Zachary Crofton facts for kids

Zachary Crofton (born 1626, died 1672) was an Anglo-Irish religious leader who lived in England starting in the 1640s. He was known for not agreeing with the official Church of England and for being involved in many debates.

Early Life and Career

Zachary Crofton was born in Ireland and received most of his education in Dublin. Around 1646, he moved to England. His first job as a minister was in Wrenbury, a town in Cheshire. However, he was removed from this position in 1648. This happened because he refused to sign "the Engagement," which was a promise of loyalty to the government at the time.

After leaving Wrenbury, Crofton moved to London. For a while, he served as a minister at St. James's, Garlick Hythe. Later, he became the rector (head minister) of St Botolph's Aldgate. He held this important church position until the English Restoration. The Restoration was when the king returned to power in England. At this time, Crofton was removed from his church role because he continued to be a "nonconformist." This meant he did not follow the rules and practices of the official Church of England.

Debates and Imprisonment

Zachary Crofton was known as a very active debater, especially among the Presbyterians during the Restoration period. Presbyterians were a group of Protestants who had different ideas about how the church should be run, often preferring a system without bishops. Crofton supported the king (making him a "royalist") but was against the idea of bishops in the church.

He started a big debate with Bishop John Gauden about something called the Solemn League and Covenant. This was an important agreement from earlier times. Because of his strong defense of this agreement, Crofton was sent to the Tower of London, a famous prison. Records show he was sent there on March 23, 1661.

A historian named Daniel Neal, in his book History of the Puritans, wrote that this debate and Crofton's arrest happened before he was removed from his church job. Neal also noted that Crofton was removed from his parish even though he supported the king's return. Crofton's arrest came after people became worried about Presbyterian ideas spreading in London, and some mail was even opened to check for such sentiments.

Later Years

After his release, Crofton, along with his wife and seven children, went back to Cheshire. He faced another short time in prison there, though the reason for it is not known. To support his family, he either farmed or ran a small grocery shop.

In 1667, he returned to London and opened a school near Aldgate. Zachary Crofton passed away in 1672. Throughout his life, he wrote and published many small books and speeches, most of which were about his religious and political debates. He also published a few sermons.