Westerleigh, England

Our immigrant ancestor, Elder John Crandall was born in Westerleigh, England believed on Feb 15 1617/1618. Westerleigh is a village nestling just outside of Bristol. Elder John Crandall is believed to be one of the founders of Westerly, Rhode Island USA. He is credited as being one of the few settlers who actually paid the Indians for their land. As a young man he embraced the belief that the Bible taught baptism by immersion as opposed to infant baptism. It was said of him when he died that he conducted regular Sunday services in his home, indicating over 30 years of worship in Westerly prior to the formal organization of the church.