Simon Crosby

7 SIMON CROSBY Jr son of Simon was born in Cambridge Mass Aug 1637. He was only 2 years old when his father died. When he was 6 his mother remarried and the family moved to Braintree. Simon was raised in a family that was very well educated. Rev Tompson was a graduate of Oxford University in England, his sons William and Benjamin, both were Harvard graduates as well as Simon’s brother Thomas. Simon was married in Braintree on 15 July 1659, by Major Humphrey Atherton of Dorchester, to Rachel Brackett of Braintree. She was the daughter of Deacon Richard Brackett and his wife Alice (Blower). Rachel was born in Boston 3 Nov 1639.

                                       Simon and Rachel had the following children

*Rachel b 24 Aug 1660 Braintree, m 4 Aug 1685 Ephraim Kidder d 1721

       *Simon   b             1663    Billerica   m before 1689 Hannah               d after 1717

                                                                   m 16 Mar 1702/3 Abigail Whittaker

       *Thomas b 10 Mar 1665/6 Billerica                                                    d before 1737

       *Joseph b 5  July  1669    Billerica  m 4 Aug 1691 Sarah French       d around 1736

       *Hannah b 30 Mar 1672    Billerica  m 8 Jan 1694/5 Samuel Danforth d 1752

                                                                 m 4 Jun 1743 Enoch Kidder.

        *Nathan b  9 Feb  1674/5  Billerica   m 28 Sept 1706 Sarah Shed       d 1749

        *Josiah   b 11 Nov 1677    Billerica   m 2 Nov 1703/4 Mary Manning d before 1745

        *Mary    b 23 Nov 1680    Billerica   m 7 Aug 1701 John Blanchard   d 1748

        *Sarah    b 27 July 1684    Billerica   m 26 Oct 1710 Capt Will Rawson d after 1733      

10 Simon and Rachel moved to Billerica in 1662 after their daughter Rachel was born. Four of Rachel’s brothers and sisters moved to Billerica with their families at the same time as Simon and Rachel. Simon settled on Bare Hill near Nutting Pond. He built a log cabin which they lived in for 17 years. Its foundations were still visible in 1914. This farm remained in the Crosby family from 1660 to 1913, over 250 years. It was located on what is now the Bedford road. Simon acquired 17 land grants between 1660 and 1685 in Billerica. His earliest public service was as a land surveyor in 1663. In 1664 he was elected constable of Billerica. In 1675 he housed soldiers in his home during King Philip’s War. He was appointed Surveyor of Highways in 1666. In 1677 Simon built a large garrison house for his growing family and protection from the Indians. There were 3 Indian massacres in the area after Simon completed his house. Simon applied for an Inn Keepers license in 1690 and ran a Tavern in his home. The following are some of the conditions required by the license. Simon Crosbee is admitted and allowed to keep a Common Publick house of enterainment and to use Common, selling of wine, beer, ale, syder, rum, brandy and other liquors for ye year ensueing in ye now dwelling house of said Simon Crosbee. He shall not permit any playing at cards, dice tables bowls, billiards, nine pins or any other unlawfull game or games, in his house, yard, garden or backside. He shall not allow any person not of his family on Satturday nights after dark, or on thr Sabbath Daies. Nor shall he entertain as Lodgers in his house any strangers men or women above ye space of forty eight hours, unless they be very well known. He shall not sell any wine or liquors to any Indians or Negros, nor suffer any children or servants, or any other person to remain in his house Tipling or Drinking after Nine of ye clock in ye night time. Nor shall buy, or take to pawn, any stolen goods, nor willingly or knowingly harbour in his house or barn or stable, or other where any rogues, vagabonds, theives, sturdy beggars or masterless men or women or other notorious offenders whatsoever, nor shall suffer any person or persons, to sell or utter any wine, beer, ale, syder, brandy, rum or other liquors. He shall provide sufficient houeing wth two beds at ye least for entertainment of strangers & travarllers.

Simon served on the Grand Jury in 1671, in 1672 he was commissioner for the county rate. In 1674/5 he was on the committee for gratuities, in 1677 he was sent to the General Court to carry a petition about rates. From 1675 to 1678 he was one of a committee of three to examine the town accounts. In 1717 at the age of 80 Simon made his last will and testament, which follows:

In the name of God amen I Simon Crosbey of Billerica, in the County of Middx., in his Majests. Province of Massachuset Bay in New England, this seventh day of June Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventeen, being weak in body but of perfect mind & understanding do make & ordain this my last Will and testament in manner and forme following, that is to say Principally & first of all I give and recommend my Immortal soul into the hands of God that gave it, and my body to the earth to a decent burial at the discression of my Executors, and as for the worldy Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

                                                                                                                                                     11

         Imps. I do give unto my dear and beloved wife Rachel Crosbey, the whol use & Improvement of my dwelling house and all the rooms therein, and all the utensels & beding to be at her dispose during her natural life, and the one half of said utensels & beding to be at her  dispose forever, and the use of the three gardains and the yard, & the house belonging to the yard and out of the orchard what fruit & cider may be needful, & a sufitiency to provide a maid or a nurs, according to her nesecity, and the use of a hors to cary her to meeting, or when she hath ocation to ride forth, and her choyce of two cows to be constantly provided for winter & sumers and six sheep to be keept & maintained by my execut so long as they shall se reson to keep sheep for themselves, and if they keep no sheep I order that they provide for their mother annually twelve pounds of merchantable wool, I give unto my loveing ewife, what swine I have to be at her dispose, and grant her liberty for the future to rais what may be for her use; and a continual supply of corn & meal and mault & firewood for her cumfortable subcistance at all times, and further I do order my executors to pay unto my dear wife six pounds in money annually during her natural life. 	Item as for my Eldest son Simon Crosbey I have already given him his Double portion in my estate in full by a deed of gift of lands & medow, executed according to law to his satisfaction. 	Item I give unto the Rest of my sons to each of them eighty pounds, and I give unto each of my daughters sixty pounds, accounting what each of them have had as part of their portions. 	Item My son Thomas Crosbey hath Received of me in our way of trade twenty pounds. 	Item My son  Joseph  Crosbey has Received in land and help about Building twenty pounds. 	Item My son Nathan Crosbey hath Received in part of his portion twenty pounds in land and medow. 	Item My son Josiah Crosbey hath Received in part of his portion in land thirty pounds. 	Item My daughter Rachel Kidder the wife of Ephraim Kidder I have given unto her as part of her portion fifty pounds in the sale of that land that I sold unto my son in law Ephraim Kidder, and ten pounds besids which she is to Receive. 	Item My daughter Hannah Danforth the wife of Samuel Danforth hath Received sixteen pounds. 	Item My daughter Mary Blanchard the wife of John Blanchard hath Received fifteen pounds in his purchas and fifteen pounds in household stuff, in part of her portion thirty pounds. 	Item My daughter Sarah Rawson the wife of William Rawson of Braintry hath Received in part of her portion fifty & eight pounds, in household stuff, cattel and myoney. 	Item I do nominate, appoint and fully Inpower, my two sons Thomas and Josiah Crosbey to be my lawfull executors of this my last will. also I do give unto my grand son John Crosbey fifteen pounds and unto my grand daughter Rachel Danforth ten pounds in money to be paid by my executors after my decease, and in case my estate do amount to more than what I have given to my children my will is that after all debts and funeral charges be paid the Remainder shall be equally divided amoung my children. 	In witness that this is my last will and testament I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written In the third year of his Majestr. Reign.

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                 Signed Sealed pronounced and declared by the said Simon Crosbey 	     to be his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers  			Samll Fasset 			John Duren: junr. 			Jacob Danforth

Middx. County, Camb. Simon Crosbey (Seal) 26th. February 1724/5 L S This aforegoing last will & Teatament of Simon Crosby was presented by Josiah Crosby one of ye Executrs. in ye sd will named for probate & Just Whiting Certifyed the Widow desired ye sd. will may be proved & came also. Nathan Crosby, James Crosby Son of Simon Crosby, Saml. Danforth, husband to Hannah and John Blanchard husband to Mary two daughters of sd. Testatr. Tho. Kidder a son of Rachel a 3rd daughter Joseph Crosby, 3d Son, the three Witnesses were sworn according to law. sd. Josiah accepts his office, & room is left for Thomas ye other Ecr now Sick) & notice first to be given to ye other kindred. & this will is proved & approved & the sd. Testatrs. Estate & of this sd. will in any manner conserning is & ye admrn. comitted To ye sd. Josiah to fulfill ye. same. I order forthwith a p’fect Inventory to be taken (at kindrens choise) by Capt Saml. Hill, Enoch Kidder & Saml. Fasset of Billerica, to be sworn cor Just Whiting. Witness my hand & seal of Court of Pro
die supra F. Foxcroft Judge prob

                                  Entred in the Registry of Probate for Middlesex

                                  Libr. 17 pae. 250, 1

                                                    P Fra. Foxcroft Jun reg 	Commonwealth of Massachusetts 	Middlesex ss. Registry of Probate

                                     a true copy.

                                               Attest, W. E. Rogers Register

An Inventory of the Real and Personal estate of Mr. Simon Crosbey late of Billerica deceased, Testate Aprised by us the subscribers, March 18, 1724/5.

Imp The homestead on the west side of the Road containing seventy three

acres of upland and medow with the buildings at four hundred and twenty Pounds. 420 00 00 	The homestead on the east side of the Road containing ten acres and three  quarters of mowing land at one hundred and ten Pounds                                             110 00 00 	Sixty nine acres of upland and swamp lying near Strong Water Brook at sixty nine Pounds                                                                                                            69 00 00 	one Parcel of land lying upon Rozen Plain containing a hundred and fourty acres at Eighty seven Pounds                                                                                          87 00 00 	Sixty acres of land lying on the West side of Concord River at fifty Pounds    50 00 00 	Twenty five acres of wood land lying near flaggey medow in the Pond

squadron at twenty five Pounds.                                                                                    25 00 00 	                                                                                                                        L761 00 00

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                                     The Personal Estate  	One old hors at forty shillings, two oxen at thirteen Pounds                              15 00 00 	One Cow and Calf at five Pounds                                                                       05 00 00

           Two old Cows at seven Pound & ten shillings                                                   07 10 00

           One Bull and a heafer at five Pounds fifteen shillings                                        05 15 00

           Seven sheep at three Pounds & three shillings                                                    03 03 00 	His wearing apparrel at five Pounds eleven shillings                                          05 11 00

           One Silver Cup at thre Pounds & ten shillings                                                    03 10 00 	The Peauter at two Pounds & two shillings                                                         02 02 00 	Beds, beding and linning twenty one Pounds four shillings                                21 04 00 	Iron ware and old Iron four Pounds & nineteen shillings                                    04 19 00 	Brass ware two Pounds                                                                                         02 00 00 	Scales & weights, a morter and pestel at five shillings                                         00 05 00 	One old gun and cutlash at eighteen shillings                                                       00 18 00 	Tables and Chairs and other utensils at three Pounds sixteen shillings                03 16 00 	                                                                                                                            L80 13 00

                                                                                  Samuel Hill

                                                                                 Samuel Fasset

                                                                                  Enoch Kidder

Billerica March ye 2 1725/6 These lines may certifie whome it doth concern that I have Received of my Son Josiah Crosby (Exetr. of his fathers will) the contents there in mentioned for the first year I say Recd. by me for one year

                     Rachell Crosbey 	Commonwealth of Massachusetts 	Middlesex ss.  Registry of Probate

                     A true copy

                                                Attest,                                    W. E. Rogers 

                                                                                                   Register

Simon died 22 Jan 1725/6, at the age of 88. He was buried from his home in Billerica, and buried in the Old South Burying-ground about one mile from the centre of the town of Billerica, on the road to Concord, where many of the Crosby’s are buried. Rachel died in 1735, age 94, and is probably buried next to Simon in the Old South Burying-ground.

 Simon Jr., born 1637, moved early in life to Billerica, Mass. and was the first innkeeper in that town.  He was Representative in the General Court in 1691, 1697, and 1698.  (Indications are that it is from him that the Alonzo Crosby descent is traced.

He was Representative in the General Court in 1691, 1697, and 1698.

• Military service: King Philip's War/ - 1675
• Residence: Braintree, Ma - 1645
• Residence: Billerica, Ma. - 1660
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Jan 8 2017, 5:39:02 UTC

Parents: Simon and Ann of Cambridge Marriage: Rachel Bracket, dau. of Dea. Richard Bracket of Braintree, July 13, 1659 Death: CROSBY, Simon, Jan. 22, 1725, a. 87. G.R.1.

His father died 1639 and his mother m. Rev. William Tompson of Braintree. He m. Rachel Bracket of Braintree in 1659 and settled in Billerica on the north side of Bare Hill. He became a large land-holder, inn-keeper, and leading citizen. Inscription: Here lyes the Body of Mr. SIMON CROSBY who Dec'd Janry 22nd 1725 in ye 88 Year of His Age ??????????

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 8 2017, 6:00:07 UTC

https://ma-vitalrecords.org/MA/Middlesex/Cambridge/aBirthsC.shtml "(CROSBY (Crosbye)) Symon, s. Symon and Annah, Aug. ––, 1637."

https://ma-vitalrecords.org/MA/Middlesex/Billerica/aDeathsC.shtml "(CROSBY (Crosbey)) Simon, Jan. 22, 1725, a. 87. GR1"