French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

Erected in 1799, church of James and Keziah Calloway French of Montgomery Co., KY.
The Lulbegrud congregation, between the years 1806 and 1810, built a new house of worship,
about one mile from where the first one stood.

The new house was built of hewn logs, with twelve corners, to represent the twelve apostles.
The pulpit was so arranged that the speaker could be seen and heard from all parts of the house.
According to tradition, this house of twelve corners was planned by Mrs. Keziah Callaway French,
wife of the uncompromising Baptist, James French.

Chart #14, James French of
Prince William County, VA
Overwharton, Stafford County, VA
Prince Edward County, VA
Fauquier County, VA
and Montgomery Co. KY

This page updated by Mara French on 1/12/12. Numbers in brackets [ ] show the source material and refer to the bibliography at the end of this chart. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Please send any corrections or additions to Mara French.

French Family Slaveholders of Mulatto and Black Slaves

List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves

Unknown Frenches in Kentucky

Prince William County Court Papers

Bibliography

DNA Testing

I’ve researched this line just about all I can from ancestry.com and from the internet. Additions need to come from family members or from local books or historians who haven’t put their information online.

Another source would be for a male with the surname French of this line to take the DNA test. It is a simple test that doesn’t involve blood. A kit is delivered to your house with special brushes for you to take cheek swabs and the tip is injected into the tiny test tubes to be returned to the lab. After the tests that you ordered are completed, in about 4 weeks, you will be notified and can log in to your personal page at the company to view your results and your DNA matches. They may match up with one of the tests shown here: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/french/default.aspx?section=yresults. The FamilyTree DNA website gives a special lower price to those with the surname French. Read about those who approve of it: http://www.familytreedna.com/testimonials.aspx. To get the discounted price for our French DNA Project group, go to http://small-stuff.com/FRENCH/DNA/ and click at the left on "Join the French DNA Project" then place your order. We suggest the 37 marker test (Y-DNA37), but if you want to start with 25, you can upgrade to a higher test at a later date if needed.

Thank you for your support. I was able to verify that my French line is from Richard French in England, and not from William French in England who raised Richard’s son from age one – the two have entirely different DNA test results. Regards, Mara French

P.S. Although James French is not of my line, I will continue to do research on him as time permits.

History and Research

The core of this chart was taken from “A Genealogical and Biographical History of the Field Family of Massachusetts and Vermont, and the French-Henry Families of Virginia and Texas” by FFA member Charles Kellog Field, III [1]. This chart comprises only the genealogical facts concerning names, dates, and places. It does not include the biographies of this French family. If you are a descendant of this line, it is well worth buying his book. 376 pages, copyright 1985. Write to him at Charles K. Field, 2961Woodcreek Way, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48013 (313) 647-5410. This family moved from VA to KY, plus they married into the Taliaferro family, indicating that this family might be connected to FFA Chart #36.

Charles K. Field’s book states that Daniel French was the first colonial ancestor of this French family to arrive in America. He states that Daniel immigrated from Frenchpark, Roscommon County, Ireland in 1660 and landed at Cape Henry, VA [5]; however, the FFA finds no mention of a Daniel French in Frenchpark, Ireland. Daniel’s descendants settled in Prince William County, Virginia, which in 1747 in part became Fauquier County. His descendants also lived in Stafford County, VA [1]. There was a Daniel Frency of Maryland, who d. 1681, and who was said to have immigrated in 1622 from Roscommon County, Ireland and immigrated to Maryland, living at Poynt Comfort Creek. The FFA does not consider any of this information solid enough to add as fact; therefore, this chart starts with James French who resided in VA, not MD. Charles K. Field died in 2006 at age 78 in Bloomfield Hills, Oakland Co., MI.

Various surnames of this line indicate that FFA Chart #14 may be connected with FFA Charts #36, #EE, #12, or #31. The only way to determine if these lines are connected would be for a French living male of this line to take the DNA test.

Word has it, whatever that means, that Stephen, William and James French (may have immigrated in 1681 to Virginia) of Northern Ireland, immigrated to VA [60].

First Generation

1.1* William French, b. ca. 1668 perhaps in England or Ireland (he could be from England but have immigrated from Ireland), m. ca. 1684 because he had son James in 1685. There are no documents of a birth for him in Virginia, but at least 11 documents exist for a birth of “a” William in England (not Ireland) in these counties: Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent, Northumberland, and London. He may have been from Ireland, only because the 7^th generation French family of Texas indicates their line came from Ireland. He may or may not have immigrated to America, we do not have the answer. His son James was born ca. 1685 and we also do not know if he was born overseas or in America; however, we do know that James lived in America. The first record of any French in Stafford County, VA was William S. French listed in the 1850 census slave schedules with 30 slaves, but he doesn’t seem to fit in this line. He probably would have been born in 1830 or before. The oldest slave was a black male, age 82 in 1850, or born in 1768. The youngest slave was a black female, just born in 1850. William S. French lived in Giles Co., VA, and is probably from FFA Chart #12, which DNA does not match this chart.

Proof of Ancestry

Land Survey. William’s son, James, died on 3 May 1743. A land survey was performed for James French in 1741, which states that “James French was heir of William French, deceased, and it doth not appear that William French ever had any right to said land or that James French for whom the survey was made, claimed as heir of William French”. See the survey: PW Reliquary Vol. 7 No 2.pdf.

Land Grants. The next document, written in 1794 after the death of William M. French of the 3^rd generation who died in 1792, concerns William M. French’s son, Stephen French of the 4^th generation who was still living, who was, in part, heir to his grandfather’s (James French) estate in 1743, and who (James French) was heir to William French, deceased. This document shows that William was the forefather of this family. This document is from Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 1775-1800, Volume 3, by Gertrude E. Gray. The name Halley is in this French line.

Immigration. “Cavaliers and Pioneers 1666-1695” by Nell Marion Nugent lists “a” James French as a “primary” immigrant who immigrated to Virginia in 1681. James French is also listed on 22 Jan 1711 in connection with Henry Philkins and Philemon Waters. No connection has been made; however the similarity of the names Henry Philkins and Henry Eilkin need to be checked. They are of Stafford Co., VA. In 1681, the James French of this line would have been only an infant when he immigrated, and would have therefore come with his father, William. One wonders why James French is listed as an emigrant and not his father, or could James have been a brother of William? More research needs to be done on this aspect.

Neighbors. Perhaps a good solution would be to research close neighbors or friends of William French, such as Henry Eilkin or Philkins, William Dolehy (b. 1708), Leonard Hornsby, William Moore, Thomas Reno (a relative thru marriage mentioned further below), Philemon Waters, and George Bryn. In doing so, I found that most of them were from England and not Ireland. Only the wife of William French of the 3^rd generation, Winifred Hall, was from Ireland.

· Leonard Hornsby was b. 1699 in Lincolnshire, England, m. Elizabeth I. Wilson in 1720 in VA, d. 1779. He was living in Frederick Co., VA in 1764. In his will in Fairfield Co., SC, written on 12 Apr 1779, he gives his eldest son his land in Prince William Co, VA on Powell’s Run and Miapsco near the land of Thomas Dowell. The fact that he was born in Lincolnshire could be important to the French family – in other words, Leonard immigrated to VA between 1700 and 1719, perhaps the same time as the French family. Both Leonard and James French are listed as having Northern Neck land grants in 1740, the year before James French made his will. James French was of the Parish of Hamilton and County of Prince William. These two men were close enough to where the Hornsby family gave one of their children the middle name French, Offney French Hornsby, b. ca. 1783 in SC. So, the question arises, did they meet in England or in Virginia?

· The French family and William Moore were also close families as they named a child “Angelina French Moore” after her mother Angelina French.

· Colonel Philemon Waters Jr. was b. 1 Jun 1734 in Prince William Co., VA. Philemon Waters Sr. was b. 8 Oct 1711 in Stafford Co., VA. His father, Thomas Waters, was b. in 1681 in VA. His father William Waters was also born in VA in 1657. Finally we get to Edward Waters, b. in 1589 in Hertfordshire, England.

· James Haggard, neighbor of James French. James French’s nearest neighbors in Overwharton Parish, Stafford Co., VA, in 1723 were James Haggard (and his 3 sons), and William Rice, all tobacco planters [61]. James Haggard m. Elizabeth Gentry and she was baptized 29 Aug 1687 at St. Peter’s Parish, New Kent Co., VA, daughter of Nicholas Gentry. Nicholas Gentry was b. 22 Aug 1655, d. ca. 1736, making him a contemporary of William French. Two sons of the Haggard family married into the French family: James Haggard, b. ca. 1680, married Margaret M. French who was b. ca. 1711 in Overwharton, Stafford Co., VA; and Richard Haggard married Mary Ann French, b. ca. 1713 also in Overwharton, Stafford Co., VA. The Haggard family was from England.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Ancestry.com indicates that this line came from Salisbury, Massachusetts. This is in no way correct – it is merely putting dates and names together erroneously. It is totally the incorrect migration path, going from MA to VA.

Immigration

James French (of FFA Chart #137) has siblings: Elizabeth b. 1644, Thomas b. 1646, Sara b. 1648, and William b. 1655. Because James immigrated to America (Maryland), perhaps his brother William was the William of this chart, FFA Chart #14. The Bristol ship “Society” was fined in 1686 for trying to import slaves into Virginia. We don’t know on which ship William and James French immigrated. The “Society” was the ship on which James French was transported from Bristol, England to Maryland in Feb 1671, for FFA Chart #137. This James also married a woman named Elizabeth, Elizabeth Meakin; however, the entire line remained in Maryland, not Virginia, and thus this is not the same line.

Second Generation

2.1* James French, b. ca. 1680-85 in Overwharton Parish, Stafford Co., VA, a tobacco planter. He m1. Unk. but married probably in 1704 and perhaps died by 1722, m2. Elizabeth in 1722. Elizabeth was his second wife, because his children were born in 1705, 1715, and 1725, quite a few years apart. James is listed on the Prince William Co., VA Quit Rent Rolls of 1738. He wrote his will on 2 Nov 1741 in May, Stafford Co., VA, and d. 3 May 1743 on his tobacco plantation in Prince William County, VA. Elizabeth d. 1768 in Prince William Co. [1] [14]. James’ will was proved (probated) in Prince William County on 23 May 1743. He gave special bequests to his wife, Elizabeth, son William and daughter Mary Ann French. He states that if his son William died without heirs, his portion was to be auctioned off and divided equally between his wife (Elizabeth) and all his children (this is assumed to mean the children of daughter Mary Ann, and perhaps oldest daughter Jane who had died, and William who had children but not until after James died).

Land Deeds

1723 – James French, traded 96 pounds of tobacco for 100 acres of fertile crop land which he had contracted to pay off during the next four years [2]. This portion of land was part of Henry Eilkin’s property. In May 1723 James had contracted with William Dolehy, age 15, to plant 10,315 tobacco plants [3]. The law at the time passed by the House of Burgesses in order to “improve the staple of tobacco” stated, “that all males between the ages of 10 and 16 could tend 3,000 plants, housekeepers could tend 10,000 plants, and all laboring people 6,000 plants and no more” [1]. In this year of 1723, James is listed on the rental rolls in VA.

1725 -- In Deed Book A, Page 224-227 of Prince William Co., VA, Philemon Waters of Hamilton Parish to Gabriel Muffett – 130 acres of land for 1000 # of tobacco. Part of a greater tract granted Philemon Waters on 8 Feb 1725 on the south side of Occaquan on a branch called Philemon’s. The 130 acres being laid out by Lewis Reno, Francis Reno, Philemon Waters, Jr., and John Mackmillion. Whitness James French and Thomas Reno. Gabriel Muffett was in some way related to Philemon Waters. Cousins of Gabriel Muffett in his will dated 11 Jan 1758 were Edward Walkins, William Moore, and Lewis Reno.

1741 -- On 22 Oct 1741 in Prince William Co., VA, Deed Book E, page 495, James French of Hamilton Parish, Prince William Co., VA, deeded 130 acres to Leonard Hornsby, a tailor, with witnesses William Moore, Thomas Reno, and George Bryn. See this website: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/princewilliam/deeds/h4520001.txt. This deed was written only a week before James wrote his will; therefore, he may not have been in good health. Leonard Hornsby came to America from England in 1735. James French immigrated long before this, in at least 1704 because his daughter was born in Virginia.

For Dec 22, 1741 court cases, see PW Reliquary Vol. 7 No 2.pdf. The transcribed will of James is also in this pdf file. The original will is in this pdf file: JamesFrench_Will.pdf. Ref. [36] who contributed these files, says that she received them from the Mt. Sterling courthouse and have transcribed the references to his slaves (I have also transcribed the entire document but it is on my work computer). It's a wonderful piece of history because it mentions that most of the slaves are to be freed at certain dates. It refers to Martin and several others including an older slave named Matt who was willed to him by his father William French (transcribed as Natt in this copy but I also located online an abbreviated copy of his will where he is referred to as Matt--that copy I also left at work and will send it when back in my office). I have attached a copy of his will as well and it gives that information.

NORTHERN NECK GRANTS, VOL. 4, Page 94, 30 June 1712

HENRY PHILKINS & Lewis Reno of Stafford County, Wrnt. 19 October last (1711) Philkins assigned his right ot James French of said County 22 January last (1712) Franch assigned same toPhilemon Walters of said county 15 March last (1712), Reno & Walters returned survey by Mr. Thomas Hooper. 466 acres on Occaquan R. Adj. Lewis Reno & Lewis Tacquett, Philemon Walters in Stafford County, 30 June 1712.

NORTHERN NED GRANTS VOL 1 1694-1742

(4-95) Henry Philkins & Lewis Reno of Stafford Co. Wrnt. 19 Oct last. Philkins assigned his right to James ffrench of said Co. 22 Jan last. French assigned same to Philemon Walters of said Co. 15 Mar Last. Reno & Walters returned Surv. By Mr. Thomas Hooper. 466A on Occaquan R. adj. Lewis Reno & Lewis Tacquett, Philemon Walters in Stafford Co. 30 June 1712

Philemon Waters I (1680-1753), Henry Philkins, and Lewis Reno.

In the Virginia Northern Neck Grants 1694 - 1742, Page 52. " Henry Philkins & Lewis Renoe of Stafford Co., Wrnt. 19 Oct. last (1711). Philkins assigned his right to James French of said Co. 22 Jan. last (1711). French assigned same to Philemon Waters of sd. co., 15 March last (1711) Reno & Walters returned Surv. by Mr. Thomas Hooper, 466 acres of land on Occaquan River, adj. Lewis Reno & Lewis Tacquett, Philemon Walters in Stafford Co., 30 June 1712." The new year began on April 1st and ended on March 31st prior to 1750.

Will of James French, written 22 Oct 1741

Prince William County Deed Book E 1740-1741. This Indenture made the 22d day of October in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred & forty one Between James French of the Parish of Hamilton & County of Prince William of one part and Leornard Hornsby of the said County Taylor of the other part Witnessth that Whereas Henry Halley deced by Will devised to his Son Francis Halley & his two Daughters Mary & Sibella a certain tract of land lying on the South side of Occoquon Main Run on the branches of it & on the head of the North Run of Quantico in the County of Stafford now Prince William containing three hundred and thirty acres of land to be divided equally amongst them & the said Francis Halley dying before he came of age the said James French bought his part from their Brother Henry Halley Eldest Son of Henry Halley deced & also bought another third part from Edward Holmes & Sibella his wife youngest Daughter of the said Henry Halley deced by which he became possessed of the said land & that Leornard Hornsby became possessed of the other part of the said Land by purchase from Edward Vilet & Eleanor his Wife who purchased the said land from Zacharias Miles & Mary his Wife the said Mary being the Eldest Daughter of the said Henry Halley deced yet the said land was never Divided Now to the intent that the said land be Divided between the said James French & Leonard Hornsby that they may henceforth enjoy the Severalty without disturbance of the other of them that they the said James French & Leornard Hornsby by their agreement & by mediation of certain freinds indifferently chosen & elected between them have made a division in manner as hereafter mentioned Vizt the divinding line begining at a white oak standing in the Line of the said Tract the courses whereof is No. West from a white oak on a Branch of Quantico corner to the said Tract thence with the first mentioned white Oak through the said Tract No. West to a red Oak thence No. West to a white Oak thence North West through the Tract to the line the said Tract & that the said James French shall have for his part of the land all that parcel that is on the North side of the said Line be the said Quantity of Land good or bad more or less To Have and To Hold the said land with all its woods & other appurtenances thereunto belonging to the said Land & divided from the part of him the said Leonard Hornsby & that he the said Leornard Hornsby shall have for his parcel of the said land all that part that is on the South side of the said Line by the said Quantity of land good or bad more or less To Have and To Hold the same forever in Severalty & divided from the part of him the said James French. In Witness whereof the parties to these presents have set their hands & Seals in presence of us William More, Thomas Reno, George Bryn. James his mark French

1741 November 2 -- James Haggard and wife Margaret M. (French) Haggard and Joh Moor witnessed the will of James I. French of Prince William County, Va, probated 23 May 1743. Special bequests were made by James I. French to his wife Elizabeth, son William and daughter Mary Ann French. If son William French died without heirs his portion was to be auctioned off and divided equally between his wife and "All my children." (This would be his wife Elizabeth, daughter Mary Ann French, Margaret M. (French) Haggard wife of James Haggard, Jr., and Richard Haggard's wife (unless she was Mary Ann French).

Will of James French, written 2 Nov 1741

In the Name of God Amen I James FRENCH of Prince Wm County in Virginia being sick and

weak in body but in perfect Sence and Memory praised be to God for the same but Calling to mind the

Mortality of my body that all flesh is born to die, I do make ordain and appoint this my last Will and

Testament in manner and form following. Vizt. First I bequeath my Soul into the hands of Almighty God

my maker hopeing through the Meritorious death and passion of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer

to Receive free pardon and forgiveness for all my Sins and Offences and me body I Commit to the earth

from Whence it was taken to be decently interred in Christian manner at the discretion of my Executors

hereafter mentioned and for What Worldly Goods it hath pleased God to bestow upon me, that no Strife

may arise thereabout hereafter I dispose of as followeth.

Imprimis ~ First I bequeath to my Son William FRENCH my Riding horse bridle and Saddle and

the best feather bed and boulster and Rug and pair of blanketts and pair of Sheets, belonging to me at this

Time and all my wearing clothes & Two cows & Calves and my two hunting Guns and the Chest and

lock and Key which is called mine and one large trunk and lock and key and three Gallon pewter bason

and two large pewter dishes and six pewter plates and one pewter tankard one large Iron pot and one

Small One two Sows and piggs and all my Carpenters and Coopers tools and one frying pan

[Page 180] pan [sic] and one Iron Candlestick and a new pair of Sheets and three leather bottom’d

chairs and high Standing bedstead and one Chafing dish and all my Shoemakers tools.

Item. I likewise give and bequeath to my Son William FRENCH my now dwelling plantation

and all the Land thereunto belonging to him and his heirs lawfully begotton and in Case he dies without

such heirs, then all that is bequeathed to him to be sold to the highest bidder and the purchase thereof be

Equally divided between my wife and all my Children, that shall be then living.

Item I give and bequeath to my loving wife Elisabeth to live upon the plantation without

Mallestation [during?] her Widdowhood.

Item All the Residue of my personal Estate after my debts legacys and funeral charges are all paid

I give to be Equally divided between my loving wife

Elisabeth and my daughter Mary Ann FRENCH.

Further my desire is that none of my Estate be

appraised nor Sold, and I do appoint Leonard

HORNSBY & John METCALF to be Executors of

this my last will will [sic] and Testament utterly

revoaking and disannulling all former Wills by me

made allowing and Confirming this and no other to be

my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I

have hereunto Set my hand and affixt my seal this 2^nd

day of November one Thousand Seven hundred and

Forty one.

John his I mark FRENCH {seal}1

[Witnesses]

James HAGGARD

John his J mark MOORE

Margaret her M mark HAGGARD

At a Court held for the County of Prince

William the Twenty Third day of May 1743.

This will was presented in Court and proved

by the Oaths of James HAGGARD and Margaret

HAGGARD two of the Witnesses (who also made

Oath that they saw John MOORE the other Witness

Subscribe his name as an Evidence thereto) it was

admitted to Record Leonard HORNSBY and John

METCALF Executors

Therein named refused the burthen of the

Executorship on the of William FRENCH and Jarvis

DOGGARTY and their giving Security for their Just

and faithful administration of the Testators Estate

Certificate was Granted them for obtaining letters of

Administration with the Will annexed in due form.

Signature copied in error. Recorded will is extant, correctly signed as James (his mark: I) French. See Prince

William County Will Book C: 421-423. See also John Frederick Dorman, Prince William County, Virginia, Will

Book C, 1734-1744 (Washington, D.C.: J.F. Dorman, 1956), 99-100.

==========

HOOMES vs. RENOE

Papers refered to in the foregoing Bill --

[Simple plat with names of surrounding land as belonging to: Wm HALLEY, Henry HALLEY Jr,

Luke KANNIAN [CANNON] and Wm RIDLEY.]

By Virtue of a warrant from the Proprietors Office granted unto James FRENCH of the County of

Prince Wm. Surveyed one Certain piece or parcel of Land situate in the Said County lying on and between

the Lines of Wm HALLEY, Leonard BARKER, Bur Colbert HARRISON[,] Wm RIDLEY, John

ASHMORE, Philemon WATERS Junr & Henry HALLEY now the said FRENCH’s & HORNBY

bounded Vizt Beginning at (A) a black Oak near a white Oak Cornr to the land taken up by Wm HALLEY

decd & in the line of the land surveyed for Luke CANNON, Extending thence with or near the said

HALLEYs line No 55ó Et 248 po. to (B) the Line of Henry HALLEY Junr thence with his line So40 Et36

po. to 2 white Oaks by a branch his Corner Thence the said Course Continued 88 po to (C) a box Oak in

or near the line of Wm RIDLEY thence with his line So44ó W32 po. to (D) a Red oak Corner to the said

RIDLEY thence with another of his lines So10 W22 po. to (E) the line of Luke CANNON Thence West

254 to the Beginning Containing one hundred Twenty Eight Acres.

The above Courses were Run by Mr Geo. BYRN for me Jno WARNER Survr

Dec ye 22 1741

William MORE JD }

John MORE } Chainmen

A Copy of a Forfeited Plat.

Endorsed on the back. --

“James FRENCH’s Plot 128 acres Exd B. MARTIN

Desired to be made out in Thos RENOE’s Name.

Mr BAYLIS to pay

To be Drawn ----

Copies

Exd B MARTIN.”

Thomas HOOMES Junr Patent for 128 acres

James WOOD esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, To all To whom

these Presents shall come, Greeting: Know ye, that by virtue of Warrant issued from the late proprietors

Office in Northern Neck and in Consideration of the Ancient Composition of fifteen Shillings Sterling

paid by Thomas HOOMES Junr into the Treasury of this Commonwealth there is Granted by the said

Commonwealth unto the said Thomas HOMES Junr assignee of Stephen FRENCH heir at law of James

FRENCH decd who was heir at law of William FRENCH deceased a certain tract or Parcel of land

Containing one hundred and Twenty eight Acres by Survey bearing date the Twenty Second day of December One thousand seven hundred and forty one lying and being in the County of Prince William on

and between the lines of William HALLEY, Leonard BARKER, Bur Colbert HARRISON William

RIDLEY, John ASHMORE, Philemon WATERS Jr Henry HALLEY now the said FRENCH’s and

HORNBY and bounded as followeth to Wit Beginning at a black Oak near a White Oak corner to the

Land taken up by William HALLEY decd and in the lineof the land Surveyed for Luke CANNON extending thence with or near the said

HALLEYs line No55ó E248 poles to the line of Henry HALLEY Junr thence with his line S40 E36 poles

to 2 White Oaks by a branch his corner thence the said Course Continued 88 poles to a box oak in or near

the line of William RIDLEY thence with his line S44ó W32 poles to a Red oak Corner to the said

RIDLEY thence with another of his lines S10 W22 poles to the line of Luke CANNON thence W254

poles to the beginning With its appurtenances. To have and to hold the said Tract or parcel of Land with

its appurtenances to the said Thomas HOMES Jr and his heirs forever. In Witness Whereof the said

James WOOD Esquire Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand

and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the Twenty Sixth Day

of May in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven hundred and Ninety four, and of the

Commonwealth the Eighteenth

{L.S.} James WOOD

=====

Endorsed on the back

“Thomas HOMES Jr is entitled to the within mentioned Tract of Land.

Charles LEWIS Re L Off.[”]

=====

In Court March 1796 On Motion of the Deft Defendant Dedimus is Granted him to take the Deposition

of John MOFFITT de bene esse (affidavit filed).

=====

At Rules held March & April 1796 Contd for ansr

[Page 175]

At Rules held May 1796 Attachment for Answer

June “ Answer filed and time for Replication

=====

The Answer is in the the [sic] Words & figures following Vizt

[Marginalia] Enoch RENOE’s answer

Enoch RENOE’s answer

The Plea & Answer of Enoch RENOE to the bill of Complaint exhibited against him in the

County Court of Prince William by Thomas HOOMES Jr. This defdt now and at all times Saving and

reserving to himself all manner of benefit and advantage of Exception to the manifold errors

imperfections and untruths in the Complainants bill of Complaint for plea saith that if the Complainant

hath a title to the land in his bill mentioned under the Entry and Survey made for James FRENCH he hath

a plain and adequate Remedy at Common law by Ejectment to recover the possession thereof Wherefore

he prays Judt whether the said Complainant ought to sustain his bill aforesaid in this Court but should this

Worshipful Court be of Opinion that the Complainants bill ought to be Sustained in this Court This

defendant for Answer thereunto or to So much thereof as he is advised is material and Necessary for him

to make Answer unto answereth and saith that he admits that it appears by a Copy of the Survey signed

by Thomas Bryan MARTIN and refered to in the Complainants bill that the land in the bill mentioned

was surveyed by Virtue of a Warrant from the proprietors office for James FRENCH the 22nd December 1741 but this defendant further says that it appears by said Copy that the said Survey was afterwards

forfeited. This defendant further answering saith that he doth not know that the said James FRENCH gave or sold his Right to said Survey to Thomas RENOE or that

John BAYLIS undertook to pay the Composition money but be that as it may It doth not appear that the

Composition money was ever paid to the proprietor and for that cause this Defendant presumes the

Survey became forfeited agreeable to the Rules established in the proprietors office. This defendant Says

that he doth not know or believe that the said Thomas RENOE ever moved on the land and built houses

thereon and made other improvements or ever resided thereon on the Contrary this defendant has

understood from Ancient Neighbours that the said Thomas RENOE never did move or reside on said

lands This Defendant admits it may be true that the said Thomas RENOE at the time of his death left the

Children mentioned in the Complainants bill and that Lewis and Thomas afterwards departed this life

without Issue but this defendant doth not know or admit that the Complainant purchased the Claims of

Catharine CARGYLE Margaret LEE and Mary HOOMES to Said land or that they ever had any Claim to

it. This defendant doth not know or admit that Stephen FRENCH from whom the Complainant pretends

to have purchased was the heir of the aforesaid James FRENCH for whom the aforesaid Survey was made

but on the Contrary has always understood that James FRENCH son of William FRENCH was the heir of

the said James FRENCH. And if the fact is so as this defendant Verily believes it is the Complainant

must have Obtained his patent by fraud and Misrepresentation And this

Defendant is advised that the Patent under which the Complainant Claims can give him no right or title to

the land Surveyed for James FRENCH in 1741 because it is Granted to him as assignee of Stephen

FRENCH heir at law of James FRENCH deceased who was heir at law of William FRENCH deceased

and it doth not appear that William FRENCH ever had any right to said land or that James FRENCH for

whom the Survey was made, claimed as heir at Law of William FRENCH, but on the Contrary that he

Claimed by Virtue of a Warrant granted to himself, and therefore this defendant humbly Conceives that

the patent under which the Complainants claims give him no right or Title to the lands which had been

before regularly granted to this defendant. This defendt further says that he denies that he knew of any

existing Claim or Title to said Land at the time he located and Surveyed and obtained a patent for the

same but admits that he had often heard it mentioned in the neighbourhood that Old James FRENCH

many years ago had made an entry of said Land and afterwards gave it up and that the entry was out of

Date and forfeited which Report was Generally believed in the neighborhood. This Defendant denies that

he used any art deceit or fraud in Obtaining a patent for said land, this defendant says that it was generally

known in the neighbourhood that he had located Said land and the Survey thereof was publickly made

and must have been known to the Complainant and Stephen FRENCH as well as the other neighbours and

if either the Complainant or Stephen FRENCH had at that time any right or title to the land they ought to

have entered a Caveat against a patents issuing for it to the defendant[.] This defendant says he believes and thinks he can prove that we [sic, the] Complainant well knew that the defendant had obtained a patent for said Land before he pretended to purchase Stephen FRENCH’s right to said Land and that he did not Give more than three or

four Dollars for it the said Stephen FRENCH well knowing and believing that he had no right to the

Land. Which purchase this defendant is advised is contrary to Law and Cannot convey any right to the

Complainant the said Stephen being then out of possession of said Land and this defendant in possession

thereof, and this defendant hopes and believes that this Worshipful Court will not give their aid to

establish a claim which has laid dormant more than fifty years and appears by the papers produced by the

Complt to have been forfeited and attempted to be revived by the Complainant in an Illegal manner after

this defendant had Obtained a Patent for said land. This defendant denies all Combination and fraud and

prays to be hence dismissed with his Reasonable Costs by him in this behalf expended.

Enoch RENNOE

Prince Wm to Wit

Enoch RENOE personally appeared before me and made oath on the Holy Evangelists of

that the several matters set forth in the foregoing Answer as of his own knowledge true and that all other

matters therein set forth he believes to be true Given under my hand this 7th day of June 1796

Alexander LITHGOW

=====

At Rules July 1796 Contd for Replication

=== August Sept, Oct, Nov. & Decr Do

[Page 179]

At Rules held January 1797. Contd for replication

February “ Do

March April, & May - Do

June & July - - - Do

Augst & Septr - - Do

October & Novr - - - Do

Decr - 1797 Genl Repln & Genl Dedimus

Jany & Feby 1798 Contd for Depositions

March April & May - - Do

June, Set for hearing on bill answer depositions and Exhibits

[

Third Generation

Children of James and Elizabeth French, 2.1

3.1 Jane French, b. ca. 1705 in Stafford Co., VA, d. before 1743 in Prince William Co., VA, m. Thomas Reno, the eldest son of Lewis Reno (Louis Reynaud) and Margaret Faut in records of Prince William County, VA [41]. They m. between 1720-1722 in Virginia. Thomas Reno was an adult by 1723/24, b. ca. 1703 in Austin’s Run, Stafford, VA. On Dec 3, 1742, he received a grant of 531 acres on the branches of Occoquan and Powell's Run, probably adjoining the Reno portion of the Reno-Chevalle Grant of 1710, which probably was his home place (Book Q, p. 179). Thomas Reno was appointed constable of Pr. Wm. County in place of William Tackett on October 7, 1755 (Court Order Bk. 1755-1757).

A deed dated Mar. 3, 1766 in Prince William Co. Book Q, p. 370 transferred 121 1/2 acres of land to William French, brother of his first wife. This land "was patented by Lewis Reno and Lewis Tackett and willed by said Lewis Reno, father of said Thomas Reno, to Thomas Reno". On Apr. 3, 1768, Thomas Reno Sr. makes a deed of gift to his son, William Reno, land he patented in 1742 (Pr. Wm. Co. Bk. G, p. 579), and he apparently gave the remaining half to his son Lewis (Deed Book T, p. 178).

A 128-acre parcel was granted on December 22, 1741 to James French, father of Thomas' first wife Jane French, which he had issued in the name of Thomas Reno. This land was the subject of a long and confused lawsuit between Thomas Hoomes, Jr., son of Mary Reno Hoomes, and Enoch Reno, who was a son of Francis Reno and a nephew of Thomas Reno. This lawsuit between 1795 and 1802, resulted in a judgment vesting title of the 128 acres to Enoch Reno (Pr. Wm. Co. Land Causes, 1793-1811, p. 169-196). In the lawsuit, Thomas Hoomes Jr. alleged that (1) Thomas Reno had promised to give this land to his father, Thomas Hoomes, Sr., but they had a falling out and he instead turned it over to his son William Reno, who lived on it until William died shortly before the death of Thomas Reno; (2) that Lewis Reno had once said that William's children were bastards [and therefore the children could not inherit]; and (3) that Lewis Reno and Thomas Reno, Jr. had died without issue. He therefore claimed through his mother Mary Reno Hoomes. Enoch Reno deposed (1) that the 1741 grant was invalid because it had not been perfected in the proprietor's office; (2) that it was not certain that Lewis Reno and Thomas Reno, Jr. had died without issue or that the children of William Reno were illegitimate; and (3) that Enoch Reno had secured conveyances and quitclaims from the children of William Reno, and had secured a new grant from the proprietor's office in 1791. Enoch signs his name as Enoch Rennoe in his deposition. The deposition by Thomas Hoomes states that William Reno moved onto the lands deeded to him by his father Thomas Reno, lived there for 9 years, and then departed this life. Thomas Hoomes deposed (and Enoch Renoe agreed) that Thomas had two other sons and three daughters: Lewis, Thomas, Catherine who married John Cargyle, Margaret who married Richard Lee, and Mary who married Thomas Hoomes, Sr. Lewis lived on the land for about 10 years and then died about the same time that Thomas died, and because he had neither wife nor child [41].

Thomas Reno’s first wife Jane French was not mentioned in her father’s will, dated 23 Mar 1743 in which he left his left his property to his wife, his son William, and his daughter Mary Ann; thus, it is likely she died before 1743. Thomas Reno and Jane French had 7 children: Lewis Reno, b. after 1720; William Reno, b. after 1720; Thomas Reno Jr., b. after 1720; Catherine Reno, b. after 1726; Margaret Reno, b. after 1726; Mary Reno, b. after 1726; Sebret Reno, b. after 1726 [41].

The name Reno was also spelled Reneau or Reynaud, an early immigrant to Virginia of the French nationality. After looking at Ref. [41], we see a connection between the Reno and French families. Thomas Reno was b. 1703 in Stafford Co., VA (present-day Prince William County) and d. 24 Dec 1777 in Prince William Co., VA. He m1. Jane French between 1720-1722 in Virginia, dau. of James French and Elizabeth. Jane French was b. between 1700-1705 in VA and d. before 1741 in Prince William Co., VA. Thomas Reno m2. Jane Bangar ca. 1762. The indenture of Thomas Reno was made 22 Oct 1741 between James French of the Parish of Hamilton and County of Prince William of one part and Leonard Hornsby of the other part. Also see Descendants of Louis Reynaud.

3.2 Mary Ann French, b. ca. 1713-1717 in Prince William County, VA [1]. She married James Haggard ca. 1731. James was b. 1709 in Overwharton Parish, Stafford Co., VA, and d. after 1743 in Prince William Co., VA. Mary Ann (or Margaret M.) d. after 1762 in Fredericksville Parish, Louisa Co., VA. They had sons Samuel Haggard and George Haggard.

3.3* William M. French, b. 27 Apr 1725, Prince William County, VA [22] [24], m. Winifred Hall 10 Feb 1746 in Stafford Co., VA. William d. 2 May 1792 (67 years old). Winifred, the daughter of Stephen and Catherine (Leasure) Hall, was b. 9 Jan 1722 (not in Ireland*), d. 15 May 1786, age 65, in Prince William Co., VA. William inherited his father’s lands in Stafford County, VA, at the age of 18.

*Proof that Winifred Hall was not born in Ireland come from Ref. [4] in the manuscripts of Miss Mae Stone included in her application for membership into the Daughters of American Colonists. This manuscript contains extracts from original source records and is available through the Family History Library at Salt Lake City under reference number 875391, items 1-5.

The St. Stephen's Parish Register, Northumberland County, Virginia, a copy of which is in the Archives Division of the Virginia State Library in Richmond and marked, "Church Record of Births (with a few deaths), Northumberland County, Virginia" is the source for the following births.:

Stephen Hall, son of Thomas, b. Oct. 5, 1675
Mary Hall, daughter of Stephen, b. Sept. 21, 1704
Margaret Hall, daughter of Stephen, b. Jan. 13, 1706
Ann Hall, daughter of Stephen, b. Jan. 17, 1709
Catherine Hall, daughter of Stephen, b. Oct. 2, 1709
Laurence Hall, (This was a posting error - should be Leasure Hall), son of Stephen Hall, b. Aug. 12, 1711
Thomas Hall, son of Stephen, b. Jan. 30, 1713
Stephen Hall, son of Stephen, b. Mar. 6, 1714
Martha Hall, daughter of Stephen, b. Mar. 21, 1720
Winifred Hall, daughter of Stephen, b. Jany. 29, 1721

Proof that his Winifred was the subject in question is found in the Court Order Book, 1767-1776, Westmoreland County, VA, Page 1, 1766 pertaining to the estate of Katherine Jones, dec'd, Ashton Hall administrator. (Note: After the decease of Stephen Hall, Katherine (Leasure) Hall married a John Jones and moved from Northumberland County to Westmoreland County). Disposition of Katherine's estate mentions the sons and daughters alive at that time, including an entry stating: "To Wm. French for his wife Winifred's part".

Additionally, the birth records of Northumberland County have been transcribed and recorded in Virginia Colonial Abstracts, under the sub-section, Northumberland County, Record of Births, 1661-1810. Page 440 has the entry, "Winif'd Hall Daug'r To Stephen Born Jan'y 29 1721".

I think this is data from primary source documents should be sufficient to put to rest Winifred's place of birth. You will note however, that there is a slight disparity in the date from the original records and the date given in the transcription from William French's Family Bible record which was published in Kentucky Bible Records, Volume IV, page 103. This source reads, 9 January, 1722 for Winifred's birth. Of course, the 1722 is the product of the calendar used prior to 1752. In most cases, as you are aware, the Jan-Mar dates were written during this period as 1721/2. The 9 Jan. versus 29 Jan. was probably an error in copying entry from the Bible on 20 April, 1849. However, there would be no way to know for a certainty without a scrutiny of the Bible itself. I'm inclined to go with the official birth records.

William was a landowner, speculator, and tobacco planter. After his marriage, he returned to Prince William County where he purchased land and raised his 9 children [1] [23] [24]. William was a soldier in colonial wars [11]. His son James’ will mentions most of the slaves (Martin French and his family) that he freed at certain dates, and it also mentions an older slave named Matt who was willed to him by his father William French. Perhaps Matt was Martin’s father.

His will is as follows [40], in which he gives his children a slave, a horse, or other items:

Brief Summary of 15 Nov 1790:

Will: p 181-182 Prince William Co VA Will Book A & B:
See pdf file: PW Reliquary Vol 7 No 3 _2_ _2_.pdf

son: James French to receive one negro man Matt (could be father of Martin)
dau: Mary (French) Beaty to receive one negro woman Cate
dau: Margareitt (French) Farrow to receive one negro boy Frank.
dau: Kezia (French) Stone to receive 40 lbs. current money
dau: Elizabeth French to receive one negro girl Nell, bed, horse & etc., also 3 lbs. current money yearly and board till she marries & 3 lbs & board to cease.
dau: Susannah French to receive one negro girl Dinah, bed & etc., 3 lbs. & board until she marries and no longer.
son: Stephen French remainder of estate not mentioned consisting of negroes, furniture, stock.
Exors: Son Stephen. Signed William French, Nov 15 1790.

Full Will of 15 Nov 1790:

William FRENCH’s Will1

In the Name of God Amen the fifteenth day of November in the year 1790 I William

FRENCH of Stafford County in the State of Virginia being of perfect mind and Memory do

make and ordain this my last Will and Testament thats to Say as touching such worldly Estate

wherewith I possess I give devise and dispose of in manner and form as follows that is to Say, In

the first place I give and bequeath to my Son James FRENCH One Negro Man Natt to him and

his heirs. Item I also give and bequeath to my daughter Mary BEATY One Negro Woman Cate

to her and her heirs.

Item I also give and bequeath to my daughter Margaritt FARROW One Negro boy Frank

to her and heirs. Item I also give to my daughter Kezia STONE forty pounds Currt Money to be

paid her and her heirs by my Executors out of my Estate. Item I also give to my daughter

Elizabeth FRENCH One Negro Girl Nell one bed and furniture one horse and Cow & Calf one

Ewe & Lamb to her & heirs, also three pounds Currt Money to be paid Yearly to her by my

Executors out of my Estate also house and board found her till she marries and no longer, but the

payment of the three pounds and board to Cease. Item I also give

and bequeath to my daughter Susannah FRENCH One Negro Girl Dinah one bed and

furniture one Marr [mare] one Cow & Calf one ew[e] & Lamb to her and her heirs, also three

pounds Currt Money to be paid Yearly to her by Executors out of my Estate, also house & board

found her untill She marries and no longer, but the payment of the three pounds And board to

cease. Item I also give and bequeath to my son Stephen FRENCH & his heirs all the remainder

of my Estate not mentioned in this my last Will, Consisting of Negroes furniture of all sorts

Stock of all kinds and every other Article or articles of any kind that is my property further my

will and desire is that my Estate be neither appraised nor sold as the legatees are all of age to

receive their legacies & act for themselves[.] I likewise Constitute make and ordain my Son

Stephen FRENCH my only and Sole Executor of this my last will and Testament. I hereby

utterly disallow revoke ^&^ disannull all and every other former Will by me made ratyfying and

Confirming this & no other to be my last will and Testament In Witness Whereof I hereunto Set

my hand & Seal the day and year above Written.

Wm FRENCH {seal}
Signed Sealed published pronounced and declared

by the Said William FRENCH as his last will and

Testament in the presence of us Teste

David JAMESON Jur[,] James JAMESON, Zephaniah RATLIFF

At a Court held for Stafford the 14th day of May 1792.

The aforegoing last will and Testament of William FRENCH decd was proven by the

oaths of two ^of the^ Witnesses thereto Subscribed and ordered to

be Recorded. And on Motion of Stephen FRENCH the only Executor there named in the

Will of Wm FRENCH decd who took the oath of an Executor and together with Fielding COMBS

his Security entered into and acknowledged their bond in the Penalty of £1.000 Conditioned as

the Law directs Certificate is Granted him for Obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste Jno FOX D Cl Cur

1 The will of William FRENCH is now missing from Stafford County records. Its probate is referred to in Stafford

County “Scheme Book” Court Orders, 1790-1793, p. 254, 14 May 1792; cited in Ruth and Sam Sparacio, Deed and

Will Abstracts of Stafford County, Virginia, 1780-1786, [and] Selected Entries from Scheme Book Court Orders,

1790-1793… (McLean, Va.: R. & S. Sparacio, 1988), 135.

John Reno (Reneau) was born on the Patent of 1710 obtained by Lewis Reno from Clermont Chevalle, at the confluence of the Occoquain River with Broad Run in Prince William Co., VA. He was living there in 1749 when Fauquier Co. was formed out of Prince William Co. There are records of him living in Frederick Co. (NJ) in 1758 and 1760 (Reno Family Tree by Marshall H. Reno). On Mar. 5, 1764, he and wife Susannah "of Frederick County" sold land in Prince William Co. to William French, except 1/2 acre for the graveyard described as land left him by his father Lewis Reno (Prince William Co. Deed Book Q, pp. 147, 165). In 1764, John Reneau also transferred 600 acres on Patterson's Creek, Hampshire Co., VA (formerly part of Frederick Co.) with other transfers listed in 1769, 1770, and 1771.

Fourth Generation

Children of William and Winifred (Hall) French, 3.3

The first 5 children were daughters. His first son was James.

4.1 Katherine French, b. 6 Feb 1747 Prince William County, VA, d. (cast away) 17 or 19 Nov 1771 [1] [25]. Obviously she was not named in her father’s will of 1790. She drowned in the Potomac River.

4.2 Elizabeth French, b. 30 Mar 1749, d. 10 Oct 1807 [1]. Received one negro girl slave Nell in her father’s will [40]; she also received one bed and furniture and a horse, cow, calf, ewe, and lamb, plus 3 pounds current money to be paid to her yearly, and she could live in her father’s house until she marries and no longer at which time the payment of the three pounds and the board would cease. Elizabeth was not yet married in 1792 when her father died. This is a similar arrangement as with her sister Susannah. We do not know if she ever married.

4.3 Susannah French, b. 1 Jan 1751 in Halifax Co., d. 30 Aug 1823 in Fauquier Co., VA. Probably never married because she is listed as “French” in her father’s will of 1790 [1] [25]. However, Ref [40] states she m. William Daniel Routt Floweree in Jan 1768 in VA and had 10 children. In her father’s will she received one negro girl named Dinah, one bed, furniture, one mare, cow, calf, ewe, lamb, plus 3 pounds current money to be paid yearly to her out of her father’s estate, also house and board until she marries and no longer when the payment of the 3 pounds and board would cease. This is a similar arrangement as with her sister Elizabeth.

4.4 Mary French, b. 22 Jan 1753, m. Andrew Beatty or Beaty [1] [25]. Received one negro woman slave named Cate in her father’s will [40]. They had 6 children: James, Margaret, Winifred, Mary, Keziah, and Elizabeth [40].

4.5 Margaret (or Margaritt) French, b. 9 Oct 1754 in VA, m1. ca. 1775 John Farrow of Culpeper County, VA, a farmer, d. ca. 1834 in Rappahannock, Culpeper County, VA [14]. [1] [25]. Received one negro boy slave Frank in her father’s will [40]. They had 7 children: George, William, Nancy, Mary, Elizabeth, Isaac, and Kenas [40]. She m2. Lewis Conner ca. 1816 [40].

4.6* James French, b. 5 Nov 1756 Prince William County, m. Keziah Callaway or Calloway on 27 Jun 1783 [28] (p. 468 of KY Genealogies), d. 1 Apr 1835 in Boonesborough, Montgomery County, Kentucky [28], and is buried at the French Cemetery, US 460, 2 miles East of Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. He migrated from Virginia to Lincoln Co., KY, after serving in the Revolution. He was among the first settlers at Fort Boonesborough after serving in Revolutionary War, therefore after 1776. In Kentucky he was a surveyor [1] and a Judge in Madison Co., KY.

In 1779, William Calk, John Judy, John Crawford, James French, Moses Thomas, and William Sade, all of Virginia, composed the little colony of whites that first settled in Montgomery County, KY. The French Family plot is located in Montgomery County, KY, between Mt. Sterling and Winchester, KY [18]. James received slave Matt in his father’s will [40]. James’ other slaves were Jim, Nancy, Shelton, Martin, Mourning, and Ann, all of whom he gave to his wife in his will (see below). These slaves originated in Kentucky and first traveled to Chicago from Mount Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY in 1866. Their names are Martin French (born roughly around 1811 in Kentucky), his wife Martha, and their children who assisted the French family in the next generation and all received the surname French: David, Martin, John B., Seward, Luther, James and Peter. Some family members returned briefly to Shelbyville, Shelby Co., KY in the mid-1880s. Martin’s son John B. French became a notable Kentucky African American (see below).

William Calk did some exploring and surveying and found the celebrated spring known as "Calk's spring" and in June, 1779, built a cabin on the site of the present Calk farm on the Levee road near Mt. Sterling. John Harper helped with the building of this cabin. In the same year they were joined by John Judy, John Crawford, James French, Moses Thomas and William Sade of Virginia and this composed the little colony of whites that first settled Montgomery county.

Mrs. Keziah Callaway French, b. in Bedford Co., VA, 8 Aug 1768, d. 26 Sep 1845, m. 27 Jun 1783 in Boonesborough, Clarke Co., KY [13]

Keziah was the youngest dau. of Col. Richard Callaway and Elizabeth Jones Joy, b. 8 Aug 1768 in Bedford Co., VA, d. 26 Sep 1845, m. 27 Jun 1783 or 1787 to James French in Boonesborough, Clarke Co., KY. James d. 1 Apr 1835 in Montgomery Co., KY [11]. Both Keziah and James are buried in the French family graveyard, Montgomery Co., KY [25]. James French and Keziah Callaway were married in the fort at Boonesborough on June 19, 1783, the first marriage performed in the then new county of Lincoln.

Fort Boonesborough, Madison Co., KY, 1775 [43], only 8 years before James and Keziah married.

Previously Keziah Calloway's half-sister Elizabeth married Samuel Henderson at Boonesborough, and that was the first marriage in Kentucky--the first marriage beyond the Allegheny mountains [11]. Keziah's mother, Elizabeth Calloway, died in Montgomery County on December 13, 1813, aged 80 years [11]. James and Keziah settled on a farm 5 miles west of Mt. Sterling.

Downtown Mount Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY

When the Revolutionary War broke out James was 19 years old, he volunteered for service in the cavalry, Virginia State Line [11]. He and his younger brother, Stephen French, were with General Washington at Valley Forge [11] during the winter of 1777. (This is one reason why the FFA believes that this line ties in with FFA Chart #36, which line also was affiliated with George Washington).

James built a home for his family on land he had acquired from famed Kentucky Indian fighter Simon Kenton. Keziah Calloway was the daughter of Col. Richard Callaway who had served under George Washington in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. In 1780 Col. Callaway, an associate of Daniel Boone, was ambushed and killed by Indians near Fort Boonesborough [33].

James and Keziah sold 100 acres of land on Bird Creek, Clay Co., KY to George Robertson, 26 Sep 1815, Book A, p. 163.

From the Baptist History Homepage:
James French, Sr., was one of the frontiersmen of Kentucky and was in the fort at Boonesborough when the town was laid out in lots, one of the streets being named in his honor. While in the fort, he married Miss Keziah Callaway. He and his family were among the leading members of Lulbegrud Church for years. One of the sons of James French was Judge Richard French. James French was clerk of the church at Lulbegrud for years, was elected clerk of North District Association in 1803, and was the efficient clerk of that body for thirty consecutive years, during which time he wrote most of the circular letters for that Association. These are only preserved in the record book of the Association, but should be put into book form for Baptist literature. He was an uncompromising Baptist, and when the difference between the Baptists and the so-called Reformers arose, James French saw that there must be a separation, so he called a meeting extraordinary at Lulbegrud in April 1830, and invited to be present only such churches as stood firmly upon Baptist ground. After leaving the fort, James French settled first in Madison County but in a short time moved to Clark County, on what was known as the Simon Kenton tract, which he acquired at a Federal Tax sale, and on the creation of Montgomery County the line ran through the farm, leaving a part in each county. James French was considered one of the largest land owners in Kentucky in his day, owning at one time 225,000 acres, known as the upper and lower Franklin patents and covering a large portion of Estill, Lee and Breathitt counties and comprising much of the richest mineral and oil lands in the state. He and his family were among the leading members of Lulbegrud Church for years, and his wife, whose picture appears in the history of that church, drew the plans for the church building, known as the church of twelve corners, which represented the twelve apostles.

DEED: James and Kezia French to

John Leach, 1815, Bath Co

Submitted by: Smith, Elizabeth (ESmith@Montgomery.k12.ky.us) (undeliverable)

Date: Tuesday, May 5, 1998

Bath County, KY, Deed Book A, page 288-289

This Indenture made this 7th day of January in the year 1815

Between James French and Kezia his wife of the County of Montgomery and State of Kentucky

of the one part and John Leach of the County of Bath and State aforesaid of

the other part witnesseth that the aforesaid James French and Kezia his wife

for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar to them in hand paid hath

granted bargained and sold by way of quit Claim and by these presents doth

grant bargain and sell by way of quit Claim unto the said John Leach his

heirs and assigns forever all the estate right and title of them the

aforesaid James French and Kizia his wife in and to a certain parcel of Land

containing two hundred and Seventy acres be the same more or Less Situate in

the said County of Bath on the waters of Butler's branch and other branches

of slate creek being part of 5000 granted to James Garrard and part of one

_?_ of said 5000 acres conveyed by James Garrard to the aforesaid James

French which parcel of 270 acres aforesaid is bounded as followeth to wit

Beginning at a hickory and two sugartrees Corner to John Butler in the line

of Garrards Original Survey Thence West with said Original line 206 poles to

a white Oak and Buckeye in the line of John Butler thence with his line

North passing his Corner 50 ples to a beach in the line of Peter Cassity

thence with his line East 21 poles to a dogwood, beach and Ash Corner to

said Cassity thence north with his line and passing his corner (two white

oaks) 130 poles to two ashs and buckeye in the line of Daniel Zimmernon

thence with his line N65 E 52 poles to his Corner a stake Thence a straight

or direct line to a white oak Sugartree and hombeam? the most North West

Corner to Edmund Oakley Thence with his line S10 E78 poles to a hickory Elm

and white Oak corner to said Oakly and Corner to Michel Cloper Thence with

Clopers line South 109 and in the Line of John Butler Thence with Butlers

line nearby? West 6 poles to his Corner two white Oaks Ash and buckeye

thence With another of Butlers lines South 108 poles to the Beginning To

have and to hold the parcel of Land of ones and with all its appurtenances

unto the said John Leach his heirs and assigns forever and the aforesaid

James French and Kezia his wife doth by these presents warrant and will

forever defend by way of quit Claim the parcel of Land aforesaid with its

appurtenances unto the said John Leach his heirs and Assigns forever Against

them the aforesaid James French and Kezia his wife and their heirs but from

nor against no other person or Claim whatsoever And the said John Leach

hereby declares himself fully satisfied and Content with the title of the

aforesaid James French at all chances and by way of quit Claim as aforesaid

and doth by these presents release and a'quit the aforesaid James French and

Kezia his wife and their heirs from all claim or demand on account of the

aforesaid parcel of Land should the same be lost or taken away by any other

person or Claim whatsoever whether already Known or that may hereafter

become known to Bay? lict? with the same In: Testimony whereof the

aforesaid James French andd Kezia his wife have hereunto set their hands and

afixed these seals the day and year first above written

Test James French Seal

Daniel Carpenter Kezia French

E Okley

William Butler

John Butler

Bath County Sct

I William M Sudduth Deputy for Thomas Fletcher Clerk of the Court of

the County aforesaid Do Certify that this day proven before me by the Oaths

of Daniel Carpenter and William Butler Subscribing witnesses thereto to be

the Act and Deed of him the said James French for the purposes therein

Contained Whereupon the same is truly recorded in my office as the Law

directs Given under my hand as Deputy aforesaid this 10th day of April 1815

W M Sudduth

Will, Cemetery, and Burial Records

Several Frenches from this line are buried at the French Cemetery on Winchester Road in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., Kentucky, including Kiohara French, Mary T. French, Keziah and James French, and Joseph William French as found at http://www.findagrave.com/.

James’ will is in Will Bk. D, p. 515, Montgomery Co., KY. See the original will. It is transcribed by Trina Robinson (Ref. [36] ) below:

James French will dated 5 September 1834

References to slaves in will:

Give my wife six Negroes: Jim, Nancy, Shelton, Martin, Mourning and Ann, at the death of my wife, Jim, and Nancy to go free or chose among our children in here they will live….

After his wife’s death, Ann and “her increase” go to his son William French and his heirs “until the 1st of January in the year 1864, then Ann is to go out free and all her children as they respectively arrive at the age of forty-five years go out, free”

“To my daughter, Catherine Farrow and her heirs, I give the man slave Daniel until the first day of January 1836, the Daniel is to go out free.

To my daughter Susanna Farrow and her heirs, I give the man slave Enoch until the first day of January 1840 then Enoch is to go out free.

To our daughter Theodosia Hood and her heirs I give the man slave Westly ... (Could this be the Wesley you mentioned. I’ve seen a several documents on Ancestry mentioning him.) and the first day of January in the year 1860 is to go out free and after the death of my wife the man slave Martin until the first day of January in the year 1856 then Martin to go out free.

To our daughter Levia (or Lina) Smith and her heirs I give … slave Mooses (Moses?) until the first day of January in the year 1854 then Mooses is to go out, free and after the death of my wife, the man slave Shelton, until the first day of January in the year 1854 when Shelton to go out free…. The man slave Eli given to my daughter Levia (or Lina) on her first marriage was to go out free at the age of forty-five years which will be on the eighth day of July in the year 1858 and I also give to her and her heirs the woman slave Jane, and after Jane serves her two years, Jane is to go free.

To our son Richard French … two slaves old and infirm Matt & Charlotte and the woman Mourning after the death of my wife and all her increase Mourning to go free, the first day of January 1860 and all children as they respectively arrive to the age of 45 years to go free….

(At the end of the document, it appears James French made an alteration dated 30 March 1835.)

It is my will that my negro woman Jane in the stead of serving my daughter Levia (or Lina) Smith as directed in my said last will, serve my daughter Thodotia (Theodosia) Hood and her heirs two years from the first of January last and that at the end of two years servitude that she (the said Jane) go out free…. (end)

James French bought land from Francis Halley, deceased brother of Henry Halley IV. Francis Halley b. ca. 1731, d. before 23 Aug 1813. Henry Halley was b. ca. 1705 in Austin’s Run, Stafford Co., (now Prince William Co.), VA, and d. before May 1755. He was the son of Henry Hawley Jr. He m. Judith Reno, daughter of Louis Reynaud.

The Slaves of This French Family

All slaves of this French family received the surname French.

The 1870 US Federal Census lists Martin French’s family as white, all born in Kentucky. The 1880 census (after Martin French Sr. had died), lists this entire family as mulatto. The 1900 census lists this family as black. Then past that, they are listed as negro.

First Generation

Martin French, b. ca. 1811 or 1815 in KY, age 55 in the Chicago Ward 14, Cook Co., IL 1870 census, head of household, living with his wife Martha, age 48, born 1822, and their 5 children: John B., Luther, Leward, Peter, and Carrie. By the 1850 census of slaveholders, Martin would have been 39, Martha would have been 28, James 12. No slave appears in Montgomery Co. KY with these ages in 1850. Most likely Martin’s slave owner would have lived in Montgomery Co., KY in 1850 and would have been born between 1815-1830. That is a hypothesis. Matching that description are only 2: Charles S. French, James H. French, both born in KY. In the family of Charles S. French are two Richard Frenches, ages 58 and 8 in 1850. The Richard at age 58 was a lawyer. James H. French is also in this same family. This is FFA Chart #14.

Martha (Hines) French, wife of Martin French, mulatto, age 48, b. 1824 in KY. Martha was a widow by 1890.

In 1850 on the District 1, Montgomery Co., Kentucky, Richard French had 17 slaves. All were black except a male, age 42 and a female, age 25, who were mulatto. Richard French was the only French with slaves in Montgomery Co., KY in 1850.

In Shelby Co., KY in 1850 were Samuel French and William French as slave owners. All slaves were black, no mulattos.

The 1870 census for Chicago, IL, lists two mulatto people: J. W. French b. ca. 1848 in KY; and William French or W. J. French, b. ca. 1854 in KY.

Second Generation

In 1866, this family left KY for Chicago. Therefore, the 1870 census in Chicago, IL, would be first to look at as shown below.

Then below the 1880 census of Chicago shows

David French, may be the stepson of Martha, probably born Oct 1846, died 30 Mar 1913 at the age of 67, not listed in either the 1870 or 1880 census of Chicago, but he’s listed in Wisconsin according to Ref. [36]. David was living with the great grandmother of Ref [36] in Wisconsin in 1870. The 1860 census of Louisville, KY lists a David French, age 19, black, musician, born in KY. The 1900 census says he was born in the month of October and lists his birth year as 1849; other dates in the past were listed as 1844, 1848. He died of asthenia and stomach cancer. Martin is named as his father, born in KY, and his mother is listed as unknown. This confirms my original thought that, like James French, who is listed in the 1880 Chicago census living with Martin's widow Martha French, David is a stepson to Martha. In other words, he was not Martha’s blood son, but he was Martin’s blood son. The great-grandmother of Ref. [36], Marion French Gray, was the informant. Trina attached his death certificate of 30 Mar 1913, a janitor, formerly living at 1759 Hulton, buried at Waldheim, Chicago, IL. He had lived 30 years in Chicago, since 1883.

James French, mulatto, b. Mar 1838 in KY according to the 1880 census of Chicago, Cook Co., IL, is a stepson of Martha French (it would seem more logical that Martha and James were siblings, given their ages). James was a railroad porter, probably on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad which connected Shelbyville, Anchorage KY, and Louisville in 1870. It states that both his parents were born in KY. In this 1880 census of Chicago, he was a widow living with Martha (46) and her children: Martin Jr. (28), John B. (24), Luther (22), Seward (18), and Peter (16). In 1880 James was 42 [44]. All these Frenches were mulattos.

Martin French Jr., mulatto, b. Jan 1853 in KY according to the 1880 census of Chicago, Cook Co., IL, works as a retail grocer, mulatto, later worked as a retail grocer. In the 1900 census, Martin is listed as living in Chicago Ward 34, Cook Co., IL, race is black. He had been married for 20 years, therefore, married about 1880 to Ollie, 9 years younger than him – born Jul 1861, and children all born after 1863 emancipation: Roscoe C. French, b. Mar 1882 in IL; Grace M. French b. Feb 1885 in IL; Ethel M. French b. Nov 1889 in IL. All are listed as black. By the 1920 census, Martin was a policeman in Chicago, living with his daughter Grace, both listed as mulatto. Also in 1920, Martin was living with his brother Seward, listed as black, occupation was an officer at the health department.

John B. French, mulatto, age 13, b. Apr 1857 in KY, porter at the railroad, probably on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad which connected Shelbyville, Anchorage KY, and Louisville in 1870. He was later a clerk in a store.

John B. French of Chicago, former slave to James French, represents energy and pluck. He was one of the most successful caterers in the country in 1900.

French, John B.  Birth Year: 1857 in Kentucky  Death Year: 1931  John B. French was a politician, activist, singer, and business owner. He was the first African American to be appointed to the Industrial Commission of Illinois. The appointment came from Governor Len Small in 1922. The Industrial Commission acted on cases received from employees who had been injured on the job and were seeking compensation and cases presented by persons seeking compensation for family members who had been killed on the job. French was a member of the commission branch that made the final decision on the cases. During World War I, he had also served on the Chicago Housing Committee and the Committee on the high cost of food. In 1920 he was a member of the Chicago Board of Examiners, and he was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for County Commissioner. French was the husband of Carrie Dennie; the couple had married in 1886 in West Bend, Kansas, while John was performing as an elocutionist with the Wilberforce Concert Company. Carrie French, educated at Oberlin College, was a soprano soloist. John French had also been a Jubilee singer, a bell boy, a shipping clerk, a caterer, the manager of Buildings and Grounds at Tuskegee Institute [now Tuskegee University], and steward at a country club. When he was named to the Industrial Commission in 1922, he was owner of a restaurant on Broadway named French's Pastry. In 1930, John French was among the group of Colored leaders in Chicago who were asked to meet with the Woolworth Company attorney, E. H. Williams. There was a problem; three of the Woolworth stores in the south side Colored district of Chicago were being picketed and boycotted. The Chicago Whip had organized the demonstration to force the Woolworth Company to hire Negro employees in the stores that were primarily supported by Negro patrons. John and Carrie French did not live on the south side--they lived at 4650 Winthrop Avenue, on the north end of Chicago. John had moved beyond Hubbard Street, where he had once lived with his family when they moved to Chicago from Kentucky just after the Civil War. John B. French, his mother, and all of his siblings were born in Kentucky. The family is listed as mulattoes in the census records beginning in 1870. John's wife, Carrie Dennie French, was born in 1862. Her mother was a Kentucky native who had migrated to Illinois, where Carrie was born. For more see "Hon. J. B. French makes record in state position," Chicago World, 10/29/1925, p. 3; "John B. French" on page 6 in Chicago Negro Almanac and Reference Book, edited by E. R. Rather; "The Mr. John B. French...," Cleveland Gazette, 01/09/1886, p. 1; and "Leaders hold conference with Woolworth attorney," Plaindealer, 08/29/1930, p. 1.  Subjects: Activists, Civil Rights, Businesses, Migration North, Musicians, Opera, Singers, Song Writers, Housing, Fair Housing, Open Housing, Housing Agencies  Geographic Region: Falmouth, Pendleton County, Kentucky / Chicago, Illinois

Luther French, mulatto, age 12, b. 1858 in KY, at home and later a barkeeper

Seward French, mulatto, age 8, b. 1862 or Dec 1866 in KY, at home

Peter French, mulatto, age 7, b. 1861 or Dec 1863 in KY, attended school in 1880. By 1900 he may have married Lizzie – they were married in 1893 in Chicago. Both are black according to the 1900 census. By the 1910 census, Peter is listed as mulatto, married to Lizzie, with no children at home.

Carrie French, age 4, b. 1866 in KY, at home in 1870, but not living at home in 1880.

4.7 William French, b. 18 Sep 1758, d. 30 Jul 1760 (age 2) [1] [25]. Obviously he is not named in his father’s will of 1790.

4.8* Stephen French, b. 1 Mar 1760 Prince Edward County, VA, m. Elizabeth “Betsy” Helm 20 Feb 1790, d. 22 May 1842, age 82. Elizabeth was b. 7 Jun 1764, the daughter of Major Lynaugh Helm and Hester (Foote), d. Jun 1811 (age 47). Stephen inherited his father’s properties (his father died in 1792) in Stafford and Prince William counties; mainly the plantation “Brentown” near Brentsville, VA. He was his father’s only son who remained in Virginia when his father died; 1 other son had died, and another son migrated to Kentucky. Stephen received all the remainder of his dad’s estate consisting of negroes, furniture, stock, articles, and he was appointed sole executor. He was a successful planter of corn, wheat, and tobacco [1].

On 4 Jun 1803, Stephen bought 78 acres belonging to Langhorne Dade in Prince William County, VA. Stephen served in the Revolutionary War, age 16. He remained on his father’s plantation the rest of his life, raising corn, wheat, and tobacco. He outlived Betsy by almost 31 years. [1] [25]. Stephen is listed in the 1810 US Census, Stafford Co., VA, as “Stephen FRENCH 00000-00000-0-12”. Stephen’s obituary was in the Richmond Enquirer, 10 Jun 1842 as Stephen French Sr. [25].

Stephen entered the Revolutionary army at 18 years of age and was reputed to have served at Valley Forge during the terrible winter of 1777-1778 with his older brother, James, who had volunteered previously for service in the cavalry, Virginia State Line. Stephen was later at Yorktown where he participated in the siege and witnessed the surrender of the British under Cornwallis to Washington and Lafayette on 19 Oct 1781. Stephen had served, off and on, for a period of five years in the American Revolutionary forces [1].

Thurs, two brothers, James and Stephen who had shared mutual hardships during periods of the American Revolution, endured the deprivations of Valley Forge and other military campaigns, were to be separated for the rest of their lives – Stephen to inherit, farm, develop his father’s plantations; his brother, James, to move to the wilds of the new frontier of Kentucky as a surveyor and promising new future in Montgomery County where James lived and prospered for the next 25 years [1].

4.9 Keziah French, b. 5 Dec 1761 Prince William County, m1. George Madden, son of Scarlett & Margaret Madden, m2. Valentine Stone in 1785, d. 1822 in Bath Co, KY [1] [25] [26]. She had two children by her first husband: Sukey and Elizabeth Madden [27]. By her second husband, Valentine Stone, she had 4 children: Philadelphia, James, Samuel, and Keziah [40]. She received 40 pounds current money in her father’s will. Valentine Stone was one of the early pioneers of Kentucky, who settled near Bold Eagle in Bath County , KY. Valentine Stone was the Grandfather of Col. Henry Lane Stone, for years general counsel of the L. & N. RR Company in Louisville, and Mrs. Stone, his widow now lives at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY.

Fifth Generation

Children of James and Keziah (Calloway) French, 4.6

5.1* William French, Sr., b. 1 Mar 1785 in KY, d. 16 Mar 1863, m. 1805 Polly Taylor, dau. of Rev. John Taylor. Polly was b. 17 Jul 1792 in KY and d. 7 Jan 1879 [11], 16 years after her husband [18]. They lived in a brick house on the south side of Georgetown Road on Georgetown Pike, across the road from “Bellsgrove”, the farm of Clement Bell in Franklin Co., KY. Rev. John Taylor built this house for his daughter, Polly.

She died at the residence of son John W. French [18]. They lived in Franklin Co., KY [11]. Polly Taylor b. Clear Creek in Woodford Co., KY 17 June 1792, d. 7 Jan 1879. William French was a Captain in War of 1812. Captain William French is in Will Book D, p. 515, Montgomery Co., KY. William and Polly French lived in a brick house built by her father, the Rev. John Taylor, and located on the Georgetown Road in Franklin Co. [30] [18]. They were members of the Buck Run Baptist Church, for which her father wrote the constitution. They had 11 children [18].

The 1850 census of District 2, Franklin Co., KY shows two French families living in the same area: William (33) and his wife Martha (21), children Sidney (5), Isaac C. (4), and Sally French (2). William (65), his wife Polly (57), and their son Benjamin (15).

William received the slave Ann from his mother after her death per his father’s will, which states that William is to keep Ann until 1 Jan 1864 when she will go free. The date 1864 happened a year after William himself died. William’s father mentions in his will the age of 45 to be an age when slaves would have worked enough to gain their freedom. Going on this concept, Ann may have been born in 1819.

William and Polly are buried on what was probably their farm, in Franklin Co., on the Georgetown road, about 10 miles from Frankfort, KY [18].

The 1850 census of Franklin Co., KY, lists William French Sr. with 10 slaves. The slaves are listed after the 4 slaves that his son, William French Jr. of Franklin Co., KY, owns. On the list before William French Jr.’s slaves are the slaves of Bernard Dougherty, which is a surname for DNA Group 4 or FFA Chart #195. I am 100% sure that these slaves belong to William French Sr. of Franklin Co., KY, who was alive in 1850, but I cannot be sure that he is the William French of this line even though all data fits.

Slave Name	Birth Date	Age in 1850	Sex	Race
Unknown	1800	50	M	B
Unknown	1805	45	F	M
Unknown	1805	45	F	B
Unknown	1826	24	F	B
Unknown	1836	14	F	M
Unknown	1838	12	F	B
Unknown	1838	12	M	B
Unknown	1843	7	F	M
Unknown	1844	6	F	B
Unknown	1790	60	M	B

5.2 Catherine French, b. between 1786-1794, m. Isaac Farrow (perhaps the brother of her sister Susannah’s husband), and they moved to IL [1]. She received the man slave Daniel in her father’s will of 1835 and was allowed to keep him until 1 Jan 1836 when he would go free. Her father mentions in his will the age of 45 to be an age when slaves would have worked enough to gain their freedom. Going on this concept, Daniel may have been born in 1791.

5.3 Susannah French, b. 25 Jul 1795, d. 5 Mar 1866 near Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY [28], m. Judge Kenaz Farrow of Culpeper, VA [1]. He was b. 23 Dec 1794 in Culpeper Co., VA, d. 31 Aug 1864 [11]. Susannah received the man slave Enoch in her father’s will and was to keep him until 1 Jan 1840 when he would go free. Her father mentions in his will the age of 45 to be an age when slaves would have worked enough to gain their freedom. Going on this concept, Enoch may have been born in 1795.

5.4 Theodosia (or Theodora) French, b. 16 Jun 1801, d. 12 Jan 1886 in Montgomery Co., KY. She m. Dr. John W. Hood, prominent physician of Montgomery County, KY, ca. 1823 in Winchester, Clark Co., KY. He was b. 29 Jun 1831 in Owingsville, Bath Co., KY. For the ancestry on Theodosia Hood’s line, see website: http://www.johnbellhood.org/bio-01.htm. Her son was General John Bell Hood, CSA. Upon the death of her father in 1835, Theodosia inherited $700,000 in cash and apparently used those funds to purchase a home [33]. The two-story brick structure still stands today (May 2001) on US Route 60, three miles west of Mt. Sterling, and is occupied as a personal residence. In 1823 John Hood moved to the town of Owingsville, some 25 miles to the east, with his young bride, the former Theodosia French.

Theodosia received the man slave Westly (or Wesley) in her father’s will and was allowed to keep him until 1 Jan 1860 when he would go free. Her father mentions in his will the age of 45 to be an age when slaves would have worked enough to gain their freedom. Going on this concept, Westly may have been born in 1815. Her father also gives the man slave Martin, but only after Theodosia’s mother dies and until 1 Jan 1856 when he would go free. He may have been born in 1811. Theodosia also received negro woman Jane whom her father had originally given to Levia.

Theodosia French was buried at the French Graveyard in Montgomery Co., KY, where 5 members of this French family are buried.

5.5 Lina (or Olivia or Livia or Levia) French, b. 10 Feb 1806, d. 27 Nov 1853, m1. to Waller Cluke on 5 Jan 1826, m2. William Prewitt Smith. Levia received the man slave Mooses (or Moses) in her father’s will and was allowed to keep him until 1 Jan 1854 when he would go free. Her father mentions in his will the age of 45 to be an age when slaves would have worked enough to gain their freedom. Going on this concept, Mooses may have been born in 1809. Her father also gives the man slave Shelton, but only after Theodosia’s mother dies and until 1 Jan 1854 when he would go free. He may have been born in 1809, perhaps a twin to Mooses. Her father gave the man slave Eli on his daughter’s first marriage (in 1826) and he was to go free at age 45 which would be on 8 Jul 1858; thereby indicating Eli was born in 1813. Levia was also to receive the woman slave Jane, and after Jane serves her two years, Jane is to go free (that date was to be 1837 – 2 years after her father James died). At the end of James’ will, it appears he made an alteration dated 30 Mar 1835, giving negro woman Jane to his daughter Theodosia instead of Levia.

5.6* Richard French, b. 20 Jun 1792 in Boonesborough, Madison Co., KY, d. 1 May 1854 in Covington, Kenton Co., KY, m. Mary Tutt Taliaferro on 7 Aug 1820 and had 5 children. Richard was a lawyer, legislator, and circuit court judge in Kentucky [1]. Mary was b. 8 Nov 1805 in Caroline Co., VA and d. 14 Feb 1886 and is buried at the French Cemetery on Winchester Road in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., Kentucky. They were m. 7 Sep 1820 in Clark Co., KY [11]. Richard was the grandson of Col. Richard Calloway.

Judge Richard French, b. 23 Jun 1792, d. 1 May 1854 [13]

US Congressman. Elected to represent Kentucky's 9th and 11th Districts in the United States House of representatives, serving from 1835-1847, 1843-1845 and 1847-1849. Also served as a member of the Kentucky State Legislature. See also the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

Richard is listed in the 1840 census of Montgomery Co., KY, at list time with only one slave, a male between 36 and 56 years of age. He is also listed in the Kentucky Census of 1810-1890, living in Montgomery Co., and recording a slave schedule on page 035 of the KY 1850 Slave Schedule.

Richard had various slaves, but their names are at present unknown [35]. Ref. [35] has been researching an old cemetery in Elsmere, Kenton Co., KY for 10 years – the cemetery was referred to as the “French Cemetery” in a book of “Small Cemeteries of Kenton County”, but no names or stones are visible. She believes it is connected to slaves that were once owned by the French family. The 1850 census (4 years before Richard died) of District 1, Montgomery Co., KY, shows Richard as having 17 slaves; 9 were female and 8 were male. Two of these were mulattos (m) and the other 15 were black (b). Their names are not listed. Could the 42-year old Mulatto male and the 23-year old Mulatto female be children of Richard? Showing their ages, sex, and color, the 17 slaves are:

Trina Robinson (Ref. [36] ) sent me a list of numerous slaves with the surname French (black and mulatto) from Kentucky who first traveled to Chicago from Mount Sterling, KY in 1866. Their names are Martin French (born roughly around 1815 in Kentucky), his wife Martha, and their children, David, Martin, John B., Seward, Luther, James and Peter. Some family members returned briefly to Shelbyville, KY in the mid-1880s. I cannot match these 9 names up with Richard’s 17 slaves.

Richard French is also listed in another section of the 1850 census of District 1, Montgomery, KY, as being 58 years old, born 1792 in KY, living with his wife Mary, age 44, and their 5 children.

Richard’s father’s will indicates that Richard is to receive two slaves old and infirm Matt & Charlotte and the woman Mourning after the death of my wife and all her increase Mourning to go free, the first day of January 1860 and all children as they respectively arrive to the age of 45 years to go free….

Richard’s wife, Mary T. French, died much later than her husband on 14 Feb 1886; he had died in 1854. Therefore, she inherited 6 of the slaves that are noted in the 1860 census for slave schedules. I need to add these.

For further details on mulatto and black slaves, see the website on French Family Slaveholders of Mulatto and Black Slaves. During the pre-Civil War era the county developed a prosperous, slave-based economy with hemp, livestock, and wheat as staples. The population grew rapidly until the 1820s and then leveled off with out-migration to Missouri, Texas, and other western areas. During this period the county became the political center of a congressional district that included more backward mountain areas. Mt. Sterling lawyers represented the district in Congress for twenty-six of the thirty-two years, from 1817 to 1849.

With slaves making up 36 percent of the population, the county was deeply split by the Civil War. Located at the junction of routes from central Kentucky to the Big Sandy River Valley in the east, Mt. Sterling had considerable strategic importance. There were substantial clashes in 1862 and 1864 and smaller skirmishes as possession of the county seat changed hands several times. Considerable damage was done by guerrillas to business buildings, and Confederate cavalry burned the courthouse in 1863. The more isolated regions of the county were infested with outlaw bands of deserters and thieves. In October 1863, Jeffersonville was burned and a guerrilla leader killed. The war inflicted substantial crop losses and disrupted the slave-labor force.

After the war, many of the former slaves forsook the rural areas for the county seat and drained the agricultural economy of labor. Hemp production virtually ceased, with cattle becoming the focus of the economy until the commencement of the burley tobacco boom in the 1870s.

As railroads and better roads began to penetrate the mountain counties, Montgomery County's trade declined. Its economy became based on the local tobacco-livestock agricultural system. In the 1960s the combination of several new factories and the completion of I-64 led to rapid growth.

Notable residents of the community have included a number of congressmen in the 1800s, including Garrett Davis, Richard Menefee and Richard French, and several justices on the state court of appeals, among them B.J. Peters, James Hazelrigg, and E.C. O'Rear. Prominent military figures from the county included Gen. Samuel Williams, a veteran of the War of 1812; his son, Confederate Gen. John "Cerro Gordo" Williams; and Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood. Among notable religious leaders were John ("Raccoon") Smith and David Barrow. Mt. Sterling was the major city in the county, the county seat, founded in 1792, the same year that Richard was born.

First Baptist church in Winchester

From the First Baptist Church of Winchester:
Richard chose law for his profession and in the practice of which he entered in partnership with Mr. Dillard, at Winchester, Kentucky, who was afterwards the distinguished Ryland T. Dillard, D. D. Judge Richard French was a man of distinction and was appointed and served many years as Circuit Judge and also served in Congress until defeated by the brilliant Richard Menefee in 1837. In 1840, Judge French was the Democratic nominee for governor against Governor Letcher and ran many thousand votes ahead of his ticket, but lost by only a small majority. Frenchburg, the county seat of Menefee County, KY, is named for him and his portrait adorns the walls of the Clark County Court House [13]. Though wedded to his professional career, no doubt that the early teachings of his pious parents caused him to pause in the midst of his political honors to seek the salvation of his soul and he was baptized by his former law partner, Dr. Ryland T. Dillard. He was a consistent member of the church and died in the full triumph of his faith on May 1, 1854. His widow, Mary Taliaferro French, was one of the constituent members of the First Baptist Church of Winchester

From Frenchburg, Kentucky Website

Menifee became the Commonwealth's 113th county in 1869 when it was formed from the adjoining counties of Bath, Montgomery, Morgan, Powell, and Wolfe counties. Menifee was named after Richard H. Menefee, a well-regarded statesman and successful lawyer. Mr. Menefee was serving in the state legislature when he ran for Congress in 1837 and defeated Judge Richard French in a vigorous campaign. Mr. French was equally well known and admired; and his name was chosen for the county seat, Frenchburg.

From a chart made from surveys in court records of Clark County by S. J. Conkwright and S. H. Rutledge.

The following settlers came with Capt. William Bush and settled on lower Howards Creek, Clark County: Fielding Bush, Ambrose Bush, Philip Bush, Francis Bush, Henry Cain, Robert Clark, Ambrose Christy, Joel Embry, Elder Robert Elkin, Smallwood Eckton, Richard French, George Gordon, Nicholas George, John George, Lewis Grigsby, John Halyard, Nathaniel Haggard, James Hodgkin, James Haggard, David Hampton, Richard Jones, Allen Neil, Elder James Quisenberry, Joel Quisenberry, John Quisenberry, Roger Quisenberry, Tandy Quisenberry, Nathaniel Ragland, John Ried, Robert Richard, James Ragland, Sr., James Ragland, Jr., Joseph Stevens, Wm. Tate, Wm. Wills.

5.7 Stephen French, b. 9 Jul 1798 most likely in Madison Co., KY, d. 3 May 1827, a lawyer [1], died before his father died and is therefore not mentioned in his father’s will of 1835.

5.8 Keziah French, b. 18 Mar 1804 most likely in Madison Co., KY, d. 13 Nov 1829, m. 25 Jan 1824 James Prewitt, b. 26 Sep 1802, d. 5 May 1879 [62]. Both are buried in the French family graveyard, Montgomery County, KY [62]. Their son was William French Prewitt, b. 1 Dec 1821 [18]. She died before her father died and is therefore not mentioned in her father’s will of 1835.

Children of Stephen and Betsy (Helm) French, 4.8

All born in VA.

5.9 Susannah French, b. 21 Nov 1790, d. 25 May 1795 (age 5) on Chappamansix in Stafford Co., VA, and is buried the same day at Hester Helm’s on Seder Run, Prince William County [1] [25].

5.10* William French, b. 23/26 Apr 1793 in Stafford Co., VA, m. Martha L. Taylor on 2 Jan 1814 in Loudoun Co., VA [19], and had a son, William II, who was b. 21 Nov 1814. William, the father, d. 15 May 1826 [1] [25].

5.11* James French, b. 18 Mar 1801 in Prince William Co., VA, m. Sarah Scarborough Butler Henry on 27 May 1829 at Woodlawn, Halifax Co., VA, d. 6 May/Jun 1850, age 49 and is buried at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington D.C. He was interred in Congressional Burying Ground. See Obituary, The Fredericksburg News”, 14 May 1850. James and Sarah lived in Warrenton until 1850 (the year James died). They inherited his father’s plantation “Brentown” in Prince William County, VA, and James was a wealthy tobacco planter in VA and represented his district for a number of terms in the state legislature. Sarah was b. 27 Aug 1808 at “Woodlawn” Plantation, Pittsylvania Co., VA, the dau. of John and Martha Henry, d. suddenly 9 Apr 1873 in Brooklyn, NY and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn. James was executor of his father’s property and administered the accounts until 3 Dec 1844 from his residence, “Fenton” Plantation, a Revolutionary Estate in Fauquier Co., 3 miles from the town of Warrenton [1]. The "Fenton" Plantation has since burned down [1] [25]. See Ref. [60] for more information – did he m. Martha Williams of NC? See 1737 survey maps of Brentown. In 1660 Gilbert Metcalfe shipped goods on the “Golden Fortune” owned by Nicholas Hayward, sr., who was later a founder of the Brentown tract.

10 Jan 1686/7. King James sold to a syndicate the Brentown Tract managed by George Brent, Nicholas Hayward, Richard Foote, and Robert Bristow. George Brent married Mary Sewall (b. 1658), daughter of Henry Sewell & Jane Lowe. He was the son of George Brent and Anne Peyton. Mary also married Francis Hammersley. Francis Hammersley acted as a guardian to Giles Brent, George's son by Mary Sewall? (Per the Mercer Land Book, John Mercer in 1723 leased land in Marlborough from Wm. Brent a descendant of Giles Brent. John Mercer was the father of James Mercer who employed Capt. John & James Metcalfe in the 1760's as overseers of his Loudoun Co. property.)

5.12* Stephen Zinah French, Jr., b. 29 Jul 1804, m. Anna Maria Briggs of Richmond, VA, dau. of David Briggs of Richmond, VA, on 27 May 1839 [29]. They were m. in Raymond, MS [29]. Stephen d. 25 Aug 1827 [1] [25].

5.13 Maria Lynaugh French [1] [25].

5.14 Martha G. French, m. Saybon I. Hansberger [1] [25]. The 1850 census of Eastern District, Stafford, VA, shows a Layton J. Hansberger, b. ca. 1815, and his wife Martha T., b. ca. 1822, and their children William, Louise, Henry, and Layton.

Sixth Generation

Children of William and Polly (Taylor) French, 5.1

6.1 Jane French, m. LeGrand Buford in 1828, in Franklin Co., KY [18]. According to the 1850 census of District 46, Lafayette, Missouri, Legrand G. Buford was b. ca. 1808 in KY, and probably married for a second time to Usebia and had son Simeon.

6.2* William French, Jr., b. 8 Mar 1817 in Franklin Co., KY, m. Martha Wingate, dau. of Isaac Wingate of Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY [18], d. 16 Oct 1894. At the time of his death, he was the oldest man born in Kentucky. Martha was b. 14 Nov 1825 in Franklin Co., KY (their son Sidney states that she was born in Maryland in the 1880 census, but the 1850 census says Kentucky), and d. 30 Jun 1919 in Franklin, age 94. Isaac Wingate was born in Virginia, and her mother, Jane Sneed, was also born in Virginia. Her death certificate was signed by Laura French in Frankfort, KY. In the 1850 census of District 1, Franklin Co., KY, William was 33, a farmer, living with his wife Martha, age 21, and their 3 children. The oldest child was 5; therefore, Martha was only 16 at this birth. His parents were living next door.

William and Martha French’s inscriptions on sides

The 1850 census of Franklin Co., KY, lists William French Jr. with 4 slaves. The slaves are listed before the 10 slaves that his father, William French Sr. of Franklin Co., KY, owns. I am 100% sure that these slaves belong to William French Jr. of Franklin Co., KY, who was alive in 1850, but I cannot be sure that he is the William French of this line even though all data fits.

Slave Name	Birth Date	Age in 1850	Sex	Race
Unknown	1828	22	M	B
Unknown	1829	21	F	B
Unknown	1845	5	F	M
Unknown	1827	23	M	B

6.3 James French [18].

6.4 Sidney French [18].

6.5 Stephen French [18]. He could have been the Stephen French who was known as Charles Stephen French, b. 8 Jun 1828 in Montgomery Co., KY, d. 26 Jun 1905 in Winchester, Clark Co., KY, and m. Margaret Hockaday Moore (1832-1907) and had 6 children: Mary G., William H., Maggie, T. Richard, Pattie, and Sallie.

6.6* John Wickliffe French, b. 5 Jun 1823 in KY, d. 31 Jan 1896, m. Amanda (Mandy) E. Chinn on 27 Jan 1851. She was b. 1831, d. 24 Apr 1895. They lived near the mouth of Elkhorn Creek where most of their children were born. Later they moved to North Fork, a small settlement in Franklin Co., now called Switzer. They lived in a small cabin near the front gate of the property until the large house could be built.

In the 1860 census of KY, John was living with Amanda and 4 of their children: Kate, William, Franklin, and Alice.

In the 1880 census of Forks of Elkhorn, Franklin Co., KY, John was 56, a farmer, white, and both his parents were born in KY. Besides their many children, they also had a black farm hand, Dick French, age 21, b. 1859 in KY. Also living with them in 1880 was a black cook, Mary “Polly” Taylor, b. 1863, and her dau. Della Taylor, 6 months. Most likely Dick French was the father of Della Taylor.

In the 1900 census of Switzer, Franklin Co., KY, he was living with his 4 children (Franklin, Alice, Richard, and Benjamin) and 3 black servants: Cynthia Williams, a divorced mother, age 35 (b. 1865 after emancipation), with her two children: Jessie Williams, age 5 and Lillie M. Williams, age 2.

The Chinn family is also connected to FFA Chart #36 (Charles and Sarah Chinn of Fauquier Co., VA) and FFA Chart #193 (Daisy Elizabeth Chinn of Ohio Co., KY).

6.7 Richard C. French [18], b. 1824 in Franklin Co., KY, d. 17 Nov 1858 in Franklin Co, KY of consumption at age 34. No heirs.

6.8 Benjamin F. French [18], b. 1833 in Franklin Co., KY, d. 11 Oct 1856 in Franklin Co., KY, age 23. Benjamin (15), a farmer was living with his parents, William (65) and Polly (57) in the 1850 census of Franklin Co., KY. No heirs.

6.9 Catherine French, b. Jul 1841 in KY, m. Nelvin Ford [18], lived during the 1880 census in Mount Eden, Spencer Co., KY with their 9 children: Joseph, Susan M., John, Dave, Ben, Bob, Martha, George, Nelvin. By the 1900 census of Mount Eden, Nelvin must have died as Catherine is living alone, age 58; however, I found his birth date as 1828 and his death date as 3 Apr 1914, the son of Thomas Ford and Alice Graddy, both of Woodford, KY.

6.10 Sarah Ann French, b. Franklin Co., KY, m. Rev. B. T. Quinn of Georgetown, son of Richard and Cynthia (Nall) Quinn [18]. After Sarah died, the Rev. B. T. Quinn m2. Cerella Stapp of Madison Co., IN; then he m3. Miss Wingate of Franklin Co. [18].

Children of Richard and Mary (Taliaferro) French, 5.6

6.11 Judge James H. French, b. ca. 1824 probably in Montgomery Co., KY, became prominent in both the civil and religious affairs of the community and state. He was influential members of the First Baptist Church and zealous for her welfare. Judge James H. French was a deacon of the church, clerk of the Boone's Creek Association for two years and moderator from 1872 to 1881, with the exception of two years, and in all matters pertaining to the church, especially those of doctrinal and denominational importance his counsel was always sought. James H. is listed in the 1850 census of District 1, Montgomery, KY, living with his parents, age 26. By the 1860 census, he had 3 slaves of his own: all black males ages 60, 8, and 4; therefore, born in 1800, 1852, and 1856. The slave born in 1800 was inherited from his father, and the other 2 slaves were born after his father had died.

6.12 Charles Stephen French, b. 8 Jun 1828 in Montgomery Co. KY, d. 26 Jun 1905 [13]. He became prominent in both the civil and religious affairs of the community and state. He was influential members of the First Baptist Church and zealous for her welfare. Judge Charles S. French was a constituent member of the First Baptist Church and her first clerk, serving for twenty-one years, and was a deacon during the latter part of his life. Charles S. is listed in the 1850 census of District 1, Montgomery, KY, living with his parents, age 21. See website: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=cfa-joseph&id=I1001. He m. Margaret Hockaday Moore on 2 Jan 1855. She was b. 6 Apr 1832 in Clark Co., KY. They had 2 daughters, Margaret Ann French, b. 28 Nov 1863 in Winchester, Clark Co., KY, and Emily Irvine French, b. 17 Sep 1858 in Winchester, Clark Co., KY.

Judge Charles S. French [13]

From the First Baptist Church of Winchester:
In October, 1880, Charles S. French presented his resignation as church clerk, which was accepted with reluctance, as shown by resolutions of appreciation of his long period of faithful and efficient service in this capacity, extending from the organization of the church until this time, which were in part as follows: "Resolved, That we accept with reluctance his resignation now tendered, simply because of the incompatibility of the duties of his position with other important obligations laid upon him." His brother, Richard French, was chosen clerk to succeed him [13].

6.13 Mary E. French, b. 1834 in KY. She is listed in the 1850 census of District 1, Montgomery, KY, living with his parents, age 16.

6.14 Ann C. French, b. 1839 in KY. She is listed in the 1850 census of District 1, Montgomery, KY, living with his parents, age 11.

6.15* Rev. Richard French, b. 22 Mar 1842 in Montgomery Co., KY, d. 24 Apr 1914. He is listed in the 1850 census of District 1, Montgomery, KY, living with his parents, age 8. He became prominent in both the civil and religious affairs of the community and state. He was influential members of the First Baptist Church and zealous for her welfare. Rev. Richard French was clerk of the church for several years and was then ordained to the ministry. He is listed in the 1900 census in Winchester, Clark Co., KY with his wife Mary T. and 5 children. In the 1860 census of slave schedule in Kentucky, he had 3 slaves: all were black males, ages 55, 17, and 14; therefore born in 1805, 1843, and 1846, all of whom were probably inherited from this father.

Ephesus Church

From the Baptist History Homepage, Ephesus Baptist Church, Clark Co., KY
We now come to speak of a pastor of this church, whose pastorate extended over a period of a quarter of a century, during all of which time there existed the most endearing, tender affection between pastor and people that it has ever been the good fortune for the writer to know. We speak of the pastorate of Rev. Richard French, of Ephesus Church.

Brother French was licensed to preach the Gospel in March 1890, by the First Baptist Church of Winchester, Kentucky, of which he was a member. The following April, he accepted a call from Ephesus Church to become their pastor. Upon the request of Ephesus Church, in August following, made to the First Winchester Church, asking for the ordination of Brother French as a minister of the Gospel, said request was granted. Brother French served this congregation with love and faithfulness as a preacher of righteousness, practicing what he preached, until November 3, 1913, at which time he offered his resignation, on account of failing health (he died 6 months later), in an affectionate communication to the church, in part as follows:

"On account of my health, I feel it my duty to present to you my resignation. I would have you know that this does not in any wise dissolve our relations fraternally, for my twenty-five years pastorate has endeared that church to me to such an extent that whatever you may do in reference to this matter will not lessen the attachment I entertain for you. The sweetest memories of past experience cluster around that old church with me, for it has been my privilege to go with you to the tomb with your loved ones, and mingle my tears with yours, from the little babe that nestled in the cradle, to the gray haired father and the devoted mother. In all these afflictions have my tears blended with yours in sympathy of the deepest and most profound. And nothing on earth could cut me loose from my devotion to you as a people, &c."

There is also recorded a letter to Ephesus Church from Mrs. Richard French and children, dated May 6, 1914. This letter is so tender and affectionate in speaking of the bond of love existing between Brother French and the church, that after reading it, I pause to brush away a tear in memory of that good man, Brother Richard French. Hard, indeed, would be the heart that could not be moved by reading that letter. We give only a few lines, as space will not permit more.

Rev Richard French, born March 22, 1842; died April 24, 1914

"The death of a Christian should be looked upon as a triumph over life's rugged pathway. ... In reviewing the life of our honored husband and father it seems to us that the hand of God has been with you. . . you called a man that had never been ordained; he prayed for guidance; you well know the results. You were his first people, his last people; his first love, and how tenderly and loyally he loved you until the end. . . . And as the end drew near, oh. The prayers he made in your behalf. There was that bond of sympathy and love that were never severed; that, was devotion in the highest sense of the word. When he thought of you it was with the tenderest love, that love that would make any sacrifice; that love, that would remain steadfast and true under all circumstances; that love, though death does part, yet we firmly believe only becomes stronger. We shall ever cherish the fondest affection for you and deep gratitude to you for the respect, kindness and love you manifested for our beloved husband and father."

On May 9, the church passed resolutions in expression of the love and high esteem in which Brother French was held by the congregation, which in part are as follows:

"Brother French became our pastor when God first called him into the active service as a preacher of righteousness. We called for his ordination as a minister of the Gospel, and we mourn for him at the close of a fourth of a century's continuous service in our midst. He has ministered unto our spiritual needs; he has united in bonds of wedlock many of our members; he has led to the knowledge of Jesus Christ under Divine grace our children and our children's children; he has buried our dead. Many are the precious memories of past association and now when in the end of his earthly race, when with the good fight, the finished course, and the kept faith, like a full sheath of ripened ears, he has entered into the harvest home of God's granery, be it resolved, &c."

During her seventy-five years existence as a church, Ephesus has been served by only fourteen pastors, as follows: Thornton I. Wills, Smith V. Potts, Nathan Edmonson, Ryland T. Dillard, W. B. Arvin, Thomas J. Stevenson, George Hunt, Ambrose D. Rash, J. Pike Powers, J. Dallas Simmons, Richard French, W. S. Taylor, F. B. Pierson and Linden Jones.

6.16 William French, died in early. He is not mentioned in the 1850 census.

Child of William and Martha (Taylor) French, 5.10

6.17* William Taylor French II, b. 21 Nov 1813/14 in Prince William Co., VA, d. 8 Dec 1861 in Mt. Sterling, KY, m. Louisa Clay Thomas 15 Nov 1846, dau. of Benjamin F. Thomas and Juliet Howard in Loudoun Co., VA [16] [19] [1]. Their 4 children were raised by James and Ellen French according to the 1860 census of Sequin, Guadalupe, TX, because their family died when their youngest child was 3. The relationship of this family is yet unknown.

Children of James and Sarah S. B. (Henry) French, 5.11

6.18* Marcellus French, b. 14 Feb 1831 near Warrenton, Fauquier Co., VA, m1. Elizabeth (Bettie) H. Logan, dau. of Senator Richard Logan of Halifax Co., VA, on 28 Oct 1857, m2. Margie M. French, no children. He d. 13 Dec 1917 or 1919 in Houston, VA, age 86, and is buried in Houston, VA. He moved to TX in 1852 and lived there for 6 years. Marcellus returned to VA in 1861 and entered the Confederate Army, d. 13 Dec 1919 in Houston, VA [1]. James V. Brooke was chosen guardian of orphan Marcellus when his father died 27 Aug 1850. He had a free African American servant, Kit Bowman [31] [60].

Marcellus French

Born in Fauquier County, Virginia, to James French and Sarah Scarborough French.

In 1852 French moved to Texas, where he became the first judge of Atascosa County.

French also became a 1st lieutenant in the Texas Rangers, before resigning to serve as a captain in the Alamo Rangers in 1857 during William Walker's filibuster in Nicaragua. After he escaped with his life from a steamer explosion, he was captured by the British and returned to the United States.

He returned to Texas and to the Rangers, and was appointed a lieutenant in the Army upon Texas' secession.

When Virginia seceded from the Union, he returned to Virginia and enlisted in the Richmond Howitzers in July 1861.

In May 1862, he transferred to Scott's Battalion where he served as a scout. He was wounded on August 27,1862 at the second battle of Manassas.

In November 1862, he transferred to the 35th Virginia Cavalry Battalion, Company F. When the company's commander was killed at the battle of Brandy Station, he took command of the company and was appointed its captain in October 1863. He served with the Army until it surrendered at Appomattox.He moved to Pittsylvania and Halifax Counties, Virginia, (Meadsville) where he became a farmer. He married Elizabeth Harietta Logan on October 28,1857, and they had five children, died in Halifax County.

Children are Sarah, Charles, Logan, Junius and Julia.

Bio By: Paula Lucy Delosh

Burial: Saint Johns Episcopal Church Cemetery, Halifax, Halifax County, Virginia, USA

While living in Halifax Co., VA, Marcellus lived at Woodlawn, which is being restored.

Woodlawn belonged to the Henry Embry Cole, who had 12 children. His daughter, Mary Margaret Coleman, was b. 12 Sep 1798 and married Richard Logan, and they had 7 children. Their daughter, Elizabeth Logan, married Capt. Marcellus French.

An outline from The Handbook of Texas Online:

FRENCH, MARCELLUS (1831–1917). Marcellus French, legislator, was born on February 14, 1831, in Warrenton, Virginia, son of James and Sarah Butler (Henry) French. In the spring of 1857 French was one in a group of adventurers that attempted to invade Costa Rica. The mission resembled William Walker's invasion of and short-lived control of Nicaragua. The expedition ended disastrously, and French moved to Texas to be near his brother, James Henry French of San Antonio.

French married Elizabeth H. Logan on October 28, 1857. Later that year he began his only term in the Texas House of Representatives for Bexar County. At the outbreak of the Civil War,^qv French left Texas and joined the Confederate Army. He served as the captain of Company F of the Thirty-fifth Virginia Cavalry until the end of the war. Marcellus French stayed in Virginia after the Civil War and died in Houston, Virginia, on December 13, 1917.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Family Search, "Marcellus French," (http://www.familysearch.org/), accessed August 24, 2006. "Filibustering Trip San Juan River 1857-Walker Connection," Genealogy Forum (http://genforum.genealogy.com/nicaragua/messages/471.html), accessed August 24, 2006. Shiflets and the Civil War (http://www.shifletfamily.org/), accessed August 24, 2006. William S. Speer and John H. Brown, eds., Encyclopedia of the New West (Marshall, Texas: United States Biographical Publishing, 1881; rpt., Easley, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1978).

6.19 Matilda (or Martha) Caroline French, b. 26 Jul 1833 in Fauquier Co., VA, d. 3 Jan 1887 in Tustin, CA, buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY, m1. Franklin C. Gray of KY and CA in WDC on 21/24 Mar 1853. They had a dau. Franklina C. Gray, b. 20 Dec 1853 in Brooklyn, NY. Franklin C. Gray never saw his dau. because he died suddenly on 15 Jul 1853 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. In 1865 Matilda left NY for San Francisco, CA. Matilda m2. David Hewes ca. 1875, no children. Her dau. by the first marriage, Franklina Gray, m. William S. Bartlett, and among their 3 children, had a dau., Franklina Matilda Bartlett, b. 1 Nov 1886, who m. her second cousin, James Henry French, on 7 Sep 1915. (see 9.2) [1]. James V. Brooke was chosen guardian of orphan Matilda when her father died 27 Aug 1850.

6.20* James Henry French, b. 26 Mar 1835 in Warrenton, Fauquier Co., VA, m. Sarah Lorrinilla Webb on 15 Oct 1856 in San Antonio, TX, d. 6 Sep 1893 of apoplexy in San Antonio, TX.

Mayor James Henry French, buried at City Cemetery #1 in San Antonio, TX

He lived at 105 San Pedro Ave., in San Antonio. He served 10 terms in San Antonio, TX, as Major. Sarah was b. 6 Oct 1836 in Detroit, Michigan, d. 7 Sep 1915 in San Antonio, TX. She was the dau. of Henry and Olive Ann (Selkrigg) Webb. Sarah was a well-known philanthrope or philanthropist worker. She was 79 at her death and had lived in San Antonio for 9 years, born in Detroit, MI in 1836. James was a prominent citizen, soldier, merchant, banker, sheriff, and mayor (1875-1885) of San Antonio, TX. He moved to TX at age 16 and settled in San Antonio in 1851 until he died [1]. James V. Brooke was chosen guardian of orphan James when his father died 27 Aug 1850. Most of this family from San Antonio is buried in City Cemetery #1. Several write-ups about the mayor indicate that he was Irish. In the 1880 census of San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX, James was 45, living with his wife Sarah L. 43, and their 4 children: Julius B 22, Sallie L. 13, Franklina 7, and James V. 15.

A transcript from the San Antonio Express newspaper, Jan 11, 1939, Wednesday. French, One of San Antonio’s Best Mayors, by Fred Mosebach.

When James H. French succeeded Frank Giraud as the 22nd mayor of San Antonio, January 19, 1875, and held the office continuously for 10 years until he was succeeded by Brayan Callahan, February 1, 1885, San Antonio made its greatest progress up to that time since the city was incorporated and John W. Smith became its first Anglo mayor, September 19, 1837.

The most distinctive stride in the advancement of San Antonio was the building of the first railroad line into this city, the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio, which was accomplished February 16, 1877, and four years later to the day, February 16, 1881, the International & Great Northern had been built into San Antonio. While Mayor French had nothing to do with the building of these railroad lines, he was the city’s chief executive, and as such he lent every encouragement possible for the prosecution of the work to speed it on its way.

The building of these railroads brought an influx of northern and eastern capital, which manifested itself in the further development of San Antonio. This spurred the city on to greater improvement, and during the administration of Mayor French, the first system of street names and house numbers was adopted, which was on March 1, 1881, as attested by Theo. Baldue, city clerk. Until then the street names and house number, the latter of which prevailed only in the business section, were a conglomerated mass of incongruities with no basic guidance.

With the improved system of street names and house numbers, San Antonio was in line for mail delivery service, and this was inaugurated in 1882 during the presidency of Chester A. Arthur, for until then all mail had to be called for at the post office. William Henry Mitchell was the first five mail carriers to be appointed, and he is the only one of these living, now 82 years of age. He carried the mail for more than 38 years and was retired on a pension in January 1921 at the age of 65 years. He still has a gold watch presented to him for Christmas, 1885, by residents along his route.

An outline from The Handbook of Texas Online:

FRENCH, JAMES HENRY (1835-1893). James Henry French, mayor of San Antonio, was born on March 26, 1835, in Warrenton, Virginia, to James and Sarah Butler (Henry) French. He attended Columbia College in Washington, D.C., before he moved to San Antonio, Texas, in October 1851. On October 15, 1856, he married Sarah L. Webb; they eventually had five children. French and his wife moved in 1856 to Atascosa County, where he served two terms as sheriff and managed a ranch. He returned to San Antonio in 1859 and in May 1861 enlisted in the Confederate Army. He served in the adjutant general's office until October 1861, then was appointed captain and assigned to the commissary department under Gen. Paul O. Hebert. He served this assignment on the Rio Grande under Gen. Hamilton P. Bee. In January 1863 French was transferred to the purchasing department at San Diego, Texas, and in March 1865 took charge of the reserve department of supplies for the forces operating under Col. John S. Port.

After the war he made his home in San Antonio, where he instituted many reforms in city government during his period as mayor (1875-1885) and alderman (1885-89). These reforms included a system of street names and house numbering, increased city control of public schools, and an increase in the school tax by 10 percent. In addition, during his tenure the International-Great Northern Railroad was built into San Antonio. French died on September 6, 1893, and was buried in the City Cemetery in San Antonio.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas (New York: Southern, 1880). Memorial and Genealogical Record of Southwest Texas (Chicago: Goodspeed, 1894; rpt., Easley, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1978). Vertical Files, Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas at Austin.

Obituary:

Hon. James H. French, one of the pioneer and most prominent citizens of San Antonio, died last night at 8 o'clock, at his home at 105 San Pedro Avenue of apoplexy. The sad event came unexpectedly and without warning and caused a profound shock to those who heard of it last night. In the business portion of the city, where the report of his demise became quickly circulated, there was a deep gloom of sorrow, and many were the kind words spoken of the deceased, who for so many years past has been so closely identified with the public interests of San Antonio.

The Fatal Attack. The final sickness of Mr. French was very brief. As is generally known he has been feeling badly for the past few months and not long ago he took a brief vacation from his business duties, returning to the city much improved, He discarded taking medicine and has been regularly attending to the work of his office since his return. He was present and took an active part in the proceedings of the city council Tuesday evening but was excused toward the latter part of the session because of feeling badly.

He was up and on the street yesterday morning and attended to an unusually large amount of business during the day.

Shortly after 4 o'clock he entered the office of Mayor Paschal at the city hall to talk over some municipal matters with that official. He remained there until 5 o'clock, when he was taken suddenly sick and walking into the corridor unsupported, vomited severely. His condition was noticed by Alderman Jack Daugherty and W. H. Garretson, who hurried to his side and assisted him to a chair.

Mr. Hoefling went immediately for a hack, those remaining doing all in their power to relieve Mr. French of his intense suffering.

When the hack arrived Mr. Garretson and City Auditor Meyer assisted Mr. French, who was still able to walk to it, and he was conveyed to his home, Mr. Daugherty and Mr. Garertson accompanying him.

Taken to his home. On the way home Mr. French seemed to suffer intense pain and vomited almost constantly. When his residence was reached his wife was notified and he was placed in bed, and messengers sent for physicians. Dr. F. E. Young soon arrived and immediately administered a hypodermic injection. The patient had lost consciousness before the doctor arrived, and when taken from the hack talked incoherently, although he seemed to recognize those around him. Drs L. L. Shropshire and F. M. Hicks soon arrived and after a consultation with Dr. Young it was decided to bleed the sufferer. This was done, but he gradually sank and quietlypassed away at 8 o'clock, his bedside surrounded by all the immediate members of his family, with the exception of his two married sons, who reside in Fort Worth. Several of the intimate friends of the deceased and family were also present.

The physicians in attendance state that the immediate cause of death was hemorrage of the right side of the brain.

Life and Public Services: Hon. James H. French was a native of Fauquier County, VA, his family being an old and distingushed one of that state. He was about 57 years of age.

In the fall of 1852 he emigrated to Texas and settled upon a ranch in Atascosa county. He had not then attained his majority, but he braved the dangers and fought the battles of a fronterisman with courage and success.

He married Miss Sallie Webb the step daughter of the late Enoch Hones, who survives him. Mr. French lived in Atascosa county several years and served one term as sheriff of that county when a very young man.

When the late civil war began he enlisted in the Confederate army in the commissary department. After the war he entered the mercantile business on Commerce street in this city and was ngaged in it for several years. He then retired from that business and for the last several years has devoted himself to the real estate brokerage business.

An efficient mayor. He was for ten years mayor of San Antonio and filled that important office up to 1885 with honor to the city and the highest credit to himself. Previous to his election as mayor he served as alderman, and was an alderman at the time of his death.

There is no man in San Antonio who was held in greater esteem and more beloved by the people of the city than ex-mayor French.

He leaves a wife and five children. Hissons are Rev. Junius French, a prominent Presbyterian minister of Ft. Worth, and Mr. James French, also of Fort Wroth. Both are maried. His three daughters are Mrs. Joe Devine and and two younger unmarried ones at home.

Deceased has a brother, Marcellis French, living in Virginia.

The scene at the residence of Mr. French was very affecting. The family was completely prostrated by the sad affair. At the time of his death several prominent men were present, besides the family, and all were greatly shocked. When the news spread to the city it became the general theme of discussion and in all quarters works of regret and sorrow were heard, Mr. French had been so intimately associated with the city government, and all public interests, and had made so many warm friends among the citizens, that everyone felt that his death was in the nature of a personal bereavement. Several gentlemen who had been intimate friends of ex-mayor French were prostrated for some time after learning of his death.

During the evening a number of personal friends called at the residence and paid their tribute of sorrow and condolence.

Time of Funeral not Fixed. The body was placed in charge of Undertakers Sheern & Barnett and was prepared for burial, but the date of the funeral had not been fixed last night owing to the absence of Mr. French's sons, and will be announced later. It will not take place, probably, for two or three days.

Many city employees and city workmen owed their appointment to Mayor French and always regarded him as thier special friend and advisor.

Messages were sent to Mr. French's sons in Fort Worth as soon as it was realized that he could not live and they will probably be here today.

Obituary of Sarah Lorinella Webb French:

(dated Sept. 7 1915)

Mrs. Sarah L. French, a well known philanthropic worker of San Antonio and the widow of a former mayor of San Antonio, James H. French, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Olive A. Devine, 421 Crescent St., Alamo Heights, at 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Death came after an illness of nine months during which she was confined to her bed most of the time. She was 79 years of age and had lived in San Antonio for 70 years.

Mrs. French was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1836, her family on both sides being descended from distinguished line of New England Families. Relatives of her faterh, Henry Webb, included the Stoddards and the Adams and she was seenth in descent from Governor Bradford of Plymouth Colony. Her mother who was Miss Ann Selkrig, was a neice of Matthew Vassar, who founded the famous Vassar College. In 1839 her parents removed with her to Port Lavaca, Texas. After a short stay they went to St. Louis, Mo., where they lived until 1846 shen they moved to San Antonio. She was married to James H. French October 15, 1856. Mr. French had come to Texas only a short time before to engage in ranching with his brother in Atascosa County.

Having a brilliant mind and wonderful personality, Mrs. French was for yeras the leading society woman of Texas, and her distinguished ancestry led to acquaintance with many prominent Texans and visitors to the State in the early days. She was acquainted with and had entertained General Sam Houston, General John B. Hood, who was a cousin of her husband; General Robert E. Lee and President U. S. Grant. She entertained President Grant after he had served as president and was on a tour of the United States.

She was one of the founders and charter members of the First Presbyterian church of this city and for years she was prominent in its work. She was a member of a number of local patriotic and historical associations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames, The Virginia Historical Society and the Daughters of 1812. She was an honorary member of the Daughters of the Confederacy.

She was the first regent of the State of Texas for the Daughters of the Revolution and later was regent of the San Antonio de Bexar Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1914 she was the state chaplain for this organization.

Mrs. French is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Olive F. Devine of this city and Mrs Franklin Yates of Fort Worth, two sons, Rev. Junius B. French of Jacksonville, FL, and James B. French of Fort Worth, two sisters, Mrs Flora K. Adams of San Antonio and Mrs Olive Ann Washington, of Washington, D.C. Of her twenty-one grandchildren those residing in Santonio are: Mrs. J. F. Clarkson, Miss Helen Olive Devine, Joseph Devine, Thomas J. Devine, William Devine and Franklin Devine. Several great grand-children also survive her.

Funeral services will be conducted at 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the First Presbyterian church, with Rev. Arthur G. Jones, officiating. She will be buried in the family lot in City Cemetery No. 1. Honorary pallbearers are, Dr. Adolph Herff, Colonel George W. Brackenridtge, Captain Sam Maverick, J. M. Bennett, Russell C. Norton, Dr. F. M. Hicks, Thomas Paschal and S. G. Newton. Frank Edwards, Lee Earnest, JD Crenshaw, James Simpson, Henry King, Carlos Bee, Charles G. Norton and Alex Walton will be the active pallbearers.

Newspaper article in Family Bible

San Antonio TX, March 17. One of the most imposing funeral processions ever seen in this city was that which this evening followed the remains of the late Thomas J. Devine to their final resting place in the Catholic cemetery, where the distingushed jurist reposed by the side of his wife. The procession was nearly a mile and a half long and there was almost a suspension of business during it's passage alont the streets.

The following is a list of noted men who attended as honorary pall bearers: Hon. John E. Ireland of Seguin, Judge L. N. Walthal, Judge N. O. Green, Colonel John A. Green, Colonel Columbus Upson, Hon. J. H. French, John Withers, John Twohig, H. B. Adams and General H. P. Bee.

The Casket containing the body was almost buried beneath the mass of floral offerings, and was borne to the hearse by six of the junior members of the bar. Both the district courts, the probate and lower courts adjourned out of respect to his memory.

A meeting of the bar was held to take appropriate action upon his death. It was the most largely attended bar meeting ever held in this city. The venerable Judge L. N. Walthall presided, and on motion of Attorney-general J. H. McLeary the following committee was appointed to draft resolutions: J. H. Mcleary, N. O. Green, H. P. Drought, L. G. Denman, Ed dwyer, E. R. Lane and A. J. Evans. The committee will meet on Saturday morning next.

The bar then adopted a resolution by a unanimous vote that the members attend the funeral in a body.

Ex Governor Roberts telegraphed his condolences to the family, but was unable to attend.

6.21 Junius Butler French, b. 7 Aug 1837 in Fauquier Co., VA, d. 2 Jul 1863, was wounded 1 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA, and died early the next morning [1]. James V. Brooke was chosen guardian of orphan Junius when his father died 27 Aug 1850. James had 9 black slaves in 1860, ranging in age from 6 months to 48 years old, some inherited from Richard Cooper, Mrs. Lucas, Sam Christian, L. Dixous while he lived in Fauquier Co.

6.22 Rosalie (or Rosa) Henry French, b. 4 Aug 1839 in Warrington, Fauquier Co., VA, d. 28 Aug 1889, m. Arthur H. Brown of Honolulu. He d. in the service of the Confederate Navy. Rosalie d. in CA, buried in Oakland, CA [1]. James V. Brooke was chosen guardian of orphan Rosalie when her father died 27 Aug 1850.

6.23 John French, b. 1842 in VA, living in WDC in the 1850 census.

6.24 Charles French, b. 1844 in VA, living in WDC in the 1850 census.

6.25 Ellen French, b. 1845 in VA, living in WDC in the 1850 census.

6.26 Margaret French, b. 1847 in VA, living in WDC in the 1850 census.

Children of Stephen L. and Anna (Briggs) French, 5.12

6.27 Anne French, m. Col. Charles E. Hoge. Their daughter was Anne Briggs French Hoge.

Seventh Generation

Children of William and Martha (Wingate) French, 6.2

7.1 Sidney French, b. ca. 1845 in KY, m. Helen Richard of Springfield, IL, and had 3 daughters: Florence French (b. 1873 in NE), Jennie French (b. 1876 in KY), and Anne French. Florence m. J. Craik Jackson of Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. Jennie died young, unmarried. Anne m. Rob Farmer [18]. Helen was b. ca. 1849. Sidney was a lawyer.

7.2* Isaac C. French, b. ca. 1846 in KY, m. Elizabeth Richard and had 3 children. Isaac appears in the 1880 census of Curran, Sangamon Co., IL, as 33, with his wife Elizabeth, 27, and their son Jay T. French, 5, and dau. Susan French, age 3.

7.3 Sallie C. French, b. ca. 1848 in KY, m. L. L. Pence on 3 Jun 1880 and had 2 children: William Luther Pence and Sallie French Pence [18]. She was a teacher according to the 1880 census, and both were members of the Christian Church. L. L. Pence was police judge of Belle Point, KY, for several years.

7.4 Susan French, after 1850 in KY, m. Logan McKee, of Frankfort, KY, no children [18].

7.5 William T. French, b. 1861 in IL, d. unmarried in Frankfort, KY [18]. He was a merchant’s clerk.

7.6 Laura L. French, b. 8 Nov 1865 in IL, d. unmarried, 9 Jan 1947, in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY, buried at the Frankfort Cemetery [18]. She signed her mother’s death certificate.

7.7 Joseph A. French, b. 1870 – (not sure if he is in the correct place). He served as his father’s executor. It is said that he dropped dead on Elkhorn Creek bank [18] in 1941. He m. Emma or Edith Tutt, 1881-1926, no heirs [18]. He is buried in the Frankfort Cemetery in Franklin Co., KY. The 1920 census of Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY states that he was b. ca. 1870 in KY, m. Edith, and that both his parents were born in KY, he is white, age 50 in 1920.

Children of John Wickliffe and Amanda (Chinn) French, 6.6

7.8 Joseph French, b. 2 Nov 1851, d. 29 Oct 1852 (1 year) [18].

7.9 Mary Katherine (Katie) French, b. 14 Mar 1854, d. 12 Jul 1918 in Franklin Co., KY, m. James William Jones on 16 Feb 1882, and had 9 children. They lived on a farm adjoining that of her father. James Jones d. 7 Feb 1945, aged 91 [18]. Their children were Mary Alice Jones, James Sidney Jones, William French Jones, Thomas Dawson Jones, Russell Jones, Amanda Elizabeth Jones, Edward Jones, Howard Jones, and Louis Jones [18].

7.10 William C. French, b. 19 Jan 1856 in KY, lived in Switzer (Forks of Elkhorn), Franklin Co., KY, d. unmarried 8 Apr 1926 [18]. He was a farm hand. In the 1900 census of Switzer, Franklin Co., KY, also called Forks of Elkhorn, Franklin Co., KY, William was age 44, single, white, living with many of his siblings: Franklin and his wife Alice, Richard C., and Benjamin Q. French. All but Franklin were single. They also lived with Cynthia Williams, black, divorced, b. Mar 1865, who was a servant with her 2 children: Jessie Williams and Lillie M. Williams.

7.11 Franklin (Frank) French, b. Mar 1858 in KY, lived in Switzer, (Forks of Elkhorn), Franklin Co., KY, d. 6 Jan 1943 [18]. He was a farm hand. He m. Alice who was b. in 1865.

7.12 Alice C. French, b. Jun 1860 in KY, lived in Switzer, (Forks of Elkhorn), Franklin Co., KY in 1900. Single at age 29 in the 1900 census.

7.13 Wickliffe French, b. 4 Jul 1861, died in infancy [18].

7.14 Robert Lee French, b. 27 Jul 1863, d. 13 May 1934 in Franklin Co., KY, m. Sarah Head Pryor, dau. of Dr. Green Lewis Pryor and Martha Ann Head in Monterey, KY, on 12 Oct 1892. They had 2 daughters: Harriet Pryor French who m. William Whitley Moore; and Alice Lee French, m. James Lister Darlington [18]. Sally was b. 4 Jun 1871, d. 29 Jun 1954. Both are buried at the Frankfort Cemetery in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.

7.15 Dr. Richard Calloway French, b. 18 Aug 1865 in KY, lived in Switzer, (Forks of Elkhorn), Franklin Co., KY, d. Nov 1900, graduated from Louisville School of Medicine, practiced in Midway, KY [18].

7.16 Benjamin Quinn French, b. 12 Feb 1866 in KY, d. 9 Aug 1945 [18] in Franklin, KY. In the 1930 census of Franklin Co., KY, Quinn was living with his brother, Frank 72, and Frank’s wife Alice 65. Quinn was 62.

7.17 Elizabeth (Lizzie) French, b. 19 Sep 1872, d. 18 Dec 1894, m. Rev. Fred W. Eberhardt of Bourbon Co., KY [18].

Children of Rev. Richard and Mary T. French, 6.15

7.18 Julia French, b. Apr 1877 in KY.

7.19 Mary C. French, b. Apr 1880 in KY.

7.20 Elizabeth D. French, b. Dec 1881 in KY.

7.21 James H. French, b. 16 Jul 1885 in KY, d. Feb 1984 at age 98 in Winchester, Clark Co., KY. In the 1920 census, he was living in Winchester, Clark Co., KY, married to Jennie French who was b. in 1896. In the 1930 census of Winchester, they had son Richard F. French, b. 7 Mar 1928, d. 25 Aug 1998 in Winchester, Clark Co., KY.

7.22 William P. French, b. 8 Apr 1888 in KY. He m. Patsy Pickrell by the 1910 census of Winchester, Clark Co., KY, and had 2 children: Marion P. French, daughter, b. 1911 and Elizabeth B. French, daughter, b. 1918.

Children of William and Louisa C. (Thomas) French II, 6.17

7.23 Howard R. French, b. 15 Aug 1847 in VA according to the 1860 census of Sequin, Guadalupe, TX, m. Phoebe Crawford [1] ca. 1875. Had 2 sons, no heirs. One son lived in NY, other in Mt. Sterling, KY.

7.24 William T. French, b. 20 Aug 1850 in VA according to the 1860 census of Sequin, Guadalupe, TX, d. 20 Mar 1872 [1].

7.25 George T. French, b. 24 Mar 1853 in VA according to the 1860 census of Sequin, Guadalupe, TX, d. 6 Jun 1883 [1], age 30.

7.26 Stephen French, b. 6 Apr 1857 [1] in VA according to the 1860 census of Sequin, Guadalupe, TX,. His father died in 1861 in Mt. Sterling, KY when Stephen was only 3. Stephen and his 3 siblings were raised by James and Ellen French according to the 1860 census of Seguin, Guadalupe, TX. James was a lawyer.

Children of Marcellus and Elizabeth H. (Logan) French, 6.18

3 of their 8 children died young.

7.27 Margaret Logan French, b. 26 Oct 1858 in Halifax Co., VA, d. 22 Jan 1879 in Halifax Co., VA [1]. (Died before age 25)

7.28 James Logan French, b. 6 Apr 1860 in San Antonio, TX, d. 30 Aug 1861 in Halifax Co., VA [1]. (Died in infancy)

7.29 Sarah “Sallie” Henry French, b. 29 Jul 1861 in Halifax, VA, m. Charles Carrington on 20 Aug 1883, and had 4 sons: George Cabell Carrington, Charles R. Carrington, William Lorrin Carrington, and Marcellus French Carrington [1]. He was the son of Sally Winston Henry and Dr. George C. Carrington. Sarah also had 5 daughters in addition to her 4 sons: Margaret Logan Carrington Stebbins, Sarah Henry Carrington Dorrier, Elizabeth French Carrington Heyward, Alice Cary Carrington Settle, Winifred Wilson Carrington Perkins [45].

7.30 Charles Richard French, b. 25 Dec 1863, m. Mrs. Letitia (nee Edmonson) of Halifax Co., VA [1].

7.31 Marcellus French Jr., b. 12 Dec 1865 in Halifax Co., VA, d. “Woodside” Pittsylvania Co., VA 15 Jun 1866 at 6 months old [1].

7.32* Junius Butler French, b. 21 May 1867 in Pittsylvania Co., VA, lived in Chattanooga, TN, m1. Hattie B. Dix of Accomac Co., VA, m2. Miss Sarah (Sadie) Wyatt of Chattanooga, TN in 1900 [1], d. in VA 29 Sep 1944 in Chattanooga, TX. Hattie was b. 28 Oct 1866, d. 1 Dec 1892 in Chattanooga, TX. Her parents were Levin D. Dix and Charlotte Ann Bayne of Accomac, VA. Sarah was dau. of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Wyatt of Marion, AL. [1]

7.33* William Logan French, b. 19 Apr 1864 in Pittsylvania Co., VA, m. his first cousin, Sarah Lorrinilla French (see 7.38) of San Antonio, TX on 30 Jan 1896 [1], d. 28 Dec 1953 in Williamson or Williamsburg, WV [21]. She d. 28 Oct 1914 [1].

7.34 Julia Coleman French, b. 8 Jul 1872 in Bedford Co., VA, m. Addie M. Sparrow on 13 Nov 1885 [1].

Children of James Henry and Sarah (Webb) French, 6.20

All born in San Antonio, TX.

7.35* Rev. Junius Butler French, b. 29 Jan 1858 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX, m. Annie Lawrence Dial on 2 Sep 1885 in San Marcos, TX, d. 9 Feb 1918 in Jacksonville, Florida. Annie was b. 7 Feb 1867 in Wilson County, TX, d. 26 Sep 1941 in Los Angeles, California [1]. Rev. Junius was a pastor of the Broadway Presbyterian Church of Forth Worth, TX.

Reverend Junius Butler French

Annie L. French was buried in 1941 at the Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., TX

7.36 Olive Ann French, b. 25 Feb 1860, in San Antonio, TX, d. 26 Jan 1936, m. Judge Joseph Phillip Devine of San Antonio, TX, on 2 Sep 1879 and had 6 children [1]. Joseph was b. 17 Jul 1856 in San Antonio, TX, d. 28 May 1903 in San Antonio, TX [25]. Judge Joseph was the son of Judge Thomas Jefferson Devine. They lived at 421 Crescent St., Alamo Heights, TX and later at 3615 Broadway. They had 7 children of which 6 were still alive at Judge Joseph P Devine’s death: Sarah, Joseph, Helen O., James, Thomas, William, and Franklin. See http://genforum.genealogy.com/devine/messages/1255.html.

Joseph Phillip Sr. Devine

Notes for JOSEPH PHILLIP SR. DEVINE:

Obituary:

City Assessor Joseph P. Devine died at 6 o'clock Wednesday morning at his late residence, 719 Howard Street. Brights Disease, from which Mr. Devine had been suffering intensly for eight weeks, confining him to his bed during that period, was the cause of his death. The members of the family and immediate relatives were present when death came.

The funeral services will be held this afternoon at 4:30 o'clock and will be conducted in the family home. The Rev. A. G. Jones of the First Presbyterian church will conduct the services and will be assisted by Rev. Robert Hall of the Westminster Presbyterian church. Interment will take place in Cemetery No. 1.

The death of Mr. Devine, although not a surprise, for his serious illness was known to his large following of friends, came as a shock nevertheless. He was popular and well known, because of his life-long residence in this city. When his death was announced, the Assessor's office in the city was immediately closed, and crepe was suspended from the door of the main entrance into the office. The office will remain closed today, as well as all of the other city offices after 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

Mayor Hicks issued an order to the head of each department to close promptly at that hour, and all of the city officials, together with the members of the City Council, were requested to attend the funeral in a body.

The Rev. Junius B. French, brother of Mrs. Devine, arrived in the city Wednesday evening from Fort Worth, where he is a pastor of the Broadway Presbyterian church.

The death of Mr. Devine became known to his many freinds early in the day and many appeared at the family residence to offer condolence and sympathy to the bereaved widow. Many floral pieces were sent to the home in the afternoon which practically covered the casket in which the remains reposed. Because of the large acquaintance Mr. Devine emjoyed the funeral service will be a public one, and the many friends he had during life are invited to attend.

During his private life Mr. Devine was highly respected as a citizen, and when he entered public life he enjoyed the thorough confidence of the people of this city. He was a native of San Antonio, having been born in this city July 17, 1856. With the exception of a few years during which he conducted a large ranch in this county, his entire life was spent in San Antonio.

Mr. Devine received his education in the Notre Dame University, Indiana. Immediately after completing his studies he returned to this city. His father the late Thomas J. Devine, was a judge of the Supreme Court of Texas.

In 1879 Mr. Devine was married to Miss Olive A. French, daughter of Hon. J. H. French, who served several terms in this city as Mayor. Seven children blessed the happy couple. six of whom, Sarah, Helen O., Joseph, Thomas, William and Franklin survive him.. Two brothers and two sisters also survive Mr. Devine, T. N. Devine, A. E. Devine and Mrs. W. S. Smith and Mrs. Kate May.

Soon after abandoning his ranch interests, which was in 1890, Mr. Devine entered public life. He was elected alderman and served one term during Mayor Elmendorf's administration. Several years later he was elected to the office of Assessor and with general satisfaction to the city he was serving his second term.

Eight weeks ago Mr. Devine, because of a severe attack of Brights disease, from which he was a sufferer for many years, was forced to abandon his work in the Assessor's office. His illness became worse as time wore on, and he suffered intensely until death came to his relief.

7.37 James Vassar French, b. 25 Jun 1864, m. Augusta Hirschfield and had 2 daughters, Josephine and Lonnie. Josephine m. Joseph Rosenfeld and had 2 daughters. Lonnie m. Dick Walker [1].

7.38 Sarah (Sallie) Lorrinilla French, b. 23 Jul 1867, d. 28 Oct 1914, m. William French, her first cousin (see 7.33) on 30 Jan 1896 in San Antonio, TX. William was the son of her uncle, Marcellus French [1]. For children, see William L. French’s line, 7.11.

7.39 Franklina Gray French, b. 25 Jul 1872 in San Antonio, TX, d. 18 Oct 1959, age 87, in Mountain View, CA. She m. Francis (Franklin) Gerrit Yates, and had 5 children [1]. In 1915 when her mother died, Franklina was living in Fort Worth, TX.

Eighth Generation

Children of Isaac and Elizabeth (Richard) French, 7.2

8.1 Jay T. French, b. ca. 1875 in Springfield, IL [18]. In 1880 he is listed as age 5, living in Curran, Sangamon Co., IL.

8.2 Susan French, b. ca. 1877 in Springfield, IL [18]. In 1880 she is listed as age 5, living in Curran, Sangamon Co., IL.

8.3 Clara French, b. after 1880, Springfield, IL [18].

Children of Junius B. and Hattie B. (Dix) French, 7.32

8.4 Margaret Logan French, b. 4 Dec 1891 in South Boston, VA, m. Marion Pryor Wall of South Pittsburg, TN [1]. They had son Junius French Wall [34].

Children of Junius B. and Sarah (Wyatt) French, 7.32

8.5 Junius Butler French Jr., b. 13 Jul 1903, d. 1903 [34]. He had daughter Annie Dial French Elliott [46]. More names are welcomed.

8.6* James Wyatt French, b. 22 Jun 1904 in Chattanooga, TN, d. 4 Aug 1956 in Richmond, VA, m. Katherine Martin Kirkland, dau. of Dixon Fay Kirkland and May Lou Martin in Chattanooga, TN.

Children of William L. and Sarah L. French, 7.33 and 7.38

8.7* Marcellus French, b. 26 Aug 1901 in San Antonio, TX, d. 24 Sep 1973 in McKees Rocks, PA [21].

Children of Junius Butler and Annie L. (Dial) French, 7.35

8.8 Matilda Clyve French, b. 31 Oct 1886 in San Marcos, TX, m1. Ernest Chilsholm on 10 Oct 1906, m2. Albert Kellum Pray on 23 Feb 1921. He d. 12 Jan 1950. Matilda d. 11 Jun 1961 in Ontario, CA [1].

8.9* James Henry French, b. 5 May 1888 in Tustin, CA, m. Franklina Matilda Bartlett (his second cousin, see 7.3) on 7 Sep 1915. James d. 27 Sep 1956 and Franklina d. 16 Dec 1963 [1]. In the 1910 census of Fort Worth Ward 6, Tarrant, TX, he was living with his parents, Junnie B. French 52, and Annie L. French 43, and with his siblings: Elmo, Winifred, Annie, and Junius.

8.10 Elmo Dial French, b. 12 Apr 1890 in Tustin, CA, m. Elizabeth Otto on 7 Sep 1922. Elmo d. 24 Oct 1950 of a heart attack [1]. Elmo is listed in the 1930 census as living in Coral Gables, Dade Co., FL, age 39, born ca. 1891 in CA. His wife is Elizabeth, age 39, born in PA, and her father was born in Germany and her mother in PA. Elmo’s parents were both born in TX, and he was a general practitioner doctor. In the 1910 census of Fort Worth Ward 6, Tarrant, TX, he was living with his parents, Junie B. French 52, and Annie L. French 43, and with his siblings: James, Winifred, Annie, and Junius.

8.11 Winifred Bartlett French, b. 22 Dec 1892 in Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., TX, never married. She d. 9 Sep 1961 of cancer and was interred next to her mother and father in East Oakwood Cemetery, Fort Worth, TX [1]. In the 1910 census of Fort Worth Ward 6, Tarrant, TX, she was living with her parents, Junnie B. French 52, and Annie L. French 43, and with her siblings: James, Elmo, Annie, and Junius. In the 1930 census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA, Winifred was 37 and living with her mother and brother Junius 26 in Los Angeles, CA.

8.12* Annie Carol French, b. 26 Nov 1901 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., TX, m1. 19 Feb 1919 to Roswell Francis Field in Jacksonville, FL. Roswell was b. 27 Mar 1893 in Chicago, Illinois, d. 28 May 1952 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. They had 3 children. Annie m2. Albert Jay Crane on 13 Apr 1959 in Naples, FL. Albert was b. 10 Dec 1885, d. 5 Sep 1971. No children from the second marriage. Annie d. 11 Jan 1988 of pneumonia in Naples, FL. In the 1910 census of Fort Worth Ward 6, Tarrant, TX, she was living with his parents, Junnie B. French 52, and Annie L. French 43, and with her siblings: James, Elmo, Winifred, and Junius. This is the line of Ref. [1].

8.13 Junius Butler French, Jr., b. 11 Nov 1903 in Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., TX, m1. Mabel Redwine on 23 Nov 1934. They were divorced in 1960. He m2. Myrtle Mae Gust on 13 Nov 1965 in La Jolla, CA. Junius d. 13 Jun 1982 of a heart attack. Myrtle presently resides in Lake San Marcos, CA [1]. In the 1910 census of Fort Worth Ward 6, Tarrant, TX, he was living with his parents, Junie B. French 52, and Annie L. French 43, and with his siblings: James, Winifred, and Annie.

8.14 Robert Aubrey French, b. 3 Sep 1906, d. 3 May 1908 (age 2). His remains were interred at the family plot in East Oakwood Cemetery, Fort Worth, TX [1].

Ninth Generation

Children of James W. and Katherine M. (Kirkland) French, 8.6

9.1 Wyatt French Jr., b. 28 Jan 1930 in Columbus, OH, d. 27 Jun 2007 in Richmond, Henrico Co., VA [34], m1. Fay Ann Danner, dau. of Howard Mackie Danner and Lucille Morris, b. 27 Jul 1933 in Columbia, MO [1], m2. Suzanne Bracey Cameal [34]. Wyatt’s grandson is Marshall L. French of Henrico, VA (could take the DNA test); his daughter-in-law is Meredith Lynn French, Sandra Burner is his ex-daughter-in-law, and his son is Wyatt Kirkland French, all from Richmond, VA. His other son lives in Alaska, and his daughter is Suzanne French, married to Carl Keesler [34].

9.2 Rosemary French, b. 24 Mar 1935 in Baltimore, MD, m1. 12 Apr 1958 to James Gordon Frazer who was b. 15 Mar 1934 in Richmond, VA, the son of Richard MacIlwaine Frazer and Sue Gordon of Richmond, VA. Child is James Stevenson Frazer. Rosemary m2. Thatcher S. Toddard Wood, b. 23 Oct 1925 in Kingston, NY, the son of Henry Joseph Wood and Virginia Thatcher, m. 24 Jul 1982 [1].

9.3 Nancy Sydnor French, b. 13 Mar 1940 in Richmond, VA. Never married [1], d. 1995 [34].

9.4 John Coleman French, b. 22 Aug 1942 in Richmond, VA, died suddenly on 20 Jan 1964 [1] at age 20.

Children of Marcellus French, 7.7

9.5 Sarah Margaret French, b. 4 May 1929 at Williamson, WV, m. _______Smith? [21]. Their daughter is Patricia A. Smith, b. ca. 1950, P.O. Box 15558, Pittsburgh, PA 15244 [21].

Children of James H. and Franklina M. (Bartlett) French, 8.9

9.6 Franklina Gray French, “Panky”, b. 31 Jan 1921, m. 7 Sep 1946 James A. Moore, b. 6 Jan 1919 [1].

9.7 James Henry French, Jr., b. 29 Oct 1924, d. in auto accident 6 Nov 1944 [1], age 20.

Children of Roswell Francis Field and Annie Carol French, 8.12

This family is added here (non-French) because of Charles Kellogg Field’s great contribution to the research of this French family [1].

9.8 Robert Eugene Field, b. 15 Apr 1920, d. 3 Oct 1968 [1].

9.9 Richard Sutherland Field, b. 31 Aug 1922, d. 24 Aug 1969 [1].

9.10 Charles Kellogg Field, III, b. 28 Jul 1927 in Detroit, Michigan, m1. Marilyn Elaine Whitney on 8 Sep 1950. Marilyn was b. 25 Nov 1927. They had 3 children. Charles m2. Barbara Ann Wiggins on 4 Oct 1975. Barbara was b. 1 Jul 1936. No children from the second marriage [1]. Their three children are: (1) Whitney Kellogg Field, b. 8 Jan 1952, m. Lisa Bonfoey Petrides on 31 Jul 1977. Lisa was b. 31 May 1951 [1]. (2) Elaine Frances Field, b. 16 Aug 1955 [1]. (3) Martin Roswell Field, b. 28 Dec 1959 [1]. Charles was a researcher of this line and also published a book on the French family. Charles d. 2006 at age 78 in Bloomfield Hills, Oakland Co., MI.

Tenth Generation

Children of Wyatt K. French, Jr., 9.1

10.1* Wyatt Kirkland French, m1. Sandra Burner, m2. Meredith Lynn, all from Richmond, Henrico Co., VA [34].

10.2 son French, lives in Alaska [34].

10.3 Suzanne French, m. Carl Keesler [34].

Eleventh Generation

Children of Wyatt Kirkland, 10.1

11.1 Marshall K. French of Henrico, VA, b. 1982-86. He might be the only French left in this huge family. Ref. [34] will check to see if Marshall wants to do the DNA testing, but he’s unable to afford it as he is a Marine and he and his wife have a baby on the way. His dad might do it, so Ref. [34] will mention it to both of them.

Unknown Frenches in Kentucky

Angelina French of Prince William Co., VA

Angelina French appears in Prince William Co., VA, and we have no idea where she ties in. She was b. ca. 1720, m. William Moore. Their son, Jeremiah Moore, m. Lydia Reno on 1 Nov 1765. Jeremiah was b. 7 Jun 1746 in Dumphries, Prince William Co., VA. Lydia Reno was the dau. of Francis Reno mentioned above in generation one and is probably a contemporary to James French; therefore, Angelica would be in the second generation. Maybe she could be the daughter of a brother of James French; thereby, another clue pops up.

Jeremiah Moore’s mother was Angelina French, whose family settled in the Northern Neck area of Virginia (the strip of land between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers). In Dumfries in 1763, the practicing Episcopalian, Jeremiah, heard the preaching of pioneer Baptist preacher Elder David Thomas and his interest in the faith was piqued. In 1765 at age 19 he married a Lydia Reno/Renno, daughter of Francis Renno, and by 1772 he had publicly professed his Baptist faith and was baptized by Elder Thomas, who at the time prophesized that “I think I have this day baptized a preacher.” During his early years as a preacher, he and other Baptist preachers were persecuted for their preaching by the established church of the day: The Church of England. Some sources indicate that Jeremiah’s preaching activities were once defended by Patrick Henry. Jeremiah served for a short time in the Revolutionary War as a Corporal in the Virginia Infantry. On 2 Oct 1789 Jeremiah and his wife sold the 264 acres of land they owned on a branch of Difficult Run. It is assumed that he moved to Moorefield (present day location is in the Townes of Moorefield subdivision off of Nutley Street in southwest Vienna). In 1800 he wrote to and received a reply from Thomas Jefferson on the topic of political freedom. Jefferson ran for President that very year.

Nancy French of Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY

Born 28 Feb 1880, d. 26 Aug 1964, buried at Machpelah Cemetery in Mount Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY.

Marion B. French of Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY

Born 1 Sep 1875, d. 5 Jan 1938, buried at Machpelah Cemetery in Mount Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY. Marion was married to Nancy French.

Kiohara French of Montgomery Co., KY

Born 20 Jun 1792, d. 1 May 1851, buried at the French Cemetery, Montgomery Co., KY.

Joseph William French of Montgomery Co., KY

Born 28 Jun 1826, d. 17 Jan 1850, buried at the French Cemetery, Montgomery Co., KY.

Bibliography

[1] “A Genealogical and Biographical History of the Field Family of Massachusetts and Vermont, and the French-Henry Families of Virginia and Texas” by Charles Kellogg Field, III, Gateway Press, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21202, 1985. (410) 444-4228. Charles K. Field, 2961 Woodcreek Way, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48013. (313) 647-5410. Charles died in 2006.

[2] Overwharton Parish records (1723-1758), listed on the Quit Rent Roll for 1723. “A” James French is listed in 1738 on the Prince William Co. VA Quit Rent Rolls. He paid quit rents to the Crown in Virginia. This could be a different James other than the James of this chart.

[3] "Tenders of Tobacco in Overwharton Parish, The Register of Overwharton Parish, Stafford Co., Virginia, 1723-1758," by George Harrison Sanford King, p.159. FHL book 975.526 K2k. A list of the titheables allowed to tend tobacco aid quantity of plants in the precincts between Aquia and Quantico.

[4] FFA member Robert C. Neibling, 541 Bellehurst Dr., Montgomery, AL 36109. In 2008 living at 627 Glen Eagles Ave., Gulf Shores, AL 36542-9036. (251) 968-6369. Email: nibsndi@gulftel.com, email good in 2011.

[5] The material in this website does not show any legal documents, therefore it has not been added: http://genealogydata.ucan.us/g1033.html#I60976

[6] FFA member Marlys (Cindy) Louise (Halcomb) Sawyer, 2204 Vichy Rd., Rolla, MO 65401.

[7] FFA member Yvonne Flinn Bognar, 8040 Tremont Circle Dr., Affton, MO 63123. Perhaps moved to 4580 Kerth Forest Dr., St. Louis, MO 63128-3768, 314-892-1870. yvonnebognar@yahoo.com (email good in 2008, not good in 2011).

[8] Mary Arnold Kaufman, 190 Herworth Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017. Cousin to Ref [7]. She believes there may be a connection of this Virginia line to Pershore, Worcestershire, England. Information from a book, “The Five George Masons,” talks about the Frenches who married Masons. arnoldkaufman@sbcglobal.net

[9] FFA member Mary Milicent Godfrey French Luckett, 2844 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, D.C. 20007 (same line as [5]).

[10] Fauquier County, VA, Marriage Bonds and Marriage Returns, 1759-1854 by John K. Gott, 1989.

[11] Notebook of genealogy articles written by Harry W. Mills, published in the Mt. Sterling Advocate. In the Montgomery Co., KY library.

[12] Harry Enoch’s book on the Last Indian Raids in Montgomery Co.

[13] Baptist History Homepage. From S. J. Conkwright, History of the Boone's Creek Baptist Association Churches, 1923.

[14] FFA member Dolly Farrow Nicol, 3301 Hughes Lane, #67, Dickinson, TX 77539. (281) 337-4211. Email: cherionicol@yahoo.com (good in 2009)

[15] Letter from Jane Sutter, 27 Jan 1987.

[16] Kenneth C. Thomsen, Jr., 13790 Louisville Rd., Smith’s Grove, KY 42171, (502) 563-3461 (no longer available).

[17] Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, VA.

[18] Genealogies of Kentucky Families, 1981, from the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, FFA library F307. These names are not just from FFA Chart #14. This book is online thru ancestry.com.

[19] Loudoun Co., VA, Marriage Records to 1881, by Jewell.

[20] Marriages of Loudoun Co., VA, 1751-1853, by Mary Alice Wertz, 1985. SCPL GS929.3755 W49.

[21] FFA member Patricia A. Smith, P.O. Box 15558, Pittsburgh, PA 15244.

[22] William and Mary Quarterly, Notes on Some Moore and French Families in Virginia and Carolina in the Colonial Period, by William Cabell Moore from the Henry Francis Du Pont Winterthur Museum.

[23] Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy, by F. A. Virkus, A.N. Marquis and Co., Chicago, IL, 4,194, & 5,284 (1925).

[24] History of Halifax County, Virginia, by Wirt J. Carrington.

[25] French Bible Record by William Burkitt, M.A. Late Vicar and Lecturer of Dedham in Essex. The Sixteenth Edition. Carefully corrected. London, Printed for T. Osborn, R. Baldwin, T. Field, C & R Ware (etc. some 36 names). MDCCLXV.

[26] Marilyn Hallenbeck, 1105 Sunlake Blvd., Grand Island, FL 32735.

[27] A. Maxim Coppage, F.S.A. Scot, 653 Pershing Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.

[28] Bill D. Holder, 6596 Fichot, Cypress, CA 90630-5407.

[29] Index to Marriages Prior to 1853 of Prince William County, VA. (no longer available)

[30] Baptists on the American Frontier: A History of Tennessee.rrr

[31] Virginia Historical Society, Guide to African American Manuscripts.

[32] Virginia Marriages, 1668-1853.

[33] General John Bell Hood, CSA, Biography, website: http://www.johnbellhood.org/bio-01.htm. Email: shood321@aol.com, Sam Hood

[34] Suzanne French Keesler, email good in 2011 Suzandcarl@aol.com.

[35] Lisa Schumann, email: Lisa.Schumann@Erlanger.kyschools.us, good in 2009. I have been researching an old cemetery in Elsmere, Kenton, KY for 10 years. It was referred to as the "French Cemetery" in a book of "Small Cemeteries of Kenton County", but no names or stones are visible. I believe it is connected to SLAVES that were once owned by the French family. Do you have any information or sources that would help me research the slaves of the French family, especially those of Judge Richard French, who had a home in Kenton County because he was a Circuit Court judge? 

[36] Trina Michelle Robertson, email: trina.robinson@gmail.com (email good in 2009). Trina Robinson maintains the blog The Passage Project at www.passage-project.com and works as a production editor for T magazine, the style magazine at The New York Times. She can be reached by email or phone at 917.749.6244, email: trina.robinson@gmail.com (good in 2011). I hope this note finds you well. I came across your website while doing research into my family history. I am the descendant of numerous people with the surname French (black and mulatto) from Kentucky who first traveled to Chicago from Mount Sterling, KY in 1866. Their names are Martin French (born roughly around 1815 in Kentucky), his wife Martha, and their children, David, Martin, John B., Seward, Luther, James and Peter. Some family members returned briefly to Shelbyville, KY in the mid-1880s. I am looking for families named French who might have been slaveholders and was hoping there might be records available that can help me in my search. Any guidance or advice is welcome. I have been working on my family genealogy for a while now and have hit a roadblock on Ancestry.com. Trina is a descendant of numerous people with the surname French (black and mulatto) from Kentucky who first traveled to Chicago from Mt. Sterling, KY in 1866.

[37]

[38] Elizabeth Smith, ESMITH@Montgomery.k12.ky.us (email good in 1998, undeliverable in 2011).

[39] Angela Ansley

[40] Mary Lou McHaffie Ramsey, mchaffiemarylou@yahoo.com (good in 2009).

[41] Genealogy of the Reno/Reneau Family in America, 1600-1930, by Steven G. Fancy & Sue Reneau Damewood, website: http://users.frii.com/sfancy/Reno.pdf

[42] County List in Kentucky – tells when counties were formed and from which other counties: http://sankofagen.pbworks.com/w/page/14230643/Kentucky

[43] French Tipton Papers, Kentucky Room, Eastern Kentucky University Library. And “Fort Boonesborough” by Judge William Chenault, written for Courier-Journal, August 28, 1898. See website showing James French as a settler of Fort Boonesborough: http://donchesnut.com/genealogy/pages/fortboon.htm. Today Fort Bonnesborough is a state park. See also http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kycampbe/PioneersFtBoonesborough.htm.

[44] removed

[45] Cary C. Perkins, email: carycperkins@centurylink.net.

[46] Annie Dial French Elliott, email: ranchoagave@peoplepc.com. Her email from July 10, 2011.

Dear "Relative" Mara;

I e-mailed you eons ago and asked if you'd like further info on one of the French family lines (i.e., mine!) but bad woman that I am, never got around to doing it! Thankfully you put me on your e-mail list, so I just received this new info. Been extremely busy with constructing a new residence (for the past 6 years!) but want to get you some info if you're interested; to wit, Charles Fields, author of the book you mention, my Cousin Chuck, dies a few years ago. His widow, Barabara, and I are in touch, and I have to check again to make sure the address you give for copies of his book is still accurate. I believe Barbara still has some copies in her Bloomfield Hills home. Also - re: Marcellus French - I have some photos of him in front of his Virginia plantation, either Woodlawn or Fenton Knoll, can't remember which, which are in very good condition. Obviously they are post-Civil War, the old mansion is still standing at the time, but had been used as bivoacks (sp?) for Union soldiers so is greatly diminished in grandeur but very clear in photos. Also have many photos of my Grandfather, Rev. Junius B. French in excellent condition, and, believe it or not, a CD I had made from the original film of him officiating in 1915 at my Uncle Jim's wedding at the family estate in LA, also named Fenton Knoll after the Virginia property. It's amazing! Anyway, perhaps it's not fair of me to possibily tittilate any Frenchs who would be interested in such things, but I do have them and if I could just figure out how to get them on-line (I'm a HOPELESS Luddite!)or even make copies of them I would be happy to do so. Also, somewhere in the mix is the Dial family of Texas - my Grandmother, Annie Lawrence Dial, is that connection, and I have several things from that family in my possession including a simply marvelous albeit very small (10" x 12") oil painting on cardboard that my Great-Uncle Dial's wife did back in the late 1800's of a Mexican peasant in front of his jacal. Anyway, I don't know if any of this is of any interest to anyone, but I was so touched by your efforts on our behalf that I just pass it along. Oh, almost forgot - I have two original circa 1860's handwritten letters by French family men talking about the coming of Union soldiers to Virginia. Anything you think I can do with any of these items or info, just let me know, and hopefully I can do something (this time!) about it. (I have no heirs) And, of course, the inevitable question I'm sure you have gotten tons of times - where does Melinda French Gates ( Bill Gates' wife) fit in to our noble lineage, if any place? (ha ha ha ha)

Annie Dial French Elliott
Phone (951) 763-5187

[47] Tamara Mitchell, email: mistamar2u@yahoo.com.

[48] Baptist History Homepage: http://baptisthistoryhomepage.com/

[49] Carolyn French, Richmond, TX, email: carolynf64@msn.com, 281-762-0724 (h) and 832-407-6589 (c). She is the great-great granddaughter of ex-slave James French of Kentucky born in 1838. Ancestry.com website: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/7865494/person/-878792967?ssrc=. The FFA does not believe this is the correct line, but we are giving this information for future reference. The James French of FFA Chart #14 was from Chicago, IL, and this line is from Louisiana; this may be combining 2 lines that are unrelated. According to Ref. [49], Carolyn French of Richmond, TX, James was her great-great-grandfather. James lived in Louisiana with a youth named Essex in 1870 when James was 32. He bought 100-acres of property in Louisiana in the Red River Parish and had 7 sons who lost that property after the floods in the 1920s that had ruined the crops. His son Dan was killed in 1932 after the land was taken by the banks. Dan’s son, Dan Jr., had son Elijah French, who had daughter Carolyn French [49]. Her last email states that “her” James may have come out of New Orleans based on a story about him traveling up river on a ferryboat.

[50] Versa Carter, email: vcarter619@aol.com.

[51] Marcus French, email: frenchman1969@yahoo.com.

[52] Gwen French, email: gwenni63@yahoo.com.

[53] San Antonio City Cemetery #1, Section C

Plot 9-S. L. FRENCH

1. Olive French DEVINE, Feb 25, 1860, Jan 26, 1936

2. Helen Olive, dau of J. P. and O. F. DEVINE, Nov 30, 1882, April 18, 1920

3. Joseph P. DEVINE, Oct 29, 1881, Mar 4, 1936

4. Lamar French DEVINE, beloved son of William Webb DEVINE, and Beline Lamar DEVINE, July 6, 1919, Apr 10, 1946

5. Charles Clinton YATES, Jan 29, 1905, Mar 13, 1930

6. Sarah L. FRENCH, Oct 6, 1836, Sept 7, 1915

7. James Henry FRENCH, born in Fauquier Co., Virginia, Mar 26, 1835, died in San Antonio, Texas, Sept 6, 1893

8. Lorrie, little daughter of J. F. and S. L. CLARKSON, Nov 14, 1904, Mar 15, 1914

9. Baby Brother, infant son of J. F. and S. L. CLARKSON, June 4, 1914

10. Sarah Angier DEVINE, 1925-1925

11. Thomas J. DEVINE, Texas Captain, U. S. Army Ret., World War I and II, SS-PH, Feb 26, 1887, Dec 29, 1947

12. CLARKSON: James Francis, Nov 17, 1880, Sept 23, 1932; Sarah Lorinilla, nee DEVINE, June 9, 1880, Aug 10, 1959.

13. William Webb DEVINE, 1890-1948

[54] Diane Dahl, email: diane@dahl-portraits.com. Email undeliverable in 2011. Website: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/d/a/h/Diane-Dahl-/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-Index.html#French. Diane Brannon Knowles’s website: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/d/a/h/Diane-Dahl-/PDFGENEO1.pdf

French

French, Ann Callaway(d. date unknown)

French, Annie Carol(d. date unknown)

French, C. F.(d. date unknown)

French, Catherine(b. 1789, d. date unknown)

French, Charles R(b. 25 Dec 1863, d. date unknown)

French, Charles Richard(b. 02 Aug 1922, d. 12 Oct 1994)

French, Charles Stephen(d. date unknown)

French, Elizabeth(b. 30 Mar 1749, d. 10 Oct 1807)

French, Elmo Dial(d. date unknown)

French, F. G.(d. date unknown)

French, Franklina Gray(b. 25 Jul 1872, d. 18 Oct 1959)

French, Gordon Marcellus(b. 14 Dec 1956, d. Feb 1989)

French, Henry Gordon(b. 29 Jun 1876, d. 08 Jul 1876)

French, J. H.(d. date unknown)

French, James (Judge)(d. date unknown)

French, James(b. 1680, d. May 1743)

French, James(b. 05 Nov 1756, d. 01 Apr 1835)

French, James(b. 18 Mar 1801, d. 06 May 1850)

French, James(b. 01 Apr 1860, d. 30 Aug 1861)

French, James H.(d. date unknown)

French, James Henry(b. 26 May 1835, d. 06 Sep 1893)

French, James Henry(b. 17 Oct 1897, d. 03 Apr 1903)

French, James V.(d. date unknown)

French, James Vassar(b. 25 Jun 1864, d. date unknown)

French, Joseph William(d. date unknown)

French, Julia Coleman(b. 08 Jul 1872, d. date unknown)

French, Junius Butler(b. 07 Aug 1837, d. 02 Jul 1863)

French, Junius Butler (D.D.)(b. 29 Jan 1858, d. 09 Feb 1918)

French, Junius Butler(b. 21 May 1867, d. date unknown)

French, Junius Butler(b. 21 Mar 1903, d. 22 Oct 1975)

French, Katherine(b. 06 Feb 1747, d. 17 Nov 1771)

French, Keziah(d. date unknown)

French, Keziah(b. 06 Dec 1761, d. date unknown)

French, Livia(d. date unknown)

French, Living

French, Marcellus(b. 14 Feb 1831, d. 13 Dec 1917)

French, Marcellus(b. 01 Dec 1865, d. 15 Jun 1866)

French, Marcellus(b. 26 Aug 1901, d. 24 Sep 1973)

French, Marcellus(b. 15 Jan 1927, d. Apr 1988)

French, Margaret(b. 09 Oct 1754, d. date unknown)

French, Margaret Logan(b. 26 Oct 1858, d. 22 Jan 1879)

French, Maria Lynaugh(d. date unknown)

French, Martha G.(d. date unknown)

French, Mary(b. 22 Jan 1753, d. date unknown)

French, Mary Ann(d. date unknown)

French, Mary Elizabeth(d. date unknown)

French, Matilda Caroline(b. 26 Jul 1833, d. 03 Jan 1887)

French, Olive Ann(b. 25 Feb 1860, d. 26 Jan 1936)

French, Richard(d. date unknown)

French, Richard (Reverend)(d. date unknown)

French, Robert Aubrey(d. 03 May 1908)

French, Rosalie Henry(b. 04 Aug 1839, d. 28 Aug 1888)

French, Sarah Henry(b. 29 Jul 1861, d. 1913)

French, Sarah Lorrinilla(b. 21 Feb 1867, d. 28 Oct 1914)

French, Stephen(b. 01 Mar 1760, d. 22 May 1842)

French, Stephen Lynaugh(b. 29 Jul 1804, d. date unknown)

French, Susan(b. 21 Nov 1790, d. 25 May 1795)

French, Susannah(b. 01 Jan 1751, d. 25 May 1795)

French, Susannah(b. 25 Jul 1795, d. 05 Mar 1866)

French, Theodosia(d. date unknown)

French, William(b. 27 Apr 1725, d. 02 May 1792)

French, William(b. 18 Sep 1758, d. 30 Jul 1760)

French, William (Captain)(b. 26 Apr 1793, d. date unknown)

French, William

French, William Logan(b. 19 Apr 1869, d. 23 Dec 1953)

French, Winifred(d. date unknown)

[53] Jenny LaMore, email: jenlamore@sbcglobal.net (good in 2004).

[54] From "Ky Bible Records, V. IV" KY DAR, p. 103

FRENCH Bible. Copied from Wm. French's Bible in Stafford, VA by his grandson James French for Judge Richard French (James Frenchs first cousin). William French was son of James French who died in 1743, This James French had two children, William and Mary Ann. No further record of Mary Ann. This was copied April 20th, 1849. Winifred French daughter of Stephen Hall.

Winefred French was born 9 Jan, 1722

William French was born 27 April 1725.

(They were our grandmother and grandfather, now follows the births of their children)>

Catherine French was born 6 Feb 1747 and was cast away (drowned in the Potomac) Nov. 19, 1771.

Elizabeth French (called Betty) born 30 March 1749. And died 10 Oct. 1807 in the 59th year of her age.

Susannah born 1 Jan. 1751 and died 30 Aug. 1823 in the 73rd year of her age.

Mary who married W. Beaty) born 22 Jan, 1753.

James French (your father) was born 5 Nov. 1756.

William was born 18 Sept, 1758 and died 30 July 1760.

Stephan (my father) was born 1 Mar 1760 and died 22 May (?) in the 83rd year of his age.

Kezia (who married Mr. Stone) born 5 Dec. 1761.

Winefred French departed this life 15 May 1786, in the 65th year of her age.

William French departed this life 2 May 1792 about 67 years of age.

My father, his father and mother and my brother William, all died in the month of May.

[55] Elizabeth Smith, email: ESmith@Montgomery.k12.ky.us (good in 1998).

[56] Sharon Johnson, email: sharon-johnson@shootingstarsolutions.com (good in 2004).

[57] "Virginia Vital Records from the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly," "Virginia Will Records" (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1984; rpt. FTM CD 174, Virginia Vital Records #1, 1600s-1800s, Broderbund Software, 1997). (a) "Stafford County Wills, Administrations, Inventories, Etc., 1664-1760," p.360. (b) "A Missing Will Book of Stafford County and Its Contents," p.370, citing will, p.173.

[58] "Stafford County, Virginia Titheables 1723-1790," by John Vogt & T. William Kethley Jr. (1990) p.25. FHL book 975.526 R4v.

Ref. [58] talks about Charles G. Watkins’ taxes of 1724 for tobacco tenders in Overwharton Parish, Stafford Co., VA. James French was living with him, among many others. William French is also mentioned in a dispute in Jul 1764. These are father and son.

1724: Charles GWATKINS was taxed for 4 titheables and 25,700 plants on a list of tobacco tenders, Overwharton Parish, Stafford Co., VA. (3) Listed at Morrice BEVAN's in the precincts between Aquia and Quantico Creeks. The titheables charged to him were John CHADBURN, William WHITESIDES, William PARSONS, a negro boy. Also listed at the same place were Thomas and Thomas Jr. BARTON, William SPILLER (charged for and Warington SPILLER, William GRUBS), William SPILLER Jr., William HOWELL, __ MOSS (charged for James STEWARD), James FRENCH (charged for William DOLEHY), William THORNE (charged for Daniel and John OREA), William PURLER, William TRIPLET, Lewis RENOE (charged for Lewis Jr., Francis and Thomas RENOE and Henry and Gabriel MOFFET).

1764, 25 Jul: Prince William Co., VA, depositions taken on the Survey made Pursuant to an Order of the County Court of Prince William relating to the bounds in Dispute between William FRENCH & Edward GWATKINS, 23 & 25 July 1764. Judith HALLEY aged about fifty foure years or thereabouts deposeth that she is a Daughter of old Mr. RENOE's and remembers a Branch running near the lane and line of marked trees therein was allowed to be the boundary between her father & old Charles GWATKINS, and she knew nothing nor never heard anything of line trees or bounds in the Low Grounds nor never see any thing of the marked Beach or even remembers to have heard it till since this dispute. Samuel WHITSON aged Sixty five or thereabouts being Sworn deposeth that he has known the Plantation whereon on Edwd. GWATKINS lives & that whereon William FRENCH lives and has always understood that the marked trees standing between the said Plantations are the true boundes of the Landes; that he lived & worked several years on Edward GWATKINS's Plantation and knows nothing of the Walnut tree mentioned by Henry NORMAN & thinks it never was a boundary and is very Certain that ground cleared & tended far to the South of that Walnut tree by those residing on WATKINS's Plantation without any Complaint from RENOE that upwards of Forty years ago he remembers a Quarrel happening between Old WATKINS and Old RENO on lands cleared by GWATKINS near where the line now runs & Old RENO retreated untill he got to the South side of where the Lane now runs where he stopped & purposed to deside the Difference, saying he was then on his own Land; And this Deponent says he never know any thing of any line in the Low Grounds & never knew any Ford or Path near the Beach shewn by FRENCH & further saith not. William WHITESIDES aged sixty four years or thereabouts being Sworn deposeth that he lived in the Family of Charles GWATKINS, Father of said Edward WATKINS, about the year 1719 which was about two or three years before said Edward GWATKINS was born who he now thinks to be about forty two years old, that his Father died about the year this Deponent was free, that during the Deponent's residence on said Plantation they cleared lands & tilled it to a Branch running very near where the Lane runs now and this Depont. never heard any complaint from old Mr. RENO, and believes the marked trees in the Lane is the true line between Mr. FRENCH & GWATKINS as established by Old RENO and Old GWATKINS, the Father to the now Deft., but this Deponent never knew any bounds in the Low Grounds & never knew any thing of the Clearing or tilling the little piece of Low Ground mentioned by Capt. RENO & Mr. NORMAN & further saith not. Philemon WATERS aged fifty three or thereabouts deposeth that he hath been acquainted with the Plantations of Mr. Edwd. GWATKINS now lives and where Mr. Wm. FRENCH now lives ever since he can remember or they were seated and upwards of Forty years ago Mr. Charles GWATKINS, Father of said Edward, cleared lands near up to the Lane & line of trees standing therein & this Deponent hath always understood that the said marked trees standing along the lane was the true Division between said parties & by them consented to and approved of as he never heard the least objection from either party, & this Deponent says he never knew any marked trees through the Low Grounds but thinks he has seen a marked Beach on the Run higher up than that now claimed by FRENCH and always looked upon a Spurr'd Oak remarkably large which grew about the Beach claimed by FRENCH to be the said GWATKINS Property, this Deponent never knew any Foard or Path near the Beach claimed by FRENCH although he was well acquainted with the said Run & banks thereabout & further saith not. Benjamin BLAND aged Forty years or thereabout being sworn deposeth that he has seen a Bible wch belonged to this Deponents Father, who intermarried with Mr. GWATKINS Mother, in which Bible said GWATKINS age or time of his Birth was set down which was in January 1722 by which this Deponent thinks said GWATKINS Forty two years old last January; this Deponent saith that he resided on the Plantation where Mr. GWATIKINS now lives ever since he can remember & continued to live on it for several years & that during his residence on said Plantation he thinks the Division agreed on between the parties was those marked trees now shewn the jury in the Land between the two Plantations for that they cleared lands on GWATKINS's side quite or near up to the land and this Deponent never saw any Complaint; this Deponent never remembers any old Path or Foard going near the Beach claimed by Mr. FRENCH & never knew anything of the said Beach nor never knew anything of the small piece of Low grounds cleared by Old RENO or his Sons and further saith not. The deposition of Lewis RENO, gent., aged about fifty four years, that about Forty years ago this Deponents Father & Charles GWATKINS, gent., deced., Father to the Deft., were Neighbors and their land being contiguous together the said GWATKINS came to this Deponents Fathers House and told this Deponents Father that he was desirous to have a line between them, upon which the two old men went away together to mark a line as this Depont. believes, for in a very short time after this Depont. saw a parcel of new marked trees in the Lane now between the parties & on the last line run by the Deft. This Deponent further saith that in his, this Deponts. Fathers lifetime, & in that of Mr. Charles GWATKINS's lifetime, he, this Deponent, cleared a small piece of ground near or up that part of the Line that leads to the marked Beach & shewed at the Corner of HUGGINS's patent which said land was always worked as the land of Old Reno & never claimed as this Depont. can remember by the ads. Charles GWATKINS in his lifetime. This Deponent further says that his Father told him, this Deponent, that his land would go into the lands of Charles GWATKINS to a branch for that they marked those trees as aforesaid there being others which they could mark between the parties but this Depont. saith that he never knew anything of the marked Beach mentioned by Henry NORMAN & others untill the dispute between FRENCH & GWATKINS happened. The deposition of Mary NORMAN aged about fifty seven years, deposeth that about thirty six or thirty seven years ago Old RENOE's Sons cleared a piece of ground adjoining the line leading to the marked Beach & shewed to the jury on the Survey and that the said land was worked by the said RENOE's family for two or three years & that she never heard that said Charles GWATKINS ever complained of the same of whether he knew of it but that the land so worked as aforesaid was not above a quarter of a mile and a little better from the said GWATKINS house; this Depont. also says that about Forty six or seven years ago, her Father, Matthew MOSS, shewed this Depont. a marked Beach on the banks of the River & told this Depont, that was the corner Tree between Charles GWATKINS & Old RENO which was the very same Beach she shewed to the jury on this Survey. This Depont. also says that she never knew of any other marked Beach on the said River banks & further saith not.

[59] Jayne and Bob Douglas, email: douglasrj@q.com. Dear Mara, I had my DNA done through Ancestry. Although my last name is Douglas my matches all show French on the high matches. The other name I match is Michael Flanagan who when we emailed him said he also matched to the French name not to Flanagan. We have been doing genealogy for several years and started out thinking I was of Italian descent. After many years it turns out my great grandmother was of mixed race and according to family was named Francis. However we have never been able to go beyond my grandfather, Robert Oglethorpe Douglas, a man of mixed race according to census records but passed for white. Robert married a white woman and their offspring also could have passed for white. I never knew about the mixed race and was not acquainted with any of my father’s family. I think the French's from Kentucky hold the key to the mystery. Thanks for all the info on the French family, Robert Douglas

[60] F041 RAY. Index to Research Collection of Worth Stickley Ray and His Wife Marie Wroten on Their Ancestral Lines, and Other Families of the Southern States, Compiled and Typed by the Genealogical Society, Salt Lake City, UT, 1955, SLC US/CAN 975 D2r. Hugh French of Richmond Co. VA; James French 1801-1850, m. Martha Williams, of N. Carolina; Marcellus French of Texas, 1852; James B. French of San Antonio, TX, 1851; Stephen, William and James French of Northern Ireland, immigrated to VA. Other surnames include Mason, Somerville, Turner, Champe, Ambrose, Fitzhugh, Thornton, Hedgman, Tyler, Elzey, Brent, Washington, Butler, Hansbery, Hornsby, Davis, Waugh, Metcalfe, Swatkin, Minor, Sanford, Dake, Lacy, Rigby, Bowling, Strother, Manly, Burgess, Triplett, Chinn, Fox, all of England, Virginia, or Maryland.

[61] Clinton Haggard's references: "History of the Haggard Family in England and America: 1433-1899" written by David Dawson Haggard in 1899 and published by Joel Munsell's Sons, Albany, NY, a copy of which is in the National Archives in Washington, DC. James Hoggard/Haggard, H11, son of Anthony Hoggard, identified in 1723 Over-wharton Parish, Stafford County, VA, as a tobacco planter with three sons. Nearest neighbors, also tobacco planters, were James French and William Rice. The book by David Dawson Haggard identifies him as a schoolteacher with four sons. Records in the same area include two others believed to be brothers of those named. Mr. Leland Gentry identifies James Haggard's wife as Elizabeth Gentry, baptised 29 August 1687, St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, VA, daughter of Nicholas Gentry I."  See: http://forneyclarkgenealogy.com/getperson.php?personID=I1245&tree=forneyclark

[62] Genealogies of Kentucky Families from The Filson Club History Quarterly. Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1981. From the FFA Library, F307.