Capt. Raleigh Croshaw, Ancient Planter

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

There is no documentation he was of Lancashire. Nor can anyone of the name Croshaw/ Crawshaw be found in the Lancashire Archives (search by jean wall, reported April 2021).

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.

The three wives of Raleigh Croshaw

Continuing work on the Croshaw family means their founder, Raleigh Croshaw now has three wives, one unknown, one listed as "Unity Powhatan" and one listed as "Ursula Daniels." There are no documents to support any specific wife, but two men, Joseph and Richard Croshaw are pretty well accepted as his sons, so there must have been a woman involved.

A patent was issued to "Captain Rawleigh Crashaw, of Kequotan, gent., and ancient planter," about 1623. The wording of the patent has led to confusion about his wife since it reads "due for his per. adv. and trans. out of England of his srvt & his wife, whoe came in the Bona Nova in 1620 and 25 Lbs. adventured &c." [1] The land patent states that he had been in America continuously for 15 years and no wife is named in any records.

To me, the logical conclusion is that Raleigh's wife was already in America, that his children were born in America, and the wife listed in the patent was the wife of the unnamed servant. No wife and/or children are named in any records from the period including his estate administration. They are not on the 1623 census or 1624/5 muster so it's probable they returned to England at some point. The sons do not appear in Virginia records until the late 1630's; they were apparently well-educated, so had not been living in Virginia.

There is no documentation to support the existence of "Unity Powhatan." If a prominent Jamestown settler had married a daughter of Powhatan prior to Pocahontas' marriage to John Rolfe it surely would have been noticed and recorded. No list of Powhatan's children includes anyone named "Unity."

There is also no documentation to support the existence of "Ursula Daniels" either. She only seems to exist on Internet, sometimes called Unity, or Ursula Unity, sometimes conflated with "Unity Powhatan."

At the very least it seems these two profiles should be merged into one clearly marked mythical woman (since it seems likely that she will just be recreated if she is merged away) and detached as spouse of Raleigh, leaving "Unknown Unknown" as his only spouse.

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
• https://archive.org/stream/generallhistorie01smit#page/292/mode/2up...
• http://www.jamestowne-wash-nova.org/RaleighCroshaw.htm
• http://www.ancientplanters.org/list.htm?v=C
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~virginiahuddlestons/captai...

_________________________

There is no documentation as to the name of his wife. She was not on the 1623/24 census as was Raleigh. She was not on the ship some said she arrived on. No land record with her and Raleigh's name together. I do not speculate or .suggest a name for her. I list her as Unknown. I think that is what should be shown until documented - not suggested. Let that be in our notes.

It is no documented that Joseph, Richard, Noah/Noy, and Cuthbert were kin. It is documented Richard and Noah/Noy were brothers. Maj. Joseph Croshaw transported Richard Croshaw. c.1657 York Co, Virginia. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah film #34,403 p 5 or 6: Major JOSEPH CROSHAW for 500 ac of land for transporting 10 persons into the county: Thomas Wharton, John Taylor, John ____, William Brown, Cuthburt(s) CROSHAW, Noy CROSHAW, George Tomlins, Elizabeth Brooks, Robert __ ggand, Timothy Wigg.

_____________________

Captain Raleigh Croshaw (–1624) was an Ancient planter and a representative in the House of Burgesses for Elizabeth City County in the Colony and Dominion of Virginia.

Croshaw is believed to be from the Crashaw family of Crashaw, Lancashire, England; his parentage and date of birth are not known.[1] He arrived in Jamestown, Virginia on the "Mary & Margrett", with the Second Supply in September 1608. His wife came over on the "Bona Nova" in 1620 but, as she is not mentioned in 1623 Census, she was likely dead by 1623. He was a member of the Virginia Company of London in 1609 and was still listed as an adventurer in the Company in both 1618 and 1620. He was one of the authors of the complimentary verses prefixed to "The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles" (1624) of John Smith of Jamestown.

Croshaw and his wife had at least two sons, possibly three:[1]

• Joseph Croshaw (1610–1667), married 1. Unknown; 2. Widow Finch ; 3. Widow Anne Hodges; 4. Widow Margaret Tucker; 5. Widow Mary Bromfield
• (possibly) Noah Croshaw (1614–1665), married Elinor ________
• Richard Croshaw (1618–1667), married Elizabeth _________

Raleigh Croshaw was the local official in the Elizabeth City area. This settlement later became known as the Middle Plantation and later Williamsburg, Virginia. His sons were among the first to take advantage of this new settlement. Both Joseph and Richard are mentioned many times in the records. Joseph appears to have led a more public life, having been a member of the House of Burgesses from York as well as having served as a justice and as sheriff for York County, Virginia.

Croshaw was mentioned as being 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 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 of the book had been 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.

Raleigh Croshaw accompanied Claiborne on his explorations and, with just a few men, successfully defended a remote trading outpost up on the Potomac River in the 1622 attack. Captain Raleigh Croshaw was in the Potomac River trading in a small bark, commanded by Captain Spilman. There an Indian stole aboard and told them of the massacre, (1622) and that Opchanacanough had been practicing with his King and Country to betray them, which they refused to do, but that the Indians of Werowocomoco had undertaken it. Captain Spilman went there, but the Indians after seeing that his men were so vigilant and well armed, suspected that they had been discovered, therefore, to delude him, they gave him such good deals in trade, that his vessel was soon nearly overloaded”.

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.

By the following year he was a burgess for Elizabeth City. In March 1624 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 Raleigh Croshaw was last referred to on November 22, 1624. On December 27, 1624, Captain Francis West was instructed to take an inventory of his estate.

By 1637 the York County settlers had already begun to breach their own palisade and move into Indian land on the other side. The area between Queens Creek and Ware Creek was called the "Indian Fields." It was a series of vast communal fields the Indians used for planting corn. Again, it was Joseph Croshaw and Richard Croshaw who were the first to move into the area. In 1637 and 1638, they each patented a few thousand acres about where the Camp Peary government center is located today. They controlled most of the land in that area for the next 20–25 years.

Sources

• Crowshaw, by Martha Woodroof Hiden; William and Mary Qtrly (2), XXI, pp265 70.
• General Historie, by John Smith, 1624, Vol III, pp 78 81, Vol IV, pp. 151 154.
• The Complete Works of Captain John Smith, edited by Philip L. Barbour; Vol II, University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC, 1986.

References

• 1. ^ a b Dorman, "Adventurers of Purse and Person", 4th ed., v. 1, pp768-783
• From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raleigh_Croshaw _________________
• Raleigh Croshaw, Capt., Gentleman1
• M, #22059, d. between 22 November 1624 and 27 December 1624
• Raleigh Croshaw, Capt., Gentleman Could be from the Crashaws of Crashaw, Lancashire or their branch family in Yorkshire. He died between 22 November 1624 and 27 December 1624 at Virginia.
• Family
• Child
  • Major Joseph Croshaw+ b. c 1612, d. 10 Apr 1667
• Citations
• 1.[S3943] Unknown author, Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia 1607-1624/5, by Meyer, p. 217.
• From: http://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p734.htm#i... ______________________

http://www.jamestowne-wash-nova.org/RaleighCroshaw.htm

_____________________

Esquire Capt. Raleigh Croshaw marred Ursula who was born in York Co., VA. He fathered Maj. Joseph Croshaw by her at Burton Parish, York Co., VA.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=83478344

This surname has been spelled variously as Croshaw, Croshawe, Crashaw, Crowshaw and Chroshaw.

Rawleigh was referred to as "Captain Rawleigh Crashaw, of Kequotan, gent., and ancient planter."[1]

NOTE by Chet SNOW: Rawleigh Chroshaw Esq., (AKA Capt. Rawleigh Crashaw), was from an old London merchant family; relatives were in the Virginia Company that founded Jamestown, VA on May 13, 1607. Captain Rawleigh emigrated to Jamestown in 1608 (in his 30s) and was elected to the VA House of Burgesses in 1623 when the colony gave him a grant of 500 acres at "Olde Poynt Comfort" near Kequotan (modern Hampton VA) across the James River. He had two sons: Joseph and Richard. [2]

Hentschel, Inwood, Lucas, Klein, Wheeler Family Tree says:

   •Name: Rawleigh Capt. Chroshaw 

   •Birth: 1574 in England 

   •Death: in York Co, Virginia 

Marriage 1 Ursula Daniels b: 1576 in York Co, VA [sic = no Englishwoman was born in Virginia before 1610]
Children: Katherine Chroshaw b: 1586 in Gravesend, Kent, England
Others say that he may have been born in 1569 or 1570; this seems more likely if he had a daughter in 1586.][3]

On March 13, 1625, Captain Francis West was referred to as administrator of Capt. Croshaw, so Croshaw died in November 1624 where he represented Elizabeth City. It was certainly after 1623, when he was given a grant of 500 acres at "Old Poynt Comfort."[4]

Hentschel, Inwood, Lucas, Klein, Wheeler Family Tree says:

   ID: I220555 

   Name: Rawleigh Capt. Chroshaw 

   Sex: M 

   Birth: 1574 in England •Death: in York Co, VA USA 

   Reference Number: 220555 

Marriage 1 Ursula Daniels b: 1576 [?] in York Co, VA [NOTE by Chet Snow: She may have been an English-born widow of _____ Daniels; see ref. below that claims Ursula was a Native American of Chief Powhatan's family][5]

Children: Katherine Chroshaw b: 1586 in Gravesend, Kent, England

[Note by Chet Snow: others say 1569 or 1570; this seems more likely if he had a daughter in 1586. Other sources say he was born in Lancashire - more research in England is needed to resolve his birth-place and parents.][6]

NOTE by Chet SNOW: Rawleigh Chroshaw Esq., (AKA Capt. Rawleigh Crashaw), was from an old London merchant family; relatives were in the Virginia Company that founded Jamestown, VA on May 13, 1607. Captain Rawleigh emigrated to Jamestown in 1608 (in his 30s) and was elected to the VA House of Burgesses in 1623 for Elizabeth City when the colony gave him a grant of 500 acres at "Olde Poynt Comfort" near Kequotan (modern Hampton VA. The name "Kequotan" referred to the Native American tribe living there; modern translated spelling is "Kecoughtan," now the name of a local high school.) across the James River. He had two sons: Joseph and Richard. [7]

http://genforum.genealogy.com/croshaw/messages/196.html

Re: Captain Raleigh Croshaw

Posted by: shirley Raymond (ID *****5471) Date: February 08, 2012

In Reply to: Captain Raleigh Croshaw by Sandra Sleeth Adams, 1999

"I descend from Raleigh Croshaw born 1570 England died 1624 Elizabeth River, Norfolk, Virginia; he married his 2nd wife Ursula Unity Patawomeck, daughter of great chief Patawomeck and her mother was possibly a sister to [Great Chief] Powhatan.

They had at least 5 children named Richard, Joseph, Benjamin, Noah, and Ursala Unity (notice difference in the spelling of Ursala for her mother Ursula).

Ursala Unity Croshaw married 1st Robert Blackwell; their son James Blackwell born 1647 York Co., Virginia died 1717 New Kent, Virginia, he married Lydia Turner born England, their daughter Lucie Blackwell born 1685 New Kent, Virginia (is my ancestor);Lucie died 1750 Hanover, Virginia.

Lucie Blackwell married Benjamin II Goodman/Goodwin they had 3 sons : Samuel,Robert and Benjamin III Goodman.

Robert Goodman born 1703 Isle Wright, Virginia, he died 1759 Hanover, Virginia; he married Mary (LNU); their son Bartelott Goodman born 1731 Hanover, Virginia died 1800 Iredell, North Carolina, he married Tabitha Gibson of Louisa, Virginia. They had at least 2 children: Ansel G.Goodman and John James Goodman.

John James Goodman born 1758 in Botetourt Co, Virginia died after 1800 in Greene co, Tennessee, he married Epharilla Thorpe, they had 9 children, their daughter Mary Sallie Goodman born 1779 in Botetourt Co, Virginia died 1855 in Wayne co, Tennessee she married Archibald Henry Lamb they had at least 8 children all of whom married into the Qualls and Austin families.

This is my direct line, I am looking for information on the great chief Patawomeck and who his wife was and a list of his daughter Ursula Unity Patawomeck and her siblings.

Shirley Raymond shirley778446@yahoo.com 918-962-3479

http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/pageload.cgi?raleigh::croshaw...

   "Upon the Mary and Margaret, a part of the Second Supply, traveled 38 year old Captain Raleigh Croshaw, Esq. from Crashaw, Lancashire, England, who later through his early experiences in protecting the young colony against the natives, achieved a reputation as a skilled Indian fighter, and is listed as an adventurer in the Virginia Company, 1618, 1620. When the massacre of 1622/3 occurred, Croshaw was on a trading cruise on the Potomac and at once challenged any of his men to fight him naked but the offer was not accepted. Raleigh Croshaw was elected to the House of Burgess for Elizabeth City in 1624 and died that same year. According to Land Office Patents and Grants in Virginia, Raleigh purchased 500 acres of land, but no date or county location was given. It was Raleigh’s granddaughter, UI, who tied the history of this remarkable man to the Blackwell lineage." by A J Searle in 2002. 

Sources

   ↑ #S43 Pages 278-279

   ↑ #S43 Pages 278-279. The name "Kequotan" referred to the Native American tribe living there; the modern translated spelling is "Kecoughtan," now the name of a local high school.

   ↑ Chet SNOW, 4 Feb 2014

   ↑ #S43 Pages 278-279

   ↑ Chet SNOW, March 23, 2014

   ↑ Chet Snow, 4 Feb 2014 & May 12, 2014

   ↑ http://books.google.fr/books?id=f8kWVOafFtQC&pg=PA611

Source S43 William Glover Stanard, editor. The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Volume 30. Virginia Historical Society, 1922. [1]
http://www.jamestowne-wash-nova.org/RaleighCroshaw.htm
Washington & Northern Virginia Company -- Biographies of Ancestors of Members - Raleigh Cro(w)shaw Private
Second Supply ListMike Shaw Elliston
The Banner-Lillis Family Tree Private User
THE FIRST SEVENTEEN YEARS Virginia, 1607-1624, by Charles E. Hatch, Jr. - Violet Kawai Leung

GEDCOM Note

alternate spelling of surname

GEDCOM Note

name as recorded on 'Ancient Planter' patent circa 1623

GEDCOM Note

as signed General Assembly letter https://archive.org/details/journalsofhousb1619virg/page/22/mode/1u...

GEDCOM Note

as named in General Assembly letter dated February 1623 https://archive.org/details/journalsofhousb1619virg/page/27/mode/1u...

GEDCOM Note

Age of Raleigh; birth of son Joseph

Raleigh came to Virginia in 1606. If son Joseph was born in 1600, as reported, then Joseph was born in England of an English mother.

GEDCOM Note

Jamestown Settler "Croshaw is believed to be from the Crashaw family of Crawshawbooth, Lancashire, England. He arrived in Jamestown, Virginia on the "Mary & Margrett", with the Second Supply in September 1608. His lst

GEDCOM Note

Jamestown; the second supply Second Supply:

On October 1, 1608, 70 new settlers arrived aboard the English “Mary and Margaret” with the Second Supply, following a journey of approximately three months. Included in the Second Sup

GEDCOM Note

WIFE OF RALEIGH CROSHAW

There are no records that identify the wife of Raleigh Croshaw! The plain and simple fact is that none of the records provide her name so therefore WE DO NOT KNOW WHO SHE WAS.

Obviously he did have a wife, as he is believed to have had 2 sons Captain Richard Croshaw and Major Joseph Croshaw.

The land patent which is used to 'prove' her existence in Virginia, however, appears to have been misinterpreted. A patent was issued to "Captain Rawleigh Crashaw, of Kequotan, gent., and ancient planter," about 1623.

The exact wording of the patent reads "due for his per. adv. and trans. out of England of his srvt & his wife, whoe came in the Bona Nova in 1620 and 25 Lbs. adventured &c."

This is often interpreted to mean the wife of Rawleigh Crashaw. In my lowly opinion, it has been misread and the wife in question that arrived in the Bona Nova was the wife of the servant. "his servant and his wife' I know women were often undervalued in colonial times but surely if it were Raleigh's wife she would be named and she would have been recorded before the servant. She is listed after the servant because they arrived together as a 'packaged deal' so to speak 'one servant and one servant's wife' neither the servant nor the servant's wife's name were provided because they were servants and the important thing to Raleigh anyway was that he paid for their transport and was therefore due to be reimbursed with land. Other patents of the same time, which record other colonists wives, actually name the wife.

Also his real wife, what ever her name was, could not possibly have arrived in 1620. It is known that Raleigh arrived in Virginia in 1608. It is widely accepted that 'Major Joseph Croshaw' was his son, and that Joseph was born in 1610. Therefore, for Joseph to be born in Virginia in 1610, obviously his mother had to be in Virginia in 1610 and could not therefore be the woman who arrived on the Bona Nova in 1620. Records plainly identify Joseph and Richard Croshaw as brothers; nothing indicates they were 'natural' or illegitimate. So the woman who birthed them was Raleigh's legally accepted wife. It is also accepted that Joseph and Richard were well educated, I have often read that Joseph was educated in England.

Neither wife nor children were named in any known records from the period. Birth or marriage records may have been burned in the many fires known to have destroyed the churches and courthouse. However, there are surviving records regarding the administration of his estate after his death, and no wife or children were name there either. Also neither Joseph, Richard or 'Mrs Croshaw' appear in the 1623 census or 1624/5 muster so it is most likely that they had returned to England at some point prior to this. Presumably because relations with the Indians were so unsettled and so that the boys could be educated. Joseph and Richard do not appear in Virginia records until the late 1630's; apparently when they returned to Virginia as adults, after completing their education.

Raleigh's wife (and often Joseph's wife) are often identified as 'Unity Powhatan', 'Ursula Unity Powhatan' or Rachel Powhatan /Patawomeck' There does not appear to be any real documentation that any of these women really existed. At least no documentation has been found to date to support their existence. ADDITIONALLY: When Pocahontas married John Rolfe in 1614 it was recorded as the FIRST marriage between an English man and a Native American woman. And Rolfe had to get permission from the governor to marry her. Their son Thomas was recorded as the FIRST child of English/ American Indian parents. This plainly disqualified Raleigh's wife from being Native American, either Powhatan or Patawomeck. For Joseph was born in 1610 so Raleigh's marriage and the birth of Joseph clearly predate Pocahontas and Rolfe by 4 years.

William Strachey was Secretary of Virginia in 1610/1611. Most of the information we have about the Powhatan Indians and surrounding tribes comes from what he recorded. He spoke directly with the Indians. One of his primary sources was Paramount Chief Powhatan's brother in law Machumps. Strachey named 6 of Powhatan's children but never mentioned Unity, Ursula or Rachel or any daughter that married Croshaw. And the marriage of Croshaw and a daughter of Powhatan predating the marriage Pocahontas would have been a very big deal and certainly a recordable event. Such a marriage would have made the kidnapping of Pocahontas in 1613 unnecessary.

SO CLEARLY CROSHAW'S WIFE WAS NOT NATIVE AMERICAN!

Another candidate put forth as his wife is 'Unity Daniels' born in England. Not sure where this information originally comes from but I could find no information to support it, just family trees with no sources given. Does not mean it is wrong but does not mean that it is correct either.

And Elizabeth Hoile, this at least has an original source: a marriage record dated 25 February 1607. The marriage took place in Newchurch in Rossendale, Lancashire, England and it IS believed that Raleigh was from Lancashire BUT the groom in the record is only identified as 'Chrawshey'. I suppose that COULD be Raleigh Croshaw, but it could also be his brother, uncle, cousin, grandfather, 3rd cousin once removed or some other bloke that lived in the area. There is nothing to confirm that this was indeed Raleigh.

GEDCOM Note

!Capt. Croshaw was a trader with the Ind

!Capt. Croshaw was a trader with the Indians & was on such a mission "to trade with the savages for corn" when the first Indian massacre on March 22, 1622/3 almost wiped out the settlements outside of Jamestown. "He was so enraged that he challenged Opechancanough or any of his men to fight him naked but the offer was not accepted." Order in General Court and Capt. Francis West, Admr., states: "He was married and may have been the father of Joseph & Richard Croshaw who lived in the adjoining county of York." A 1623 patent said "Rawleigh Crawshaw, Gent. of Kiccoughtan, an ancient planter who has been in this country 15 years, for many services to the Colony-- 500 acres near Old Point Comfort". He was a member of the London Company. From 1623- 1624 he was a Burgess from Elizabeth City County (now Hampton Co., VA). Children are circumstantial - they lived 25-30 miles from him. York RB 4-18, 24 states that Joseph & Richard are brothers.

GEDCOM Note

11th great grandfather

paternal side

GEDCOM Note

History of Raleigh Croshaw (1584-1624) Captain Raleigh Croshaw (c.1584-1624) was an Ancient planter and a representative in the House of Burgesses for Elizabeth City County in the Colony and Dominion of Virginia.

Virginia settler

Croshaw

GEDCOM Note

!Among the "Second Supply" of colonists

!Among the "Second Supply" of colonists who reached Jamestown about the last of Sept 1608. In 1623/24 he was a Burgess from Elizabeth City county. He received a patient for 500 acres near Old Point Comfort, his services for 15 years services being highly commended.

GEDCOM Note

Robert Blackwell Desc. IGI Was sealed to

Robert Blackwell Desc. IGI Was sealed to father as Crowshaw. Captain Raleigh Crowshaw arrived in Jamestown in late Sept. 1608 as part of the Second Supply. In 1609 he is listed as a member of the London Company. 1618 and 1620 listed as adventurer in theVirginia Company. Was elected the the House of Burgess for Elizabeth City. Died between 22 nov and 27 dec 1624.

GEDCOM Note

Arrived in Jamestown Sep 1608. His name

Arrived in Jamestown Sep 1608. His name was listed with those of Francis West (brother of Lord Delaware) and Capt. Thomas Graves.

Listed among the living on 16 Feb 1622 in Jamestown, James City, Virginia. Source: John Smith, The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and Sumner Isles. page 72 (London 1624; 1966). A member of the London Company in 1609 Knowledge of Indians and Indian warfare. Occupation: Trader, Planter, Adventurer. Received 500 acres for transporting servant and his wife (the servants wife or Rawleigh's?) from England in the Bona Nova in 1620. He was a Burgess for Elizabeth City in 1624. Will was administered by Capt. Francis West.

DEATH: Also shown as Died by 27 Dec 1624

DEATH: Also shown as Died by 27 Dec 1624

GEDCOM Note

Another opinion on Croshaw's wife, NOT a Powhatan.

Thought I would throw in my 2 cents on the non-existant relationship of Raleigh Croshaw and 'Ursula Unity Powhatan'

Someone recently asked me if there was any proof that they were not a couple. Well, no! There is never going to be proof of something that DID NOT happen, only proof of what DID. And there is absolutely no proof of who Raleigh Croshaw's 1st wife was or any proof that she was American Indian. There is also no proof that Powhatan had a daughter named Ursula Unity. And if he had one, there SHOULD BE proof.

I am writing this in support of what others have already pointed out, so there will be some repetition.

The idea that Powhatan would 'give a daughter to have peace' is a legitimate one, because he did just that. That daughter was Pocahontas, who married John Rolfe in 1614. The marriage of Pocahontas and John Rolfe is in deed proof that Croshaw did not marry a daughter of Powhatan (or any Native American woman) for the Rolfe union is recorded as the first Powhatan/English marriage. In order to marry Pocahontas Rolfe had to get special permission from the Governor. Opechancanough was involved in the negotiations and insisted the occasion be commemorated by a brass plaque. Had a daughter of Powhatan and an Englishman already married prior to this, all of that would not have been necessary. The whole point of Pocahontas marrying Rolfe would have no longer held the same negotiating power. ALSO Croshaw's son Joseph was born between 1600 and 1610. If he was born before September 1608 he was without a doubt English, because Croshaw did not arrive in Virginia until September 1608. This is documented! Also the marriage of Anne Burras is known to be the first English marriage in the New World, and her daughter Virginia Laydon was the first child of English colonists to be born in the colony. Burras married in Dec 1608 and while Virginia is recorded as the first birth, the date of her birth was apparently lost. Some people identify Joseph's birth in 1610. I have not found any actual record that establishes his exact DOB. But many records that discuss him (books) identify his birth in 1610. Regardless of the exact date he was definitely born before Thomas Rolfe. And Thomas Rolfe born in 1615 is recorded as the 1st birth of English/Powhatan heritage. Neither the Powhatan nor the English had reason to lie about this and neither have disputed this fact. Joseph Croshaw was English, nothing else. There is no proof of exactly who his mother was, but it is apparent that she was English, not Native American. There has never been anything to indicate Joseph or his sibling was of mixed heritage. The marriage of Pocahontas to Rolfe was of major importance, it was a very big event, even the King of England acknowledged it. Pocahontas was considered a 'Princess' by the English. Croshaw was a prominent member of the colony. If he had married a daughter of Powhatan it would have been just as big a deal. Especially as it would have taken place at least 5 years before the marriage of Pocahontas. Croshaw would have married Joseph's mother either before coming to Jamestown or between December 1608 and February 1610.

It is true that Powhatan/Wahunsenacawh had many children and we only know a few of their names. Had one of them been the wife of Croshaw, surely her name would have been recorded somewhere, that is a rather important fact. Also her name 'Ursula Unity' that is not a Native American name but VERY English. People argue that she changed it. When the Indians took English names it was after converting to Christianity and they were of Biblical origin: Mary, Peter, Rebecca.... neither Unity or Ursula would have been acceptable baptismal names. There is also no record of any daughter of Powhatan converting to Christianity before 1614. Pocahontas was the first to really have the opportunity to learn about it. Her long captivity is what gave her the opportunity, and desire, to learn about the English religious beliefs. Had other natives been converted before this, once again, it would have been recorded. It was considered a great accomplishment on the part of the Reverend, to have 'saved the soul of a heathen'. Pocahontas' conversion is commemorated in England with stained glass windows depicting the event. I am by no means an expert, but I have done a lot of research on this, and to the best of my knowledge none of the tribes have oral histories that say anything about a Croshaw marriage. And the Indians admired him as a great fighter, so such a marriage would have been remembered. It is ridiculous to think that the Indians told William Strachey such personal details as when Pocahontas started her menses but never mentioned she had a sister that married Croshaw.

GEDCOM Note

Life Sketch

Captain Raleigh Croshaw arrived in Jamestown with the Second Supply in September 1608. It is thought that he may be related to the Crashaw family of Crashaw, Lancashire. He was a member of the Virginia Company of London in 1609 and was still listed as an adventurer in the Company in both 1618 and 1620. He was mentioned as being 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 was almost overcome by surprise. This attack was thwarted in part by Croshaw's quick reaction. Croshaw then made a night trip back to Jamestown which helped to avoid further treachery. He appears to have been a skilled Indian fighter. At the time of the massacre of March 1622 he was on a trading cruise on the Potomac. According to Captain John Smith's General Historie, Croshaw challenged the chief Opechancanough or any of his warriors to fight him naked, an offer that was not accepted. When Captain John Smith published his General Historie in 1624, one of the verses in Volume III of the book had been 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 Rawleigh Crawshaw, Gent., of Kiccoughtan, An Ancient Planter who hath remained in this country 15 years complete and performed many worthy services to the Colony," for 500 acres by Old Point Comfort. This was based on his transporting himself, his servant and his servant's wife, in addition to adventuring 25 pounds sterling in the Company. By the following year he was a burgess for Elizabeth City. In March of 1624 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. 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, and as neither the census of 1624 nor the muster of 1625 mentions them it seems probable that the wife and children returned to England. Captain Croshaw appears to have had three sons, Joseph, Noah(possible name), and Richard. While Joseph may have been educated in England, both Joseph and Richard are mentioned many times in the records. Joseph appears to have led a more public life, having been a member of the House of Burgesses from York as well as having served as a justice and as sheriff for York County.

References: l."Crowshaw", by Martha Woodroof Hiden; William and Mary Qtrly (2), XXI, pp265 70 2. "General Historie", by John Smith, 1624, Vol III, pp 78 81, Vol IV, pp. 151 154; published in "The Complete Works of Captain John Smith", edited by Philip L. Barbour; Vol II, University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC, 1986

Nov 04

find a grave: Capt Raleigh Croshaw BIRTH 1570 Lancashire, England DEATH 22 Nov 1624 (aged 53–54) York County, Virginia, USA BURIAL Unknown MEMORIAL ID 83478344 · View Source SHARE SAVE TO SUGGEST EDITS MEMORIAL PHOTOS 0 FLOWERS 45 PLANT TREES Capt. Raleigh Croshaw Esq. and 2nd wife Ursula (born in York Co., VA in 1576) by whom he fathered Maj. Joseph Croshaw at Burton Parish, York Co., VA.

"Croshaw is believed to be from the Crashaw family of Crawshawbooth, Lancashire, England. He arrived in Jamestown, Virginia on the "Mary & Margrett", with the Second Supply in September 1608. His lst wife came over on the "Bona Nova" in 1620 but, as she is not mentioned in 1623 Census, she was likely dead by 1623. He was a member of the Virginia Company of London in 1609 and was still listed as an adventurer in the Company in 1618 and 1620. He was one of the authors of the complimentary verses prefixed to "The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles" (1624) of John Smith of Jamestown.

Croshaw and his wife had at least two sons, possibly three:[1Joseph Croshaw lst married ? 2.Widow Finch; 3. Widow Anne Hodges; 4. Widow Margaret Tucker; 5. Widow Mary Bromfield son Noah Croshaw (1614–1665), married Elinor ________& Richa…

Read More Family Members Spouse Ursula Unity Powhatan Croshaw 1576–1624 Children Katherine Croshaw Graves 1586 – unknown Photo Joseph Croshaw 1610–1667 Flowers • 45

Left by I LoveJesus on 23 May 2021

Am your 11th great grand

GEDCOM Note

The Croshaw family dates to the earlies

The Croshaw family dates to the earliest English settlers in the New World. Captain Raleigh Croshaw arrived in Jamestown in late September 1608 as a part of the Second Supply. In 1609 he is described as a member of the London Company and he is listed in 1618 and 1620 as an adventurer in the Virginia 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. Raleigh Croshaw is believed to have had three sons, Joseph, who was probably born in England c.1612, Noah, and Richard, who was probably born in Virginia c.1622. Raleigh Croshaw's wife and a servant arrived in Virginia sometime in 1620 on the Bono Nova. Raleigh is believed to have died sometime between 22 November and 27 December 1624.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Croshaw-6