The Crum family in America

“The Crum Family in America” by Edwin Wallace Crum and Ferris Bertrand Crum is a comprehensive exploration of the Crum lineage, focusing primarily on two branches that emigrated from the Lower Rhineland, Germany, and settled in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Published in 1949 by Wallace Press, this book meticulously compiles historical and genealogical data about the Crum family without claiming to encompass all bearers of the Crum name. Delving into the lives and legacies of key figures such as Anthony Crum, Sr., and Matthias Crum, Sr., the text presents a detailed account of their migration to America around 1770, their subsequent settlements, and their family developments in Virginia. By combining archival records and the first U.S. Census data, this work aims to piece together the family’s early American history, while acknowledging gaps and unresolved connections in the family’s lineage.

The Crum family in America deals with a particular set of Crums — a set that hailed from the Lower Rhineland, Germany, and settled originally in Pennsylvania or Virginia. It does not attempt by any means to deal with all those having the name “Crum”. Information is at hand pertaining to several sets of the family, and while all sets have apparently originated in Germany, it has not been found possible to establish a common ancestry. It may be that more sets are related than those dealt with herein, but since the relationship is not supported by tradition, or documentary evidence, the relationship is not assumed.

Our story begins with the coming of Anthony Crum, Sr. and Matthias Crum, Sr. to America. When they came is not known exactly, but there is reason to believe that they came about 1770. Anthony is supposed to have settled first in Chester Co., Pa., and then later to have migrated to Frederick Co., Va. By 1782 he and his three sons were established in Virginia, owning land and paying taxes. Information to this effect is on record at Winchester, Va., County Seat of Frederick Co. Moreover, the First Census of the United States, covering the period from 1782 to 1785, contains the names of the same four men as from Frederick Co., Va.

Less Is known about the settling of Matthias Crum, Sr. He was a stone mason by trade and is said to have made three trips across the Atlantic before settling in America. He was evidently married in Germany as his son, John, is supposed to have been six years of age when the family settled here. Tradition has it that he settled in Montgomery Co., Va., and there is historical evidence to show that he and his family were early residents of this County. In “Annals of Southwest Virginia 1769-1800” by Summers several references are made to Matthias and John Crum as from Montgomery County. The first reference to Matthias Crum is dated May 5, 1779; the first reference to John Crum, March 28, 1786. Then in “Wills and Marriages In Montgomery Co., Virginia” the marriage of John Crum is referred to, the marriage taking place October 27, 1787. It Is a matter of record that Matthias Crum, Jr., referred to in the genealogical register, was born July 10, 1774 in Virginia. The name Matthias Crum however, does not appear in the First Census of the United States referred to above. Why his name is omitted is hard to explain. All things considered, then, it seems logical to assume that Matthias Crum, the emigrant, settled in Montgomery Co., Va., in the early seventies, following the pattern of Anthony Crum, Sr.

While the relationship of Anthony Crum, Sr. and Matthias Crum Sr. has not been definitely established, there is good reason to assume that they were brothers. They hailed from the same part of Germany, If not from the same spot, they migrated to America about the same time, they settled not too far apart in Virginia, and both apparently adopted the Anglo form of the name (Crum instead of Krum) on landing In America. There is a certain tradition also which supports the assumed relationship.

Source

Crum, Edwin Wallace and Crum, Ferris Bertrand. The Crum family in America: historical information, genealogical data, coat of arms, biographies. Chicago : Wallace Press, 1949.