The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: NC
Qualifying Service: Private / Patriotic Service
Memorial sits at the edge of the woods, near the intersection of Hwy 701 and Hwy 210 in Bladen Co
Can be seen from Hwy 701. It's across from the James Cromartie Cemetery
Photo: 1 of 1
Author: Gary Owen Green
William Cromartie emigrated from Scotland and settled on South River in Bladen County He reared a family of 4 sons and 8 daughters. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Cromartie Cemetery.
The name of William Cromartie's first wife is not definitely known. It is said that she was a princess of Royal birth. William Cromartie met her on board ship, fell in love with her, and married her, thus protecting her from the unwelcome attentions of the Captain of the Vessel. Her grave is known as the "grave of the princess." Around this fair lady tradition has woven many colorful stories. But the mystery of her name is passed from sire to son. To William Cromartie and his first wife there was born one son, William Cromartie, Jr., September 10, 1765; as recorded in William Cromartie's Bible. William Cromartie, Jr., signs a deed from Charles Stewart to James and Alexander Cromartie, Jan 23, 1796. There is no further record of William Cromartie, Jr. Tradition says he went to India. As we have seen, the Orkney Cromartie went to India at this time; evidently, this proves the tradition that William Cromartie Jr., went to India to join relatives. William Cromartie, Sr. married second, Ruhamah Doane, born October 31, 1745. They were married April 22,1766. According to my findings Ruhamah Doane was a descendant of Deacon John Doane, who came to Plymouth, Mass. in 1630. Deacon John Doane was a member of the Leyden Company; he belonged to Mr. Robinson's church, and was a staunch Presbyterian. The name Ruhamah appears among the list of his descendants for several generations. Mr. Luther Cromartie stated that Ruhamah Doane lived on Black River. Her family came from Middletown. Conn., and settled on Black River. We find that there is a record of Hezekiah Doane in a list of men who attended upon the alarm at Wilmington. September 4, 1748, belonging to Capt. John Sampson's Company. James Cromartie enters land December 7, 1802 on the south side of Black River near lands of Ephraim and Hezekiah Doane. Hezekiah
The Wilmington Star August 18, 1932 The Will of William Cromartie is as follows: "I, William Cromartie, of the state of North Carolina and County of Bladen, do make this my last will and testament, in manner and in form following, viz: I commit my soul unto the mercies of God through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. My body I recommend to be buried in a plain and decent manner. I give unto my true and loving wife all my property I have now in possession, except what is here after excepted, during her natural life. I give unto my daughter, Thankful, a negro boy named Cesor. Unto my daughter, Elizabeth, a boy named Sam, Jr., unto my daughter, Mary, a negro girl named Flora, unto my daughter Catharine, a negro girl named Aley. All of which they have now in possession. Unto my daughter Margaret, I give and bequeath a negro girl named Sally provided she will come or send for her within ten years from this, if not I give hereunto my son, James's daughter Margaret. I give and bequeath unto my son Alexander, two hundred acres of land on Cypress Creek, also a boy named Bob, and one named, Alfred, which he now has in possession. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah, a negro woman named Fanny and two of her children named Milly and Charlotte, also my large Bible and silver teaspoons. I give unto my daughter Ann, a negro woman named Bell and her daughter Milly. I give and bequeath unto my son John Cromartie, the plantation whereon I now live and all lands on the south and east side of a small branch whereon I now have a grist mill, beginning at the mouth of said branch and running the various courses of the same unto the head thereof then due west until it gets through my land including said grist mill the same to be the property of his mother during her life. Also a blacksmith shop and tools. I give and bequeath unto my sons John and Peter five different pieces of land containing seven hundred and sixty four acres whereon I now have a saw mill, and land and every other advantage arising therefrom to be held' jointly between them at my death, they giving one third of the profits of the mill unto their mother during her natural life, except what land may lay north of a line drawn from the head of the aforesaid mentioned branch, which will take off a part of one of the saw mill surveys, and all my lands north and west of the aforesaid mentioned grist mill branch, and the line aforementioned from said branch I give unto my son Peter. Also two negro boys, one named Holloway, and the other named Gacian, the negro boy Holloway to remain with my wife during her life. also the negro woman given unto my daughter Hannah and Ann, called Fanny and Bell. I give and bequeath unto my son James, a negro named Tobushn which he now has possession of also one other called Same the said negro to remain with my wife during her life. I give and bequeath unto my true and loving wife all my stock of every kind also three negro boys named Cork, Tony, and Jack, with all my household furniture, to dispose of as she thinks proper. I give unto my daughter Jean, a negro girl named Selah. I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons James and John Cromartie, executors of this my last will and testament. Signed, sealed, and acknowledged in presence of us this eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and six. (Signature) William Cromartie Robert MacMillan Janet MacMillan John Cromartie(Nov.term-1807.)
Buried in Cromartie Family Cemetery, near Elizabethtown, Bladen County. Large granite family marker on the south side of Highway #701 and the east side of Highway #210, immediately beyond the intersection of these roads. Grave is a half mile east of the Cromartie home site. Inscription: “Soldier of the Revolutionary War.” Reported by Battle of Elizabethtown Chapter. Cemetery is located approximately 1.8 miles South of Garland, North Carolina on the Right side of Hwy 701. Headstones can be seen from Highway.GPS Coordinates: 34° 44’52.51”N 78° 25’17.40” W Source: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=2344826&GRid=31232442&
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