John Crosby

  Noted events in his life were:

• Background Information: ²⁹⁵
The area of England which our Crosby ancestors came from was Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, in York County, England, is an extensive parish located about fifteen miles sourtheast of the city of York. It lies in the midst of a great flat plain of clayey soil which is bounded easterly by a range of hills called the Wolds. About twenty miles to the southeast is the seaport of Hull, located near the mouth of the river Humber. Most of the parish is a low level plain.

The land was dreained and cultivated starting in 1775, but before this time was a swampy moor. In ancient times, the crossing of this area was very difficult. The Constable family, the lords of the manor, established and maintained on the westerly edge of the moor a cell for two monks, whose employment was to guide strangers over it, one acting as conductor while the other prayed for the safety of the travellers, the monks alternating at the two offices.

At this time, the furthest back in time the Crosby family can be traced is to about 1440. From this time, the Crosby family can be traced in an unbroken line from John Crosby to the Crosby emigrants who emigrated to New England.

John Crosby was a substantial yeomand of superior position, as proved by the large amount he left for masses, and the fact that his will directs he be buried in the choir of the church. The yeomanry were almost always buried in the churchyard, and only the wealthiest of that class, clergy and gentry were buried inside the church itself. Within the church, burials in the choir or chancels was of special distinction.

The children of John Crosby:

John, b. abt. 1470
Emma, living 1502
Agnes, living 1502
Robert, b. abt. 1475
Richard, b. abt. 1478
William, b. abt. 1480
Miles, b. abt. 1482

~Simon Crosby the Emigrant, pp. 2-6

• He signed a will. ^285,295
Dated 20 April 1502 and proved 8 June 1502.

"To be buried in the choir of the parish church of Styllyngfleyte. to the church of Styllyngfleyte 10s. and to the church of Alne 5s. for masses in the church of Styllyngfleyte £4. To the four orders of Brothers of York 2s. To my son John 6s 8d. to my son Richard ten sheep, two calves, and 20s. To my daughters Emme and Agnes 6s. 8d. each. To my son Robert 20s. To my son Miles, the remained of all the years which I have in a house called Gyhowse lying in Flawath, with the appurtenances. To John Crosby, son of Robert Crosby, a house cakked Boyhowse lying in Flawath, with appurtenances. All residue of goods to my sons William and Miles, they to be executors. Witnesses, John Myln, chaplain." [Prerogative and Exchequer of York Wills, vol. 6 p. 29]

"Yorkshire Ancestry of the Three Crosby Sisters," NEHGR, 1965, Vol 119, pages 244-250