Benjamin Crouse, Jr. &
Araminta "Minty" Unknown

Benjamin Crouse, Jr., possibly a son of Benjamin CROUSE & Wady CHEEK, was born abt. 1831 in Ashe Co., NC, and was killed in action Sept. 30, 1864, Fort Harrison, VA. He married Araminta "Minty," last name unknown, abt. 1849. She was born Mar. 4, 1826, in North Carolina, and died Jan. 27, 1910, in Alleghany Co., NC. Benjamin's place of burial is not known. Araminta is buried at the Union Primitive Baptist Church in Whitehead, Alleghany Co., NC.

Children of Benjamin Crouse & Araminta Unknown:

1. Nancy Crouse, b. Jan. 1850, Ashe Co., NC; d. aft. 1910; m. Calloway JOINES, son of Thomas JOINES, Jr., & Lydia HOPPERS, Dec. 20, 1892, Alleghany Co., NC (b. June 1832; d. 1912). No children.
2. Elizabeth Crouse, b. Mar. 25, 1851, Ashe Co., NC; d. Oct. 3, 1932, Alleghany Co., NC; m. James William EVANS, son of John Weaver EVANS, Sr., & Emily BLEVINS, Sept. 25, 1880, Alleghany Co., NC (b. Nov. 24, 1858; d. Jan. 16, 1941); bur. Union Primitive Baptist Church, Whitehead, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: Emmett Evans (1883), Maurice Evans (1886), John H. Evans (1889), Laura J. Evans (1892).
3. Martin A. Crouse, b. Jan. 5, 1853, Ashe Co., NC; d. Dec. 29, 1913, Alleghany Co., NC; m. Nancy Adeline HILL, daughter of David & Catherine HILL, Mar. 29, 1871, Alleghany Co., NC (b. July 20, 1849; d. Nov. 19, 1923); bur. Charlie Crouse Cemetery, Rd. 1327 near Mt. Zion Church, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: John H. Crouse (c.1867), Albert Crouse (c.1870), Arthur Crouse (c.1873), Asa Viola Crouse (c.1874), Laura Jane Crouse (c.1876), Martie May Crouse (1878), Leonor Leota Crouse (c.1880), Oscar Crouse (1882), Cora V. Crouse (1884), Walter Crouse (1886, d. young), Lonnie Crouse (1889).
4. James W. Crouse, b. May 20, 1854, Ashe Co., NC; d. Nov. 10, 1891, Alleghany Co., NC; m. Frances "Frankie" ANDREWS, daughter of Leander ANDREWS & Phariba CAUDILL, Mar. 2, 1872, Alleghany Co., NC (b. abt. 1854; d. Mar. 17, 1931); bur. Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: Mary Ann Crouse (1874), Martha Crouse (c.1876), Alice Crouse (c.1877), Rosa Crouse (1880), Ennice Crouse (c.1894), Cynthia Crouse, Robert Crouse, Walter Crouse.
5. Margaret E. Crouse, b. Aug. 7, 1857, Ashe Co., NC; d. May 30, 1917, Alleghany Co., NC; m. Kirby Smith ATWOOD, son of Nathan ATWOOD & Cathany HILL, Oct. 11, 1882, Alleghany Co., NC (b. July 5, 1861; d. Oct. 17, 1934); bur. Union Primitive Baptist Church, Whitehead, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: Gilbert Atwood (c.1887), Mintie A. Atwood (c.1892), Cora Ida Atwood (1893), Caloway Atwood (c.1895), Effie Atwood (c.1900).
6. Joshua Crouse, b. Jan. 11, 1860, Ashe/Alleghany Co., NC; d. Dec. 5, 1927, Alleghany Co., NC; m. Drucy PARSONS, daughter of Craig & Alfy PARSONS, Dec. 28, 1878, Alleghany Co., NC (b. abt. 1862; d. unk.); bur. Mount Zion United Methodist Church, Alleghany Co., NC.

Notes

enjamin Crouse, Jr. may have been a son of Benjamin Crouse and Wady Cheek of Alleghany County, NC. According to the 1840 census, Benjamin (Sr.) and Wady Crouse had a son who was born between 1831 and 1835 who is not accounted for.  He could be the younger Benjamin Crouse found in Alleghany County, born about 1831, but more research is needed to verify or disprove this connection.

Based on census and land records, Benjamin Crouse Jr. and his family lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains in southern Gap Civil Township (now Whitehead Township), in the same general area as Benjamin Sr. and Wady Crouse.  An 1885 deed involving their heirs of Benjamin Crouse Jr. refers to land on the Little River adjoining Eli COX, CAUDILL, and BRACKINS—probably a reference to Josiah Caudill and Samuel Brackins who owned land in the Blue Ridge on Pine Swamp Creek, No Head Branch, and the Little River.  In the 1860 census, Benjamin and his wife Araminta are listed between Martin CROWS (age 36, wife Ann) and Ezekiel JOINS (age 35, wife Jane).  Jane, the wife of Ezekiel Joines, was a daughter of Benjamin Crouse, Sr.  Moreover, Martin Crouse (who married Ann Whitehead) was Benjamin Sr.'s nephew.  Martin's father was Stephen Crouse, a brother of Benjamin Crouse, Sr.

On the other hand, it's possible that Benjamin Crouse Jr. was actually a son of Stephen Crouse and not a son of Benjamin Sr. and Wady Crouse.  According to the 1840 census, Stephen Crouse also had a son born between 1831-1835 who has not been identified.  Clearly, there is more work to be done to clarify the relationship between Benjamin Crouse Jr. and the other members of the large Crouse family in Alleghany County.

Benjamin Crouse, Jr. married Araminta "Minty" about 1849, based on the ages of their children.  Her last name is unknown.  Benjamin died in action during the Civil War at Fort Harrison, Virgina, on Sept. 30, 1864.

Records

1850 Census, Ashe Co., NC, p.256 (HH#277):
BENJ. CROWS, 19, farmer, $150, NC

-- Araminta, 23, NC

-- Nancy, 6/12, NC

1860 Census, Ashe Co., NC, Gap Civil Twp., p.199/p.398 (HH#343):
BENJ. CROUSE, 30, farmer, $500, $500, NC

-- Arminta, 34, NC

-- Nancy, 10, NC

-- Elisabeth, 8, NC

-- Martina, 6, NC

-- James W., 4, NC

-- Peggy E., 2, NC

-- Joshua, 6 mos., NC

1860 Census, Agricultural Schedule, Alleghany Co., NC: BENJ. KRAUS, 100 acres improved land, 50 acres unimproved land, value of farm $500, value of farm implements $15, 3 horses, 0 asses/mules, 5 milch cows, 0 working oxen, 4 other cattle, 23 sheep, 13 swine, value of livestock $380. (Source: New River Notes)

Civil War: Benjamin CROUSE served in Co. I, 61st NC Infantry. Enlisted as a private on May 3, 1862, at the age of 32. Resident of Ashe Co., NC. On rolls Nov. 15, 1862. On rolls Apr. 15, 1863. Detailed May 12, 1863, to arrest deserters. Returned June 30, 1863. Wounded in face and head on Aug. 26, 1863, at Morris Island, SC. Returned Sept. 1, 1863. On rolls Apr. 30, 1864. Killed in action on Sept. 30, 1864, in Fort Harrison, VA. (Source: "American Civil War Soldiers," Ancestry.com.)

Mar. 10, 1869. Land belonging to Miny CROUSE is mentioned in a deed from Josiah CAUDILL & wife Elizabeth to A.J. WAGONER & wife Nancy for a tract of land on Little River & No Head branch in Alleghany County. (Alleghany DB 1:268.)

1870 Census, Alleghany Co., NC, Gap Civil Twp., p.260 (HH#26):
ARAMINTA CROUSE, 45, $600, $289, NC, keeping house

-- Nancy, 21, NC

-- Elisabeth, 19, NC

-- James, 16, NC

-- Margritt, 13, NC

-- Joshua, 10, NC

Note: son Martin A. Crouse (age 18) was living with the family of his future wife Nancy Adeline HILL in Prather's Creek Twp. in 1870.

Nov. 22, 1873. Alleghany Co., NC. State of NC to D.A. SPURLIN, 390 acres on Pine Swamp Creek adj. Ezekiel JOINES, David LANDRETH, & Minta CROWSE. Entered Dec. 27, 1871. (Alleghany Land Grant No. 51, DB 2:378.)

1880 Census, Alleghany Co., NC, Gap Civil Twp. (HH#184):
MINTY CROUSE, widow, 52, NC NC NC

-- Nancy, dau, 30, " " "

-- Margaret, dau, 22, " " "

-- Joshua, son, 20, " " "

-- Drucy, dau-in-law, 18, " " "

Nov. 29, 1880. Wm. EVANS & wife Elizabeth to James CROUSE, all their interest in a tract of land of Benjamin CROUSE, dec'd, that Minty CROUSE & James CROUSE now live on, adj. A.J. EDWARDS, for $80. Signed: Wm. EVINS, Elizabeth EVINS. Wit: [illegible]. Proved Nov. 29, 1880, by the grantors; A.J. WAGGONER, J.P. (Alleghany DB 8:552.)

Mar. 6, 1885. M.A. CROUSE & wife Nancy, & Joshua CROUSE & wife Drusy N., to Nancy CROUSE & Margaret C. ATWOOD, for $160, all their interest & ownership in a tract of land on Little River [no acreage stated], adj. Eli COX, CAUDILL, & BRACKINS. Except 25 acres now owned by the mother of said parties. Signed: Martin A. CROUSE, Nancy A. (X) CROUSE, Joshua CROUSE, Drucy N. (X) CROUSE. Proved Mar. 6, 1885, by the grantors. Reg. Dec. 28, 1885. (Alleghany DB 6:263.)

Dec. 27, 1886. Nancy CROUSE to Kerby ATWOOD & wife Margaret, her interest in 4 tracts of land adj. A.J. WAGGONER, the Ore Bank lands, Daniel JOINES, J.C. RECTOR, Thomas RECTOR, Nathaniel MOXLEY "& others" for $300. 1st tract: beg. THOMPSON's old corner. 2nd tract: beg. THOMPSON's corner adj. Benjamin CROUSE, the old WHITEHEAD line, to the 3rd tract adj. WAGGONER. 4th tract: beg. on a branch in Stephen CROUSE's field adj. LANOER[?] [LENOIR]. Signed: Nancy (X) CROUSE. Wit: John WHITEHEAD. Proved Jan. 10, 1887, by John WHITEHEAD. Reg. Jan. 10, 1887. (Alleghany DB 7:348.)

May 23, 1889. Kerby ATWOOD & wife Margret to Minty CROUSE, 30 acres adj. Henderson JOINES, Nathaniel MOXLEY, & Jacob COMES, for $200. Signed: Kirby S. ATWOOD, Margret (X) ATWOOD. Proved May 23, 1889. Reg. May 24, 1889. (Alleghany DB 8:63.)