David Crawford Edmiston

THE EDMISTON’S OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS

BY ALLAN S. HUMPHREYS

(6) DAVID CRAWFORD EDMISTON, (David 2 etc.), was born 21 July 1805, in Tenn.; died 17 Sept. 1887, Washington Co., Ark.; married 14 Oct. 1827, in Clark Co., Ark., to Rebecca Thornton, born 22 Nov. 1807; died 3 Aug. 1851. They are both buried in Edmiston Cemetery. She was the second person buried there.

Crawford Edmiston, as he was called, had moved with his lather from Tennessee to Clark Co., Ark., in 1818. He was still in Clark Co. in 1830 'When the census was taken but was in Washington Co. in 1840. Family records indicate he came to Washington Co. in 1835.

On 30 Sept. 1840, he bought from George and Elizabeth Morrow two tracts of land for $300. These he later deeded to his son David, on 15 April 18841 but made his home there until his death, Besides this home place, he bought and sold many pieces of property as the county records show.

On 6 Aug. 1842, he sold a tract of land containing 39 and 93/100 acres to his mother, Ann Edmiston, who on 28 Jan. 1846 sold this same land to Harvey H. Edmiston, an adopted son of David Crawford Edmiston.

Crawford Edmiston gave the land for and laid out a large family cemetery near Morrow. Each lot was cornered by a cedar tree. But around 1900, when it became necessary to cut cedar trees to prevent blight on apple trees, all these beautiful trees became ordinary fence posts except acme eight or ten that had the honor of becoming cedar chests in

the homes of Clem Ora, (Edmiston) Pyeatt, her sister Erin, and her three daughters.

Crawford Edmiston set up a trust fund to maintain the cemetery and designated a group of trustees from the family. It is still well cared for 81'ld annual memorial services are held regularly.

1850 Census of Northwest Arkansas:

Washington Counties - Bobbie Jones McLane and Desmond Walls Allen

Vineyard Township

EDMISTON. David C. 44, Rebecca 41, Mary

Ann 21, Zebulon 21, Lucinda 18, Wm. H.

15, Martha 1 3, James 11 , Sarah 9,

Elizabeth 6, Elby 4, Abner 2 TN/TN dwg 1,

Vineyard twp

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Know all men by these presents that I JAMES DRAKE of the county of Washington

in the state of Arkansas for and in consideration of the sum of Four hundred

and sixty two Dollars to me in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby

acknowledged have bargained sold and delivered unto DAVID C EDMISTON of the

county and State aforesaid a certain Negro Boy a slave for life aged about

Seventeen years named WILLIAM Sound in body and mind and title warranted

against the lawfull claims of all and every person or persons In Testamony

whereof I have in this 10th day of August 1846 hereunto set my hand and seal

Signed in presence of JAMES DRAKE

M WRIGHT

H J COULTER

The foregoing Bill of Sale was deposited in my office for record on

the 15th day of August AD 1846 and entered of record on the same day

J C PITTMAN Clerk and

Ex officio Recorder