William Crawford (his last name was also spelled Craford or Crafford) (died before April 15, 1762) was an American soldier, politician, and founder of Portsmouth, Virginia.
[2] Both of his parents died while he was still a child and in September 1699 their immigrant grandfather made them his principal heirs.
[3] By January 27, 1762 Crawford was in poor health and on this day he wrote a will leaving part of his large estate to his sister and to others, including his late housekeeper's children.
He continued to serve in this position for about thirty years without interruption except for 1734, when he gave up his seat after he was again appointed as Norfolk County's sheriff.
He began selling lots in this town later that same year and intended to establish a courthouse there, but this was not accomplished during his lifetime.