Croom Family Genealogy
Daniel Croom, the Progenitor of Croom Families
in Early Eastern North Carolina
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The late Doris Croom Outlaw published The
Croom Family about 1955. Several editions followed through the late
nineteen-seventies, which incorporated additions and corrections. I had
occasion to commend Doris for the energies she devoted to compiling so much
information on so many descendants of Daniel Croom of Virginia. Her book
consists of a number of mimeographed pages of text and family charts, which
were bound in loose leaf form to facilitate insertion of later new and
revised sheets. A few years ago, her book was re-printed and is
available from on-line sources. While immensely helpful to the many
descendants of Daniel, The Croom Family falls short in several
areas. Doris relied on many contributors for the information, which she
compiled. The book is severely deficient in providing ample footnotes of
records and trustworthy sources to support many names, dates and places.
Research by myself and others has revealed a number of major errors among the
pages. Readers are to be cautioned.
Apparently, many readers have taken as fact
that Daniel Croom, the recognized Virginia progenitor of the many Croom
family members listed in The Croom Family, was born not only in
Ireland, but in County Limerick. The book offers no proof or documentation.
Despite years of searching by myself and others, no proof of the date and
place of Daniel Croom's birth nor the names of his parents has been produced. It is my opinion that at
least one—perhaps several—CROOM passenger arrived in the Colonies in
the seventeenth or eighteenth century and contributed to the family lore
of an Irish connection. No evidence has been found,
however, to link Ireland to descendants of Daniel CROOM of Virginia. Click
to read my comments at this website,
THE NAME CROOM: ITS LIKELY
ORIGINS. |
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Descendants of Daniel Croom may or may
not be legitimately entitled to use the Croom Coat of Arms shown above,
inasmuch as no record is known to exist that indicates where Daniel was born
and the identity of his parents. Many people mistakenly refer to a coat of
arms as "the family crest."
Click on the image above for
a description of the Croom Coat of Arms and and its terminology. |
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Until the 1930s, many CROOM family members believed
they were descended from Swiss Palatine immigrants who founded in
1710 the North Carolina town known today as New Bern. The belief was largely
fueled by the writings in the mid-nineteenth century of Dr. Frances L.
Hawkes, a noted lawyer, minister and historian in his History of North
Carolina. This assertion continued into the twentieth century. We now know that those
conclusions were wrong—at least with respect to most, if not all, of the CROOM
families in early eastern North Carolina. |
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Information still resides on a few Internet
sites claiming that Herman GRUM, one of the 1710 Swiss-German Palatine
immigrants, was the progenitor of the CROOM families in eastern North
Carolina. While incorrect on the whole, there may be a kernel of truth
behind that assertion. My research has revealed that the GRUM name may have evolved and
the John GROOM and John GROOMS listed respectively in 1762 and 1763 New Hanover County
census records possibly was a descendant of Herman GRUM, the Palatine;
however, my recent studies suggest the 1762-63 John GROOM(S) more likely was a son of Abel CROOM,
who arrived in NC about 1741 from VA.. |
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Where and When Did the First Croom Appear in America?
According to author James C. Hotten in his 1931 book, a William
CROOM was an immigrant to Virginia in 1635; however, I have found no
records of this William.
To my knowledge, the first documented Croom to leave England's
shores in the seventeenth century for the New World was a John CROOME
who was on the ship John and Sarah of London which departed England on 8
Nov 1651 and arrived in Boston around 13 May 1652. I have found no
record as to what happened to this John CROOME. It has been speculated
that the ship stopped in Barbados before continuing on to Boston and
that CROOME may have disembarked there. If fact, a John CROOM of Barbados
is revealed as an administrator in a 1690 will. The John CROOME on the
John and Sarah was among 10,000 Scots captured by the victorious
Cromwell at the battle of Dunbar on 3 Sep 1650. The captured prisoners
were sent to the New World where they were sold into servitude for
periods of six to eight years. Many are known to have been sold to
southern masters. Could this John CROOME have been sent to Virginia?
On 1 Aug 1660 records reveal that Rice CROONE was bound 4 years in
VA to Phillip Peasly/Peasley, merchant.
Edward CROOME was among 30 persons transported to VA before 9 Nov
1666, the date Jno. Paramore received a patent on 1500 acres in Accomack
County, VA. (See my Missing & Wanted page at this site).
A John CROOM was convicted 8 July 1685 for "waging war against the
King" and was ordered to be shipped to the Americas. Similarly, I found
a Thomas CROOME who was convicted in England in July 1696 and shipped to
America. Unfortunately, I have no record of the landing or subsequent
disposition of these men.
If any visitors to this site know of any documented Crooms who
arrived in the Colonies prior to 1700, I would appreciate hearing from
you. |
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Records in the late
seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries offer sufficient proof that
Daniel CROOM lived near the James River in an area of Henrico County,
Virginia, that later became Goochland County. These records also indicate
that Daniel was the father of three sons who left Virginia and settled in
eastern North Carolina as early as 1741. Some family searchers have
identified Daniel and/or his parents as having lived in England. Others
claim Daniel and/or his ancestors lived in Ireland. As much as I would like
to accept one of these beliefs, no one to my
knowledge has offered a
shred of proof to support any of these claims.
Some have speculated that a Joel CROOME
mentioned in New Kent County, Virginia, records was the father of Daniel. Again, I have not found any evidence to support this
speculation. The only records I have found to date pertaining to a Joel
CROOM in Virginia were his listing as "Joell CROOME" on the Quit Rent rolls
of New Kent County and in the Vestry Book of Blissland Parish, both in 1704.
A record dated 1 February 1717 refers to the purchase of 52 acres in Henrico
County by a Daniel CROOM of New Kent County. From records we know that an
Edward CROOM and his family lived in nearby Isle of Wight County during the
1730s. As shown in the block to the left, a William CROOM immigrated to
Virginia. We can only surmise that some family relationships existed between
two or more of these early CROOM men.
In 1997, research by Priscilla Harriss CABELL
was brought to my attention by Terri Brown, APG, which suggests that Daniel
CROOM's father may also have been named Daniel and that he lived nearby in
Virginia. To further complicate the matter of searching records, it appears
that both Daniels had wives named Elizabeth. After some eighteen years of
work, Ms. Cabell published these findings in her book Turff & Twigg,
Volume One, The French Lands in 1988. It is an interesting study of the
ten thousand acres donated by King William, III to the French refugees from
religious repression who settled on the southern bank of the James River in
Virginia beginning in 1700. Our Daniel CROOM figures prominently in the
study of those Huguenots. Several records dated between 1723 and 1725 in the
Vestry Book of King William Parish provide strong circumstantial evidence
supporting the contention of Ms. Cabell that the grandparents of Abel and
Major Croom and their siblings were named DANIEL and ELIZABETH CROOM, the
same names as that of the parents of ABEL and MAJOR CROOM.
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PLEASE
If you copy the contents of this page, do not ignore my speculative
modifiers and other qualifiers.
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Help Wanted!
Page one of THE BLAKE FAMILY lists an Elizabeth "Eliza" "Becky"
CROOM, a dau of MAJOR ASA CROOM, who
married about 1795 John BLAKE, b 1767, of the Crooms Bridge area of what
is now Pender County. Crooms Bridge spans the Lower Northeast Cape
Fear River between Pender and Duplin counties. Recent studies tend to
confirm this Major Asa as a
son of Abel.
My studies have confirmed that Jesse
Croom, son of Abel, settled in the Crooms Bridge area as early as
1788. Can anyone tell me the given names of any other early CROOM members
who lived in this area, preferably before 1800? When did this bridge
and road
acquire its name?
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CROOM AFRO-AMERICANS |
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From time to time I have received inquiries as to why there is not
specific information on these pages pertaining to Afro-Americans with the
CROOM surname.
With respect to the
CROOM line, I started with the premise that DANIEL CROOM (c1685-1734) of
Virginia was the progenitor of all the CROOM families in eastern
Colonial North Carolina through his three sons, ABEL, MAJOR and JESSE.
Therefore, I have been pursuing blood lines rather than just the
surname.
If I were to find and
prove a blood connection between one of DANIEL CROOM’s descendants and
an AFRICAN-AMERICAN, I would be most pleased to research and develop
that line. My instinct tells me that such blood lines very likely
exist. The 1870 Federal Census reflects a profusion of CROOM listings,
especially in Alabama and Florida, versus those listed in the 1860
census. Most of that increase is attributed to the emancipation
proclamation of 1863. |
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What Do We Know About Daniel & His Wives?
Daniel CROOM was born
about or prior to 1683. I reach this conclusion from an analysis of Virginia
records and of the date of birth of his first granddaughter. Although it is
possible that he came from Ireland or England, I believe Daniel most likely was
born in Virginia. I know of no proof supporting Daniel's place of birth. It also
seems to me that this Daniel Croom was the son of a Daniel Croom who also had a
wife named Elizabeth. Daniel the father could have married more than once;
therefore, his wife Elizabeth was not necessarily the mother of Daniel born
about or prior to 1683. Since so little is known about his father, this web page
refers to the Daniel born about or shortly before 1683 as the progenitor of
most, if not all, of the Croom families in eastern North Carolina. [Read above
the research by Priscilla Harriss CABELL pertaining to Daniel the father of
Daniel.]
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Records indicate that Daniel,
born about or shortly before 1683, was married to an Elizabeth who died
sometime after May 21, 1728 when she signed a release of dower and sometime
before a sale of 150 acres by Daniel in 1732 in which no release of dower
was signed by a wife. Sometime after the 1732 sale, Daniel married a
Susannah who is mentioned in his November 3, 1734 will. In her book, Ms.
Cabell makes an argument that Elizabeth was very likely a daughter of
Abraham Michaux and that this Elizabeth was born in 1709 or 1710. She based
this conclusion on records which (1) indicate that Daniel lived near Abraham
Michaux; (2) show Abraham's will which lists his children, including a
daughter named Elizabeth; (3) reveal that after Abraham's death in 1717, two
of his sons sold their inherited shares totaling 300 acres of a patent
Abraham had received for 850 acres to Daniel Croom in 1727. Ms. Cabell felt
that the sale by the two sons of such a significant portion of Abraham's
patent strongly suggested that Daniel Croom must have been a brother-in-law.
Elizabeth, the young daughter listed in Abraham Michaux's will, made a nice
fit. After a great deal of study, however, I am convinced that Elizabeth
Michaux did NOT marry Daniel Croom. A few speculate that Daniel married an Elizabeth BALLOU. I
have seen evidence of Daniel's association with the name BALLOWE; however, I
have seen nothing to confirm a marriage. We know that Elizabeth, wife of
Daniel born about 1683, died between 21 May 1728 and 1732. After her death,
we know that Daniel married a Susannah between 1732 and 1733. |
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Croom Family Folklore*
Seen on the Internet
- Croom Families came from Croom, County Limerick, Ireland
- Daniel Croom born in Ireland
- Daniel was of Irish ancestry
- Daniel's father was Joel
- Daniel WAS born in 1683
- Daniel's first wife Elizabeth was a Ballow or Ballou
- Abel m Susannah Hardy in VA
- Major m Olief, who was an Avery
- James Frederick Croom was a son of Major, second son of Daniel
* No known documentation
I challenge anyone to offer proof that any one of the above is true.
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Daniel and his first wife--very likely Elizabeth--were the parents of a son,
Abel, who was born no later than 1704 to 1709 and a second son,
Major, who was born about 1722. Daniel's will
indicates that he had a daughter, Dorothy, born before his marriage to his last
wife, Susannah. At the date of his will, Dorothy was a minor; however, the items
left to her in the will suggest that she may have been approaching the age for
marriage. My studies suggest that she may have married a YOUNG in early Craven
or Johnston County. Daniel's will refers to a third son, Jesse,
who appears to have been born to his wife, Susannah. I interpret his reference
to two young daughters, Judith and Sarah, as also being issue of his union with
Susannah. Therefore, Jesse, Judith and Sarah were born between 1732 and November
3, 1734. Perhaps the girls were twins.
Click here to read a
transcribed copy of DANIEL'S WILL.
What Do We Know About Daniel's Sons & Daughters?
To date, I have not learned of any information pertaining to Daniel's three
daughters as adults, with the exception of Dorothy. One record I discovered
suggests Dorothy possibly came to
NC and married a YOUNG. We do know that Abel, the eldest son, was living nearby on
one of Daniel's Virginia plantations when the will was written 3 November 1734.
After Daniel's death, Abel is known to have sold his Virginia property and moved
with his family to Craven County, NC, in or just prior to 1741. Records reveal
that he bought land on the south side of the Neuse River and a few miles to the
southwest of what
is now Kinston in Lenoir County. His younger brother, Major, most likely
journeyed to NC at the same time and settled on the north side of the Neuse River
and just to the
west of what is now the city of Kinston. Some reports have suggested that Major
was recorded as living in Bladen County, NC in 1743; however, I believe that is
the result of misinterpreting a copyist's error which showed Claiden County. It
should read Craven County. By 1757, the younger half-brother, Jesse, owned
property further west on the north side of the Neuse River in an area of
Johnston Co. that is now near Goldsboro, Wayne County.
The Three Croom Boys
 Abel CROOM was born no later than 1704-1709.
Before his father's death, he lived on the south side of the James
River on one of his father's plantations. At that time, Daniel had
moved to the north side of the river. The plantation was left to Abel
in his father's 1734 will. Shortly after his father's death in 1735,
but after 1738, Abel and his family moved to an area of Craven County
NC that soon after became Johnston and then Dobbs. At this time, we do
not know the name of Abel's first wife. Petitioning the
Craven County Court in September 1741, Abel stated that his family consisted of
three white persons. Richard Booth, a researcher, and myself believe
Abel's statement is to be interpreted as "3 males 16 and older." Under
English Common Law used in most of the American Colonies, 16-year-old-males could be listed as tithable or taxable.
White wives and daughters were exempt. That being the case, who then were
the 3 males? After much study it is this writer's conclusion that they
were Abel himself, his son Major who was born about 1725, and Abel's
younger brother Major Croom, born about 1722. This writer concedes that it
is possible that the 3rd male was another son of Abel named John, rather
than Abel's younger brother Major.
Doris Croom Outlaw stated in her book, The Croom Family, that
Abel CROOM married Elizabeth Hardy HILL, widow of Nathaniel HILL who
reportedly died in 1729 in Chowan Precinct, NC. If so, Abel and
an unidentified wife obviously were the parents of several children born in VA prior
to Abel's arrival in Craven County, NC, about 1741. To date, I have found no proof of this reported marriage of Abel
CROOM to Elizabeth Hardy HILL. Records suggest that Abel and his
unidentified first wife had at least three sons and perhaps two daughters before
he arrived in NC. I have listed Abel's 2nd wife, Elizabeth Hardee Hill as
speculative. Few
records are known to have survived depicting Abel's life in North Carolina.
From those few, including the one referenced in the block to the
right, I have concluded that Abel died between Mar 1756 and 23 Dec
1763.
To further complicate matters, recent studies suggest that Abel very
likely married a HESTER late in his life. One unconfirmed source has suggested that her maiden name was
HESTER HARE. Circumstantial evidence supports her being listed here as a
third wife of Abel; however, the information does not provide any detail
for the assignment of any issue.
An extant copy of a petition filed by LOTT CROOM in 1801 reveals that
ABEL CROOM left a will and that LOTT was a son of his. The original will is
believed to have been loss in a Lenoir Courthouse fire.
Abel and his first wife (name unknown) are assumed to have had the
following issue born before 1741. Not knowing the date of Abel's marriage
to a second
wife, the speculative Elizabeth Hardy HILL, issue assumed to have
been born in 1741 and later have been assigned to his second marriage.
Abel and his first two assumed wives are believed to have had the following issue:
(CLICK HERE FOR A MORE DETAILED ACCOUNT OF ABEL'S ISSUE)
- Major CROOM (speculative, but likely),
b bef 1727, Goochland Co, VA; d presumably bef 1790, most likely in Duplin Co,
NC.
- Chloe CROOM (speculative: most likely a
daughter-in-law), b bef 1729;
living in NC in 1750
- Arthur CROOM (very questionable son), b bef
1732;
listed as a grantee in Johnston Co, NC, abt 1753; some speculate that he
was Jesse Arthur CROOM, s/o Abel. See listing below.
- Rhoady CROOM (most likely a
daughter-in-law), b bef 1733;
living in NC in 1754 and in Duplin Co in 1787.
- Jesse CROOM, b 12 Jan 1739/40 probably in Goochland Co., VA; m Name
Unknown. (Some have speculated that she was
Anne GRADY, dau of John & Mary Whitfield GRADY.) Jesse & his 1st wife had 2 sons & 5 daus, most likely all were born in Duplin
County, NC. Duplin County records indicate that this Jesse CROOM lived there
until about 1778 when he is granted land in NW Onslow County. It appears that
about 1788 he moved to NE New Hanover County where he is listed
in the 1790 Census. At that time the boundary between
Duplin and New Hanover was rather uncertain and subject to some shifting.
[Note: Records reveal that a Jesse Croom purchased land in 1778 in Onslow County
and very likely lived there until about 1788. As the crow flies, this land in
the northwest corner of Onslow is very close to land Jesse Croom, s/o Abel,
owned in Duplin County. After much study, the Jesse in Onslow is deemed to be
the s/o Abel, s/o Daniel Croom.] Following the death
of his 1st wife between 1779
and 1783, Jesse, son of Abel, married Sarah RAMSEY, who was born 18 Nov 1759 in NC to David and Sarah
RAMSEY. Sarah RAMSEY CROOM died 1 Nov 1819 in New Hanover Co. She and Jesse
had 6 sons & 3 daus. The first 3 were born in Duplin and the
remainder in New Hanover County.
- Isaac CROOM, b bef 1741 most likely in VA; living in Duplin County, NC,
aft 1762.
- Elizabeth CROOM, most likely b abt 1739 in VA; m Loverick (Lovick)
YOUNG in Johnston Co. NC abt 1755; d 29 Jan 1784 in Dobbs Co. It is my belief
that Loverick YOUNG had a son and a daughter by a previous marriage. Elizabeth and Lovick YOUNG had three sons.
- Hannah CROOM, born most likely bet 1745 and 1763 in Johnston/Dobbs County.
Some confusion remains as to Hannah's date of birth. She married Lutson
STROUD, Jr., about 1779. Read Descendants of
Abel Croom for details.
- John CROOM, (speculative, but likely), b bef 1747, d aft 1780 [My attachment of this son is speculative.
Several records reveal this John living in Dobbs County and circumstantial
evidence, in my opinion, supports the speculation that both Abel and his
brother Major named sons John. [NOTE: The John Croom
appearing in the Census of 1790 under CROOM RECORDS of Doris Croom Outlaw's
book was NOT a descendant of Daniel Croom (c1685-1735). The JOHN CROOM in the
1790 Stokes County, NC census is of German descent.
Click here to read the details at this web site.]
- Lott CROOM, b c1759, d bet Dec 1823 & 1830 Sandy Bottom, Lenoir
County; m 6 Feb 1787 Elizabeth RASBERRY.
In her book, The Croom Family, Doris Croom
OUTLAW listed a Major as a son of Abel. Early land records in Johnston and
Dobbs counties appear to support that speculation Other clues seem to suggest that CROOM
families in New Hanover County are linked back to Abel through his son
Jesse. Some will be startled to read that that Frederick
CROOM was a descendant of Abel, rather than his brother Major. Read more
about these families by clicking on the DESCENDANTS of ABEL CROOM
hyperlink.
Go To
DESCENDANTS of ABEL CROOM Page
For Additional Details on Spouses and Children
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Major CROOM, the second son of Daniel and his
first wife Elizabeth, was born about 1722 in VA. He often is referred
to as Major CROOM, I. Major CROOM died shortly after
January 1791 in Lenoir Co., NC. Goochland County, VA records show that
shortly after Major came of age and while living in Claiden (I believe
this to be mistaken for Craven) County, NC, he sold in 1743 the
Virginia property that he inherited from his father. He is recorded as
buying property in Dobbs County in 1744. (The area settled by Major
was in Craven County at that time. It became Johnston in 1746 and
Dobbs County in 1759). Many family histories indicate that he married
an Olief AVERY; however, I have not found any record of such a
marriage. Records do suggest, however, that the given name
of Major's wife was Olief. More information pertaining to Olief can be
found on my Descendants of Major Croom, I, page.
My research confirms that of a number of others that the following were issue of Major and Olief
CROOM, all born in Johnston/Dobbs County, NC:
- Sarah CROOM, b 1741-1744 (spec.); d aft 25 Jul 1798; m Thomas (spec.)
HARDEE; 5 dau & 4 sons
- Joshua CROOM, b 1744; d abt 1798; m Nancy BRYAN; 3 sons & 1 dau
- Catherine "Caty" CROOM, b 1745-1751 NC; m. James COLLINS, most likely in
NC; d bet 1782 and 1788, possibly in Winton County, SC.; 4 sons & 5 daus.
- John CROOM, b bef 1750, d aft 1780. My assignment of this son to Major and
Olief CROOM is speculative. Click at the end of this section to read details
on the page,
Descendants of Major Croom I .
- Major CROOM, Jr., b 29 Nov 1755; d aft 1810; m Mary HARDEE; 7 sons & 3 dau
- Isaac CROOM, b 1759; d Aug 1795; m Eliza Mary Ann King HARE; 3 dau & 2
sons
A petition filed in 1801 with the Governor
of NC confirms that
LOTT CROOM, b c1759; d c1827, m 6 Feb 1787 Elizabeth RASBERRY,
was a son of ABEL CROOM and NOT of MAJOR CROOM, I, ABEL CROOM'S
brother, as asserted in Doris Croom Outlaw's book.
Click here to read more details at this web site.
Major Croom's wife, Olief, died about 1761 in Dobbs County. Shortly
afterwards, Major married Susannah HARDY ENLOE, widow of Abraham ENLOE. Some
report that she was born in Pitt County about 1735 to John and Susannah TYSON
HARDY; however, I have been unable to find any documentation supporting that
relationship. Major and Susannah CROOM had the following issue, all born in
Dobbs County:
- Richard CROOM, b 1765; d 28 Jun 1805; m 26 Jan 1786 Nancy Ann HARE; 3 sons
& 3 dau
- Hardee CROOM, b abt 1767; d Nov 1807; wife predeceased husband bet 1800 &
1807;
no issue. It is the belief of this writer that Hardee very likely m Olive
Bryan, dau of John & Elizabeth Oliver BRYAN.
- William CROOM, Maj. Gen., b 1771; d 9 May 1829; m 1st: Mary BRYAN; 3 sons
& 1 dau; m 2nd: Elizabeth WHITFIELD, 3 sons & 3 dau
Frederick CROOM, [NOT A
SON. LISTED HERE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY] b abt 1788, d 1852 in New Hanover
(Pender) Co.; m Rebecca MALPASS; 6 sons & 2 daus. Note: Some have
long proclaimed this father-son relationship; however, my studies over the
past several years have convinced me that FREDERICK WAS
A DESCENDANT OF ABEL CROOM. Read details by clicking on
FREDERICK CROOM.
Why has family lore persisted that Frederick was a son of Major
Croom, I?My database contains no fewer than sixteen males
named Major Croom. In the late 1700s, four of those lived
concurrently in Dobbs and contiguous counties. Each of the three
sons of Daniel Croom claimed at least one of those four named
Major. It is no wonder that descendants many generations later
would often confuse one Major for another. Even today, many people
cannot correctly name their great-grandparents, much less their
second or third great-grandparents.
A few decades ago the NSDAR instituted more
stringent requirements for membership. Many applications submitted
prior to that time and subsequently approved reveal the lack of
substantive proof of a line of descent from a proven Revolutionary
War soldier or patriot. Frequently, this writer has seen new
applications rejected that attempted to "ride in" on the coattails
of an earlier approved application. To my knowledge, no
application has been approved in recent years that cites Frederick
Croom as a son of Major Croom, I. We know that Abel
Croom also had a son named Major. I believe his full name was Major Asa Croom.
Studies are still underway to determine if Major Asa Croom remotely could have
been the father of Frederick Croom. |
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Why Frederick Croom is NOT
a son of Major Croom, I, and his 2nd wife, Susannah
- Records show that Frederick was born about 1788. By that
year, other records show that Susannah, wife of Major Croom, I,
was 50 or more years of age, past normal childbearing.
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Records indicate that Major Croom had three sons by Susannah,
his second wife: Hardee (c1764), Richard (c1765) and
William (1772). In an 1804 court deposition, Susannah testified
that she had a daughter by her former marriage born in 1755. It
seems unlikely that she would be the natural mother of Frederick
in 1788.
- Some contend that the male less than 16 years of age in the
household of Major Croom, I, in the 1790 Federal Census is
Frederick, his youngest son. This is wild speculation, not much
different than another questionable entry in Doris Croom Outlaw's The Croom
Family. She stated that the John Croom listed in Stokes
County of the same 1790 Federal Census was the grandson of Abel
Croom. Evidence I have discovered offers compelling reasons why
this is not true. See John
Croom, the German immigrant at this web site.
- In his 1805 Will, Richard Croom named his brothers:
Hardee and William. No mention was made of a Frederick, even
though some contend that he was a full blood brother of Richard,
Hardee and William and would have been about 17 years of age at that time.
- Records reveal that Major Croom provided well for his
documented sons, all of whom were in Dobbs or contiguous
counties. Frederick, not documented as a son of Major, settled
in New Hanover County on a very modest farm.
- If Frederick was a son of Major in Dobbs/Lenoir Co, why
would he be in the New Hanover Co militia for the War of 1812?
- Hardee Croom died intestate in 1807. In 1810, presumably
after the death of Susannah, his mother, a petition was filed in
court for the partitioning of the lands and real estate of the
deceased Hardee Croom. The petition named many of the
whole-blood and half-blood kin of Hardee; however no mention was
made of a Frederick Croom. Records of the court's later decision
presumably were lost in Lenoir Court House fires. Extant records,
however, reveal several deeds relating to the sale and purchase
of various lands following the partition of Hardee's lands. No
mention is made of a Frederick Croom, even though by that time
Frederick Croom was at least 23 years of age.
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Frederick Croom
A Case for His Being a
Descendant of Abel
Click & read it at this web site
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Go To
DESCENDANTS of MAJOR CROOM I Page
For Additional Details
Jesse CROOM was
born between 1732 and November 1734 in Goochland County, VA to Daniel Croom and
his second wife, Susannah. From records I have studied, I believe Jesse came to
Johnston County, NC, with his step-father, Charles HOLMES, between 1738 and
1746. Jesse would have been a young lad. In 1757 Jesse sold his inherited
Virginia property, an indication that his mother most likely had recently died.
Other records reveal that by 1757 Jesse owned property on the north side of the
Neuse River in an area of Johnston Co. that became Wayne Co. in 1779. His land
was contiguous to that of a Charles HOLMES who I believe to have been his
step-father. Jesse married Mary (maiden name possibly McCLENDON (sic)) who died
before 20 Feb 1817, the recorded date of her estate inventory in Wayne County.
Though still circumstantial at this point, my study of NC land and deed records
has given me reason to believe that Jesse's wife may have been Mary McCLENDON, a
daughter of Thomas and Mary Bryan McCLENDON. This possible family connection is
under study by myself and a fellow researcher, Richard Booth.
Jesse CROOM died shortly after Jun 2, 1812 in
Wayne County. He and Mary had the following issue, all born in Wayne Co., NC:
- Elijah CROOM, b 1755-1759 NC, d abt 1803 Washington County, GA, m 1777
Duplin Co., NC Catherine "Catey" HERRING. (Note: Read on a page at this site
why I believe Elijah to be a son of this Jesse.
Click here. Please return here after you have visited my page.)
- Jesse CROOM, b abt 1757; d 1826 Washington Co., GA; m Jennett Lnu; 7
dau & 4 sons.
- Charles CROOM, Sr., b 1755-1760; d abt 1839; m 1790 Temperance
STRINGER? (speculative); 3 dau & 4--possibly 5--sons.
- Dorcas CROOM, b 1755-1760; d bef 1812; THIS DAUGHTER SPECULATIVE.
POSSIBLY married MOSES STANLEY (STANLY) who named the following in his 1812
will: William, Sarah, Jesse, Major & Mary. Note similarities in issue of Jesse
and Mary CROOM. Placed here for STUDY PURPOSES ONLY.
- Elizabeth CROOM, b 1755-1780; d. aft Jun 1812; m. Fnu LANGSTON; 2 dau &
1son
- Mary CROOM, b 1755-1780; d aft Feb 1817; m Caleb GRIFFIN
- Sarah CROOM, b 1755-1780; m Jesse Coor; dau: Mary WHITE
- Susan CROOM, b 1755-1780, d aft 1814; m 1st Joseph (Sitterson?)
TETTERTON; a dau, Susannah; m 2nd 1790-1799 John H. HOWELL. Go to
DESCENDANTS OF JESSE CROOM for details.
- Zilpha CROOM, b 1755-1780; m 1st abt 1794 John GREEN; m 2nd abt 1809
Powell DAVIS.
- Daniel CROOM, b 1771-1774; d abt 1806; m Fnu HOOKER (Circumstantial.
Based on my reading of information garnered by Elma Croom HOOKER, a descendant
of Daniel and his son, William Hooker, I believe that Daniel married a
daughter of Samuel C. HOOKER of Greene Co., NC. Samuel's involvement with the
orphans of Daniel plus other circumstantial evidence make a strong argument
that one of his daughters married Daniel CROOM. Daniel and his wife had 2 sons
& 1 dau.
- Major CROOM, b 18 Nov 1776; d 1812-1817; m Jerusha VINCENT; 3 dau & 2
sons
Go To
DESCENDANTS of JESSE CROOM Page
For Additional Details
GO BACK TO RECENT CHALLENGES
Descendants of North Carolina Crooms in....
Descendants of the three CROOM brothers, Abel, Major and Jesse, spread across
a number of eastern North Carolina counties and by the late 1700s were beginning
to move to Georgia. By the early 1800s, they were pushing into Alabama, Florida,
Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Please continue reading about many of
these migrating CROOM families by clicking here and going to another page at
this web site: Migrating NC CROOM
Families. After your visit, please return to this page.
Other Croom Names Appearing in Records
in Early Eastern North Carolina
|
Do You Know The Parents/Spouses of These Crooms?
Please click here and E-MAIL ME any information you may have.
Email: jcroom at triad.rr dot
com (address uncoupled for security purposes)
|
The CROOM names listed in the table above currently remain the subject of my
investigation and frustration. Most information pertinent to these people came
from deeds, deed abstracts and indexed lists of patents and grants from Craven,
Johnston and Old Dobbs counties. Several correspondents have been most generous
in sharing information. My special thanks to Ada Dunn for old family bible info
on the MAXWELL families of Greene and Duplin counties who had marriage ties with
CROOM families.
Further study of the MAXWELL families is warranted by the following
information, mostly from the family bible of William MAXWELL, II, located in the
NC State Archives:
William MAXWELL, II, b 15 Oct 1749 Ireland, m 24 Aug
1769 in NC, Elizabeth, "an Irishwoman." The Maxwell Bible was printed
in 1753 and originally owned by William MAXWELL, II. It contains several pages
of entries pertaining to births, marriages and deaths of his descendants. On the
backside of the front page is a handwritten passage consisting of 35 words:
"William Maxwell, his BOOK..." Below the passage, is an identical worded
passage, only in a slightly different handwriting. Below the second passage is a
signature: "John Croom." My analysis of the handwriting suggests to me that it
belongs to John MAXWELL, son of William MAXWELL II. The implication is that the
oldest son of William MAXWELL II was named John Croom MAXWELL, most likely for
his mother who was a CROOM. To date, I have not been able to positively connect Elizabeth
to a CROOM father. Recent studies, however, offer strong circumstantial evidence
that Elizabeth was a granddaughter of Abel CROOM, possibly a daughter of Abel's
son, Isaac. Several issue of Abel, including son Isaac, were living in the same
general area of Duplin County, NC, as the MAXWELL and STROUD families. William and Elizabeth MAXWELL had the following issue, all
born in Duplin County:
- Elizabeth "Betsy" MAXWELL, b 20 Oct 1771.
- John Croom? MAXWELL, b 22 Feb 1774, 3 Oct 1851
Duplin Co., m 3 Aug 1800 Duplin Co. Zilpha
Croom STROUD, dau of Lutson STROUD, Jr. and his wife Hannah CROOM. Note:
This Hannah is believed to be
a daughter of Abel CROOM, son of Daniel CROOM. Under
Descendants of Abel Croom, you will note
that Lutson and his wife Hannah named a daughter Zilpha Croom STROUD and a son
Abel Croom STROUD.
- Zilpha MAXWELL, b 8 Oct 1776,
- Abel MAXWELL, b 27 Feb 1779,
My studies for a long time narrowly focused on the descendants of the three
sons of Daniel CROOM. Records for Abel, the oldest son remain sparse. I, like
many, felt that the few North Carolina records that survived all of the
courthouse fires pertained to this Abel. It is apparent
that many parents in the early days of the Colony named their offspring for
biblical figures. Abel was a common name. This name appears several times in the
MAXWELL families. At least one son, I believe, has been correctly identified as
being named for his grandfather, Abel CROOM, son of Daniel. Another Abel
MAXWELL, born 27 Feb 1779, had a mother named Elizabeth who is presumed to be a
CROOM; however, I cannot state with absolute certainty the name of her father.
Recent work by Richard Booth and this writer suggest that Elizabeth was a daughter of
Isaac CROOM, b bef 1741 in VA, son of Abel. Go to details of Elizabeth, who
married William MAXWELL, II.
Who was Arthur CROOM who appears in the Johnston County Grantor/Grantee Records
Index, Book 2, Apr 1750-Apr 1754? He appears to be a son of Abel. Who was
Mary CROOM who appears as a property owner as early as 1760 in Dobbs County? Was
she a widow of Arthur (Abel)? Who was Hester CROOM, who bought land in 1763 on
the south side of the Neuse River adjoining land owned by the "late Abel Croom?"
Much work remains to be done.
Return to List of Unconnected NC CROOM Names
|
CROOM FAMILIES in the NC PIEDMONT
No Known Relationship to Eastern NC CROOM Families
Doris Outlaw asserted that a John CROOM listed in the 1790 Federal
Census for Stokes County, NC, was a son of Jesse CROOM, son of Abel CROOM.
In the opinion of this writer, that is WRONG. Records indicate that John,
son of Jesse and grandson of Abel CROOM, never left eastern North Carolina.
Who then was the John CROOM living in Stokes County in 1790?
In the late 1600s and early 1700s, population growth in North Carolina
occurred concurrently, but independently, in two primary areas: the Coastal
Plain and the Piedmont, or central and foothills part of the state. The
first area, which bordered the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Virginia to the
North and South Carolina to the south, was settled mainly by those migrating
down through eastern Virginia's rivers into North Carolina's rivers, and
those arriving by ships at harbors, such as New Bern, from other American
colonies to the north and to the south. The Port of Wilmington received some
English ships, but was not considered an outstanding harbor. Some settlers,
especially Scot Highlanders, followed land routes up from South Carolina,
having arrived earlier at good harbors afforded by Charleston. Many settlers
navigated a number of eastern NC rivers inland for a hundred miles or so –
"as the crow flies" –on rafts and flatboats.
The Piedmont of North Carolina was not easily accessible to the
settlers in the eastern part of the state in the very early days of the
Colony. A land route known as the Old Philadelphia Wagon Road had developed
because of old Indian Trails and the friendly topography of the Shenandoah
Valley, a route used today by large portions of US 11 and Interstate 81.
This early road led from Philadelphia through Lancaster, down through the
western part of Maryland, and through such trading towns in western
Virginia as Winchester and Roanoke. Just before reaching North Carolina,
travelers arrived at a fork in the Road. One branch veered westward leading
to what would later be Kentucky, while the other branch continued southward
into North Carolina. Travelers on the southward branch crossed into an area
of North Carolina that became Stokes County in 1789. It is located above
present day Winston-Salem. The Road continued down through trading towns
such as Salem, Salisbury and Charlotte, and into South Carolina where the
road divided, one route to Augusta, Georgia, the other to Camden and on to
Savannah, Georgia. By the 1750s thousands of immigrants of German, Scot and
Irish descent were heading south on the road, seeking new lands for
settlement.
A CROOM from Germany to Philadelphia to
Stokes County, NC?
- Simon Jacob CRON, b abt 1693,
emigrated from Staudernheim, Nahe Valley, Northern Palatinate (now part of
Germany) and arrived aboard the Friendship on 12 October 1741 at
Philadelphia on 12 Oct 1741 with three sons: Johann Konrad, b 1722; Johann
Phillip, b 1723; and Johann David, b 1736. This traditional German
practice of the same given first name for sons also was followed for the
naming of several daughters of Simon Jacob. Johann was quite often changed
to "John" in the American Colonies. Philadelphia County, PA, records show
Simon CRON's surname spelled as CROON in 1741 and as CROOM in 1762.
-
JOHN CROOM
(Johann David Cron), b
6 Dec 1736 in Germany, d 1810-1820 NC in Stokes County. The enumerator for
the Federal Census
for Stokes County, NC, clearly (according to this writer) lists John's surname in 1790 as CROOM; in 1800
as CRUM and in 1810 as CROM. It is the opinion of this writer that he was
Johann CRON, one of the three sons of Simon Jacob CRON, a German emigrant
who arrived in Philadelphia. Very likely, John was part of the large
migration of Pennsylvania Germans who came down the Old Philadelphia Wagon
Road which, upon crossing the North Carolina border, passed through Stokes
County.
-
SIMON CROOM,
b 9 Jan 1770, d 20 Apr 1831: He is buried in Shiloh Lutheran Cemetery in
Forsyth County which was formed from Stokes in 1849. Simon named a son
John M. Croom, b 20 Oct 1813, d 10 Jun 1889 Forsyth County, a good clue
that John CROOM of Stokes County was John M. CROOM's grandfather and Simon Jacob CRON\CROON\CROOM
of Philadelphia was his great-grandfather.
-
Jacob CRIM, b 1755-1775, d aft 1830;listed in the Federal Census for Stokes County, NC,
1800, 1820 and 1830. Though circumstantial, this Jacob CRIM appears about
the same time as Simon CRON/CROOM in the same county. Recent research has
convinced this writer that this Jacob CRIM also came from Germany;
however, no relationship has been established to the aforenamed CRON
descendants.
-
Phillip CRUME: listed as living in Shenandoah County, VA, in 1783. I note that his
location is in the
path of the Philadelphia Wagon Road, the route from Philadelphia to Stokes
County and the Piedmont of NC. Possibly this Phillip in VA was Johann Philip
CRON/CROOM, the brother of John who settled in Forsyth County. This
remains under study.
- For those researching the CROOM – and especially the CRUM/CRUME/KRUM/CRIM
lines – I suggest a thorough study of these early Philadelphia families.
[John Croom, 21 Nov 2004]
Click to return to John, son of Jesse and
grandson of Abel. |
Note: LNU= last name unknown
FNU=first name unknown
This page was last revised on 4 November 2016
© Copyright
1995-2017 by John H. Croom, all rights reserved.
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