Person:Thomas Crandall (1)

Crandall Family Tradition says that Thomas B. Crandall ("TBC") moved from Maryland to Ohio with two (2) of his brothers whose names were not remembered. Research of the 1850 Ohio Census Records show three (3) male Crandalls, one of which is TBC, who were all born in Maryland and, coincidentally, living in Monroe County, Ohio. The names of the other two (2) Crandalls are Richard Crandall (b. 1812-MD), and George W. Crandall (b. 1826-MD). It should be noted that no other male Crandalls listed in the 1850 Ohio Census were born in Maryland, thus providing probable support that these three (3) Crandalls were related. See notes for Alice Crandall for this researchers theory about the relationship between TBC and Richard Crandall ("RC"). The 1880 Ohio Census Records for both TBC and George W. Crandall ("GWC") again indicate that both men were born in Maryland as were their parents. Further research shows that both TBC and GWC moved with their families (including grown children and their families) to Pleasants Co. (TBC) and Jackson Co. (GWC), West Virginia after 1880 and before 1900. Based upon the foregoing information, this researcher theorizies that TBC and GWC are related considering the close proximity in which they lived throughout their lives. After the death of TBC in 1890, GWC moved to near Baltimore, Maryland where he remained until his death after 1900. TBC also named two of his sons Richard and George, possibly named after his brothers. This researcher has found that the spelling of the Crandall name varied from the traditional spelling of Crandall to Crandell and Crandle. According to Crandall Family Tradition, TBC was adamantly opposed to slavery and that he was proud "to have never hit a black man". Excerpts from the Family Bible of Mary E. (Crandall) Pegg (d/o TBC) states that she was born near Baltimore, Maryland lending further evidence that both TBC and Elizabeth Ann Gray ("EAG") were born in Maryland where they met and married. Crandall Family Tradition further says that TBC moved his family to Ohio to escape his dislike of slavery and also because of the approaching Civil War between the States. However, based upon Census Records, it is believed that TBC and EAG moved to Ohio about 1848, a full thirteen (13) years before the Civil War began. This researcher believes that it was too soon for TBC and EAG to feel the effects of the approaching Civil War. This researcher theorizes that TBC used the West Migration Route to Ohio: (a) Cumberland Road from Baltimore, Maryland to Cumberland, Maryland,and (b) National Road from Cumberland, Maryland to Monroe County, Ohio.

Ancestoral Clues: 1) Colonial Families of Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (R929.37525 B261C) provides a family history of Francis Crandall (d. in AA Co. by 11/30/1744) which may possibly be the ancestors of TBC. 2) An Able Crandle was found in the 1820 Maryland Census Records (Calvert County - Roll #40 and Anne Arundel County - Roll #41). Possible match for the father of Thomas B. Crandall. 3) A Francis Crandall b. 1815 - MD, d. 1867 - MD married Mary Smith on 10/ 31/1854. Two children: Louis Agustus Crandall and John William Crandall. Possible brother to TBC. 4) According to Pat Barnes, Mary Ann Crandall is presumed to be the sister of Thomas B. Crandall. Mary Ann Crandall married (?) Kent. 5) Thomas Batson, Esq. resided in Anne Arundel Co, Maryland during 1815. Possible name sake for Thomas Batson Crandall.