Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Crossby, constable of Tikehall in York-
shire, near the Nottingham line, and as
early as 1220 we find Simon de Crossby
in Lancashire. As a Christian name,
Simon has continued to the present time
and is frequently found on record. The
Crossby coat-of-arms is
Arms—Per chevron sable and argent, three
goats passant, counterchanged.
Simon Crossby, the immigrant ancestor,
was born in England, in 1608. He
was a husbandman. In April, 1635, he
sailed from England in the ship "Susan
and Ellen," with his wife, Anne, and son,
Thomas. He settled in Cambridge, Mas-
sachusetts, and was a proprietor there as
early as 1635-36; was admitted a freeman
and served as selectman. Simon Crossby
died in September, 1639. He was the
father of three sons, Thomas, Simon and
Joseph.
(I) James Crosby, great-grandfather
of Dr. Francis D. Crosby, was an early
settler in Nova Scotia. He went there in
1777 from Yarmouth, Massachusetts, in
company with his two brothers, Lemuel
and Theophilus. The latter are listed
among the early ship-owners, and the
three brothers were leading farmers of
Ohio, in the county of Yarmouth. In an
old history of Yarmouth county, refer-
ence is made to these brothers and of
them it states : "Three noble men whose
numerous descendants have always oc-
cupied high rank."
(II) Knowles Crosby, son of James
Crosby, was born in Yarmouth, Nova
Scotia, where he lived during his lifetime.
He was a farmer and acquired consider-
able wealth through his industry.
Knowles Crosby married Matilda Huekins,
daughter of Charles Huckins, and
they were members of the Baptist church
of Yarmouth.
(III) George Crosby, fourth child of
Knowles and Matilda (Huckins) Crosby,
:
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
63
was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. He
was educated in the public schools.
While still a boy he went to Boston,
Massachusetts, and learned the trade of
tanner in a nearby town. Returning to
Yarmouth, he went into the shoe manu-
facturing business and was one of the
first in Nova Scotia to manufacture in the
modern way. Mr. Crosby sent wagons
all over southern Nova Scotia to sell
shoes. He was very successful in this
venture and finally became owner of a
number of vessels which sailed all over
the world and coast-wise to the West
Indies. Mr. Crosby was active in the
shipping business until within ten or
twelve years of his death, which occurred
in Los Angeles, California, where he had
resided for about five years with his chil-
dren. He was a leading citizen of the
town of Ohio, Yarmouth county, Nova
Scotia, and refused to be a candidate for
member in Canadian Parliament.
Mr. Crosby married (second) September
17, 1859, Hannah W. Porter, born
December 20, 1837, died November 24,
1888, daughter of Joseph B. Porter, an old
sea captain (see Porter VII). Mr. and
Mrs. George Crosby were the parents of
the following children : George Knowles,
born September 30, i860; Wealthy Anne,
born February 11, 1862; Joseph Porter,
born August 31, 1863; Alice Maude, born
July 17, 1865, married, in 1896, George W.
Spurr, of Hartford, Connecticut. All of
the above mentioned children live in Los
Angeles, California. The others are
Francis Dane, of further mention ; Eliza-
beth Mary, born August 30, 1873 ; Jessie
Gertrude, born March 25, 1876; Lennie
Beatrice, born September 9, 1880.
(IV) Francis Dane Crosby, son of
George and Hannah W. (Porter) Crosby,
was born September 28, 1868, in Ohio,
Nova Scotia. His education was obtained
in the public schools of that town, and
: