Raleigh Croshaw (sometimes spelled Crashaw or Crowshaw) was born in 1584 in Croshaw, Lancashire, England. He was the son of Joseph Croshaw (b.1561).

Raleigh came to Jamestown in the Second Supply the latter part of September 1608, aboard the Mary and Margaret. He has been proven to be a member of the London Company, investing or 'adventuring' 25 pounds in the company.

His wife came over on the "Bona Nova" in 1620 but, as she is not mentioned in 1623 Census or the muster of 1624/5, she was likely either dead by 1623, or returned to England. Three sons have been identified. The eldest, Joseph may have been born in either England or Virginia, but most likely in Virginia. It is most like that he was educated in England. The name of the second son is believed to be Noah, and not much is known about him. The third son was Richard. Both Joseph and Richard can be found in later Virginia records.

Capt. John Smith refers often to Capt. Croshaw in his books about Jamestown. He was a member of the group with Captain John Smith in January 1609, who while attempting to trade for corn with the Indians at Opechancanough's village were almost overcome by surprise. This attack was thwarted in part by Raleigh Croshaw's quick reactions. Raleigh Croshaw then made a night trip back to Jamestown which helped to avoid further treachery. He appears to have been a very skilled Indian fighter.

At the time of the massacre in March of 1622, he was on a trading cruise on the Potomac. According to Captain John Smith's General History, Croshaw challenged the chief Opchanacanough or any of his warriors to fight him naked (without armor), an offer that was not accepted. When Captain John Smith published his General History in 1624, one of the verses in Volume III was written by Croshaw and in his writing, John Smith implies a high opinion of Croshaw's knowledge of Indians and their way of making war.

About 1623 a patent was issued to "Captain Raleigh Croshaw, Gentleman, of Kiccoughtan, 'An Ancient Planter who hath remained in this country 15 years complete and performed many a worthy service to the Colony,' for 500 acres (2 km²) by Old Point Comfort. This was based on his transporting himself, his servant and his wife in addition to adventuring 25 pounds sterling in the Company.After the King dissolved the Virginia Company in 1624 making all the settlements a Crown Colony, Raleigh Croshaw was elected to the House of Burgess for Elizabeth City. In March1624, he was issued a commission to trade with the Indians for corn. On this voyage he purchased a "great canoe" for 10,000 blue beads. The Corporation of Elizabeth City states that “Captain Raleigh Croshaw planted by Patent 500 acres (2 km²) between Fox Hill and the Pamunkey River to establish Elizabeth City.

Captain Croshaw was last referred to on 22 November 1624, and then on 27 December 1624 Captain Francis West was instructed to take an inventory of his estate. The name of his wife does not appear in the estate settlement, hence the belief that she was dead, and not returned to England.

Children of Raleigh Croshaw:

• Joseph Croshaw -- born in probably 1610-1612, married five times and had six children.
• Noah Crowshaw -- (1614–1665), married Elinor (?). Researchers debate the first name.
• Richard Croshaw -- (1618–1667), married Elizabeth

LInks to additional material:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raleigh_Croshaw
• http://www.jamestowne-wash-nova.org/RaleighCroshaw.htm
• http://www.ancientplanters.org/list.htm?v=C
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~virginiahuddlestons/captain_john_huddleston_of_the_b.htm