James Crossley

116

Tony Beale on 4th January 2021

Old bailey Online 1280. THOMAS CROSSLEY and WILLIAM ASTON were indicted for stealing, on the 17th of April , 1 cap, value 6s., and 1 band, value 5s., the goods of William Hobson , from the person of Thomas Hobson . THOMAS HOBSON. I am the son of William Hobson, and am nine years old. On the 17th of April I was at the corner of Nelson-street, City-road ; Aston came up and took my cap off; he ran down a court - Crossley took hold of me, and turned me round at the time, while he ran away - they had followed me from Bath-street. JAMES LUFF . I was at this child's house - he came home crying, and said his cap was stolen; he described the person and dress of the person who took it; I went with him, and he pointed out Aston, who ran away directly. JAMES TAYLOR . On the 18th of April, in the afternoon, I was at Islington, and saw Crossley with four others: I followed them to Clerkenwell-green, and then fetched Hobson - he pointed him out, and said he was certain of him; I brought him to a lamp-post, and told him to look well at him: I had Crossley and another boy; he looked at them both, and said that was not the boy, but Crossley was; I took him to the watch-house. On the 1st of May I saw Aston with three others, in St. John-street-road - there was a crowd looking at Jack in the Green, and I saw Aston untying a handkerchief from a child's neck: I could not take him then, but watched him, and in the afternoon I took Hobson there, and he pointed him out. WILLIAM JOHN OTHEN . I was in the yard at Worship-street when Crossley was locked up; a girl came and called to him - she asked how he got on - he said he thought he should go to the start (meaning Newgate), and told her to go and tell the pieman to come down to him; in a few minutes the girl came and said he was come; he told her to tell him to say he was with him till nine o'clock. WILLIAM HUGHES . I saw Crossley with a pieman at nine o'clock; he spoke to me - I returned in ten minutes, and they were-gone. WILLIAM BUTTON . I am a biscuit-baker and pieman. Crossley came to me at the end of Mutton-hill, and spoke to me, that night; I left him there about a quarter-past nine o'clock. CROSSLEY - GUILTY . Aged 18. ASTON - GUILTY . Aged 14. Transported for Seven Years .

7

Laurie Cousins on 10th October 2014

Eldest daughter, Mary Johanna Crossley, married Patrick Flannery O'Dea, at Kilmore on 3 Oct 1863. Their son Patrick (grandson of James Crossley) was an outstanding athlete. Played football for Melbourne in early 1890's then Essendon in 1895. Went to USA broke world record for 300 yards hurdles at Chicago Coliseum in May 1897. Captain of Wisconsin University Football team, All American in 1898 and 1899. Only Australian inducted to American College Football Hall of Fame. Record breaking punt kicker.

Was in the employment of William Faithful in April 1838 was overseer when the Faithful brothers moved their stock from Bathhurst to Wangaratta. Married Mary Ryan 2 Feb 1843 St Francis Melbourne Remained in Wangaratta having following children: William James 1844, Johanna Mary 1846, Thomas Michael 1848. Moved to Kilmore by 1850 when the following children were born James 1850, Julia Agnes 1854, Bridget Ann 1856, Mary 1856, Margaret Patricia 1858, Lucy 1860 and Margaret 1861. Remained in Kilmore as a respected business man running a butchers shop. 1883 moved to Malvern where he remained until he died in 1897. Buried St Kilda Cemetery.