French Family Association
The Official Website of the Surname French
Old
Porter Meeting House, Porter, ME from a ca. 1922 postcard.
It was built in 1828 when David was 7 years old.
Chart #1, David Moulton French, b. 24 May 1820 or 1821
and his wife Matilda Keenan, b. 7 Apr 1822
A Comprehensive Study -- Incomplete
This chart updated
by Mara French on 7/11/20. This family is a detailed selection of the
ancestry of David M. French from FFA
Chart #1. Send any
corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com. Research by Daniel
James Roland French, Jim Conant French, and Mara French.
Note: as this study
is incomplete, some of the links have not been put online yet and may be
broken.
David M. French Could Have Been Adopted
David M. French’s Migration Path
Outline of French Families in Porter
French Family of Porter, Oxford, Maine
An incomplete study
From cities near Porter: Norway Oxford; Jay
Kennebec; Turner, Androscoggin
FFA Chart #1 – England Ancestry, Immigration to
America, DNA Test Group 6
French Family:
1. David M. French was born about 24 May 1820 and would therefore be counted in the 1820 census. In all censuses, David states he was born in Porter, Oxford, ME, except for the 1850 census where he states he was born in NH. Other records indicate he was born in 1821. His exact birthdate never shows on any of his documents.
2. His father had to be a French as Daniel French, a descendant, took the yDNA test which showed his biological father was a French as he falls into the French DNA Test Group 6.
3. David M. French’s grandson was named David Moulton French, which indicates the connection to the Moulton family. His mother could have been a Moulton. Because David M. French perhaps was an illegitimate child, and he most likely was raised by this mother or a French relative. His mother could have lived with the French family and they raised him.
4. Seven French head of households are listed in the 1820 census: James, Benjamin, Joseph, James 2nd, Jacob, James 3rd, John. Checking to see if David and his mother could be living in one of these households. James 2nd (age 26-44) has 2 males under 10, 1 between 10-15, and a female 16-25. Same is true for Jacob and John, so these 3 families need to be checked for their biological children. But, that is not true if David were born in 1821.
5. This same situation in 1820 would probably remain the same in 1830. However, only William Sr., William Jr., and Aaron are listed in 1830 in Porter, Maine. William Sr. shows a male under 5 and a female 20-29. The other 2 don’t apply. So this may indicate that David did not live in Porter in 1830; it could also indicate that perhaps his mother, his father, or both could have died before 1830.
6. The 1840 census of Porter shows 13 French head of households. David M. French would be 20, and his mother about 40. He married in 1844 in Brunswick, but might still be in Porter in the 1840 census. The only one who applies of the 13 French families is Benjamin (and his wife), both aged 40-49 or born 1791-1800, with a male age 19 and a female who could be his mother, aged 30-39. Three French head of households are listed in the 1840 census of Brunswick. Four years later David M. French married in Brunswick, so either he was living there in 1844 or a close relative of his or his wifes was living there in order for him to choose that city in which to marry.
Moulton Family
His mother is a different story.
1. The French and Moulton families came from Rockingham County, NH, to Porter, Oxford, ME. Of the 10 children in the Moulton family, only ONE migrated to Porter and the rest remained in NH. The one who migrated was David Moulton Sr., 1760-1838, and he arrived in Porter in 1793. He had 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls, all born in Porter, 1894-1810. The daughters were Sarah and Mary. None of the boys had children before 1826, including his eldest son John.
2. Sarah Moulton was born in 1799. She was living with her father, David Moulton Sr., in the 1820 and 1830 censuses.
3. Mary Moulton was born in 1805, married in 1829, and moved to Foxcroft, Piscataquis, ME, with her husband and appears there without dependents in the 1830 census. If she were the mother of David M. French, she would have taken him with her as he was only 10 years old in 1830.
4. So in the 1830 census, either David is living as a 10-year old with a French or Moulton family, but there also needs to be a mother born about 1805 or before.
5. John Moulton, David Moulton Sr.’s eldest child, does not appear in the 1820 census which was taken later in the year after David M. French was born.
6. The 1800 census of Porterfield, York, ME, of David Moulton Sr. included his 2 eldest sons (John and Joseph) and his eldest daughter (Sarah). It also included another female besides his wife who was born between 1775 and 1784, plus a male born between 1785 and 1790. Could the male have been a French? The adult male Frenches living in Portersfield in 1800 were John, William, and Jacob French. The father of David M. French could have been one of their sons, born about 1800.
7. The 1820 census of David Moulton Sr. was the only head of household that year. All his children, except his eldest John, were living with him and his wife, plus another female the same age as his daughter Mary, b. 1805-1810. Could she have been the wife of either Joseph or David Jr.? No male is listed under 10, which would have been David M. French.
8. The 1830 census of David Moulton Sr. (before he died in 1838) shows him, his wife, son Thomas age 15-19 born at the end of 1810, and a female, age 20-29, who could not be his daughter Mary as she married in 1829 and moved to Foxcroft with her husband Moses Swett. His daughter Sarah would have been 21 years old, and she was unmarried and probably living with her father, and, as she stayed close to her brother Thomas for the rest of her life as both were single, this is probably her. Checking David Moulton Sr.’s son John and his wife, he lists his son James, and a male born 1816-1820 who must be David M. French as no other Moulton had a son that early in that generation. Also listed in another male born between 1791-1800 who was not his son Joseph as he was living elsewhere. Besides John’s wife, another female is listed age 20-29, b. 1801-1810, who could have been the mother of David. That leaves David Moulton Sr.’s daughter Sarah and his son Thomas who must be the 2 listed as living with him.
9. The 1840 census of Porter shows John Moulton living with a male of David M. French’s age — no one else of the Moulton family had a son as old as David. John Moulton’s children were also in the household.
David M. French, born in May 1820/21 in Porter, Oxford, ME, was probably the son of parents who were not married. David always used the middle initial “M”, which probably stood for “Moulton” as he gave his son that middle name.
Researching the parents of David has been very difficult. Because not even one legitimate record has been found for his birth, he was probably born out of wedlock. Determining who his father was, a descendant of this line took the DNA test showing that he was born a “French”; several men named French resided in Porter, Oxford, ME, at that time, and any one of them could have been the father of David. Determining who his mother was could involve his name, “David Moulton”, and she could have been the daughter of David Moulton Sr. As David M. French, as a newborn, probably lived with his mother or his mother’s parents.
Perhaps it’s best to look for a French couple in Hampton, NH, who died shortly after David was born. He probably never knew his biological parents, but lived with his adopted French family in Porter. Best to look at the 1830 or 1840 censuses for a member of the household with a boy his age — also in 1840 you could look in Brunswick where he married in 1844.
Thru legitimate research back from Daniel French who submitted the DNA test below, his line abruptly ends with David Moulton French, born 24 May 1820 and died 24 Jun 1871.
The death date is cast in cement and proven by many newspaper articles about his accident, and also by his gravestone. But the birth has never been proven anywhere. We just figured it out by using census records and his military records. If he were adopted, which I think must be the case, he was adopted by one of his ancestors who gave him the DNA of Test Gp 6. Then, the name “Moulton” definitely has something to do with him, probably his mother’s name. There was a Nancy Moulton who died 2 weeks after
David was born, but she has absolutely no more records on
her except for her gravestone, which says she was married to John Moulton and
who died 5 years later — they were both young, born in the early 1800s. I feel
that David Moulton French has no DNA
from the Moulton family, but he was an acquaintance of the French family. The
name David Moulton is prevalent in the Moulton family
in Porter, Oxford, ME, where David Moulton French lived in his youth.
David M. French’s grandfather, William French, resided in Rochester, Strafford, New Hampshire, a town which was originally incorporated as Norway Plains in 1722. The first settlers did not come to stay until 1729 because of fears of Indian raids during King Phillips War. The early settlers struggled through difficult times and Indian attacks. The French family arrived just before 1756 when the first child, James French, was born. Sixty families settled on and around Haven Hill, now known as Rochester Hill, the center of the early town. One well-known settler was the Rev. Amos Main, a greatly honored and beloved minister from 1731 until his death in 1760. In addition to his church responsibilities, he served as doctor, lawyer, and advisor for the area and often traveled long distances away from Rochester. Although he carried his gun as well as his Bible, the Indians had so much regard for his character, he was never attacked. The Parson Main Monument in downtown Rochester was erected in 1896 in his memory.
William French was born in Rochester on 15 Sep 1776. About in 1800, William’s family moved to Porter, Oxford, ME, where they had several children, among them was a son, Isaac French, born 26 Apr 1803. Isaac and his son David M. French????? both had the misfortune of dying in freak accidents; Isaac drowned on 25 Jun 1828 at the age of only 25 when his son David was only 7 years old and was sent to live with probably a French relative or with his mother’s side of the family; David M. French was born in 1821, and died when he was run over by a train on 24 Jun 1871, age 50, near Saco, Oxford (or York), ME; he had been living in Portland, Cumberland, ME. The difficulty in researching David’s father was due to lack of sufficient records and to the fact that another relative named Isaac was born a year earlier and the two men were confused with one another.
David M. French was born in Porter, Oxford, Maine. Porter is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. It is included in the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area. Porter includes Porter village and part of Kezar Falls. The population was 1,498 at the 2010 census.
1810 Census -- There are 3 men named John French in Maine — Canaan, Somerset, ME; Brunswick, Cumberland, ME, and New Sharon, Kennebec, ME. Taking a look at the one from Brunswick, He is 45+ (born before 1765) with a son age 10-15 (born 1795-1800).
1820 May 24 – David M. French was born close to this date. His mother had to have become pregnant on 24 Aug 1819, and perhaps live in Porter that year. His father was probably aged 50 or under; therefore, born 1770 or afterwards.
Because Nancy Moulton died 6 Jun 1820 and her husband John Moulton died in 1825, it is possible that Nancy had son David Moulton French in Hampton, Rockingham, NH, from a man with the surname French, as David’s DNA is definitely from a man with the surname French. No French was living in Hampton, Rockingham, NH, between 1810-1830, but 219 Frenches were living in Rockingham County, NH, between 1810-1830. Then, 81 Frenches were living in Rockingham County, NH, between 1819-1821. Hampton is about 12 miles south of the Maine border, and perhaps 8 miles further to Porter, Oxford, ME. Hampton is near Hampton Falls, Seabrook, Kensington, Exeter, North Hampton, Newfields, and Stratham. Most of the early Frenches in Porter, Oxford, ME, were born in Stratham, Rockingham, NH, beginning with Bradstreet French, whose father William French died in Stratham in 1764. Bradstreet was born there in 1710, and he had about 6 children born there between 1737 and 1756. His first child was David French who was b. 1737 in Stratham and died at age 40 in 1777. Bradstreet’s youngest son was James French, b. 1756 who was the first French to move to Porter, Oxford, ME, about 1798. All his children were born in Porter. The French descendants in Porter raised David M. French who was born in 1820 in Hampton, Rockingham, NH, because his mother, Nancy Moulton, died in childbirth with David M. French, and her husband John Moulton died in 1825. If Nancy died 6 Jun 1820 at 26 years, 8 months, and 17 days old, she would have been born 20 Sep 1793.
1820 census -- Stratham, Rockingham, NH, are Mary French 1st, Mary French 2nd, David French, and Thomas French. Mary French 1st was age 45+ and lived with a female aged 16-25. Mary French 2nd was age 45+ and lived with one male under 10 (could have been David M. French), 2 males age 10-15, 2 females age 16-25. It appears her husband died before 1820 as no male of her age is listed. David French was age 26-44, living with 2 males under 10, 2 females under 10, and his wife of the same age as he. Thomas French is age 26-44 and so is his wife, living with one male and one female under 10.
1820 census – Porter, Oxford, ME – check Moulton file.
1830 census – Porter, Oxford, ME – only 3 Moulton Head of Household Families, David Sr. and his 2 eldest sons John and Joseph.
Considering all the Moulton families in Porter, Oxford, Maine in the 1830 census when David M. French would have been age 10 and his mother would have been born 1805 or before:
John Moulton, b. 7 Dec 1794, eldest son of David Moulton Sr. He m. Jane Coffin and d. 4 Mar 1876.
1 male under 5, b. 1825-1830, John’s son, James Coffin Moulton, b. 1830
1 male 10-14, 1816-1820, David M. French as no other Moulton had a son that early in that generation. In this census, David would have been 10, born in 1820.
2 males 30-39, b. 1791-1800, John Moulton, b. 1794 head of household, and someone else), but not his brother Joseph as Joseph was head of household elsewhere (b. 1797). Could have been a “French” male, the father of David M. French?
2 females age 20-29, Jane Moulton, John’s wife, and perhaps his brother’s wife?
1 female 60-69, b. 1770, not John’s mother, Dorothy, as she was living with her husband David Moulton Sr. in Porter, Oxford, ME, and he died in 1836. This was probably Nancy Moulton, the sister of Dorothy Moulton.
John’s siblings, Sarah and Thomas, were witnesses of John Moulton’s will, February 1876.
John Moulton’s children: Children:
Sarah Jane Moulton, 1826-1830, died before the census
James Coffin Moulton, 1830-1862, born just before the census
Moses Swett Moulton, 1833-1895, not born yet
John Moulton, 1835-1920, not born yet
1840 census – David Moulton Sr.’s eldest son John Moulton lived next door to Jacob French 2nd in Porter, Oxford, ME. David Moulton Sr. died in 1836.
1 male under 5, b. 1835-1840, son John Moulton Jr., b. 1835
2 males 5-9, b. 1831-1835, son James Coffin Moulton b. 1830; son Moses Swett Moulton b. 1833.
1 male 15-19, b. 1821-1825, David M. French, b. 1821. None of John Moulton’s children were born this early.
1 male 40-49, b. 1791-1800, John Moulton Sr., b. 17 Dec 1794
1 female under 5, b. 1835-1840, Mary Swett, b. 1836, daughter of Moses (died 1847) and Mary (Moulton) Swett (died 1836).
1 female 15-19, b. 1821-1825, unknown, not John’s dau. Sarah Jane Moulton, b. 1826, died by 1830.
2 females 30-39, b. 1801-1810, John’s wife, b. 1800, Jane Coffin, plus someone else, perhaps Sarah Moulton, John Moulton’s sister. John’s other sister Mary Moulton, b. 1805, died in 1836 with the birth of her daughter, so it could not be her.
1 female 60-69, b. 1771-1780, John’s mother, Dorothy Moulton, b. 1770, d. 1853.
1820 Census of Porter, Oxford, ME -- The year David M. French was born in April 1820, and his parents were living in Porter, Oxford, ME. Listed below are all head-of-households with the French surname, but David’s father would have had to have these 4 points:
Lived in Porter in 1820. [about 20 Frenches]
Have the surname French, but not necessarily have been the head of household – he could have been the son of the head of household. [about 20 Frenches]
Most probably he was born before 1805. [about 20 Frenches]
David M. French was connected in some way to the names Samuel and William, because he used those names in naming his first child. “A” Samuel Moulton was born Mar 1827 and died Apr 1855 at age 28 and is buried in the same cemetery where David M. French is buried. David M. French’s son, Samuel William French, was born in 1850. The William Moulton Cemetery is located in Parsonsfield, York, ME, which is actually on the border of Oxford County and only 6 miles from Porter. This Moulton family was from Newbury, Essex, MA, where William Moulton was born on 28 Jul 1785 and died 1 May 1875. He had 2 sons: Samuel Moulton, 1807-1890 and William E. Moulton, 1813-1892. 37 men named William Moulton are buried in Maine. 18 men named Samuel Moulton are buried in Maine. Maybe David M. French didn’t name his first son after a French, but after a Moulton.
I’ve reordered the family members of Isaac French, and it appears his son was George W. French. I cannot find any connection to a son named David M. French, so I’m not going down that route any longer. Furthermore, there are 2 men named George W. French in Porter, Oxford, ME; one was born in 1827 and was the son of Isaac and moved to Chicago, IL. The other was born in 1829 and remained in Maine. Below is the 1870 census for the latter George W. French. NEED TO RECHECK LOCATION.
David M. French’s grandfather, perhaps William French, resided in Rochester, Strafford, New Hampshire, a town which was originally incorporated as Norway Plains in 1722. The first settlers did not come to stay until 1729 because of fears of Indian raids during King Phillips War. The early settlers struggled through difficult times and Indian attacks. The French family arrived just before 1756 when the first child, James French, was born. Sixty families settled on and around Haven Hill, now known as Rochester Hill, the center of the early town. One well-known settler was the Rev. Amos Main, a greatly honored and beloved minister from 1731 until his death in 1760. In addition to his church responsibilities, he served as doctor, lawyer, and advisor for the area and often traveled long distances away from Rochester. Although he carried his gun as well as his Bible, the Indians had so much regard for his character, he was never attacked. The Parson Main Monument in downtown Rochester was erected in 1896 in his memory.
William French was born in Rochester on 15 Sep 1776. About in 1797, William’s family moved to Porter, Oxford, ME, where they had several children, among them was a son, Isaac French, born 26 Apr 1803. Isaac and his son David M. French both had the misfortune of dying in freak accidents; Isaac drowned on 25 Jun 1828 at the age of only 25 when his son David was only 7 years old and was sent to live with probably a French relative or with his mother’s side of the family; David M. French was born in 1820, and died when he was run over by a train on 24 Jun 1871, age 50, near Saco, Oxford (or York), ME; he had been living in Portland, Cumberland, ME. The difficulty in researching David’s father was due to lack of sufficient records and to the fact that another relative named Isaac was born a year earlier and the two men were confused with one another.
David M. French was born in Porter, Oxford, Maine. Porter is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. It is included in the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area. Porter includes Porter village and part of Kezar Falls. The population was 1,498 at the 2010 census.
Now that Daniel French has found out from a relative
that David M. French was adopted, I’m analyzing Benjamin French as his adoptive
father, because of the connection to Brunswick — knowing that no other French
lived in Brunswick.
- Benjamin lived in Brunswick, Cumberland, ME, during the time when David M. French must have met and married Matilda Kennon.
- Benjamin Jr. lists 2 males aged 15-19 in the 1840 census of Brunswick. Benjamin Jr. is aged 30-39.
- Benjamin Sr. lists 1 male aged 15-19 and 1 male 20-29 in the 1840 census of Brunswick. Benjamin Sr. was aged 70-79 and a son born in 1820 would have been too young. Benjamin probably adopted him from a younger relative.
- No other men named Benjamin are listed in Brunswick in 1840, and David M. French married there in 1844.
- No surname Kennon or other spelling, nor the first name Matilda is listed in Porter, Oxford, ME; therefore, David must have met her in Brunswick.
- Matilda Kennon French died 28 Mar 1907 in Brunswick, Cumberland, ME, the daughter of Luther Keenen and Louisa Gray.
- Matilda’s sister Angeline died 9 May 1912 in Brunswick; therefore, the family had stable connections there.
- David M. French’s first son Samuel lived in Brunswick.
- Nowhere does it state that Benjamin was the father of David M. French, but he could have been his adopted father, and he would have definitely been listed as such if Benjamin was his biological father. No one seems to know the exact date of David M. French’s birth, but he did have a connection to Porter. The possibility of his adoption becomes clearer and clearer.
- David’s biological father was definitely a French, because Daniel fits into French DNA Test Group 6.
- The Benjamin French who was born in 1796 and married Shuah Banks in 1818 had 2 children at the same time when David M. French was apparently born. Their 2 children were Harriet E. French, b. Mar 1820 and Sarah French, b. 9 Aug 1821. Both David's biological mother and father are unknown, but they could have had a connection to the Benjamin French in Brunswick, or how else would David ended up there?
1820 — Born in Porter, Oxford, ME
1844 — Married in Brunswick, Cumberland, ME
1850 — Census in Gardiner, Kennebec, ME – lived there because Matilda’s brother, Thompson Samuel Keenan, died in Gardiner and probably was living in Gardiner most of his life. He was b. 4 Jul 1827 in Monmouth, Kennebec, ME, and died at age 81 on 23 Sep 1908 in Gardiner, Kennebec, ME, and was buried at the Mount Hope Cemetery in South Gardiner, Kennebec, ME. “An” Abraham French lived in Augusta in the 1850 census, b. 1799, married to Sarah French, b. 1798; his parents were from NH.
1851 — Son Samuel W. French born in Augusta, Kennebec, ME. Did David migrate from Porter to Kennebec with another French? “A” Sarah French lived in a factory boarding house in Augusta in the 1850 census.
1857 — Son Albion French born in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME
1860 — census in Lewiston, Androscoggin, ME
1862 — enlistment in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME
1870 — census in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME
1871 — buried in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME
1880 — census, wife remained in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME
1887 — city directory, wife in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME
1902 — city directory, wife in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME
1907 — wife died and buried in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME
10.6 David Moulton French, b. 24 May 1821 in Porter, Oxford, ME, as witnessed in various documents, but no parents have been identified. This date was established by his gravestone, died in 1871 at age 50 and 1 month. Some records say he was born in 1820, and others say 1821. The 1850 census states he was born in NH, but he was born in Porter, Oxford, ME; his father was born in NH. The 1860 and 1870 census records state he was born in ME.
Establishing David’s birthdate is confusing, as his records indicate different years. Perhaps most accurate is his death record which shows he was 50 and 1 month, sounding quite accurate, and his death date was 24 Jun 1871. Therefore, he was born 24 May 1821. He was not listed, to our knowledge, in the 1820 census.
See: https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/153815022/person/182036647955/facts
1820 -- Take a
look at
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/15423468/person/18736005451/facts
where James French dies in Feb 1820 — maybe he died before David was born so someone else named him, and maybe the M. doesn’t stand for Moulton. Lots of errors in this research, but he is the one who died in Norway, Oxford, ME. He died before the 1820 census, but maybe you can find him in 1810.
1822 May – Matilda Keenen, who married David M. French, was b. May 1822 in Monmouth, Kennebec, ME, and died 28 Mar 1907 in Brunswick, Cumberland, ME, the daughter of Luther Keenen and Louisa Gray. Their son, David A. French, who married Eunice H. Cobb, states on his marriage record that his father, David M. French was born in Porter, Maine, and his mother Matilda W. Keenen, was born in Monmouth, Kennebec, Maine. Luther Keenen died before 1850; therefore, search continues with his wife Eunice H. Cobb who lived a very long life.
1830 census of Monmouth, Kennebec, Maine, shows Thomas Keenan and his wife, both age 60-69 (b. 1761-1770) with no dependents. This is the first place where Thomas Keenan shows up. Angeline Louisa Keenan, Matilda’s sister, was just born, 30 Oct 1829 in Monmouth (Wales), Kennebec, Maine – 9 May 1912 in Brunswick, Cumberland, ME, was the daughter of Luther Keenan (1793 in Wales, ME – 1860) and Louisa Gray (1796-1892). Angeline Keenan m. David Doyle and d. 9 May 1912, widow of David Doyle; she was born in Monmouth. Another Angeline Thompson is listed as born 8 Oct 1829 in Portland, Cumberland, ME, the daughter of Nathaniel Y. Thompson and Jane. Angeline Thompson’s grave shows that she married William F. French. It shows she married William F. French on 20 Nov 1845 in Portland, but why then is she living with David M. French and Matilda Keenan in the 1850 census? A record shows that they had son William M. French on 24 Mar 1853. It also states that they had daughter Elizabeth J. French, born 13 Mar 1849. Angeline’s husband is always listed as William F. French. It also states that they had son Charles Henry French on 3 Sep 1846. Her daughter Elizabeth J. married Nason, which is on Angeline’s death record giving her maiden name as Angeline M. Thompson and her married name as Angeline M. French, and her husband’s name as William F. French. Elizabeth Nason died in South Portland on 23 May 1898, age 48. They also had son William in 1867. These are all legitimate records from Portland, ME. These 3 individuals (David M. French, Matilda French, and Angeline L. Keenan) are listed together in the 1850 census. All their ages are correct, but the difference is in their middle initials – Matilda A. French vs. Matilda W. French, and Angeline L. Keenan vs. Angeline M. French.
From the “History of Monmouth, Kennebec, Maine”
Thompson S. Keenan (Matilda Keenan French’s brother), and also Matilda Keenan French’s father, Luther Keenan, and his grandfather, James, were born in Wales, Androscoggin, Maine, and his great-grandfather, James Keenan, was born in Dublin, Ireland, and came to America during the Revolutionary War, and settled one of the first farms in the town of Wales, Maine, which is 6 miles east of Lewiston where David M. French had moved to by the 1860 census, and where his first son was born. Luther married Louisa Gray, of Monmouth. She died May 15, 1892, aged 101 years and 21 days. Luther died before 1860, the year that David M. French and his wife Matilda moved to Lewiston adjacent to Wales, Androscoggin, Maine. Their children were two boys and three girls. Thompson S. Kennan, the second child and first boy, was born in Brunswick, Me., in 1826, and came to Gardiner in 1844 (this is the year that David M. French married Matilda Keenan), where he married Mary E. Pallard, daughter of Stephen Pallard. Their children were: Addie, Ida May and Mary Etta. Mr. Keenan was a seafaring man till 1861, when he enlisted in the Navy and served in the gulf squadron. William J. Landers, manager of the Komcbec Reporter, was born in Gardiner, ME, October 24, 1849, the youngest son of David and Margaret Landers. His early years were spent in Gardiner, attending the city schools. Leaving the high school in 1864, he attended Augusta Commercial College, graduating in 1865. After three years' service as bookkeeper in the P. C. Holmes Company's office, he went South. He returned in 1876, in October, 1877, entered the office of the Kennebec Reporter, and has been connected with that publication ever since. January 3, 1880, he was married to Ella F. Drake, and they have two children. Mr. Landers has been grand chancellor of the Grand Jurisdiction of Maine, Knights of Pythias, and district deputy grand master of the 11th Maine Masonic District; he is at present grand generalissimo of the Grand Commandery of Maine, Knights Templar, president of the Kennebec Valley Press Club, recording secretary of the Maine Press Association, a director of the Gardiner High School and a director of the Gardiner Public Library. Luther Keenan was in the War of 1812 and his widow Louisa received a pension. Also, in Gardiner, Kennebec, ME, were Charles H. Keenan 26, Mary H. Keenan 20, James L. Keenan 2, and Charles E. Keenan 9/12 in the 1850 census.
Gardiner was noted for its pristine Kennebec ice, harvested at the furthest point upriver that deep-draft vessels could reach. In 1851 (at the exact time when David M. French lived in Gardiner), the city was connected by railroad. Perhaps he helped built the railroad and that is what took him there. One of the first workable steam automobiles in America was built in Gardiner in 1858.
Thompson Samuel Keenan’s sister, Matilda, gave her first son with David M. French, the name Samuel after her brother and William after David’s father. As far as records provide, Matilda Keenan never lived in Porter, Oxford, ME, where David was born; he moved to her area and met her there. The 1860 census of Auburn, Androscoggin, Maine lists Nathaniel French, age 61, who was born in NH, living with Elizabeth French, age 62, also born in NH, and Harriet E. Thompson, age 40, who was probably a sister of Angeline Thompson who married William French Sr.; also listed are Louisa Babb, age 17, born in Maine, and William N. Rowe, age 36, born in Maine, and Mary E. Rowe, age 30, born in Maine, William Rowe, age 7, born in Maine, and Mary Rowe, age 6/12, born in Maine. Elizabeth French was born 14 Jun 1797, the daughter of Nathaniel French. Elizabeth died 11 Apr 1874 in Portland, Cumberland, Maine, and was buried in Western Cemetery in Portland. See https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167508446. Also buried in this cemetery is Angeline Thompson French, b. 8 Oct 1829, died 15 Aug 1876. She was the spouse of William French, 1793-1859, and they had 2 children: William French Jr., 16 Nov 1827 – 2 Aug 1874, and William M. French, 1853-1856 who died at age 3 of measles, and was the son of William French and Angeline Thompson French even though his parents were 36 years apart. Apparently, Elizabeth Burnell, b. 1798, married a French and might have had son David M. French. I believe the record should say that Angeline Thompson married the William French who was born in 1827, and that they had a son in 1853 who died at age 3. Anyway, I’m beginning to think that perhaps William French and Elizabeth Burnell had son David M. French. Very mixed up records, but something to think about.
William S. (Swain?) French married Betsey (Elizabeth) Burnel on 2 Feb 1817 in Portland, Maine. William S. French Sr., b. 10 Jan 1794 in Jay, Franklin, ME, d. Aug 1859, and buried in the Western Cemetery in Portland, Cumberland, ME. He died of consumption from which he suffered for 15 months before passing away. He left a widow, and his occupation was Shoemaker, which was the same occupation listed in the 1850 census. He m. Elizabeth “Betsey” Burnell. His parents were Jacob French and Mary Swain. Jacob was b. 28 Jun 1751 in Hampton Falls, Rockingham, NH, and d. 5 Apr 1819 in Jay, Oxford, Maine. Mary Swain was b. in 1757. William Swain French and Elizabeth “Betsey” Burnel had daughter Eunice A. French, b. 1824, d. 1911.
Elizabeth “Betsey” Burnell was the first wife of William Swain French whose parents were Jacob French and Mary Swain. He was born 10 Jan 1794 in Jay, Franklin, Maine and died Aug 1859 in Portland, Cumberland, ME. Jacob French was born 28 Jun 1751 in Hampton Falls, Rockingham, NH. He died 5 Apr 1819 in Jay, Oxford, ME. Son William Swain French died in 1859 in Portland, Cumberland, ME, so this might have been why David is in the 1860 census of that area. William Swain French and Elizabeth Burnell had a daughter, Eunice A. French, born in 13 Aug 1824 in Windham, Cumberland, ME, and died in 1 Jun 1911 in Peru, Oxford, ME. Peru is actually very close to Jay in Franklin Co., but it is far away from Porter.
Elizabeth Burnel was William Swain French’s first marriage; she was born in 1799 and died in 1864, buried in the Western Cemetery in Portland: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/128759800.
Maybe Elizabeth Burnell had David M. French out of wedlock in 1820.
Now another weird related bit of info. David’s son,
David Albion French, married Eunice H. Cobb, and they had 3 children: David
Moulton French, James Lincoln French Sr. and Gertrude Grace French. David
Albion French vacated the family and left his 2 sons in an orphanage. However,
the daughter Gertrude Grace French lived with her mother Eunice.
Gertrude Grace French, b. 2 Apr 1898 in Minot, Androscoggin, ME, d. 1935. She married Albert Newell Elisha Pettingill. Her marriage certificate, filed on 2 May 1914, states her father was Henry French and her mother Eunice Cobb. The actual marriage date was 9 May 1914. In the 1910 census of Jay, Franklin, ME, Gertrude was 12, living with her mother Eunice 36 who was a servant, and with Leonard F. Walker 60. She was not put in the Bath Military and Naval Orphan Asylum as her 2 brothers were. In the 1920 census, she was married to Albert Pettengill and had 3 children. In the 1930 census, Gertrude was living with her husband in Livermore Falls, Androscoggin, ME at #6 Moore Hill and with their 5 children: Albert Jr., Frederick, Freda, Beryl, and Beverly. She died in 1935 and is buried at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Livermore Falls, Androscoggin, ME.
Apparently, Elizabeth Burnel married William Swain French on 23 Feb 1817 in Portland, Cumberland, ME.
The following section of the same book about Monmouth, Kennebec County, Maine, shows the names “James Kennen” and “Thomas and Stephen Gray” lots. James Kennen was the ???? of Matilda Kennen and Thomas Gray was the ?? of Matilda’s mother Louisa Gray. In 1805 three new roads were laid out by James Shurtleff, the surveyor who made the first plan of the new plantation. The course of the first road was "From Benjamin Tibbets on the main Plantation Road between said Tibbet's & James Kennen's Lots of Land upon an East South east course 60 rods to Litchfield Westermost Line." Next: "From said Plantation Road run West northwest 136 rods upon the line separating between Thomas and Stephen Grays Lots of Land to said Thomas Grays house." The third was the "Plantation main Road by Sebattases Pond upon an East southeast course from the school House upon the line separating between James Clarke's and Rufus Marr's Lots of Land 168 rods to James Hoddson's house nearly."
The following section of the same book about Monmouth, Kennebec County, Maine, shows the name “Benjamin French” who was an adult in the year 1794 and could have been a grandfather to David M. French. Benjamin is listed as a petitioner in Monmouth on 5 Jan 1801.
Thomas Keenan, Matilda Keenan’s grandfather, is listed in the 1830 census of Monmouth, Kennebec, Maine, where Matilda was born in 1820. Thomas is age 60-70, b. 1760-1770, living with 2 males 15-20 (born 1810-1815) and 20-30 (born 1800-1810), and 2 females 10-15 and 15-20, and his wife 50-60. Matilda would have been 10 years old in 1830.
Benj. French, a pedagogue whose wonderful attainments in writing "round hand" and "figgerin" won him the reverential sobriquet of ''doctor,"" was another lot' the immigrants of 1794. "Doctor" French purchased a portion of the field north west from the town common, and built a house about where the cheese factory now stands. His home was surrounded by a flourishing- orchard, which became decayed with age and was cut down by Nathaniel Blue after the land came into his possession.
Although the town had been divided into live school districts, it would appear from the records that Mr. French was the only teacher employed in 1794, and that he spent nearly half of his time with the school in the cert r district, which convened at the house of Daniel Oilman, near where Mr. Stewart new lives
From my research:
James French Sr., b. 1756 in Rochester, Strafford, NH, d. 1820. Because his first wife Hannah Leighton died in 1813.
James French Jr., (son of James French Sr.) b. 1780 in Farmington, NH, d. 1841 in Porter (haven’t done much research on his 5 children)
Jacob French, (son of James French Sr.) b. 6 Mar 1778 in Rochester, Strafford, NH, d. 1851 in Porter.
1839 -- Muster Roll of Captain James Clark's Company of Light Infantry in the Detachment of drafted Militia of Maine, called into actual service by the State, for the protection of its Northeastern Frontier, from the twentieth day of February, 1839, the time of its rendezvous at Bangor, Maine, to the eleventh day of May, 1839, when discharged or mustered. David French is listed as a Private.
1840 census – John Keenan was living in Gardiner,
Kennebec, Maine as head of household, age 50-59 with his wife age 40-49, and 4
children under 20: 1 male under 5, 1 male 5-9, 1 male 10-14, and 1 female 5-9.
No other surnames in this census look familiar except for Marston whom the
French and Moulton families were related to in Hampton, Rockingham, NH. “A”
David Marston lived in Livermore, Oxford County (age 60-69 with a male 10-14)
and a Nathaniel Marston lived in Gardiner, Kennebec, Maine in the 1830 census. Coincidentally, “A” William French also lived in Livermore, Oxford, ME,
in the 1830 census, age 30-39, same age as his wife, with a
male 10-14.
Hannah Marston, born Apr 14, 1816, died young a week after her father died.
Actually, David Marston’s gravestone says he was born 23 Mar 1783 in North
Hampton, Rockingham, NH, exactly where the French family came from. He died 3
Apr 1816 and is buried in the Marston Doe Graveyard in Parsonsfield,
York, ME. See https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41644274. Could David M. French’s parents have been
Samuel French and Elizabeth Giddings Marston? There was “an” Elizabeth “Betsey”
Giddings Marston listed in this same cemetery in Parsonsfield,
born ca. 1760, and died 1834 in Parsonsfield. She
would have been too old to be the mother of David M. French. Art Westneat’s research shows Samuel French was born in 1810 and
married Mary Marston, and had 3 children beginning in 1844. His parents were
Dearborn French and Hannah Farley.
See: https://archive.org/stream/marstongenealogy00mars/marstongenealogy00mars_djvu.txt
Also: https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/10995/dvm_GenMono000268-00057-1/105?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return&rc=830,289,957,326;103,1024,275,1099;683,1042,802,1073;830,1042,956,1072;877,1478,1014,1516;101,1532,218,1572;612,1792,723,1825;742,1791,854,1823
1844 Oct 20 -- David
M. French married at age 23 to Matilda Kennen in
Brunswick, Cumberland, Maine; therefore, the 1840 census of William is very
important. Matilda was b. May 1820 and died 28 Mar 1907. His marriage license
does not give the names of his parents. Three members of the French family
lived in Brunswick, Cumberland, ME, in the 1840 census: Benjamin French Sr.
(age 70-79 – died in Brunswick in 1852), Benjamin French Jr. (age 30-39 – left
in 1843, son of Benjamin Sr.), and George French (age 20-29 – son of Benjamin
Sr.). These French names seem irrevelant. Matilda
Keenen French was buried in Brunswick in 1907. Multiple members of the Keenen
family lived in Brunswick at the time David and Matilda married.
Hiram Keenan was born in Brunswick in 1844, the same year that David and
Matilda married. Hiram m. Emerline and had children
Emma and Minnie, and lived in Greene Androscoggin, ME, in the 1870 census.
Hiram was born in 1838, the son of Philip and Mary A. Keenen, and d. 1909 in
Greene, Androscoggin, ME, and buried in the Old Valley Cemetery.
The first mention of the surname Kennen in Maine was in the 1840 census of Litchfield, Kennebec, ME, Thomas Kennen, aged 30-39 or b. 1801-1810, his wife was probably aged 20-29 or b. 1811-1820 (Matilda Kennen was b. May 1820, but she would have been too young to have the other 4 children), and they have 1 male under 5, 1 female under 5, and 2 females ages 5-9. No other records exist for Thomas Kennen, not even on findagrave. “A” Thomas Kennen is listed in the 1860 census of Lynnfield, Essex, MA, as born in 1803 in Cove, Ireland.
I just wonder where all the early Porter vital records are stored? Maybe I’ll try for the Brunswick records for his marriage on 20 Oct 1844. I called the Brunswick Town Office direct 207-725-6658, and she has the record listed in the computer and she’s going to run down to the vault to see what the original says — can you believe that? So, she’ll call me back in a little bit.
She (Susan) went to the vault, and it doesn’t show any parent for either David or Matilda on their 1844 marriage record. I also don’t find any records for them in Brunswick other than this marriage, so maybe they ran away and got married.
|
Office
of Vital Records |
Before 1892, records of births, marriages,
and deaths were kept by the towns and cities of Maine. Some municipalities kept
good records, some kept no records, and some kept adequate records only to have
them lost to fire, flood, or storage in private homes. The information on these
municipal records is in most cases sparser than found on more modern records.
Marriages and deaths, for example, rarely listed parents' names or the parties'
places of birth. When, in the 1920's, the State requested copies of pre-1892
vital records from the towns, only about 20 percent responded.
1844 – A good reason must have occurred that made David want to marry in Brunswick, Cumberland, ME, this year – perhaps either a French or a Keenen lived there then. Some indications are:
Lucy Greenwood French was born 9 Mar 1844 in Lewiston, ME, and is listed in the 1870 census of Brunswick. She is living with her parents William Riley French and Marcia French.
1849 or 1850 Aug 30 – David’s first son Samuel William French was born in Augusta, Kennebec, ME.
1850 census – David lived in Gardiner, Kennebec, ME, age 29 [this census was enumerated on 25 Jul 1850 when he could have already had his birthday, so maybe he was born in 1821], with his wife Matilda A. Keenen French 28, and Matilda’s sister Angeline L. Keenen, born 30 Oct 1829 in Monmouth (Wales), Kennebec, Maine, aged 20. The enumeration date of this census was 25 Jul 1850. Angeline died 9 May 1912 in Brunswick, Cumberland, ME. She married David H. Doyle (1823-1870) and had 3 children: Louisa E. Doyle (1854-1909), Harriet E. Doyle (1861-1935), and David Elmer Doyle (1863-1920). [A large French family of Enoch French was also living in Gardiner in the 1850 census, and they are part of FFA Chart #4, unrelated].
1857 Feb 27 – David’s second son David Albion French was born in Bath, Sagadahoc County, ME. He married Eunice H. Cobb in the same location on 28 Oct 1892.
1860 census –
William F. French was age 32, a house joiner, living in Portland, Cumberland,
ME, with his wife Angeline M. French, age 30, and their children Charles H.
French 14, Elizabeth J. French 11, and Willietta
French 4. Charles Henry French was b. 3 Sep 1846, d. 6 May 1886 in Cape
Elizabeth, Cumberland, ME, and is buried in the Western Cemetery in Portland.
1860 census – David, 40, lived in Lewiston, Androscoggin, ME, with his wife Matilda W., 38, and sons Samuel, 9, and Albion, 2. The 1860 census was enumerated on 18 Jun 1860 and says David was 40 in Androscoggin, ME. This means he had already turn 40 by Jun and was therefore born in 1820.
1862 Jul 22 – David M. French enlisted to serve 3 years, stating he was born in Porter, Maine, was 42 years of age, 5’ 8 ½” height, sandy complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, occupation was a carpenter. This document states that during the last two months, the said solder has been unfit for duty. The said soldier has been sick for the last 60 days with chronic rheumatism and was subject to it before he came into the Army. His medical situation has been long standing, and he is unfit for duty and will become permanently disabled unless discharged from the service. He was discharged the 10th of April of 1863, signed near Falmouth, Virginia by Major General Couch. David M. French was present for Company Muster Roll Call during all 1862 and 1863.
1862 Jul 24 – David M. French Civil War enlistment papers in Bath, Sagadahoc, Maine, on familysearch.org, no mention of parents but when he enlisted in the Army on July 24 1862, he states his age is 42 years and lists his birth place as Porter. He was born in Porter in April of 1820 not 1821. He was a carpenter. He has blue eyes, light brown hair, and is 5’ 8 ½” tall. Therefore, he must be listed in the 1820 census as age under 5.
This next record says he was 42 by 24 Jul 1862. This tells us A LOT because the years mentioned, 1862 and 1865 are 3 years apart, but his age is only 2 years apart, 42 and 44. Therefore, he was born between March 6, 1820 and 24 Jul 1820. Now I do believe that date is cast in concrete by these 2 records.
1862 Aug 25 - Decided to spend a few minutes on
David M. French, and I looked up Samuel L. Allen who was his witness when he
entered into the military in 1862. This record is the Annual Report of the
Adjutant General of the State of Maine for the year ending in 1863. It shows
David as age 42, his residence was Bath, Maine, he was married, he mustered
into U.S. service on 25 Aug 1862 and was discharged on March 10, 1863.
Therefore, he served 15 days less than 7 months.
We’re been wondering if he was born in May 1820 or May 1821. According to his discharge in this 1863 document, he did not yet have his birthday and he was age 42; therefore, he was born in 1820. But, if you consider that these records were for the year ending in 1863, he would have been born in 1821.
Dated August 1862 when David would have already had his birthday, he is 42, hence 1820.
The typewriter was invented in 1868, so this was typed later.
1863 Jul 1 – David is listed as subject to military duty. His age is 43 on 1 Jul 1863, and because his birthday was prior to this date and he had already turned 43, he was born in 1820 before July. This record also states that he was born in Maine; however, prior to 1820 the state of Maine had belonged to Massachusetts and was just turned over to Maine in 1820. David lived in Bath, Sagadahoc County, ME. He states he was a carpenter and aged 43 on this date. Other records indicate that he was born in May 1820. He was enlisted with Co. K, 19th Regiment of the Maine Infantry Volunteers. He was discharged on 10 Apr 1863, signed in Falmouth, Virginia. No names of his parents or wife or children are given in these documents.
The following document indicates that David M. French was aged 43 before June 1863; therefore, he was born in 1820 before June.
1863 Jul 6 – David M. French collected a pension after being active in the U.S. Civil War. He became an invalid. His widow, Matilda W. French, collected a pension until 1887 Dec 20. If David enlisted in the Civil War at age 44 on 21 Mar 1865, he would have been 44 by 21 Mar 1865, but in reality, it was 2 months before he turned 45 as he was born on May 24, 1820.
The following record is from the website www.fold3.com. It shows David M. French was an invalid having been in the Army in the 19th Maine Infantry, and that his dependent was John Edwards of the Indiana Calvary. The surname Edwards comes from the wife of David’s son, Samuel William French. Celia A. Edwards married first Samuel W. French in 1875 (as per the 1880 census). Much later in life, and on 3 Sep 1927, Celia A. Edwards French married George H. Collins.
Another record states he was 43 on 1 Jul 1863, which
indicates he was born in 1820, not 1821.
Name: David M French
Residence:
Age at Enlistment: 44
Enlistment Date: 21 Mar 1865
Rank at enlistment: Private
State Served: Maine
Survived the War?:Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company 19th, Maine
19th Infantry Company on 21 Mar 1865.
Mustered out on 23 May 1865 at Augusta, ME.
Birth Date: abt 1821
Sources: Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Maine
1865 Mar 6 – David was in the military, U.S. Civil War Draft Registrations Record, as a Private enlisted in Company 19th, Maine 19th Infantry Company, on 6 Mar 1865 in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME, and mustered out on 23 May 1865. He was married, aged 44 years on 6 Mar 1865; because he was born in May, he would have turned 45 in May and therefore was born in 1820. He was a ship carpenter.
David volunteered enlistment in Bath on 6 March 1865 stating he was 44 years old. He was born somewhere between March-May, which means on 6 March 1865 he was just about to have a birthday. If March 6th was before his birthday, he would have been born in 1820, and if he were born after 6 Mar, he would have been born in 1821.
1865 Mar 6 – David M French was age 44, and because his birthday was in April, he would have turned 45; therefore, he was born in 1820. He mustered on 21 Mar 1865 and served one year, leaving the service on 23 May 1865 in Augusta, ME. He was married, with light complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, a ship carpenter, 5’ 8”.
1865 Mar 21 – David enlisted as a Private in Company 19th, Maine 19th Infantry Company, and mustered out on 23 May 1865 at Augusta, ME. This is a report of the Adjutant General of the State of Maine. It states that at the age of enlistment on 21 Mar 1865, David was age 44, as he had not turned 45 until May; therefore, he was born in 1820.
This is as close as I could calculate David's real birthdate and place. His birthday was either about 24 Apr 1820 or 1821. Basically, it is the year we are looking for most of all, to determine if he would be in the 1820 census or not. His military records describe him quite well when he was not too young or not too old to know his age.
Dates of his military discharge record:
22 Jul 1862 volunteered to serve 3 years, 42 years of age, he already had his birthday.
He was unfit for duty 60 days ending 27 Mar 1863
Formerly discharged on 10 Apr 1863, both dates before his
birthday.
Therefore, between the earliest date 22 Jul 1862 and the latest date 10 Apr 1863, he was the same age, which would be 42, or born in 1820; therefore, he’d be in the 1820 census. The record also states he was born in Porter, not NH. See David’s 9-page military history.
1870 census – David lived in Bath, Sagadahoc County, ME, was a ship carpenter, lived with his wife Matilda and sons William S. 18, and David A. 13.
1870 census –
Angeline M. French is born 1830 in Maine, lives in Portland Ward 7, Cumberland,
Maine, is married to William F. French, a shoemaker, age 42, b. 1828, and have
son William F. French, age 2 (he died 10 Apr 1873 and is buried in the Western
Cemetery due to congestion of the brain). Nearby them in 1870 is Elizabeth
French, age 72, who may have been William’s mother. He is living with the Hodgdon and Small
families. Elizabeth French was born 21 Apr 1833 in Portland, and d. 18 Mar 1918
in Portland, Cumberland, ME; she was the daughter of William and Elizabeth
French, and she had married Eben H. Small.
William French, Jr. was b. 15 Nov 1827 and d. 2 Aug 1874, aged 46, and is buried in the Western Cemetery in Portland. When he died, his wife Angeline probably married again after 1874, however, she died in 1876???.
“A” 1870 census of Portland, Cumberland, ME, lists “a” William F. French, age 42, b. ca. 1828 in ME, a shoe maker, married to Angeline M. French, age 40, with their son William F. French, age 2. Angeline has the same name, birthdate, and location as David M. French did when he died in 1871 at age 50. Living nearby them is “an” Elizabeth French, age 72, living with the Hodgdon and Small families. She would have been born in 1798. In the 1860 census, this William F. French was 32, Angeline M. French was 30, son Charles H. French was 14, Elizabeth J. French was 11, and Willietta French was 4, living in Portland, Cumberland, ME. Angeline M. French’s maiden name was Angeline M. Thompson when they married on 20 Nov 1845 in Portland, Cumberland, ME; therefore, she is not the same Angeline who was Matilda Kennen’s sister.
1871 – U.S. City Directory for Bath, Maine, David was a fastener and lived at house on Somerset Place, close to the Kennebec River. A fastener is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. In general, fasteners are used to create non-permanent joints; that is, joints that can be removed or dismantled without damaging the joining components. Could David have been living in Bath the same year that he died in Portland?
1871 Jun 24 – David died in Portland, Cumberland, ME. He resided in Saco, York, Maine, was a painter by trade; his gravestone says he was part of Co K, 19th Regt, and was a stonemason and ship carpenter. Had a wife and 2 sons.
Because David died on 24 Jun 1871 at 50 years 1-2 months of age, he would have been 50 years old on 24 Jun 1871, plus 2 months would be close to 24 Apr 1821. It is possible that he really never knew his birthdate nor who his parents were as his father could have died just before he was born.
Many Moultons were buried in the same cemetery as David M. French.
Charles A. Collins was buried next to David M. French; he was born ca. 1861, about 10 years before David died. Charles A. Collins married Celia French who is also buried in the same plot.
Celia A. Collins was a French from her first marriage, maiden name Edwards...married second George H. Collins. Samuel W. French was David M. French’s first child.
|
Celia A French |
|
|
Gender: |
Female |
|
Residence: |
Brunswick, ME |
|
Spouse's name: |
George H Collins |
|
Spouse's Gender: |
Male |
|
Spouse's Residence: |
Brunswick, ME |
|
Marriage Date: |
3 Sep 1927 |
|
Marriage Place: |
Maine, USA |
Celia A. Edwards/French was Samuel W. French's first wife, 1880 census
|
Name |
Age |
|
Samuel W.
French |
29 |
|
Celia French |
28 |
|
Tena E. French |
3 |
Other
Frenches buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME. The
oldest gravestones in this cemetery are of David and his wife Matilda W. (Keenen)
French, who d. 28 Mar 1907. This tells me that she did not remarry during 36
years, between 1871 and 1907. The next 7 French gravestones are dated after
1850, do not seem related to David M. French. They include:
[1] James E. French, who was born 1858 in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME, died 1934, and was a ship joiner, and the 1880 census states that both his parents were born in Maine. [2] His first wife Henrietta “Etta” J. Mitchell French, who was born 1856, died 23 Jul 1899. After Henrietta’s death in 1899, James married her sister, [3] Julia Patten Mitchell, who was born 1960 in ME, and died 31 May 1932. James’ father may have been Edmund B. French.
James and Henrietta had 3 children: George Edmond French, 1878-1961, [4] Frank Alpheus French, 1882-1971, and [5] Lillian A. French Bibber, 1887-1965.
James and Julia had son Earle Kenneth French, 1901-1989.
[6] Martin C. French, b. 15 Jul 1856, d. 11 Oct 1910, relationship unknown, but probably the brother of James E. French.
[7] William C. French, b. 4 Mar 1857 in Cutler, Washington, ME, d. 18 Jan 1911, m. [8] Carrie M. Look, b. 1861, d. 1952 (age 91). William C. French lived in Addison, Washington, ME, in the 1880 census and didn’t move to Bath, Sagadahoc, ME until much later, even until the 1910 census, so he wasn’t there during the period of David M. French.
From here down is Ch3
William’s father was Freeman French, mother was Mary A. “Polly” Davis. William m. Zoa W. Cates. Children of William C. French and Zoa may have been Sally/Mary, Nancy, Ephraim, Georgeanna, Zoah, Emiline, Lucinda, William C., Abigail, Harriet, Lucinda.
Freeman French was b. 17 Apr 1791 in Berkley, Bristol, MA, d. 18 Oct 1852, in Washington, ME. His parents were Joseph French Sr., 1743-1793 and Mary “Molly” Macomber, 1758-1794. Joseph’s parents were Seth French Sr., 1712-1756 and Phebe Walker, 1713-1764. Seth’s parents were Joseph French Jr., 1669-1735 and Sarah 1670-1735. Joseph’s parents were Joseph Sr. 1640-1694 and Experience Foster 1642-1720. Joseph’s parents were John Sr. 1600-1645 and Joan Syday, 1600-1645.
Ch 3 to here
Because relatives of David M. French’s family don’t seem to be located in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME, at the time David died, perhaps David’s wife’s family lived there, the Keenen family.
From the Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. Note that it says “belonging in Biddeford”.
Portland Daily Press Monday, Jun 26, 1871, Portland, ME, Vol: 10, Page: 4 (below)
See Ref. [4] below in Bibliography. This article indicates that on June 24, 1871, David M. French died at 9.50pm that night. As he was only 50, he may have been taking a train from work to home, as the accident happened 4 hours prior to his death, or about 6pm which would have been when he got off work, probably in Cape Elizabeth, ME. He was headed south for Biddeford, which might indicate where he was living at that time, which in reality was Saco, Maine, on the north side of the Saco River (see map below).
See location of Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Biddeford, and Saco, Maine.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63181359/david-m_-french
The date on his gravestone indicates he died 21 Jun 1871 at age 50 years and 1 month, indicating he was born ca. 21 May 1821, buried in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME.
Because David M. French died in Portland, but was buried in Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine, he must have had some close family member living in Bath in 1870 to have buried him there. There are 18 other Frenches buried there.
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/90311/memorial-search?firstName=&lastName=French
I think it was from his gravestone and I used a date calculator to find his age given on the gravestone when he died to back when he was born. So, he died 24 Jun 1871 and his gravestone says he died at age 50 years 1 month. Then I used this calculator – more inclined to determine through military records that he was born in 1820.
https://www.timeanddate.com/date/dateadd.html
1880 census – of Bath, Sagadahoc, ME, David’s widow, Matilda French, is 58, living with her mother Louisa G. Keenan, aged 84, b. 1796 in ME, and with Matilda’s sister Angeline L. Kennan who m. Doyle and had son David E. Doyle. They are living on Beacon St. Matilda’s father was Luther Keenan who was born in 1793; her mother was Louisa Gray who was born in 1796 and died in 1892.
David M. French’s wife, Matilda Keenan. Her mother was Louisa Gray who lived to be 101 years old. She was b. 1791 in Monmouth, Kennebec, ME, d. 15 May 1892 (aged 100-101) in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME, buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery.
8 members of the French family are buried here, including Freeman French who is another brick wall.
1887 -- City Directory of Bath, Maine, Matilda W. French, widow of David M. French, living on Beacon St.
1900 census –
Matilda W. French was 80, born May 1820 in ME, living in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME on
89 Beacon St, widowed, both parents born in Maine, and in this census, she
states she had 3 children and only 2 were living in 1900. Her son David A.
French was living next door with his wife Eunice, sons David M, James L., and
daughter Gertrade G.
1902 -- City Directory of Bath, Maine, Matilda W. French, widow David M. was living at 89 Beacon St. with her son David A. French.
89 Beacon St., Bath, Maine
1907 Mar 28 – David’ wife Mathilda died at 85 years, 11 months, and 21 days. She was born in Monmouth, Androscoggin, ME, a widow of David M. French, father was Luther Keenen, mother Louisa Grey, she died of pneumonia and senility. Even though Matilda lived in Brunswick, Cumberland, ME, she was buried 36 years later in Bath where her husband was buried.
Because David’s sons David Albion French, born in 1857, and James Lincoln French, lived in Bath, it is obvious that they had their father buried near them, even though David Albion French was only 14.
Perhaps someone from his wife’s family buried him there, Keenen, but this is not the case. I do see that Matilda Keenen’s father, Luther Keenen, was a stonemason just like David M. French. David Albion French was born in Gardiner, Kennebec, ME, in 1857; therefore, David M. French lived in Gardiner, Kennebec, ME, in 1857. David Albion French had children David Moulton French, 1893-1991,
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26678582/david-moulton-french
and James Lincoln French, 1895-1966.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149559279/james-lincoln-french
“A” Major Abel Moulton was born in 1738 and died 27 Nov 1820, a few months before David M. French was born, and he was buried also in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME, but in a different cemetery. No one named French is buried in that cemetery.
Children of David M. French and Matilda W. Kennan, 10.6
11.1 Samuel William French
11.2 David Albion French
11.1 Samuel William French, also referred to as William Samuel French, was born 30 Aug 1850 in Augusta (or Gardiner), Kennebec, ME [not yet in the 1850 census], d. 25 Jun 1916. He m. Celia Edwards and had 1 daughter, Tena. He lived his entire life in Maine, moving first to Lewiston, Androscoggin, then to Bath, Sagahahoc, then to Brunswick, Cumberland where he married and stayed the rest of his life.
1849 Aug 30 – Samuel W. French was born in Augusta or Gardiner, Kennebec, ME. Some records stated he was born in 1850.
1857 Feb – Samuel’s brother David Albion French was born in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME.
1860 census – Samuel was 9 and living with his parents David M. French and Matilda W. Kennan French, and Samuel’s brother Albion 2 in Lewiston, Androscoggin, ME.
1870 census – Samuel was 18 and living with his parents David and Matilda and his brother Albion 13 in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME. This was the year before his father David died. Samuel was a Ship Carpenter.
1875 – Samuel married Celia A. Edwards in Brunswick, Cumberland, ME. Therefore, Brunswick must be an important city for them as his father was married there also. Either the Kennan or the French family must have been prominent in Brunswick.
1877 – A marriage
record shows that “a” Samuel W. French, b. 1851, married on 29 Oct 1877 in
Lewiston, Androscoggin, ME, to Hannah P. Tripp, age 25, born in 1852, as per
www.findmypast.co.uk. INCORRECT RECORD.
1878 Oct 5 – Samuel W. French married Celia A. Cobb in Cumberland, ME, as per www.findmypast.co.uk.
Celia Ann EDWARDS was born 10 May 1853 in Portland,
Maine, USA. Celia Ann EDWARDS was the child of ?
and ?
Marriage(s) and Child(ren):
She married Ivory COBB 04 July 1868 in Poland, Maine, USA
. The couple had (at least) 1 child. They
divorced. Ivory COBB was born December 1845 in Casco, Maine, USA. He
died 19 February 1912 in Minot, Maine, USA (West Minot). He was the son
of William
Elwell COBB and Hannah
COBB.
She married (2) Samuel
William FRENCH 5
October 1878 in Brunswick, Maine, USA . The couple had (at least) 1 child. Samuel
William FRENCH was born 30 August 1850 in Gardiner, Maine, USA. He
died 25 June 1916 in Augusta, Maine, USA. He was the son of David
M FRENCH and Matilda
W KEENEN.
She married (3) George
Herbert COLLINS 3
September 1927 in Brunswick, Maine, USA . George Herbert COLLINS was born 17 November 1873 in Maine, USA.
He died aft. 1930
Celia Ann EDWARDS died bet. 1930-1940 in Maine, USA.
Daughter of Joshua Edwards (Nov 1824, Raymond, Maine - 17 Aug 1862, Camp
Parapet, Ship Island, Louisiana) and Eunice Verrill
(13 Jan 1835, Minot, Androscoggin, Maine - 23 Aug 1924, N. Raymond, Cumberland,
Maine)
Celia's siblings:
Rosanna Edwards b. abt. 1849 Casco ME d. 9/ 4/ 1902 Worcester MA
m (1) Nason A Pitts 5/ 28/ 1865, (2) Fred N Burgess
10/ 5/ 1900, Boston MA
Ephraim Edwards b. 3/ 18/ 1856, Portland, ME
m Lydia A Ward 12/ 30/ 1876, Lewiston, Maine
RESIDENCE: 1880 - Brunswick, Cumberland, Maine
Ephraim possibly died in 1902
Orin Edwards b. 1857 Casco ME d. 9/ 14/ 1866
Forrest Edwards Cemetery (So. Otisfield Cemetery) Otisfield ME
John E Edwards b. 1859 Poland, ME?
m Hannah A Lorden 3/ 5/ 1889, Lawrence MA
RESIDENCE: 1920 - city, Essex, Massachusetts
Milton L Edwards b. 1/ 27/ 1861, Portland, ME
m Kate (Catie) Louise York
Ada C Edwards b. abt. 1866
Charles L Edwards b. abt. 1869
Ellen P Edwards b. abt. 1872
1880 census – Samuel 29 is listed with his wife Celia A. 28 and their daughter (Ernestine) Tena 3.
Celia A. Edwards was Samuel W. French's first wife, 1880 census
|
Name |
Age |
|
Samuel W.
French |
29 |
|
Celia French |
28 |
|
Tena E. French |
3 |
1900 census – Brunswick, Cumberland, Maine, Samuel was living with his wife Cecilia, and no one else???. She was born Celia A. Edwards, lived on 9 Maple St., he states that both his parents were born in Maine, he was a carpenter. They had daughter Ernestine “Tena”, age 3.
1910 City Directory – Samuel was living in Brunswick, ME, working as a carpenter, on Great Island Road, R. D. 1.
1916 Jun 25 – Samuel W. French died at the State Hospital in Brunswick, ME. (David M. French, Samuel’s father, David A. French, as is shown below). His son has been referred to as Samuel William French and William Samuel French.
1916 Jun 25 -- Samuel William French, died 25 Jun 1916.
1927 Sep 3 – Eleven years after her husband had died, Celia A. French married George H. Collins after becoming a widow in Brunswick, ME.
Charles A. Collins was buried next to David M. French; he was born ca. 1861, about 10 years before David died. Charles A. Collins married Celia French who is also buried in the same plot.
Celia A. Collins was a French...married George H. Collins. Samuel W. French was David M. French’s first child.
|
Celia A French |
|
|
Gender: |
Female |
|
Residence: |
Brunswick, ME |
|
Spouse's name: |
George H Collins |
|
Spouse's Gender: |
Male |
|
Spouse's Residence: |
Brunswick, ME |
|
Marriage Date: |
3 Sep 1927 |
|
Marriage Place: |
Maine, USA |
11.2 David Albion French, b. 27 Feb 1857 in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME, d. 13 Sep 1934 (age 77) in Essex County, VA, m. Eunice Hannah Cobb on 20 Nov 1892 in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME. She was b. 1872 and d. 1917. His death record says he was born in Gardiner, Kennebec, Maine.
1857 Feb – David Albion was born in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME.
1870 census – David was living with his parents, David M. 50 and Matilda 48, and his brother Wm S. French 18 in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME. He was 13 and working as a ship guard.
1875 – David was listed in the U.S. City Directory of Bath, Maine, on Beacon St. near High, as a ship carpenter. This was the home of his mother, Matilda Keenan French.
1881 Enlistments – David was age 25, living on Providence Rd., registered at the U.S. Army, born in Bath, ME, a blacksmith, deserted on 30 Nov 1881 at Providence Rd.
1892 Nov 20 – David A. French m. Eunice H. Cobb in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME. He states his parents were David M. French and Matilda W. Keenen. It was their first marriage for both, and they were both single when they married.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63181359/david-m_-french
1893 Sep 26 – Son David Moulton French was born in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME, m1. Nettie Belle Stone McAllister (b. 1896), m2. Daisy Emily Dodge (b. 1884), he died 20 Mar 1991 in Portland, Cumberland, ME, (from Sherry Smith).
A Daniel French has contacted me about this line as well. My great grandfather, David M. French, was the 3rd husband of my great grandmother, Daisy Dodge. We corresponded but never met. Daisy is my father's biological grandmother but was adopted by his stepfather. He was born and raised in Maine but moved to Utah when he was 17. Dad never learned about his roots until he was an adult. My husband met Dave and Daisy on one occasion during a work trip. I have never been able to extend the French line. If you do want to send me your notes I will look at it again. I am sure Daisy and Dave would want this. I do research but not professionally trained. I am good at posting information from the family records and asking questions. My email is sherrysmithonline@gmail.com.
https://greenerpasture.com/Ancestors/Details/17205
David Moulton FRENCH was born 26 September 1893 in
Bath, Maine, USA. David Moulton
FRENCH was the child of David
Albion FRENCH and Eunice
Hannah COBB and
the grandchild of: (paternal) David
M FRENCH and Matilda
W KEENEN (maternal) Ivory
COBB and Celia
Ann EDWARDS
Marriage(s)
and Child(ren):
He married Nettie
Belle MCALLISTER 31
December 1913 in Lewiston, Maine, USA . Nettie Belle MCALLISTER was
born 23 July 1897 in Auburn, Maine, USA. She died 17 March 1976 in Mechanic
Falls, Maine, USA.
He married (2) Daisy
Emily DODGE .
Daisy Emily DODGE was born 23 June 1884 in Edmunds, Washington, Maine,
USA. She died 14 July 1976 in Portland, Maine, USA (Deering).
David Moulton FRENCH died 13 March 1991 in Portland, Maine, USA.
NOTE: David Moulton French was the nephew of Jessie Cobb, the murdered woman in
the story above.
Sherry reports that David Moulton French was married to her great grandmother, Daisy Emily Dodge. Sherry’s father was raised by his divorced mother. He was only three months old when that marriage ended. Sherry’s father never knew his father (Phil Stanley) and his grandmother (Daisy Emily Dodge) until his 30’s after his mother finally made the reveal. Sherry’s father and grandmother had moved to Utah when Sherry’s dad was 17. There was much distance between Utah and Maine. After the reveal, Sherry’s dad communicated by letter and saw them a few times.
1895 Sep 28 – Son James Lincoln French, Sr., was born in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME. He d. 30 Oct 1966 in Lewiston, Androscoggin, ME, (from Sherry Smith). James Sr. m1. Susan Louise Hanscomb on 29 Jul 1915 in Poland, ME. She was b. 4 Mar 1900 in Mechanic Falls, ME, and died 27 Sep 1936 in Lewiston, ME. When Susan died, James m2. Ruby Atherton on 20 Sep 1956. She was b. 21 Jun 1909 in Caribou, ME, and died 9 Sep 2001 in Lewiston, ME. James had with his first wife son James Lincoln French Jr, b. 1918, d. 1987, who m. Shirley J. Gammon, 1920-2003. James Jr. had son Brian C. French, b. 1943, d. 2016. Brian had son Scott B. French, b. 1965. Scott had son Daniel James Roland French, b. 1985, (from Daniel James Roland French). James Lincoln French was the nephew of Jessie Cobb, the murdered woman of the Greener Pasture Story, see Ref. [6] in Bibliography, based on the 1900 murder of Jessie Cobb in Lewiston, Androscoggin, Maine. Jessie Cobb was the son of Ivory Cobb and Harriet “Hattie” Verrill, born 8 Jan 1876 in New Gloucester, Cumberland, ME, and d. 16 Sep 1900 in Lewiston, Androscoggin, ME.
1898 Apr – Daughter Gertrude Grace French was born in Bath, Sagadahoc, ME, d. 1935, (from Sherry Smith).
1898 – David A. French was in the Spanish-American War as a Private in Battery D, 1 Battalion Maine H. Artillery. He may have disappeared or moved after this time as his 2 sons were listed as orphans in 1904.
1900 census – David A. French was 43 years old (born 1857), married, and had 3 children. He is listed as born in Feb 1857 in Maine, age 43, living in Bath, Sagadahoc, Maine at 89 Beacon St., head of household, married to Eunice French 27, both his parents were born in Maine, David was a ship fastener, living with his children David M. French 6, Jas L. French 4, Gertrude G. French 2. Living next door or with them was David’s mother, Matilda, as head of her household, born May 1820, age 80, a widow.
1905 – David was listed in the U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Roseburg Branch, Hampton, Virginia, age 48. He left 3 small children and a wife. The record below states he was divorced at this time. He was 5’ 7”, light complexion, blue eyes, gray hair, Protestant, and that his son David M. French lived in Minot Corner, Maine. His record at this facility begin in 1905 and end on June 1, 1932.
1904 Apr -- See Ref. [5] in Bibliography below. In Apr 1904, sons David M. French (age 8) and Jas. L. French Sr. (age 6) were considered orphans and resided in Bath at the Naval Military Asylum as they were not taken by relatives or otherwise provided with homes. Their parents were not listed, but their grandfather was David M. French of the 19th Maine Infantry. (Were their parents David Albion French and Eunice H. Cobb?)