[39]
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
[40]
his weakness, but to find one for his turn." Was a member (with Robert 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, CT in 1652. He was elected a
magistrate in 1658, and held the office of deputy for some years previous to that date.
[42]
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 Herricke now dwelleth from 29 Sept. next for five years four pounds ten shillings
rent half yearly, to fence to the value four pounds ten shillings, to repaire 21-6-1640."
[44]
This transaction, showing his connection with a gentleman 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 Arabella.
[46]
But the date of Jasper Crane's birth, or the place in which he was born, have not been fixed. Whether he came from 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, NJ, 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.
[48] He was a surveyor and merchant, as well as a magistrate, and with Mr. Myles laid out the most of
[49]
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 land in the East
Meadow. He was one of the New Haven Company
[50]
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
[51]
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, L.I.
[53]
Jasper Crane, Esq., and Mr. Wm. Swayne were the first deputies to the General Court of Electors from Branford in May, 1653, Mr. Crane being returned during the four succeeding years. In May, 1658, he was chosen one of four magistrates for the
New Haven Colony and held the office by
[54]
appointment until 1663; also one of the magistrates called together by the Governor, at Hartford, in 1665-67. In the union of the Colonies he was chosen one of the assistants, was also Trustee of County Court, New Haven, 1644. His house lot in
New Haven was located on what is now Elm Street, at the corner of Orange Street, the same now occupied by the Church of St. Thomas.
[56]
The first Church of Newark was founded in 1667, and a building erected, about 1714 or 1716, a second meeting-house was built, and the third erected about 1787 to 1791. The people of Orange, Bloomfield and Montclair communed with the Newark
Church until about 1716. In fact, for considerably more than a hundred years after the founding of Newark the crest of the first mountain was the western boundary of the town, and until the year 1806 the town of Newark was divided into three
wards: Newark Ward, Orange Ward, and Bloomfield Ward. That year Orange became a separate town, and six years later Bloomfield Ward became the town of Bloomfield. This part of Newark took in the territory from the Passaic on the east to the
crest of the first mountain on the west, and as this section was so thoroughly occupied by the descendants of Jasper Crane it was early called Cranetown.
[58] Jasper Crane, Sr. was one of the purchasers of the "Kingsland Farms," an immense estate near Newark, now known as Belleville.
[60]
The exact date that Jasper senior took his leave of Branford has not been definitely fixed. In the spring of 1666, the people of Branford, becoming dissatisfied about the union of the New Haven and Connecticut Colonies, and particularly on
account of granting the right of suffrage to the inhabitants not members of the church, resolved at once to remove to New Jersey, as agents, who had been sent thither, came back bringing favorable reports of the new country. In October, after
adopting a code of laws for their government, Mr. Pierson with a portion of his congregation left Branford for their future home, Newark, NJ. Jasper senior although one of the original twenty-three who signed the first contract in 1665, still
was active in public affairs in Branford, holding the office of assistant magistrate in 1666 and 1667. But in Jan. 30, 1667, he headed the list of signers to a new covenant and disposing of his property at Branford that year took up his
permanent home at Newark and became very prominent in all transactions of the town, especially during the first fourteen years of its growth and development. He was the first president of the town court, and first on the list of deputies to
the General Assembly of New Jersey for several years. At the drawing of Home Lots, Feb. 6, 1667, Lot 49 fell to the senior Jasper Crane, No. 40 to Deliverance Crane, and No. 62 to John Crane, they being his two eldest sons.
[62]
At a town meeting of Newark, held January, 1668, Jasper Crane, with Robert Treat, were chosen magistrates for the year ensuing, and also deputies or burgesses for the General Assembly for the same year. This Robert Treat was the first
recorder or town clerk for Newark, and was exceedingly prominent in all public matters while he remained in the settlement. But in 1671 he returned to Connecticut, where he was held in high esteem, and for several years was Governor of that
Colony, proving a faithful and conscientious worker for the interest of the inhabitants under his charge. From January, 1668, until his death, Jasper Crane senior was given a prominent part to perform in the settlement of Newark. May 20,
1668, he as one of a committee signed an agreement fixing the dividing line between Newark Town and Elizabeth Town. July 28, 1669, he with Robert
[63]
Treat was chosen by the town to take first opportunity "to go to 'York' to advise with Col. Lovelace concerning our standing. Whether we are designed to be a part of the Duke's Colony or not, and about the Neck, and liberty of purchasing
lands up the river, that the Town would petition
[64]
for." Re-elected magistrate January, 1669, "and Deputy to the General Assembly if there shall be any." He with Robert Treat were chosen to be moderators of town meetings for the year ensuing. Jan. 2, 1670, again chosen magistrate and deputy,
serving in latter capacity annually until 1674, and at the town meeting Feb. 20, it was voted that the governor be requested to confirm Jasper Crane and Robert Treat magistrates or justices of the peace. The same honors were conferred in 1671,
and in addition it was voted Jan. 22, 1671, that "every man should bring his half bushel to Henry Lyon & Joseph Waters and have it tried and sealed when made fit with Mr. Crane's, which for the present is the standard." Mr. Crane was also one
of a committee to see to burning the woods for a year. May 13, 1672, Mr. Crane and Lieut. Swain were chosen representatives for the town to consult with other representatives of the country to order matters for the safety for the country.
June 17, 1672, Mr. Crane was again chosen magistrate, and also chosen "President of the Quarterly Court to be held in Newark to begin September next." He was also given "liberty to sell liquors in the town till the country order alter it."
[66]
At a town meeting July 1, 1673, Mr. Crane was chosen to serve on a committee, with Mr. Bond, Mr. Swain, Mr. Kitchell and Mr. Lyon, to consider with messengers from other towns about sending a petition to the Lords Proprietors in England for
the removal of grievances; and July 5th the town agreed to pay for sending the messenger to England, as the above committee had agreed with Mr. Delevall about money to cover that expense.
[68]
August 4th the town chose Mr. Crane, Mr. Bond, Lieut. Swain and Sergeant John Ward deputies to treat with the generals about having a privileged county between the two rivers Passaic and Araritine. August 12 again chosen magistrate; September
6th, on committee to try and secure the "Neck" to add to the possessions of Newark; and September 16th instructed by the town to "treat with the generals, and, if they can, to buy it." It would seem the committee were successful, for October
25th Mr. Crane, Mr. Molyns and Mr. Hopkins were chosen to look after the confirmation of the purchase of the Neck and sue for further easement in respect to pay. November 17th Capt. Swain and Mr. Crane were chosen to continue the trade for
the Neck. The following year (June 29, 1674) the town voted to have Mr. Crane and Mr. Pierson, Jr., carry the petition and present it to the Governor and Council at North Orange to "obtain confirmation of their bought and paid for lands."
August 10, 1674, was again chosen magistrate. Mr. Crane was now becoming quite advanced in years, and the important and exacting services required of him by the town must have proved a heavy tax upon his strength, for he now dropped out of
political office, while his sons, John, Azariah and Jasper, Jr. began to work in. Feb. 19, 1678-9, it having been discovered that many of the settlers had taken up lands contrary to a town agreement, Mr. Crane stated at a town meeting that he
would lay down all lands so taken if others would, and March 10th following he was chosen, with Robert Dalglesh and Jasper Crane, Jr., to lay out Samuel Potter's lot again. This entry, so far as the public records of Newark shows, closes the
public life of the senior Jasper Crane.
[70]
If we may judge from the entries upon the Newark Town Records we should say that, next to Robert Treat, Jasper Crane was the most prominent figure in the early settlement of that town. After Treat returned to Connecticut, Jasper Crane's name
came first in the filling by popular vote the highest and most responsible positions of public trust in the settlement. That he held the confidence of the people is clearly manifested by their returning him annually for so many years, and until
the infirmities of age unfitted him for further public service. But the family name and traits of character were appreciated, for no sooner than the name of Jasper senior disappears from the proceedings of the town meetings than the names of
John, Azariah and Jasper, Jr., are brought into recognition.
[71]
The patents for land in Newark to Jasper Crane, Aug. 25, 1675, covering one hundred and sixty-eight acres, are as follows: "House lot 14 acres, 17 a. his first division on great Neck, 11 a. in part for his second division on said Neck, 6 a. on
said Neck, 4 a. at bottom of the Neck, 20 a. for his second division by Two Mile Brook, 26 a. his third division by head of Mile Brook, 20 a. for his third division at the head of the branch of Second River, 14 a. of meadow for his first
division at Great Island, 12 a. of meadow for his second division by the Great Pond, 14 a. for proportion of bogs, 5 a. of meadow near the Great Island, 1 a. of meadow at Beef Point, 4 a. of meadow near Wheeler's Point, yielding 1/2 penny
lawful money of England, or in such pay as the country doth produce at merchants' price, for every one of the said acres, the first payment to begin the 25th of March, which was in the year 1670." These lands were taken up and occupied some
time prior to date of the patents. Another warrant seems to have been issued to Jasper Crane, May 1, 1675, for 103 acres of land in Newark.
[73]
At a town meeting held Aug. 24, 1670, an agreement was made with Mr. Robert Treat and Sergt. Richard Harrison to build and maintain a sufficient corn-mill upon the brook called Mill Brook. They were given sole privilege of this brook, with
all the town grists, and all stone within the town limits suitable for millstones, with all the timber that was prepared by Joseph Horton for the mill, and two days' work of every man and woman that holds an allotment in the town, with all
the lands formerly granted to Joseph Horton. They were to hold this land as their own so long as they held and maintained the mill, and not to dispose of the mill without consent of the town. The town was also to give thirty pounds in good
wheat, pork, beef, or one-fourth in good Indian corn, at such prices as would enable them to exchange it for or procure iron, millstones, or the workman's wages, &c.: Winter wheat 5 shillings per bushel; summer wheat 4s. 5d.; pork 3d. per
lb.; beef 2d.; Indian corn 2s. 6d. per bushel. As Mr. Treat was to return to Connecticut, Jasper Crane assumed his portion of the contract.
[75]
From Jasper Crane we have a large number of descendants -- one branch of them located westward of Newark, and five or six miles distant, calling the lace Cranetown. Some of his descendants located four miles southward of Newark, at a place
called Elizabeth Town. Among those who settled here was Stephen Crane, who there is good reason to believe was an elder son of Jasper, born in England about 1630.
[77]
From these points members of the family pressed their way further westward, crossing the Passaic River, settling Morris County. They were all remarkable for frugality, honesty and piety, and were mostly Presbyterians. It has been said by one,
not a member of the family, "no more respectable people, no better citizens, are found in our communities than those who bear Crane blood in them."
[79] Oct. 30, 1666, at a meeting in Branford, Conn., the preliminary agreement outlining the conduct of
[80]
the proposed new settlement upon the "Passiack River in the Province of New Jersey" was signed by many Branford people, among them Jasper Crane senior and his sons John and Delivered.* These three names appear among the first proprietors of
the town of Newark, and at the town
[81]
meeting held Feb. 6, 1667, Mr. Jasper Crane, John and Deliverance* appear to have been present. Thenceforth for more than a century the name of Crane occupied a conspicuous place in the annals of the town, and scarcely a town meeting was held
during a period of one hundred years that there was not a Crane chosen to fill some town office, and it was not unusual to elect to public positions
[82]
several of the name at one meeting. But March 13, 1759, the family seemed to have reached the zenith of its popularity, for at that meeting by vote of the town eight different offices were filled by Cranes. As it appears, however, that John
Crane was chosen collector and John Crane to serve on a committee to settle a line in the parsonage land, it may have required but seven Cranes to fill the eight positions; so that the election held this day exceeded but a trifle that held
March 12, 1754, when six Cranes were elected to fill seven public positions. Their names were: John, for collector; Timothy and Ezekiel, surveyors of Highways; Elijah and William, overseers of the poor; John, clerk of strays; Noah, on
committee to settle the line between the towns of Newark and Elizabethtown. ®29
[83]
Craine, Jasper, of Newark, aged in years; will of. Sons - John, Azeriah, Jasper; daughter Huntington; granddaughter Hanah Huntington; children of dec'd daughter Bell, son-in-law Huntington. Real and personal estate (a silver "bole" and
cup). Executors - son John and son Thomas Huntington. Witnesses - John Ward senior and Michell Thompkins." NJ Archives, XXL,p.45, and Essex Wills. ®59
_Samuel MARSH _________
|
_John MARSH ®59 ______|
| |
| |_Comfort MANN _________
|
|
|--Ephraim MARSH
|
| _Richard CLARKE ®23 ___
| | m 1660
|_Elizabeth CLARKE®10 _|
|
|_Elizabeth ®23 ______ _
m 1660
[268]
9/4/1745 - Ephraim Marsh of the Borough of Elizabeth, Essex Co, carpenter; will of. Wife, Anna. Children - Ephraim, Jean, Keziah and Anna, all under age. Land joining lands of Samuel Willis, lands given me by my fathers John Marsh and John
Scuder. Executors - friends, Nathaniel Hubbell and Thomas Scudder. Witnesses - William Jones, Henry Clarke, John Davis. Proved 5/9/1750. Lib. E, p. 398 [Ref# 5] ®23
[270] Ephraim died at age 49 and Anna remarried to Thomas Woodruff, also of Westfield, on December 6, 1753. Anna died on April 16, 1762. [Ref 54] ®23
[1149] --Other Fields
[1150] ®61
_William WENTWORTH _________________
|
_Thomas "Golden Thomas" WENTWORTH _|
| (1478 - 1548) |
| |_Isabel FITZWILLIAM ________________
| (1450 - ....)
|
|--Thomas WENTWORTH
| (1520 - 1587)
| _Richard WOODROW (WOODRUFFE, WOODR _
| | (1440 - 1522)
|_Beatrice WOODROVE ________________|
(1486 - ....) |
|_Beatrice FITZWILLIAM ______________
(1450 - ....)
__
|
_Edward WILKINSON ___|
| (1657 - ....) |
| |__
|
|
|--John WILKISON
| (1678 - 1733)
| __
| |
|_____________________|
|
|__
[362] --Other Fields
[363] ®60