Individual Details
Simon Crosby
(6 Aug 1637 - 22 Jan 1724/25)
Simon was born in Cambridge in 1637 and was only 2 years old when his father died. When he was 6 years old, his mother remarried to Reverend William Tompson and th family moved to Braintree. The Tompson family was very well educated. His step-father was a graduate of Oxford University and his two sons, as well as Simon's brother Thomas, were Harvard graduates.
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.
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.
Events
| Birth | 6 Aug 1637 | Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay | |||
| Marriage | 15 Jul 1659 | Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay - Rachel Brackett | |||
| Death | 22 Jan 1724/25 | Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts |  | ||
| Burial | |
Families
| Spouse | Rachel Brackett (1639 - ) |
| Child | Rachel Crosby (1660 - 1721) |
| Child | Simon Crosby (1663 - 1717) |
| Child | Thomas Crosby (1666 - 1737) |
| Child | Agnes Crosby (1668 - 1768) |
| Child | Joseph Crosby (1669 - 1759) |
| Child | Hannah Crosby (1673 - 1752) |
| Child | Nathan Crosby (1674 - 1749) |
| Child | Josiah Crosby (1677 - 1745) |
| Child | Mary Crosby (1680 - 1748) |
| Child | John Crosby (1682 - ) |
| Child | Sarah Crosby (1684 - 1734) |
| Father | Simon Crosby (1608 - 1639) |
| Mother | Anne Brigham (1606 - 1675) |
| Sibling | Thomas Crosby (1635 - 1702) |
| Sibling | Joseph Crosbie (1639 - 1695) |