Reider-Underwood Genealogy

John was a veteran of the Mexican American War. He was part of the 2nd Kentucky Foot Regiment and was slightly wounded at the Battle of Buena Vista and again at the Battle of Churubsco in which he had been promoted to Sgt. He was part of Capt Fry' s Company D.

BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA (LA ANGOSTURA), MEXICO,
FEBRUARY 23, 1847. Corporal Craig was slightly injured.

BATTLES OF CHURUBUSCO AND CONTRERAS, MEXICO
AUGUST 19 & 20, 1847

Other notes:

1848 Nov 21 - Mercer Co., Ky. - John R. Craig md. Lucinda Wheat. Bond- John
Q. Robertson (same signature as on Wm. B. Craig & Mary)

The three brothers, John, Frederick and James were in Indiana in 1860, Missouri in about 1870 and Kansas by 1880.

John Rice Craig was also known as Rice Craig during his lifetime. The following census reports showing some deviation in his age, explains why he was thought at times to be two different people.

Further proof is reflected in the following records:

October 5, 1849--Mercer County Deed Book 26, page 351;
Thomas J. Powell and Harriet his wife sell to John Q. Robertson for $150, lot # 6 (inherited by Harriet from Joseph Wheat) 12 3/4 acres. The land is bordered by Jackson Randall and Mary Wheat Randall, John Q. and Nancy Wheat Robertson's lot, Jos eph Wheat, Melvin Wheat, JOHN R. CRAIG and wife Lucindy Wheat Craig.

March 24, 1851--Mercer County Deed Book 27, page 217; John Q. Robertson and wife Catherine of Owen County, sell to Robert Robertson for $1500 the 78 acres where he is now living on the waters of Salt River beginning in the middle of the turnpik e (now U.S.127) in line with the Cunningham heirs, in a line with the road to Lucto, touching RICE CRAIG's land, being the same land conveyed in part by Caniders (? maybe Kennedys) heirs and in part by Joseph Wheats heirs. (Comment: This must b e in the present day area of Wheat School Road--right at the Anderson County line.) Robert Robertson is listed as age 24 in the 1850 Mercer County Census, so we assume he is a son of John Q. Robertson. He lives three households away from Rice/Joh n RIce Craig, and not so far away is Floyd Gritton who has Mary Craig, age 22, living in his household.

One aspect of the brothers move to Indiana is very muddy. The 1860 Johnson County Census shows there is also a Frederick Craig, age 56, who was born in Kentucky, living a short distance away. The temptation is to think that this is the father of t he younger Craig men. However, the ages do not match. Frederick Sr. was born abt 1796 in Garrard County, Kentucky and would be about 65 years of age.

There is another possibility; the Frederick Craig who was the son of William Craig. This Frederick was born about 1807 which would make him the proper age. However, he supposedly died in Putnam County, Indiana at a much earlier date. That conclusi on is based upon the will of John W. Craig where an item of the will indicates that property was left to the heirs of Frederick's son. From that the assumption is that Frederick, son of WIlliam, is therefore also deceased.

In any case, there is a Frederick Craig mentioned in the 1860 Johnson County, Indiana Census and is shown living not too far from the 3 sons of Frederick. It is highly unlikely the combination of the name Frederick Craig and the proximity to 3 bro thers, sons of Frederick, is just an accident. Although it is odd that Frederick Craig would show up so nearby without being related, however, we cannot find the resolution oddity at this time.
John Rice (Rice Craig) and wife Lucinda Wheat Craig are shown with daughter Mary and a Henry Craig, shown as 20 years of age. It is possible that the name was Harvey and that this was one of the many transcription errors of the 1850 census. John R . had a brother Harvey that would have been exactly 20 at the time. Harvey, not yet married may have been living with John R. because his father remarried in 1846, after his wife Lucinda had died.
The census shows John R. (Rice) Craig at age 36 living with his wife Lucinda, 30, and their 3 children; Mary E., age 10; John H., age 5 and James, age 2.

The 2 youngest children are shown as born in Indiana while the others were all shown as born in Kentucky.