Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

CROCKER.
Two brothers named John and William Crocker, were among
the first settlers in Barnstable, William came with Mr. Lothrop
and his church Oct. 21, 1639, and John the following spring.
There was also a Francis Crocker of Barnstable, able to bear
arms, Aug. 1643. He was one of the soldiers in the Narraganset
Expedition, sent from Barnstable Aug. 1645. He married in
1647, Mary Grant "a kinswoman of Mr. Goggain of Barnstable,"*
and removed to Scituate, and from thence to Marshfield.
He had a family, and his descendents now write their name
Crocker.
John Crocker, the elder brother, left no family ; but William's
posterity are very numerous. Perhaps no one of the first comers,
has more descendants now living. A large majority of all in the
United States, and in the British Provinces of the name, trace
their descent from Dea. William of Barnstable. The descendants
of Francis are not numerous. A Thomas Crocker, born in 1633,
settled in New London and had a family. Widow Anne Crocker
of Scituate, had a son Moses born in 1650, but it does not appear
that he has any descendants. Mr. Savage names an Edward of
Boston, who was the public executioner in 1684, and a Daniel
who married in 1660, but these were perhaps descendants of
Francis.
It is said, on how good authority I have not ascertained, that
John and William Crocker came over in 1634, either in the same
ship with Rev. Mr. JjOthrop, or in another that sailed about the
same time, and that they stopped in Roxbury before they settled
in Scituate. Th6y did not remain long in Roxbury, for their
*The renowned Capt. ^obn Smith, probably the first white who visited Barnstable harbor,
wrote this name as here spelled. The town in England ii'om which our town was
na)aed is now written Barnstaple. On his return from his voyage in 1614, he presented to
Prince Charles a schedule of Indian names of places, and recommended new ones. For
Naembeck, (probably Naumkeag, Salem) he proposed the name of Bastable, for Chaw-tim
(Shaume) part of Sandwich, Barrwick, (forAccomack, Plymouth, &c. A few of the new
names are retained. Mr. John BuLey (probably John Bursley) afterwards of Barnstable,
owned one-fourth of the two ships which Capt. bmith commanded in 1614.