Mercy CRANE

Mercy married Jonathan BELL on 22 Oct 1662 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. Jonathan (son of Francis BELL and Rebecca ?) was born in Sep 1641 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died on 11 Mar 1698/9 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jonathan BELL was born on 14 Feb 1663/4 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died in Sep 1745 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
2. Hannah BELL was born on 29 Oct 1665 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died before 1702.
3. Rebecca BELL was born in 06 Dec 1667 or 1669 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died on 24 Sep 1689 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.

Notes:

Name:
Jasper Crane was one of the original settlers of the New Haven Colony, June 4, 1639, and signed the first agreement at a general meeting of all the free planters held in Mr. Newman's barn. He took the oath of fidelity at the organization of the government, with Campfield, Pennington, gov. Eaton and others. In 1644 he was "freed from watching and trayning in his own person because of his weakness, but to find one for his turn." Was a member (with Treat) of the general Court, and many years a magistrate. Was interested in a bog-ore furnace at East Haven in 1651. He removed to Branford in 1652. He was elected a magistrate in 1658, and held the office of deputy for some years previous to that date.

In a note-book kept by Thomas Lechford, Esq., a lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts Bay, from June 27, 1638, to July 29, 1641, we find the following: "Samuel Searle of Quinapeage Planter in behalfe of Jasper Crane of the same Agent or Attorney for Mr. Roe Citizen of London Demiseth unto Henry Dawson and John Search of the Same one house and house lott and three acres of land lying in Boston wherein William Herricks now dwelleth from 29 Sept. next for five years four pounds ten shillgs rent half yearly, to fence to the value four pounds ten shillings, to repaire 21-6-1640."

the transaction, showing his connection with a gentlemen of London, England, would lead one to think that he certainly was known there, and might have lived there. Whether or not the above record furnished the foundation for the tradition that he came from London to America, we do not know. but such a tradition has been cherished by some of his descendants. Extensive research among the record offices in London has thus far failed however of finding any trace of him there. It is also said that he came over from England with Winthrop in the ship "Arbella".

But the date of Jasper Crane's birth, or the place in which he was born, have not been fixed. Whether he came fro parents occupying high or middle stations in life can as yet only be determined by the records revealed to us. He assuredly was one of the staunch and active men among the first settlers of the New Haven Colony as well as one of the fathers of the new settlement in New Jersey. He, with Capt. Robert Treat, seemed to have a large share of the weight of responsibility of that young colony upon their shoulders, and its success at heart. Mr. Crane did not go, it is said, with the first company to "milford," as the first settlement at Newark, New Jersey, was called, but signed, with twenty-two others, the first contract in 1665. Jan. 20, 1667, he headed the list of signers and church members of the first Church at Newark, and became one of the most influential and active men of the new colony. Jasper Crane and Robert Treat were the first magistrates in Newark. It is said that Mr. Crane was dissatisfied at the New Haven Colony becoming united with the Connecticut Colony; he preferred to have the New Haven Colony remain separate.

He was a surveyor and merchant, as well as a magistrate, and with Mr. Myles laid out the most of the New Haven town plot, located grants, established division lines, and settled disputed titles. It is said that he was steward of Rev. John Davenport's property in 1639. In March, 1641, he received a grant of 100 acres of and in the East Meadow. he was one of the New Haven Company concerned in the settlement on the Delaware River in 1642, who were so roughly handled by the Dutch. In 1643 his estate was voted at L480, with three persons in his family, - self, wife and son John. In 1644-45 he received a grant of 16 acres of upland, situated in East Haven upon which he built a house, in which his son Joseph was born. While residing at this place he was in trade as a merchant, but not being satisfied with the location he sold this place Sept. 7, 1652, and became one of the first planters of Branford, Conn., a new settlement then just being instituted by families from Wethersfield, Conn., under the leadership of Mr. Swayne, and a few from Southampton, Long Island.....

Jasper married Alice ?. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]