The duty of a matross was to assist the gunners in loading, firing and sponging the guns. They were provided with firelocks, and marched with the store-wagons, acting as guards...
in Hobart’s Company of Light Artillery. In 1821 he moved to and founded Crowley's Ridge
Crowley's Ridge
Crowley's Ridge is an unusual geological formation that rises 250 to above the alluvial plain of the Mississippi embayment in a line from southeastern Missouri to the Mississippi River near Helena, Arkansas. It is the most prominent feature in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain between Cape...
. In 1832 he founded the Post Office for Greene County, which was formed in 1833. On August 16, 1838, Benjamin Crowley had 80 acres (32.4 ha) bounty land, his son, Wiley, had 40 acres (16.2 ha). Benjamin died in 1842 and is buried at Pioneer Cemetery, also called Shiloh Cemetery. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
built numerous buildings on Crowley's Ridge State Park
Crowley's Ridge State Park
Crowley's Ridge State Park is a state park in northeastern Arkansas managed by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.Crowley's Ridge State Park is located at the former homesite of the original settler of the area, Benjamin Crowley...
which encompasses his estate. They also constructed a monument where he was buried.
Benjamin Crowley helped found Greene County, Arkansas, was its first postmaster and also founded the first church. He has many descendants living on Crowley's Ridge to this day, and his land, now Crowley's Ridge State Park, is a very popular tourist destination. Arkansas also built the Crowley's Ridge Parkway
Crowley's Ridge Parkway
Crowley's Ridge Parkway is a road that runs in Arkansas and Missouri along Crowley's Ridge and Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. The route was designated a state scenic byway in Arkansas in 1997 and a National Scenic Byway in 1998...
, linking many of the parks and popular attractions throughout eastern Arkansas.
Their children were:
- Thomas Crowley (March 18, 1796 – bef 1829) who married Cynthia Campbell
- Samuel Crowley (February 28, 1798 – March 13, 1837) who married Sarah Lamb and Sarah Hutchins
- John Crowley (February 28, 1800–1816)
- Wiley Crowley (March 27, 1803 – abt 1847) who married Lucy Capps
- Polly Crowley (April 5, 1805 – abt 1841) who married Abraham Pevehouse
- Benjamin Crowley III (November 1, 1807 – bef 1830) who died building a military road
- Margaret Crowley (May 15, 1810 – ?) who married Charles Robertson and John McDaniel
- Sarah Crowley (1812–?) who married Thomas Lamb