Michael CROSSON & Rebecca Honour WILSON

Michael Crosson

Birth and Immigration

Michael Crosson was born in County Tipperary, Ireland in December of 1822.

Family sources say that he came to this country at age 17, or about 1842. However, he is listed as a passenger on the ship Jacob A. Westervelt, departing from Liverpool, England (his native country being Ireland) and arriving in New York City on October 9, 1850. This would put him at arriving in the country at age 27.

His life in Ireland is a mystery. The location of County Tipperary is given by Alice Benard Crosson (1905-1998), his granddaughter, who remembers him visiting her occasionally.

Discovering Michael's Parents

A discovery in 2015 led us to the identity of his parents, who are now known to be Owen and Julia Crosson. (This link is confirmed by documentation and genetic testing.) Michael Crosson also has 3 known sisters: Catherine, Anna, and Rose. They immigrated to America with their parents and settled in Philadelphia. The 1910 US Census tells us that his sister Rose arrived in America in 1840. The accuracy of this date is uncertain, but it makes sense that Michael Crosson came over later to join his family and begin a new life in New Jersey, within close proximity (about 50 miles) to his parents.

Marriage

Following Michael's arrival, he married Rebecca Honour Wilson on January 27, 1853 in New Egypt, Ocean County, New Jersey.

Employment

After arriving in America, he was employed as a farm laborer.

Death

Michael died on January 5, 1903 in New Egypt, Ocean County, New Jersey at the age of 80 (although his headstone says age 78). He was laid to rest in Church of the Assumption Cemetery in New Egypt.

Rebecca Honour Wilson

Birth and Parents

Rebecca was born around 1832 in New Jersey (possibly New Egypt). She may have been the daughter (or an adopted daughter?) of Alfred Wilson and Maria (Appleby?).

Indian Girl?

Some family sources say that she was an indentured servant. Those same sources also say that she was a full-blooded Indian/Native America. There are no documents to prove that she was, or that she wasn't. Here are the things we do know:

(1) In the early 1990s, George Leon Crosson, Jr., great-grandson of Rebecca, had taken a DNA test, showing that he did indeed have Native American ancestry, about 15%. Does this confirm that Rebecca was a Native American?

(2) An AncestryDNA test taken in 2013 by great-great-grandson Terence William Crosson did not reveal any Native American ancestry. What this proves is that if Rebecca was a Native American, the DNA did not make it down this many generations.

(3) Both the 1870 and 1880 U.S. Census' say that Rebecca is white. This could mean that she is either not Native American, only part Native American, or full-blooded Native American but could pass as white.

The question still remains on her true identity.

Mormon Connection

Family legend has it that she was connected to the family of Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet. While there is no record of a baptism or other connection to Joseph Smith or to the Mormon Church, her father, Alfred Wilson, is another story. I will go into detail about this connection when I cover Alfred's story.

Death

Rebecca died on September 6, 1899 in Cream Ridge, Monmouth County, New Jersey at the age of 68. She is buried with her husband in Church of the Assumption Cemetery in New Egypt.

Headstone of Michael Crosson and wife Rebecca Honour Wilson
Church of the Assumption Cemetery, New Egypt, NJ
Source: FindAGrave.com contributor Kat

The Family of Michael and Rebecca Crosson

Through census records and Rebecca's family Bible, we are able to conclude that she and Michael had 10 children:

1. John Alfred Crosson

He was born on February 26, 1854 in New Egypt, Ocean County, New Jersey. He died on February 27, 1878 in Monmouth County, New Jersey, at the age of 24. His cause of death is unknown. He never married. He may have been named for his maternal grandfather, Alfred Wilson. Whether or not the name John is a family name is unknown. He is buried in Church of the Assumption Cemetery (Roman Catholic) in New Egypt, NJ.

Headstone of John Alfred Crosson
Church of the Assumption Cemetery, New Egypt, NJ
Source: FindAGrave.com contributor Kat

2. Owen Crosson

He was born on January 12, 1856 in Cream Ridge, Monmouth County, New Jersey and died on June 5, 1875 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. His cause of death is also unknown. He never married. He may have been named for his paternal grandfather (thus further proving the correct parent link of Michael). He is buried in Church of the Assumption Cemetery (Roman Catholic) in New Egypt, NJ. 

Headstone of Owen Crosson
Church of the Assumption Cemetery, New Egypt, NJ
Source: FindAGrave.com contributor Kat

3. Michael Crosson

He was born on February 25, 1858 in Cream Ridge, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He married Jennie Agnes Welsh on December 10, 1888 in Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey, and had 7 children. He died on December 10, 1941 in Bradley Beach, Monmouth County, New Jersey at the age of 83 and is buried in Saint Catherine's Cemetery in Sea Girt, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

4. Catherine Ann Crosson

She was born on April 8, 1860 in Cream Ridge, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was also known as "Kate". She married (1) Charles Edward Applegate on December 20, 1883 in New Egypt, Ocean County, New Jersey and; (2) Harry M. Irons on October 16, 1901 in Cream Ridge, Monmouth, New Jersey. She had one child, a son, with Mr. Applegate. She died on February 28, 1919 in New Egypt, Ocean County, New Jersey, at the age of 58 and is buried in Jacobstown Baptist Church Cemetery in Jacobstown, Burlington County, New Jersey.

5. George Wilson Crosson

He was born on April 2, 1862 in Plumstead, Ocean County, New Jersey and died on September 13, 1864 in Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, at the age of 2. Cause of death and his burial location is unknown.

6. Mary Anna Crosson

She was born on November 2, 1865 in Upper Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was also known as "Mame". She married (1) Lewis Reed in 1884 and (2) Harry Luke. With Mr. Reed, she had 8 children. She died on August 27, 1930 in New Jersey at the age of 58.

7. Rebecca Wilson Crosson

She was born on June 11, 1867 in Upper Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was also known as "Bess". She married Joseph Lanning Warwick in 1895 and had 2 children. She died on February 28, 1931 in Hamilton, Mercer County, New Jersey at the age of 63.

8. George W. Crosson

He was born on October 5, 1869 in Upper Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He married Emma Vandusen Hopkins and had 1 daughter. He died on February 11, 1955 in Elberon, Monmouth County, New Jersey at age 85.

9. Elizabeth Mary Crosson

She was born on February 6, 1871 in Hornerstown, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She was also known as "Lizzie". She married (1) Thomas Lawson Earl in 1892; (2) Thomas Ramsey; and (3) Ernest Judd Eilenberg. She had one child with Mr. Earl. She died on September 15, 1962 in Vineland, Cumberland County, New Jersey, at age 91.

10. Joseph Crosson

He was born in May 28, 1875 in Mercer County, New Jersey. He married Helen T. Applegate some time before 1910. They had no children. He died on December 16, 1956, probably somewhere in Mercer County, New Jersey, at the age of 81.

Faith

Michael and Rebecca were both buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery at Church of the Assumption. I feel it is safe to assume that they were of the Roman Catholic faith.

George Leon CROSSON Jr. (1922-2008), Part 1

It seems most fitting that I begin with paternal grandfather, George Leon Crosson, Jr. In his later years, he took an avid interest in tracing our family tree. He worked diligently in finding records, writing letters back and forth to various aunts, uncles, and cousins, and exercised great caution when guessing any familial links. 

I owe much of my love for genealogy, and the abundance of stories, records and photographs, to both him and my grandmother, Juliette Otholt Crosson.

George Leon Crosson, Jr.

Birth and Early Childhood

George Leon Crosson, Jr. was born in Neptune Township, Monmouth County, NJ on June 22, 1922 to George Leon Crosson, Sr. and Emily Agnes Bennett. He was their first child.

George Leon Crosson, Jr., 1922

At the time of his birth, his father, who went by his middle name Leon, made his living playing poker at Elk's Club.

In 1925, he and his parents moved into a bungalow in rear of 611 13th Avenue in Belmar. The property was the John Henry Bennett Family home. George's grandmother Mary Elizabeth Allen and Uncle Luke lived in the big house in front.

On April 27, 1926, his mother Emily gave birth to twin boys, Bob and Fred, at home.

"Grandmother Mary Elizabeth, after Bob's birth, on being told there is one more on the way, says, "Mercy!" " 

School Years

The following fall, George was taken in Uncle Bob's open Flint touring car, with Luke for support of Uncle Bob, to his first day of school at St. Rose Parochial School. George describes this experience, saying:

"At the school I refuse to get out of the car, climb up on back seat, hold tight, and scream. Luke and Uncle Bob on sidewalk in front of school, try to pull me out without hurting me. Several nuns in long black robes come over to assist. Large commotion going on, other kids gather to watch. Neither uncle has the stomach for this. They finally give up."

In September 1927, he entered kindergarten in public school.

In 1929, Leon moves the family to a newly purchased home on 4th Avenue in Bradley Beach. That September, George enters the second grade at Bradley Beach Elementary, but then skips to third grade.

George Leon Crosson, Jr. - 2nd Grade
Bradley Beach Elementary

In 1930, the U.S. Census shows us that the family is living at 502 4th Avenue in Bradley Beach. His father is now working as a bookkeeper for the electric company.

In 1930, George underwent an emergency appendectomy at Anna May Memorial Hospital in Spring Lake. During his recovery at home, he develops an abscess on the incision, which the doctor opens up to clean and drain, without anesthetic.

"I remember my screaming, and people holding me down. Large scar still there. Then peritonitis develops, usually fatal then, I believe. Back to Anna May hospital, where at some point during this critical illness double lobar pneumonia sets in. I remember those days and nights in the hospital. Doctor advises parents there is little hope. Later parents receive call at 2 a.m. to come now if they wish to see me again before I die. Family tradition says my mother's hair turned white during this illness (and stayed white). Sick for a long time, went home, then later went into Long Branch hospital, but I don't remember what the problem that took me there was."

Looking back, George, Jr. describes his childhood as being fairly happy. His mother, though he does not remember a feeling of warmth between them, did her job as a housewife and mother, with no neglect or lack of care. He does not remember his father being home much, and when he was he was reading the newspaper or something else. His father was the disciplinarian of last resort, when the offense was too serious for his mother to handle (or when she felt he might as well do some of it).

In 1931, Leon was working as a manager for Proctor-Jones Electric Company. By 1932, the company had gone bankrupt and Leon was out of work.

George Leon Crosson, Sr., Emily Agnes Bennett, and sons (around 1929)

George's Mother Dies

On January 18, 1933, George's mother dies. Of this incident, George writes,

"A couple of days before she died, I remember the doctor being in the house, and several other people, waiting for the pneumonia crisis to occur. It was clear to everyone now that she was gravely ill. Sometime during that afternoon the crisis came, and her turn was for the worse, not better. The next morning she had me brought to the bedroom to say goodbye, to kiss me and hold my hands, and tell me to be a good boy. I have not forgotten the odor of sickness in the room, nor her gravity. The next morning, the day of her death, was a Wednesday. Several people were in the house. Her friends, people like Madge Hurley Schmidt, Mae King White, and others, had been there off and on constantly during the final week. Sometime about 0800 I remember them coming out of the sick room crying and greatly disturbed. I must have realized the worst had happened, but could not comprehend it. Dad came out of the sick room, down the hall to the kitchen, and in the corner of the kitchen put a hand on each wall, put his feet well into the room, leaned forward into the corner and cried and sobbed."

He goes on, saying,

"After a while, Mae King White took me into the living room, sat on the couch, and told me Mother had died. She arranged for me to go up the street to Agnes Murphy's house, where son Bernard, my age, would stay home from school and we would play with his electric trains. So that is where I went, and Bernard did a very good job of entertaining me, but the day passed in a fog, except that every few minutes I would remember that Mother was dead and a shiver would pass over me."

That night, George, Bob, and Fred were taken to the Bennett family home at 611 13th Avenue in Belmar to be with Grandma Bennett, Uncle Luke, and Aunty Marion, and never left.

In February of that year, Leon lost the Bradley Beach house to the bank.