Thomas Jefferson Craddock.
(1845-1918. Virginia)
Thomas Jefferson Presidential Tribute Cane.
Late 19th to early 20th century. Carved and stained wood.
Overall length 36.25".
Original ferrule.
Very good antique condition with expected wear.
No apparent breaks or repairs.
Provenance: The Mike Dale Collection.
Est. $1,000-$2,000.
Ship: $45

Thomas Jefferson Craddock was born in 1845 in Albemarle County, Virginia, the son of William Randolph Craddock, a carpenter who introduced his son to woodworking at an early age. Craddock enlisted in the 5th Virginia Cavalry, C.S.A. at 16 years of age on February 1, 1862, serving as a private under Gen. Thomas L. Rosser. He was wounded at Hamilton's Crossing in 1863, and his injuries forced him to return to his parent's home for the remainder of the war. Craddock married Amanda Drumheller in 1870 and the two raised a family in Albemarle. He remained active in local veteran groups for the rest of his life.

As early as 1890, a newspaper noted Craddock as the "genius" carver from Albemarle, and that he "made a living by carving canes cut near the grave of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello." Craddock had two methods of selling his canes. He sold ready-made canes to tourists visiting the third president's grave at Monticello. He also accepted orders for canes, which often bear the carved name of the person for whom the cane was made. In the 1900 federal census for Scottville, Albemarle County, Virginia, Thomas Jefferson Craddock lists his occupation as cane maker. Craddock received praise for his carved canes during, and after, his life. One obituary recalled that "his remarkable canes were noted far and near."

All of Craddock's canes are different. While many canes boast phrases Craddock frequently repeated about his namesake, the layouts for the words spiraling down the shafts of his creations vary greatly. The folk art cane offered here is carved over every inch. In addition to the normal biographical information pertaining to Thomas Jefferson, the walking stick is decorated with a Masonic square and compass, birds, fish and other fauna, as well as leaves and other flora. The inscribed text reads: "THOS. JEFFERSON OF VA. BORN APR 13, 1743. WAS PRESIDENT USA 1801 TO 1809. WROTE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. FOUNDER/ OF UNIVERSITY VA. 1819./ DIED JULY 4 1821 THIS/ CANE WAS CUT NEAR/ JEFFERSONS TOMB/ JEFFERSONS DYING WORDS/ I RESIGN MY SPIRIT TO/ GOD. MY DAUGHTER/ TO MY COUNTRY."

A Craddock-made Thomas Jefferson Presidential Tribute Cane, like the one offered here, is included in the permanent collection of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Virginia.