Jonathan BELL

Jonathan married Eunice REED on 24 Jan 1716/17 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. Eunice (daughter of Thomas REED and Mary OLMSTEAD) was born on 26 Feb 1696/7 in Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jonathan BELL, Jr. was born on 22 Oct 1717 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died after 1774 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
2. Kitchell BELL was born on 27 Sep 1721 in Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
3. Bethia BELL was born on 28 Apr 1733 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died on 21 Sep 1782 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
4. Anna BELL was born on 07 Mar 1741 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut,USA; died on 18 May 1830; was buried in Norton River Graveyard, Darien, Fairfield Co., Connecticut.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: Bef 1 Oct 1745, Date of Will

Jonathan married Grace KITCHELL on 22 Mar 1693 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. Grace died in Feb 1693/4 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Mercy CRANE on 22 Oct 1662 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. Mercy (daughter of Jasper CRANE and Alice ?) was born on 01 Mar 1644/5 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; died on 26 Oct 1671 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Francis married Rebecca ?. Rebecca died on 17 May 1684 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]