CROASDELL FAMILY HISTORY & GENEALOGY
CROASDELL FAMILY - POTTED HISTORIES - BRANCHES
Richard Croasdell and Margaret Towers
Richard Croasdell was the eldest son and eldest surviving child of Henry Croasdell and Eleanor Stockdale. Richard was born at Lendin in Furness Fell (aka Landing, later Waterside) baptised at Cartmel on 23 April 1725 and married Margaret Towers at Colton on 13 November 1751. Margaret was from the hamlet of Booth/Bouth and the couple lived there with their family all their married lives. Richard was a peruke maker (wigs) and barber and had been apprenticed in 1744 to J[oh]n Nevison of Hawkshead, barber for the sum of £3 3s 0d. Records show he was parish constable for some years. He also had a 32nd share in the brigg "The Hollow Oak". Margaret died aged 54 and was buried at Colton on 3 March 1783. Richard survived for nearly 20 more years, probably looked after by his un-married daughter Margaret/Peggy. His will made in September 1800 and proved on 16 Aug 1804 gives helpful information about his children and grandchildren. Click here for a transcript. Richard died at Bouth and was buried, aged 79 at Colton on 15 April 1804. Richard and Margaret had 9 children 2 of whom died in infancy. Their surviving sons travelled far from home, two to Liverpool and on the seas beyond, and one to London.
- Thomas Croasdell 1752 - 1753
- Baptised at Colton on 31 July 1752 and buried there just under a year later on 11th July 1753
- Margaret Croasdell 1754 - 1823
- Born in Bouth and baptised at Colton on 2 May 1754.
- Mentioned in her father's will - named as "Margarett otherwise Peggy"
- Inherited the household furniture and the residue of the estate
- Died at Bouth and buried at Colton on 29 Oct 1823
- Ellin/Eleanor Croasdell 1756 - ?
- Born in Bouth and baptised at Colton 11 August 1756
- Married John Holme at Colton on 18 January 1780
- Elizabeth Croasdell 1758 - ?
- Born at Bouth and baptised at Colton on 1 October 1758
- Mentioned in her father's will - named as "Elizabeth otherwise Betty"
- By the date of the will in 1800 had not married. No record of her burial found.
- John Croasdell 1761 - ?
- Agnes Croasdell 1762 - ?
- Born in Bouth and baptised at Colton on 15 August 1762
- Probably married William Atkinson on 10 April 1786 at Lancaster
- One daughter Rachel Atkinson. Richard's will specifies that Agnes's husband should not get his hands on her bequest (not so unusual) but the fact that Richard left provision for his grand-daughter Rachel whilst her father was still alive may imply that William was not providing well for his family.
- Henry Croasdell 1764 - 1794
- Born in Bouth and baptised at Colton 9 September 1764
- Henry moved to London and lived with his common law wife Amelia Oldridge/Aldridge. Henry & Amelia had two, possibly three, daughters but the fact that the administration of Henry's estate when he died was handled by Amelia as attorney for his father rather than as Henry's wife, and that he was described as a bachelor and she as a spinster, indicates there was no legal marriage. Henry's natural and lawful father is described as Richard Croasdell residing at Bouth, County of Lancaster - the only but significant clue to Henry's identity in London as a member of this branch of the family.
- The three children are:
- Amelia Croasdell born c 1791 No baptism has been found but in Marriage Licence documents from the Vicar General Marriage Allegations there is an application dated 14 December 1810 from Henry Frederick Philip Voigt to marry Amelia Croasdell aged 19, possibly at St Leonard's Shoreditch. Her mother is Amelia Croasdell, widow, who gives her permission for the marriage to take place. Click here for transcript.
- Margaret Croasdell Born April 4 1793 and baptised 28 April at St Margaret, Lothbury. Nothing more is known of Margaret.
- Mary Eizabeth Croasdell Born 1 January 1795 and baptised Feb 1st at St Peter's Cornhill. Died 1795 and buried in the vault at St Peter's on December 8th.
- Henry died at St Peter's Alley, Cornhill and was buried 9 November 1794 at St Peter's Cornhill, London. Church records note payment for bell ringing and official services at the funeral although Henry is mis-named as Henry Crosby. His coffin had 6 bearers and the Great Bell was rung. Click here for transcript
- Richard Croasdell 1766 - c1801
- Born in Bouth and baptised at Colton on 20 April 1766
- Married Margaret Kettlewell at Lancaster on 24 October 1789 and later moved to Liverpool
- Richard was a mariner who became a Master Mariner. Some of his exploits are featured in Myths & Legends - Jamaican Treasure and Skulduggery
- He was Master of The Benson trading with Jamaica. In July 1799 he arrived back from a trip to Jamaica and the ship sailed next with a new master. Richard made his will on 14 October 1801 and this was proved on 13 November by his wife Margaret. It isn't known where Richard was in the intervening period. The will is very uninformative simply mentioning a wife and children but no names are given. Richard and Margaret had a son Thomas Towers born on 20 August 1799 and baptised on 24 September at St Thomas, Park Lane, Liverpool. The name seems to be represented as Crosdale or Crossdale. It is likely that there were other children but no baptisms have been confirmed yet. Possible children are Richard baptised in December 1794 and John baptised on 15 November 1796, both at St James, Liverpool - these are still to be investigated.
- Richard must have died in October/November 1801 in Liverpool but his burial has not been found. Death duty records for this period in Liverpool are, unfortunately, missing.
- Further information on this family and on Richard and Margaret's descendants in the Liverpool area would be very welcome.
- Thomas Croasdell 1771 - 1771
- Born in Bouth and baptised at Colton on 11 August 1771
- Buried at Colton on 7 December 1771
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