John Cravens, [Robert, Joseph, Richard, Thomas, Anthony, William, John] was born about 1722 in Sussex County Delaware. He was the son of Robert Cravens, Sr and Mary Harrison. In June 1739 his parents placed their Sussex County lands in the hands of an attorney to sell and moved to Orange later Augusta County, Virginia. They settled near present Harrisonburg, Virginia.

John was appointed Tax collector of Augusta County in 1748. In February 1751 he purchased 200 acres on a branch of Cooks Creek from John and Lydia Wright. The property was near Fisher’s Spring, not far from what today is Dayton, Virginia.

He did not marry until later in life. At approximately 37 years of age he married the widow of William Dyer. Margaret Hiett Dyer had two sons by her first marriage. John Cravens was appointed guardian for Roger and John Dyer. John Cravens acted as administrator of William Dyers estate as well. John and Margaret had seven children, the last born when John was 53 years old.

John’s father, Robert, died in late 1762 and as the eldest son his father requested he be executor of the estate. Estate matters continued through 1767. At his father’s death john acquired land in the Linville Creek community. In a court case "Herron Vs. Quinn" several people gave depositions and John Cravens stated that he was 45 years old.

John’s lands included 750 acres in Rockingham County along with a grist mill, meadows and grain. John Cravens died 24 July 1778 in Rockingham County, Virginia. He died intestate and the judge appointed his widow Margaret and brother Robert Cravens, Jr. as administrators of his estate.