Cradocke, James (1804-1817)

Comments

Venn: Adm. pens. at TRINITY HALL, Apr. 21, 1803; from St Mary Hall, Oxford; matric. (St Mary Hall) Jan. 19, 1798; age 18, as ‘Craddocke, James.’ S. of Robert, of Winchester. ' Matric. Michs. 1803; LL.B. 1804. R. of Hilgay, Norfolk, 1816-17 (the Rev. Samuel Locke, patron of the living succeeded on his own presentation in 1817, but was deprived in 1819 by reason of simony). On Mar. 23, 1819, one John Gordon wrote from London to the Lords of Exchequer stating that he, together with the Rev. James Cradock and John Sinclair were ‘in possession of a discovery of importance to the State, which in all probability cannot fail to bring into the revenues...from £150,000 to £250,000.’ He further wrote that Cradock wanted a living and he and Sinclair, ‘the liberty of choosing any of the situations the discovery may create.’ Lord Fife snubbed him, whereupon he replied that the discovery was ‘a gold mine in this kingdom and from its structure liable to dilapidation.’ The discovery had involved considerable expense especially to Cradock, ‘he being deprived of his personal liberty.’ What afterwards befell him has not been discovered.

Evidence