The Craik Family and the Legacy of Elm Grove
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As the American frontier expanded westward in the early 1800s, the Kanawha Valley of Virginia (now West Virginia) began to evolve. Rough-hewn log cabins gave way to more refined homes, reflecting the growing prosperity of the region. One of the first to embrace this transformation was James Craik, who, in 1834, built a stately Greek Revival residence he named Elm Grove. It would become one of the valley’s earliest clapboard-frame houses and a lasting symbol of early Charleston’s cultural development.
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The Craik family traced its roots to the Tidewater region of Virginia and held close ties to the nation’s founding. James Craik’s grandfather, Dr. James Craik, was the personal physician to George Washington and served as the first Surgeon General of the Continental Army. A close confidant of the General, he accompanied Washington on many surveying expeditions, including work in the lands that would later become West Virginia.
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That bond with Washington continued into the next generation. Dr. Craik’s son, George Washington Craik - named in honor of the first president - served as Washington’s private secretary during his second presidential term. George’s son, also named James Craik, carried forward the family’s legacy when he built the house that is now known as the Craik-Patton House.
James Craik was a man of many pursuits. After studying medicine at Transylvania College in 1825, he soon changed paths and began studying law. By 1828, he was admitted to practice throughout the Kanawha River Valley. Seeking better opportunities for his young family, James and his wife, Juliet Shrewsbury Craik, relocated from their Mason County landholdings to Charleston. Juliet was the youngest of ten children of Samuel Shrewsbury, a leading figure in the region’s booming salt industry.
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Not long after settling into Elm Grove, Craik felt another calling - this time, spiritual. He became deeply involved in the Episcopal Church, eventually leaving behind his legal career to serve as rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, one of Charleston’s earliest congregations.
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In 1844, James Craik was called to serve a church in Louisville, Kentucky, prompting the family’s departure from Charleston. The home was sold to Isaac Read and later, in 1858, to George and Susan Patton - ushering in the next chapter of what is now celebrated as the Craik-Patton House.
The Patton Family
The most notable owner of the house following Isaac Read was Confederate Colonel George Smith Patton, who purchased the home with his wife, Susan Thornton Glassell Patton, in 1858. Although their son, George William Patton—later known as George Smith Patton II—had been born two years earlier in 1856, the family’s time in the home marks a significant chapter in its history. It is through this lineage that the house is connected to one of America’s most iconic military leaders: General George S. Patton of World War II fame.
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Colonel George S. Patton graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1852. After marrying Susan Glassell, he moved from Richmond to Kanawha Courthouse (the original name of Charleston) to begin a law practice. He partnered first with Thomas Broun, then later with George Summers. During his time in Richmond, Patton had been impressed by the city’s prestigious militia group, the “Light Infantry Blues,” which inspired him to organize a similar company in Charleston—the Kanawha Riflemen.
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Known locally as the “Kid Glove Company” due to its roster of prominent young men, the Kanawha Riflemen regularly drilled under Patton’s leadership. His military training from VMI informed these exercises, and the influence of one of his former instructors—Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson—may have been reflected in his approach to command and discipline.
Patton's legal career was cut short by the outbreak of the Civil War. After the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April 1861 and Virginia’s subsequent secession, the Kanawha Riflemen were mustered into Confederate service as Company H of the 22nd Virginia Infantry. On July 17, 1861, Patton—then a Captain—led his company into battle at Scary Creek, near present-day St. Albans, West Virginia. Although the Confederates emerged victorious, Patton was wounded in the fight and temporarily sidelined.
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Over the next several years, Patton continued to serve with distinction. By 1864, he had risen to the rank of Colonel. His military service—and his life—came to a tragic end that same year during the Third Battle of Winchester in Virginia. Mortally wounded in battle, Colonel Patton succumbed to his injuries after lingering for several days.
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After his death, Susan Patton sold the house to Andrew Hogue, and the family eventually relocated to California. It was there that her grandson, General George S. Patton, was born. The legacy of his grandfather’s valor and sacrifice left a lasting impression on the young Patton, who later cited it as a major inspiration for his own military career—one that would shape the course of the 20th century.
The Ruffner Log House
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Very often, those who visit the Craik– Patton, are struck with two things; first they are impressed with the beauty of the Craik Patton House and secondly, they want to know what the deal is with the log house? The Ruffner Log House is not typically on the museum tour but if visitors show a lot of interest, we will kindly allow them a behind the scenes view. The Craik - Patton House property includes one of the oldest surviving structures in the Kanawha Valley. The Ruffner log house was moved to our site in 1976. It was built by the Ruffner family between 1797 and 1800 on the 1500 block of Kanawha Blvd, at that time part of the Historic Midland Trail. The Ruffner family came to the Kanawha Valley from the Shenandoah Valley about 1795. Joseph Ruffner purchased nearly a thousand acres of land and virgin timber when it was plentiful throughout the area. He built our log house to serve as a sawmill and office for his business, but by the 1820’s larger more profitable sawmills had been built, and the need for a hand powered sawmill was not needed. At this point, Joel Ruffner the grandson of Joseph was living in the log house and upon his marriage in the late 1820’s and early 30’s, the old log house was renovated. First, more rooms were added to the dwelling outside of the log structure. Secondly, the logs were covered with clapboard siding. Third, and most interestingly, a 25,000 gallon stone lined cistern was dug adjacent to the house. This would have been filled with fresh rain water from the roof of the building providing a clean water source for the family instead of the Kanawha River that was being polluted from early industry. The Ruffner’s called the newly refurbished home “Rosedale.” The family raised 12 children in the house. An interesting Ruffner family tradition recounts that the Ruffner’s would plant a holly tree upon the birth of each child. Thus on old Ruffner property in the valley, one will see many ancient holly trees still surviving.
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“Rosedale” stood quietly as the town grew up around it. By the 1860’s Charleston, like many other towns in what is today West Virginia, was thrust into the sectional conflict. In the summer and fall of 1862, Charleston was in Union control with the Confederates in pursuit. The valley was exceptionally important to both Union and Confederate Armies as salt (so prevalent in the area) was needed for preservation of food. During the Union occupation, “Rosedale” became the headquarters of then Colonel, later General, Joseph Lightburn of the 4th (West) Virginia Infantry. Substantial earth works were built around the building. On September 13, 1862 Charleston was evacuated by the Union Army in the face of advancing Confederate troops. “Rosedale” suffered heavy action and actually was stuck with several cannon balls. The building did survive the Civil War during both Union and Confederate occupation and passed from generation to generation until the late 1960’s when the last Ruffner descendant passed away and “Rosedale” passed out of family hands.
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In the early 1970’s, the house and land had been purchased for development and the new owner hoped that the old building could be saved off site as it had been discovered that the original log structure was still in existence. Around this same time, the Kanawha Valley Historical and Preservation Society appealed for funds from the City of Charleston and money was allocated from the mayors discretionary fund to remove the logs and store them until such time as funds and a location could be secured for the reconstruction. In 1975 several Women’s clubs in Charleston: The Altrusa Club, Pilot Club, Quota Club, Soroptomist Club, Zonta Club, and Quota Club of South Charleston formed a Bicentennial Association aimed at preserving local history in the Valley. These groups worked closely with the Kanawha Valley Historical and Preservation Society to secure funding for the restoration of the Ruffner Log House. Some of the original logs had been destroyed in the demolition of “Rosedale” and other logs were donated from Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Thomas from another historic log structure owned by John Hoffman on Dutch Ridge. At the same time the Craik-Patton House, moved in 1973 to Daniel Boone Park, was being restored by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of West Virginia. The land was
then owned by the City and it was thought that the Craik– Patton complex would greatly benefit from another greatly historic building on the site. On October 31, 1976 the Women clubs dedicated the Ruffner Log House to the National Society of the Colonial Dames in America in the State of West Virginia presenting it to then NSCDA-WV president Mrs. Joe Witcher Dingess. In the early 2000’s the city of Charleston turned over the Craik - Patton House, the Ruffner Log House, and the property to Craik - Patton Inc. The mission of the Craik - Patton House is to preserve and to promote the history and culture of the Kanawha Valley and the State of West Virginia and with the Ruffner Log House, we are excited to do just that. Hopefully we can help preserve the building for another 221 years!
Our Mission​
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To acquire and preserve for the public real or personal property having historical, genealogical, cultural, literary or education value and to create and maintain a museum house, library and center for the collection, preservation, management, exhibition and study of such property and for such other activities of public interest and benefit as may arise.
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To encourage and support research into and study of the history, genealogy and culture of the Kanawha Valley, the State of West Virginia and the United States of America, and the citizens thereof, thereby preserving knowledge of such history, genealogy and culture.