M. 15 Jul 1659 in Braintree, Massachusetts
Wife: Rachel Brackett
D. 22 Jan 1725 in Billerica, Massachusetts
If you visited Billerica, Massachusetts during the second half of the 17th-century, you would have likely come to know Simon Crosby, who ran the town’s tavern. Records show that he wasn’t always in line with the law in Puritan New England, but his house was usually open to travelers needing a drink or a bed for the night.
Simon was born on August 6, 1637 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Simon Crosby and Anne Brigham. His parents had recently migrated to America from England; Simon had two brothers, one older and one younger. When Simon was two-years-old, his father died. Six years later, his mother married a minister named William Thompson, and moved to Braintree, where she had one more child. Simon’s step-father was a graduate of Oxford, and two of his step-brothers went to Harvard, as well as Simon’s older brother, Thomas, who went on to become a minister.
On July 15, 1659, Simon married Rachel Brackett in Braintree. Between 1660 and 1684, they had nine children, all of whom lived until adulthood. In 1660, Simon acquired land in the new town of Billerica from a grant holder who failed to improve the property. In the years that followed, he continued buying land in a total of 17 purchases between 1661 and 1685; most of it was in small parcels of under 5 acres and some of it was swamp land. It’s believed that Simon didn't move to Billerica until about 1662. On February 10, 1663, he was chosen as a “surveyor of highways.” He became a constable in 1664, and again in 1677.
The house that Simon first built for his family was a log cabin and it was said to be fairly solid and good for use as a garrison. During King Philip’s War, Simon housed an officer with some of his troops. Meetings about civil matters in Billerica often took place at his house, especially after he replaced his log cabin with a bigger house in 1678. This seems to relate to his later role as innkeeper. Simon’s farm was owned by his descendants for at least 250 years. The house he built in 1678 became known as “Crosby Place,” and remained in use until 1878 when fire destroyed it.
On November 27, 1672, Simon was approved by town authorities to become a tavern keeper. It’s thought that the location of his house was the reason for his new profession because it was on the main road, but also because he often took on the role of hosting meetings, suggesting he liked to engage in social activity. He ran his tavern until around 1686, when it was recorded that he “refused to hold it any longer.” But in 1688, he was cited by the town for selling alcohol without a license, so he must have opened his business again. After the citation, Simon applied for a new license in 1690, which he renewed in 1692.
On July 15, 1659, Simon married Rachel Brackett in Braintree. Between 1660 and 1684, they had nine children, all of whom lived until adulthood. In 1660, Simon acquired land in the new town of Billerica from a grant holder who failed to improve the property. In the years that followed, he continued buying land in a total of 17 purchases between 1661 and 1685; most of it was in small parcels of under 5 acres and some of it was swamp land. It’s believed that Simon didn't move to Billerica until about 1662. On February 10, 1663, he was chosen as a “surveyor of highways.” He became a constable in 1664, and again in 1677.
The house that Simon first built for his family was a log cabin and it was said to be fairly solid and good for use as a garrison. During King Philip’s War, Simon housed an officer with some of his troops. Meetings about civil matters in Billerica often took place at his house, especially after he replaced his log cabin with a bigger house in 1678. This seems to relate to his later role as innkeeper. Simon’s farm was owned by his descendants for at least 250 years. The house he built in 1678 became known as “Crosby Place,” and remained in use until 1878 when fire destroyed it.
On November 27, 1672, Simon was approved by town authorities to become a tavern keeper. It’s thought that the location of his house was the reason for his new profession because it was on the main road, but also because he often took on the role of hosting meetings, suggesting he liked to engage in social activity. He ran his tavern until around 1686, when it was recorded that he “refused to hold it any longer.” But in 1688, he was cited by the town for selling alcohol without a license, so he must have opened his business again. After the citation, Simon applied for a new license in 1690, which he renewed in 1692.
1688 record showing charge against Simon for serving drinks without a license.
From the details in the inn keeper’s license, we get a good description of Simon’s job. His primary function was to serve alcohol, which may have included wine, beer, ale, cider, run and brandy. He couldn't serve drinks to “Indians or Negroes,” though, and playing games such as cards, billiards, dice or nine pins was forbidden. The tavern was to close at 9 o’clock at night during the week, at sundown on Saturdays, and on Sundays, he couldn’t open at all. It’s known that he also served meals as well as drinks. Plus he was required to provide at least two beds for travelers to sleep in, but they couldn’t stay for more than two days at a time. Most importantly, he had to avoid providing his services to “any rogues, vagabonds, thieves, sturdy beggars or masterless men or women or other notorious offenders.”
Besides running a tavern with and without a license, Simon exhibited brash characteristics in other ways. An incident that came to trial in June of 1683 involved him deliberately starting a fire, perhaps to clear some brush, which then spread to a neighbor’s fence. According to witnesses, all sons of Simon, the neighbor Thomas Richardson came out and threatened Simon, shoving him to the ground. It seems likely that there was more to the story to provoke such a reaction, but this is missing from the records.
Another charge was made in court against Simon the following year. At a place on the Merrimack River near where he lived, Indians had harvested salmon for perhaps hundreds of years. The local tribe knew the fish were in abundance at this spot, but Simon and two other men decided to spoil their efforts by putting pots in the river, thereby making it impossible to scoop the fish out with nets. Several Indians represented by Daniel Gookin brought a case against the three men; it isn’t certain how it was decided, but the law was clearly not in the favor of Simon.
Another charge was made in court against Simon the following year. At a place on the Merrimack River near where he lived, Indians had harvested salmon for perhaps hundreds of years. The local tribe knew the fish were in abundance at this spot, but Simon and two other men decided to spoil their efforts by putting pots in the river, thereby making it impossible to scoop the fish out with nets. Several Indians represented by Daniel Gookin brought a case against the three men; it isn’t certain how it was decided, but the law was clearly not in the favor of Simon.
Indians fishing with nets.
Simon was known to have owned at least one slave in his lifetime. The man was African and his name was Dick; he was said to have died in 1674. In New England, those who were enslaved generally worked as servants for their masters, leading very isolated lives; perhaps Dick assisted in Simon’s tavern, though he may have simply been a household servant for the Crosby family.
It’s not known how many years Simon continued to run his tavern. In 1717, he made out his will, and on January 22, 1725, he died at the age of 87. His estate amounted to almost £850, most of the value being in his real estate. His wife Rachel survived him, but the date of her death is unknown.
Children:
1. Rachel Crosby — B. 24 Aug 1660, Braintree, Massachusetts; D. 24 Sep 1721, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. Ephraim Kidder (1660-1724), 4 Aug 1685, Billerica, Massachusetts
2. Simon Crosby — B. about 1663, (probably) Billerica, Massachusetts; M. (1) Hannah Everett (1670-1702), 1688, Billerica, Massachusetts; (2) Abigail Whittaker (1671-1755), 16 Mar 1702, Billerica, Massachusetts
3. Thomas Crosby — B. 10 Mar 1665, Billerica, Massachusetts
4. Joseph Crosby — B. 5 Jul 1669, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 1736, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. Sarah French (1671-1727), 4 Aug 1691, Billerica, Massachusetts
5. Hannah Crosby — B. 30 Mar 1672, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 3 Oct 1752, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. (1) Samuel Danforth (~1670-1742), 8 Jan 1695, Billerica, Massachusetts; (2) Enoch Kidder (1664-1752), 4 Jun 1743, Billerica, Massachusetts
6. Nathan Crosby — B. 9 Feb 1675, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 11 Apr 1749, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. Sarah Shedd (1678-1747), 28 Sep 1706, Billerica, Massachusetts
7. Josiah Crosby — B. 11 Nov 1677, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 7 Oct 1745, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. Mary Manning (1679-1722), 2 Nov 1703
8. Mary Crosby — B. 23 Nov 1680, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 7 May 1748, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. John Blanchard (1677-1750), 7 Aug 1701, Billerica, Massachusetts
9. Sarah Crosby — B. 27 Jul 1684, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 1734, Mendon, Massachusetts; M. William Rawson (1682-1769), 26 Oct 1710, Billerica, Massachusetts
Sources:
Simon Crosby the Emigrant: His English Ancestry and Some of His American Descendants, Eleanor Francis Crosby, 1914
“The Lost History of Slaves and Slave Owners in Billerica,” Christopher M. Spraker, Historical Journal of Massachusetts Volume 42, No. 1, 2014Find A Grave
