Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Crossman, Samuel
CROSSMAN, SAMUEL (1624?–1684), divine and poet, son of Samuel Crossman of Monk's Bradfield, Suffolk (Wood, Athenæ Oxon. ed. Bliss, iv. 86), was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he graduated in arts, and B.D. in 1660 (Cantabrigienses Graduati, ed. 1787, p. 104). Taking orders, he obtained the rectory of Little Henny in Essex, from which he was ejected for nonconformity in 1662 (Newcourt, Repertorium, ii. 327, 328; Davids, Evangelical Nonconformity in Essex, p. 408). Subsequently he again conformed to the establishment, became one of the king's chaplains, and was appointed a prebendary of Bristol, by patent, on 11 Dec. 1667 (Le Neve, Fasti, ed. Hardy, i. 227). He succeeded to the deanery of Bristol on the death of Richard Towgood, B.D., about 1 May 1683, and was instituted on 1 July in that year (ib. i. 223). He died on 4 Feb. 1683–4, and was buried in the south aisle of the cathedral church of Bristol. After his death a broadsheet appeared under the title of ‘The last Testimony and Declaration of the Rev. Samuel Crossman, D.D., and Dean of Bristol, setting forth his dutiful and true affection to the Church of England, as by law established,’ with a preface by John Knight.
He published: 1. ‘The Young Mans Monitor, or a modest Offer toward the Pious and Vertuous Composure of Life from Youth to Riper Years,’ London, 1664, 16mo, reprinted by the Religious Tract Society, London, 1842(?), 12mo. 2. ‘The Young Mans Meditation, or some few Sacred Poems upon Select Subjects and Scriptures,’ London, 1664, 16mo, reprinted London, 1863, 8vo. 3. Various Sermons (Cooke, Preacher's Assistant, ii. 295; Watt, Bibl. Brit.)
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