He was ordained on the 21st of December 1781 to the curacy of his native town.
On arriving in Aldeburgh Crabbe once more set up housekeeping with a sister, as he had done in his less prosperous days as parish doctor.

Sad changes had occurred in his old home during the two years of his absence.

His mother had passed away after her many years of patient suffering, and his father's temper and habits were not the better for losing the wholesome restraints of her presence.

But his attitude to his clergyman son was at once changed.

He was proud of his reputation and his new-formed friends, and of the proofs he had given that the money spent on his education had not been thrown away.