Thomas Croasdale

Thomas Croasdale, also recorded as Crossdale, Crosdall, and Crosdale, was described in a 1937 family history as an early settler at Neshaminy in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. That account says he came from Yorkshire, England, with his wife, Agnes Hawthornwaite, and six children aboard the Welcome in 1682, and that he held 500 acres in Bucks County. The supplied life dates give his death as 2 November 1682, but the cited family history instead places his estate administration and inventory in 1684.

Thomas Croasdale was born about 1639. A later family history identifies him as “Thomas Croasdale, the immigrant” and describes him as one of the earliest settlers in Neshaminy, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In land records he was variously identified as Thomas Crossdale of New Hay in Yorkshire, yeoman, and as Thomas Crosdall of New Key, County of York.

According to the family history, Thomas married Agnes Hawthornwaite in England. The account states that Thomas, Agnes, and their six children came on the ship Welcome, which arrived on 27 August 1682. It further states that he brought a certificate from Settle Monthly Meeting, Yorkshire, England, dated 4-7-1682.

A deed dated 21 and 22 April 1682 conveyed 1,000 acres to Thomas Crossdale of New Hay in Yorkshire, 500 acres of which were in Bucks County. The same family history states that the wills of Thomas and Agnes show that they owned 500 acres in Bucks County.

The supplied life dates give Thomas Croasdale’s death as 2 November 1682. However, the cited abstract of Bucks County Will No. 102 records administrators, Agnes Croasdale and John Croasdale, on 10 mo. 1, 1684, and an inventory dated 10 mo. 8, 1684, including 500 acres of land. The 1937 family history therefore states that he died in 1684.

Thomas and Agnes were said to have had six children: John, William, Mary, Alice, Bridget, and Morrah. Their son William was described in the family history as of Bristol and as having died in 1715. Mary was stated to have been born in 1672, to have died in 1716, and to have married William Smith on 20 September 1690. Alice was said to have married David Potts; Bridget, a Cowgill; and Morrah, a Wildman.

The cited family history states that Agnes Croasdale died in 1685. Its abstract of Agnes Crosdale’s estate identifies her as a widow and records administration in 1686 by her sons William Crossdale and John Crossdale, with Nicholas Waln and Robert Heaton of Neshaminah. The abstract includes 500 acres.

Historical context

The account places the Croasdale family among early settlers at Neshaminy in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, following their reported 1682 arrival on the Welcome. Land ownership and estate administration were central features of the family’s early Pennsylvania record as presented in the cited family history.

Sources & research

Haines, Blanche. Ancestry of Sharpless Moore and Rachel (Roberts) Moore. Three Rivers, Mich.: N.p., 1937. Call Number: R929.2 M825h. Page 180, “CROASDALE No. 250 First Generation.”
Pennsylvania Archives, Land Records, Series 2, vol. 19, p. 255. Deed of 21 and 22 April 1682 conveying 1,000 acres to Thomas Crossdale of New Hay in Yorkshire, yeoman.
Pennsylvania Archives, Land Records, Series 2, vol. 19, p. 517. Reference to Thomas Crosdall of New Key, County of York.
Bucks County Will No. 102. Thomas Croasdale, Neshaminah; administrators recorded 10 mo. 1, 1684; inventory dated 10 mo. 8, 1684.
Bucks County Will No. 114. Agnes Crosdale, widow; administration 1686.