Main Page   History Page   Persons Page   Family of Chesley Crosby

 

 

 

Chesley Crosby War of 1812 - Private, 1st Regiment (Means) South Carolina Militia

 

 

 

Chesley Crosby

 

The subject of this sketch was born is Chester District, South Carolina, July 22nd, 1788. Here he grew to manhood, when he removed to Conecuh, which was in 1818. When he came to the county he found a few struggling settlements, there having preceded him but few of the early emigrants. Like all others, he erected a rude house, and commenced his labors in the boundless forests of Conecuh. Along with the growth of prosperity in the county he continued to accumulate wealth, and by dint of energy and economy, had amassed considerable property before his death. Mr. Crosby was the ancestor of a large offspring. Many of these reside in Conecuh, some in adjoining counties, and others in different and distant States. He was a man of many sterling qualities of character. In him the widow and orphan ever found a sympathizing friend. And when convinced of the worth of a public enterprise, no one was more liberal in contributing to its success. A praiseworthy example of his liberality is found in the Baptist church at Bellville, to which he gave in a cash donation $500. In consideration of this marked liberality, a seat, stained with mahogany hue, was prepared for him, and which he occupied in his attendance upon the services of the church. After a long and useful life of seventy-five years, Mr. Crosby died at his home, between Bellville and Sparta, on May 22nd, 1864.

 

Source: Copied from Chapter VI, History of Conecuh County, Alabama 1881 by Rev. B. F. Riley

 

Submitted by Bill King

 

 

Crosby Plantation

 

Copied from a booklet re-printed by Evergreen-Conecuh Public Library, Heritage Section, 1990 (Original issue date was 1891)

 

Among the places which will interest not a few who visit Evergreen, is the "Crosby Plantation", where in Ante-bellum days were owned a large number of slaves, some of whom are still living there. The overseer's house, with cabins for the negroes grouped about it, are still in a fair state of preservation. And the quote: "A drink from a gourd, of pure cold water drawn from the old well here, is a luxury."

 

Submitted by Bill King

 

 

1850 Census Information

 

Chesley Crosby is said to have been a very prosperous planter of the Conecuh area. On 1850 Census, he is shown as owning 19 slaves. His daughter, Ursula Crosby King (widow of Lt. William R. King) owned 6 slaves and was found living nearby.

 

Submitted by Bill King

 

 

1860 Conecuh County Census Information

 

Page 1085, Family #898
CROSSLEY, Chestley (sic)	age 71	b.	Farmer	$15,000 R/E & $70,990 Personal Assets

 

Note: It appears that he was one of the wealthiest residents of Conecuh County

 

Submitted by Bill King

 

 

War of 1812 Service Records

Ancestry.com Database

Name:		CHESLEY CROSBY
Company:		1 REG'T (MEANS) SOUTH CAROLINA MILITIA
Rank - Induction:		PRIVATE
Rank - Discharge:		PRIVATE
Roll Box:		50
Roll Exct:		602

 

Source: Ancestry.com - Source Information: Direct Data Capture, comp.. War of 1812 Service Records [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 1999. Original data: National Archives and Records Administration. Index to the Compiled Military Service Records for the Volunteer Soldiers Who Served During the War of 1812. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M602, 234 rolls.

 

Submitted by Bill King

 

 

 

Chesley Crosby

Burial Information

According to Eugenia Ellis Brown of Owassa, there are gravestones for both Chesley Crosby and his wife, Sarah Hughes. The graves are in a field behind the Luman Liston Lee home, which is located between Bellville and Castleberry.

 

In an email received from Eugenia Ellis Brown of Conecuh Co., AL, on Jan. 30, 2000, Eugenia says:

 

     "I do not know how much info you would like on Chesley Crosby. I will give just a little. He was the son of Richard and Rhoda Davis Crosby. He came to Conecuh County from Chester District, S.C. in 1818.   He and my 3rd Gr-Grandfather, John Crosby, were cousins and it was because of him that John came in 1832.  Chesley and his wife are buried on private property behind the Crosby homeplace, near the present home of Frances Lee Jones (County Road # 23 near Bellville)."

 

 

The headstones read:

Chesley Crosby

Born July 22, 1788   Died May 22, 1864

Aged 75 years, 10 months.

"An honest Man"

Sarah Crosby

Born Oct. 15, 1795 Died Novenber 21, 1857

Aged 62 years, 1 month, 6 days

"My work is done. I will now rest."

 

 

They are buried about five miles from Bellville.

 

Submitted by Bill King