John Young Crossman
John was born 9 Feb 1826 at Walton, Somerset, England. He was christened 12 Mar 1826 at Walton, Somerset, England. His parents were Thomas CROSSMAN (1785-1866) & Ann YOUNG (1785-1854). He was the 7th of (possibly) 8 children. Three died in infancy and 4 of the other 5 emigrated to South Australia. Several other of the extended families also emigrated to South Australia within a year or two of one another.

Hannah PERRY
Hannah was born 27 Sep 1826 at Walton, Somerset, England. She was christened 29 Oct 1826 at Walton, Somerset, England. Her parents James PERRY & Susanna SOMERS. Hannah was the 4th of 7 children.

John Young CROSSMAN married Hannah PERRY 7 Dec 1848 at Baltonsborough, Somerset, England. Less than three weeks after their marriage, John and Hannah departed Bristol on 'MARY ANN' on 25th December 1848, bound for Plymouth then South Australia. They arrived 4th March 1849.

John and Hannah were initially living at Coromandel Valley. Family histories suggest that others of the extended families initially joined them at Coromandel Valley. There was a small period where it is thought that members of the family may have been in Bendigo, Victoria for the gold rush. John & Hannah's first child Susan was born at Coromandel Valley in 1852. Their second child Elizabeth was born in 1854 at Adelaide. The WATTS family histories say that she was possibly born in Adelaide while the family was on its way to Riverton.

In 1854, the family joined others in moving north, settling in the Riverton District, where John took up land and also share-farmed. They were amongst the first wheat growers in the area, and had to laboriously cart their wheat with bullock drays either down to Port Wakefield for shipping, or to markets at Gawler. Theur children Arthur, Isabella and Arthur Harold (known as Harry) were all born at Riverton in 1856, 1858 and 1861 respectively. Arthur died at Riverton from Diptheria on 22 Feb 1860. In 1862, John & Hannah CROSSMAN (and four children) left Riverton to settle permanently at Dawesley (near Nairne). John & Hannah's first house was on a hill above Dawesley Vale. Their second house (below) was also at Dawesley Vale but nearer the creek. The track in front was travelled from Sawpit Gully to the smelters at Dawesley. The family lived in this house in Dawesley for many years.

John Young CROSSMAN farmed at Dawesley Vale for thirty years before retiring in 1892 due to ill health. The farm was sold to the JACOBS family. The farmhouse built by John, Hannah and their children, with fenced farm land, remains to this day a working farm and is located at the close of Smyth Road, running down beside the old Dawsley Post Office shop. The WATTS family lived nearby in Native Valley not far from their brick-making plant in Scott's Creek. The JACOBS family was also living in the same area. Two of the CROSSMAN girls (Elizabeth & Isabella) married two of the WATTS boys (Henry James & Ebenezer Arthur Charles).

The Dawesley community was predominately of the Methodist/Wesleyan faith and built two churches, one for Native Valley and one for Dawesley. They also had a purpose built school and post office. In the late 1880's, the school came under the auspices of the newly established Education Department of S.A. and the school house was closed. A permanent school-house was attached to the Native Valley Methodist Church. The children of the area all received good schooling.

With some of their family living long distances away the remaining three CROSSMANS, John, Hannah & Al (Amelia Alice) moved to the old schoolhouse in Dawesley diagonally opposite the old Post Office. This placed them closer to Elizabeth, who was married to Harry (Henry) WATTS. The old school, converted into a home and completely altered with a verandah along the front became their final home. On the 7 December, 1898, John and Hannah celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary.

Amelia Alice, Aunt Al as she was known, was supported by her sister Sarah Downing at this time and Edward had been brought to the Dawesley house where both could be cared for. Al then moved in to live with her sister Sarah Downing at 'Treslothan' Farm, nearer to Blakiston. Sarah's husband Edward dying at a young age, she was left with two young children to raise. Later Al was to again move into Nairne to care for her ailing sister, Susan King who had returned from Victoria. All within a cart ride or bicycle ride over the hills.

John died at this home in Donald street, Dawesley on the 8 January, 1901 (75yrs). "Brother Crossman was acknowledged for serving his stewardship in the Methodist Church for many years". Hannah died some seven years later of pneumonia. She was 81 years old and proud of the fact that she could still read, write and sew without the aid of spectacles. She also delighted in recounting occurrences of the early days.

House at Dawesley Vale
John Youn CROSSMAM & Hannah Crossman
Possibly Sarah & Amelia Alice (Aunt Al)
Unknown who the boy is.

At Nairne Cemetery
In loving memory of John Young Crossman who departed this life 8 Jan 1901 (aged 75yrs)
"He giveth his beloved sleep"
Also
Hannah, the beloved wife of the above, who departed this life 26 Jul 1908 (aged 81yrs)
"Peace perfect peace"

Children of John Young CROSSMAN & Hannah PERRY

Webmaster's Note: I will add more details to this family tree later.

1. Susan Ann CROSSMANN b. 12 Apr 1852, Coromandel Valley, m. William Frederick KING
2. Elizabeth CROSSMANN b. 10 Aug 1854, Coromandel Valley, m. Henry James WATTS [CHILDS family connection]
3. Arthur CROSSMANN b. 21 Nov 1856, Riverton (d. 22 Feb 1860 (3yrs) at Riverton)
4. Isabella CROSSMANN b. 2 Oct 1858, Riverton, m.1 Ebenezer Arthur Charles WATTS, m.2 Caleb GILBERT
5. Arthur CROSSMAN b. 2 Feb 1861,Riverton, m. Alice Ann GIRDLESTONE
6. George CROSSMAN b. 11 Sep 1863, Scotts Creek, m. Deborah Anne Helon BAYLY
7. Sarah CROSSMAN b. 14 Aug 1865 at Scotts Creek, m. Edward DOWNING
8. Amelia Alice CROSSMANN b.19 Feb 1870, Scotts Creek