Robert Cravens, Sr, [Joseph, Richard, Thomas, Anthony, William, John] was born about 1696, in a portion of the Province of Pennsylvania that would later become Delaware. He is thought to be the son of Joseph Cravens. Robert married Mary Harrison About 1721 at "Maiden Plantation," Sussex County, Province of Pennsylvania later Delaware. Maiden Plantation is located in Broadkill Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware about eight miles from Lewes, Delaware. Broadkill Hundred was established in 1696 about the time of Robert’s birth. Robert’s father-in-law Isaiah purchased the tract in June 1723. Robert’s sister Margaret married Daniel Harrison in Sussex County, Delaware as well.

In 1729 Robert purchased 244 acres on the northwest side of Cypress Branch a tributary of Broadkill Creek in Sussex County. The family had nine children. In 1739 Robert placed his Sussex land in hands of attorney James Hood to sell the property and removed with his family and the Harrison family to Orange County, Virginia. The area later became Augusta County, Virginia. The family settled near present Harrisonburg, Virginia. Harrisonburg was named for Mary Harrison’s brother Thomas.

Robert received a military commission as Captain of Horse in 1743 in Augusta County. The same year he sold some land he had purchased from Joseph Hite on Linville Creek. His land holdings grew including patents and purchases along Linville Creek, Smith Creek, the North Branch of the Shenandoah River and Cook’s Creek. Robert made his home on the "Great Road" now Route 11 laying between the southern edge of Harrisonburg and the northern corporation limits of present Mt. Crawford.

According to the Joseph Brown Turner Collection housed at the Delaware State Archives Robert was appointed guardian of an orphan in Augusta County in 1745. In 1746 Robert received a license to run an Ordinary at his house. Robert was appointed an overseer to view a road from the court house to Indian Road near his own property in 1747. He was paid 160 pounds of tobacco for the head of an old wolf. Wolves plagued the country side and had a bounty on their heads. He also acted as the first Justice in the original court of Augusta County.

He sold his original patent to John Wright in 1741. Robert sold 59 acres on Cooks Creek to his son Joseph in 1759. Robert sat down and wrote his will 2 October 1761. He stated that he was sick and weak in body but in perfect memory. He appointed his wife and son John executors. Robert gave his wife Mary a four year old dapple gray horse and side saddle. He also gave her bed and bed clothes, a great and little wheel [flax and spinning wheels], five cows and calves, ten head of sheep, five hundred hogs, all household goods and furniture excepting out one great iron pot. He also gave her a "negro wench" named Knelly during her life and after Mary’s death was to be sold. Robert also requested that any children Knelly had Mary was to bequeath to Robert and Mary’s children. He gave land and negros to his children and grandchildren. Robert Cravens died 1 May 1762 in Augusta County, Virginia. His will was proven 18 May 1762.