James Craik M.D. (abt. 1727 - 1814)

Born about 1727 in Kirkbean, Dumfries, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Marianne (Ewell) Craik — married 13 Nov 1760 in Bel Air Plantation, Prince William County, Virginia

Descendants

Died 6 Feb 1814 at about age 87 in Alexandria, Independent Cities, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Chief Physician and Surgeon James Craik M.D. served with Continental Army during the American Revolution.

James Craik M.D. is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A027292.

James Craik M.D. is Notable.

James Craik was born in about 1727 in Kirkbean Dumfrieshire, Scotland.^[1] He was the son of William Craik and Elizabeth Stewart.

James was Physician General (precursor of the Surgeon General) of the United States Army, as well as George Washington's personal physician and close friend.

He died on February 4, 1814, in Alexandria, Virginia, having lived a long life of 87 years.

Marriage

He married Marianne Ewell on November 13, 1760.

Children

James and Marianne had children: William Craik 1761 George Washington Craik 1774

Parents

Robert Craick

Spouse

Marianne Ewell

Marriage

Children

1. Sarah who m. Daniel Jenifer
2. George W who m. Maria Dorcas Tucker
3. Marianne who m. Roger West

Burial

Old Presbyterian Meeting House graveyard, Alexandria, Virginia

Life Story of Dr James Craick

James Craick was born in 1730.

Staff Officer James Craik M.D. served with Virginia Line during the American Revolution.

James Craik M.D. is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A027292.

Name: James Crack Military Service Date: 12 Nov 1783 Military Rank: Physician

Affiliate Publication Number: M246. Affiliate Publication Title: Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783. Affiliate Film Number:135. GS Film Number: 000830414. Digital Folder Number:007197131, Image Number:00428^[2]

James Craik (/kreɪk/; 1730 – 6 February 1814) was Physician General (precursor of the Surgeon General) of the United States Army, as well as George Washington's personal physician and close friend.

Education and emigration to America

Born on the estate of Arbigland in the parish of Kirkbean, County of Kirkcudbright, Scotland, Craik was the son of Robert Craik, a member of Parliament. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, then joined the British Army after graduation and served as an army surgeon in the West Indies until 1751. Craik then opened up a private medical practice in Norfolk, Virginia, and shortly thereafter relocated to Winchester, Virginia.

French and Indian War career

On 7 March 1754, Craik resumed his military career, accepting a commission as a surgeon in Colonel Joshua Fry's Virginia Provincial Regiment. While with this force, he became good friends with George Washington, at that time a lieutenant colonel in the regiment. Craik saw a great deal of action in various battles of the French and Indian War. He fought at the Battle of the Great Meadows and participated in the surrender of Fort Necessity, then accompanied General Edward Braddock on Braddock's unsuccessful attempt to recapture the region in 1755, treating Braddock's ultimately fatal wounds. Craik then served under Washington in actions in Virginia and Maryland, during various engagements with Indians.

Inter War years

After the war's end, Craik opened another medical practice at Port Tobacco, Maryland, and on 13 November 1760, he married Mariamne Ewell at her family's estate, Bel Air, located in Prince William County, Virginia. Marriamne would later become the great-aunt of Richard S. Ewell. They had six sons and three daughters. In 1760, he moved to Charles County, Maryland, where in 1765, he built La Grange near La Plata, Maryland. In both 1770 and 1784 he went on surveying expeditions with Washington, examining military claims in Pennsylvania and what is now West Virginia.

Revolutionary War career

With the outbreak of hostilities during the American Revolution, Craik once more rejoined the army. He served as an army surgeon, ultimately advancing to the second-highest post in army medicine. Craik warned Washington about the plots of the Conway Cabal, and treated the wounds of General Hugh Mercer at the Battle of Princeton and Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette at the Battle of Brandywine. Mercer died of his wounds, but La Fayette was more fortunate.

Washington persuaded him to move his practice to Alexandria, Virginia, where he built his house Vaucluse (plantation), where he died. He also had a town house at 117 South Fairfax Street, 209 Prince Street, and then 210 Duke Street.

Washington summoned Craik out of private practice in 1798 in connection with the Quasi-War against France, installing him as Physician General of the Army on 19 June of that year. After the conclusion of hostilities, Craik mustered out on 15 June 1800.

At Washington's death

As Washington's personal physician, Craik was one of three doctors to attend on him during his final illness on 14 December 1799. Washington complained of respiratory distress, described by Craik as "cynanche trachealis". When Washington proved unable to swallow medicines orally, Craik and the other two physicians (Dr. Elisha C. Dick and Dr. Gustavus Richard Brown) treated his condition with bloodletting, the application of various poultices, and a rectal solution of calomel and tartar. Washington's condition continued to deteriorate, but Craik and Brown decided against Dick's suggestion of a tracheotomy (which might have been lifesaving, but likely would have spread the infection and caused sepsis), and Washington died at 10:10 p.m.

Brown and Craik co-published an account of their treatment in December 1800. the doctors' account of George Washington's medical treatment prior to his death was in a published book written by the Doctors Craik and Brown who along with Elisha C Dick attended George Washington in December 1799; Wallbuilders shared information from this book on their website[1]

Craik died in Alexandria 6 Feb 1814; he is buried in the graveyard of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in that city.

His obituary read: Craik, Dr James,formerly the Physician General of the U S armies, died in Fairfax, Virginia, aged 84.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ James Craik grave marker. Old Presbyterian Cemetery. Alexandria VA
2. ↑ Citing this Record: "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL65-2F1D : 31 October 2017), James Crack, 12 Nov 1783; citing 12 Nov 1783, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,414
3. ↑ U.S., Newspaper Extractions from the Northeast, 1704-1930 for James Craick, New York New York Weekly Museum Abanather-Kyle, publication date 19 Feb 1814

• [2]
• [3]

• "James Craik's Wikipedia Page"
• Stewart Family Tree. http://person.ancestry.co.uk/tree/44472380/person/7028951801/facts
• "Mount Vernon Digital Encyclopedia"

Built La Grange in Charles County between 1763 and 1783 See J. Richard Rivoire "Homeplaces" [1990]

American Biographical Library The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans Volume 3 C Craik, James page 16

Craik, James, physician, was born at Arbigland, Scotland, in 1730. He pursued a medical course for the purpose of becoming a surgeon in the British army, came to America in 1750 and located in Virginia. He was commissioned surgeon in Colonel Fry's Virginia regiment, March 7, 1754, and served in the provisional army during the French and Indian wars. In 1755 he was present at Braddock's defeat, and dressed the wounds of that officer. In 1770 he accompanied Washington to the Ohio, and later settled at Port Tobacco, Md., but was persuaded by Washington to remove to Alexandria, Va.

In 1777 he was appointed assistant director-general in the hospital department of the army and served throughout the war, receiving from Virginia 6000 acres of land for his services. In 1779, while on an exploring expedition in western Virginia, he heard from the lips of an old Indian chief the story of Washington's marvelous escape in the battle of Monongahela. The Indian assured Dr. Craik that he had fired his rifle fifteen times at Washington, and had directed his young men to fire also.

Dr. Craik was instrumental in detecting and giving warning of the conspiracy of 1777 at Newburg, and was director-general of the hospital at Yorktown at the time of the surrender of Cornwallis. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati of Maryland.

He lived in Alexandria, the friend and physician of Washington whom he attended in his last illness until age compelled him to retire from practice, and he removed to Vaucluse, a part of the Ravensworth estate.

In President Washington's will he left "To my compatriot in arms and old and intimate friend, Doctor Craik, I give my Bureau and the circular chair, an appendage of my study." The former, known as the Tambeur secretary, was still in the possession of the family in 1899.

Dr. Craik was married, Nov. 13, 1760, to Marianne, daughter of Capt. Charles and Sarah (Ball) Ewell, and granddaughter of Charles Ewell, who came from England to Virginia in 1690 under contract to build the state capitol at Williamsburg. Sarah (Ball) Ewell was a cousin of General Washington.

Their son, William Craik, was a representative from Virginia in the 4th, 5th and 6th congresses. Another son, George Washington Craik (born Aug. 22, 1774; died in 1808), was for a time Washington's private secretary, and married Maria Dorcas, daughter of John and Catherine Tucker.

Dr. Craik died at Vaucluse, Fairfax county, Va., Feb. 6, 1814.

Virginia Genealogies P342:

IV. Marianne, b. 1740; d. 1814; m. 13th November, 1760, Dr. James CRAIK, b. in Scotland, 1730, d. Fairfax County, Virginia, 6th February, 1814. He came to Virginia 1750; commissioned Surgeon in Colonel Fry's Virginia Regiment, 7th March, 1754; served during the French and Indian Wars; was at Braddock's Defeat, and dressed the wounds of that battle; in 1770 accompanied Washington to Ohio and there learned of the Indian prophecy concerning WASHINGTON, told by CUSTIS; settled at Port Tobacco, Maryland, but upon persuasion of Washington, removed to Alexandria, Virginia; in 1776 was appointed Assistant Director General in the Hospital Department of the Continental Army; served through the War and received from Virginia 6000 acres of land for his services 12th March, 1832; was an intimate associate of Washington, especially as his physician in his last moments; was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati of Maryland.

"Some Colonial Dames of Royal Descent" page 98 William Craik, of Arbigland, B. 1703, who had by his first wife (unnamed): Dr. James Craik, the physician and intimate friend of President Washington, b. at Arbigland, 1730, came to Virginia in 1750, surgeon-general of the Continental Army, a member of the Maryland State Society of the Cincinnati, and died at his home in Fairfax County, Virginia in 1814. He married Nov. 13, 1760, Marianna, born 1740 daughter of Charles Ewell, of Prince William County, Virginia and his wife, Sallie Ball, a cousin of President Washington and had: Sarah Craik, born Nov. 11, 1764, married Jan. 25, 1785 to Daniel Jenifer, Jr. M. D. 1756-1809, surgeon in the Continental Army till 1782, member of the Maryland State Society of the Cincinnati and had: Colonel Daniel Jenifer born April 15, 1791, died Dec. 18, 1855 a member of Congress from Maryland 1831-1833, 1835-1841 and United States Minister to Austria. He married Eliza Trippe Campbell of Charles County, Maryland and had: Nannie O. Jenifer, who married William Stone Triplett of Virginia and had: 1. Emily Louisa Triplett a member of the Virginia Society of the Colonial Dames of America who married Meredith F. Montague of Richmond, Virginia and had : Nannie Jenifer Triplett, William Triplett, Meredith and Emily Triplett. 2. Elizabeth Triplett, a member of the Virginia Society of the Colonial Dames of America who married Thomas R. Price of New York City and had: Elizabeth.

Acknowledgements

• Biography by Carolyn Murray Greer