In recognition of the upcoming 250th celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the DAR America 250! Committee of the Botetourt County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is placing a spotlight on members’ Patriot ancestors who helped the country achieve American Independence.
The DAR recognizes three types of service that an ancestor can have performed for a woman to join: served in the military, provided supplies, or supported the effort of the Colonies in other ways. Uriel Crosby is a Patriot ancestor of members Betty Holt, Sarah Beth Richardson and Laine Crosby. Uriel aided the Colonists in achieving American independence by providing supplies of grain to the troops.
Born in 1738, Uriel’s father died in an epidemic when Uriel was 7 years old. Three years later his mother remarried, but soon thereafter she died. Raised by his stepfather, he became a wealthy 13-year-old with land, dwellings, appurtenances and rentals. He received a proper education and became an upstanding citizen in his community. At the age of 26 he married Susannah Conway, the only daughter of Thomas Conway, an affluent planter of lower Fauquier County who also provided supplies to the troops. For the first eight years of married life Uriel and Susannah lived on Aquia Creek where he was a schoolmaster, and tobacco warehouse receipts show that he was also a tobacco planter. In 1772 they moved to Fauquier County where they settled on Hungry Run. Susannah was kept busy raising their 14 children.
Susannah had six brothers who all distinguished themselves as commissioned officers in the Revolutionary War. For their service as officers, her brothers were given land grants on the Nolichucky River in what was then North Carolina. In 1789 Susannah and seven of her younger children traveled through Botetourt County, down the Great Wagon Road and moved to the Conway lands with her nephew, Thomas. Uriel was not able to follow her until 1790.
Uriel, being a schoolmaster in Virginia, continued “keeping school” at his new home. He wrote many letters to his children back in Virginia, and many of the letters have survived to this day. Uriel encouraged his Virginia children to move to Tennessee, as he had now bought 300 acres of rich bottom land on which he raised corn, wheat, pumpkins, flax and sweet potatoes.
Uriel passed away in 1799, and Susannah passed away in 1806. In 1922 their Crosby descendants began having Crosby reunions on the land where Uriel and Susannah had settled, and these family reunions continue to this day.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political organization open to any woman who has lineage to a Patriot who contributed to the success of the American Revolution. Founded over 125 years ago, it is focused on service to the community and fosters Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism.
If you are interested or have questions about joining our chapter, please contact our Membership Chair, Emily Talbot-Guillote via email at eptg1019@gmail.com or our Registrar, JoElla John, jjohnregistrar@gmail.com We welcome your interest and are here to help.
