It is not necessary to follow the history of the Crossley family further.  John Crossley died in 1837, after which the firm was conducted by John, Joseph, and Sir Francis Crossley, Bart.  The latter represented the West Riding of the county of York at the time of his death, a few years ago.  In 1857 he purchased a splendid piece of ground, which he presented to the Corporation of Halifax, to be used as a People’s Park for ever.  In the speech which he made on the occasion of presenting it, he said, amongst other things, that he had often discussed with his friend the Mayor the philosophy of money.  “I recollect very well,” he said, “once entering into the question with him, when I was twenty years younger than I am now, and saying that I saw a great deal of emptiness about this money-getting; that many were striving for that which they thought would make them happy, but that it was like a bubble upon the water—­no sooner caught than burst....  Had I,” he afterwards said, “been of noble birth, or traced my origin (like some in this room) to those who came in with William the Conqueror, however true it might be, it would not have been good, it would even be boastful to have done so.[1] But since I am of humble birth, perhaps it will be allowed me to say a little of those who ought to share the honour which is heaped upon me.  My mother was the daughter of a farmer who lived upon his own estate, and although it was not large, it had been in the family for many generations.  Her father made the same mistake that Jacob made,—­Jacob made too much of Joseph, and her father made too much of Mary.  My mother was seventeen, and quick in disposition.  She said that right was not done to her at home, and she was determined to make her own way in the world, whatever the consequences might be.  She went out to service, contrary to the wish of her father.  I am honoured to-day with the presence of one who has descended from the family who engaged her as servant:  I mean Mr. Oldfield, of Stock Lane, vice-chairman of the Halifax Board of Guardians.  In that service, in her own person, she did the work of kitchenmaid, of housemaid, and of cook; and in addition to that she regularly milked six cows every night and morning.  Besides which, she kept the house, which was as clean as a little palace.  But this was not enough to employ her willing hands.  Her mistress took in wool or tops to spin, and she could do what scarcely any in Warley could have done,—­she spun that wool to thirty-six hanks in the pound, and thus earned many a guinea for her mistress, besides doing all her other work."[2]

[Footnote 1:  Those who “came in with William the Conqueror” are not the oldest but the youngest of British families.  They are the most recent occupiers of British soil.  The Angles and Saxons, whose lands the Normans divided amongst themselves, occupied Britain many hundred years before the arrival of the Conqueror.  In the remote dales of Yorkshire and Lancashire, the ancient race still exists.  And thus the Crossley family may have a much longer pedigree, could they but trace it, than any of those who “came in with William the Conqueror.”  The latter are able to trace their origin because their numbers are so small, their possessions so large, and their introduction as English proprietors comparatively so recent.]