CRANE, George (d. 1708), of Somerton and Bridgwater, Som.

Crane, a merchant of Bridgwater, may have been the corrupt government agent of that name who, according to John Oldmixon, the Somerset historian, was concerned in the reprisals that followed the failure of the Monmouth rebellion. Despite his earlier support for James II, Crane found no difficulty in accepting the Revolution and when he was returned for Bridgwater in 1698 his fellow Member, Roger Hoar, another local merchant and a Whig, described him as a Court supporter. During his brief spell in Parliament he took little part in proceedings, however, obtaining a grant of leave of absence on 15 Apr. 1699. He died in September or October 1708, his burial at St. Mary’s church, Bridgwater, taking place on 6 Oct.3 J. Oldmixon, Brit. Empire in America (1708), i. 337–8; Add. 28883, f. 36; St. Mary’s, Bridgwater par. reg. (ex inf. Frances Pearce).