M. 19 Oct 1600 in Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England1
Wife: Jane Sotheron
D. before 6 May 1661 in Rowley, Massachusetts2
It was unusual for an Englishman of means to migrate to America in the 1630s, and even more so to do it in their old age, but this was exactly what Thomas Crosby did. He was born in about 1575 to Anthony and Alison Crosby in the Yorkshire village of Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor.1 Thomas’ family had lived in that area for over 100 years, and probably longer. While not at the top level of society, the Crosbys acquired more land with each generation, which gave them some status in their community.
When Thomas was about 24, his father died, leaving him a 100-acre farm,1 and about a year later, he got married. His bride was Jane Sotheron who was from another prominent Yorkshire family; her grandfather was said to be “the wealthiest resident of the parish.” The wedding took place in Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor on October 19, 1600.1 Over the next few years, they had four children, all boys. Later, when third son William died at age 30, grandson Anthony was taken in by Thomas and Jane, who raised him like their own child.1
For nearly 40 years, Thomas lived the life of a yeoman farmer. His name turned up in several lawsuits involving property transactions where he and various parties disputed payments between each other; some of the cases involved his wife’s family. Thomas and his youngest son Simon assumed a mortgage on a large piece of property owned by the local nobility. The action was dated September 17, 1632 and included five houses.1 Six months later, the noble family took back ownership of the land by paying £400 to Thomas.1
Thomas' signature, 1632.
During Thomas’ lifetime, Yorkshire was a hotbed of non-conformists, and it’s believed that he became a follower of Puritan minister Ezekiel Rogers; circumstances would suggest this because of where he settled in America. Thomas’ son Simon, who was also a Puritan, left for Massachusetts in 1635, bringing his wife and infant child to the colony.1 It isn’t known exactly when Thomas, Jane and young Anthony migrated as well. It’s been speculated that they were on the ship John of London with Reverend Rogers and a group of his parishioners in 1638, but their names weren’t listed among the passengers. Perhaps they traveled on another ship around that time.
By 1639, Thomas joined his son Simon in Cambridge, probably living under his roof.1 Sadly, Simon died in September of that year. It’s believed that Thomas continued to live in Simon’s house until his widow remarried in 1645. During this time Thomas was said to help out financially in support of a printing press in Cambridge, the first one in the New England colony. It had been brought over from England on the John of London, and he may have even paid for its purchase, although this fact isn’t confirmed. Interestingly, Thomas bought 60 acres outside of town from the man who operated the press, Stephen Daye; the sales transaction happened on April 16, 1640.1
After his daughter-in-law left Cambridge with her new husband, Thomas needed a place to live, and on July 20, 1645, he bought a house and outbuildings on seven acres located at the corner of present-day Ash Street and Brattle Streets.1 He remained there for the next four years until his friend, Reverend Thomas Shepard died in 1649. Then he moved to the town of Rowley, where many of his acquaintances had moved, including Reverend Rogers. When he was a settler in Rowley, he received allotments of land when the town divided up new property at various times. He bought a home in Rowley on April 30, 1656 from John Hazeltine. This included a house, barn, orchard, “planting” lot and meadows.1
By the end of Thomas’ life, all of his sons had passed away, so his grandson Anthony, now a doctor, became his sole heir. He deeded the young man everything before he died, signing the document in February 1659 as a joint decision with his wife Jane.1 The document stipulated that Anthony continue to pay his grandparents £20 per year for their support. Thomas died at Rowley in May of 1662,2 and Jane passed away about one year later.2
Children:
1. Anthony Crosby — B. about 1602, Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England;1 D. Jun 1632, Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England1
2. Thomas Crosby — B. about 1604, Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England;1 D. Dec 1658, Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England;1 M. Prudence, about 1633, (probably) Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England1
3. William Crosby — B. about 1606, Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England;1 D. Jun 1636, Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England;1 M. Ann Wright (?-1636), Seaton, Yorkshire, England, 2 Apr 16361
4. Simon Crosby — B. about 1608, Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England;1 D. Sep 1639, Cambridge, Massachusetts;1 M. Ann Brigham (~1606-1675), 21 Apr 1634, Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England3
Sources:
1 Simon Crosby the Emigrant: His English Ancestry And Some of His Descendants, Eleanor Davis Crosby, 1914
2 Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, Ancestry.com
3 Marriage of Simon Crosby and Ann Brigham, England Parish Register, FindMyPast.com
