John Denison Crocker was born in Salem, CT, in 1822 and spent most of his life in Norwich, CT. At twelve, Crocker was apprenticed to a silversmith. He left that trade to work at the shop of a furniture maker and restorer. While there, he was captivated by a portrait that had been brought to the shop for varnishing. At the age of seventeen, he became determined to become a portrait painter. Sources indicate that Crocker sought advice and perhaps lessons from the respected artist Charles Lanman of Norwich. Since Crocker moved to New York City for a short time, he would have been exposed to the painters of the Hudson River School, which would have served as a further influence.

Although he started as a portrait painter, he soon turned to landscapes, where he documented his native southeastern Connecticut. He spent time in the Catskills and is known to have painted at least one New Hampshire scene titled “View of New Hampshire.”

In addition to painting, Crocker produced a cure-all called “Crocker’s Magical Stomach Powders,” which was purported to be “a sure cure for Indigestion and all Bowel Difficulties.” 

In addition to his powder, Crocker was an inventor. In 1865, he was granted a patent for a new “file-cutting” machine.

His house was located at 103 Franklin St. His shop was situated on Shetucket Street