Friday, June 17, 2011

ANNE AGNES OLMSTEAD (FRENCH) 1566-1624

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peake (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Sarah French (Peake), daughter of William French, son of Anne Agnes Olmstead (French).]

Fabric of a receiving blanket, then called a "bearing cloth"
1620, Fairsted, Essex, England

This antiquity is still a family heirloom. It was passed down from parent to child in the direct line of: James (1) Nicholas (2) Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, Simeon, Joseph, Joseph Jr. MD (died in 1864) and has been preserved by the family all these generations. It clearly shows all of us how precious these relics are to Olmsted's today.
found on ancestry.com

HANNAH LEAVENS (PEAKE) 1666-1756

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peake (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Hannah Leavens (Peake).]






Burial: Woodstock Central Cemetery, Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut, USA
Find A Grave Memorial# 32247598


Birth: October 17, 1666Massachusetts, USA
Death: October 16, 1756, Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut, USA
She was a daughter of John Leavens and his wife Hannah Wood-Woods. She married Jonathan Peake, Jr. about 1677 or 1678. He was a son of Jonathan Peake, Sr. and Sarah W. French. They had about ten children. I hope I have the correct cemetery in Woodstock for her burial. She died at about 90 years of age and may have been one day short of that record.


Burial: Woodstock Hill Cemetery, Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut, USA
Find A Grave Memorial# 7151935

found on findagrave.com

Friday, June 3, 2011

WILLIAM SYMMES 1540-1597

[Ancestral Link: Marvin Louis Stagge, son of Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peake (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Sarah French (Peake), daughter of Elizabeth Symmes (French), daughter of William Symmes, son of William Symmes.]

William Symmes
William Symes of Chard, Somerset, England, who was born about 1540, married Elizabeth Hill in 1570 in Somersetshire, England. They had 4 sons and 3 daughters. He died in 1597. His will indicates that he was a Merchant and that he owned 6 Manors or Estates each large enough to have a court with an English Lord presiding over it. He also owned a mill and various properties in Taunton, England. His personal estate was huge and upon his death he donated it to the town to be used as the first public school. It is still used as a school today and is standing in Chard, England. A merchant of Poundesford, Somerset, England. He owned a mill in West Coker and lands in Taunton. According to his will, he owned manors of Barwick, Boure, Stoford, Somerset, and Frankham, Dorset, and the one he lived in in Charde. Obviously he was a man of means.

His coat of arms was given him in 1591
From; "FINDINGS OF THE SIMS FAMILY" by Marolyn Davis Barield; Will dated 4 June and proved 27 July 1597 by Elizabeth Symes the relict. (66 Cobham.) Poor 23 of Chard and Pitminster. Rt Hon. Sir Ed. Seymour, Knt. Lord Seymour of Pomeroy, Devon, by deed of 29 November 31 Eliz. hath granted me an annuity of 100 marks out of the demesne of Bury Pomeroy for 99 years, if Eliz. my wife and Hen. and James my sons shall so long live. To my son John Symes £2000 according to the covenants between me and Sir John Popham, Knt., Chief Justice, and Tho. Horner, Esq. To my son Hen. 1000 marks. My son Robt £500. My son Wm. £500 at 21. My daughter Eliz. 1000 marks. My daughter Margt 1000 marks at 21 or marriage. My daughter Margery Pyne 1000 marks. Jasper Pyne my son in law living in Charde. My Manors of Barwick, Bowre, 24 and Stoford, county Som., and Frankham, county Dorset. Mill in West Coker and lands in Taunton. My manor house in Charde to Eliz. my wife for her life, and she to be Ex'trix. John Pyne, Esq., Roger Hill, Gent., and my bro. in l. Hugh Hill, Gent., to be Supervisors

The family of Roger, or Rogers, whose chief seat was at Bryanston, Dorset (see Hutchins's `Dorset,' i., 250), held Barwick for six generations, extending to the latter part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when Sir Richard Rogers, knight, sold the manor and Advowson 47 to William Symes, of Chard, merchant.

This gentleman married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Hill of Poundisford, near Taunton, a very old Somerset family.
found on ancestry.com

ELIZABETH SYMMES (FRENCH) 1603-1668

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), son of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peake (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Sarah French (Peake), daughter of Elizabeth Symmes (French).]



Birth: 1605, England
Death: March 31, 1668, Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
Elizabeth (Godfrey) French left England after 18 July 1635 and arrived in Boston 8 October 1635 on the ship "Defence."


Burial: Old South Burying Ground, Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
Find A Grave Memorial# 36089036


Symmes Or Godfrey?
Another source gives her surname as Godfrey. Arrived aboard the 'Defence' with husband and four children, who were not specifically identified as children of William and Elizabeth. The passenger list gives ages as follows: William, 30; Elizabeth, 30; Francis, 10; Elizabeth, 6; Mary (or Marie), 2 1/2; and John, 5 months. Note that Francis was not a son of William and Elizabeth, but may have been a nephew of William or Elizabeth's child from the supposed previous marriage.
http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/ViewStory.aspx?pid=-2022301588&tid=953967&oid=b6ba248c-b 62c-4af1-890d-3220de0bc549&pg=0
http://www.frenchfamilyassoc.com/FFA/CHARTSWEB/ChartE002.h tm
found on ancestry.com

THOMAS FRENCH 1562-1613

[Ancestral Link: Marvin Louis Stagge, son of Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peake (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Sarah French (Peake), daughter of William French, son of Thomas French.]

Will of Thomas French
FRENCH, THOMAS, the elder of Wethersfield, Essex, gentleman, 23 July, 1599. To poor of Halstead 40/- Ditto of West Wratting Cambridge 20/- Ditto of Snettisham Norfolk £3. Ditto of Much Bardfield 40/- Ditto of Little Bardfield 20/- Ditto of Whethersfield 40/- Ditto of Arkesden 20/-. To my daughter Mary now the wife of John Collin £20, and to her children John, William, Mary and Elizabeth Collin £20 each to be paid them "in the South Porch of the Parish Church of Much Bardfield."To my daughter Elizabeth now the wife of John Meade £20 and to her children Edward, Elizabeth, John and Agnes Meade £20 each to be paid as before. To the children of my son Thomas French (not named) £10 each. To Thomas Girton one of the servants of my said son 10/- To John French son of my son Thomas a silver bowl. To my wife Bridgit £5 and such goods as I had with her and possessed at the time of our marriage. Res. & Ex. son Thomas. Wit: Thomas Reynoldes, William Younge,William Purcas. Proved 31 October 1599 by the Executor named. (P.C.C. Kidd, 73.)
FOUND ON ANCESTRY.COM

his will
Estate of Thomas French, Sr. of Ipswich Essex Probate Docket #10190

In the name of God, Amen. I Thomas French Senior of Ipswich being weak of body yet of perfect understanding and memory doe in case of death make this my last Will and Testament. In the first place I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who hath redeemed it by the precious blood of his Son; and I commit my body to the Earth, whence it was taken, to be buried in a Christian decent manner by my friends in hope of a blessed resurrection to eternal life. And as for my outward Estate which God hath graciously given me in this world I doe thus dispose of it: Imprimis, I give and bequeath to Mary my beloved wife the Bed whereon I use to ly, with all the appurtenances and furniture belonging thereto. Moreover, I give to my son Thomas French my cloak and close-coat. Also I give to my son John French one Cow, which is to make up the full summe of thirty pounds which I formerly promised him for his Portion. Also I give to my daughter Mary Smith, one Cow. And to my son Samuel French, I give and bequeath he bed where he usually lieth, together with the Bedding and Bedstead belonging to the same. Further, as concerning my lands at the Pequod lots, and my division lot of marsh at Plum Island, my will is that my sons Thomas and Samuel French for and in consideration of twenty pounds by them engaged according to to order unto my son Ephraim French as the remaining part of this portion (which summe of twenty pounds is almost all paid, and the remainder due upon demand), I say my Will is that those my two sonns Thomas and Samuel shall possess and enjoy the said Pequod lands, and division-lot of marsh to themselves and to their heirs forever, to be equally divided betwixt them. Furthermore, I give and bequeath to my sonn Thomas French my dwelling house and homested with all the appurtenances and priviledges thereof and belonging thereto, and also by Lot lying in Labour-in-vain fields containing twelve acres more or less; with all the rest of my cattell, stocke of all sorts and moveable goods (not disposed of by this my will and testament) and to my son Samuel I give and bequeath two acres of upland joyning to Joseph Quilter's and two acres of meadow-ground at Reedy marsh; to be possessed by them respectively after my decease, provided always and my will is that my son Thomas French doe give full and free libertie to Mary my wife his mother to abide ad dwell in the said house and to make use of any room or rooms thereof for her convenient accommodation therein; as likewise to make use of all or any such moveable as I doe now leave in the hands of my son Thomas (not disposed of) as my be necessary ad convenient for her use and occasions from time to time; and all these during the term of her natural life, and after her decease my son Thomas shall deliver to my three children John, Samuell and Mary three of the biggest pewter dishes which shall then be left and remain that is to say, to each of them, one. Provided also, and my will is that my two son Thomas and Samuel doe carefully provide for their mothers comfortable maintenance and livelyhood and what is requisit thereto during her natural life; each of them allowing thereto proportionally to that part of my Estate which shall be by them received by vertue of this my testament. And if through any neglect of failure, this way of maintenance should not be to their mother's satisfaction and content, my Will is, that those my two sons Thomas and Samuel shall allow to their mother ten pounds yeerly; nine pounds thereof to be paid by Thomas and twenty shillings by Samuel, in such pay as shall be suitable and necessary for her comfortable maintenance and livelyhood. And further, if it shall pleas God to exercise her with much prevailing weakness or continuing sickness that the aforesaid then pounds should not suffice to defray the charges of her expenses, my Will is that (over and above the ten pounds, and according to the like rate of proportion) those my two sons Thomas and Samuel shall supply her with necessaries suitable as her condition may require, that she be not exposed to suffering for want of what ought and might be procured for her. Also my Will is that my Lot in Labour-in-vain fields, and the two acres of meadow at Reedy Marsh shall stand bound respectively to my said wife during her natural like as securitie for the true performance of this my Will as respecting her maintenance by my two Sonns; and after he decease, the said lands (except what shall bee alienated (if any so be) by means of the securitie aforesaid) to remain to each of those my Sonns and to their heirs forever as is before mentioned and declared. And lastly, I doe name, appoint and constitute my son Thomas French to be the sole Executor of this my last will & testament.
August 3 1680
Witness: (no signatures)
Proved in Ipswich Court 28 September 1680, by Mary French and Samuel French
Source: Printed "Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts; 1635 - 1681," In three volumes,The Essex Institute; Salem, Massachusetts; 1916 http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/gen/report/rr03/rr03_467.htm#P51175
found on ancestry.com

WILLIAM FRENCH 1604-1681

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peake (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Sarah French (Peake), daughter of William French.]

William French Headstone


The "Great Deed"
1650, Billerica, Massachusetts

Official record deeding property to the town of Billerica and varioius land owners. William French's signature ("William Ffrench") and property description is top-center. Billerica Public Library (http://www.billericalibrary.org)



French, William Register Report
Page 1
10/23/02
©1992-2002 Kristin C. Hall
http://xenia.media.mit.edu/~kristin
First Generation
—————————————————————————————————————————————
1. Captain William1 FRENCH Esq. was born circa 1604 in England[1]. We know that he was aged 30 at time of his migration in 1635 and aged “about seventy and six years” on 5 June 1679. William died in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts on 20 November 1681; he was “in [his] 78th year”[2,3]. William had a brother named John who was in Cambridge by 1637 and had a daughter named Sarah[9]. William migrated to New England in 1635 aboard the Defence, Thomas Bostock, master (Edward Pearce was first listed as master, but it was later changed to Mr. Bostock[15]). On 3 July 1635 William French, 30 and Elisa, his wife, 32 were mentioned as servant to Roger Harlakenden, who took the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy from the Minister and Justice of Peace. William, being a servant, would not have been eligible to take this oath. They embarked on 4 July 1635 with his family: “Elizabeth French, 30; Elizabeth French, 6; Marie French, 2-1/2; Francis French, 10; Jo: French, 5 months” were all listed as being from Fenchurch, London, Middlesex, England. They sailed from London[6,16,17].


Once freed from Harlakenden’s servitude, William became a Tailor[4]. We know that William was educated, since he signed his will[6]. More importantly, he sent to a friend in England “the relation of one Indian of two years profession, that I took from his own mouth by an interpreter, because he cannot speak or understand one word of English; this document was then included in a pamphlet: “Strength Out of Weakness; or a Glorious Manifestation of the Further Progresse of the Gospel among the Indians of New-England. Held Forth in Sundry Letters from divers Ministers and others…” This tract was published in London in 1652[5].


As seen by his title, William served in the local militia. He was admitted to Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston, Suffolk county, Massachusetts (still extant!) in 1638[21] and quickly moved up the ranks -- which indicates more popularity with his fellow soldiers than military prowess. He became Sergeant on 27 September 1642[22]; was nominated as
Lieutenant on 1 October 1645[23] and confirmed as such on 26 May 1647[24]. He was still a Lieutenant at the time of his daughter Abigail’s birth in 1673[25]. The date of his promotion to Captain is unknown. Also, his inventory included an “old musket and gun barrel” valued at 12s[6].
William took the Freeman Oath on 3 March 1635/6 -- seventh in sequence of 11 Cambridge men[6,7]. His town service in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts consisted of serving on the petit jury of 3 December 1639[20]. Once he moved to Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts in 1652, his town service picked up considerably. He was empowered to marry
others in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts on 15 May 1667 and in Billerica and Chelmsford, Middlesex county, Massachusetts on 18 October 1659[19]. Finally, he was a deputy (much like a local representative to the State Legislature) from Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts to the Massachusetts Bay General Court on 19 December 1660, 27 May 1663 and 3 August 1664[18].


On 23 May 1655, the General Court considered a petition to which William French was a signer, asking that the residents of Shawshin (once part of Woburn, Middlesex county, Massachusetts and now the town of Burlington, Middlesex county, Massachusetts) be freed of all taxes and rate from the town of Cambridge[41].


William was admitted to the Cambridge Church prior to taking his Freemanship oath on 3 March 1635/6. In January 1658/9 list of Cambridge church members are “William French and Elizabeth his wife both are members in full communion, Their children [:] Elizabeth now Elliot and now joined at Dedham. Mary baptized in England between 2 and 3 years old at her father’s joining. John baptized by Mr. Hooker in Cambridge. Sarah, Jacob, Hannah born and baptized in this Church”[6,42]


William first settled in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts but in 1652[6], he moved to Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[2]. He made many real estate transactions and so is easy to track through deeds and land records. In Cambridge, he had one house on the 8 February 1635/6 list of “those men who have houses in the town”[26]. On 6 February 1636/7, he was granted two acres of land in Cambridge[27]. In 1639, he held two parcels of land: “bought of Mr. Richard Champnes, one dwelling house and garden”; and “given by the town two acres of land in the New West Field”[28]. By French, William Register Report Page 2, 10/23/02 ©1992-2002 Kristin C. Hall http://xenia.media.mit.edu/~kristin 1639, William French had sold to John Sill “one house with garden and backside in the town”[29].


In the Cambridge land inventory of 6 September 1642, William French held four parcels: “in the town one dwelling house with about half a rood of ground”; “in the New West Field two acres”; “on the south side of Charles River, eight acres more or less being the seventh lot in the lower division of lots”; and “in the upper division of those lots eight acres more or less being the three and fiftieth lot there”[30].


In 1645, William French was granted “six acres and half” “on the west side of Monotamye [Menotomy - a now-extinct town which comprised parts of Cambridge, Somerville and Arlington, Middlesex county, Massachusetts] River”[31]; on or soon after 10 December 1646, William French sold to Edward Winship:”in the lots beyond Menotomy six acres and half”[32].
On 15 August 1646, William French sold to Andrew Stevenson “four acres of land more or less in New West Field”[33].


On a later unknown date, William French held five acres in Fresh Pond Meadow[34]. In the division of “Shaw Shine” [the aforementioned “Shawshin”, now Burlington, Middlesex county, Massachusetts] on 4 June 1652, “Lt. Will[ia]m French” received Lot #24, 150 acres[35].


On 27 February 1654/5 William French of Cambridge, tailor, sold to Gilbert Crackbone of Cambridge, husbandman, “four acres of land...in a planting field commonly called there West Field”[36].


On 10 June 1656 “William French of Cambridge..., tailor,” sold to “William Barret of the same place, tailor,...my now mansion house situated in Cambridge before named with about half a rood of land adjoining to the same..., also a barn and outhouse standing on the east adjoining the highway with about half a rood of land adjoining thereto”37.


On -- February 1667/8, “William French of Billerica...in consideration of a valuable sum of money, to me well and truly paid, by Sgt. John Parker (now deceased) sometimes of Billerica aforesaid, for the use and behoof of Jonathan Danforth” of Billerica, deed to Jonathan Danforth a parcel of meadow in Billerica “containing by estimation one acere and three quarters”[38].


On 29 November 1678, “William French of Billerica...for and in consideration of the love and affection he beareth to his son Jacob French, as also for the full and final accomplishment of a contract and agreement made between the said W[illia]m French and Elder Richard Champney of Cambridge deceased, upon the marriage of the said Jacob French to Mary, the daughter of the said Elder Chamney, “ deeded to Jacob French a parcel of land in Billerica “containing by
estimation twenty-five acres lying on the Pine Plain”[39,40].


On 2 April 1650 the “Court granted W[illia]m French right and power of administration upon the estate of his brother John French deceased, and do confirm and allow of his disposal of the children”[8,9].


In his own will, dated 5 June 1679 and proved 20 December 1681, “W[illia]m French of Billerica, aged about seventy and six years,” declared that “I have already given to all by children that have been already married their portions, I only add to them as followeth: to the eldest son of John French, to W[illia]m the son of Jacob French, to Elizabeth daughter [of] Richard Ellis, to Jonathan the son of Jhonathan Hides, to the eldest daughter of Jonathan Peake, to Marah the daughter of John Brackett, which are all my grandchildren, to each person as aforesaid twenty shillings”; residue to “my beloved wife, and to those children born to me by her, to be divided to each at the discretion of our honored county court after my decease”; “my beloved wife and my son Jacob French” executors; at the time of probate, there was “allowed to the [illegible] of the children £6 13s. 4d., to the widow 1/3 the remainder, to the widow the remainder 2/3 equally to be let out by Lt. Jonath[an] Danforth, Joseph Thompson and Josiah Converse to each his part
and the widow to have the benefit of the children’s portion for the bringing up and education until they come of age to choose thier guardians.[10]”


The inventory of the estate of “Lt. W[illia]m French of Billerica who deceased 20 November 1681 being his 78 year of age”, taken 6 December 1681, totalled £231 12s. 10d. (against which were debts of about £25), of which £104 was real estate: “house and barn, homestead, meadows and outlands,” £104; presented 8 December 1681 by “Mary French executrix to the estate of Lt. French her deceased husband”[11].

On 6 December 1687, “the estate of Lt. William French of Billerica (who deceased the 20.9m.1681)” was divided, “to the widow one-third part of the whole estate and to the three children the remaining two-thirds, equally, “ the widow receiving £60 14s. 10d., “Mary French (now Sharp),” £40 10s., “Sarah French” £40 10s., and “Hannah French” £40 10s.; this division was acknowledged on 20 August 1722 by “Sarah Crosbey, Mary Dunklin and Hannah Child
(daughters of the within mentioned Will[ia]m French deceased)”[12,13,14].


Circa 1625 when William was 21, he first married Elizabeth GODFREY? SYMMES?, in England[43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50]. Elizabeth died on 31 March 1668 in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[3].


They had the following children:
2 i. [possibly Francis]
3 ii. Elizabeth
4 iii. Mary
5 iv. John
6 v. Sarah
7 vi. Jacob
8 vii. Hannah1
9 viii. Hannah2
10 ix. Samuel


On 6 May 1669 when William was 65, he second married Mary LOTHROP, daughter of Thomas LOTHROP and Mary [surname not known], in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[2,3,51,52,53,50,54,55,56,57,49,58]. Mary was born on 4 October 1640 and died after 1735; she was 94[2]. The town records mention that “She was living in 1735 ‘very aged’”. William
was Mary’s second husband. She first married John STEARNS and third married Isaac MIXER.
On 21 December 1680, “Mary French administrator to the estate of her deceased husband John Sternes, “along with “John Stearnes” and “Samuel Starnes” petitioned for a division of the estate of John Stearms. To this petition were appended two other items: “Request of the selectmen of Billerica for the Court to take into consideration the condition of the family of one Lt. W[illia]m French “ 18 December 1680; and the “Court being informed that Lt. W[illia]m French of Billerica is by God’s hand through impotency and weakness unfit to govern his domestic concerns, at the
request of his friend Deacon Tompson and his son Jacob French are empowered to assist his wife in the ordering and disposing of his estate, so as may best conduce for the supply of the family,” 21 December 1680 [Scott Gen 196, location of petition not stated][59].


They had the following children:
11 i. Mary
12 ii. Sarah
13 iii. Abigail
14 iv. Hannah
Generation: G7 Grandparents
Person Numbers: 978/979
Second Generation
—————————————————————————————————————————————
Family of Captain William FRENCH Esq. (1) and Elizabeth GODFREY? SYMMES?
2. [possibly Francis] FRENCH (William1) was born circa 1625 in England. Anderson says there is no further record of him and that he may not have been a child of this couple. Francis was on the Defence in 1635, aged 10. William French would have been barely twenty at the time of Francis’ birth, which is not impossible but is younger than the norm[3]. It is possible, during this time of extremely large families, that Francis was a younger brother of William and John.


Regardless, Torrey notes that a Francis French and Lydia Bunnell married in Derby or Milford, Connecticut in 1661. Even if this is not *this* Francis, someone wished to perpetuate the name.

3. Elizabeth FRENCH (William1) was born circa 1629 in England[3]. She was aged 6 at time of migration. On 19 September 1650 when Elizabeth was 21, she married Richard ELLIS, in Dedham, Norfolk county, Massachusetts[3,60].


4. Mary FRENCH (William1) was born circa 1632 in England[3]. She was aged 2.5 at time of migration in 1635 and married Jonathon HIDE.


5. John FRENCH (William1) was born circa 1635 in England[3]. He was aged 5 months at time of migration in 1635. John was baptized in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts in 1635[61]. John married four times. On 21 June 1659 when John was 24, he first married Abigail COGGAN, in Barnstable, Plymouth county, Massachusetts[3]. On 3 July 1662 when John was
27, he second married Hannah BURRIDGE, in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9]. On 14 January 1667/8 when John was 32, he third married Mary ROGERS, in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9]. On 16 January 1677/8 when John was 42, he fourth married Mary LITTLEFIELD, in Billerica, Middlesex county Massachusetts[9].


6. Sarah FRENCH (William1) was born in March 1638 in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9,62]. On 15 August 1660 when Sarah was 22, she married Jonathon PEAKE, in Roxbury, Suffolk county, Massachusetts[9].


7. Jacob FRENCH (William1) was born on 16 January 1639/40 in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9,63]. On 20 September 1665 when Jacob was 26, he first married Mary CHAMPNEY, in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9]. On 30 June 1685 when Jacob was 46, he second married Mary CONVERS, in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9]. Jacob third married Mary [surname not known].


8. Hannah1 FRENCH (William1) was born on 2 February 1641/2 in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9,63] and died in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts on 20 June 1642; she was 1[9,63].


9. Hannah2 FRENCH (William1) was born circa 1643[9]. On 6 September 1661 when Hannah2 was 18, she married John BRACKETT, in Braintree, Norfolk county, Massachusetts[9].


10. Samuel FRENCH (William1) was born on 3 December 1645 in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9] and died in 1646. He was buried on 15 July 1646 in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9].


Family of Captain William FRENCH Esq. (1) and Mary LOTHROP
11. Mary2 FRENCH (William1) was born on 30 April 1670 in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[2,9,64] and died in Lexington, Middlesex county, Massachusetts as “Dunkley, Mary”.on 17 September 1729; she was 59[65]. On 20 June 1687 when Mary was 17, she first married Robert SHARP, in possibly Woburn, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9,43,66,67]. Torrey mentions that they are both “of Billerica”[43]. On 23 March 1693 when Mary was 22, she second married Nathaniel DUNKLEE, son of Elnathan DUNKLEE and Silence BOWERS, in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9,43,57,68,69,70,71,72]. Under Robert Sharp’s Torrey entry, Mary’s second husband is listed as “Nathaniel Dunckler”[43].
They had the following children (surnamed DUNKLEE):
i. Silence
ii. David
iii. Elnathan
iv. Jonathon
v. Hannah
vi. Hezekiah
vii. Robert
viii. [possibly Ruth?]

12. Sarah FRENCH (William1) was born on 29 October 1671 in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[2,9,73]. On 6 May 1691 when Sarah was 19, she married Joseph CROSBY of Billerica, in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9,56].


13. Abigail FRENCH (William1) was born on 14 April 1673 in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[2,9,25] and died on 13 April 1674 in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[2,9,74].


14. Hannah FRENCH (William1) was born on 25 January 1676/7 in Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[2,9,75] and died in Watertown, Middlesex county, Massachusetts in 1766; she was 89[2]. On 5 October 1693 when Hannah was 17, she married John CHILD, in Watertown, Middlesex county, Massachusetts[9].


Sources
1. “Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Probate Records,” [MPR], 5:250-1.
2. Bond, Henry, Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts,
(Boston: NEHGS, 1860) [Appended to the Watertown, Middlessex county, Massachusetts VRs on the CD], [Bond or Watertown],
I:453.
3. Anderson, Robert Charles, George F. Sanborn, Jr. and Melinde Lutz Sanborn, The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England 1634-1635., (Boston: Great Migration Study Project, New England Historic Genealogical Society,
1999-2001), [GreatMig1634-1635], II:591.
4. “Middlesex county, Massachusetts Deeds,” [MLR], 1:205-7; 3:38-39.
5. Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Volume 1 through present (1792+), [MHSC], 3:4:192-3.
6. Anderson, Robert Charles, George F. Sanborn, Jr. and Melinde Lutz Sanborn, The Great Migration: Immigrants to
New England 1634-1635., (Boston: Great Migration Study Project, New England Historic Genealogical Society,
1999-2001), [GreatMig1634-1635], II:588.
7. Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, 1628-1686; 5 volumes in 6,
Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, (Boston: 1853-1854), [MBCR], 1:371.
8. Middlesex County Court Records, [MCCR or MCR], 1:9.
9. Anderson, Robert Charles, George F. Sanborn, Jr. and Melinde Lutz Sanborn, The Great Migration: Immigrants to
New England 1634-1635., (Boston: Great Migration Study Project, New England Historic Genealogical Society,
1999-2001), [GreatMig1634-1635], II:592.
10. “Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Probate Records,” [MPR].
11. Ibid. 5:251-3.
12. Anderson, Robert Charles, George F. Sanborn, Jr. and Melinde Lutz Sanborn, The Great Migration: Immigrants
to New England 1634-1635., (Boston: Great Migration Study Project, New England Historic Genealogical Society,
1999-2001), [GreatMig1634-1635], II:590-1.
13. “Middlesex county, Massachusetts Deeds,” [MLR], 16:413-4.
14. “Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Probate Records,” [MPR], Case #8528.
15. Coldham, Peter Wilson, The Complete Book Of Emigrants, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing company, Inc.,
1987), [Coldham], 151.
16. The Original Lists of Persons of Quality.., Hotten, John Camden, (London 1874; rpt. Baltimore 1974), [Hotten],
99-100.
17. Coldham, Peter Wilson, The Complete Book Of Emigrants, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing company, Inc.,
1987), [Coldham], 151-152.
18. Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, 1628-1686; 5 volumes in 6,
Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, (Boston: 1853-1854), [MBCR], 4:1:449; 4:2:72,117.
19. Ibid. 4:2:336.
20. Ibid. 1:283.
21. Roberts, Oliver Ayer, History of..the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, 1637-1888, 4
volumes., (Boston 1895-1901), [HAHAC], 1:60.
22. Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, 1628-1686; 5 volumes in 6,
Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, (Boston: 1853-1854), [MBCR], 2:29-30.
23. Ibid. 2:137.
24. Ibid. 2:187.
25. “Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts Vital Records,” [BillVR], p. 80.
26. The Records of the Town of Cambridge (Formerly Newtowne) Massachusetts, 1630-1703.., (Cambridge: 1901),
[CaTR], 18.
27. Ibid. 26.
28. The Register Book of the Lands and Houses in the “New Towne” and the Town of Cambridge.., (Cambridge
1896), [CaBOP], 66.
29. Ibid. 57.
30. Ibid. 100,331.
31. Ibid. 129.
32. Ibid. 132.
33. Ibid. 130.
34. Ibid. 333.
35. The Records of the Town of Cambridge (Formerly Newtowne) Massachusetts, 1630-1703.., (Cambridge: 1901),
[CaTR], 97.
36. “Middlesex county, Massachusetts Deeds,” [MLR], 3:38-9.
37. Ibid. 1:205-7.
38. Ibid. 4:255-7.
39. Ibid. 7:59.
40. Anderson, Robert Charles, George F. Sanborn, Jr. and Melinde Lutz Sanborn, The Great Migration: Immigrants
to New England 1634-1635., (Boston: Great Migration Study Project, New England Historic Genealogical Society,
1999-2001), [GreatMig1634-1635], II:588-590.
41. Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, 1628-1686; 5 volumes in 6,
Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, (Boston: 1853-1854), [MBCR], 3:391-2.
42. Records of The Church of Christ at Cambridge in New England, 1632-1830., Stephen Paschall Sharples, ed.,
(Boston 1906), [CaChR], 7-8.
43. Torrey, Charles, New England Marriages Prior to 1700., (Boston: New England Historic and Genealogical
Society), [Torrey].
44. Warner, Frederick Chester, "The Ancestry of Samuel Freda and John Warner," 5 vols., (Boston, Massachusetts, 1949,
1955), typescript, [Warner-Harrington], 218,351.
45. Backus, Mary Elizabeth (Neilson), The New England Ancestry of Dana Converse Backus, ([Salem, Massachusetts:
privately printed, 1949]), [Backus Anc.], 59,82.
46. New England Historic and Genealogical Register. Vols. 1+, (Boston: New England Historic and Genealogical
Register, 1845+), [NEHGR or Reg.], 44:367; 88:75; 89:182.
47. McIntire, Robert Harry, Ancestry of Robert Harry McIntire and of Helen Annette McIntire, His Wife, (Norfolk, Virginia,
1950), [McIntire Anc.], 274.
48. Linzee, John William, The History of Peter Parker and Sarah Ruggles of Roxbury, Massachusetts, (Boston, Massachusetts: [S. Usher],
1913), [Parker (#9), Parker-Ruggles], 207.
49. Holman, Mary Lovering, The Scott Genealogy, (Boston, MA: 1919), [Scott (1919)], 195.
50. Dillon, Arthur Orison, The Ancestors of Arthur Orison Dillon, (The Author, 1927), [DillonAnc], 24.
51. Backus, Mary Elizabeth (Neilson), The New England Ancestry of Dana Converse Backus, ([Salem, Massachusetts:
privately printed, 1949]), [Backus Anc.], 83.
52. Warner, Frederick Chester, "The Ancestry of Samuel Freda and John Warner," 5 vols., (Boston, Massachusetts, 1949,
1955), typescript, [Warner-Harrington], 218.
53. New England Historic and Genealogical Register. Vols. 1+, (Boston: New England Historic and Genealogical
Register, 1845+), [NEHGR or Reg.], 44:367; 66:179; 86:348.
54. Huntington, Rev. E. B., A Genealogical Memoir of the Lo-Lathrop Family, (Ridgefield Conn.: privately printed,
1884), [Lathrop].
55. Van Wagenen, Avis (Stearns), Genealogy and Memoirs of Charles and Nathaniel Stearns, (Syracuse, N.Y.:
Courier Printing Company, 1901), vol. 2, [Stearns (#1)], 1:25.
56. “Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts Vital Records,” [BillVR], 259.
57. Baldwin, Charles Candee, The Baldwin Genealogy From 1500 to 1881, (Cleveland, Ohio: [The Leader Printing
Company], 1881), [Baldwin], 689.
58. French, John M., “"Lieut. William French and His Descendants,",” New England Historic and Genealogical Register,
[FrenchFrench], 44(1890):367-72.
59. Anderson, Robert Charles, George F. Sanborn, Jr. and Melinde Lutz Sanborn, The Great Migration: Immigrants
to New England 1634-1635., (Boston: Great Migration Study Project, New England Historic Genealogical Society,
1999-2001), [GreatMig1634-1635], II:590.
60. “Dedham, Norfolk county, Massachusetts Vital Racords,” [DedhamVR].
61. Records of The Church of Christ at Cambridge in New England, 1632-1830., Stephen Paschall Sharples, ed.,
(Boston 1906), [CaChR], 8.
62. New England Historic and Genealogical Register. Vols. 1+, (Boston: New England Historic and Genealogical
Register, 1845+), [NEHGR or Reg.], 4:55.
63. Ibid. 4:56.
64. “Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts Vital Records,” [BillVR], 84.
65. “Lexington, Meddlesex county, Massachusetts Vital Records,” [LexVR], p. 173.
66. New England Historic and Genealogical Register. Vols. 1+, (Boston: New England Historic and Genealogical
Register, 1845+), [NEHGR or Reg.], 44:367; 61:72.
67. Middlesex County Court Records, [MCCR or MCR], I:614.
68. Bond, Henry, Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts,
(Boston: NEHGS, 1860) [Appended to the Watertown, Middlessex county, Massachusetts VRs on the CD], [Bond or Watertown],
453.
69. Hudson, Charles, History of the Town of Lexington, middlesex County, From its First Settlement to 1860, (2 vols.),
(Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1913), [Lexington], 2:182-3.
70. Duncklee, Ada Melinda Lakin, A Sketch of the Duncklee Family: and a History of the Descendants of David
Duncklee of Amherst, New Hampshire: and of His Sister Hannah Duncklee Howe of Milford, New Hampshire, (Milford, New Hampshire: J. P. Melger,
1908), [Duncklee], 8.
71. Huntington, Rev. E. B., A Genealogical Memoir of the Lo-Lathrop Family, (Ridgefield Conn.: privately printed,
1884), [Lathrop], 47.
72. Holman, Mary Lovering, The Scott Genealogy, (Boston, Massachusetts: 1919), [Scott (1919)], 197.
73. “Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts Vital Records,” [BillVR], 85.
74. Ibid. 361.
75. Ibid. 82.

FOUND ON ANCESTRY.COM

William French's immigration
William French, a first settler of Billerica, Massachusetts, was a tailor and servant. He arrived in Boston, on "The Defence" 08 October 1635, age 30, estimated year of birth 1605.The ship docked in Boston, Massachusetts [1]. William and his wife Elizabeth French came over from England on the ship "Defence" in 1634 or 35 and 4 of the children were with them; Francis, Elizabeth, Marie (Mary), John. He was one of the first settlers of Billerica. 1663 - was the first representative from Billerica. of Cambridge and Billerica, Massachusetts. He emigrated with the Rev. Thomas Shepard. He settled at Cambridge and in 1652 was one of 13 petitioners for the separation of Billerica, formerly Shawshin, from Cambridge. In 1647 he was Licutenant and afterward Captain of Militia. In 1659 he was authorized to soleminize marriages within Baillerica and Chelmsford. He was selectman 1660-4 and 1670-3. On 17 December 1660 Lieutenant Will French is chosen deputy for this Town for the Next Genrl Court and no longer. Two days later he was in his seat at Boston, the first Deputy from Billerica. He was chosen again in 1663. In 1661 the town appoint Lieut. ffrench, John Parker, Ralph Hill, Sen. and Will Gay to sett in the Deacon's seat. He was a man of some education, and the author of the famous tract entitled "Strength out of weakness" published in London and reprinted by the Boston Historical Society. His wife died March 31, 1668, and he married May 6, 1669, Mary Lathrop of Barnstable, daughter of unknown and widow of John Stearns of Billerica. He died Nov. 20, 1681.

found on ancestry.com

William French
WILLIAM FRENCH [#150], born about 1603, died. Billerica, Massachusetts 20 November 1681, married(1) Elizabeth ____, died. Billerica, Massachusetts 31 March 1668, married(2) 6 May 1669 MARY (LATHROP) Stearns (daughter of Thomas Lathrop and Sarah Learned), born Barnstable, Massachusetts 4 October 1640, died after 1735. She had married(1) Barnstable? December 1656 John Stearns, died. 5 March 1668-9. She married(3) Isaac Mixer.


William French was married in England where four of his children were born. He emigrated to America in the summer of 1635 in the ship Defence.[1] Mr. Shepard in his autobiography says he set out for New England with a group "in the year 1634, about the beginning of winter" and embarked at Harwich. They were driven back by stress of weather and the voyage was abandoned. However they embarked again on August 10, 1635 "and so the Lord after many sad storms and wearisome days and many longings to see the shore, brought us to the sight of it upon October 2, 1635". They landed at Boston on the third. Two days later the congregation moved to Cambridge where they found many empty homes and people willing to sell because of the exodus of Reverend Hooker's flock to Hartford.[5/3435] The Cutter family may also have been among this group especially based on their stories of a difficult voyage. William first settled in Cambridge, where he resided on the westerly side of Dunster Street about midway between Harvard Square and Mt. Auburn Street, which estate he bought in 1639 and sold to William Barrett June 10, 1656.[5/551]


William French was one of the original proprietors of Billerica and was granted lot 24 of 150 acres in the Shawshine grant in 1652. He was referred to as Lieft. William ffrench.[5/58] The Shawshine Plantation later became the town of Billerica, the name change coming by order of the court on May 23, 1655.[5/62] He settled there early and was a captain in the militia.[1] He became a deacon in 1659 and was also a commissioner to establish country rates. In 1660 he was elected a Selectman, a seat which he held for nine years. In 1661 he was one of a committee to examine children and servants in reading, religion, and catechism. William French was the first Deputy (i.e. representative) of Billerica to the General Court.[1]


William died in Billerica on November 20, 1681 in his 78th year. His death record lists him as Lieutenant.[3] His will was dated June 5, 1679 at which time he called himself "aged about seaventy and six years". William had already provided for his children prior to the time of writing his will. However he did make bequests to his grand children. These bequests were: "to the eldest son of John ffrench to Wm the son of Jacob ffrench to Elizabeth ye Daughter Richard Ellis to Jonathan ye Son of Jonathan Hides, to ye Eldest Daughter of Jonathan Peake, to Marah ye Daughter of Jno Brackett, which are all my grand children". His wife and son Jacob were made executors. The will was witnessed by Samuel Whiting, Jr. and Jonathan Danforth, Sr..[4/5:276] "Inventory of the Estate of Lt. Wm ffrench of Billerica who deced. 20 November 1681 being in his 78 year of his age" was taken by Jonathan Danforth Senior and Patrick Hill and amounted to 231.12.10.[4/5:278] Division of the estate was made to the widow and to daughters Mary French (now Sharp), Sarah French, and Hannah French.[4/16:413]


William was perhaps from Bures Saint Mary in England which straddles the River Stour and lies partly in Suffolk and partly in Essex. A Jacob French married there in 1579 and three children were born shortly thereafter: William, baptized July 25, 1580; Jacob, baptized August 12, 1582; and Thomas, baptized October 11, 1584. The first two children were most likely children of Jacob, but their parents names were not given in the baptism record. The third child, Thomas, was recorded as the son of Jacob. The William born in 1580 could possibly be the father of William the ancestor and/or could be the William French who had children baptised at Twinstead, Essex about three miles from Bures St. Mary, the first of whom was Thomas, baptised November 10, 1606. The other was Jacob baptised January. 17, 1607-8.[5] Notice the name of Jacob through the generations, including the immigrant's.


Some sources give William's father as Thomas French of Halstead, Essex, England. He married a Wood and is reported to have had William, born March 15, 1602-3; Frances, baptized. June 29, 1606; and Jerrymya, baptized November. 21, 1607[6]. Other sources give William's father as Thomas also but give a much larger set of Thomas' children. However these claims would seem to be incorrect. Thomas was buried in Halstead November. 20, 1613, and his will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury January 27, 1613-4. He left 400 pounds each to his sons John, Edward, William, Robert, and Francis. His son William, who was baptised at Halstead March 15, 1603 was of St. Dunstans in the west of London when he made his will May 14, 1621. In it are mentioned his brothers and sisters John, Edward, Robert, Francis, Ann, Elianor, Elizabeth, Margaret, Jemima, and Dorothy French. He also mentioned the 400 pounds given him by his father. This will was proved in the Commissary Court of London November 27, 1637 making it impossible that this William was the William French of Billerica, Massachusetts. There was, however, another family of French in Halstead to which belonged a William, born in 1606. There is very little information in the church registers regarding this family however[2].


William had a brother John in Cambridge who was buried February 16, 1645-6. John's wife Joanna was buried January 20, 1645-6. They had children born from about 1635 through 1643. John was also a tailor. William French of Billerica administered upon the estate and sold the homestead to Robert Browne in 1657.[5/551] Richard French of Cambridge was probably also a brother to William. His wife was Martha, and they had a son Samuel, born July 13, 1653. He bought land on January 26, 1651-2 and sold it October 8, 1654, after which time there is no further record of him.[5/5512] REF: [1] New England Historic Genealogical Register, 1890 (pg.367) [2] New England Historic Genealogical Register, 1911 (pgs.285-286) [3] Billerica, Massachusetts Vital Records [4] Middlesex County Probate (First Series Docket 8528) [5] The History of Cambridge - Lucius R. Paige, 1877 [6] Genealogy of the Billerica, Massachusetts French Family from 1599-1914 - H. Martin Kellogg, 1884


Children (by Elizabeth):

1. Francis, born about 1624, died Derby, Connecticut 14 February 1681 (or 1690-1), married Milford, Connecticut 10 April 1661 Lydia Bonnell, died 1 April 1708 2. Elizabeth, born about 1629, married. Dedham, Massachusetts 19 September 1650 Richard Ellis, died Dedham 21 October 1694


3. Mary, born about 1633, died Cambridge 27 May 1672, married Jonathan Hyde, born about 1626, died. Newton, Massachusetts 5 October 1711 Children.: 1) Elizabeth, born 4 September 1659, died Cambridge 26 June 1699, married 1685 Isaac Williams

4. John, born about 1635, died October 1712, married(1) 21 June 1659 Abigail Coggan, died 5 April 1662, married(2) 3 July 1663 Hannah Burrage, died 7 July 1667, married(3) 14 Jan 1667-8 Mary Rogers, died 16 June 1677, married(4) 16 January 1677-8 Mary (Littlefield) Kittresge, died 1719

5. Sarah, born Cambridge, Massachusetts 1638, died 1694, married Roxbury, Massachusetts 15 August 1660 Jonathan Peake (son Jonathan Peake and Dorcas French), born 17 December 1637, died Roxbury 2 June 1700 Children: 1) Jonathan, born Roxbury 10 October 1663, died Woodstock, Connecticut 20 September 1744, married 1687 Hannah Leavens

6. Jacob, born Cambridge 16 January 1639-40, died 20 May 1713, married(1) 20 September 1665 Mary Champney (daughter Richard Champney), died 1 April 1681, married(2) 30 July 1685 Mary Convers, died. 18 June 1686, married(3) Mary ____, died 9 June 1709, married(4) Ruth ____, died 6 November 1730 Children: 1) Jacob, born 20 February 1667, died 1700; 2) William, born Billerica 18 July 1669, died 30 September 1723, married 22 May 1695 Sarah Danforth (daugjter Jonathan Danforth and Elizabeth Powter), born Billerica 23 December 1676, died 15 October 1751; 3) Mary, born 6 October 1669, died 12 November 1669; 4) John, born 6 October 1670, died 3 December 1670; 5) Joseph, born 5 May 1673, died 25 September 1676; 6) Jabez, born and died 16 September 1674; 7) Mary, born 5 March 1676, married Jonathan Baldwin; 8) Hannah, born and died 23 October 1677; 9) Elizabeth, born 8 June 1679, married William Manning; 10) Sarah, born 7 March 1681, married Thomas Baldwin; 11) Abigail, born 20 April 1686, died 29 March 1687

7. Hannah, born Cambridge 12 April 1641, died 20 June 1642

8. Hannah, born Cambridge 16 February 1644, married Billerica, Massachusetts 6 September 1661 John Brackett

9. Samuel, born Cambridge 3 December 1645, died 15 July 1646

10. Samuel, born about 1648, died Dunstable, Massachusetts 4 November 1727, married Cambridge 24 December 1682 Sarah Cummings (daughter John Cummings and Sarah Howlett), born Dunstable 28 January 1661 Children: 1) Alice, born Dunstable 20 November 1699, married Nathaniel Woods


Children (by Mary):

11. Mary, born Billerica, Masachusetts April 3, 1670, married ____ Sharp


12. Sarah, born Billerica October 29, 1671, married May 6, 1691 Joseph Crosby


13. Abigail, born Billerica April 14, 1673, died April 13, 1674


14. Hannah, born Billerica, Massachusetts January 25, 1676, died January 2, 1766, married September 5, 1693 John Child, born Watertown, Massachusetts April 25, 1669, died Waltham, Massachusetts before 1748
found on ancestry.com

Lieut William French
IMMIGRANT ANCESTOR LIEUT. WILLIAM FRENCH


Immigrant in the "Defence" 1635 from Hartwick, Lieut. William French or Frenche, tailor, son of Thomas and Anne French, born 15 March 1603 at Halstead, County Essex, England, died 20 November 1681 aged 78 Billerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts. William married 1st in England, Elizabeth ( ), born 1603 Canturbury, England and died 31 March 1668 at Cambridge, Massacjisetts. The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy by F. A. Virkus, v. 7, p. 852 says William French's wife was Elizabeth Godfrey. William married 2nd to Mary (Lathrop) Stearns, the daughter of Thomas Lathrop of Barnstable, and the widow of John Stearns, she later married Isaac Mixter. William, as shown by the record in the custom house, came with his family in the Defense from London, England in 1635 when he was aged 32, wife Elizabeth 30, Francis 10, Elizabeth 6, Marie 2 1/2, John 5 months.


In the winter of 1634 he sailed in the "Defense" from Hartwick, but the vessel was driven back by storms and the journey was postponed until summer. Sailing once more proved perilous for the ship sprang a leak, but arrived safely at Boston, Massachusetts on October 3rd, 1635. Admitted freeman 1636. Educator. He settled first at Newtown where he purchased land in 1639, now called Cambridge. When the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in Boston was organized William was an early member and held the rank of Junior Sergeant in 1643, First Sergeant in 1646, and Ensign in 1650. He also became a member of the militia company at Cambridge of which he was made Lieutenant on March 26, 1647, and later Captain.



In 1652/3 he removed to Billerica, eighteen miles north of Boston, where he was one of the original proprietors. Appointed to solemnize marriages. He held many offices of trust, showing that much confidence was placed in him when to hold office was to bear great responsibility. In 1659 he was chosen "to sit in the Deacon's seat", and appointed comitioner to establish the cuntry rates.


In 1660 he was one of the first selectmen and served nine years. In 1661 he served on a committee to examine children and servants in "reading, religion, and the catechism." In 1660 he was the first Deputy or Representative of Billerica in the General Court at Boston, taking his seat in 1663. Evidence of his activity in the cause of Indian instruction is found in a letter written by him to "a godly friend in England," the famous tract entitled "Strength out of Weakness" published in London and re-printed by the Boston Historical Society, (Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., 3d S. vol. iv. p. 149-196) in which he gives a detailed account of the testimony of an Indian convert. His land in the town amounted to two hundred and fifty acres, which were increased by subsequent allotments in later divisions.


Children: of William and Elizabeth French
FRANCIS born England about 1624, married Lydia Bunnell
Elizabeth born England about 1629, married Robert Eliot of Dedham
Mary born England about January 1633, married Nathaniel Dunkler
John born England about February 1635, baptized by Mr. Hooker in Cambridge married Abigail Coggan
Sarah born Cambridge March 1638, probably died young
Jacob born Cambridge 16 March 1640, died 20 May 1713 aged 73 Billerica, married Mary Champney
Hannah born Cambridge 12 April 1641, died 20 June 1642
Hannah born Cambridge 16 February 1644, married 6 September 1661 John Brackett, had nine children.
Samuel born Cambridge 3 December 1645, died 15 July 1646
Samuel born about 1648, married Sarah Cummings


Children: of William and Mary French
Mary born Billerica 3 April 1670, married Mr. Sharp
Sarah born 29 October 1671, married Joseph Crosby, had twelve children

Abigail born 14 April 1673, died 13 April 1674
Hannah born 25 January 1676, married John Childs

Contact: Susan Dorris dorris@onecliq.net
found on ancestry.com

Listed as Lt.
Probably Massachusetts Militia. found on ancestry.com


Strength out of weakness: or A glorious manifestation of the further progress of the gospel among the Indians in New England (1865)
Author: Society for Propagation of the Gospel in New England; Eliot, John, 1604-1690; Wilson, John, 1588-1667; Leverich, William, d. 1677; Bessey, Anthony, 1609?-1657?; Mayhew, Thomas, 1621-1657; Endecott, John, 1588?-1665; French, William, 1603?-1681; Allen, Thomas, 1608-1673; Whitfield, Henry, 1597-1660?; White, Andrew Dickson, 1832-1918. fmo

Subject: Massachuset Indians; Wampanoag Indians; Indians of North America

Publisher: New York: Reprinted for Joseph Sabin

Language: English

Call number: E78.M4 E44

Digitizing sponsor: MSN

Book contributor: Cornell University Library

Contributor usage rights: See terms

Collection: cornell; americana

Full catalog record: MARCXML

This book has an editable web page on Open Library.
Description
The metadata below describe the original scanning. Follow the "All Files: HTTP" link in the "View the book" box to the left to find XML files that contain more metadata about the original images and the derived formats (OCR results, PDF etc.). See also the What is the directory structure for the texts? FAQ for information about file content and naming conventions.

Half title: Further progress of the gospel among the Indians in New England. 1652"Edition 250 copies, of which 50 are on large paper."

Title page in red and black

Publisher's device on title page

Reprint of: Strength out of weakness. Or A glorious manifestation of the further progresse of the gospel amongst the Indians in New-England. Held forth in sundry letters from divers ministers and others to the corporation established by Parliament for promoting the gospel among the heathen ... since the late treatise to that effect, formerly set forth by Mr. Henry Whitfeld, late Pastor of Gilford in New-England / Published by the aforesaid corporation. London: Printed by M. Simmons for J. Blague and S. Howes, 1652

Includes letters from John Eliot, John Wilson, William Leverich, Anthony Bessey, Thomas Mayhew, John Endecott, William French and Thomas Allen. The Epistle dedicatory is signed by William Steele. "To the reader" signed: William Gouge [and seventeen others]

SUSAN RIDDLESDALE (FRENCH) 1584-1658

[Ancestral Link: Marvin Louis Stagge, son of Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peake (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Dorcus French (Peake), daughter of Susan Riddlesdale (French).]

Will, Ipswich, Massachusetts

Susan Riddlesdale. Born ca 1584 at Boxford, Suffolk. Baptized on 20 April 1584 at Boxford, Suffolk. Susan died at Ipswich, Massachusetts, in Aug 1658.

Will: On the web at http://www.rootsweb.com/~maessex/Wills/frenchs.htm Estate of Susan French of Ipswich Essex Probate Docket #10189 Administration of the estate of Susan French, deceased, granted 28: 7: 1658, to her son John French. Ipswich Quarterly Court Records vol 1, page 71.
Inventory of the estate of Susan French, widow, of Ipswich, taken March 10, 1658 by Robert Lord and Phillip (his (l) mark) ffowler:a fetherbed old and small, 2 fether pillows, one old couerlet and blankett, 2�, 18s.; her wearing apparell, 4�; one old chest and box without a lid, an oldHogshead, 8s.; a linen wheele and 2 chaires, 5s.; and old brase pot and a little ould skillet and little Iron pot, 10s.; 2 pewter dishes poringer and skimer, 8 s.6d.; 2 paire of old shires, ould brase and other small things, 12s.; an old warmeing pan and frying, 6s.; 2 small trayes, earthen ware and other lumbar,5s. 6d.; a cowe old, 3�;total 12 � 11s. 6d.
Received in Ipswich court March 29, 1659. Essex County Probate Files, Docket 10,189
Source: Printed "Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts; 1635 - 1681
"In three volumes,The Essex Institute; Salem, Massachusetts; 1916, Vol I p.272
Submitted by: Homer Scott

On 5 September 1608 Susan married Thomas French, son of Jacob French (1555-11 November 1615) and Susan Warren (-1 August 1613), at Assington, Suffolk.

Born ca October 1584 at Bures St. Mary, Suffolk. Baptized on 11 October 1584 at Bures St. Mary, Suffolk.

Thomas died at Ipswich, Massachusetts, in late 1639.
Occupation: Tailor.
Religion: Thomas was admitted to Boston church as member #128, 1632.

Children:
i. Thomas (ca 1608-1680)
ii. Alice (ca 1610-1666)
iii. Edward (ca 1612-1674)
iv. Dorcas (ca 1614-1697)
v. Susan (1614-)
vi. Ann (1617-)
vii. Margaret (Died young) (ca 1619-1635)
viii. John (ca 1622-1697)
ix. Mary (ca 1625-1697)
found on ancestry.com

THOMAS FRENCH 1584-1639

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peake (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Dorcas French (Peake), daughter of Thomas French.]

The French home of Thomas French and later belonging to his son John in Topsfield, Massachusetts, was built in 1675, and probably the second to the oldest standing French home in the country. The oldest French house in the United States is that of Richard French in Marshfield, Massachusetts. John was a tailor and moved to Topsfield, Massachusetts, about 1664. The house is located on Howlett Street.


Saint Edmund’s Church in Assington, County Suffolk, England, where most Frenches of this line were baptized. Photo by Mara French, 1994


Thomas French Sr. [1]., baptized 11 October 1584 at Bures St. Mary in Suffolk, not Essex, probably at St. Mary’s Church, son of Jacob, moved to Assington ca. 1585/86, married Susan Riddlesdale 5 September 1608 in Assington. Thomas was named after his grandfather. Susan baptized 20 April 1584 at Boxford, Suffolk County, England, daughter of John and Dorcas Riddlesdale, died August 1658, immigrated 1635 to Ipswich, Massachusetts, a few years after their son, Thomas Jr. and 3 older daughters immigrated. Thomas Sr. died before 5 November 1639 in Ipswich, Massachusetts (8 children). Thomas Sr. occupied a farm located in Assington called Garlands. It was owned by John Gurdon. The will of John GURDON, Esq., of Assington, made December 6, 1621, left to his grandson "the messuage or farm house wherein one Thomas FRENCH doth now inhabit, called Garland's." Brampdon Gurdon, Sheriff of Norfolk 1625-29, was born in Assington Hall and had at least one daughter, Muriel Gurdon, born 1613 [26]. Emigrated to Ipswich, Massachusetts before July 25, 1638 when a lot of his is mentioned as a boundary to land at the Reedy marsh. Four of his children had preceded him to America.



Thomas was married September 5, 1608 at Assington, Suffolk, England. Susan Riddlesdale - baptized April 20, 1584, Boxford, Suffolk, England; died August 1658, Ipswich, Massachusetts. On March 10, 1658/9, inventory of her estate was made, totaling L12.11.6. Daughter of John Riddlesdale and Dorcas. Susan was probably the aunt of Dorcas Riddlesdell, a witness in a case in Ipswich, Massachusetts court in March 1647. Thomas’ children: All Children baptised at Saint Edmund’s in Assington. All children immigrated to Massachusetts except Margaret who died young. "The will of John Gurdon, Esq., of Assington, made 12/6/1621, left to his grandson, 'the messuage or farm house wherein one Thomas French doth now inhabit, called Garland's' " Emigrated to Ipswich, before July 25, 1638 when a lot of his is mentioned as a boundary to land at the Reedy marsh. Four of his children had preceded him to America.

found on ancestry.com

Thomas French
Thomas FRENCH and Susan RIDDLESDALE
Thomas was born before 1584 in Bures St. Mary's, Suffolk, England and married 5 September 1608 in Assington, Suffolk, England, Susan RIDDLESDALE the daughter of John RIDDLESDALE and Dorcas ________. She was born about 1584, in Assington, Suffolk, England, and died 1658 in, Essex, Massachusetts. Thomas died 5 November 1639 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts. My ancestors in the Winthrop Fleet Passenger Lists The Great Migration Begins Sketches PRESERVED PURITAN THOMAS FRENCH[Note: For my purposes I would call this Thomas Jr his father Sr. and his son Thomas 3rd or III RF]


ORIGIN: Assington, Suffolk

MIGRATION: 1632

FIRST RESIDENCE: Boston

REMOVES: Ipswich 1635

OCCUPATION: Tailor. John Stratton writes from Boston under date of 17 March 1633/4: "I have put my sister a suit of mohair to making at Goodman French's. She were best get the tailor to take her measure and send per Jno. Gallop" [WP 3:157]. Thomas French's inventory included eleven yards of homemade cloth.


CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: Admitted to Boston church as member #128, which would be no later than mid-1632 [BChR 14]; on 27 January 1638/9 "our brother Thomas French was with the consent of the congregation dismissed to the church of Ipswich" [BChR 22].



FREEMAN: 6 November 1632 [MBCR 1:367].
EDUCATION: He signed his will.


OFFICES: Essex grand jury, 28 September 1652 [EQC 1:260]. Petit jury, 30 September 1651, 31 March 1657, 28 September 1658, 29 March 1659, 27 March 1660, 25 March 1662, 27 September 1664, 26 September 1665, 28 September 1669, 24 September 1672, 31 March 1674, 30 March 1675, 24 September 1678 [EQC 1:232, 2:11, 111, 138, 195, 347, 3:182, 270, 4:175, 5:79, 269, 6:1, 7:82]. Coroner's jury on the body of Samuel Adams, Jr., 30 September 1676 [EQC 6:234].


Had service in the Pequod War. Proposed for Lieutenant, 25 March 1639 (but apparently not confirmed; in a letter of that date Daniel Dennison writes to John Winthrop "Our company wanting some officers, have according to their liberty, made choice of some, whom they desired me to propound to the Court or Council. They were willing to express their love and liking to Sergeant French and Sergeant Howlett proposing the former for Lieutenant, the other for Ensign" [WP 4:106]). On 18 May 1664 "Sergt. Thomas French deposed that being ordered by Major Genll. Denison to carry two soldiers who were stubborn off the field to prison, he went to them and persuaded them to submit themselves, promising to mediate for them" [EQC 3:140]. Appointed ensign at Ipswich 18 May 1664 [MBCR 4:2:106].


ESTATE: At a selectman's meeting 31 January 1660[/1] eight men, including Thomas French, were granted liberty to "clear and break up a parcel of land at Scott's hill to have two acres each for six years upon condition that they sow four bushels of good hay seed on every acre, to keep up the fence a year so that the English grass should get head, the hay seed to be sown with the last crop" [EQC 3:271].


In his will, dated 3 August 1680 and proved 28 September 1680, "Thomas French Senior of Ipswich ... being weak of body" bequeathed to "Mary my beloved wife the bed whereon I used to lie, with all the appurtenances and furniture belonging thereto"; to "my son Thomas French" clothing; to "my son John French" one cow "to make up the full sum of £30 which I formerly promised him for his portion"; to "my daughter Mary Smith" one cow; to "my son Samuel French" a bed and bedding; "my sons Thomas and Samuel French" in consideration of £20 paid to "my son Ephraim French" as the remaining part of his portion, "my two sons Thomas and Samuel" shall receive the Pequod lands and division lot of marsh to be equally divided betwixt them; to "my son Thomas French" my dwelling house and homestead, also my lot in Labour-in-vain fields of twelve acres, also the rest of my cattle, stock, and movable goods; to "my son Samuel" two acres of upland and two acres of meadow at Reedy marsh; "my son Thomas French" to give free liberty to "Mary my wife his mother" to dwell in the said house and to make use of any room or rooms thereof for her convenient accommodation ... likewise ... any such movables as I do now leave in the hands of my son Thomas"; after her [Mary's] decease, "my son Thomas" shall deliver to "my three children John, Samuel and Mary" three of the biggest pewter dishes; "my two sons Thomas and Samuel" to provide for "their mother's" comfortable maintenance, and if she is not satisfied, they to allow her £9 paid by Thomas and 20s. paid by Samuel annually; and if she suffers sickness and the aforesaid £10 does not suffice, "my two sons Thomas and Samuel" shall supply her with necessaries and my lot in Labour-in-vain fields and two acres of meadow at Reedy Marsh shall stand bound respectively to my said wife during her natural life as security for the true performance of this my will as respecting her maintenance by my two sons; "my son Thomas French" sole executor [EPR 3:379-81].


The inventory of Ensign Thomas French was taken 25 August 1680 and totalled £217 15s. 6d. including £150 in real estate: "his dwelling house and barn and homestead with the privilege belonging," £70; "twelve acres of land at Labor in vain," £60; "two acres of land by Scotes Lane," £10; and "two acres of marsh in the common field," £10 [EPR 3:380-81].


BIRTH: Baptized Assington, Suffolk, 27 November 1608, son of Thomas and Susan (Riddlesdale) French [Dudley Wildes Anc 64].


DEATH: Ipswich 8 August 1680.


MARRIAGE: By 1632 Mary _______; she died at Ipswich 6 May 1681.


CHILDREN:

i MARY, baptized Boston 23 September 1632 [BChR 278 (corrected from 1631)]; died soon.

ii MARY, baptized Boston 2 March 1633/4 [BChR 278]; married by 1657 Robert Smith (called Mary Smith in father's will) [Amos Towne Anc 25-27].

iii JOHN, born about 1635 (deposed aged "about forty-eight" about March 1682 [EQC 8:329] unless this is someone else); married by 1657 Phebe Keyes (son Thomas born Ipswich 25 May 1657), daughter of ROBERT KEYES.

iv THOMAS, born about 1636 (deposed aged 22 in 1656 [EQC 2:140], deposed aged "about forty-seven" in March 1683 [EQC 9:16], deposed aged "about forty-eight" about March 1684 [EQC 9:191]); married Ipswich 29 February 1659/60 Mary Adams.

v SARAH, born say 1638; on 30 September 1656 "Hackaliah Bridges, accused by Sarah French of his getting her with child, and bound over, being brought by Sergeant French, was discharged" [EQC 2:2]; if she was a daughter of Thomas French, she had apparently died without issue prior to 1680, as she is not named in his will.

vi SAMUEL, born say 1641; convicted for fornication, 26 March 1667 [EQC 3:398]; died Ipswich in 1688 (day and month not stated in town vital records), apparently unmarried.

vii EPHRAIM, born about 1643 (deposed in 1658 aged 15 [EQC 2:139]); died Enfield, Massachusetts (now Connecticut), in September 1716, unmarried [Amos Towne Anc 50].


ASSOCIATIONS: Thomas French and his sister Alice had arrived in New England by 1632, and their two next younger sisters, Dorcas and Susan, came in 1633. Their parents and younger siblings sailed for New England after 1633, and are not included in this phase of the study. [See Parker-Ruggles 412-29, Dudley Wildes Anc 63-64 and NEHGR 142:250-52, 143:213-20, 363-64 for the ancestry of this group of French siblings.] Alice married THOMAS HOWLETT and Dorcas married first CHRISTOPHER PEAKE and then GRIFFIN CRAFTS (sketches for these families will be found elsewhere in this work). Susan may have been a servant in the household of John Winthrop Jr. for a time, but otherwise left no record in New England.



In a letter dated Groton 14 March 1632/3 John Bluett asked John Winthrop Jr. to remember him to "my schollers Thomas French and John Clarke" [WP 3:108].


COMMENTS: With most of the adult male population of Ipswich, Thomas French signed the petition to keep Mr. John Winthrop Jr. in town, 21 June 1637 [WP 3:433].



Ensign Thomas French and Thomas French Jr. were sureties on the bond of Samuel French when young Samuel was charged with a misdemeanor with Lydia Browne, at court



Estate of Susan French of Ipswich Essex Probate Docket #10189
Administration of the estate of Susan French, deceased, granted 28: 7: 1658, to her son John French. Ipswich Quarterly Court Records vol 1, page 71.


Inventory of the estate of Susan French, widow, of Ipswich, taken March 10, 1658 by Robert Lord and Phillip (his (l) mark) ffowler:a fetherbed old and small, 2 fether pillows, one old couerlet and blankett, 2£, 18s.; her wearing apparell, 4£; one old chest and box without a lid, an old Hogshead, 8s.; a linen wheele and 2 chaires, 5s.; and old brase pot and a little ould skillet and little Iron pot, 10s.; 2 pewter dishes poringer and skimer, 8 s. 6d.; 2 paire of old shires, ould brase and other small things, 12s.; an old warmeing pan and frying, 6s.; 2 small trayes, earthen ware and other lumbar, 5s. 6d.; a cowe old, 3£;total 12 £ 11s. 6d.



Received in Ipswich court March 29, 1659. Essex County Probate Files, Docket 10,189
Source:

Printed "Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts; 1635 - 1681" In three volumes,The Essex Institute; Salem, Massachusetts; 1916, Vol I p.272 Essex County, Massachusetts,

Probate Index, 1638-1840

File File # Name Date Residence Type: 10190 Thomas French, Sr., 28 September 1600 Ipswich will extant but not proved



CHILDREN of Thomas FRENCH Sr. and Susan RIDDLESDALE:
1. THOMAS Jr baptized 27 November 1608; Assington, Suffolk, England. married: About 1631; Massachusetts. Mary SCUDAMORE died: 8 August 1680; Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts.



2. ALICE baptized: 9 April 1610; Assington, Suffolk, England. married: About 1633; Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts. Thomas HOWLETT. died: 26 June 1666; Boxford, Essex, Massachusetts.



3. SARAH born: 1612; Assington, Suffolk, England. buried: 1 November 1615; Assington, Suffolk, England.

4. EDWARD born: About 1612; Assington, Suffolk, England. married: About 1627; England. Ann GOODALE. died: 28 December 1674; Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts.



5. DORCAS baptized: 31 July 1614; Assington, Suffolk, England. married: 3 January 1636; Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Christopher PEAKE married: after 1679; Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Griffin CRAFTS died: 30 December 1697; Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts.



6. SUSAN baptized: 22 April 1616; Assington, Suffolk, England



7. ANN baptized: 16 March 1618; Assington, Suffolk, England.

8. MARGARET baptized: 12 March 1619; Assington, Suffolk, England. buried: 25 November 1633; , Suffolk, England.



9. SARAH born: 1621; Assington, Suffolk, England. buried: 27 January 1621; Assington, Suffolk, England.

10. JOHN baptized: 16 May 1622; Assington, Suffolk, England. married: 1655; Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Freedom or Mary KINGSLEY. died: 1 February 1697; Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts.

11. MARY baptized: 6 Jan 1624; Assington, Suffolk, England. married: 1645; Massachusetts.. George SMITH

found on ancestry.com

Thomas French - Immigration
The Winthrop Fleet of 1630:


Thomas and his family came to America in 1630 as passengers of the Winthrop fleet.


The first five of eleven ships sailed April 8, from Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, and arrived at Salem June 13, and following days. The other half of the fleet sailed in May and arrived in July at various dates. They brought about seven hundred passengers to the New World.

From "the Winthrop Fleet of 1630", By Charles Banks.
found on ancestry.com



Letter regarding French Daughters
Letter of Thomas Gostlin to John Winthrop Jr. Loving Cosen . . . but for carpenters I could get none, nor husbandmen, such as weare fit for you, but as for maydes and a girle I could haue sent you enoug yf my brother Downing would haue payed for the passage, and therefore I haue sent you but one, because at this time I am shortned for mony, and Mr. Peerse would be payed downe, and would haue no lesse than fiue pound a passenger besydes 2s 6d for the surgion, wch I left wth yr vncle Downinge for him. She is one of the goodman Frenches daughters of Assington. I haue sent 2 of them, one for yr father, and the other for you. Yr father must take his choyse. The eldest must serve for 3 yeeres, and the youngest 4 . . . I praye let them be delt as well wth all as any of the same quallity. Groton this 11 June 1633.

found on ancestry.com

Immigrated
According to the FFA (French Family Association) Thomas and Susan immigrated in 1635 to Ipswich, just 5 years after their son Thomas, Jr. immigrated. All of the Frenches were baptized at St. Edmunds Church in Assington or at St. Mary's Church in Bures St. Mary. They came to America during the PURITAN GREAT MIGRATION 1620 to 1643. Most of them emigrating from the southeast of England and settling in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the busiest years of the Great Migration were during "The Eleven Year Tyranny" 1629 to 1640 during which time Charles the first tried to rule without calling the Puritan dominated parliment. When the King was forced to call the parliment in 1640 the Puritan Revolution began and the immigration to New England came almost to a complete stop. Since there are very few passenger lists that exist of the Great Migration; the names of ancestor's ships and their actual arrival and departure dates are unknown.

found on ancestry.com

Thomas French Sr., Notes
The following notes are taken from Massachusetts and Maine Families in the Ancestry of Walter Goodwin Davis. Vol. III. Neal-Wright. and from The Whitin Family: Historical Notes; Swift, Katherine Whitin, 1955. Also notes from http://www.frenchfamilyassoc.com/



Thomas French Sr. occupied a farm located in Assington, Suffolk, England called "Garlands." It was owned by John Gurdon (the Gurdon family owned most of Bures St. Mary at that time).
He came to America before 25 July 1638 when a lot of his is mentioned as a boundary to land at the Reedy Marsh.


There is some conflicting information on when Thomas came to America. Some sources cite him coming over in 1630 with his entire family on the "Mary and John," one of 11 ships in the Winthrop Fleet that carried Puritans sailing from Yarmouth, Isle of Wright to Salem, Massachusetts. Motivated by politics, a wealthy group of leaders obtained a royal charter in March of 1629 for a colony at Massachusetts Bay. Thus forming the Winthrop Fleet, led by John Winthrop and financed by the Massachusetts Bay Company. These 11 ships carried 700 passengers, plus livestock and provisions, and sailed in two groups for America. The first group sailed 8 April 1630, arriving in June, and the other group sailed in May, arriving in July. Almost all passengers survived the journey aboard ship, however within six months over 200 of them had died after coming ashore. The Winthrop Fleet website and several passenger lists state that passengers Thomas French Sr., wife Susan Riddlesdale, children Anne, Mary, John, Susan, Thomas Jr., Dorcas and Alice all made this journey together. However, further research shows that the "Mary and John" was not one of those 11 original ships, instead making a separate journey earlier that year. Another source, www.frenchfamilyassoc.com states that Thomas Jr. came over by himself on the Winthrop Fleet, probably aboard the "Lion." and in the next few years three of his sisters (Alice, Dorcas Susan) also immigrated and then about 1637/38 his parents, Thomas Sr. and Susan Riddlesdale, and remaining siblings came.
found on ancestry.com

Last Will and Testament of Thomas French
Estate of Thomas French, Sr. of Ipswich Essex Probate Docket # 10190



In the name of God, Amen. I Thomas French Senior of Ipswich being weak of body yet of perfect understanding and memory doe in case of death make this my last Will and Testament. In the first place I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who hath redeemed it by the precious blood of his Son; and I commit my body to the Earth, whence it was taken, to be buried in a Christian decent manner by my friends in hope of a blessed resurrection to eternal life. And as for my outward Estate which God hath graciously given me in this world I doe thus dispose of it: Imprimis, I give and bequeath to Mary my beloved wife the Bed whereon I use to ly, with all the appurtenances and furniture belonging thereto. Moreover, I give to my son Thomas French my cloak and close-coat. Also I give to my son John French one Cow, which is to make up the full summe of thirty pounds which I formerly promised him for his Portion. Also I give to my daughter Mary Smith, one Cow. And to my son Samuel French, I give and bequeath he bed where he usually lieth, together with the Bedding and Bedstead belonging to the same. Further, as concerning my lands at the Pequod lots, and my division lot of marsh at Plum Island, my will is that my sons Thomas and Samuel French for and in consideration of twenty pounds by them engaged according to to order unto my son Ephraim French as the remaining part of this portion (which summe of twenty pounds is almost all paid, and the remainder due upon demand), I say my Will is that those my two sonns Thomas and Samuel shall possess and enjoy the said Pequod lands, and division-lot of marsh to themselves and to their heirs forever, to be equally divided betwixt them. Furthermore, I give and bequeath to my sonn Thomas French my dwelling house and homested with all the appurtenances and priviledges thereof and belonging thereto, and also by Lot lying in Labour-in-vain fields containing twelve acres more or less; with all the rest of my cattell, stocke of all sorts and moveable goods (not disposed of by this my will and testament) and to my son Samuel I give and bequeath two acres of upland joyning to Joseph Quilter's and two acres of meadow-ground at Reedy marsh; to be possessed by them respectively after my decease, provided always and my will is that my son Thomas French doe give full and free libertie to Mary my wife his mother to abide ad dwell in the said house and to make use of any room or rooms thereof for her convenient accommodation therein; as likewise to make use of all or any such moveable as I doe now leave in the hands of my son Thomas (not disposed of) as my be necessary ad convenient for her use and occasions from time to time; and all these during the term of her natural life, and after her decease my son Thomas shall deliver to my three children John, Samuell and Mary three of the biggest pewter dishes which shall then be left and remain that is to say, to each of them, one. Provided also, and my will is that my two son Thomas and Samuel doe carefully provide for their mothers comfortable maintenance and livelyhood and what is requisit thereto during her natural life; each of them allowing thereto proportionally to that part of my Estate which shall be by them received by vertue of this my testament. And if through any neglect of failure, this way of maintenance should not be to their mother's satisfaction and content, my Will is, that those my two sons Thomas and Samuel shall allow to their mother ten pounds yeerly; nine pounds thereof to be paid by Thomas and twenty shillings by Samuel, in such pay as shall be suitable and necessary for her comfortable maintenance and livelyhood. And further, if it shall pleas God to exercise her with much prevailing weakness or continuing sickness that the aforesaid then pounds should not suffice to defray the charges of her expenses, my Will is that (over and above the ten pounds, and according to the like rate of proportion) those my two sons Thomas and Samuel shall supply her with necessaries suitable as her condition may require, that she be not exposed to suffering for want of what ought and might be procured for her. Also my Will is that my Lot in Labour-in-vain fields, and the two acres of meadow at Reedy Marsh shall stand bound respectively to my said wife during her natural like as securitie for the true performance of this my Will as respecting her maintenance by my two Sonns; and after he decease, the said lands (except what shall bee alienated (if any so be) by means of the securitie aforesaid) to remain to each of those my Sonns and to their heirs forever as is before mentioned and declared. And lastly, I doe name, appoint and constitute my son Thomas French to be the sole Executor of this my last will & testament.

August 3 1680

Witness: (no signatures)


Proved in Ipswich Court 28 September 1680, by Mary French and Samuel French

Source: Printed "Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts;1635 - 1681," In three volumes,The Essex Institute; Salem, Massachusetts; 1916

found on ancestry.com



Birth: 1584, Assington, Suffolk, England
Death: November, 1639, Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA


The son of Jacob and Susan (Warren) French of Assington, he married Susannah Riddlesdale on 5 September 1608 in Assington, county Suffolk, England.


Thomas French and his sister Alice had arrived in New England by 1632 ("Thom: ffrench" took the oathe of freemen on October 2, 1632). They removed to Ipswich by 1635, and their two next younger sisters, Dorcas and Susan, came in 1633. Their parents and younger siblings sailed for New England after 1633.
Burial:Unknown
Find A Grave Memorial# 54658130
found on findagrave.com


http://www.frenchfamilyassoc.com/FFA/

BONIFACE PEAKE 1570-1620

[Ancestral Link: Marvin Louis Stagge, son of Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peake (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Christopher Peake, son of Boniface Peake.]

Boniface Peake family
The Peake family in England

The principal information source for the Peake Family, both in England and in America is the multi-volume The Peak-Peake Family History, A Genealogical and Historical Account from the Earliest Known Origins to the Present, edited by Cyrus H. Peake, Carol J. Snow and Andrew Guy Peake (1975 and 1977, Claremont, California).

Boniface and Joane (Clarke) Peake
Boniface PEAKE - born about 1565, England; died June 26, 1620, Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton. Warden at the parish church, and husbandman. Will dated December 15, 1612, proved in 1620 at the Consistory Court of Peterborough, Lincolnshire. Children listed below in order given in will. Married July 14, 1595, Castor, Northampton. Joane CLARKE -

Children of Boniface and Joane Peake
Gilbert - born Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton.
James - born Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton.
Robert - born Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton.

William - born about 1603, Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton; died March 1, 1675/6; buried March 16, 1675/6 St. Catherine Cree, England. Alderman for Billingsgate Ward, London September 8, 1659 until his death. Knight of the Royal Oak 1660. Colonel of the Blues 1661-76. Lord Mayor of London 1667. President of St. Thomas' Hospital 1668. Married 1631, St. Dunstan in the West, Margery DAVISON, daughter of William of Horncastle, Lincolnshire. Children: Rebecca married William MAN, City Swordbearer; Mary married Sir James SMYTH, Lord Mayor of London 1684/5; Sir John Peake, Lord Mayor of London 1686/7, married Judith HALE; and Benjamin married Susanna KENDRICK.

Christopher - born about 1605, Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton; died May 22, 1666, Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Philip - born Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton.

Oliver - Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton; died 1667, Glapthorne, Northampton; buried Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton. Married Rachel. Son: Obadiah.

Mabel - born Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton.
Ann - born Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton.
Bridget - born Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton. http://kinnexions.com/smlawson/peake.htm
found on ancestry.com

Boniface Peake
Name: Boniface PEAKE
Sex: M
Birth: about 1565 in England
Death: 26 June 1620 in Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton, England
Will: 15 December 1612 Lincolnshire, England
Probate: 1620 Lincolnshire, England

Note:
From email Audrey Moran sent to the Dains Rootsweb List:Boniface Peake was the warden at the parish church in Thorpe-Achurchand a husbandman. His will dated 15 December 1612 was proved in the Consistory Court of Peterborough, Lincolnshire, in 1620. He made his wife full executrix and bequeathed to her all the rest of his goods and chattels not given to his children. With the exception of Gilbert, to whom he left 5 Pounds at age 21, all other sons were to receive 10 Pounds each at age 21 and each of his daughters were to receive 10 Pounds on the day of their marriage. The children are listed in the order given in Boniface Peake's will. It is customary in England to list first sons in order of birth and then daughters in order of birth. Gilbert, James, Robert, William, Christopher, Philip, Oliver, Mabel, Ann, Bridget

Marriage 1 Joane CLARKE
Married: 14 July 1595 in Castor, Northampton, England
Children
Christopher PEAKE born about 1605 in Thorpe-Achurch, Northampton, England
Gilbert PEAKE
James PEAKE
Robert PEAKE
William PEAKE born about 1603
Philip PEAKE
Oliver PEAKE
Mabel PEAKE
Ann PEAKE
Bridget PEAKE
found on ancestry.com

Sir Boniface PEAKE.
The Surname of PEAKE was derived from the Old English word 'Pekke', and was a locational name. Local names usually denoted where a man held his land, and indicated where he actually lived. Almost every city, town or village existing in the Middle Ages has served to name one or more families. Where a man lived was his means of identification. When a man left his birthplace or village where he had been known, and went elsewhere, people would likely refer to him by the name of his former residence or birthplace, or by the name of the land which he owned. Early records of the name mention Richard Pecke, 1187 Hampshire. Hervicus Peche, 1283 County Suffolk. Ricards del Peche, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax, of the year 1379. Katherine Pecke was Baptised at St. Peter, Cornhill, London in 1660. Buried. Mary Peak, at St. Dionis Backchurch, London in 1724. John Peck and Sophia Pike married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in the year 1806. A notable member of the family name was Mervyn Laurence Peake (1911-1968) the English Author and Artist born in China, where his father was a Missionary. He was Educated at Tientsin Grammar School, Eltham College and the Royal Acadamy Schools. He taught at Westminster School of Art, where his reputation as an artist grew. He published Two Volumes of Verse and several Classics, notably 'The Hunting of the Snark' and 'The Ancient Mariner'.
Source: 4 Crests Website. Research Of Patricia McMahan-Chambers.
found on ancestry.com

DORCAS FRENCH (PEAKE) 1614-1697

[Ancestral Link: Marvin Louis Stagge, son of Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peake (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Dorcas French (Peake),]

Dorcas French
Of the French girls, Dorcas French married Christopher Peake (born 1605, England died May 22, 1666 in Roxbury son of Boniface Peake and Joanne Clarke) and had Sarah Peake (born January 9, 1656) who married on December 27, 1671 Abraham Daynes. See the following link for Boniface Peake descendency http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=tracyverba&id=I1372 He would have been 31 and she 15, just shy of her 16th birthday. It is interesting to note that the French girls, Dorcas and Susan were servants to Elder and Junior Winthrop, Jr.'s home in 1644 was on Fisher's Island close to Manhattan, and the 1st English residence in Pequot country (Caulkins, Frances, History of New England.) Dorcas French married Christopher Peake, the same day that her service contract expired (1636). Dorcas and Susan's parents were Susan Riddlesdale and Thomas French. See: ThomasFrenchandSusannaRiddlesdaleFamily tree.htm and http://members.aol.com/randsherm/family/riddlesdale3.html
found on ancestry.com

Dorcas John Winthrop's Servant
Dorcas French, baptized 31 July 1614, died 30 December 1697 or 14/15 October 1694 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Servant to John Winthrop. Immigrated 1633, married(1). Christopher Peake 3 January 1636/7 of Roxbury, Massachusetts, married(2) Griffin Craft of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Served in the family of John Winthrop, Jr. in Ipswich, Massachusetts. A letter written by Thomas Gostlin to John Winthrop, Jr., from Groton on June 11, 1633 refers to both Dorcas and Susan: "she is one of the goodman French's daughters of Assington. I have sent two of them, one for your father and the other for you. Your father must take his choice. The eldest must serve for 3 years, and the youngest 4...pray let them be delt as well with all as any of the same quality." found on ancestry.com