Agnes Hathornthwaite

Agnes Hathornthwaite, also recorded as Agnes Hawthornwaite and Agnes Croasdale, was the wife of Thomas Croasdale. According to the supplied family history, she traveled with Thomas and their six children on the Welcome, which arrived on 27 August 1682, and lived in the Neshaminy area of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She was the mother of Alice Croasdale, who married David Potts.

Agnes Hathornthwaite was born on 13 July 1633, according to the supplied life dates. A published Croasdale family account calls her Agnes Hawthornwaite and states that she married Thomas Croasdale in England.

In 1682, Agnes, Thomas, and their six children came on the ship Welcome, which arrived on 27 August. The family settled in the Neshaminy area of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The same account states that Thomas and Agnes owned 500 acres in Bucks County.

Thomas Croasdale died in 1684. His estate administration named Agnes Croasdale and John Croasdale as administrators, and the inventory included 500 acres of land. Agnes was later recorded as the widow Agnes Crosdale. Her estate was administered in 1686 by her sons William and John Crossdale, with Nicholas Waln and Robert Heaton of Neshaminah.

Agnes's supplied life dates give her death as 20 October 1684. However, the published family account states that Agnes Croasdale died in 1685, while also reporting administration of her estate in 1686. Her six children are identified in that account as John, William, Mary, Alice, Bridget, and Morrah. Alice married David Potts.

Historical context

The supplied account describes Thomas Croasdale as one of the earliest settlers in Neshaminy, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It records the family's 1682 arrival on the Welcome and their ownership of 500 acres in Bucks County.

Sources & research

Haines, Blanche. Ancestry of Sharpless Moore and Rachel (Roberts) Moore. Three Rivers, Mich.: N.p., 1937, p. 180, “CROASDALE No. 250 First Generation.” Call Number: R929.2 M825h.
Pennsylvania Archives, Land Records, Series 2, vol. 19, p. 255.
Pennsylvania Archives, Land Records, Series 2, vol. 19, p. 517.
Bucks County Will No. 102, Thomas Croasdale of Neshaminah.
Bucks County Will No. 114, Agnes Crosdale, widow.