USA > Maryland > Baltimore County > The Garrison Church; sketches of the history of St. Thomas' Parish, Garrison Forest, Baltimore County, Maryland, 1742-1852 > Part 10
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It is mentioned that in 1774 Drs. Hulse, Wiesenthall, Cradock and Haslet attended the poor of the county, and the Boston Evening Post and General Advertiser of 1782 announces that "Dr. Hulse and Thomas Love, of Baltimore County, em- ployed the trepan with relief to a child who had been injured by violence."
Some of the older members of Dr. Hulse's family dying in England he laid claim to the estate, which the other heirs agreed to let him have during his lifetime to avoid a law suit. Mrs. Hulse refused to go back, as she "had seen enough trouble there." lle accordingly left her an annuity, and she remained at Colonel Carnan's until her death in 18o4, universally esteemed and respected.
Among the old books at Trentham is "Observations Upon
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Authors, Ancient and Modern," with the following inscription on the fly leaf: "Dr. Ran. Hulse, Jan. 7, 176; Ar: Caractaco dedit." Ile wrote several poems on the death of Arthur Cra- dock, and an epitaph, among them the following tribute:
Chaste as the spotless lamb, exempt hom Pande He lived the A'tian, like a saint he dy'd. Crossed in Life, lamented in his Und. The Parent's pride the Muses' warmest Friend."
Dr. Thomas Cracoch.
Dr. Thomas Cradock was the third son of the Rev. Thomas Cradock, and was born at Trentham on May 30, 1752. His father took especial interest in his education and he early be- came proficient in classical literature, having Homer at his fingers' ends at the age of ten. He was dedicated to the minis- try but chose the profession of medicine and, after studying with Dr. Hulse, attended lectures in Philadelphia, where he boarded in the house with John and Sam'l Adams.
He was most active in the Revolutionary cause and when only twenty-three was made a member of the county Committee of Observation On Easter-Monday, 1776, he was elected a member of St. Thomas' Vestry and was qualified on the eleventh of June according to the resolves of the Provincial Convention of Maryland, twenty three days before the Declara- tion of Independence.
At the beginning of the struggle he joined Captain Plunk- ett's Company, and he, Major Lyon, two of the Howards from Elkridge, and John Philpot, occupied the front rank as gentle- men volunteers. While in Pennsylvania General Washington personally requested him to leave the ranks and attend to the wounded. On his way home he was pointed out by a woman in Philadelphia as a spy, arrested, and carried before Washington, who laughed very heartily at the mistake.
During the Revolution there was a ball given in Baltimore in honor of General Washington. He led the minuet with Nellie Gittings, a noted belle of the day, and Dr. Cradock walked next with Betsey Moale, afterwards Mrs. Curzon Nellie Gittings married James Croxall and lived at the old Croxall place, now owned by Mr. Charles T. Cockey.
WILLIAMINA SMITH, IMKS. CHARLES GOLDSBOROUGH.) From a mintatite in a ring said to have been pantel In Mun Male.
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Atter Col. John Rager Howard was wounded at the battle of Eutaw his brother, James Howard, brought him home and he was "confined to his room and bed for nearly a year at the residence of his friend, Dr. Thomas Cradock, who declined any compensation for medical attendance and living, both from per- sonal friendship and motives of patriotism." Colonel Howard was at this time in correspondence with Peggy Chew, whom he afterwards married, and Dr. Cradock was the confidant and con- ducted the correspondence during his illness.
Dr. Cradock did not aspire to political honors, but he used his pen vigorously during the campaigns, and was a clever writer. He was prominent in the reorganization of the Church in America, and was a delegate to the first general Convention of the Church in the United States. He was one of a committee of six, three clergy and three laity, appointed to "confer with any committees that may be appointed in other States to make such alteration in the liturgy of the Church as may be necessary under the American Revolution for uniformity of worship and Church government."
The clerical delegates were familiar names : Dr. Smith, Dr. West and "Parson" Andrews.
Dr. Smith was the first president of Washington College and the first provost of the College of Philadelphia. He is spoken of in his Life as "an orator, a scholar, a college pro- fessor, a military critic and a statesman." He was most prom- inent in the Church and, it is said, had more to do with Ameri- canizing the English Prayer-book than any man in the country, though at one time he was accused of a leaning toward toryism.
"Williamina, Dr. Smith's oldest daughter, was sixteen years old at the time of the occupation of Philadelphia by the British, and remained with her aunt, Mrs. Phineas Bond. Being a beautiful and sprightly girl she soon attracted the notice of the young British officers and especially of the accomplished André, who induced Mis. Bord to let her become one of the ladies of the Mischianza. The matter produced an unpleasant feeling between Dr. Smith and Mrs. Bond. But young girls in such circumstances-who can control them." ( Life of Dr. Smith.
Dr. Cradock became engaged to Miss Smith, but upon
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refusing to fwvor the election of her father to the Episco- pate" of Maryland Dr. Smith withdrew his consent to the mar riage. They determined to run away. Colonel Howard met them with his phaeton and she had her foot on the step get- ting in, when she hesitated, and turning to Dr. Cradock, said. "If I go, I have my father's curse." "It is not too late," he replied. Her misgivings overcame her and she went back. She afterwards sent him a ring, with her miniature, which he retained to the day of his death. He never married, but she proved less faithful and became the wife of Hon. Charles Golds- borough, of Horn's Point. There is a tradition that the minia- ture was painted by the ill-tated Major Andre, and it is still in the possession of a Thomas Cradock.
Dr. Cradock was a great bean in his youth and was grooms- man innumerable times. There was a pink coat, especially remembered, which was called the groomsman's coat, because it had figured at so many weddings. He was groomsman twice for Mr. Charles Carnan, and went with him to York for his sec- ond wife, a daughter of Samuel Johnston. He went to Phila- delphia with George Inx at his marriage to Miss Biddle. George Lux, with his usual impracticability, came to Trentham to start on the journey with no money in his pocket and Dr. Cradock had to lend him the sum to defray his expenses. George Lux was an erratic genius, and always doing queer things. When Washington lay with his army before Boston he rode all the way there on horseback to see him. He was highly educated and a prominent figure in Baltimore Town, as was his father, William Lux.
Dr. Cradock was a great whist player. He "could glance at his cards and laugh and talk with the girls and yet know every card which had been played and who played it " Old "Aunt Milly" remembers his coming down to see Mr. Robert Moale one night when he was taken ill with gout. He walked with a cane and wore red top boots. "All the gentlemen wore red top boots." He owned a large tract of land between Trent- ham and Pikesville which Mrs Curzon named Pill Box, because, she said, it "was bought with pill money."
1 The correspondence of fre Crudeck and Antien- us the waiter of the chelle il : D. Smith will be found in the apja indis
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He was one of the organizers of the Maryland Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge, September, 1800, and one of the incorporators of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland. 1799. Ile was an able and distinguished physician and engaged in active practice for forty-five years. lle gave to the Church his earnest support, and was for forty years a vestryman of St. Thomas' and frequently a dele- gate to the Diocesan Conventions. Ile was a member of a standing committee of the Diocese appointed in 1758, and a del- egate to the General Convention several times.
He died at Trentham, which he inherited by his father's will, on the nineteenth of October, 1821, and lies buried, by request, in the same tomb with his brother, Arthur Cradock, in the shadow of the church walls.
Major Jobn Gradoch.
Major John Cradock, better known as Dr. John Cradock, was the second son of the first Rector, and resided at "Blooms- bury." in Worthington Valley, the estate given him by his father. Like his brothers, he was highly educated, and prob- ably through the influence of Dr. Hulse, embraced the profes- sion of medicine.
He took a leading part in the Revolution, and was a mem- ber of the Committee of Observation in 1774-75. He was elected a delegate from Baltimore County to the convention which met at Annapolis on the twenty-sixth of July, 1775, and was one of the signers of the Association of Freeman of Maryland. The committee which met on the twenty-second of April, 1776, with William Lux, chairman, included John Moale, Darby Lux. John Eager Howard, John Cradock, George Ristean and others.
Dr. Cradock was appointed by the Council First Major of Soldiers' Delight Battalion, and his commission was issned on Saturday, May 25, 1776. He served one year in Washington's Flying Camp, and was present at the battle of White Plains. His servant and baggage were taken at Fort Washington by the British. Jimmy Howard said the last he saw of the servant he was sitting over a barrel of rum.
On March 12, 1776, Dr. Cradock, with Dr- Wiesenthall
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and Boyd, issued a call on the ladies of Baltimore for lint and linen for bandages. In 1777 we find his name among the justices who formed the County Court
In 1782 he was elected a member of the General Assembly. 1Te was induced to run through the solicitations of his friends, especially George Lux, who had a plan for establishing the National Capital at Annapolis, and making it, as he expressed it. the "Hagne of America." This was the same George Lux who married Miss Biddle, and who rode on horseback to Boston. lle was the son of Agnes Walker,'D who married William Inx, of Baltimore Town, and there is a cap worked by her with the 1.ux coat of arms, which she presented to Mrs Charles Walker.
George Lux writes to Captain Ridgely: "I am glad to have got a speaker in our interest, and Deye's long acquaint- ance in the House will enable him to do much; for the same reason I wish you to go. Blackhead Charles Ridgely is clever and respected at Annapolis, and must not at any rate be per- mitted to decline, as it is said he talks of doing. Sam Worth- ington says he will decline if John Cradock will serve, and I shall make a point of gaining John's assent, and doubt it not at this particular time, although there is no man in the county who it suits so ill to leave home. He is the best speaker in pul- lic of any man I know who had not been educated as a lawyer, and of a sound judgment-as a speaker we must have him."
"If you do agree, I pledge myself to vote for you, Deye, C. Ridgely of W'm., and J. Cradock, and to get Cradock to do the same. Nay, I will make a point of opening the poll as a voter. If you can't, from business or want of sufficient health, agree to serve, why. I shall expect you to make a point of coming down early to the election and voting for me in order to convince the people at large that old family animosities are at an end, and that we draw together in the present instance."
Cradock was talented and popular, and would have been a strong candidate for political honors had he chosen to continue in public life. He was a fine speaker, and took an active part in the campaigns-sometimes running to split his district in order to help Deye against Ridgely. He was elected a member of the Vestry in 1775, and annually afterwards for fifteen years
She was the of child of De George Walker.
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Ile was a delegate to the First General Convention of the Church in Maryland and frequently afterwards to the Diocesan Con- ventions. Dr. Cradock was a very handsome man, six feet tall, with dark hair and eyes, unusually attractive and a brilliant con- versationalist. At the beginning of the Revolution, Dr. Steven. son, of Baltimore Town, whose Tory sentiments were well known, was sending some things up the country for safety, when they were seized by the young men and burned. Dr. Stevenson, who had come round another way, stopped at Trentham to dine. "Oh, Johny, " he said, "if I had been there how I would have made you run." "No, doctor," Dr. Cradock laughingly replied, "if you had been there we would have put you on top."
Dr. Cradock married ( 1776) Ann, daughter of John Worth- ington, and Mary Todd, who was born as her sampler shows, on the thirty-first of March, 1760.
Hle died in the prime of life on the fourth of October, 1794. aged only forty-five years, and lies interred in the churchyard near the tomb of his father.
lle left four daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Katherine and Aun, and one son, Dr. Arthur Cradock, who removed to Ken- tucky for a time and died unmarried. He was appointed sur. geon in 1812, but could not serve because of ill health. Mary married Stephen Cromwell. Her son, Dr. John Cromwell, was very talented, but died young. Her daughter, Elizabeth, married Dr. Adair. the son of Governor and United States Senator Adair, of Kentucky. Katherine married her consin, Dr. Thomas Cradock Walker. Ann married a Mr. Bosley, in Kentucky.
Abel Brown.
Abel Brown came from Dumfries, Scotland, in the early part of the Eighteenth Century. He was warden of St. Thomas' Parish 1754, vestryman 1758-60. He was twice mar- ried. The name of his first wife is unknown. His second wife was Susannah, daughter of Adam Shipley. One son, Samuel, was killed at the Battle of Brandywine. Elias married Ann Cockey : Moses married Polly Snowden ; Ruth married Thomas Cockey : Rebecca married George Frazier Warfield.
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Abel Brown was one of the founders of Holy Trinity Parish. He left two legacies of thirty pounds each to St. Thomas' Parish, one for use in providing wine for the Holy Communion, the other for distribution among the poor.
Charles Walker.
Charles Walker, born November 9, 1744, was the son of Dr. James Walker, who with his brother, Dr. George Walker, left Scotland in 1715 because of the part they had taken in the insurrection of the Earl of Mar. They were the sons of James Walker and Mary Thorn, of Peterhead, and "were both men of learning. "" They first settled in Anne Arundel but Dr. George Walker soon came to Baltimore County, and was one of the commissioners who laid off the town. He resided at "Chatsworth," on the west side, and his name is conspicuous in the early annals of Baltimore. Dr. James Walker gave up the practice of medicine and erected iron works below Elkridge Landing, engaging extensively in that business. He married in 1731, Susannah, daughter of John Gardner, and had ten children. John and George were sent to Scotland to be edu- cated. George died there and John ran away and bound him- self to the King's shipyards. He returned to America and married a very rich woman, but they died without heirs.
Susannah married Rev. Wm. West, afterwards Rector of St. Paul's.
Charles came to Baltimore County and lived first at "Har- rison's Meadows." above Owings' Mills, part of which is now owned by Mr. Disney. He was married to Ann, only daughter of the Rev. Thomas Cradock, in September, 1772, by Rev. Mr. Edmiston, and removed to "Woodbourne," in Worthington Valley. Ann Cradock's wedding dress was of stiff white satin and was preserved until about forty years ago.
Charles Walker was active in the Revolutionary cause and a member of the Committee of Observation. He was elected a vestryman of St. Thomas' in 1772 and, with a few years'
1 11 Allen say- . The catalogue of Dr. James library after his death comprehend. works in Greek Lata, medicine and theology, which was few physicians of the pre- · nt đầy can show in theits :
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intermission during the troubles with Mr. Edmiston, continued to serve until the erection of St. John's in the Valley (1818), the site of which was donated by him.
Charles and Ann Walker had thirteen children, all of whom died early in life except Dr. Thomas Cradock Walker, and Frances, born March 22, 1792, who married George William Johnson.
Charles Walker "departed this transitory life November 15. 1825," and was interred in the same grave with his wife, their tomb in the churchyard bearing the simple inscription : "Charles Walker and Ann, his wife, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Cradock."
-- K. C.
Dr. Thomas Gradoch Walker.
Dr. Thomas Cradock Walker, the oldest son of Charles Walker and Ann Cradock, was born at Trentham on the six- teenth of June, 1773, and lived with his uncle, Dr. Cradock, who virtually adopted him and made him his heir. He received a classical education, and was a man of strong individuality and scholarly attainments.
Following what seems to have been the bent of the family, he chose the profession of medicine, and attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania. He served with distinction as surgeon in the war of 1812-14, and had charge of hospitals at Burlington and Plattsburgh which he conducted with such un- exampled success as to win the flattering encomiums of both medical and military men. In a letter to his uncle from Bor- lington in February, 1814, he mentions the honor of an official visit from General Wilkinson and adds, "I should be vain of his approbation bad I not done my best. He takes every op- portunity of expressing his delight by saying he never saw a hospital (twenty large rooms) in such a situation, and assured me publickly that he would mention my services." "'Tis a laborious task, but I trust I shall continue to discharge it with honor to myself and satisfaction to my country."
Dr. Walker was an ardent admirer of Masonry and of the high standards advocated by the order, and received the degree of Royal Arch Mason while in Vermont in 1815.
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Hle took an active interest in the Church, and in all that pertained to its welfare. It was by his efforts that the wall was built around the churchyard, and the subscriptions and expen- ditures ean be seen in his private ledger. Most of the traditions of the parish have come to us through him. He was born only three years after the death of the first Rector, and could remen- ber distinctly from the Revolution. The incidents of its earlier history he heard from the lips of Dr. Cradock himself, and any statement he had made could scarcely be disputed. He was exact in the smallest detail, and never said what he did not know to be absolutely true.
Dr. Walker was married February 15, 18:8, by Rev. Mr. Armstrong, to his cousin, Katherine, daughter of Dr. John Cradock, a woman of rare character whose virtues are still re- membered. They were born in the same room, married in the same house, and died in the room in which they were born. By an Act of the Legislature he had the Walker dropped from the names of his two sons, Thomas Cradock and John Cradock, as a token of gratitude to his uncle. Thomas Cradock was born May 16, 1819, and John, who died when only twenty-seven, on Sep- tember 2, 1821. His father had intended that he live at Pill Box, which then comprised a large number of acres, and was adding improvements at the time of his death.
Dr. Walker did not engage in practice in the recollection of his children, except as a favor and gratuitously. He was a strong advocate for out-of-door exercise, deeming it the chief means of prolonging life, and within a few years of his death walked to Baltimore leading his horse. He clung to the fashion of his younger days, and always wore blue clothes with plain brass buttons.
He died on the thirty-first of May, 1860, retaining his fac- ulties unimpaired, at the advanced age of eighty-seven.
There is a portrait of him when a boy of eleven, painted by his cousin, Billy West, son of Rev. William West, of St. Paul's. The following account is taken from Dr. Allen's Mss. History of St. Paul's Parish:
"George William (West) was an artist of much promise. Ile studied under the celebrated Benjamin West, of London, with whom Mr. Trumbull then was. Among the letters of
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introduction, which he carried with him to London, was one from his father's friend, General Washington. Young West, with- out any instruction, had attained to much celebrity at home before he went to London. Likenesses painted by him are still shown as West's painting. He was very gratifyingly received by Mr. West, and by his favor, admitted into the Academy of Fine Arts, in the most complimentary manner. He had in- tended to have staid there three years, and then to have gone to Italy. With this view Archbishop Carroll sent him a very flattering letter to his friend there. But before the end of eighteen months in London he took the measles, his lungs be- came seriously affected, and he was compelled to return home early in 1790, unable to pursue his favorite employment. He lingered along, however, till 1795, in which year he died- single."
Joseph West. REGISTRAR 1805-1813.
Joseph West was another most efficient vestryman of the church and registrar for a number of years. He belonged to the Massachusetts family of that name and was captain in the Massachusetts Line, but being a good clerk was deputed for work of that sort. He came to Maryland after the close of the Revolution and married Violetta Howard.
Hle was a very cultivated, intellectual man, quite short in stature, and always walking with a very tall cane. For years he was a familiar figure in the parish.
Mr. and Mrs. West lived at first beyond her brother Cornelius, but they afterwards removed to the old place, where they died. Though lame from a fall from her horse, Mrs. West was always a regular attendant at the church, and the recollections of her are most kindly and affectionate.
Rep. George TRalph.
In 18og Rev. George Ralph, known as "Parson Ralph," came to St. Thomas' Parish from Charlotte Hall and opened a school at "Pomona," just northwest of Pikesville. He was
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well known in his day and was associated in various ways with many of the most prominent men in the State. Ile ranked high as an educator ; and was an accomplished scholar and an elo- quent preacher.
He was of Irish descent, though born in England, and after his education was finished devoted his life to teaching. He possessed unusual personality and was a most original character.
At one time he had a school in Ireland for young men. The races were to be held nearby and he forbade his pupils to attend. They rebelled against the decree and locked him ont. He first politely requested them, "Young gentlemen, open the door," but no response was vouchsafed. "Young gentlemen, I entreat you to open the door," again no answer. "Young gen- themen, I command you to open the door," and as they still de- fied him, he sent for the officers and had them all arrested and kept in jail until the races were over.
When he was about to be married he had only two days to reach the home of his bride. The first day there was such a drenching rain that he determined to wait over at the inn for the morrow. In the morning there was the same steady down- pour, but he was obliged to pursue on his journey or not be present at the wedding. He reached there just in time, but his leather breeches were soaking wet and he could not get them off. Nothing daunted, however, he stood up and was married in his wet breeches. His wife was a Miss DeButts, who came to America with him.
The first we hear of him is in Baltimore Town where he opened a school in 1790. The next year he was ordained by Bishop White, and tried to induce St. Paul's Vestry to appoint him "to get up a church at Fells' Point," but, though he pressed the matter very strongly, his efforts were not successful. In the report of the convention of 1792 he is mentioned as Rec- tor of Shrewsbury Parish, Kent. He then applied for the rectorship of St. Thomas', and the following letter was laid before the Vestry :
Baltimore. March 13, 1793.
Sir :- Observing that the Parish of St. Thomas' is still vacant ; permit me to acquaint the Vestry and parishioners that I will attend the church upon any day appointed by them. A
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mutual opportunity will thus be offered ; to them, of approving or rejecting me, and to me of respectfully hearing their proposals. I have the honor to be, sir, your most bumble servant,
GEORGE RALPH. Dr. Thomas Cradock, Garrettson Forest.
Favored by Mr. Philbin.
A draft of the answer is on the back.
Rev. Sir :- Your application was laid before the Vestry of St. Thomas' on Easter-Monday last. Confident that you wouldl not answer as a clergyman for that parish, they wish not to give you the trouble of riding up. We wish you all happiness and success. By order of the Vestry.
His application being thus summarily dismissed, he went to South Sassafras, Kent County, and in 1795 was called to be first Rector of the newly-formed Washington Parish, D. C. As was usual with him he established a school, and entered with interest upon his Church work. He sent out circulars through- cut the country urging subscriptions for the erection of a suita- ble church edifice in what "was to be the Metropolis of Confed . erated America." Ile tells Bishop Claggett, "It seems diffi. cult, I admit, to move me, but when set agoing I gain force by my own velocity."
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