M. 21 Apr 1634 in Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England1
Wife: Anne Brigham
D. Sep 1639 in Cambridge, Massachusetts1
Many of the Puritans who founded New England were from poor or middle-class backgrounds, but others, such as Simon Crosby, were fairly well-off. Simon was born in 1608 in Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, England,1 a village in Yorkshire. His parents were Thomas Crosby and Jane Sotheron the youngest of four known sons. His paternal line has been traced back to a John Crosby, who lived in the 15th century.2 His mother came from one of the wealthiest families in the parish, and Simon was left small amounts of money in each of his maternal grandparents’ wills.2
Simon was a young man when his signature appeared along with his father’s on a document dated September 17, 1632.2 Both men were assuming a mortgage for five dwellings with land belonging to the local nobility. They relinquished the properties the following March after the noble family paid them £400. This seems to verify their strong financial standing in the community. On April 21, 1634, Simon married a young woman named Anne Brigham.1 Within a year, she gave birth to their first son, but soon after, their lives would dramatically change
By 1635, Simon had become a follower of Reverend Thomas Shephard,2 who served at a parish that was about 12 miles northwest of Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor. Reverend Shephard was described as being a Puritan who was “fired with youthful zeal,” and he was “eloquent and persuasive as an orator.” Like many such ministers, he decided to migrate to Massachusetts with some of his parishioners. The Puritans sought to establish a society based on their common beliefs, away from the scrutiny and persecution they faced in England. Despite his comfortable life in Yorkshire, Simon decided to join the group of migrants, and in the spring of 1635, he travelled to London with his wife and newborn son to board a ship. The Susan and Ellen left port on April 18th, and arrived at Boston in July.2
The group of colonists led by Reverend Shephard settled across the Charles River in Cambridge.2 Each man acquired their homes from an earlier group who left to form a new colony in Connecticut . Along with several other tracts of land, Simon bought his house in town from a man named William Spencer.1 It was a prime location that was said to be the future site of Brattle House, an 18th century mansion that’s still standing. During the short time Simon lived in Cambridge, two more sons were born. He was also assigned the civic duties of constable, selectman, and “surveyor of highways.”2
(Source: History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877)
In 1639, Simon welcomed his father to Cambridge when he made the move from England.2 But their time together in America lasted only a few months because Simon passed away sometime during September at the age of about 31.1 His estate was worth about £471 when it was probated six years after his death.1 Simon's wife Ann survived him, and she remarried to a minister;1 she died in 1675.1 He was the 10G grandfather of Sarah Palin.3
Children:
1. Thomas Crosby — B. 26 Feb 1635, Spaulding Moor, Yorkshire, England;1 D. 27 Jun 1702, Boston, Massachusetts;2 M. Sarah (~1635-1719), 1662, Barnstable, Massachusetts1
2. Simon Crosby — B. 6 Aug 1637, Cambridge, Massachusetts;1 D. 22 Jan 1725, Billerica, Massachusetts;2 M. Rachel Brackett (~1639-?), 15 Jul 1659, Braintree, Massachusetts1
3. Joseph Crosby — B. about Feb 1639, Cambridge, Massachusetts;1 D. 26 Nov 1695, Braintree, Massachusetts;2 M. (1) Sarah Brackett (1642-~1690), 1 Jun 1675, Braintree, Massachusetts;1 (2) Ellen Veazie (1659-1722), 5 Oct 1693, Quincy, Massachusetts1
Sources:
1 The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume II, Robert Charles Anderson, George F. Sanborn, Jr., and Milinde Lutz Sanborn, 2001
2 Simon Crosby the Emigrant, Eleanor Francis Crosby, 1914
3 FamousKin.com listing for Simon Crosby
