Major John Crooke was born February 10, 1766 in St. Mary's Co., Maryland. When he was young his family moved to Fauquier Co., Virginia. He died mary 17, 1849 in Crooksville, Madison, Kentucky.
A letter from NARA states that “while a resident of Fauquier Co, VA , he enlisted in April 1781 (young age of 15 for Revolutionary War) and served as a private until after the surrender of Cornwallis. He was in Captain Chilton and Baylis’ Companies. John Crooke was with George Washington at the capture of Lord Cornwallis at the siege of Yorktown, Virginia."
Lord Cornwallis Surrender in 1781 with George Washington.
John Crooke then enlisted again in the spring of
1782 (age 16) and served eight months, with Rochambeau’s Brigade.
One typewritten page of Madison County History, no title, author name or page number. It says “At this time John Crooke…emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky and took up residence in Madison County. His title `Major` came from his service with the Kentucky `Corn Stalk Militia` in which he advanced from Cornet to Major."
On January 5, 1786, Major John Crooke married Ann D Reeves in Fauquier,
Virginia. They had thirteen children. This isn't uncommon back then! John Crooke became a surveyor and mathematician. At this time in history Kentucky was still a part of Virginia, and many surveyors were in the state surveying out claims for the revolutionary soldiers. Each solider was allowed 1,000 acres of land and a homestead of 400 acres.
John Crooke was the first surveyor elected to office after the state was established by the magistrates of Madison County. He held the office of county surveyor until 1847. Many members of his family follwed in his footsteps as well (wonder if that is why I work with maps too.) He made nuerous maps of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky, and especially Madison County with quill pens and colored inks! I can't even imagine the time it took! I actually found a map on line that was up for auction, it was going for $500!
In December 1812, Major John Crooke, surveyed Boone's Trace. His name is even inscribed on the monolith at Fort Boonesborough, KY. Boonesborough is famous because of one of its pioneers being Daniel Boone. Daniel Boone became one of many deputies of Major John Crooke. The largest survey on his books was made for John Jones for 16,000 acres about the three forks of the Kentucky River.
"Major Crooke made almanacs; and could count the eclipses of the Sun and the Moon. In one Almanac he left a little space along the margin, and late in May, he put down "Frost" and at the Battalion Muster the day before his frost, they laughed at him about his prediciton; Says he: hold, wait and see. That evening a cloud came up from the North, rained a good shower and a cleared off, cold, and sure enough in the morning was white frost. he was thenceforth put down as an almanac maker." Source from the Miller Papers (family files), Eastern Kentucky University Archives.
John Crooke was the first surveyor elected to office after the state was established by the magistrates of Madison County. He held the office of county surveyor until 1847. Many members of his family follwed in his footsteps as well (wonder if that is why I work with maps too.) He made nuerous maps of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky, and especially Madison County with quill pens and colored inks! I can't even imagine the time it took! I actually found a map on line that was up for auction, it was going for $500!
In December 1812, Major John Crooke, surveyed Boone's Trace. His name is even inscribed on the monolith at Fort Boonesborough, KY. Boonesborough is famous because of one of its pioneers being Daniel Boone. Daniel Boone became one of many deputies of Major John Crooke. The largest survey on his books was made for John Jones for 16,000 acres about the three forks of the Kentucky River.
"Major Crooke made almanacs; and could count the eclipses of the Sun and the Moon. In one Almanac he left a little space along the margin, and late in May, he put down "Frost" and at the Battalion Muster the day before his frost, they laughed at him about his prediciton; Says he: hold, wait and see. That evening a cloud came up from the North, rained a good shower and a cleared off, cold, and sure enough in the morning was white frost. he was thenceforth put down as an almanac maker." Source from the Miller Papers (family files), Eastern Kentucky University Archives.
Major Crooke with his many talents, made long lasting contributions to our government in serving in the Revolutionary War. He will always be remembered more for his many contributions in the books and on maps of places he surveyed. Below are some links that show his work.
Land survey for suit of John Kincaid against William Blythe This link shows Daniel Boone's settlement as well.
Shows political divisions - map made by Crooke.
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