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- At a public meeting of the settlers of Windham, Connecticut held May 18, 1691, Jonathan Crane was one of the four persons directed to run the town line, which work had been accomplished by May 28, at which time another meeting was held and he, with Joshua Ripley and Jonathan Ginnings were chosen to make division of the meadow at four shillings and set in operation his grist mill which was on the site of what is now known as Brigham's Mills.
Jonathan Crane, with ten others, petitioned the General Court setting at Hartford October 6, 1691, to grant them a Town Charter, the town to be called Windham. The petition was granted May 12, 1692. At the first public town meeting, held June 12, 1692, Mr. Crane was elected one of the "Townsmen" and at the same time he with Thomas Huntington were directed to take measures for securing a minister. Their efforts were not crowned with success until September of that year, when they agreed with Mr. Samuel Whiting to come and carry on the ministry in that town. He preached his first sermon there January 1, 1693, and the people were so well pleased with him that they ratified the agreement and chose Samuel Roberts and Jonathan Crane "to discourse with him."
He was directed to go, with two others, "to set to rights the lots at the Ponds," also one of three persons appointed "Collector" to levy and gather rate. He resided at "Hither Place," now Windham Center.
He was on committee to provide a convenient place for burying ground; also to run town lines with Joshua Ripley and three others. In May, 1695, he was chosen Ensign of a Military Company, and commissioned Ensign by the General Court in October of that year.
That Mr. Crane was one of Windham's most active and influential men there can be little doubt.
In the year 1700 Lieut. Crane received permission from the Court at Hartford "to keep a public victualing house for the entertainment of travelers and strangers and the retailing of strong drink." Also appointed by the General Court to view Plainfield and see best place to erect a meeting house; chosen on committee to see the miller and regulate the grinding of corn, it not being satisfactory. October 1701, on committee to run town line. October 20, 1702, on committee to see to completing the meeting house, and April 19, 1703, on committee to arrange the seating of the same. This same year the town agreed to have but "one ordinary Lieut. Crane, to keep it," and the General Court commissioned him Lieutenant. In 1704 he was on committee to run out the line from Appaynage to the South East corner of the Town and Center.
The Indian War broke out afresh in 1704, and Windham re-organized her military company for the protection of the inhabitants. John Fitch was chosen Captain, Jonathan Crane, Lieutenant, and Joseph Cary, Ensign.
For other committees on which Jonathan Crane served, see Genealogy of the Crane Family, Volume 2, page 22 and 23.
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