Robert Crossman (1622-1692) and
Sarah Kingsbury (1635-1686)
Robert Crossman and Sarah Kingsbury are our 9th great grandparents by the following path: RWA → Fred Pemberton Abbott → Mary Emma Knowles Abbott → Mary West Knowles → James West → John West → Mercy Packard West → Seth Packard → Hannah Crossman Packard → Robert Crossman → Robert Crossman and Sarah Kingsbury
Sarah Kingsbury was the daughter of Joseph Kingsbury (1611-1676) and Millicent Ames (1604-1677). Sarah was about two or three years old when she came with her parents from England. Sarah’s parents settled in Dedham. It took Joseph Kingsbury two tries to be admitted as a freeman. He first tried for admission as a freeman in 1638 but was turned down as he was thought "too much addicted to the world." But by 1641 the church was "so well p'suaded of his repentance and faith as ye he was received into ye fellowship of ye church." His wife Millicent was apparently more devout as she was admitted to the church before him as she "appeared to ye church a tender hearted soule full of feares and temptations, but truly breathing after Christ."
There is a little murkiness about the origins of Robert Crossman. He was from England and seems to have been in Dedham in 1636. But a Robert Crossman is listed as a first proprietor of Dedham in 1636 which would mean he was born well before 1622. So, perhaps he is older – or perhaps he came with a parent Robert, but all that is not straightened out. In any event, our ancestor Robert Crossman married Sarah Kingsbury and the newly married couple headed off to Taunton where they were first settlers by 1654. Robert Crossman had been an apprentice to Joseph Kingsbury, Sarah’s father.
Robert Crossman was a skilled craftsman. He was known as the “Drum Maker of New England” making the drums used by the militia. He was also an arms maker and his main employment was the making and repairing of arms. He fitted out with guns and drums the soldiers in Captain Samuel Gallop's Company for the Canada expedition under Sir William Phipps in 1690. Robert’s son Thomas was killed in the Canada expedition. [An example of a colonial field drum is shown to the left.]
Robert also was involved in the building of the first iron works in Taunton which was built in 1656. Of course, the iron works are no longer there, but a small memorial marks the site.
Robert and Sarah had 11 children. Their son Robert (1657-1738) is our ancestor. The house that Robert, Jr. built about 1700 is depicted below. The house is reportedly still standing. Robert. Jr. was a Massachusetts legislator and served as a selectman. In addition to his political activities, Robert, Jr. was a tavern keeper, lawyer, and mill owner.
Craftsmanship was a family tradition. A great grandson of the immigrant Robert, also Robert Crossman (1707-1799), made the chest pictured at the top of the page. Robert Crossman chests are in several museums including the Metropolitan Museum of New York and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Family group sheet for Robert Crossman and Sarah Kingsbury: http://sites.rootsmagic.com/colonialgenealogy/family.php?f=490