William Crosse (abt. 1579 - abt. 1679)

Born about 1579 in Maulden, Bedfordshire, England [uncertain]

Descendants

Died about 10 Dec 1679 at about age 100 in Talbot, Maryland [uncertain]

Biography

William Cross was a London merchant and partner with Abraham and Ambrose Jennings. They owned the ship "Eleanor" which they sent to Virginia in1621 with a cargo of passengers and provisions.

"1621 William Tucker, master of the Eleanor, of Orston, trading and fishing at Monhegan for Abraham Jennings, of Plymouth, and Ambrose Jennings and William Cross, of London, styled Jennings and Company. (Six or seven other vessels fishing and trading at Monhegan.) During 1621 Abraham Jennings and William Cross, known as Jennings and Company, sent the Eleanor from Orston to Virginia with a cargo of passengers and provisions. Such action disclosed the broad scope of the business of that company, which was engaged at that time in extreme northern and southern commerce with America. (Min. of Va Council. 58, 118; Hotten)".

In 1622 William Crosse and William Jennings applied for Membership in the Virginia Council. According to Wikipedia "the council consisted of no more than 12 men who served lifetime appointments to advise the governor and were, together with the governor, the highest court in the colony."

"Thirty-five vessels fished on the coast during the year. Abraham Jennings and William Cross applied for council membership during the summer (1622) and were admitted as partners in the mainland upon payment of £110. (Am. Ant. Col. 1867-75)"

In 1623, William Crosse was one of the sponsors of a plantation at Monhegan which is an island about 12 miles off the coast of Maine.

"Early in the year (1623) a plantation was begun at Monhegan by William Vengham and fishermen from Plymouth. The project was sponsored by Abraham Jennings, of Plymouth, and William Cross and Ambrose Jennings, of London, exporters and importers. (Bradford. 2-197) "

At Monhegan a trading mart was maintained for the sale or exchange of commodities proffered by fishing masters. The deposition of Thomas Piddock, taken in an admiralty case, affords a glimpse of the nature and extent of the principal business at the island. The statement was made in 1628, when the witness was only twenty-seven years of age. The testimony in these cases consists of questions and answers, but in the case of Piddock, who hailed from London, the statement has been reduced to the following abstract: "In June and July, 1624, he and Edmund Dockett and William Pomfrett being then at Menhegen in New England as factors of Abraham Jennings of Plymouth and Ambrose Jennings and William Crosse of London, merchants, did lade at Mendhegen, in, the ship called the Jacob of (Nore)kham in Freezeland, whereof one Thomas Neeson was then master, from the ship Prosperous, Robert Bennett, master, 39,600 of dry fish containing 615 quintalls, from the Golden Gait, Mr. John Corben (master) 51,800 of the like fish weighing 893 quintalls, and from one William Vengam, who was planted upon that island, 82,300 of the like fish containing 1534 quintalls, which makes in all 173, 700 weighing 3042 quintalls; one third of which fish did belong to the company of fishermen, for which one third the said Edmund Dockett gave the said Robert Bennett, John Corbyn and William Vangharn bills of exchange on the said Abraham Jennings & Company; which fish when it was laden was all dry and well conditioned, and was consigned by the said Edmund Dockett to George Backlar then a merchant at Bordeaux." More than half of the 150 tons of freight furnished for the. lading of the Jacob was provided by Vengham who had been fishing on the island during the preceding winter. The name of Dockett, who later was interested in Virginia and made subsequent voyages with Vengham,, was spelled "Doggett" in other connections. ." (Putnam's Gen. Mag., 3-142.)

In 1627 William Crosses' company sold the Monhegan property in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England.

"In 1627, Jennings and Company who had acquired title to Monhegan, probably from the Earl of Arundel, sold the island and their entire stock in trade. The premises were bought by Abraham Shurt for Aldworth and Elbridge, all merchants of Bristol. I Rec. Va. Co., 2-496.B"

In 1638-1639 William Crosse who lived at Botolph Lane in London was involved in a lawsuit involving the ship "Elizabeth". William Crosse had apparently loaned money to outfit the voyage. William's son-in-law was Jone de Piester of St. George, Botolph Lane, London. Jone's servant, George Barker, is listed in this lawsuit. Jonas De Piester's will dated 5 Dec 1638 mentions his servant George Barker, his father-in-law William Crosse and William's sons Peter Crosse and Josias Cross. William Crosse and Alice (Simpson) Crosse attended church at St. Clement Danes (Westminster) between 1605 and 1617, the same church where Thomas Crosse was born at Charlinch, Somersetshire and a nephew of Sir Robert Crosse christened his children between 1621 and 1626.

"WILLIAM CROSSE v. JAMES AUSTREY. WILLIAM PECKETT v. FRANCIS SMITH de WILLIAM HILL. 13 October 1638 to 9 May 1639. John Ivatt of Limehouse, Middlesex, sailor aged 30. He was boatswain of the Elizabeth, Mr. John Fareborne, on which William Hill served as Master's mate and Francis Smith as ship's merchant and factor. On a voyage to Virginia Fareborne died off Bermuda having asked Smith to assume command after him. But Hill threatened to leave the ship if this happened and then became Master with Smith's consent. Some of Fareborne's goods were sold at the mast while others were taken by Hill and sold by him in Virginia for tobacco. John Backenhurst, servant of William Crosse, aged 22. John Fairborne was Master and part owner of the Elizabeth and went with Francis Smith in September 1637 to the house of William Crosse, in Botoloph Lane, London, with a bill of bottomry for the ship which was then intended for Virginia. George Barker, servant of Jone de Peister, of St. George, Botolph Lane, London, merchant aged 24. He has seen the charter party for the Elizabeth's voyage to Virginia. Because the owners could not set up their ship for the voyage they were forced to take money on bottomry and the deponent witnessed their bond. The ship returned to London with Virginia tobacco in April or May 1638. Martin Dallison of St. Christopher le Stocks, London, scrivener aged 31· He made out the charter party for the ship of which Morrice Thompson and other owners were the freighters. On 18 September 1637 Fairborne borrowed money from James Austrey to set up his ship for the voyage. Richard Cole of Stepney, Middlesex, sailor aged 33. He went as carpenter of the Elizabeth to Virginia in Michaelmas 1637. When she was 7 or 8 weeks into the voyage John Fareborne died and William Hill assumed command. Some of Fareborne's goods were sold on board and others delivered to William Warren In Virginia who came aboard and declared that he was answerable for all Fareborne's goods delivered to his house. His servants John Hampton and Waiter Price had confessed that they owed Warren for tobacco. Thomas Beckett of Stepney, Middlesex, aged 25. He went as cooper of the Elizabeth of which Francis Smith was purser and merchant for Mr. Willoughby and Mr.Thompson. Joseph Medlye of Battersea, Surrey, waterman aged 38. He delivered goods on board the Elizabeth while she lay at Gravesend. His brother John Medlye who lived at the Three Cranes Tavern at the Vintry, London, also adventured goods on the voyage. (Vol. 55). "

By 1675 William Crosse was living in MD where he is listed in a lawsuit in St. Mary's Co., MD.

"1675 court: A suit by Charles Delaroch against William Crosse was settled as agreed".

Later in 1675 William witnessed a number of land transactions in Talbot Co., MD.

On 10 Sep 1675 William Crosse witnessed a series of legal documents involving tobacco and land sales in Talbot Co., MD. Edward Man, a merchant who I think was a business partner of William Crosse was involved in several of the transactions.

"10 Sept. 1675 Thomas Phillips and Mary, his wife, to Edward Man Merchant "Cellum" late by resurvey - on the north side of Choptank River adjoining land laid out for Andrew Skinner on Turkey Creek - adjoining Ralph Williams laid out for 1,107 acres - late in the occupation of Thomas Phillips. Wit: William Crosse, Peter Sayer, John Eason. 10 Sept. 1675 Thomas Phillips to Edward Man - bond for 36,000 Ibs of tobacco. Wit: Wm. Crosse, Peter Sayer, John Eason. 10 Sept. 1675 John Pitt, Merchant, and Frances, his wife, to Edward Man, Merchant - land in Tredaven Creek at or near the head of the middle branch - all tenanted by John Pitt and his wife or assigned under tenants - "Exchange," "Westmoreland," "Pitt's Chance," and "Pitt's Range," containing as by patent in the whole 1400 acres. Wit: William Crosse, John Rousby, James Ewstis. 10 Sept. 1675 John Pitt to Edward Man Merchant - bond for 70,000 Ibs of tobacco. Wit: Wm. Crosse, John Rousby, James Ewstis. 10 Sept. 1675 William Sharp, Planter, son and heir of Peter Sharpe late of Calvert County, Chirurgion, deceased, and Elizabeth Sharp, wife of the said William to John Eason - "Clayborn's Island now or late Sharp's Island" 700 acres formerly in the tenure of John Bateman, Esq., deceased - sold 3 December 1662 to Peter Sharpe. Wit: William Crosse, Edward Man, Thomas Phillips. 10 Sept. 1675 William Sharpe to John Eason - bond for 100,000 lbs of tobacco. Wit: Wm. Crosse, Edward Man, Thomas Phillips. 10 Sept. 1675 John Eason of Talbot, Planter, and Ann, his wife, to William Sharpe, Planter - "Rattlesnake Point, "Eason's Neck," "Fancy," and "Eason's Lott" 350 acres plus 50 acres (or one-half of) the "Conjunction" adjoining and now held with Robert Bullen, patented 2 July 1668. Wit: William Crosse Thomas Phillips. 10 Sept. 1675 John Eason to William Sharp - bond for 100,000 Ibs of tobacco. Wit Wm. Crosse, Edw. Man, Thomas Phillips. 10 Sept. 1675 William Sharpe of Talbot, Planter, son and heir of Peter Sharpe of Calvert County, deceased, Chirurgion, to John Eason - conveys the Eason land in return for Sharp's island. Wit: Wm. Crosse, Edward Man, Thomas Phillips. 10 Sept. 1675 Anne Eason, wife of John Eason, with his consent, to Wm. Crosse - P/A. Wit: Edward Roe, Samuel Hatton, William Fowler."

On 28 Nov 1675 William Crosse was appointed to audit the accounts in a lawsuit in Provincial court in St. Mary's Co., MD.

On 2 Dec 1676 William Crosse was appointed to audit the accounts involved in a lawsuit and report back to the court In St. Mary's Co. MD.

He witnessed documents in the court on 9 Dec 1676 in St. Mary's Co., MD.

Then on 19 Feb. 1677 in court in St. Mary's Co., MD, William Crosse and his apparent business partners, George Robins and Peter Sayer of Talbot Co., MD were sued for 2,000 pounds sterling. I am unsure of the reason for, or outcome of, this lawsuit but the 'two thousand pounds sterling' of special bail suggests that this was a large lawsuit. This amount must be in the millions of dollars in today's currency. The size of the bail suggests that they were very wealthy men.

By 29 Sep 1677 William Crosse and his business partners divided the property "Job's Content" in Talbot Co., MD.

"29 Sept. 1677 William Coursey, Philemon Lloyd, Edward Man and William Crosse, Merchants - to Thomas and George Robins - arbitration (division) of "Job's Content.".

William Crosse was apparently a business partner with George Robins, Sr., Edward Mann, Philemon LLoyd, and William Coursey. When George Robins, Sr. died, they apparently gave his business share to his sons, George and Thomas Robins. William Crosse appears to be a business partner to Edward Mann, merchant, who previously had been a Comptroller at the port of Ipswich, England for the ship "Elizabeth" which departed in late spring of 1634 to New England with John Crosse and his wife Anne as passengers. This is undoubtedly the same ship that William Crosse loaned money to outfit in September of 1637.

On 8 May 1678 William Crosse acted as an attorney in the settlement of the estate of Edward Roe in St. Mary's Co., MD.

"Know all men that by these prsents that I Marke Cordea doe acknowledge to have received the full ballance in satisfaction of a Judgemt of seven thousand six hundred eighty foure pds of tobacco recovered in the Provinciall Court agt the Estate of Mr Edward Roe lately deceased att the suite of John Codore ffactor to Gabriel Minivile Mrchants, of & from Mr Wm Combes of Talbot County Mrchant interested in the said Estate And therefore as Attorney to & for & on the behalfe of the said Creditors I promise & engage hereby att the next Provinciall Court to acknowledge satisfaccon on Record of & on the said Judgemt & in the mean tyme & allwayes doe acquitt & discharge the said Estate of the said Edward Roe & all other persons that are or shall be interested therein of & from the said debt of the said Imployers or Creditorrs & all other demands touching the same Wittnes my hand & seale this 8th day of May Anno Doni 1678. Sealed & held in the prsence of Marke Cordea (sealed) Wm Crosse John Duncombe"

I believe that Edward Roe was related to the Crosse families of Somersetshire, England. Dorothie Crosse married Philip Yeard 4 Aug 1597 in Norton Fitzwarren, Somersetshire. I don't know Dorthie's exact relationship, but other Crosses at this parish are established to be related to Sir Robert Crosse's brother William. The Roe family of Somersetshire was related to the Yeard and Crosse families as indicated in William Roe's will in 1639 .

Disputed parents

Highly dubious, unsourced ancestry that seems to be based on the Find-a-Grave biography. The UK History of Parliament online (itself not a necessarily a reliable source) states that the given father, Sir Robert Crosse never married. [1].

The Robert Crosse who married Olyve Turner in 1576 may have been Robert Crosse the merchant taylor who was married to an Olyve and resided in the City of London.

William has been detached from that father, but left the putative mother as she might cast some light on the family.

Nebulous connection to Bedfordshire

There is no link to Bedfordshire quoted, nor are any of the Crosse names in Maulden mentioned in the biography as being connected. There is just the William Crosse baptised in 1586, the son of William. Maulden appears to be a red herring, and has been deleted as the possible birthplace. There was no Richard in Maulden.

Research Notes

A William Crosse , son of William, was baptised in Maulden on 8 May 1586.^[1]

He emigrated to Maryland in 1663, but I question his birth date as would an 84 year old have emigrated? ^[2][3]

Age: 83-84

Additional Research Notes

An alternative theory from Find A Grave states: "William Crosse was born at St Michael, Wood Street, London, England in 1579. He was the son of Sir Robert Crosse (1552-1611) and Olyve Turner Crosse (1558-1587)."

However, there is no proof that the Robert Cross who married Olive Turner is Sir Robert Crosse. Recently discovered records (England Deaths and Burials, 1538 - 1991 - MyHeritage) suggest that this Robert Crosse was a tailor who likely died of the plague and was buried 31 Jul 1592 at the same church where Olive Turner was buried 10 Aug 1592). The records state that Olive was the wife of Robart Crosse, but do not state who Robert's wife was.

Find A Grave continues: "William's baptism date was 12 Feb. 1579 at St. Michael on Wood Street in the City of London, and this event is recorded in the parish register.

On April 19, 1601, William married Alice Simpson at Doncaster, Yorkshire, England. William was 22 years old.

William and Alice were the parents of 5 known children: William, Peter, Samuel, Josie and Nathaniel Crosse.

William Cross traveled from England to Maryland in 1663. Name: William Crosse - Arrival Year: 1663 Arrival Place: Maryland - Source Publication Code: 8510 Primary Immigrant: Crosse, William Annotation: Index from manuscript by Arthur Trader, Chief Clerk in the Maryland Land Commission, 1917. And see nos. 4507-4511, Land Notes. Source Bibliography: SKORDAS, GUST, editor. The Early Settlers of Maryland: an Index to Names of Immigrants, Compiled from Records of Land Patents, 1633-1680, in the Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968. 525p. Repr. 1986. Page: 116"

The notation in History of Parliament that Sir Robert Crosse never married is contradicted by Sir Robert Crosses' letter dated 11 Feb 1607 in which he stated "I thought yt my beste course to betake me to a wyffe wch then I did." In the letter Sir Robert describes his unsuccessful efforts to convert her from Catholicism. His letter indicates this marriage took place after Queen Elizabeth died in 1603. It seems unlikely that he produced heirs from this marriage due to his age. This may account for statements in secondary sources that he produced no heirs. However, historian Lawrence Stone in his book "Crisis of the Aristocracy" used Sir Robert Crosse as an example of a common practice of the nobility of that period to marry a second time for money. I don't know the source of Stones' information. However, statements from Sir Robert Crosse himself hint that he had an earlier family. In a letter to Sir Robert Cecil dated 26 April 1600 he refers to a conversation in 1597 when Cecil advised Sir Robert that he depended too much on women to represent him in his dealings with the Queen. The History of Parliament mentions in the Parliament of 1601 Sir Robert argued the cause of seamen who had to be separated from their families for extended periods in order to serve the Queen. Sir Robert's letter to his brother Captain John Crosse dated 20 Sep 1592 establishes that Sir Robert lived in London and parish records show that a Robert Crosse married Olyve Turner 10 Jun 1576 at Saint Michael in London.

The following will in combination with the lawsuit involving the ship "Elizabeth" clearly establishes that William Crosse had sons Peter and Josias Crosse.

"Jonas de Peister, born at Ghaunt, at present dwelling at London, son of late Jooas de Peister, also of Gaunte, 5 December 1638, proved 29 December 1638. “Finding myself weakned with an Ague.” Wife to be Executrix. Poor of the Dutch Congregation. Poor of the Congregation at Haerlem. My cousin William de Peister that dwelleth with me (at 24). Peter de Peister, brother of William, “because he is sickley.” Elizabeth de Key, my niece, daughter of my sister Mary, beotten by Jacob de Key, the son of Michael. George Barker, serving with me. Our daughter Anne. Wife, if with child. At death of child or children and marriage of wife to my right heirs, vizt, John, James and Lieuen de Peister the children of Joos de Peister, the children of Mary de Peister. My wife’s brothers Peter and Josias Crosse. I most friendly require my brother James and Lieuen de Peyster and first my father in law William Crosse, Mr. Nicholas Corselis, cousin William de Peister and George Barker for to be overseers of this my testament. [Among the names of witnesses was that of George Parker (not Barker). The widow’s name not given in Probate Act.] Lee, 172"[2] Jonas named his wife's brothers Peter and Josias Cross, sons of William. (From Wikitree).

Death

Date: 10 DEC 1679

Place: Talbot, Maryland, USA

Age: 99-100

Burial: Spring Hill Cemetery ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NPD4-424 : 11 February 2018, William Crosse, 08 May 1586); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 599,351.
2. ↑ Source: #S47 Page: Place: Maryland; Year: 1663; Page Number: . Quality or Certainty of Data: 0 Data: Text: Arrival date: 1663 Arrival place: Maryland
3. ↑ Author: Gale Research Title: Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010.Original data - Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2010.Original data: Filby, P. William, ed. Passeng Record ID Number: MH:S47
4. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #103470888

• Wilbur D. Spencer, Pioneers on Maine Rivers (Baltimore; Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1973).

• Elizabeth Merritt , ed, Archives of Maryland: Proceedings of the Provincial Court of Maryland, 1670/1-1675 (Baltimore: Maryland Historical Society, 1952).

• Peter Wilson Coldham, comp, English Adventurers and Emigrants, 1609 - 1660 (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1984).

• R. Bernice Leonard, Talbot County Maryland Land Records 5 vols (Westminster, Family Line Publications, 1992).

• International Genealogical Index of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.