Starting October 7, the San Jacinto Monument's Observation Floor will close for renovation, open on weekends, with discounted museum admission during this time.

Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

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CRADDOCK, JOHN ROBERT -- Born in Prince Edward County, Virginia, October 15, 1812 but was raised in Kentucky. In the Headright Certificate issued to him February 3, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Milam County Board it is stated that he came to Texas in December, 1833. He was a member of Captain William W. Hill's Company at San Jacinto and on October 27, 1838 was issued Donation Certificate No. 575 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On May 17, 1838 he received Bounty Certificate No. 3424 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 1 to June 1, 1836. On an original roll of Captain Hill's Company at Muster April 11, 1836 the following information concerning Mr. Craddook is given: He was recruited at Tenoxtitlan March 10, 1836 (instead of March 1, as shown in the Bounty Certificate) by John Gafford. He was five feet ten inches in height; of fair complexion with blue eyes and light hair. By vocation he was a farmer.

Mr. Craddock reenlisted in the army July 25, 1836, as first sergeant in Captain John Hart's company. On January 8, 1840 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 9392 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from July 25 to November 25, 1836. On September 11, 1836 he enlisted in Captain Calvin Boale's company of rangers. The Secret Journal of the (Texas) Senate, page 57, shows that on May 31, 1837 President Houston nominated Mr. Craddock for captaincy of a company of mounted Gun Men for duty in Red River County, in a regiment to be commanded by Colonel Joseph Bennett. The Senate confirmed the nomination the same day.

Captain Craddock was married to Amanda Childers, second daughter of Golsby Childers. Captain Craddock died August 19, 1891 while a member of the Texas Veterans Association. Mrs. Craddock, born June 1, 1824 died March 31, 1900. Husband and wife are buried in the Craddock family cemetery, five miles south of Rogers, Bell County in marked graves.

Children of Captain and Mrs. Craddock, were Ann, who married J. A. Weathersbee; Margaret, who married John Parker; Jennie, who married Benjamin Hunt; Emily, who married J. R. Williams; Amanda, who married John F. Cayton; Belle, who married Tom Treadwell; Thomas Jefferson, who died in childhood; John, who died unmarried at the age of twenty-one; Sam Houston, who married Addie Jackson; William A., who married Florence Punchard; Gabriel J., who married Callie Barnhart; and Rilla, twin to Gabriel J., who married William Lewis.



Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: Lieut. Robert Stevenson

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Craddick
  • Date of Birth: 1812 Oct 15
  • Birthplace: Virginia, Prince Edward County
  • Origin: Kentucky
  • Came to Texas: 1833 Dec
  • Date of Death: 1891 Aug 19
  • Burial Place: Craddock family cemetery, Bell Co., Texas
  • Bounty Certificate: 3424
  • Donation Certificate: 575
  • Profession: Farmer
  • Wife: Amanda Childers
  • Children: Ann Craddock Weathersbee; Margaret Craddock Parker; Jennie Craddock Hunt; Emily Craddock Williams; Amanda Craddock Cayton; Belle; Thomas J.; John; Sam Houston; William A.; infant; Gabriel J; Rilla