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Facts and Events
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.
References
- James Craik, in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.
- James Craik, in Find A Grave.
Dr. James Craik tended to the dying British General Braddock of the French and Indian War. Dr. Craik then became Surgeon General of the Continental Army. After George Washington became commander and chief of the Continental Army in 1775, Dr. Craik was by Washington's side at every battle up until the British surrender at Yorktown marking the end of the war for independence. This included the dressing of the wounds of General Lafayette at the Battle of Brandywine, and the tending of the dying General Hugh Mercer at the Battle of Princeton. After the war Dr. Craik became Washington's personal physician and he was present by Washington's side when Washington died at Mt. Vernon. (bio by: Marvin Sport)
- Dr. James Craik, in Find A Grave.
One would think a person with Dr. Craik's standing in our history would by now have at least the basic facts of their existence verified, but such is sadly not the case.
He is currently alleged to be the child of two different fathers, been born in at least three different places and on as many different dates. No small part of this confusion is due to people and institutions quoting unverified information as if it were the gospel.
Or, perhaps it's just something about Kirkbean? Fellow native and expatriate John Paul Jones has had even more outlandish suggestions made about his parentage, to include his also being James' equally illegitimate half-brother...but let's not digress.
Family information is available to establish the following:
James Craik was an illegitimate son of William Craik the Younger and was born about 1726-1730, likely in the Dumfries area.
He was most certainly not born at Arbigland, the estate his father eventually inherited near Kirkbean in Kirkcudbright as is often claimed, as that place was not built or occupied by the Craik family until about 1750 according to the published statements of Dr. Craik's half-sister, Helen, with whom he maintained a correspondence long after coming to Virginia in that same year. (However, Arbigland WAS the birthplace of John Paul Jones.)
After initially serving in the West Indies, Dr. Craik arrived in Virginia as a surgeon for the British Army, but sided with the Colonists in their dispute with England, an act which severed forever his friendly relationship with father, who supported the Crown.
He was both personal physician and steadfast friend to General George Washington, who made him the first Physician General of the United States Army. Like many of Washington's closest friends, Dr. Craik was also a Mason (as was John Paul Jones).
Dr. Craik married Virginia-born Marianne Ewell in Prince William County on 13 Nov 1760 and with her had at least seven children, none of whom were living at the time of his own death.
His former home in Alexandria still exists at 210 Duke Street and is a registered historical landmark.
- Holland, Wl J., editor, and J. B., associate editor Hatcher. Annals Of The Carnegie Museum: Publications of the Carnegie Museum. (Board Of Trustees Of The Carnegie Institute, 1901-)
Vol. 1, Page 513.
In 1770, on October 17th, with Dr. Craik, who had been his (ie. George Washington's) companion in arms at the battle of Great Meadows and in Braddock's defeat, he (ie. Dr. Craik) arrived at Fort Pitt, and in his journal [Olden Time, Vol. 1, p. 416] he mentions his meeting at Semple's tavern… (see Samuel Semple, ASST QTR MR - Innkeeper-Tavern Owner.
- Patrick Hogue (Samples). "Keep Tryst" Iron Works Furnace (Maryland & Virginia).
7 Oct 1764 - Prince William County, Virginia Deeds {Antient Press}: Liber Q; 1763 - 1766; pp 243-249
[Extract of Record] - THIS INDENTURE TRIPARTITE made the (in Lease Seventh)(in Release Eighth) day of October Annoque Domini One thousand seven hundred and sixty four Between JAMES CRAICK of CHARLES COUNTY in PROVINCE of MARYLAND, Surgeon, & MARIANNE his Wife of one part and JESSE EWELL of County of Prince William & Colony of Virginia of second part and JOHN SEMPLE of County and Province aforesaid, Mercht., of the other. . .
- Pilcher, James Evelyn. The Surgeon Generals of the Army of the United States of America: A Series of Biographical Sketches of the Senior Officers of the Military Medical Service from the American Revolution to The Philippine Pacification. (Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Association of Military Surgeons, 1905)
Chapter 6, Pages 19 to 24.
VI. James Craik, Physician General of the United States Army, 1798-1800
- Boyhood Memories of Dr. James Craik, D.D., L.L.D. Rector of Christ Church, Louisville, Ky., 38 Years, in Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. (Richmond, Virginia: Virginia Historical Society)
Vol. 46, No. 2 (Apr., 1938), pp. 135-145.
My Grandfather, Dr. James Craik, was born at Abingdon near Dumfries, Scotland, in 1730, and emigrated to America in 1750 . . .
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