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A new document I found in June 2004 indicates the CRAIG family moved from Scotland to County Monaghan, Ireland. This is where Walter Craig's wife, Jane/Jean McLeon/McLain/ etc family lived.

My Aunt's notes from the 1970s (which may or may not be accurate) included: THE CRAIG FAMILY WERE ORIGINALLY SCOTTISH COVENANTERS WHO, OWING TO THE PERSECUTION OF THE SECT UNDER KING JAMES, LEFT THE LAND AND SOUGHT SAFETY IN IRELAND.Notes mentioned they lived in County Donegal, Ireland before coming to the U.S. in the late 1790s.

WALTER CRAIG, HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, WAS AN EARLY SETTLER AND HAD FOUR SONS - ONLY WALTER, DAVID AND WILLIAM CRAGE (CRAIG) WERE OLD ENOUGH FOR THE 1793 TAX LIST.

WILL PROBATED 4 Jul 1798, BOOK 1 PAGE 353 THE CHILDREN ARE NAMED IN THE WILL ALL BUT THE LAST TWO SUSAN AND THOMAS AS ISSUES (A note that doesn't make sense now, so we'll try to find a copy of the Will.

William Craig, (Georgeann's 5th g-grandfather) who was an early resident in Hopewell township (Washington County, PA) had four sons, - David, John, William, and Walter.

David married the widow of Thomas URIE, and settled in West Middletown (PA). To David Craig and his wife were born a large family of children, all girls. When Mr. Craig died, in 1857, he left a large landed estate. John Craig, second son of William Craig, went to Ohio. William, Jr., settled on the homestead and died there, leaving a large property, which was divided among his children. Walter Craig, youngest of William Craig's' four sons, married a sister of Col. Joseph Scott. In 1818 and 1819 he was a member of the House of Representatives from this district. After his marriage and his removal to Cross Creek village he was elected to the State Senate. Since son David born in Ireland, I would assume they were also born in Ireland.

(some previous researchers indicate that William was Walter....one states William and Walter was interchangeable...three indicate Walter CRAIG married Jean or Jane McCLEAN, their source is Beer's Biography of Harrison County, Ohio but we have also obtained the notes of another researcher whom we believe provided the info about Jean McCLEAN to the others....and there are several errors in his research which was done years ago...so I am less sure about Jean McCLEAN. A reference in these notes indicate Walter CRAIG aka William CRAIG's will was probated 4 Jul 1798 and recorded in Book 1, page 353...he presumed it was Washington Co., PA. Another lists his death date as 4 Jul 1798...unlikely to be the same day as his will was probated. Also, Beer's Biography of Harrison County, Ohio list five sons of William...the same four names as above plus Thomas.

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William or Walter CRAIG and Jean or Jane McCLEAN/McLEAN/McLEON's son

2 David Craig b: 1769 (in Ireland IMMIGRATED TO US about 1791-1793-) d. 1857  West Middletown, PA + Susannah McCONNELL Urie.  b: 1776 d: 1854 Susannah's first husband- Thomas URIE,  Jr., who was murdered by Indians, left a widow and two children, Elizabeth and Thomas. The widow married David CRAIG, and they had a large family of children. Mr. and Mrs. Craig died in West Middletown. Elizabeth, the daughter of Thomas Urie, Jr., Married James McBride, and their descendants live in Independence township. source: History of Washington County, PA

West Middletown Borough.--West Middletown is situated within the boundaries of the township of Hopewell, in its northwestern part, on the dividing ridge between the waters of Buffalo and Cross Creeks, and on the main road leading to Washington borough, which road forms the main street of the town. The borough of West Middletown now contains four churches, a school-house, post-office, two resident physicians, five stores, a drug-store, machine-shop, two wagon-shops, a cabinet-maker's shop, two blacksmith-shops, a hotel, a livery stable, seventy-five dwellings, - one-third of which number are of brick, - and a population of three hundred and twelve according to the return of the United States census of 1880.

     The site of West Middletown borough is upon parts of two tracts of land that originally belonged to James Martin and Samuel Gill. The tract of James Martin was taken out under a Virginia certificate granted in February, 1780, and when surveyed was named "Saint Martin," and contained three hundred and four acres. A patent for it was obtained March 4, 1794. The tract belonging to Samuel Gill when surveyed was called "Rosegill." Patent for this tract was granted Oct. 28, 1790. One of the first settlers in the locality was Galbraith Stewart, who was a blacksmith by trade and for several years previous had carried on his trade near Mount Hope Church, now in Independence township. In the year 1795 he removed to what is now West Middletown, where he built one of the first dwellings and opened a blacksmith-shop. Soon afterwards David Craig settled there and opened a store. The election district composed of Hopewell, Buffalo, and Cross Creek townships was erected in 1797, and this settlement became the polling-place and so continued for many years. At one time during this period there were three licensed taverns in the town. A post-office is mentioned as being at West Middletown in the Postmaster-General's report in 1805. At this place William McKennan (who afterwards removed to Washington) settled and lived for a time. Robert Garrett (the father of John W. Garrett, president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad) also settled here, and opened a store which he kept many years. It is stated that while living here his son, John W. Garrett, was born. The house in which he lived is now owned by Robert Garrett.

The (FIRE) engine was kept at the house of David Craig, who kept a store where the hotel now stands. It was in use for twenty years, and then housed till 1868. On the 13th of March of that year the Council ordered the fire-engine and all pertaining to it sold. A report made to the Council, March 24th, shows that the engine, ladder, hooks, weigh-scales, etc., were sold, and for then twelve dollars and twenty-five cents was received. Since that time no attempt has been made to organize a fire department in West Middletown.

On the 26th of August, 1836, the township "resolved to build the necessary school-houses for the districts as soon as proper arrangements can be made, and that the secretary give notice in the Reporter and Examiner for proposals on the first Monday of October next." Feb. 14, 1837, it was "resolved that the secretary be authorized to contract for brick for eight school-houses." David Craig and James Thompson (his son-in law-more info below) were appointed "a committee to obtain right of school property for West Middletown District, No. 3." Aug. 18, 1837, it was resolved that equal amounts be distributed among the several districts, except Middletown, No. 3, and Williamsburg, the former of which was to receive one hundred per cent. and the latter fifty per cent. more than the others. The secretary was authorized to contract with George Newcome to build these school-houses. The Adams school-house, No. 6, was also built by Newcome, Abraham Wotring, John Lowry, Henry Smith, Hugh McGuire, William Tweed, and James Thompson were authorized to procure school lots, which they did, as follows:

Lease, 99 years from James Boyd, 80 perches....... $1.00
Purchase from Joseph Scott, 80 perches............ 1.00
Purchase from Alexander Adams and Aaron Templeton,
     79 perches................................... 10.00
Purchase from John Lowry, 72 perches.............. 10.00
Purchase from William Jamison, 80 perches......... 1.00
Purchase from John Dunkle, 80 perches............. 12.00
Purchase from Joseph Bigham, 80 perches........... 1.00
Purchase from Isaac Manchester, 82 perches........ 10.00
Purchase from Robert Harvey (Williamsburg)
     36 3/4 perches............................... 60.00

     These purchases were all made in 1837 and 1838. On the 27th of May, 1839, a lot was purchased of George Plummer, thirty-six perches, for the consideration "Love and respect for education, and the better maintenance and support of common schools." In 1845 the store of James McFadden was purchased for a school-house, in District No. 3. On the 14th of September, 1846, a lot was purchased of William McNulty for a school-house, and one the 16th of April, 1847, it was voted to proceed with the erection of a house forty-two by thirty-two feet, brick, thirteen inches thick, ten feet story, two stories in height. To this building another story was added in 1858.

     The school report for the school year ending June 1, 1863, showed the following school statistics of the township: Number of schools, 6; number of teachers, 6; number of pupils enrolled, 216; receipts for school purposes, $983.69; expenditures, $695. The report for 1873 showed: number of schools in township, 6; number of teachers, 6; number of pupils enrolled, 162; receipts, $1389.95; expenditures, $1312,46. In 1880 the report showed the same number of schools and teachers; number of pupils enrolled, 210; school receipts, $1356.11; expenditures, $1217.29. The present number of districts and school-houses in the township is six, exclusive of the West Middletown district, which has been separate and independent from the township in school matters in and since the year 1856.

Another source: Washington Co., PANo names close to McClain or McClean (David CRAIG's mother's maiden name) in the same record that the Craigs were in for Hopewell Twp. I think Raymond Bell just copied the tax payers from the 1800 tax list for the Townships in Wash. Co. for his material that he used. Then ,I could be wrong too. This book is at the Citizen's library in Washington,Pa.

In the Petition of 1776-80- there is a James Craig and a Thomas Craig ,no clue as to Twp. There is one John McCann,could this be

McClean/Mclain. In this petition it very hard to put a certain name with a person,as there are no other clues as to which person it really is speaking about. 

   3 Jane CRAIG  b. 1799 d. 13 Apr 1834 in W. Middletown, PA during childbirth. She was married to James THOMPSON  (b.1781 Ireland-d.1863)

James Thompson came with his parents to this county from Ireland in 1796, when he was but fifteen years of age. They came almost directly to Pittsburgh, Pa., and thence to this county. Mr. Thompson was a surveyor by profession, having much and varied experience in that line in the years he pursued the vocation. His books and field-notes are models of neatness and accuracy. Mr. Thompson married Jane CRAIG for his first wife, and in 1840, having become a widower, he married Mrs. Matilda RITCHIE, who still survives him. She resides in West Middletown, but her children are all residents of Washington borough. Mr. James Thompson died in 1863, aged eighty-two years.

Children of Jane (CRAIG) Thompson and James THOMPSON:

3a) John C. THOMPSON (1822?-1884) m. Ann E. RICHARDS
3b) David THOMPSON d. 11 Jan 1828 at age 3
3c) William Wallace THOMPSON (1828-1913) m. 1) Lydia J. BOSWELL; 2) Kirsten NEILSON
3d) Susan THOMPSON (1831?-1914) unmarried
3e) twin girls born & died in 1834 as their mother died during childbirth

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William or Walter CRAIG and Jean or Jane McCLEAN/McLEAN/McLEON's son

2 John Craig b: 1776 John Craig, second son of William Craig, went to Ohio (from above) I know of a descendent researching this line...so I could forward emails to him if you are also researching this line.

John, born 1 Aug 1775 (who afterwards became the father of our subject) was some sixteen years of age when he came to America with his parents.  He grew to manhood in Pennsylvania, and married Elizabeth JOHNSON.

From Henry Malowney, unpublished genealogy, 1987: John CRAIG died 22 Aug 1825, age 50 years. Elizabeth, wife of John CRAIG, born in Washington County, PA 23 Jun 1781. They went to Ohio in 1803. Elizabeth (Johnson) CRAIG died 28 Feb 1864.

Beer's Biographical Series, Harrison County, Ohio, page 338-340: biography of Walter CRAIG, b. 4 July 1819 in Greene twp., Harrison County, Ohio (I will try to post the rest soon)..

There are numerous discrepancies between the Beer's Harrison County Biography and the History of Washington County, PA information....including 1) 1st generation listed as "Walter CRAIG" in OH bio but "William CRAIG" in PA info...both saying they came to Hopewell twp, Washington County, PA in 1781. 2) His wife's maiden name is spelled McLEON in OH info and not listed in Wash Co. info. 3) Thomas listed as 5th son in OH bio....not mentioned in PA info. 4) Daughters in OH bio are Ann, Beckie, Jane and Susan but not listed in Wash Co. info.

Walter CRAIG, by occupation a weaver, and his wife, Jean/Jane (McLEON) CRAIG, "in 1791 Walter CRAIG and family came to America and settled in West Middletown, PA. Their children were named as follows: David, Thomas, Ann, Beckie, William, John, Walter, Jane and Susan. Of these children, John, born 1 Aug 1775 (who afterwards became the father of our subject) was some sixteen years of age when he came to America with his parents.  He grew to manhood in Pennsylvania, and married Elizabeth JOHNSON

One of (probably several) children of John CRAIG and Elizabeth (JOHNSON) CRAIG was: Anne CRAIG (1811 - 1887) who married James TAGGART  (1806 - 1890) Their are several TAGGART websites on the web that include this line.

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William or Walter CRAIG and Jean or Jane McCLEAN/McLEAN/McLEON's son

2 William CRAIG, Jr. (from above) William, Jr., settled on the homestead and died there, leaving a large property, which was divided among his children. He married Susanna LEEPER (1783-1886) children:

William CRAIG (1815-1889) m. 1) Margaret McFADDEN d. 1864, age 48

a. Susan Mary CRAIG d. 1864, age 22

b. Alexander CRAIG d. 1866, age 22

c. Lucy (or Louisa) CRAIG (born abt 1846? a note was "4 in 1850") m. James McMURRAY...Kansas City

d. William CRAIG d. 1913 married in 1884 Ada May NUZUM, daughter of Joel Nuzum and Ann (GILLESPIE) NUZUM. Their children:

    d1) Eva Pearl CRAIG, d. 1913, age 26
    d2) Helen M. CRAIG, d. 1976, age 84, unmarried
    d3) Irene Rolland CRAIG d. 1984, age 89 m. Earl CARL, died 1980, age 83. They had four sons: Ivan, Riley, Bill, John CRAIG
    d4) Pauline CRAIG m. Earl MORROW
    d5) William N. CRAIG (1899-1988) unmarried

e. Margaret CRAIG (1849?-1864)

f. John CRAIG (1854?-1921) m. Kate BALES, daughter of Conrad BALES and Isabella (GILMORE) BALES

f1) Alvin McMURRAY CRAIG (1889-1977) m. Jane ADAMS, daughter of Alex ADAMS and Harriet (KEENAN) ADAMS. Jane (ADAMS) CRAIG was the sister of Laura (ADAMS) CRAIG who married Alvin's brother.

11/10/00 I received a email from a ADAMS descendent which included this information: "Orlando C. ADAMS was a brother to Jane and Laura ADAMS who married the CRAIG brothers. Their parents were Alex and Harriet (KEENAN) ADAMS. Henry KEENAN was the first KEENAN in the West Middletown, PA area." (I am not certain of Henry's relationship with Harriet.

"There are still many Craigs, Adams and Keenan descendants in the area of West Middletown and Independence." 

f2) Mary Belle CRAIG (1891-1962) m. Lynn SMITH (brother of George SMITH/Dora Nolen)

f3) Margaret Leanna CRAIG b. 1894

f4) John Stanley CRAIG (1896-1990) m. Laura ADAMS d. 1981 their children: Raymond, John, Virginia, Clark, Frank, Homer (I believe he is the "Homer CRAIG" who did considerable research on family history), Lester, Louis, Paul)  See note regarding Laura ADAM's sister who married John Stanley CRAIG's brother Alvin above. 

f5) Bessie Luella CRAIG (1898-1987) m. Guy SMITH (1899-1982) children: Howard and Lloyd

William CRAIG (1815-1889) married a second time to Margaret DALZELL (1832-1908)

g)  Robert Dalzell CRAIG (1867-1943) m. Lucy CARL, daughter of Henry CARL & Lucy (McPHERSON) CARL. Their children

g1) Robert Carl CRAIG (1909-1950)

g2) Bernice CRAIG m. Harold MILLER. Children: Bobbie MILLER & Barbie MILLER

h) Lavinia Jennie CRAIG (1874-1909) unmarried

(Additional children of William CRAIG (1776-1837) & Susanna (LEEPER) CRAIG(1783-1864):

Susan CRAIG b. 1818
Jane CRAIG
John CRAIG
Rebecca CRAIG
Catherine CRAIG
Margaret CRAIG b. 1825/1826 handwriting barely legible
Walter CRAIG

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William or Walter CRAIG and Jean or Jane McCLEAN/McLEAN/McLEON's son

2 Walter Craig b. Ireland 1 Dec 1786, died 10 Feb 1875 at the home of his daughter in Indiana; buried Cross Creek Cemetery, Washington County, PA. Walter CRAIG  m. Elizabeth SCOTT Aug. 3, 1819, in Washington Co. Pa. She born Aug. 8, 1794 and died Aug. 18, 1866. Her father was Arthur SCOTT per Homer's research.

Walter CRAIG was the  youngest of William Craig's' four sons, married Elizabeth SCOTT, a sister of Col. Joseph SCOTT. In 1818 and 1819 he was a member of the House of Representatives from this district. After his marriage and his removal to Cross Creek village he was elected to the State Senate. source: History of Washington County, PA  

more information in History of Presbytery of Washington County, PA

Honorable Walter CRAIG of Washington Co. Pa. p. 740 of History of Washington Co. Pa.source on children below:
1. Jane CRAIG m. Major William LEE
2. Margaret Ann (CRAIG) widow of Dr. P. W. DRYDEN, deceased of Christian Co. Ky.
3.  Elizabeth CRAIG m. 13 Oct 1847 wife of Rev. Aaron Harvey KERR of Rochester Mn. (notes about Rev. KERR below)
4.  David CRAIG m. Amanda WHITE. He was a prominent lawyer in New Castle, Lawrence Co. Pa.
5.  John CRAIG m. Catherine PHIPPS
6. Henry Martin CRAIG m. Mary TEMPLETON and resided in NE
7. Joseph CRAIG d. in 1855 age 21
8. Walter Scott CRAIG d. in infancy
9.  William CRAIG   b. 20 Feb 1832 d. 5 Apr 1833  died in infancy
10. Walter Stockton CRAIG b. 26 Apr 1839 d. 20 Sep 1840 died in infancy

HE OLD AND NEW MONONGAHELA; The Church On The Hill. Rev. Aaron Harvey Kerr; page 75
Harvey was a student of the academy taught by Rev. J. D. Mason, in the old church on the hill, and of the academy of J. P. Thomson, in the old carriage factory. He graduated from Jefferson College in the Class of 1843, studied theology in the Western Theological Seminary, was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, April, 1846, He preached as a pioneer in many of the early churches of the west, and was for a time connected with the educational interests of St. Peter's, Minnesota. He was married October 13, 1847, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late Hon. Walter CRAIG, of Cross Creek, Washington county, PA. The writer of this article was a schoolmate at the Old Factory school, and knew him well. In youth he was a man [p.75] of fine physical appearance, tall, erect, and full of vigorous nerve, fond of a joke, but always carried his religion with him. He was one of the good of his day, and his many friends of fifty years ago, will learn of his death with regret. He was not only a soldier of the late war, but a soldier nearly all his life in the army of the Lord. Blessed be his memory.

 

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William or Walter CRAIG and Jean or Jane McCLEAN/McLEAN/McLEON's daughter

2 Ann Beckie Craig m. John JAMISON per Homer's research

2 Thomas Craig was listed a son in previous research but information above contradicts this.

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WILLIAM CRAIG was among those active in the establishing of Northampton Co. He was licensed to keep a public house 16 June 1752. He was Sheriff of the County from 1752 to 1756, and Prothonotary from 1778 to 1795. Among his children were:

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