Thomas Crosby of Eastham

This is a mini-bio of Thomas Crosby, my maternal 8th great-grandfather, of Eastham, Massachusetts. I have not yet collected much detailed information on Thomas, but I am still looking. Presented here are the facts as I have been able to gather them.

Thomas Crosby

(1635-1702)

Thomas Crosby was baptized at Holme-on-Spalding-Moore, East Riding, Yorkshire, England on 26 Feb 1635. His parents were Simon Crosby and Ann Brigham and he was named after his paternal grandfather. At the age of 8 mos his parents brought him on their journey to New England aboard the "Susan and Ellin", arriving on 2 Oct 1635 at Boston. 

Little is known of his childhood years, but his family settled in Cambridge on the site of what is now the University Press. He graduated from Harvard College in 1653. He was not, however, ordained as a minister. 

Nevertheless, he was invited to preach at the church in Eastham, MA on Cape Cod in 1655. He preached there until 1670, making 50 pounds per year. Thomas was also a good business man. In 1664 he was among those listed as dealing in "liquor, powder and shot" in the town of Eastham.

In 1662 he married Sarah Fitch, whose parentage is not clear. They raised a very large family, including a set of twins and a set of triplets, the third-born of which was named "Increase". Their children were: Thomas (1663-1731), Simon (1665-1718), Sarah (b 1666), Joseph (1668-1725), John (1670-1717), John's twin who died in infancy, William (b 1672), Ebenezer (b 1675), Anne, Mercy and Increase (b1678), Eleazer (b 1680).

Granary Burying Ground, Boston Common, Boston

Thomas Crosby moved his growing family to Harwich about 1671 and became one of the founders of the church there. He lived in Harwich, raising his large family, for 30 years. Sadly, he made a business trip to Boston in June of 1702 and was found dead in bed there, age 67 yrs. He was buried in the Old Granary Burying Ground in Boston. After his death, his widow Sarah re-married to John Miller (son of Rev John and Lydia Miller) of Yarmouth in 1703.