James Crossley of Mountsorrel?

[Taylor94]

Hi
I'm looking for the parents of James Crossley.
On census records 1841-1851 he is listed as born abt 1810/11 and from Mountsorrel.
Occupation - Blacksmith.
He marries Sophia Holyoak 17 May 1831 Leicester.
I think he dies 1869 aged 59 in Blaby which fits his age but on the 1861 Census he is not present with his wife and family, Sophia's occupation is 'Wife' so I assume he is still alive in 1861? A James Crossley dies 1859 Leicester aged 43.


The only baptism which comes up for a James Crossley is -
James Crossley bapt 23 Sep 1810 Rothley, Leicestershire. Son of John.
Rothley is on 1.1 miles away from Mountsorrel, so this looks to be my James.
Although I'm having trouble identifying his parents.

There is a Jeremiah and Rosamund also baptised in Rothley 1812 & 1814 to a John Crossley then an Elizabeth is baptised in Mountsorrel to a John and Elizabeth Crossley 1817, This time as Wesleyan non conformist so I'm not sure if these are the same parents but seems likely as James says he is from Mountsorrel.


A John Crossley is buried in Rothley 1835 aged 70 which gives him a birthdate of 1765 and an Elizabeth Crossley is also buried in Rothley 1830 aged 53 which gives her a birthdate of 1777.

I couldn't see any marriage for a John to Elizabeth on FindMyPast except this one -
John Crossley marries Elizabeth Lockwood 17 Jan 1796 Kinoulton, Nottinghamshire.
Although one record gives this marriage as John Crossland not Crossley.
Kinoulton is 17 miles from Rothley.
Co-Incidentally an Elizabeth Lockwood is baptised in 1777 Kinoulton. Although that would make Elizabeth 18 and John 31 at the time of wedding if these are the same pair?
I havent had much luck on John Crossley c.1765 though.
Could these pair be James's parents?

[willsy]

I can help with his death

06 February 1869 - Leicester Chronicle

At Glenfield on the 3rd inst, James Crossley, black- smith late of Cosby, aged 58

[maddys52]

Can't help with his parents, but you may be interested in some newspaper articles - not particularly flattering:

He apparently deserted his wife and family for a time in 1834
Leicester Journal, Friday, March 7, 1834,  p.1 (with a description)

Prosecuted someone for assault, though they were acquitted
Leicester Chronicle, Saturday, January 16, 1830.

He was assaulted in the blacksmith shop in 1846
Leicestershire Mercury, Saturday, July 25, 1846,  p.1.

I can copy or transcribe if you don't have access.   

Just to add also, his daughter Mary died on the 30th January 1869 aged 32 - also on the death notice willsy found.

[Taylor94]

Thank you very much.
I had the glenfirld burial linked so good to know I have the correct one.
I should be able to view the newspapers on FindMyPast, thank you for the offer though 

I’ll have to check again but he isn’t with his wife and family in 1861, I wonder where he got to.

[maddys52]

Yes, I had a look but he's hiding somewhere!

There is a blacksmith named James CROSSLEY born 1812 in the index on UK Census Online in Sussex (I don't have a sub so can't see further details), though I don't see that entry on any of the other census databases, so I'm not sure what they have transcribed?