cHistor Trails Baltinc'c County Historical Society

Agriculture Building 9811 Van Buren Lane Cockeysville, Md. 21030

Editors: JOHN W. McGRAIN and WILLIAM HOLLIFIELD VOL. 20 AUTUMN 1985 NO. 1 The Cradock Tradition of Service by Joyce Layman

For 215 years the five generations of the Cradock family devoted themselves to defining the ever changing needs of their community and then channeling their time, talent, and energy into serving those needs. This unbroken family tradition began when the Reverend Thomas Cradock came from England to settle in Baltimore County, Maryland, and became the first rector of the newly established St. Thomas' Parish in 1745. It did not end until the last member of the fifth generation died in 1960. All lived in the family home called "Trentham." The Cradocks served the community now known as Owings Mills, Garrison, and Pikesville in the fields of religion, medicine, education, farming, and social work and gave military service in time of war. As with most families there were disappointments and set- Woodcut of Trentham published in Scharf s 1881 county history. backs, but someone always came forward to carry the flag. One Many of the outbuildings survived construction of the Queen Anne even had his children's name changed by an act of the Maryland Village Apartments. legislature so that the Cradock name and traditions would con- tinue, and continue they did. Many older local residents still those who would erect watermills, in the hope that flour could be remember Katie Cradock, one of the last and most colorful of the used for export. 2 Cradocks, who saw to the needs of the community in her own way The area known as Garrison Forest appealed to some because for most of her 90 years. of a series of forts from which rangers patrolled the frontier as a The Reverend Thomas Cradock was the first Cradock in protection against Indians. This protection encouraged families of America and was well respected because of his work as first rector the early settlers to move into the forest. 3 An old Indian trail of St. Thomas' Parish. Thomas was baptized on November 8, 1718, known as the "Conewago Road" was cut through from Baltimore to in Staffordshire, England, near Newcastle. As a youth, he studied at Hanover, Pennsylvania, in 1737. By 1809 it would be known as the the Trentham Free School run by the Trentham Parish. He matricu- Reister's Town Turnpike after John Reister who settled Reisters- lated at Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1737, and was ordained to town in 1758. 4 the deaconate in 1741. From 1741 to 1743, he served as Master at Trentham. By 1744 he had obtained a license to become a minister Fort Garrison (built in 1695 and still standing), a dirt road, lots in Maryland. Arriving the same year, he had no permanent position of promising farm land, watermill grants, and streams for millraces until a chance meeting with the Reverend Benedict Bourdillon of offered enough encouragement for some, and so they came to try St. Paul's Church in Baltimore led to his assignment as rector of St. to make a living from something besides farming tobacco. One of Thomas' Parish just northwest of Baltimore in the Garrison the earliest to purchase land in the Garrison Forest area was Forest. ' Samuel Owings (1702-1775). He owned a saw- and gristmill and This area had very few people during Maryland's first century was active in politics. He also contributed to the establishment of when the colony depended on the tobacco crop for its livelihood. St. Thomas' Parish and was an active member there. 5 Most people lived in the tidewater area and used boats for trans- His son, Samuel Owings, Jr., was born in 1733 and built a portation. As the soil wore out and the market became glutted, the cooper's shop and at least three mills ( ca. 1755) that became the colonists were encouraged to spread out and try wheat farming economic base of the town that was named for him. A large land and milling. The 1669 Maryland legislature made grants of land to owner, he acquired nearly 14,000 acres in Baltimore and sur- PAGE 2 HISTORY TRAILS AUTUMN 1985 rounding counties and was active in politics, the military, and St. London in 1754 and Annapolis in 1756. It was also noted that he Thomas' Parish. The home he built for his wife and 12 children still wrote some "bucolic, Augustan, and humorous poetry." " 6 This prosperous and energetic stands as a popular restaurant. During the five years before he died at age 51, he was crippled gentleman set a challenging example to those around him. by paralysis. Even though he had to be carried and had to dictate A short distance away, John Reister and others were doing his sermons, he continued his activities until his death on May 7, similar things for the towns and roads that would bear their names. 1770. His parishioners arranged to have a broadside printed to As all of these small villages grew, Reisterstown Road became a honor his memory. It described him as a "sincere Christian, a main artery for transporting flour and other goods to the port of polished scholar, an elegant and persuasive preacher, a tender Baltimore. parent, and an affectionate husband" in addition to praising his Thomas Cradock's arrival in Maryland in 1744 coincided work. " Certainly this dedicated and capable gentleman made a perfectly with the burst of activity that culminated in the establish- valuable contribution to the religious and educational needs of a ment of the town of Owings Mills. St. Thomas', sometimes called new community It is interesting to note that by the time of his the Garrison Church, had just been "authorized by an act of the death Mr. Cradock's salary was four times its original size because assembly of 1742 as a 'chapel of ease' for the forest inhabitants of St. of the increase in population. Paul's Parish (Baltimore)." ' Of the four children in the second generation, the oldest son, Delighted to be granted their own frontier church so close by, Arthur, predeceased his father by a year. He was only 22 years old the area's residents bought land and built their church. With letters and studying for the ministry at the time of his death. The youngest of induction from Governor Thomas Bladen authorizing him to child, Ann, married Charles Walker in 1772, and a son born to them become the minister, Thomas Cradock was inducted as the first married a cousin and became a prominent member of the third rector of the new church on February 4, 1745, at age 26. 8 He generation of Cradocks. 16 stayed until his death 25 years later. The Cradocks' other two sons, John and Thomas, both be- Mr. Cradock apparently made the most of his new position came doctors, although their early training was for the ministry. A and tried to anticipate the needs of the new community. He was medical doctor, Randle Hulse, had come to live at Trentham, and devoted to religion and his ministerial and civic duties as well as to the boys became fascintated with his work He is described as a the King of England. His sermons were carefully prepared on unique character who "practiced every branch of surgery, physick, favorite subjects such as the Bible, morals, evils, and politics. One and midwifery at an expense much under the customary hundred of his sermons are preserved in the Maryland Diocesan charges." '7 As there were very few medical schools, the Cradock Archives and are considered a valuable contribution to colonial sons were taught by Dr. Hulse and began their medical careers in literature. 9 1768 at ages 16 and 19. 18 Thomas Cradock married Katherine Risteau on March 31, The brothers reached the prime of life during the Revolution- 1746. She was the daughter of High Sheriff John Risteau, a French ary War period. As the new and independent country emerged and Huguenot refugee who commanded soldiers at Fort Garrison. He England's control faded, it was a time of change and growth and gave the couple a 170-acre tract of land as a wedding gift. They new opportunities in many fields such as the army, politics, and built a house and named the estate "Trentham" after the parish and medicine. A troublesome epidemic of smallpox and the medical school in England. '° Not only were Thomas and Katherine's four needs of the war provided much of the incentive for developing children born at Trentham, but their grandchildren, great- and organizing the medical profession at this time, and the grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren were born there too. brothers saw great opportunities for putting their medical training Mr. Cradock's salary was determined by a tax of 40 pounds of to good use. The community, the military, and organizations to tobacco on all white males and servants over 16 years of age in the promote medical knowledge all benefited from the service and parish. Since this amounted to only $325 per year, he decided to guidance the Cradock brothers gave. The medical profession thus run a boarding school at Trentham to supplement his income. The offered them a better outlet for service than did following their 1747 Maryland Gazette noted that he took young men into his father's footsteps into the ministry. home, taught them Latin and Greek, and furnished board at 20 Dr. John Cradock, second oldest son of the Reverend Mr. pounds Maryland currency, or about $53.20 in our dollars, per Cradock was born in 1749 and died in 1794. He married Ann year. " Apparently they also learned geography, astronomy, and Worthington and they had four daughters and a son who died at history. In his will, he left his children "12 volumes of the General age 39. The family lived in Worthington Valley on an estate known History of the World, and globes and telliscope." '2 A handwritten as "Bloomsbury," left to John in his father's will. " astronomy notebook in the Cradock family possessions was no Perhaps setting a precedent for those who followed him, John doubt his. Most likely his students learned a little theology too. was interested in other fields in addition to medicine. As a member The Trentham School for Boys lasted 23 years until his death of the vestry of St. Tho_nas' church for 15 years, he attended and became a famous seat of learning and valuable asset to the Maryland church conventions. He also joined the Committee of community. There were no doubt other schools in the county that Observation (1774-75), was elected a delegate from Baltimore offered this kind of classical education at the high school level. The County to the July 1775 Annapolis Convention, and was a signer of sons of prominent planters and other distinguished men were the Association of Freemen of Maryland. Commissioned on May educated here, including many from southern Maryland 25, 1776, and appointed First Major of the Soldier's Delight Batta- counties. " Thomas' reputation as an accomplished scholar grew lion, he served for a year in Washington's Flying Camp. 20 along with his abilities as a minister and teacher. He even wrote Politics also fascinated him. He served as a justice of the some poetry. His poetic paraphrase of the Psalms was published in county court (1777) and an elected member of the General AUTUMN 1985 HISTORY TRAILS PAGE 3 disseminating medical and chirurgical knowledge through the State, and preventing the citizens thereof from risking their lives in the hands of ignorant practitioners or pretenders to the healing arts." 28 The society admitted him in 1799 and noted the many ways that this man anticipated the needs of society and stepped forward to lead the way. "Prominent in reorganizing the Protestant Episcopal Church in America, he was a member of its First General Convention, a delegate to the Diocesan Convention, a member of the Standing Committee of Maryland as well as a vestryman of St. Thomas Church" and active in the church for 40 years. He founded the Maryland Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge and was "an able and distinguished physician" for 45 years. 29 While Dr. Cradock had no interest in running for office or becoming a politician, he apparently took an interest in what was happening, as he was a "clever writer" and "used his pen vigorously during campaigns." 30 About 1795, he established the Ten Mile House on part of the Trentam estate that bordered Reisterstown Road. This two-and-a- half-story stone tavern was a popular resting stop for stagecoach The octagonal Trentham bathhouse probably served the Tren- drivers and their passengers along the increasingly busy turnpike. tham house that burned ca. 1859. It was handsomely restored in Over the next 150 years the building was used primarily as a tavern 1984 by Ralph DeChiaro Enterprises. or inn but also served as a home for the Green Spring Valley Hunt Club, with kennels and stables, a private residence, and a well Assembly (1782). This tall, handsome man with dark hair and eyes known tea room, before the Cradocks sold the property in 1946. was talented, popular, a brilliant conversationalist, and a good The structure was razed in 1967. 31 speaker. Had he desired a more active role in politics, he most With no children of his own, Thomas became especially fond certainly could have had it. 21 of his nephew Thomas Cradock Walker, the son of his sister Ann Instead he chose to work with Dr. Wisenthal of Baltimore and and her husband Charles Walker. He treated him as a son and made took care of the poor and sick in Baltimore County. " It is possible him the heir of Trentham. " When he died in 1821 in his 69th year, that his sudden, early death at age 45 and his poor finanical Dr. Thomas Cradock had further enhanced the family tradition by condition at the time of his death were due to his generosity and his gifts of service and his efforts to shape the growing Owings ceaseless efforts to help others who needed him. Bloomsbury was Mills society. mortgaged in 1794 to John's brother who held the land in guar- dianship for his nephew, Arthur, 12 years old when his father died As the primary member of the third generation of Cradocks, Thomas Walker found himself in a fast growing community with a in 1794. 23 firm economic base in farming and milling grain. The interior of The brother, Dr. Thomas Cradock, inherited Trentham. Al- the county became less of a frontier as the population grew and though he had a reputation as a great beau, was often a groomsman in weddings, and had a dramatic romance himself, he never mar- thrived. His generation saw improvements in roads, education, ried but lived at Trentham until he died in 1821. He entered a marketing, medicine, and machinery and changed political bound- aries. However, he also had to face a war in the prime of life. partnership with his teacher, Dr. Hulse, and for many years they too cared for the residents of Green Spring Valley, Worthington Thomas Walker received a classical education and became known as a scholar. He loved books and appreciated modern Valley, Baltimore, and Westminster. " During the Revolution, his literature as well. Among his papers is a certificate extended to him neighbor Col. John Eager Howard was wounded at the battle of Eutaw Springs (September 1781). He was "confined to his room by the Ancient York Masons (October 1813) of whom he was an and bed for nearly a year at the residence of his friend, Dr. Thomas admirer. He received the degree of Royal Arch Mason in 1815 in Vermont. 33 Cradock, who declined any compensation for medical attention and living both from personal friendship and motives of patriot- He greatly respected the vocation of his uncles, and so he too ism." He acted as confidant and conductor of correspondence to became a medical doctor. His most significant contribution was Howard's future wife during his recovery period as well. 25 during the War of 1812 where he served "with distinction as a Thomas kept up with medicine by attending a course of surgeon." " He "had charge of hospitals at Burlington, Vermont, lectures on anatomy and medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital in and Plattsburgh, New York, which he conducted with such unex- 1776. He was "diligent" and "applied a considerable share of useful ampled success as to earn the flattering commendations of both knowledge in his intended profession." " It was said that "to the medical and military men. 39 He kept his "esteemed uncle" up to poor and unfortunate, Dr. Cradock was a counsellor and a date with letters during the war. 36 On his return, he went into friend." 27 partnership with him and continued to practice medicine. 37 Dr. Cradock was an incorporator of the Medical and Chirurgi- Years later, a letter that Dr. Walker received from H. L. Howard cal Society of Maryland. It was the first scientific association in in Burlington, Vermont, in 1841 indicated that he did not forget Maryland and was established for the purpose of "promoting and the acquaintances made during the war. He was concerned about PAGE 4 HISTORY TRAILS AUTUMN 1985 their well being and interested in learning about their families and others he had known. 38 Technically the Cradock family should have died out after the third generation, but Thomas Cradock Walker was not about to allow that to happen. He had been born at Trentham in 1773 and named for his uncle and grandfather. As a child he heard all of the stories about the Cradocks, St. Thomas' Church, and Trentham from his uncle. They were "always exact in the smallest detail and (he) never said what he did not know to be absolutely true." 39 Thus the stage was set for him to carry on the tradition. With guidance from his uncle with whom he lived at Trentham, he did an admirable job. On February 17, 1818, Dr. Walker married his cousin, Cather- ine Cradock, daughter of Dr. John Cradock, 4° who was remem- bered as a virtuous woman of lovely character. 41 The wedding took place at Trentham when he was 45 and she was 39. Catherine The Trentham Mansion in early 1984. This Victorian Italianate- had also been born at Trentham, and both would die there. The Federal mansion replaced the burned family home about 1861. "traditions," therefore, acquired more interest with the story of the cousins who were born, married, and died in the same house. Trentham in the late 1850s and numerous bills and receipts for During the next few years, two sons, Thomas Cradock Walker construction costs indicate that Cradock rebuilt the house at that and John Cradock Walker, were born to them and their Uncle time. Additions to it had also been made earlier in the century so it Thomas died. Out of respect for him, Thomas and Catherine was growing into a large estate. This latest rebuilding changed it further. Walker had "Walker" dropped from their sons' names by an act of On October 22, 1862, Thomas married Sallie Carroll, daugh- the 1825 session of the Maryland General Assembly. 42 John died ter of former Maryland Governor Thomas King Carroll (1830-31). unmarried when he was 27 years old, but Thomas continued the She was the sister of Anna Ella Carroll, an "unofficial" member of Cradock family name. Abraham Lincoln's cabinet who planned the Tennessee campaign Thomas Walker's mother, Ann Cradock Walker, may have in the Civil War, among other things She was a visitor at Trentham been pleased to observe his interest in her family, but what about his and some of her papers have been saved along with the Cradock father, Charles Walker? The name change occurred at the Decem- possessions. 48 Thomas served in the Civil War as a member of the ber 1825 session right after Ann's death in September 1824 and Baltimore County Horse Guard. " Charles' death in November 1825. Ironically, the Walkers died out In addition to raising five children, Thomas and Sallie took even though Thomas had 11 brothers and sisters. Most of them advantage of the recent rebuilding of Trentham to make it a died before the age of 40. 43 Dr. Walker, now the third owner of successful and productive farm. In all probability this was the first Trentham, did not actively practice medicine in his later years. He time for this because ministers and doctors do not have the time to did have a deep interest in politics and kept up with current be good farmers too. Thomas Cradock was listed in the 1877 Atlas questions. 44 Always active in St. Thomas' Church, it was due to his of Baltimore County as a farmer with 236 acres of land. 50 He was a efforts that the wall around the church was built. He enthusiasti- member of the Baltimore County Agricultural Society and vice cally advocated outdoor exercise and walked a great deal even in president of the Garrison Forest Farmers Club as well as a school his later years. 45 trustee. 51 Membership in such groups indicates his interest and Thomas Walker, described as of "medium height with bright concern for the promotion and improvement of those aspects of brown eyes," died on May 31, 1860, at age 87 and "retained his the community that were important to him. faculties unimpaired to the end." 46 He preserved the Cradock As in the previous generations, he was active in the family "traditions" with great care and was responsible for keeping them church. They obviously thought highly of him because two days going for another generation. To him this was of utmost impor- after his death on July 18, 1896, the Vestry of St. Thomas' Parish tance. In the process, the community benefited by having an adopted the following resolution: active, intelligent, and concerned individual in its midst who Whereas it has pleased Divine Providence to re- certainly must have been an inspiration to others. move from our midst our late colleague and friend, One imagines that the fourth Thomas Cradock may have felt Mr. Thomas Cradock of Trentham, be it resolved: considerable pressure to carry on the family's well established That we bear record to the fidelity of Thomas traditions of service. He was the only one of his father's sons to Cradock in his double capacity as senior warden and survive to adulthood. Furthermore, he was aware that his last name vestryman, to his never failing interest in the duties of had been changed specifically to keep the family name alive. In his position, to his patience, generosity as a Christian, many cases, he instilled in his children, especially his daughter and to his honor as a gentleman. Katie, a feeling of love and respect for the Cradock history as well That a copy of these resolutions be sent with the as that of St. Thomas' Church and this area of Baltimore County. expression of our affectionate sympathy to his widow, In the early 1860s, Thomas Cradock apparently lived alone at his daughters and his sons. Trentham (or nearby), since his mother, father, and brother were William E Johnson, registrar. " all dead, and he had not yet married. There had been a fire at (To be continued)