My Father’s Fathers: The Crosby Line, 1440-1954

In July of 1635 my 8th-great grandfather, Simon Crosby, arrived in Boston, from England.  But thanks to a book, written by Eleanor Davis Crosby, Simon’s arrival is not the beginning of Crosby history.

Eleanor Davis Crosby and I are distant cousins, several times removed. In 1914, Eleanor wrote Simon Crosby, the Emigrant: His Englsih Ancestry and Some American Descendants. In this book Eleanor traced the ancestors of Simon Crosby back to  York County, England and the 15th century. (Below there is a link to a free digital version of the book.)

Crosby Line ~1440 – 1954 [~ means “about”]

John (~1440 – bef 1502) > Miles (~1483~1559) > Thomas (~1510-1559) > Anthony (~1545~1599) > Thomas (~1575-1661) > Simon (1608-1639) > Thomas (1635-1702) > Thomas (1663-1731) > Edward (1709-1754) > Edward (1745-1840) > Edward (1774-1851) > John (1812-1889) > John (1853-1942) > Roy (1878-1954)  > Maurice (1936-2016)

In many instances the dates of birth, marriage and death can only be estimated. Birth records for the 15th-18th century are virtually non-existent. Baptism records still exist, however many of them don’t include the age of the child.  The year of death can often be determined based on headstone inscriptions or when a person’s will was executed and is often recorded as “before” a certain date. (Because wills are not executed on the day of death and can be executed months later.)  Marriage years are often estimated based on the birth of the oldest (known) child.

John¹ Crosby

The book, Simon Crosby the Emigrant, lists the following information for John Crosby: “birthplace unknown, born about 1440; married before 1470; name of wife unknown.” John died in Stillingfleet, York County, between 20 Apr 1502 (the date his will was written) and 8 Jun 1502 when his will was executed.

His will names five sons and two daughters.  The will was written in Latin and is still available in the York archives. John¹ lived during the reigns of Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III and Henry VII.

Little else is known about John.

Miles² Crosby (John¹)

Miles was the youngest child of John and was born about 1483 in Shipton, York County. He was  one of the Executors of his father’s will, but was not of legal age to serve in that capacity at the time of the reading.  The name of Miles’ wife is unknown but he did have two known sons, Thomas and William.

In 1538 Henry VIII ordered that a muster be taken of all able bodied men in Yorkshire, between the ages of 16 and 60.  This muster was taken to know the size of an army that could be raised if needed.  Recorded on the muster, from Shipton, were, “Archer Miles Crosbe, a bowe”, “Archer Thomas Crosbe, a bowe” and Archer William Crosbe, a bowe.”  

Thomas³ Crosby (Miles², John¹)

Thomas was born about 1510 and married, about 1542, Widow Jannett Bell (Widow of John Bell), she died 1568/9.  Thomas was buried 16 Mar 1559 in Holme-on-Spalding Moor, York. Together they had four sons: Miles, Anthony, Ralph and Nicholas.

Thomas died without a will and his estate transferred to his wife Jannett.  In her will, dated 5 Nov 1568, Jannett “Crosbye” divided her estate between her sons.

Thomas’ life spanned the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and the early months of Elizabeth.  

Anthony⁴ Crosby (Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

Anthony was born about 1545 in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor and married, about 1570,  to Alison ___. He had two children: Ellen and Thomas.

Anthony accumulated enough wealth to become a land owner and in 1592 he purchased a 100 acre farm in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor.  Anthony’s will mentions a Man-servant and a Maide-servant, so he was obviously living the life of a profitable farmer.

Anthony died 1599 in Wheldrake, York.

Anthony’s life passed during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth. Also, William Shakespeare was a contemporary writer during the life of Anthony.

Thomas⁵ Crosby (Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

Thomas was born about 1575 in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, York. He married Jane Sothern on 16 Oct 1600, in Holme-on-Spadling-Moor.  Jane was baptised 4 Mar 1581 in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor.  Together they had four children: Anthony, Thomas, William and Simon.

Thomas enhanced the family fortune significantly when he married Jane, for Jane’s father — William Sothern — was the wealthiest man of the parish.

On 18 Apr 1638, Thomas and Jane left England for America on board the John of London.  When they arrived the moved to Cambridge and most likely stayed with their son Simon, who emigrated three years earlier.

Thomas died 6 May 1661, in Rowley, Middlesex, MA.  Jane, his wife, died about a year later and was buried 2 May 1662 in Rowley.  

Simon⁶ Crosby (Thomas⁵, Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

Simon Crosby was born 1608 in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor and married Anne Brigham on 21 Apr 1634 in the same place. Together they had three sons: Thomas, Simon and Joseph. In Jul 1635, Simon arrived in Boston with his wife and infant son and the family moved to Cambridge, MA shortly after.

Simon was elected to several offices and was among the earliest Constables, Marshals, Treasurers and Assessors of Cambridge. Among his friends and peers were the founders of a small college in Cambridge known as Harvard.

Anne Brigham, like her husband, was the first of his line to travel to America. She was born 1606 in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor to Thomas and Isabel (Watson) Brigham.  Information of her ancestors (also my ancestors) can be found in The History of the Brigham Family: A Record of Several Thousand Descendants of Thomas Brigham the Emigrant, 1603-1653.

Simon died Sep 1639 in Cambridge and the location of his burial is unknown. In 1645 Anne married Rev. William Thompson; she died 11 Oct 1675 in Braintree, MA and was buried in Hancock Cemetery, Quincy, MA.

Thomas⁷ Crosby (Simon⁶, Thomas⁵, Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

Rev. Thomas Crosby was baptised 26 Feb 1634/35  at All Saints Church, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, York.  When he arrived in America with his parents he was just six months old.  Thomas married Sarah Fitch in 1662, in the town of Eastham, MA. Together they had 12 children.

Thomas graduated from Harvard in 1653 and for a period of 15 years, beginning in 1655, he was the Reverend for the church in Eastham, MA.  Thomas subsequently became a merchant in Hawrich, MA and wrote several religious books.

Thomas died 27 Jun 1702, in Boston, MA and was buried in the Granary Burial Ground in that city.  After Thomas’ death, Sarah married John Miller and moved to Connecticut. She died in 1719 in Fairfield, CT.  

Thomas⁸ Crosby (Thomas⁷, Simon⁶, Thomas⁵, Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

Thomas Crosby was born 7 Apr 1663 in Brewster, MA. He married  Hannah ____ about 1700 and together they had six children.

Hannah died 8 Jan 1728/29 and Thomas died 21 May 1731. Both are buried in the Old Burying Ground, Brewster, MA.  Crosby is spelled “Crosbie” on their headstones, which still mark their graves.  

Edward⁹ Crosby (Thomas⁸, Thomas⁷, Simon⁶, Thomas⁵, Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

Edward Crosby was born 29 May 1709, however his birthplace is not known. He married Experience Rider on 20 Aug 1741 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Together that had seven children.

Edward died 22 May 1754 in Ashford, CT and the location of his burial is unknown.

Experience Rider was born 5 Mar 1718/19 to Ebenezer and Experience (Hall) Rider. Details about her death are not known.  

Edward¹º Crosby (Edward⁹, Thomas⁸, Thomas⁷, Simon⁶, Thomas⁵, Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

Edward Crosby was born 27 Oct 1745 in Harwich, MA. He married Rebecca Elwell on 30 Aug 1773 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and together they had 10 children.

Edward, along with Ichabod Crosby, owned the 52 ton Schooner Experiment. In Sep 1812 the ship sailed from Newfoundland to Yarmouth and was never heard from again. Edward was part owner, but Ichabod Crosby was the captain (and was lost with the ship).

Edward died 6 Jun 1840 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and was buried in Chebogue Cemetery in the same town. Rebecca Elwell Crosby was born 11 Dec 1753 in Beverly, MA and died 1836 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. She too was buried in Chebogue Cemetery. Their headstones still mark their graves.  

Edward¹¹ Crosby (Edward¹º, Edward⁹, Thomas⁸, Thomas⁷, Simon⁶, Thomas⁵, Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

Edward Crosby was born 24 Mar 1774, most likely in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. He married Mary O’Neil on 30 Jan 1798 in the same town. Together they had 6 children.

Record of the Shipping of Yarmouth County, N.S. lists Edward and Edward Jr. as the co-owners of 2-3 Schooners.  Both Edwards also owned vessels individually. In one instance Edward Jr. and Thomas Crosby were co-owners.

Mary O’Neil was born 1774 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and died 20 Jun 1855 in the same place.  Edward died 24 Dec 1851, in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  The location of their graves is not known.  

John¹² Crosby (Edward¹¹, Edward¹º, Edward⁹, Thomas⁸, Thomas⁷, Simon⁶, Thomas⁵, Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

John Crosby was born 1812 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and, in 1849, married Jane Clements in the same town. Together they had four children.

On the 1871 Canadian census John is listed as a farmer and his religion is identified as “Church of England”.

Jane Clements was born 1813 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to William and Priscilla (Allen) Clements. She died 15 Oct 1888 at an unknown location.  Like his wife, John’s place of death is not known; he died 16 Apr 1889.    Jane was descended from eight Mayflower passengers and this is the first time the Mayflower lines enter the Crosby lineage.

John¹³ Crosby (John¹², Edward¹¹, Edward¹º, Edward⁹, Thomas⁸, Thomas⁷, Simon⁶, Thomas⁵, Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

John Avery Crosby was born 21 Jun 1853 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and, on 23 Jul 1874, married Sarah Tinkham in the same place. Together they had five children.

John was a carpenter by trade and worked aboard the passenger ships that traveled from Yarmouth, NS to Boston, MA.  Several border crossing records exist for John.

On the 1881, 1891 and 1901 Canadian censuses John’s religion is recorded as “Church of England” while his wife (and children) are listed as Baptists.

Sarah Tinkham was born 21 Feb 1851 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Benjamin and Eliza (Landers) Tinkham.  Sarah was descended from five other Mayflower passengers.

John died 25 Mar 1942 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

Sarah died 20 Mar 1959 in Westville, Pictou, Nova Scotia.  

Roy¹⁴ Crosby (John¹³, John¹², Edward¹¹, Edward¹º, Edward⁹, Thomas⁸, Thomas⁷, Simon⁶, Thomas⁵, Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

Roy Crosby, my grandfather, was born 23 Apr 1878 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. He first married Lena Burton on 16 Aug 1902 in Sidney, Nova Scotia.  Together Lena and Roy had three children.  Roy then married Catherine Florence McDonald on 14 Jan 1941 in Hamilton, NJ and together they had 11 children.

Roy’s World War II Draft Registration card describes him as 5’2.5″ tall, 132 pounds, brown eyes, gray hair with a ruddy complexion. Various Canadian and US censuses list Roy’s occupation as Carpenter or House Painter. Like his father he worked on several ships that traveled between Nova Scotia and Boston.

Catherine Florence McDonald was born on 12 Aug 1905 in Sidney, Nova Scotia to Angus John and Florence Belle (McDonald) McDonald.

Catherine and Roy migrated to NJ in the mid-1920s and settled in Mercer County. All of their children were born in NJ, making them first generation U.S. citizens.

Roy’s location and exact date of death have proved elusive.  Family lore tells that he died in Illinois and it was most likely in 1954. However, extensive checks of vital records from Illinois have failed to locate a death record.

Catherine died 20 Oct 1966 in Trenton, NJ and she is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, NJ.

Maurice¹⁵ Crosby,  (Roy¹⁴, John¹³, John¹², Edward¹¹, Edward¹º, Edward⁹, Thomas⁸, Thomas⁷, Simon⁶, Thomas⁵, Anthony⁴, Thomas³, Miles², John¹)

Maurice Crosby, my father, was born at home (1255 Cedar Lane, Hamilton, Mercer, NJ) on 22 Jan 1936. On 20 Apr 1960 married Charlene Garrison and had four children.  Maurice died in Lawrence, Mercer, NJ on 5 May 2016.

Current Generations:

Generations 15, 16 & 17 are well underway and the early parts of Generation 18 are just now beginning.

Credit:

Holme-On-Spalding Moor Horses, is a watercolor by Robin Storey. On the distant hill stands All Saints Church, the church where the Crosby family was baptized, married and eulogized  during the lives of Thomas³ through Simon⁶ (about 1540-1639).

A print is available at www.RobinStoreyWatercolours.com.

Sources:

• Crosby, Eleanor Davis, “Simon Crosby, the Emigrant: His English Ancestry and Some American Descendants“, Press of Geo. H. Ellis, Boston, 1914
• Brigham, Emma Elisabeth, “The History of the Brigham Family: A Record of Several Thousand Descendants of Thomas Brigham the Emigrant, 1603-1653”, The Tuttle Company, Rutland, VT, 1927
• Yarmouth Herald.  “Yarmouth Nova Scotia Genealogies”; Yarmouth, N.S., 1896-1910
• Lawson, J. Murray.   “Record of the Shipping of Yarmouth, N.S.: Containing a list of vessels owned in the County of Yarmouth since its settlement in 1761, chronologically arranged.”; J & A McMillan Printers, St. John, N.B., 1876
• Smith, Col. Leonard &  Norma Smith. “Nova Scotia Immigrants to 1867, Vol. 1“; Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, 1992
• Find-A-Grave, http://findagrave.com