Personal Notes 84 (Notes Pages)

Individuals marked with a red dot

are direct ancestors of Robert Lynn Craycroft
For privacy reasons, Date of Birth and Date of Marriage for persons believed to still be living are not shown.

Scott, Thomas (b. , d. ?)

Reference: 831

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Scott, Charles (b. , d. ?)

Reference: 832

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, (b. , d. ?)

Reference: 833

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Gardiner, Jane (b. ABT. 1720, d. 1793)

Reference: 834

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Ball, John Reginald (b. , d. ?)

Reference: 835

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Craycroft, John Wesley (b. 18 APR 1842, d. 20 AUG 1935)

Source: (Birth field)
Title: History of the Craycroft Family from June 10, 1297 A.D.
Author: John Henry Craycroft
Publication: January 1, 1942, Richmond, California
Media: Manuscript

Note: Secondary
Page: Page 79

Source: (Death field)
Title: History of the Craycroft Family from June 10, 1297 A.D.
Author: John Henry Craycroft
Publication: January 1, 1942, Richmond, California
Media: Manuscript

Note: Secondary
Page: Page 91
Data:
Text: On August 14th 1904 we sold our home place near Warm Springs and moved to Modesto California, located i the great San Joaquine Vallye, where I entered the brickmaking business. You will remember I was in that business before I came to California.

Source: (Individual field)
Title: History of the Craycroft Family from June 10, 1297 A.D.
Author: John Henry Craycroft
Publication: January 1, 1942, Richmond, California
Media: Manuscript

Note: Secondary

Occupation: Place: Pastor, Christian Church, Walnut Hill, Illinois

Source: (Individual field)
Title: NEWSPAPER-ABSTRACTS-L@@rootsweb.com, San Benito, CA -- 1 Mar 1889

Occupation: Date: ABT. 1868
Place: Sheep raising

Source: (Residence field)
Title: History of the Craycroft Family from June 10, 1297 A.D.
Author: John Henry Craycroft
Publication: January 1, 1942, Richmond, California
Media: Manuscript

Note: Secondary
Page: Page 81

Source: (Residence field)
Title: History of the Craycroft Family from June 10, 1297 A.D.
Author: John Henry Craycroft
Publication: January 1, 1942, Richmond, California
Media: Manuscript

Note: Secondary
Page: Page 83

Reference: 836

Note: John Wesley was a preacher in Walnut Hill, near Vandalia, Illinois. (Christian Church) Probably at one time he was i partnership with his brother Benjamin in a Vandalia brickyard. After the reunion in Illinois on Dec. 25, 1883, when he was given possession of the Famil Record, he took the record with him to Warm Springs, California. The Record then disappeared and was lost from 1884 to 1936.

It seems that John Wesley's wife, Alice, wanting to hear no more about the Family Record or to have anything to do with her husband's family, stored the record in a barn or other outbuilding on or near their home (presumably without the knowledge of her husband), where they were lost from sight. After the death of John Wesley Craycroft, a man who had come in possession of the Record (possibly after having bought the property on which it was stored) turned the Record over to John Henry Craycroft, a railroad conductor. According to his statement in the history in the possession now of Robert Lynn Craycroft, John Wesley Craycroft was the seventh son of Benjamin Craycroft Jr. and his first wife Elizabeth Ann Breeze Craycroft.

After the death of John Henry Craycroft it is probable that his wife gave the record to their son, Dr. Robert N. Craycroft, of Berkley, California. The record owned by Harry S. Craycroft of Vandalia was copied from Dr. Craycroft's record, itself a copy of the original Record as written down during the centuries since 1297.

Prior to the Civil War Benjamin and John Wesley started a brick making business in Centralia. When the war broke out John Wesley sold his interest in the brick making business to Benjamin and went to California. (History of the Craycroft Family)

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Craycroft, Thomas Benton (b. 9 MAR 1844, d. 17 JAN 1921)

Source: (Birth field)
Title: History of the Craycroft Family from June 10, 1297 A.D.
Author: John Henry Craycroft
Publication: January 1, 1942, Richmond, California
Media: Manuscript

Note: Secondary
Page: Page 79

Source: (Death field)
Title: E-mail from Dan Craycraft
Data:
Text: THOMAS BENTON5 CRAYCROFT (BENJAMIN4, BENJAMIN JOSEPH3, JOSEPH WALTON2, WILLIAM ROGER1) was born March 09, 1844 in Cape Girardeau, MO, and died January 17, 1921 in Oakland, Alameda Co, Ca. He married (1) LYDIA FOUTS May 24, 1866 in Marion Co., IL, daughter of JOHN FOUTS and UNKNOWN. She was born Abt. 1847 in IL, and died April 11, 1907 in Berkeley, Ca. He married (2) VIOLA HUNT June 17, 1913 in Fresno, Ca. She was born Abt. 1846.

Source: Title: History of the Craycroft Family from June 10, 1297 A.D.
Author: John Henry Craycroft
Publication: January 1, 1942, Richmond, California
Media: Manuscript

Note: Secondary
Page: Page 81
Data:
Text: On July 16th 1864 President Lincoln issued a call for 500,000 volunteers for active duty in the Southern States to put down the so-called Confederate War. Almost immediately my two younger brothers Thomas Benton Craycroft and Columbus Joel Craycroft enlisted in Company (C) 11th Illinois infantry. They fought many battles, and both were wounded in battles. Both returned home at the end of victory of the war. Later both drew substantial pensions from the United States government on account of their injuries.

Event: Type: Last residence
Place: Salem, Illinois

Source: (Individual field)
Title: 1900 Federal Census, Tulare County, California

Census: Date: 1900
Place: Federal Census, Visalia, Tulare County, California

Reference: 837

Note: Thomas is reported to have married a step-sister and had one child

According to the Civil War Pension records, Thomas B. Craycroft filed application 132938 for an Invalid pension sometime in 1868 (looks like maybe July 25)

The following statement is a transcription of a statement written by Thomas Benton Craycroft. There is no date on the document but appears to have been written some time after June 1913. The photocopy I have was provided to me by June Goethe Craycroft in April 2002. Comments in parentheses are mine.

"I, Thomas Benton Craycroft was born at Cape Gerdo (Girardeau), MO., March 9th, 1844, am a grandson of Benjamin (Joseph) Craycroft of Baltimore, who had five sons Aaron, Edward, Benjamin, John and Charles, and two daughters Anga and Liza. (My research shows only 1 daughter, Ellen Mary.) Benjamin, my father, married Elizabeth Pate of Beardstown, Ill., and moved to Mo., and had four sons Benjamin, John Wesly, Thomas Benton, and Columbus Joel, and two daughters Matilda and Liza (Eliza Jane).

"We moved to Macon Co., Ill. in 1850, and father died of Black Diptheria in 1853, where he had taken up government land. We had very little chance for schooling there. I was bitten by a rattle snake in 1857. Joined the Christian Church in 1858, enlisted in Co. C 11 Illinois Infantry in 1861 at Birds Point, Mo., for three years on the 5th day of December 1861.

"I saw the gunboats bombard and capture Fort Henry (Tennessee). We surrounded Fort Donaldson (Donelson), Tennessee, the twelfth of Feb. That night four inches of snow fell on us, and on the morning of the fourteenth the rebels made a break to get out, and opened fire on Logan's regiment which was supporting us on the right. We were standing just behind a little hill, soon we discovered a regiment just in front of us advancing over the hill thirty yards from us. We repulsed them three times. Logan's men ran out of ammunition and we were moved to the right to cover his retreat.

"Stepping over some of the dead men, Col. Logan, hatless, and with sword in one hand and pistol in the other came up cheering us to hold the position. Pretty soon (General Nathan Bedford) Forrest's Cavalry made a charge into our ranks, there being no time to reload guns the saber and bayonet were used. Seeing that they had the advantage of us, we retreated. We rallied again and formed another line with only one hundred and sixty men, the rest had been killed, wounded or captured. Our flag and staff were riddled and seven color bearers had been killed.

"The rebels surrendered fifteen thousand prisoners to us on the fifteenth. On the sixteenth we dug a grave six feet wide and three feet deep and 30 feet long and wrapped the dead soldiers in their blankets with their clothes on, and laid them crossways in the grave two deep and covered them with earth, and snow, and some of my regiment lay out that night on the field and froze to death.

"My regiment was the first to enter the inner Fort. We went into the fight with about 600 and came out with 160, and that night laid out in the snow without blankets, overcoats or fire. We then went to Pittsburg Landing, and on the 6th of April, Sunday morning, while we were laying at Pittsburg Landing Albert Sidney Johns(t)on, commanding the rebel forces, attacked us and was killed the first day and our Col. Wallace, was wounded and died.

"We were sent double quick to the front and formed a line of battle. We were ordered to squatt down on our heels. The first round a comrade supporting me on the left was killed and I was shot through the left thigh, through the lower part of the body, and through the right arm by the same ball immediately after another ball struck my right heel and I thought it was gone until I looked and seen that it had torn the pegs loose. I turned and left the field with six open holes and my blood saturating my clothes and running into my shoes like water, and walked until I became weak and had to be helped off of the field.

"The battle lasted 2 days with a loss to each side of about 15000 men. I was taken to Savannah where I remained eight days, then sent home three months on furlow. Got off the boat at 10 o'clock at night at Cario (Cairo, IL) and being unable to walk, lay on bailed hay until morning on a wharf, bare-headed and bare-foot and it was raining and cold.

"When I went back, I was detailed to cook for a hospital in Padura (Paducah ?), Ky., three months and then detailed as teamster to drive a six-mule team. Went with Gen. Blair to Georgia 8 months then went back to my regiment.

"I was at Holey (Holly) Springs where we captuerd 17 railroad engines and disabled them and burnt the roundhouse. I saw the transport run the blocade at Viskburg. We crossed the Mississippi River and surrounded Vicksburg. My Col. Nevious was killed the first day. Our line was 14 miles long and the rebel was 9. Our breast work was within 20 feet of the rebels in some places.

"We kept up almost a contiuous bombarding with muskets, shells and cannon, night and day. I saw Logan blow up a fort and his men rush in and fight hand to hand with their guns, with a loss of about 60 men on each side. The siege lasted 48 days, and the rebels surrendered on the 4th of July, 1863, with 35,000 prisoners. U.S. Grant commanded the union forces and Pemberton the rebel forces.

"Was discharged at Memphis, Tenn., on the 5th day of Dec. 1864 and returned to Walnut Hill, Ill. I was acquainted with Miss Lydia Fouts (she was his step-sister), and married her the 5th day of May, 1866. We had a girl baby Nellie born to us in 1867. I engaged in making brick and contracting and patented one of the first successful brick machines put on the market in the United States in 1877, known as the Eagle Brick Machine.

"Joined the Odd Fellows in 1878. Made a Master Mason in 1880. Moved to Larnard (Larned), Kan. in 1886. Madebrick and contractedthere. Movedto California in 1889. Engaged in the sheep business in Panoche 2 years. Then moved to Madera and from there to Visalia and from there to Pt. Richmond. Then we moved to Berkeley, where my beloved wife, Lydia, died of heart trouble Apr. 11th, 1907, having lived with me 44 years.

"I married viola E. Hunt, June 17th, 1913 at Fresno, Cal. I have drawn a pension ever since I was discharged. I voted for Lincoln in 1863, his second term, and have been a solid Republican and for high tariff."

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Craycroft, James (b. --Not Shown--)

Reference: 838

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Craycroft, Columbus Joel (b. 13 DEC 1845, d. 17 NOV 1915)

Source: (Birth field)
Title: History of the Craycroft Family from June 10, 1297 A.D.
Author: John Henry Craycroft
Publication: January 1, 1942, Richmond, California
Media: Manuscript

Note: Secondary
Page: Page 79

Source: (Death field)
Title: History of Fresno County
Publication: Vandor, 1919
Media: Book

Note: Secondary
Page: p.423-429
Data:
Text: I received this via e-mail from Dan Craycraft.

Cause: Fall from top of business property

Occupation: Date: BET. 1865 - 1879
Place: Brickmaking

Occupation: Date: BET. 1879 - 1884
Place: Sheep farming

Occupation: Date: BET. 1887 - 1915
Place: Brickmaking and contracting

Source: (Individual field)
Title: National Archives Rec. Svcs., Microfilm Pub. #653, Roll #203.

Census: Date: 1860
Place: Macon County, Illinois

Event: Type: Court record
Date: 1896
Place: Fresno, Ca Court Case Vs RR

Reference: 839

Note: On June 20, 1861, Columbus enlisted for three years in the 68th Regiment Illinois and was called out to guard prisoners. He was transfered to regular service in the 70th Regiment. On July 4 of the same year he was ordered to Washington, D.C. and from there to Alexandria, Virginia, where he took the typhoid fever and was sent to the hospital. On December 13, 1863 he again enlisted for three years in Company F, 62 Illinois Volunteers.

For 16 months he was incapacitated for service by a serious illness. He was at Monticello when the war closed. He then marched back to Pine Bluff (Arkansas?) and was sent by steamboat to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, to fight Indians. He stayed there until June, 1866, and then marched back to Fort Smith (Arkansas?) and thence to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was mustered out of service, after a long and honorable service to his country's welfare. (John Henry Craycroft family history)

Emigrated from Illinois to Warm Springs, California, in 1879, about the same time as his brother, John Wesley Craycroft, where he remained almost a year, and then moved to Panoche, where he engaged in the sheep business.

In 1886, after the death of his second wife Frances, he moved to Fresno, California, and upon his arrival began work as a contractor which was his occupation for more than five years. In 1887 he opened a brick plant (later known as Craycroft Brick Co.). The manufacturing of brick grew with the city and some years later the firm of C.J. Craycroft and Son was formed.

C.J. Craycroft was elected Trustee in 1892 and served two years when he was elected President of the Board and was familiarly known as "Mayor" for eight years. (Author unknown)

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According to the 1860 Census of Macon County, Columbus Craycroft, age 13, and born in Illinois, was living with the William A. Lowrie family. Cornelia, William Lowrie's wife, was Columbus' first cousin. Columbus' father died in 1853 so this could be the correct Columbus Craycroft. (Robert Lynn Craycroft)

According to the Civil War Pension Index card Columbus filed an application in 1885 for an Invalid Pension, which was granted. In 1915 his widow Laura J. Craycroft filed for a widow's pension in California.

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The following is a transcript from an obituary for Columbus from an unknown source:

We were shocked when we read in the press despatches of the sudden death of C.J. Craycroft of Fresno, Wednesday, the 17th instant. Brother Craycroft had been a resident of Fresno for many years. He was a prominent business man of that progressive city and at one time was mayor of the city. He did much in his lifetime toward the building up of his home town. He and his family were prominent members of the First Christian Church in Fresno. He contributed largely to its support, and was a member of the board of Deacons and of the Trustees.

His brother, J.W. Craycroft, of Modesto, was one of the pioneer preachers of the Christian Church, who came to the State in 1864.

Brother Craycroft fell from a building which he was having repaired, twenty-two feet to the pavement, and died three hours later.

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The following is a transcript of a Certificate of Record issued by the Soldiers and Sailors Historical and Benevolent Society on July 7, 1904. It is Certificate No. 75,355. Comments in parentheses are mine or an unknown contributor.

"This certifies that Columbus J. Craycroft: Enlisted June 6, 1862, from Marion County, Illinois, for three months, and was mustered into the United States Service June 20, 1862, as a Private in a company not designated of the 68th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, under Colonel Elias Stuart, but was transferred before leaving Springfield, Illinois, to the 70th Illinois Infantry.

"The said Columbus J. Craycroft was taken sick while on the road from Springfield, Illinois to Washington, D.C., and later sent to hospital camp in Rhode Island, between Providence and New Port, going from there to Springfield, Illinois, in time to be mustered out with his regiment at the expiration of his term of service.

"He re-enlisted December 16, 1863, at Camp Butler, Illinois, for three years, as a Private in Company "F" 62d Illinois Infantry Volunteers, under Captain Jesse Crooks later Captain George B. Everingham and Colonel M. True.

"He enlisted as a Recruit and joined the Regiment at Little Rock, Arkansas, and was in all the engagements of the 62d Regiment except while ill with Pneumonia fever, and in hospital at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was promoted to Corporal November 10, 1865.

"The 62d left the state for Paducah, Kentucky, in June 1862, and was ordered to Tennessee, where it remained during the summer and autumn of 1862. In August 1863 it was transferred to Arkansas and on September 10th met the enemy near Little Rock driving him back and completing the evacuation of the place. (Did this take place before Columbus joined the regiment? RLC) On January 9, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as a veteran organization. On April 10, 1865 the veterans and recruits were consolidated into seven companies, and remained on duty at Pine Bluff until July 28th, excepting an expedition it made to Monticello, Arkansas, where it was on duty reconstructing the County Civil Affairs, after which it returned to Pine Bluff. Then it moved by river to Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation (later the Oklahoma Territory), where it was stationed as a part of Brig. General Bussey's command in the District of the Frontier.

"Columbus J. Craycroft received his final discharge March 6, 1866 at Little Rock, Arkansas.

"He was born December 13, 1845, at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and married Rebecca Grable at Walnut Hill, Marion County, Illinois. (On Oct. 10, 1866)

"His sescond marriage was to Fannie Baldridge in Marion County, Illinois. (On Feb. 19, 1874) One of their children is living, Frank J. His third marriage was to Laura J. Monroe, October 7, 1886, in Salem, Illinois. (At this time Columbus was already living in California. Did he return to Illinois to marry? RLC)

"He is a member of Atlanta Post No. 92, Department of California and Nevada, Grand Army of the Republic. He was Constable of Centralia Illinois for several years (elected on November 4, 1873. RLC), and is now President of the Craycroft Herald Brick Company, of Fresno, California.

"His brother, Thomas B. Craycroft served in the 11th Illinois Regiment. Benjamin Craycroft was his father, and his mother's maiden was Elizabeth Tate (actually Pate, RLC).

"These facts are recorded and preserved for the benefit of all those who may be interested."

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The following is transcripted from a Fresno, California, newspaper "Publican" dated Wednesday, April 17, 1895.:

"A Brief Biography of C.J. Craycroft, Charman of the City Trustees. C.J. Craycroft was born near St., Louis, Mo., in 1845, his parents removing to Decatur, Ill., while he was still an infant. He lived there until 17 years of age, when he enlisted in the Federal service, and served his country in the Sixty-second Illinois infantry for three years. The last year of this service he spent in the Indian territory, where the hostilities of the aborigines required attention.

"After the war Mr. Craycroft located at Centralia, Marion County, Ill., where he engaged in brick-making. Sixteen years ago he removed to Fresno county with his family and engaged in sheep raising, locating in Panoche valley. He remained there five years and then went back to Illinois for two years, but never gave up the idea of locating permanently in Fresno. He returned to this county eight years ago and located in this city, and engaged in his present occupation of brick-making and contracting. Mr. Craycroft had small means with which to begin business, but by industry and intelligent business management he has already acquired a competence, which is invested in Fresno property.

"Two years ago Mr. Craycroft was elected a member of the City Board of Trustees from the Second ward on the Republican ticket, indorsed by the Populists, and has performed his duties with ability and with strict regard for the public welfare. His selection on Monday evening as chairman of the board was a wise one, for he will bring to the performance of his duties in that position the same conscientious regard for the interests of this city that he has evinced in all his public and private relaatoins with the people of Fresno."

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Craycroft, Frank Joel (b. 30 MAR 1876, d. 14 SEP 1929)

Source: (Name field)
Title: Craycroft Family Record of Ray J. Craycroft
Media: Book

Occupation: Place: Mayor, Fresno, CA about 1920

Reference: 840

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