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William C. Craycroft, U.S.N.

John H. CRAYCROFT[1]
Male 1820 - 1903


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  • Birth-alt  1815  Maryland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Birth-alt  Dec 1815  Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Birth-alt  Abt 1817  Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Birth-alt  Abt 1817  District of Columbia Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Birth-alt  1817  Maryland Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Birth-alt  Abt 1818  District of Columbia Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Birth  29 May 1820  Bryantown, Charles, Maryland Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    • This is the most likely date of birth for John and the most probable parents. Still looking for further evidence.
    Gender  Male 
    Anecdote  18 Dec 1848  New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    • John H. Craycroft was a passenger on the steamer Falcon leaving New Orleans on December 18, 1848 and arrived at Chagres, Panama, December 26, 1848.

      It is presumed that he then crossed Panama by stage coach to meet another steamer, possibly the California to continue on to San Francisco.
    Anecdote  1849  Downieville, Yuba, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    • "The big saloon was owned by John Craycroft, formerly a mate on a Mississippi River steamboat, who gained most of his money by marrying a Spanish woman and making her a silent partner"
    Event-Misc  24 Dec 1849  San Francisco, San Francisco, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    • arrested for firing two shots at a Mr. Walker, with intent to kill
    Residence  1851  Downieville, Yuba, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    Residence  1852  Craycroft, Sierra, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Event-Misc  03 May 1852  Downieville, Yuba, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    • the subject of a Statute under Chapter CLXVIII of the Third Session of the State Legislature
    Residence  14 May 1852  Downieville, Sierra, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    Elected  14 Jun 1852  Downieville, Sierra, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [14] 
    Census  Jul 1852  Sierra, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [15] 
    Anecdote  23 Jun 1853  Sierra, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [16] 
    • Sierra County -- In most of the precincts of Sierra County, the miners are doing well.

      At Wisconsin Flat -- Messrs. Kane, Wood, Craycroft & Co. have completed their flumes, and high hopes are entertained for the future.
    Anecdote  17 Aug 1856  Downieville, Sierra, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [17] 
    • "Having been invited, by certain public spirited citizens of Downieville, to examine their route for an Immigrant Road, I left that place for Sierra Valley on the 17th of August, 1856. The party accompanying me consisted of Messrs. A.P. Chapman, W.D. Noland, J.J. Bramley, E. Cady, Sol. Purdy, J.H. Craycroft, J. Carleton, Jos. Sargent, and J. McMurtie, with well provided pack animals."
    Event-Misc  15 May 1860  Pyramid Lake, Nevada Find all individuals with events at this location  [18] 
    • a volunteer among many others from Downieville and other towns in the Sierra Nevadas who went to Nevada to fight the Indians at the Battle of Pyramid Lake.
    Residence  1861  Carson City, Ormsby, Nevada Find all individuals with events at this location  [19] 
    Residence  15 May 1863  Clifton, Lander, Nevada Territory Find all individuals with events at this location  [20] 
    Elected  04 Jul 1866  Mining Recorder, Lander, Nevada Find all individuals with events at this location  [21] 
    Census  1875  Lander, Nevada Find all individuals with events at this location  [22] 
    Occupation  1875  Lander, Nevada Find all individuals with events at this location  [23] 
    Miner 
    Census  16 Jun 1880  Cedar Street, Austin, Lander, Nevada Find all individuals with events at this location  [24] 
    Occupation  16 Jun 1880  Cedar Street, Austin, Lander, Nevada Find all individuals with events at this location  [24] 
    a gunsmith 
    Census  29 Jun 1900  Austin, Lander, Nevada Find all individuals with events at this location  [25] 
    Name  J.H. Craigcroft  [23] 
    Occupation  ,according to information I've seen on the Internet, alleged to be a mate on a Mississippi steamboat. But I have not been able to verify this information at this time.  [26] 
    Reference Number  3244 
    Died  21 Jun 1903  Austin, Lander, Nevada Find all individuals with events at this location  [27, 28] 
    Person ID  I3244  Craycroft and Bresnan families
    Last Modified  15 Nov 2009 

    Father  Clement CRAYCROFT,   b. 1792, Maryland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1871 
    Mother  S. CARRICO 
    Family ID  F373  Group Sheet

  • Event Map
    		Event
    Link to Google MapsBirth-alt - Abt 1817 - District of Columbia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBirth-alt - Abt 1818 - District of Columbia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 29 May 1820 - Bryantown, Charles, Maryland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsAnecdote - 18 Dec 1848 - New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsAnecdote - 1849 - Downieville, Yuba, California Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEvent-Misc - 24 Dec 1849 - San Francisco, San Francisco, California Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1851 - Downieville, Yuba, California Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1852 - Craycroft, Sierra, California Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEvent-Misc - 03 May 1852 - Downieville, Yuba, California Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 14 May 1852 - Downieville, Sierra, California Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected - 14 Jun 1852 - Downieville, Sierra, California Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsAnecdote - 17 Aug 1856 - Downieville, Sierra, California Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEvent-Misc - 15 May 1860 - Pyramid Lake, Nevada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1861 - Carson City, Ormsby, Nevada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected - 04 Jul 1866 - Mining Recorder, Lander, Nevada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1875 - Lander, Nevada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Miner - 1875 - Lander, Nevada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 16 Jun 1880 - Cedar Street, Austin, Lander, Nevada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - a gunsmith - 16 Jun 1880 - Cedar Street, Austin, Lander, Nevada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 29 Jun 1900 - Austin, Lander, Nevada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 21 Jun 1903 - Austin, Lander, Nevada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Maps 
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Documents
    John H. Craycroft death certificate. It is believed that John was the son of Clement Craycroft and Sarah Carrico.    		John H. Craycroft death certificate. It is believed that John was the son of Clement Craycroft and Sarah Carrico.
    John was one the many 49ers, men and women who flocked to northern California in search of gold. He was a very enterprising man. Along with a mining claim north of Downieville, California, John also owned a general store, sawmill, saloon and theater.

    See the Histories for more details.
    Status: Located
    John H. Craycroft and his partners Kane and Wood complete the flumes for their mine on Wisconsin Flats    		John H. Craycroft and his partners Kane and Wood complete the flumes for their mine on Wisconsin Flats
    Status: Located
    John H. Craycroft, son of Clement Craycroft and Sarah Carrico, had a mining claim north of Downieville and owned a saloon (still in operation today), a general store, sawmill and theater in Downieville between 1849 and about August, 1856    		John H. Craycroft, son of Clement Craycroft and Sarah Carrico, had a mining claim north of Downieville and owned a saloon (still in operation today), a general store, sawmill and theater in Downieville between 1849 and about August, 1856
    Downieville is in Sierra County, California, high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
    Status: Located

    Histories
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, May 2, 1863    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, May 2, 1863
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, June 5, 1863    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, June 5, 1863
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, July 13, 1863    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, July 13, 1863
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 8, 1863    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 8, 1863
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 8, 1863    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 8, 1863
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 23, 1863    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 23, 1863
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, October 1, 1863    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, October 1, 1863
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, November 23, 1863    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, November 23, 1863
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, January 4, 1864    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, January 4, 1864
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, December 15, 1863    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, December 15, 1863
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, November 14, 1864    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, November 14, 1864
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, November 14, 1864    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, November 14, 1864
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, August 4, 1864    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, August 4, 1864
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, May 16, 1865    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, May 16, 1865
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 7, 1865    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 7, 1865
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, October 9, 1865    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, October 9, 1865
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 9, 1865    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 9, 1865
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Three deeds recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, December 31, 1872    		Three deeds recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, December 31, 1872
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, January 2, 1872    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, January 2, 1872
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located
    Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 14, 1881    		Deed recorded for John H. Craycroft, et al, at Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, September 14, 1881
    This one of 20 deeds John recorded in Reese River, Lander County, Nevada, where he prospected for silver.
    Status: Located

  • Notes 

  • Sources 
    1. [S291] 1900 Census, Lander County, Nevada, (29 June 1900), In census record John's last name has been partially obliterated by some scrawl. The last name only shows as "Craycr" the rest being illegible..

    2. [S297] 1880 Census, Austin, Lander County, Nevada, (June 16, 1880).

    3. [S367] 1852 California Census Index, Craycroft, (July, 1852).

    4. [S292] Reese River Reveille, John Craycroft, (June 24, 1903), Last line of obituary states "He was 86 years of age and a native of Maryland.".

    5. [S299] 1875 Nevada State Census, (State Publishing Office, Carson City, NV., 1876), Age reported as 57.

    6. [S463] Family Data Collection, Births - John H. Craycroft, Compiler: West, Edmund, (August 31, 2004), This is only a potential birth date and parents for John H. Craycroft. I have no supporting evidence for this date..

    7. [S293] Steamer California, Victor M. Berthold Ph.D., (Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston and New York, 1932), John H. Craycroft is listed as a passenger on the steamer Falcon which left New Orleans December 18, 1848 and arrived at Chagres December 26, 1848..

    8. [S465] California As I Saw It, Manly, William Lewis, (Pacific Tree and Vine Co., San Jose, CA, 1894), It should be noted that this passage is the only reference ever made to a wife of John H.Craycroft. No census record or obituary that I've found indicates that he was ever married.

      The saloon mentioned in this passage burned down in 1852 and was rebuilt. The saloon still stands today, August, 2004, and is still operating..

    9. [S1154] Alta California, (24 Dec 1849), More Shooting.--The Pacific News says:--"On Thursday last officer Meredith arrested John H. Craycroft, charged with having fired two pistol shots at a Mr. Walker, with intent to kill. The difficulty occurred a few evenings since, at the 'Filarmonica,' Jackson street.--Craycroft was held to bail for his appearance before the Alcalde.".

    10. [S294] History of Sierra County, (Fariss & Smith, San Francisco, 1882), In 1851 Craycroft & Cheever had built a saw-mill above town, which was in operation; and in 1852 Philo A. Haven erected another farther up the east Fork.

      Craycroft & Co. held their mammoth raffle December 31, 1853, for $3,000 in cash, and other property, amounting in all to $55,000; P. Shiffer being the agent and manager of the affair..

    11. [S294] History of Sierra County, (Fariss & Smith, San Francisco, 1882), Craycroft is a little settlement in Craycroft neck, in the vicinity of Loyalton, principally owned by Jacob Knuthsen and William Gibson. It was first settled in 1852 by Finneman, William Hedges, Henry Davidson, and John Craycroft of Downieville..

    12. [S1216] Statutes of California, 3rd Session: Chapter CLXVIII, (G.K. Fitch & Co., and V.E. Geiger & Co., San Francisco, 1852, Original Date, 1852), Page 254

      CHAPTER CLXVIII.

      AN ACT

      For the Relief of Jno. Craycroft & Co., Delmas, Garneset & Co., Van Read, Talmon & McDuffy.

      The People of the State of California, represented in Senate and Assembly do enact as follows:

      Sec. 1. Any suit which may have been commenced under the authority and by virtue of a law, passed March fourteenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, to license gaming, against Jno. Craycroft & Co., and Delmas, Garneset & Co., of the Town of Downieville, and Van Read, Talmon & McDuffie, of Marysville, in this State, or any suit which may hereafter be instituted against said parties for the recovery of gaming license accuring to the State of California, bewteen the date of the passage of the above named Act and the first day of Decembe thereafter is,and shall be for the reasons set forth in the foregoing preamble, hereby discontinued; and the District Attorney for the County of Yuba is hereby required and directed to enter a "Nolle Prosequi" in said cases.

      Approved, May 3, 1852..

    13. [S296] History of Yuba County, (Thompson & West, 1879), The election of officers for Sierra County was set for Monday, June 14, 1852; John Jaes, Frances Anderson, John Craycroft, C.E. Smith and T.M. Ramsdell were appointed the Board of Commissioners..

    14. [S296] History of Yuba County, (Thompson & West, 1879).

    15. [S367] 1852 California Census Index, Craycroft, (July, 1852), Craycroft - Age: 35 - Occupation: Lumber Merch - Birthplace: D.C. - Last residence: Ohio.

    16. [S942] New York Daily Times, (23 June 1853), Sierra County -- In most of the precints of Sierra County, the miners are doing well.

      At Wisconsin Flat -- Messrs. Kane, Wood, Craycroft & Co. have completed their flumes, and high hopes are entertained for the future..

    17. [S464] John Brewster Survey, John A. Brewster, (August, 1856).

    18. [S1231] Downieville, Gold Town On the Yuba, James J. Sinnott, (Mountain House Books, Nevada City, California, 1991), Page 235-236.

    19. [S300] Nevada Territory, Compiler: J. Wells Kelly, (Commercial Steam Presses: Valentine & Co., 517 Clay and 514 Commercial Streets, San Francisco, 1862), Craycroft, John H. lumber, res with Smith & Dey.

    20. [S1351] San Francisco Bulletin, (15 May 1863), The following companies filed their certificates on Wednesday last:

      ...The Oriental and Occidental Consolidated Gold and Silver Mining Company, Reese River district, N.T. Capital stock $500,000 divided into 2,000 shares of $250 each. Trustees--J. Craycroft and G.D. Hall, of Clifton, Lander county, N.T.; and F.A. Hassey, J.W. tucker and E.B. Vreeland, of San Francisco..

    21. [S368] Reese River Mining Records.

    22. [S299] 1875 Nevada State Census, (State Publishing Office, Carson City, NV., 1876), Given name: J.H.; Surname: Craigcroft; Age: 57; Sex: M; Race: White; Occupation: Miner; Place of Birth: District of Columbia; Head of Household: Self; Community: Lander County.

    23. [S299] 1875 Nevada State Census, (State Publishing Office, Carson City, NV., 1876).

    24. [S297] 1880 Census, Austin, Lander County, Nevada, (June 16, 1880), Household on Cedar Street, dwelling number 292, family number 292, Craycroft, John H., male, white age 63, single, occupation: gunsmith, born: Maryland, both parents born: Md..

    25. [S291] 1900 Census, Lander County, Nevada, (29 June 1900), Data given at census: Birth date: Dec. 1815, place Kentucky, age 84, no occupation..

    26. [S334] S&D Reflector letter re: John H. Craycroft, Joseph W. Rutter, (June 24, 2004), Reply from J.W. Rutter:

      In answer to your question about records for steamboat crews, I'm afraid that your forebearer who worked as a mate in 1848 and prior is too far back. The Federal government began licensing pilots and engineers in 1852. Mates and some other crew positions were not required to be licensed until 1871..

    27. [S292] Reese River Reveille, John Craycroft, (June 24, 1903), Last Sunday morning at 7 o'clock the spirit of John H. Craycroft passed to the great beyond after an illness of several months. While deceased was 86 years of age he was very spry and active until his recent illness overcame him, which was nothing more than old age and general debility.

      He was 86 years of age and a native of Maryland..

    28. [S295] Death cert., John H. Craycroft, This is to Certify that the undersigned, an Undertaker, did, on the 21 day of June 1903, officiate as Undertaker, at the burial of John H. Craycroft a native of United States, aged 87 years, in the presence of Thos. McCouch and A.D. Burchfield witnesses.

      (signed) G.A. Thorpe, Undertaker

      Recorded at request of D.A. Wellen, filed June 26 A.D. 1903

      H.W. Dyer, County Recorder.

    29. [S941] California Gold Camps, Compiler: Gudde, Erwin G., (University of California Press, Berkley, Los Angeles, London, 1975), Craycroft [Sierra]. Between Downieville and Goodyears Bar. M. Thomson (p. 21) called it a "new place" in 1856. It is listed in Hittell's roster. Pettee described the gravel deposits here and the tunnel work carried on in one of the mines he visited in 1879. Good pay was also found high on the rim-rock where the gravel was only two to three feet deep. (Whitney, Auriferous Gravels, pp. 465 f.) A mine is listed in the Mining Bureau reports until 1942..


  

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