William Lewis Crawford Biography



Rev. William Lewis Crawford was born in Columbia County, Georgia
on the 22nd day of February, 1802. He had no educational
opportunities except such as were afforded by Old-Field Schools.
He was baptized by Rev. James Matthews and joined the church
at Benevolence, Randolph County, Georgia in July, 1842; and
was ordained at the same place in April 1846 at the request of
the Rehoboth Church in that County.

During his ministerial career he served the Baptist Churches
at Cuthbert, Ft. Gaines, Georgetown, Vienna,and many other
churches, and generally with great acceptability and usefulness.
He helped constitute many churches and ordained a great
many ministers.  In 1848 he was elected Moderator of the Bethel 
Association and held this place continuously through 1859,
a period of thirteen years in succession.

At Associations and Conventions, except when he was presiding,
he would take his seat in some remote part of the assembly,
and say little or nothing.  When remonstrated with on this account,
he replied, "There are so many who love to talk, and who can
talk so much better than I can, that I think it best to hold 
my tongue.  But if you think I am doing wrong, I will try to
do better in the future."

While thus a meek and humble Disciple, he was a bold and jealous
Christian, while modest and retiring in disposition, he was
earnest in spirit, strong in intellect, firm in conviction, wise
in counsel,and judicious in action.  All this gave him a great
influence which he used to good purpose in sustaining and giving
 character to the noble aims and objects of the Bethel Association
and the churches composing it.

He was a man of large frame; a sincere and devoted Christian,
of deep and strong beliefs.  He was hence free from fluctuations
in opinion and vacillation in conduct.  His Bible was his
text-book, its teachings were his law, and their observance
became as well his highest privilege as bounden duty.  Thus
acting, his life as similated the instructions of the Master,
and his spirituual nature developed into a vigorous Christianhood.
  In his moral being, the precepts of religion crystalized;
for this was the whole desire of his soul, as "Near, my God,
to thee," was his constant prayer.

Previous to conversion he was a considerable politician,
had encountered the follies and vices of youth,and in early
manhood had become aware of all the pit-falls of the pathway
of life.  To him the snares of satan and the secutions of the
world were a conscious recollection, and he had learned and felt
that all was vanity; hence he was free from these harmful
influences in his ministerial life, and fully capable of
warning others against the dangers of worldliness.  He began
to preach about three years after his baptism, and soon became
a strong and zealous preacher, and a powerful exhorter.  As
a preacher, he was beloved by those to whom he was best known,
and universally popular, although to the day of his death an
"Old Landmark" man and a high-toned Calvinist.  He possessed
a fine mind, a good understanding, and a most retentive memory,
never forgetting persons, faces or names.  Resignation to the
will of God, forbearance and Christian patience were marked
characteristics of his, while he was,at the same time, truly a
peacemaker, often putting himself to much trouble and laboring
diligently and earnestly to settle difficulties between his 
brethren in Christ.  His social qualities were unsurpassed.
Full of life, cheerful, and sometimes pleasantly mirthful, he
was a most conversable man and a most desirable travelling companion.
Devout and earnest in spirit warm and confiding in disposition,
and zealous of good works, he was an attractive 
co-laborer, a constant and lovable friend.

He married Miss Artemisia L. Zachary, of Columbia County, Georgia,
March 30th, 1824; and on the 12th of January, 1878 was transported
to the Christian's home in glory.


The following notes added by Debra Crosby
Georgia Marriages Columbia County Crawford,
William L. - Zachary, Artemissia  30 Mar 1824 

1850 Randolph Co. Ga. Census page 404b 8th District
130- William L. Crawford    48 m Baptist minister 4500 Ga.
     Ann                    44 f Ga.
     Ellen                  20 f Ga.
     William M.             14 m Ga.
     Joel                   12 m Ga.
     Gilbert                10 m Ga.
     Lewis                   2 m Ga.
     Joseph Sanders         21 m Lee Co. overseer