Captain William Crispin III (October 3, 1627 – October 4, 1681) born the son of William Crispin II (1602-1645) and wife Elizabeth (ne. Harrison) (1604-1645). Crispin was one of five Commissioners appointed by William Penn for settling the colony of Pennsylvania, September 30, 1681. He had served in the army under Cromwell. Crispin was also appointed Surveyor General. William Penn appointed Crispin as the first Chief Justice in a letter dated August 18, 1681. Crispin died at sea near Barbados on his way to Pennsylvania. He was replaced by Thomas Holme as Surveyor General.

Family

Captain William Crispin married (1) Sept. 28, 1652, Rebecca Bradshaw, the daughter of Ralph Bradshaw and Rachel Penn (1609-1669), who was the sister of Admiral Sir William Penn. Penn, and the daughter of Captain Giles Penn, the grandfather of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. His son Silas was born of this marriage, and from him are descended the Crispin families of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. From this union, there were 5 children. Following the death of Rebecca Bradshaw, Capt. William Crispin married Jane Chudeleigh of Kinsdale, Ireland in 1655, and they had 7 children: William Penn granted James, Benjamin, Jane, Eleanor, Elizabeth and Amy, "his free gift" of 3000 acres of land in Pennsylvania by deed on November 22, 1698. The same deed includes to "Jane Crispin, of Kinsale, widow of William Crispin." he gave " one half of 3000 acres. This deed is among the papers of the late Daniel Sutter of Mt.Holly, NJ