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.
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| 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.
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