Thomas Crosby

Thomas Crosby (1683–1751) was an English writer, author of History of the English Baptists. Life Crosby was born in London, and was initially a sailor. He attended the Royal Mathematical School. A Baptist convert, Crosby was a member of the Horselydown church in Southwark. He kept a mathematical and commercial school there, from 1710 for 40 years. With John Robinson as partner in the school, Crosby had a business selling instruments, globes and books. He married the daughter of Benjamin Keach, as did Keach's successor as pastor, Benjamin Stinton (d. 1719). Crosby successfully advocated the divisive selection of John Gill as Stinton's successor, but then fell under a cloud with the church. Expelled, he joined the Unicorn Yard congregation (the secession of those dissatisfied with Gill), but was again pushed out. In both cases, his honesty was put into question.