Census records indicate that Nancy M. (Evans) Crim was born in South Carolina between 1796-1800. Names of her parents have not been documented and little is known about her childhood or life before her marriage to Peter Crim.
Per Nancy's 1878 application for a widow's pension based on Peter's service in the War of 1812, they were married on March 2, 1818, in Richland District, South Carolina. Nancy would have been about 18-20 years of age with Peter about age 21. In that claim, Nancy stated that neither she nor Peter had been married before, that they lived in Richland District, South Carolina, for seven years and Shelby County, Alabama, "ever since."
Based on the above, it would have been about 1825 when Nancy and Peter packed up their young children and the bare necessities for beginning a new life in a new land. Undoubtedly, the migration to the wilderness that was then Alabama was undertaken with both trepidation and the hope for a brighter future. Family lore is that they traveled from South Carolina to Alabama in a wagon train with others in the extended Crim family.
The Crim family settled in the South Calera area on land literally straddling the border of present Shelby and Chilton Counties. As did most other early pioneers to the area, they simply claimed as theirs the land upon which they built their home and established their farm. By 1834, Nancy and Peter made legal claim and he began purchasing the land, several records of which may be found in Shelby County, Alabama records and on the web site for the Bureau of Land Management.
Because early census records listed the names only of heads of households, it is uncertain if all of Nancy and Peter's children are known. From numerous other records and oral history, it is believed they had at least eight children: John Wesley, Jane A., Elizabeth M., Nancy M., Mary Elizabeth, William P., Martha L., and James T.
After a long and event-filled marriage of over 57 years, Nancy was widowed when Peter was fatally injured in a tornado outbreak that swept through the area on Saturday, March 20, 1875. A newspaper, THE SHELBY COUNTY GUIDE, March 25, 1875, gave this account:
"TORNADO--A terrible tornado passed through the southern portion of this county last Saturday, which did much damage and killed several persons. The first we hear of the storm is about three miles southeast of Montevallo, when it blew down nearly all the houses on Mr. Wm. Garner's and Mrs. West's place. Some few miles from there it blew down Mr. Peter Crim's residence, killing his granddaughter and fatally injuring him. The next news we have of it, is in the neighborhood of Shelby Iron Works, where it blew down several houses killing a negro girl and severely injuring another negro; it also blew down Mr. J. R. Browning's houses. Crossing the river a little above Mrs. A. M. Brasher's ferry, it struck Robinson's Mill on Cedar Creek, utterly demolishing it and killing the miller."
Another newspaper, THE BIRMINGHAM IRON AGE, March 25, 1875, reported the tornado and indicated more deaths in the Crim family: "A dreadful tornado passed near Calera on last Saturday doing great damage to houses, fences, etc., and killing a grandchild of Mr. Crim, and also mortally wounding Mr. Crim and two granddaughters."
An apparent error in Nancy's pension records indicates Peter died April 28, 1876. But, since the Peter Crim who died as a result of tornado injuries is the only Peter Crim in the area of the right age to be a grandparent and not accounted for otherwise, there seems little doubt that the pension information was incorrect. Nancy would have been about 80 years of age at the time of her application for pension so it is understandable that information given may have been confused.
Although absolute proof has not been found, it is doubtful that Nancy would have rebuilt and been able to live independently after Peter's death. Indeed they may have had one or more of their adult children and grandchildren living with them at the time of the tornado. In any event, it is believed Nancy lived out her remaining years with family members and enjoyed the affection and respect due her as the much-loved matriarch of the family.
No will having been found for either Nancy or Peter Crim, they are presumed to have died intestate. Papers associated with Peter's estate show that John Wesley Crim (almost certainly their son) acted as Attorney-in-Fact for Peter's estate. Disbursements to heirs were not finalized until 1887. Speculation is that final settlement was delayed in deference to Nancy, who survived Peter by almost ten and half years.
Nancy exact date of death is unknown. However, records re Nancy's pension for Peter's service in the War of 1812 show: "Death of Widow About August 1885, Shelby Co., Ala."
The two accompanying grave photos are "before" and "after" the original stones were removed by well-intentioned caretakers at the cemetery. Please click the photos to read a more complete explanation.
When one looks at the first photo showing the large almost block-like stones covering the graves of Nancy and Peter, it staggers the imagination to contemplate the tremendous effort required to hew the stones, move each (perhaps by a mule-pulled wagon)some distance over rough rutted roads to the site, then lift each extremely heavy stone and arrange in a manner that would survive to present time -- now going on two centuries! While modern eyes tend to look for names and dates inscribed on granite memorial markers, their family could hardly have demonstrated their love and respect in a more meaningful way.
Per Nancy's 1878 application for a widow's pension based on Peter's service in the War of 1812, they were married on March 2, 1818, in Richland District, South Carolina. Nancy would have been about 18-20 years of age with Peter about age 21. In that claim, Nancy stated that neither she nor Peter had been married before, that they lived in Richland District, South Carolina, for seven years and Shelby County, Alabama, "ever since."
Based on the above, it would have been about 1825 when Nancy and Peter packed up their young children and the bare necessities for beginning a new life in a new land. Undoubtedly, the migration to the wilderness that was then Alabama was undertaken with both trepidation and the hope for a brighter future. Family lore is that they traveled from South Carolina to Alabama in a wagon train with others in the extended Crim family.
The Crim family settled in the South Calera area on land literally straddling the border of present Shelby and Chilton Counties. As did most other early pioneers to the area, they simply claimed as theirs the land upon which they built their home and established their farm. By 1834, Nancy and Peter made legal claim and he began purchasing the land, several records of which may be found in Shelby County, Alabama records and on the web site for the Bureau of Land Management.
Because early census records listed the names only of heads of households, it is uncertain if all of Nancy and Peter's children are known. From numerous other records and oral history, it is believed they had at least eight children: John Wesley, Jane A., Elizabeth M., Nancy M., Mary Elizabeth, William P., Martha L., and James T.
After a long and event-filled marriage of over 57 years, Nancy was widowed when Peter was fatally injured in a tornado outbreak that swept through the area on Saturday, March 20, 1875. A newspaper, THE SHELBY COUNTY GUIDE, March 25, 1875, gave this account:
"TORNADO--A terrible tornado passed through the southern portion of this county last Saturday, which did much damage and killed several persons. The first we hear of the storm is about three miles southeast of Montevallo, when it blew down nearly all the houses on Mr. Wm. Garner's and Mrs. West's place. Some few miles from there it blew down Mr. Peter Crim's residence, killing his granddaughter and fatally injuring him. The next news we have of it, is in the neighborhood of Shelby Iron Works, where it blew down several houses killing a negro girl and severely injuring another negro; it also blew down Mr. J. R. Browning's houses. Crossing the river a little above Mrs. A. M. Brasher's ferry, it struck Robinson's Mill on Cedar Creek, utterly demolishing it and killing the miller."
Another newspaper, THE BIRMINGHAM IRON AGE, March 25, 1875, reported the tornado and indicated more deaths in the Crim family: "A dreadful tornado passed near Calera on last Saturday doing great damage to houses, fences, etc., and killing a grandchild of Mr. Crim, and also mortally wounding Mr. Crim and two granddaughters."
An apparent error in Nancy's pension records indicates Peter died April 28, 1876. But, since the Peter Crim who died as a result of tornado injuries is the only Peter Crim in the area of the right age to be a grandparent and not accounted for otherwise, there seems little doubt that the pension information was incorrect. Nancy would have been about 80 years of age at the time of her application for pension so it is understandable that information given may have been confused.
Although absolute proof has not been found, it is doubtful that Nancy would have rebuilt and been able to live independently after Peter's death. Indeed they may have had one or more of their adult children and grandchildren living with them at the time of the tornado. In any event, it is believed Nancy lived out her remaining years with family members and enjoyed the affection and respect due her as the much-loved matriarch of the family.
No will having been found for either Nancy or Peter Crim, they are presumed to have died intestate. Papers associated with Peter's estate show that John Wesley Crim (almost certainly their son) acted as Attorney-in-Fact for Peter's estate. Disbursements to heirs were not finalized until 1887. Speculation is that final settlement was delayed in deference to Nancy, who survived Peter by almost ten and half years.
Nancy exact date of death is unknown. However, records re Nancy's pension for Peter's service in the War of 1812 show: "Death of Widow About August 1885, Shelby Co., Ala."
The two accompanying grave photos are "before" and "after" the original stones were removed by well-intentioned caretakers at the cemetery. Please click the photos to read a more complete explanation.
When one looks at the first photo showing the large almost block-like stones covering the graves of Nancy and Peter, it staggers the imagination to contemplate the tremendous effort required to hew the stones, move each (perhaps by a mule-pulled wagon)some distance over rough rutted roads to the site, then lift each extremely heavy stone and arrange in a manner that would survive to present time -- now going on two centuries! While modern eyes tend to look for names and dates inscribed on granite memorial markers, their family could hardly have demonstrated their love and respect in a more meaningful way.
Census records indicate that Nancy M. (Evans) Crim was born in South Carolina between 1796-1800. Names of her parents have not been documented and little is known about her childhood or life before her marriage to Peter Crim.
Per Nancy's 1878 application for a widow's pension based on Peter's service in the War of 1812, they were married on March 2, 1818, in Richland District, South Carolina. Nancy would have been about 18-20 years of age with Peter about age 21. In that claim, Nancy stated that neither she nor Peter had been married before, that they lived in Richland District, South Carolina, for seven years and Shelby County, Alabama, "ever since."
Based on the above, it would have been about 1825 when Nancy and Peter packed up their young children and the bare necessities for beginning a new life in a new land. Undoubtedly, the migration to the wilderness that was then Alabama was undertaken with both trepidation and the hope for a brighter future. Family lore is that they traveled from South Carolina to Alabama in a wagon train with others in the extended Crim family.
The Crim family settled in the South Calera area on land literally straddling the border of present Shelby and Chilton Counties. As did most other early pioneers to the area, they simply claimed as theirs the land upon which they built their home and established their farm. By 1834, Nancy and Peter made legal claim and he began purchasing the land, several records of which may be found in Shelby County, Alabama records and on the web site for the Bureau of Land Management.
Because early census records listed the names only of heads of households, it is uncertain if all of Nancy and Peter's children are known. From numerous other records and oral history, it is believed they had at least eight children: John Wesley, Jane A., Elizabeth M., Nancy M., Mary Elizabeth, William P., Martha L., and James T.
After a long and event-filled marriage of over 57 years, Nancy was widowed when Peter was fatally injured in a tornado outbreak that swept through the area on Saturday, March 20, 1875. A newspaper, THE SHELBY COUNTY GUIDE, March 25, 1875, gave this account:
"TORNADO--A terrible tornado passed through the southern portion of this county last Saturday, which did much damage and killed several persons. The first we hear of the storm is about three miles southeast of Montevallo, when it blew down nearly all the houses on Mr. Wm. Garner's and Mrs. West's place. Some few miles from there it blew down Mr. Peter Crim's residence, killing his granddaughter and fatally injuring him. The next news we have of it, is in the neighborhood of Shelby Iron Works, where it blew down several houses killing a negro girl and severely injuring another negro; it also blew down Mr. J. R. Browning's houses. Crossing the river a little above Mrs. A. M. Brasher's ferry, it struck Robinson's Mill on Cedar Creek, utterly demolishing it and killing the miller."
Another newspaper, THE BIRMINGHAM IRON AGE, March 25, 1875, reported the tornado and indicated more deaths in the Crim family: "A dreadful tornado passed near Calera on last Saturday doing great damage to houses, fences, etc., and killing a grandchild of Mr. Crim, and also mortally wounding Mr. Crim and two granddaughters."
An apparent error in Nancy's pension records indicates Peter died April 28, 1876. But, since the Peter Crim who died as a result of tornado injuries is the only Peter Crim in the area of the right age to be a grandparent and not accounted for otherwise, there seems little doubt that the pension information was incorrect. Nancy would have been about 80 years of age at the time of her application for pension so it is understandable that information given may have been confused.
Although absolute proof has not been found, it is doubtful that Nancy would have rebuilt and been able to live independently after Peter's death. Indeed they may have had one or more of their adult children and grandchildren living with them at the time of the tornado. In any event, it is believed Nancy lived out her remaining years with family members and enjoyed the affection and respect due her as the much-loved matriarch of the family.
No will having been found for either Nancy or Peter Crim, they are presumed to have died intestate. Papers associated with Peter's estate show that John Wesley Crim (almost certainly their son) acted as Attorney-in-Fact for Peter's estate. Disbursements to heirs were not finalized until 1887. Speculation is that final settlement was delayed in deference to Nancy, who survived Peter by almost ten and half years.
Nancy exact date of death is unknown. However, records re Nancy's pension for Peter's service in the War of 1812 show: "Death of Widow About August 1885, Shelby Co., Ala."
The two accompanying grave photos are "before" and "after" the original stones were removed by well-intentioned caretakers at the cemetery. Please click the photos to read a more complete explanation.
When one looks at the first photo showing the large almost block-like stones covering the graves of Nancy and Peter, it staggers the imagination to contemplate the tremendous effort required to hew the stones, move each (perhaps by a mule-pulled wagon)some distance over rough rutted roads to the site, then lift each extremely heavy stone and arrange in a manner that would survive to present time -- now going on two centuries! While modern eyes tend to look for names and dates inscribed on granite memorial markers, their family could hardly have demonstrated their love and respect in a more meaningful way.
Per Nancy's 1878 application for a widow's pension based on Peter's service in the War of 1812, they were married on March 2, 1818, in Richland District, South Carolina. Nancy would have been about 18-20 years of age with Peter about age 21. In that claim, Nancy stated that neither she nor Peter had been married before, that they lived in Richland District, South Carolina, for seven years and Shelby County, Alabama, "ever since."
Based on the above, it would have been about 1825 when Nancy and Peter packed up their young children and the bare necessities for beginning a new life in a new land. Undoubtedly, the migration to the wilderness that was then Alabama was undertaken with both trepidation and the hope for a brighter future. Family lore is that they traveled from South Carolina to Alabama in a wagon train with others in the extended Crim family.
The Crim family settled in the South Calera area on land literally straddling the border of present Shelby and Chilton Counties. As did most other early pioneers to the area, they simply claimed as theirs the land upon which they built their home and established their farm. By 1834, Nancy and Peter made legal claim and he began purchasing the land, several records of which may be found in Shelby County, Alabama records and on the web site for the Bureau of Land Management.
Because early census records listed the names only of heads of households, it is uncertain if all of Nancy and Peter's children are known. From numerous other records and oral history, it is believed they had at least eight children: John Wesley, Jane A., Elizabeth M., Nancy M., Mary Elizabeth, William P., Martha L., and James T.
After a long and event-filled marriage of over 57 years, Nancy was widowed when Peter was fatally injured in a tornado outbreak that swept through the area on Saturday, March 20, 1875. A newspaper, THE SHELBY COUNTY GUIDE, March 25, 1875, gave this account:
"TORNADO--A terrible tornado passed through the southern portion of this county last Saturday, which did much damage and killed several persons. The first we hear of the storm is about three miles southeast of Montevallo, when it blew down nearly all the houses on Mr. Wm. Garner's and Mrs. West's place. Some few miles from there it blew down Mr. Peter Crim's residence, killing his granddaughter and fatally injuring him. The next news we have of it, is in the neighborhood of Shelby Iron Works, where it blew down several houses killing a negro girl and severely injuring another negro; it also blew down Mr. J. R. Browning's houses. Crossing the river a little above Mrs. A. M. Brasher's ferry, it struck Robinson's Mill on Cedar Creek, utterly demolishing it and killing the miller."
Another newspaper, THE BIRMINGHAM IRON AGE, March 25, 1875, reported the tornado and indicated more deaths in the Crim family: "A dreadful tornado passed near Calera on last Saturday doing great damage to houses, fences, etc., and killing a grandchild of Mr. Crim, and also mortally wounding Mr. Crim and two granddaughters."
An apparent error in Nancy's pension records indicates Peter died April 28, 1876. But, since the Peter Crim who died as a result of tornado injuries is the only Peter Crim in the area of the right age to be a grandparent and not accounted for otherwise, there seems little doubt that the pension information was incorrect. Nancy would have been about 80 years of age at the time of her application for pension so it is understandable that information given may have been confused.
Although absolute proof has not been found, it is doubtful that Nancy would have rebuilt and been able to live independently after Peter's death. Indeed they may have had one or more of their adult children and grandchildren living with them at the time of the tornado. In any event, it is believed Nancy lived out her remaining years with family members and enjoyed the affection and respect due her as the much-loved matriarch of the family.
No will having been found for either Nancy or Peter Crim, they are presumed to have died intestate. Papers associated with Peter's estate show that John Wesley Crim (almost certainly their son) acted as Attorney-in-Fact for Peter's estate. Disbursements to heirs were not finalized until 1887. Speculation is that final settlement was delayed in deference to Nancy, who survived Peter by almost ten and half years.
Nancy exact date of death is unknown. However, records re Nancy's pension for Peter's service in the War of 1812 show: "Death of Widow About August 1885, Shelby Co., Ala."
The two accompanying grave photos are "before" and "after" the original stones were removed by well-intentioned caretakers at the cemetery. Please click the photos to read a more complete explanation.
When one looks at the first photo showing the large almost block-like stones covering the graves of Nancy and Peter, it staggers the imagination to contemplate the tremendous effort required to hew the stones, move each (perhaps by a mule-pulled wagon)some distance over rough rutted roads to the site, then lift each extremely heavy stone and arrange in a manner that would survive to present time -- now going on two centuries! While modern eyes tend to look for names and dates inscribed on granite memorial markers, their family could hardly have demonstrated their love and respect in a more meaningful way.
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