One of the original street name plates for Market Drayton
Thomas Craddock was the son of Isaac Craddock, and brother of Samuel Craddock. He was born in 1778, and was baptised on the 19th June of that year. Very little is known about Thomas' early life, until 1795, when Thomas joins the army.
Thomas enlisted into the 23rd Light Dragoons, aged 17, on the 10th August 1795, in Kent. Thomas would go on to serve 23 years in the army, becoming a Sergeant after 8 years of service. The records for Thomas give a description of him - 5ft 5, dark hair, dark eyes, dark complexion and his occupation when he joined the army was a Button Maker. His general conduct was described as 'extremely good' and he served in Egypt, The Peninsular, and Talavaca and other battles. He was decorated with four silver medals. Thomas left the army in 1818. At this point it is not known what happened to Thomas, where he settled after his life in the army.
However in 1822, there is an entry for a Thomas Craddock in Pigot's Directory. He is listed as a Shoemaker in the Beast Market, Market Drayton. His army records state he was a Button Maker - was this within the Shoemaking trade, bearing in mind his father Isaac and his brother Samuel were both Shoemakers in Market Drayton? This trade directory entry has not yet been proved to show this is the right Thomas Craddock.
On the 18th August 1823, Thomas married Sarah Williams, in Moreton-Say, a village not far from Market Drayton. Both Thomas an Sarah sign the marriage entry, this signature of Thomas' matching that of his signature on his army papers, which suggests this is the right marriage. Sadly Sarah died in 1827, she was buried in Market Drayton on the 13th October 1827, aged just 28. No children have been found from this marriage.
On the 22nd September 1828, Thomas married for the second time. He married Ann Hughes in the parish of St Julian's in Shrewsbury. What brought Thomas to Shrewsbury is not known - whether he was working and living here or if this was just the bride's parish is unclear.
Thomas and his wife Ann move to Manchester, as on the 1841 census, they are found living and working in Ashton Street. Thomas' occupation is recorded as a Retailer of Beer. How he came into this business is not known - possibly through his wife and her family?
Sadly on the 12th March 1846, Ann died. The death certificate gives her address at the time of her death as Canning Street - why she was here has yet to be established.
By the 2nd August 1846, Thomas had a third wife! He married Mary Doxon (nee Holme) and the marriage certificate shows he has changed his profession, he is now a Bookkeeper. The certificate shows that Mary, his new wife was also a widow. It lists his father as Isaac Craddock - Shoemaker.
On the 1851 census, Thomas and Mary are living at 61 Loom Street. The census has their occupations has Cotton Winders, but this may only apply to Mary, as Thomas had previously stated that he was a Bookkeeper. Also living here are Thomas' niece and her husband, Jane and William Mather (Jane nee Craddock, is a Cotton Winder, William is a Warper).
In 1852 the Whelan & Co's Directory of Manchester was published and Thomas has an entry, showing him at Loom Street and his occupation is Bookkeeper. Slaters Directory in 1855, also gives Loom Street as Thomas' address, but this time he is listed as a Pensioner.
In 1855 Thomas passed away, his death was on the 23rd July and he was buried on the 27th July at All Saints, Chorlton Upon Medlock church. Thomas was one of the last few soldiers left from the Peninsular Wars, and his death was covered by the local newspaper.
Manchester Times Saturday 4th August 1855 Death of a Veteran We have to announce the death, at his residence, in Manchester, on the 23rd July, after a long illness, borne with Christian resignation, of Thomas Craddock, a pensioner from the 23rd Light Dragoons, at the advanced age of 77 years. Craddock entered the above regiment in the year 1795, at the age of sixteen years. He served twenty seven years, and was present at every engagement with his regiment during the whole of the peninsular war. He held the rank of Sergeant for many years and was discharged as such. He was rewarded with a liberal pension, and decorated with four silver war medals. His funeral was attended by the few remaining peninsular veterans in the neighbourhood, who had highly appreciated the kind and harmless disposition of the departed veteran.. He has left an aged widow to lament the loss of an amiable companion, as well as a kind and affectionate husband. His death is much regretted by all who had the happiness of his acquaintance.
The marriage entry for Thomas and Ann Hughes, in Shrewsbury, in 1828
Thomas and Sarah - marriage entry for 1823
Death certificate for Ann Craddock in 1846
Death certificate for Mary Craddock, who died in 1865. Mary was Thomas' third wife.
Burial entry for Sarah Craddock (1827) - Thomas' first wife.