#8246, Thomas CRIPPS

Thomas was the eldest son of Francis Cripps and Ann Bawtry who had married at the church of St. Helen's and the Holy Cross, Sheriff Hutton, near York in 1731.
Thomas Cripps was one of many clergymen in the diocese of Chester who opposed the third attempt to repeal the Test Acts of 1673. The Test Acts were a series of penal laws which served as a religious test for public office and imposed civil restrictions on Roman Catholics and non-conformists. The principle was that none but those taking communion in the established Church of England, could attain public office or employment. Although in practice there were many exemptions, the acts remained in force until 1828. The resolutions signed by Cripps and his fellow clergymen at the meeting, reveal just how seriously the established church opposed repeal and how much they feared the impact of repeal on the Church of England
The Cripps family remained in Cheadle until 1793, after which (presumably due to Reverend Cripps’ retirement or ill health), they moved to Bootham. It seems likely the family worshipped at St Olave’s from around this time.