French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

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

Fourth Generation

This page updated by Mara French on 2/10/14. Numbers in brackets [ ] show the source material and refer to the bibliography. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Please send any corrections or additions to Mara French.

Contents

FFA Home Page

List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves

French Family Slaveholders of Mulatto and Black Slaves

Prince William County Court Papers

DNA Group 21 and Cross-Reference chart

Bibliography

Generations: Index 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Fourth Generation

Children of William M. French and Winifred Hall, 3.3

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

4.1 Katherine French, b. 6 Feb 1746/47 Prince William County, VA [40], 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 [40], 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. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves.

4.3 Susannah French, b. 1 Jan 1751 in Halifax Co., VA [40], 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. Ref [1] states that she died on 25 May 1795.

4.4 Mary French, b. 22 Jan 1753 in VA [40], m. Andrew Beatty or Beaty [1] [25]. Received one negro woman slave named Cate in her father’s will [40]. They had 7 children: Robert, James, Margaret, Winifred, Mary, Keziah, and Elizabeth [40]. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves.

4.5 Margaret (or Margaritt) French, b. 9 Oct 1754 in VA [40], 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]. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves.

4.6* James French, b. 5 Nov 1756 Prince William County [40], m. Keziah Callaway or Calloway on 27 Jun 1783 [28] (p. 468 of KY Genealogies), d. 1 Apr 1835 in Boonesborough, Madison 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.

Keziah French was the daughter of Richard & Keziah Callaway (spelled as CallAway.) She was b. 8 Aug 1768 in Bedford City, VA, and d. 26 Sep 1845 in KY. Keziah Callaway was the daughter of Col Richard Callaway of Boonesboro, and Elizabeth Hoy (second wife.) Elizabeth's grave is also in this cemetery. Her tablet stone records her death in 1813. When Richard was killed by Indians, Elizabeth moved in with her daughter Keziah and her son-in-law, James French. It appears that hers was the first engraved stone in the French Cemetery. There are numerous rough limestone markers there with no engraving.

Lulbegrud Baptist Church

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.

The only remnant showing that Lulbegrud Baptist church existed on the old Prewitt Road, SW of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky is the engraving that appears on the marker of Thomas Boone at the Old Lulbegrud Church Grounds and Cemetery. For more information on this church, see Lulbegrud Baptist Church.

Spencer, Kentucky Baptist History, Volume 1, Chapter 17. JAMES FRENCH, a prominent citizen of Montgomery county, was long clerk of Lulbegrud church. He was among the earliest settlers of Kentucky. When Boonesboro was laid off, in 1779, his name was given to one of its streets. When Campbellism was rending the churches of North District Association, Mr. French called a meeting at Lulbegrud to consider means of defense against the wiley arts of “Raccoon” John Smith, and his incluence was so great that Mr. Smith pronounced him “the wisdom of the opposition.” A subsequent historian has said “In a word, it was James French, and not John Calvin, that withstood John Smith so obstinately in North District Association.” From “Spencer, Kentucky Baptist History, Volume 1, Chapter 17.”

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. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves.

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.

Photo of Mrs. Keziah Callaway French, b. in Bedford Co., VA, 8 Aug 1768, d. 26 Sep 1845, m. 27 Jun 1783 in Boonesborough, Madison 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, Madison 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.

Bonnesborough is an unincorporated community in Madison County, KY, and lies in the central part of the state along the Kentucky River.

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.

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].

The September 5, 1854 will of early Kentucky settler and surveyor James French which provides instructions regarding the future freedom of Martin French:

“To our daughter Theodosia Hood and her heirs I give … 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.”


Will of James French

James wrote his will on 5 Sep 1834 and wrote a codicil on 30 Mar 1835. The original will and codicil are in this pdf file: JamesFrench_Will.pdf. Trina Robinson [36], who contributed these files, received them from the Mt. Sterling courthouse and transcribed the references to his slaves. 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 slave 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 Trina Robinson [36] also located online an abbreviated copy of his will where he is referred to as Matt).

Names in the will are daughters Catherine Farrow, Susannah Farrow, Theodosia Hood, and Levia Smith, and his wife Keziah. Executors were sons Richard French, William French, and wife Keziah French.

French Cemetery

Buried at the French Cemetery in Montgomery Co., KY are Susannah French Farrow 1795-1866, James French 1756-1835, James Hay French 1823-1900, Joseph William French 1826-1850, Kezia Callaway French 1768-1845, Kiohara French 1792-1851, Mary Tutt Taliaferro French 1805-1886, Richard French 1792-1854, Stephen French 1798-1827, Theodosia French Hood 1801-1186, and Livia French Smith 1806-unk.

Legal Documents

Land Grant, Fayette County, Kentucky, 1784

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.49
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 9,000
Book: 14
Page: 504
Date Survey: 10- 7-1784
County: Fayette
Watercourse: Big Slate Cr

Land Grant, Lincoln County, Kentucky, 1786

The Kentucky Land Grants, p. 49
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 47
Book: 16
Page: 82
Date Survey: 6-28-1786
County: Lincoln
Watercourse: Otter Cr

Land Grant, Madison County, Kentucky, 1789

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.49
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 154
Book: 14
Page: 512
Date Survey: 8-15-1789
County: Madison
Watercourse: E Fk Otter Cr

Land Grant, Madison County, Kentucky, 1790

We are not sure which of these land grants belonged to James French of this line. They are all dated between 1784-1798. Counties are Madison, Fayette, Lincoln, Bourbon, and Clark.

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.49
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 2,606
Book: 14
Page: 498
Date Survey: 4- 5-1790
County: Madison
Watercourse: Station Camp Cr

Land Grant, Madison County, Kentucky, 1790

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.49
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 500
Book: 16
Page: 124
Date Survey: 5-26-1790
County: Madison
Watercourse: Muddy Cr

Land Grant, Madison County, Kentucky, 1790

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 750
Book: 16
Page: 259
Date Survey: 4- 1-1790
County: Madison
Watercourse: Station Camp Cr

Land Grant, Madison County, Kentucky, 1790

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, Jas
Acres: 5,300
Book: 3
Page: 3
Date Survey: 4- 3-1790
County: Madison
Watercourse: Station Camp

Land Grant, Madison County, Kentucky, 1791

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, Jas
Acres: 400
Book: 1
Page: 129
Date Survey: 7-20-1791
County: Madison
Watercourse: None

Land Grant, Bourbon County, Kentucky, 1792

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 450
Book: 3
Page: 403
Date Survey: 11- 8-1792
County: Bourbon
Watercourse: Licking

Land Grant, Madison County, Kentucky, 1792

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 1,950
Book: 3
Page: 580
Date Survey: 11- 8-1792
County: Madison
Watercourse: Ky R

Land Grant, Bourbon County, Kentucky, 1792

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 232 ½
Book: 3
Page: 581
Date Survey: 10-28-1792
County: Bourbon
Watercourse: Green Cr

Land Grant, Bourbon County, Kentucky, 1792

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 367 ½
Book: 3
Page: 582
Date Survey: 10-28-1792
County: Bourbon
Watercourse: Green Cr

Land Grant, Bourbon County, Kentucky, 1792

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 342
Book: 3
Page: 583
Date Survey: 10-28-1792
County: Bourbon
Watercourse: Green Cr

Land Grant, Bourbon County, Kentucky, 1792

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 242
Book: 3
Page: 585
Date Survey: 10-28-1792
County: Bourbon
Watercourse: Green Cr

Land Grant, Bourbon County, Kentucky, 1792

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 216
Book: 3
Page: 586
Date Survey: 10-28-1792
County: Bourbon
Watercourse: Green Cr

Land Grant, Fayette County, Kentucky, 1792

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 1,787 ½
Book: 3
Page: 639
Date Survey: 2-17-1792
County: Fayette
Watercourse: 4 Mile Cr

Land Grant, Fayette County, Kentucky, 1792

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 17
Book: 5
Page: 100
Date Survey: 10-16-1792
County: Fayette
Watercourse: 4 Mile Cr

Land Grant, Fayette County, Kentucky, 1792

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 2,800
Book: 5
Page: 101
Date Survey: 10-18-1792
County: Fayette
Watercourse: 4 Mile Cr

Land Deed, Clark County, Kentucky

From “1800 Clark County, Second Census for Kentucky, based on Tax Lists”: Robert Scott, Archelaus Scott, and Edward Scott, according to the proximity of land purchases and tax lists, were migrating together from Woodford County, Kentucky into Clark County, Kentucky where Edward and Robert Scott’s land would become in 1797 the new domain of Montgomery County, established from Clark County in 1797. Edward Scott’s land would later become in 1811, the new domain of Bath County, Kentucky, established from Montgomery County in 1811. Robert Scott, Archelaus Scott and Edward Scott had purchased Clark County land in 1795, 1796, and 1797 from Thomas Vivion, son of John Vivion Sr. The Vivion Family of Virginia had purchased their land from James French, a wealthy land owner who came from Virginia. James French called his Kentucky land a “plantation” in his Kentucky deed transactions. His land was surveyed and known locally as the Vivion-French domain.  Some of that domain was purchased by Robert, Archelaus, and Edward Scott. 

Land Grant, Madison County, Kentucky, 1798

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 2,000
Book: 16
Page: 324
Date Survey: 9-29-1798
County: Madison
Watercourse: None

Land Grant, Madison County, Kentucky, 1798

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 500
Book: 16
Page: 325
Date Survey: 9-29-1798
County: Madison
Watercourse: None

Land Grant, Madison County, Kentucky, 1798

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 640
Book: 16
Page: 326
Date Survey: 9-29-1798
County: Madison
Watercourse: None

Land Grant, Clark County, Kentucky, 1798

The Kentucky Land Grants, p.174
Grantee: French, James
Acres: 2,195
Book: 16
Page: 641
Date Survey: 9-29-1798
County: Clark
Watercourse: 2 Mile Cr

Indenture, Bath County, Kentucky, 1812

Submitted by Nancy Stull showme49@mchsi.com

Bath County, Kentucky, Deed Abstracts and Transcriptions

Book A (1811-1816)(FHL Film # 272981)

p. 104 This Indenture made this 30th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve Between James French of the County of Montgomery and State of Kentucky of the one part and Raney Chastain of the County of Buckingham and State of Virginia of the other part Witnesseth that whereas there is an interference of Land claims of the parties aforesaid on Slate Creek in the County of Bath in the state aforesaid of Kentucky does exist and a suit having been prosecuted for some time in the Circuit Court of the aforesaid County of Montgomery and the parties having compromised for the aforesaid interference the aforesaid James French in pursuance of the aforesaid compromise with Thomas Moseby attorney in fact for said Raney Chastain and for and in consideration of one dollar in hand paid the aforesaid James French hath bargained and sold and conveyed by way of quit claim and by these presents doth bargain sell and convey by way of quit claim unto the said Raney Chastain his heirs and assigns forever all the estate right and title of him the aforesaid James French in and to the land contained within the aforesaid interference so far as he has title by deed of conveyance from James Garrard for one half of 5,000 acres patented in the name of the said James Garrard on the 20th day of August in the year 1786 containing three hundred and twenty two acres be the same more or less and bounded as followeth (to wit) beginning at an ash and Hackberry and sugar tree Northwest corner to a tract of 600 acres of the said Chastain, thence South 317 poles to two buckeyes and betty tree in the line of James Patty, thence with said Patty's line Eastwardly 162 poles to the line of the said Garrard's original line of survey, thence with his line North to a stake in the line of said Chastain, thence with his line to the Beginning To have and to hold the aforesaid interference parcel of land with its appurtenances unto the said Raney Chastain his heirs and assigns forever and the aforesaid James French doth by these presents warrant and will forever defend the parcel of land aforesaid with its appurtenances unto the said Raney Chastain his heirs and assigns forever against him the aforesaid James French and his heirs and against all persons claiming under him the aforesaid James French but from nor against no other person or claim whatsoever whether already known or hereafter may become known to interfere or conflict with the parcel of land aforesaid.  And the said Raney Chastain by his aforesaid attorney hereby declares himself fully satisfied and content with the compromise aforesaid and to take the title of the aforesaid James French at all chances and by way of quit claim as aforesaid and does hereby release the aforesaid James French and his heirs from claim or demand for or on account of said land should the same be lost or taken away and this deed is not intended to run into the land of James Patty but to bind on his northern boundary.  In testimony whereof the aforesaid James French has hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year first above written.  

James French.
Atteste Martin Chastain, Joseph Carter, James Ragland

Bath County Clerks Office, April the 7th 1812
This Indenture of Bargain and sale from James French to Raney Chastain was acknowledged before me by the said James French to be his act and deed and thereupon is admitted t record.  

Thomas Fletcher, CBC, 1812

Indenture, Montgomery County, Kentucky, 1812

Submitted by Nancy Stull showme49@mchsi.com

Bath County, Kentucky, Deed Abstracts and Transcriptions, Book A (1811-1816)(FHL Film # 272981), p. 167 17 Sep 1812, This Indenture made this 17th day of September in the year of our Lord 1812 between James French of the County of Montgomery of the one part and William Craycraft of the County of Bath of the other part, both of the State of Kentucky, Witnesseth: That said James French for and in consideration of the sum of $15 to him in hand paid the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge hath granted bargained & sold & quit claim and by these presents doth grant bargain sell and quit claim to the said William Craycraft his heirs and assigns forever all the right title interest and claim of the aforesaid James French has to a certain tract or parcel of land situated in the County of Bath on the waters of Miners Run of Flat Creek on which the said Craycraft now lives, containing one hundred and three acres be the same more or less and bounded as follows (to wit): Beginning on a sugar tree lettered IA buckeye and cherry tree Isaac Gray's northeast corner of his 260 acre survey and in the north boundary line of Thomas Swearingen's 1,000 acre survey that begins at Fleming's pond running from thence N 88 1/2° passing the northeast corner of said 1,000 acre survey at 26 poles in all 48 ½ poles to two hickories two locust and boulder lettered IA, thence south 89 1/2° E 88 poles to a red elm and two ashes, thence east at right angles crossing two branches in all 87 ½ poles to two sugar trees and two hickories on a hill side, thence south 89 1/2° E 90 poles to a honey locust and boulder lettered IA on the north bank of Miners Run, thence at right angles west up said creek crossing the same three times and running in an leaving the Run at 60 poles in all 136 poles to a buckeye, hickory and sugar tree and boulder in French's south boundary line and Isaac Gray's east boundary line, thence north 89° E with Gray's line crossing two forks of Miners Run at 52 poles in all 178 poles to the beginning including said Craycraft's improvements, to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land of 103 acres with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining unto the said William Craycraft his heirs or assigns forever and the aforesaid James French doth by these presents warrant and will forever defend the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances unto the said William Craycraft his heirs and assigns forever against himself the said James French his heirs executors administrators and assigns and against all persons claiming the same by from or under him but from nor against no other person or claim whatsoever and it is hereby declared to be the true intent and meaning of the parties that should be said 103 acres of land be taken away from the said William Craycraft by any other claim that is already known to cover or interfere with said 103 acres or that may hereafter be discovered that the said James French is in no part to be accountable for the same, the fifteen dollars nor anything else but this conveyance is simply to operate as a quit claim of the said James French and his heirs to said 103 acres of land and the said William Craycraft declares himself fully satisfied and content with the quit claim of the said James French as afforded and doth by these presents fully and entirely release said James French and his heirs from all demands on account of said 103 acres of land and doth acknowledge this deed to be only by way of quit claim as aforesaid and do take the said title be it as it may at all chances and forever discharge and release the said French and his heirs.  In witness whereof the aforesaid James French hath hereunto set his hand and affixes his seal this day and year above written.  Signed James French.  Witnessed by: Jno A.S. Anderson, James McIllhenny, Richard Stone.

I, William M. Sudduth, Deputy for Thomas Fletcher, Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid do certify that this Indenture of bargain and sale from James French to William Craycraft was proven before me on the 11th day of November 1812 by the oath of James McIlhenny, one of the witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be certified and on the 15^th day of December following the same was fully proven before me by the oath of Richard stone, another witness thereto subscribed and commanded to record.  Given under my hand as Deputy aforesaid.  Signed William Sudduth.  Delivered to owner 19 Nov 1818.

Indenture, Montgomery County, Kentucky, 1812

SUBMITTED BY NANCY STULL 4-30-2004 showme49@mchsi.com

Bath County, Kentucky, Deed Abstracts and Transcriptions

Book A (1811-1816)(FHL Film # 272981)

p. 164 18 Sep 1812, Indenture between James French of Montgomery County, Kentucky, and James McIllhenny of Bath County, 40 pounds in horses paid to James French, conveyed by quit claim deed, two tracts, 376 acres, part of near 9,000 acres survey granted to Jeremiah Moore, said part amounting to 2,666 2/3 acres deeded from Moore to said James French and also all James French's interest in 560 acre claim of land granted to William Shannon if included in the said boundary herein named, the 376 acres bounded as follows (to wit): The five acre survey beginning at an elm in the west boundary line of Valentine Stone and east boundary line of said James French running from thence S 5° W 14 poles to two sugar trees and an apple tree at or near the remains of an old elm, the original corner to James French it being his southeast corner, thence with said French's south boundary line N 45° W 188 poles to two hickories and box elder in said line in the line of Josiah Fugate, thence east with said Fugate's line to the beginning containing five acres more or less.  Also 371 acres beginning on a cherry and sugar tree corner to Josiah Fugits survey running N 85° W 200 poles to an elm and sugar tree in Cracraft's south boundary line, thence east with his line crossing Miners Run three times in all 106 poles to a honey locust and boulder lettered IA on the north bank of said Run and Craycraft's southeast corner, thence with his east boundary line crossing a fork in all 90 poles to his northeast corner two sugar trees and two hickories on a hill side, thence west with another line of Craycraft's crossing two branches in all 87 ½ poles to an elm and two ash saplings lettered IA, thence north with another line of his 88 poles to two locust trees, two hickories and box elders Craycrafts most northeast corner lettered IA, thence to and with Joshua Hazelriggs line 96 poles to a hickory cherry and honey locust said Hazelriggs northeast corner, thence west with his other line 24 poles to a black walnut and elm Eli Hazelriggs corner (the black walnut not names in said Hazelriggs deed), thence north 160 poles with his other line to two pawpaws his northeast corner, thence east 24 poles to a honey locust and buckeye at the end of Owings pond, thence south 100 poles to a white hickory, ash and elm northwest corner to James McIllhenny original survey of 150 acres deeded to him by Flemings heirs, thence east 150 poles to two sugar trees and two hickories in Josiah Fugits line, thence south with his line 160 poles to two ash and two buckeyes in Van Swearingens and John Fleming's division line corner to said Fuget and said McIllhenny, thence east with said division line 86 poles to a honey locust in said line corner to said Fuget, thence with said Fugets line south 200 poles to the beginning.

Signed James French.  Witnesses: Jno A. S. Anderson, Richard Stone, William Craycraft

Indenture, Mountgomery County, Kentucky, 1815

DEED: James and Kezia French to John Leach, 1815, Bath Co

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

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

Land Sale, Bird Creek, Clay County, Kentucky, 1815

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.

Indenture, Bath County, Kentucky, 1815

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 and 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

Survey, Montgomery County, Kentucky, 1817

Sept 16, 1817
12CC222-23   Robert Morrow, Survey made in obedience to order of Circuit court of Montgomery Co., Ky in suit of John U. Waring et al, vs. James French et al. shows surveys of Thomas Miller, Jeremiah Moore, Weathers Smith, John Firstoe, Robert Sanders, Enoch Smith, Isaac Davis, Wm. Baranby Sears, and John U. Waring.  Also shows Estill's battleground.  2 pgs

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/.

In James’ will, he mentions that most of his 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. Also listed are the names of slaves who also appear on Richard French’s inventory including Mourning. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves.

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.

4.7 William French, b. 18 Sep 1758 in VA [40], d. 30 Jul 1760 (age 2) [1] [25]. Obviously he is not named in his father’s will of 1790.

4.8* Stephen Zinah French, b. 1 Mar 1760 Prince Edward County, VA [40], 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].

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.

Deposition

[Marginalia] FRENCH Stephens Deposition

The Deposition of Stephen FRENCH taken in presence of the the parties in Obedience to an order of the County Court of Prince Wm dated the 9th Day of March 1798 in a suit depending in the said County Court between Thomas HOMES Jr Plaintiff and Enoch RENOE Defd Stateth &c that his Father William FRENCH always told him that the Land in dispute between the said HOMES & RENOE was taken up by his Grandfather2 (the Deponent[’]s to wit) entered[,] surveyed & returned to the office, That old Mr Thomas RENOE always claimed the Land after the death of his sd Grandfather, that he never had any thing to shew that he had any legal right to the sd Land[.] That his Father (to wit Wm FRENCH) always Supposed that the Right of the sd Land was in himself. That Lewis RENOE son of Thomas RENOE once applied to him to give from under [his] hand that he was done with his Claim. That then he would reenter it (RENOE to wit) and save the Charge of Back rents That his Father refused (to wit Wm FRENCH)[.] That sometime after his fathers death Old Mr Thomas HOMES & his son Thomas came to his the Deponents house & told him that they came to ask a Favr of him, that was to sign an Instrument of writing, that they had with them which they had brought from the Clerk of the Land Office by which means they could obtain a deed in the name of Thomas RENOEs heirs for sd Land[.] That he the sd Deponent refused to sign giving for Reason that if by his signing that paper it

it [sic] would Convey a write [right] to them, the write [right] must be bestd [vested] in himself

& immediately upon this he the deponent proceeded to get a Copy of the Will of father &

Grandfather & by which wills he the Deponent thought himself heir to sd Land & soon after he

had Obtained the Coppys [sic] of sd Wills he saw Mr Enoch RENO & he the said RENOE asked

him this deponent to come to his house that he would shew him Colo SYMMSes Opinion on that

dispute respecting the land and when he the said Deponent went Mr RENOE was not at home

and his Wife Mrs RENOE informed him that her father in Law Mr Francis RENOE sd to his

knowledge Mr James FRENCH had actu[al]ly made sale of that tract of land to his brother

Thomas RENOE and that if he the sd Deponant Obtain’d the Land and did not make over the rite

[right] of said land to Mr Thomas RENOEs heirs he could not be an honest Man and he the sd

Deponant con[c]luded that if he could not possess it the land (Viz) & be an honest [man] he

could not refuse to sign the paper offered to him by the sd HOMES the heir of sd RENOE & be

an honest Man, by which means they were to obtain Deeds[.] The next day after being at the Mr

RENOE the Defd he this Deponent went up to the sd Thos HOMES Plaintiff & told him that if he

would pay him for his trouble & Expence in geting his Grandfathers & Fathers Wills one dollar

for the Two Wills which were necessary for him, & one Dollar for his two days trouble in

obtaining them that he would sign his Papers. Questn by Defendt[:] Did not Mr Thos HOMES

Senr purchase the the [sic] Land of you or were not Mr Thos HOMES Senr and Mr Thos HOMES

Junr in Pardnership [sic] in the Purchase[?]

[Page 189]

Ansr by Deponent[:] If they were in Partnership I never knew it, and they never purchased it of

me[.] Questn[:] did your father ever hold the said Land in possession? answr [:] Never that I

know of. questn[:] did your Father in his life Time ever tell you that he thought you ought to

possess the sd Land? Ansr[:] I don’t remember he ever did.

Further this Deponent saith not.

Sworn to before us this 17th Day of March 1798[.]

Thos HARRISON {seal}

[Marginalia] E. FRENCH’s Deposn

The Deposition of Elizabeth FRENCH taken on behalf of Enoch RENOE Defd in a suit now

pending in the County Court of Prince William between the said RENOE and Thomas HOMES

Jr Plaintiff this 21st Day of April 1798 in obedience to an order of Court of sd County of Prince

William to us directed bearing date the 3d of April 1798.

This Deponent deposeth & saith. Questn by deft[:] Is not James FRENCH the oldest son of your

Father, William FRENCH? Yes he was the oldest son[.] Questn by Do[:] did you ever hear

your father say that he had a Claim to the Land in dispute[?] Answr[:] She has heard him Say

that he thought he had a Right if he would look into it. And further this Deponent saith not.

Sworn to before us this 21st Day of April 1798.

Thos HARRISON

W GRANT

W GRANT {seal}

4.9 Keziah French, b. 5 Dec 1761 Prince William County [40], 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.  

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