Crosby family papers
Scope and Contents
The collection contains correspondence among Crosby family members, including relatives outside the immediate family. The earlier letters (1830-1850) are primarily from those members in Michigan and Ohio to their relatives back home in Connecticut. They describe the difficulties of life on the frontier with particular attention given to illness. There is also mention of farming, weather and religious meetings. Some later letters (1860s) mention the Civil War and the Crosby family's involvement in it. The latest letters (1890-1910) make mention of a Fairbanks family genealogy, which is not in the collection. Also included are estate receipts from the Samuel Fairbanks estate (1829-1835), various invitations and announcements, some poetry and other assorted papers.
Dates
- 1814-1915
Genealogy
For the benefit of the researcher, the following is a partial genealogy of the Crosby family, based on the limited information found in the correspondence:
Celia ? m. Mr. Crosby
children:
1. Stephen
2. Simeon
3. Elijah
children: 1. Betsey m. Mr. Fletcher
4. Caleb B. m. Lucy ?
Children: 1. S.
5. Susan (1792- ) m. Mr. Barber
children: 1. Lydia
6. Hannah P. m. Andrew Penniman
7. Charles ( -1839) m. Abigail Fairbanks
children:
1. Jane ( -1847)
2. Abigail ( -1844?) m. Dennis ?
3. Rachel ( -1895-6) m. Mr. Wakefield
4. Susan (1823-1897) m. Alexander Blake (1812-1891)
children: 1. Ophelia (1847-1940)
5. Hannah E. m. John Thayer
children: Andrew
Biographical / Historical
Susan Crosby Barber and her mother Celia Crosby lived in Thompson, Connecticut. The Jason Fairbanks family lived in Watertown, New York. Andrew and Hannah P. Crosby Penniman moved from Thompson, Connecticut to Bloomingburgh, Ohio circa 1837. Charles and Abigail Fairbanks Crosby moved from Thompson, Connecticut to Fredonia, New York in 1837, to Rawsonville, Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1839, to Bloomingburgh, Ohio ca. 1843, then to Morenci, Michigan ca. 1845. John and Hannah Crosby Thayer moved from Bloomingburgh, Ohio to New Carlisle, Clark County, Indiana in 1847, then to Cambridge City, Indiana in 1847. Alexander and Susan Crosby Blake moved from Medina, Michigan to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1861.
Extent
0.21 Linear Feet (One box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Crosby family papers consist mainly of letters written by members of the extended Crosby family. They describe the life, social conditions, farming, weather, religion and family matters in towns in New York, Connecticut, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, including Grand Rapids. Some of the letters describe pioneer conditions, especially the illnesses and difficulties encountered by those settling in frontier communities in Michigan and Ohio.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Ophelia Blake?, accession number 00.040, i.e. 1980.040
- Title
- Finding aid for the Crosby Family papers
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- February 1988
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org