Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County IL, 1878

Capt. Edward B. CRAFTS, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Joliet; the subject of this sketch was 
born in Derby, Conn., Jan. 13, 1814, where his ancestors have lived ever since the 
settlement of New Haven in 1640, and one of whom (Maj. Moses MANSFIELD) destroyed the 
power of the Pequods in a battle, on the site of which was afterward located the village 
of Mansfield, named in honor of the victory. He married Miss Sarah Ann THOMPSON Oct. 9, 
1846; she was born in Durham, Greene Co, N. Y., Nov. 21, 1813; her parents were from 
Connecticut; they have two children, viz., Edward Thompson and Elizabeth Mansfield. His 
son is a physician, and resides in Florida; his daughter is married, and lives in Joliet. 
He lived at his birthplace until he was 15 years old, training himself for college with 
the intention of becoming a physician, but failing in health he took passage on a brig 
bound for Barbados; this was in 1829; he then engaged as a sailor, being promoted until, 
in 1835, he was made Captain; during one of his voyages he was shipwrecked on Long Island; 
he then shipped as mate, but was soon again made Captain. He quit the sea in 1846, and 
engaged in general merchandise in Connecticut; in 1850, he bought his present place, and 
built and occupied same in 1851. He has been Supervisor three years, also School Trustee 
and Road Commissioner, He owns 160 acres in this township.


Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.