“Jonathan Crane, with ten others petitioned the General Court sitting at Hartford, Oct. 6, 1691, to grant them a Town charter, the town to be called Windham. The petition was granted May 1692. At the first public town meeting, held June 12, 1692, Mr. Crane was elected one of the Townsmen, and at the same meeting he with Thomas Huntington were directed to take measures for securing a minister... He resided on the 'Hither Place' now Windham Centre. Was on committee to provide a convenient place for a burying ground; also to run the 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. January 4, 1695, Mr. Crane exchanged property with Sergt. Wm. Backus, giving his grist-mill and receiveing a new dwelling-house in Windham, situated on the house and home lot of Mr. Backus, four acres of meadow lying on the Nochog path by the brook to the little pine swamp, and one acre of meadow in the five-acre meadow. This house and lot was on what was called the Hither Place.... The Indian war broke out afresh in 1704, and Windham reorganized her military company for the protection of the inhabitants. John Fitch was chosen Captain, Jonathan Crane Lieutenant, and Joseph Cary Ensign. Although the people at this time became somewhat alarmed, no serious inconvenience was experienced. In 1705 Mr. Crane was one of a committee to have charge of all town lands; to call meetings to vote on any matters necessary, and to sign the acts to lay out highways, &C. ”[
[523]]
Savage’s: JONATHAN, Norwich 1680, m. 19 Dec. 1678, Deborah, fourth d. of Francis Griswold, had Sarah, Jonathan, John, and Mary, 20 Oct. 1689; rem. to Windham a. 1690, and had Hannah, 7 Mar. 1692; Isaac, 2 Apr. 1694; Joseph, 17 May 1696; Elizabeth Feb. 1698, d. soon; and Abigail, 15 Feb. 1700. Perhaps he had been first of Killingworth.
[500]