French Family Association
The Official Website of the Surname French
FrenchÕs Cove, 1920. FrenchÕs Cove is named after the Edward French family who claimed land here going back to 1634. The remains of a fishing settlement are barely visible to the eye today, below.
Chart #57, Edward French, 1737
FrenchÕs Cove, Bay Roberts, Harbour Grace, and Bareneed,
Newfoundland, Canada;
New Westminster, British Colombia, Canada
This chart updated by Mara French on 2/6/11. Numbers in brackets [ ] show sources and refer to the bibliography at the end of this chart. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Send any corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 2009, 2011.
Contents
Video of the Bay Roberts Heritage Trail
Bay Roberts East Shoreline Heritage Walk
Map of Harbour Grace (to the north) and Bay Roberts, FrenchÕs Cove, ColeyÕs Point, Port de Grave, The Dock, and Bareneed (to the south), homesteads of this French Family
Note
This chart will hopefully be researched and put together by Marian Craft, email: emcraft@shaw.ca. This chart is very sketchy and needs a lot more research, if and when I have time to do it. Any help appreciated. The current Bibliography has many notes that can be incorporated into the family line. The most difficult part is separating these perhaps 4 to 5 different French family lines. Those emailers listed in the Bibliography will be notified when this chart is ready for announcing to the public. There seem to be a lot of Frenches in the 1800-1900 in this line; I did not concentrate on these. Thank you, Marian, for your offer to research this line.
FFA Chart #44 now connects with this chart.
History and Research
RobertÕs
Bay Shield
FrenchÕs Cove was named after the Edward French family who claimed land here going back to 1634. It was destroyed by the French Army under Le Moyne dÕlberville during the raids of 1697 and 1705. At the turn of the century, it was a bustling fishing community. After the WWII, most young people moved elsewhere to seek employment, and with the arrival of outboard motors, fishing families moved up the bay to more sheltered locations. Most houses were moved out of the Cove by men using wood poles for rollers, an anchor, and block and tackle. The slow process was repeated until the house reached its new location (see photo at top of page). See Video of the Bay Roberts Shoreline Heritage Walk. As an afterthought, IÕm wondering if the many documents on the internet that claim that FrenchÕs Cove was named after Edward French actually mean it was named after the French (nationality) as that is part of the French section of Canada. It is especially questionable when they talk about the French Army under Le Moyne dÕlberville.
Ref [25] is a log book kept by the shipping company belonging to Edward FRENCH (1737-1783). After Edward died in 1783, his son Edward carried on the company until ca. 1800. The company's headquarters was at Bay ROBERTS, Newfoundland [25]. The log is for several ships and covers from the early 1700s to ca. 1800. It includes several birth entries for the FRENCH family as well as one marriage and one death entry [25]. This info was sent by Ref. [3].
Most likely the Edward French of this line (FFA Chart #57), who was born in 1737, a codfish trader of Newfoundland and the West Indies, was likely born somewhere in New England and moved to the Bay Roberts area about the time of the American quest for liberty from the dominance of the Church of England and the English Monarchy ---- about in the year 1776 this Edward French was a mature mariner of 39 years of age. The Brits forbade New England trade with English colonies in the West Indies and elsewhere after the Declaration of Independence in 1776 [2].
Latter Ancestry: Edward French, b. 1853 in Supperton, Hampshire, England, is listed at Alverstoke for many generations in the Òvessel logÓ for Edward FrenchÕs Shipping Company of Bay Roberts [3]. Alverstoke is in Hampshire, England, just west of Portsmouth and just across the channel from the Isle of Wight. His ship was in Alverstoke port in 1881 when he was 28 years old and unmarried. The record indicates that he was born in Supperton, Hampshire, England, a Leading Stoker in 1881 of the ÒH M S Victoria & AlbertÓ at Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.
DNA Tests
Ancestry.com has done at least 10 tests on this family who have their roots in Bay Roberts or the FrenchÕs Cove region of Newfoundland, Canada. Go to http://dna.ancestry.com/welcome.aspx and type in the surname French. Because this group is the only French DNA group on Ancestry.com, we suggest you join the larger group at Family Tree DNA. Can anyone figure out these DNA results, contact marafrench@mindspring.com.
First Generation
1.1* Edward French, b. ca. 1680, and is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48].
1.2* Stephen French and is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48].
1.3 Joan French is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log as dying on 31 Sep 1737, but we donÕt know where she belongs in this family [48].
Second Generation
Children of Edward and French, 1.1
2.1* William French, b. 1709 and is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log, listed as the son of Edward [48]. William m. 2 Nov 1733 and is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48].
Children of Stephen French, 1.2
2.2 Mary French, b. 16 Sep 1718 She is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48].
2.3 Hannah French, b. 19 Jun 1720, m. George Caswell on 23 Dec 1742 in NH and had children Joseph, George, John, Abner, and Love Caswell [49]. May not be in the correct place.
Third Generation
Most likely the children of William French, 2.1
3.1* Edward French, b. ca. 1737, d. 1783. The LDS microfilm of original record in possession of Elvin French Burrows, Burnaby, B. C. is a logbook kept by the shipping company of Edward French (1737-1783) at Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Canada. After Edward died in 1783, his son Edward carried on the company until ca. 1800. The company's headquarters was at Bay Roberts, Newfoundland [25]. Edward m. Elizabeth ca. 1762 [48]. Elizabeth d. 7 Apr 1783 as the wife to Edward French, Planter, of Bay Roberts [50]. Ref. [68] lists EdwardÕs Bay Roberts property in 1764 as ÒpossessÕd by his Ancestors for upwards of 130 years,Ó that is, before 1634 [68].
3.2 Elizabeth French, b. ca. 1747 and is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48]. Was this child really born 10 years later?
3.3 Mary French, b. May 1749 and is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48].
3.4 William French, b. ca. 1753 and is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48]. He could be the William French who died at Harbour Grace on 27 Mar 1783 [50]. Notice that his brother EdwardÕs wife died one week later and is also listed in Ref. [50]. He may have married Anne French who d. 14 Sep 1784 as a Planter in Harbour Grace [50]. William is listed in Ref. [52] as selling land in 1765. William was given land deeded as a gift from his father in 1780 [52].
Harbour Grace waterfront ca. 1880 and ca. 1911
3.5 John French, b. ca. 1755 and is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48]. Ref. [68] lists JohnÕs Harbour Grace property of 1770 as Òin Possession of the Family for upwards of 60 years,Ó that is, before 1710Ó [68].
3.6 Thom French, b. ca. 1758 and is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48].
Fourth Generation
Children of Edward and Elizabeth French, 3.1
4.1 Mary French, b. 12 Sep 1763 French Cove in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Canada, to Edward and Elizabeth French [48]. She is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48]. Mary married William Caravan, also of Bay Roberts, on 20 Jan 1806 [72].
4.2* Edward French, b. 11 Aug 1766 French Cove, in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Canada, to Edward French, made his will in 1829. He m. Mary [48]. She was b. in 1767 and d. in 1855 [48]. Edward is listed in the microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log [48]. Ref. [52] lists Edward as owning land in 1775, 1796, 1797, and 1802 in Bay Cove. He lived next to Robert Merser, Jonathan Merser, and Abram Earle.
Edward is listed in the 1817 Newfoundland Census, Bareneed, living with 3 children.
1829 will of Edward French mentions:
wife Mary
son Edward
his sons Joseph and Abraham
his sons John [eldest], Joseph, Abraham and Edward [youngest]
schooner "Brothers"
ground belonging formerly to James BUTLER
monies which may be in England at the time of my death.
Elizabeth HUSSEY, Ann DAW, and Mary BATTEN – (his daughters)
"the balance which may be due to me on the voyage of the present
season"
"my brother, Abraham FRENCH of Bay Roberts, and Richard RYAN of Bearneed.
witnesses: Charles BLACKMAN, Ann BEECHAM, Grace BOONE
[was Grace Daw, daughter of George DAW]
Mary French, probate 1855, widow of Edward French, Bareneed Port de Grave.
Will of Edward French from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 77 & 78, probate year 1829.
In re Edward French deceased.
In the name of God Amen. By this my last will and testament, I Edward French, at the Dock, Bearneed, being of sound mind and memory do will and bequeath as follows. First, I commit my soul and body to the Mercy of God, praying that he may give me a joyful resurrection and a place in his heavenly kingdom. 2d I bequeath to each of my children, the sum of One hundred pounds sterling (except my eldest and youngest sons, John and Edward French,) i.e. to Elizabeth Hussey, Joseph French, Ann Dawe, of Ship Cove, Abraham French and Mary Batten. 3d I bequeath to my wife, Mary, and to my son, Edward jointly all the monies which may be in England at the time of my death, together with the house, outbuildings and land, occupied and owned by me at the Dock, Bearneed at the time of my death. 4. I give to my sons Joseph and Abraham, the house, ground and all thereunto pertaining belonging formerly to James Butler, and given to me by a decree of the court at Harbor Grace. 5. I give to my wife Mary, and my son, Edward Jointly, the balance which may be due to me on the voyage of the present season after paying all wages and other lawful expenses. 6. I give to my four sons, John, Joseph, Abraham and Edward, the Schooner "Brothers" with all her materials, together with all the nets, seines, and every article used in the fishery, skiffs, boats, barking kettles, &c. 7. I give to my wife and my son Edward all my cattle & sheep to dispose of as they please. 8. I also give to my wife and my son Edward all monies which may remain after the payment of the aforesaid legacies, wheresoever such money may be placed. They will see however that I am respectably buried, and pay out of said money my funeral expenses. 9. I hereby appoint my brother Abraham French of Bay Roberts, and Richard Ryan of Bearneed, my Executors to see this my will carried into effect. 10. I hereby also direct that when my sons, Joseph and Abraham shall require shingles, board & nails my son Edward shall supply them with a sufficiency for the erection of a convenient house each. Joseph and Abraham however are to assist in sawing such board as may require sawing. Given under my hand and seal at Bearneed this third day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine. Edward his x mark French (LS) Witnesses Charles Blackman. Ann Beecham. Grace Boone.
Certified Correct, D. M. Browning Registrar.
His wife, Mary, wrote her will on 17 Jun 1852 and died in 1855. From this will we determined her grandchildren.
Will of Mary French from Newfoundland
will books volume 2 pages 189-190 probate year 1855
In re
Mary French
deceased.
In the name of God Amen, I Mary French Widow of the late Edward French at the
Dock Bareneed Port de Grave in the Island of
Newfoundland being desirous to dispose of all my wordly
property I commend my soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth there to
await for the general resurrection at the last day. 1st This being my last will and testament
I do give and bequeath to my granddaughters Edward's children say the western
part of the land and half the dwelling house for Grace French with outhouses,
cellars, stages, flakes, bounded on the north by the main road on the south by
the sea, 1 glass picture for Mary French one picture for Grace French one for
Mary Batten one for my grandson Joseph French one for Elizabeth Hussey one for
Joseph French one for Abm French, one for my
granddaughter Mary Daw my Bible for my son Joseph my
Prayer Book for my daughter Elizabeth Hussey also one mahogany arm chair now in
my son John's house the tables and chairs now in possession of my daughter Mary
Batten she is to have them in consideration of my son Edward owing her money
one round table for my son Abraham and the other round table for my son Joseph,
one silver ladle for my son Abm,
1 silver tea spoon for Abm's daughter Mary,
1 do. do. for Ed's Mary,
1 do.
do. Grace.
All the other spoons to be disposed of as the
executors think proper, my own bed I give to Edward's daughter Mary, the other
bed to Abm's daughter Mary, the large counterpane to
Elizabeth Hussey, the small one to Edward's daughter Mary, the clock and
looking glass for Edward's daughter Mary, the set of china that my son John has
in his house to be for Edward daughters Mary and Grace, the kitchen garden for
Mary and Grace French. My sons Abm
and Joseph to have equal share of the land that is back of my son John's house
my son John to have no more of the land than what he occupied at the time of
his father's death, the piece of land in front of my son John's house commonly
called the calf's meadow for my grandson Edward Batten, one arm chair for Mary
Batten, one chair for my son John and one chair for my son Joseph the large
meadow the north side of the main road to be for my son Abms
two sons say Edward and Thomas French. Edward & John sons of my son John to
have one flake each and that stage my son John built since his father's death
to be for Edward & John as named above All and every part of the property
moveable and immoveable not mentioned here to be disposed of as my executors
should think fit. I do hereby appoint George D. Garland and
John Newell my sole executors to see my legacies carried into effect a
headstone for myself and my son Edward to be erected and also I am to be buried
decently and respectable to be paid for and purchased by those that are to
receive their legacies as named before. I do also give to my
son Edward's daughter Grace 1 silk shawl and 1 gold ring for Edward Batten the
money that my son Ed owes G.D. Garland to be paid off the property.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and
seal this seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred & fifty two at the Dock Bareneed
Mary
her X mark French (LS)
Witness present, John J. Martin, Thomas Martin, Junr.
Certified correct, D. M. Browning Registrar
4.3* William French, b. 14 Aug 1768 to Edward and Elizabeth French, date listed on his fatherÕs Shipping Co. log [48]. He owned land in 1797 [52]. William is listed in the 1817 Newfoundland Census, Bareneed, with 4 children.
4.4 Gordon (or George?) French, b. 29 Jul 1770 to Edward and Elizabeth French, date listed on his fatherÕs Shipping Co. log [48].
4.5 Samuel French, b. 1 May 1772 to Edward and Elizabeth French, date listed on his fatherÕs Shipping Co. log [48]. He d. 29 Nov 1781, going on 10 years, at Bay Roberts [50].
4.6 John French, b. 11 Jul 1774 to Edward and Elizabeth French, date listed on his fatherÕs Shipping Co. log [48]. He married Mary Wilcocks of St. Johns, while he was of Bay Roberts, on 13 Nov 1806 [72].
St. John, the Evangelist, ColeyÕs Point, built in 1898-99, a later church than the French family knew.
The Church Hall for St. John the Evangelist is located about ¼ of a mile to the west of the Church.
From an article by Harold Dawe, Rector's Warden, St. John the Evangelist and based on a comprehensive history of St. John the Evangelist written by Albert French in 1981. The history offers vivid and detailed information. Copies are available at the rectory.
4.7 Abraham French, b. 16 Feb 1778 to Edward and Elizabeth French of Bay Roberts, date listed on his fatherÕs Shipping Co. log, mentioned in his brother EdwardÕs will of 1829. Abram is listed in Ref. [52] as owning land in 1804 next to Jonathan Snow and William Badcock in Bay Roberts. He m. Frances Mercer of Bay Roberts on 27 Dec 1805 [72].
4.8 Joan French, b. ca. 1780 to Edward and Elizabeth French, illegible date listed on her fatherÕs Shipping Co. log [48].
4.9* Nathaniel French, b. ca. 1782 to Edward and Elizabeth French, illegible date listed on his fatherÕs Shipping Co. log [48]. He married Ann Bradbury, also of Bay Roberts, on 6 Jan 1806 [72]. He wrote his will on 12 Dec 1851. The following will shows that he married Charlotte, not Ann.
Will of Nathaniel French, Registry of Deeds & Companies Confederation Building, St. John's, Vol. 14, pg. 45-46
In the Name of God, Amen. I Nathaniel French of Bay Roberts, Conception Bay in the Island of Newfoundland, Planter, being of sound and disposing mind [and] memory & understanding but considering the uncertainly of life do this Twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one make this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say: I give and bequest to my Son Abraham French that piece or parcel of land situate in Bay Roberts aforesaid on which his house now stands together with the Kitchen Garden before his House as it is now fenced in, also that piece or parcel of land behind his House extending back to the Stable House [say?] 15 feet. To my Son Charles French I give and bequeath one half of the remainder of my land situate at Bay Roberts as aforesaid the cleared and unleased land to be equally divided. I also give and bequeath to him one half of my loose property such as Cattle, Sheep & Pigs. To my Wife Charlotte French I give and bequeath the remaining half of my land together with the Dwelling House thereon to be held by her as long as she remains unmarried but at her decease or on her marriage I will that all this portion of the land together with the Dwelling House thereon erected become the property of my Sons Edward and Isaac French share and share alike. I further give and bequeath to these my sons Edward & Isaac French the remaining half of my loose property such as Cattle, Sheep & Pigs share and share alike. I further will and [illegible] that in case of my Wife Charlotte French's marriage or decease my son Charles French do take possession of this portion of my land and property to hold in Trust for the interest and benefit of my Sons Edward and Isaac French until they are both of age. To my Son Nathaniel French in consequence of his undutiful conduct I give and bequeath but one Shilling, and I nominate and appoint the Reverend Martin Blackmore, Miss'y, and Mr. Charles Mercer, Planter, both of Bay Roberts, my Executors to this my last Will and Testament and I hereby revoke all former and other Wills by me made and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I the said Nathaniel French have hereunto set my hand and seal at Bay Roberts aforesaid the day and year first above written. A.B. The land I have given and bequeathed is bounded on the East by W. Badcock's property and on the West by Mrs. French and proberty North by Abraham and Samuel Mercer's and South by the Sea. I have given it also to these my Sons, their heirs and assigns forever.
Nathaniel French {Seal}
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Testator Nathaniel French as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto set and subscribed our names as Witnessess...
Martin Blackmore, Ep'l Miss'y
Charles Calpin
I hereby Certify that the execution of the will of which the foregoing is a true and correct Copy by Nathaniel French the Testator was proved before myself on the Twenty second day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty three by the Affidavit endorsed thereon of Charles Calpin one of the subscribing Witnesses thereto and the same is in due course hereby actually Registered by me this day. Given under my hand this Twenty fifth day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty three A.D. 1853.
John
Stark, Registrar
http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cb_wills_nfrench1851.htm
Fifth Generation
Children of Edward and Mary French, 4.2
5.1* John French, b. 25 Mar 1808 in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland [48]. He is mentioned in his fatherÕs will of 1829 as being his eldest son. He is mentioned in his motherÕs will of 1852 as having 2 children: Edward and John. He m. Amy Batten on 5 Dec 1837 in Bareneed, NFLD. Witnesses were William Batten and John Batten [48].
5.2 Elizabeth French, m. Hussey, mentioned in her fatherÕs will of 1829 as being the oldest daughter. She is mentioned in her motherÕs will of 1852. She m. Hussey. None of her children are mentioned in her motherÕs will of 1852.
5.3 Joseph French, mentioned in his fatherÕs will of 1829. Joseph married the same year on 13 Dec 1829 in Bareneed, the Dock, to Grace Boone [26]. He is mentioned in his motherÕs will of 1852. No children are mentioned in her motherÕs will of 1852.
5.4 Ann French, m. Daw, mentioned in her fatherÕs will of 1829 as being of Ship Cove. She is not named in her motherÕs will of 1852, but her daughter Mary Daw is mentioned.
5.5* Abraham French, mentioned in his fatherÕs will of 1829. He is listed in his motherÕs will of 1852 as having 3 children: Mary, Edward, and Thomas.
5.6 Mary French, mentioned in her fatherÕs will of 1829. She is listed in her motherÕs will of 1852. She m. Batten and had son Edward Batten who is also mentioned in the will of 1852. Most likely Edward Batten was b. ca. 1843 and appears as age 67 in the 1910 census of Independence, Cuyahoga, OH, widowed. However, another Edward Batten was buried on 25 Aug 1866 at Port de Grave.
5.7* Edward French, mentioned in his fatherÕs will of 1829 as being his youngest son. Edward is mentioned in his motherÕs will of 1852 as having these children: Grace, Joseph, and Mary.
Children of William French, 4.3
5.8* Edward French, from the 1817 Newfoundland Census, Bareneed. He registered his will on 4 Aug 1839 [48]. He had son, William. He mentions his unnamed wife, another Edward French, Testator of the will, and witness Jeremiah Rouse from whom the subject Edward French leased a ÒFishing Room and Plantation situated on the south side of Harbour GraceÓ, and John Stark, registrar, and Donald MacLellan, witness [48].
Will of Edward French (of William) of Bay Roberts
I, Edward French (son of William) of Bay Roberts being at present in a weak state of body but of sound mind doth hereby declare and make my last Will and Testament as follows:
The whole of my property situated in Bay Roberts aforesaid also a Fishing Room and Plantation situated on the south side of Harbour Grace and now under a lease for term of twenty years to Jeremiah Rouse. I give and bequeath to my son, William in consideration of which he is to allow my wife to remain in the House so long as she lives or so long as she wishes to remain and that he will also support her while she remains with him but it is my wish that she shall not bring any family or person into the House without the consent of my son. As witness my hand at Bay Roberts this 4th day of August 1839 Edward (his mark) French (Seal) Witnesses - Donald MacLellan, Edward French.
I hereby certify that the execution by Edward French, the Testator of the Will of which the foregoing is a true and correct copy was proved before me by the Oath of Edward French, a subscribing witness thereto on the seventeenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and two nine and the same is hereby actually registered by me this day. Given under my hand this twentieth day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. A.D. 1839
No. 1900 John Stark, Registrar
5.9* William French, (unsure of this connection), b. ca. 1810, d. ca. 1870, m. Penny (Penelope), in Bareneed, Newfoundland, Canada, from the 1817 Newfoundland Census, Bareneed.
5.10 French, from the 1817 Newfoundland Census, Bareneed.
5.11 French, from the 1817 Newfoundland Census, Bareneed.
Children of Nathaniel and Charlotte French, 4.9
5.12 Abraham French, mentioned in his fatherÕs will of 1851.
5.13 Charles French, mentioned in his fatherÕs will of 1851.
5.14 Edward French, mentioned in his fatherÕs will of 1851, underage.
5.15 Isaac French, mentioned in his fatherÕs will of 1851, underage.
5.16 Nathaniel French
Sixth Generation
Children of John French, 5.1
6.1 Edward French, b. ca. 1843, mentioned in his grandmotherÕs will, Mary French, of 1852.
6.2* John French, b. 1845, m. Jane Lacey on 18 Nov 1873 at St. MarkÕs CoE Church in Bareneed, Port de Grave. Witnesses were James Lacey and Tryphena Newell [48]. He is mentioned in his grandmotherÕs will, Mary French, of 1852.
Children of Abraham French, 5.5
6.3 Mary French, mentioned in her grandmotherÕs will, Mary French, of 1852.
6.4 Edward French, mentioned in his grandmotherÕs will, Mary French, of 1852.
6.5 Thomas French, mentioned in his grandmotherÕs will, Mary French, of 1852.
Children of Edward French, 5.7
6.6 Grace French, mentioned in her grandmotherÕs will, Mary French, of 1852.
6.7 Joseph French, mentioned in his grandmotherÕs will, Mary French, of 1852.
6.8 Mary French, mentioned in her grandmotherÕs will, Mary French, of 1852.
Children of Edward French, 5.8
6.9 William French
Children of William and Penny French, 5.9
6.10* William John French, b. Sep 1829 in Bareneed, Newfoundland, Canada, d. Sep 1910 in ColeyÕs Pt.,
m. Elizabeth Snow ca. 1864. She was b. 4 Nov 1838 in Bareneed,
d. 11 Nov 1924 in ColeyÕs Pt., Newfoundland [4] [49]. He was the son of John
French of ColeyÕs Point. He was accidentally killed while following his
occupation in the lumber woods in the state of Maine. – so, he is not the son of William & Penny.
Bareneed,
Newfoundland, Canada
Another record shows ÒaÓ William French, m. 15 Jan 1868 in Bareneed, a widower, Rachel Lacey, a widow at The Dock in Bareneed.
6.11 James French [4].
6.12 John French [4].
6.13 Henry French [4].
6.14 Robert French [4].
Will of Robert French (could be another Robert French)
IN RE: ROBERT FRENCH.
DECEASED
Know all men present that I Robert French
do give to my grandson Ernest Allan Greenland son of Martha Jane all my land
cleared and uncleared dwelling house and out houses
and all my cattle and all that I have in my possession after myself and my wife
Elizabeth are deceased and if Ernest Allan Greenland should die before us the
land and all the property remains ours the same
Given the ninth of June in the year of our Lord one thousand
nine and nine.
ROBERT X FRENCH
Witnesses ) Albert
Greenland
)
Stephen Greenland
CORRECT.
William
F. Lloyd
Registrar of the Supreme Court of
Newfoundland.
(Listed in the margin next to this will the
following)
Fiat Sept 18/26. Kent J. Adm C. T.
A. granted to Martha J. Ryan. Sept 20/26. Estate sworn at $233.50
http://ngb.chebucto.org/Wills/french-robert-13-428.shtml
6.15 Elizabeth French [4].
Seventh Generation
Children of John and Jane (Lacey) French, 6.2
7.1 Abe (or Abraham) French [48], b. ca. 1870? Most likely he m. Elizabeth, b. 1874, d. 26 Jan 1953, aged 79 years, and is buried at the Bareneed United Cemetery in the Port de Grave District. See http://ngb.chebucto.org/Cemetery/cem-bareneed-uc-old-pdg.shtml.
7.2 Florence French [48].
7.3 Salena or Selena or Selina French [48].
7.4 Mary Ellen French, b. 5 Aug 1895? [48], d. 26 Oct 1973 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada [48]. She m. Azariah Boone who was b. 1889 in Newfoundland, Canada, d. 1961 [48]. They had children Francis Boone (1913), Jean Boone (1916), Howard Boone (1917), Kathleen Boone (1919), Terry Boone (1931) [48]. According to the Border Crossings From Montreal, Canada to the U.S. during 1895-1956, Azariah arrived at the port of St. Albans, Vermont in the U.S. in Mar 1910 at age 20. He had been a clerk, listing his father also as Azariah French of Newfoundland, and after crossing, his destination was Philadelphia, PA.
Mary Ellen French
Children of William John and Elizabeth (Snow) French, 6.10
7.5 Elizabeth Anne French, b. 14 Aug 1865 at ColeyÕs Pt. [4], chr. 12 Nov 1865 at B.R., m. Jake Fillier and had dau. Harriet Fillier b. 9 Dec 1896 or 97 [4].
7.6 Julia French, b. 11 Mar 1870 in B.R., chr. 1 Apr 1870 in B.R., m. E. Kelly on 7 Feb 1900 [4].
7.7* Robert Charles French, b. 14 Oct 1872 in ColeyÕs Pt., chr. 14 Oct 1872 in ColeyÕs Pt., d. 10 or 20 Oct 1950 in Watertown, MA, m. Bessie H. Brown on 25 Apr 1905. Bessie was b. 17 Sep 1879 in Beachside, Newfoundland, Canada, d. 22 Jan 1975 in Watertown, Middlesex, MA [4]. They also lived in Rye, NH [49]. Robert C. French appears in the 1920 census of Watertown, Middlesex, MA, age 46, born in Canada, married to Bessie H. French, both his parents were born in Canada, he immigrated to America in 1898.
7.8 Caroline French, b. 6 Jan 1875 at ColeyÕs Pt., chr. 17 Mar 1875 in B. R., d. at Clarkes Beach, m. Abram Mugford and had one dau. in Green Valley, Ontario and another, Eliza Mugford Knuuttunen who was b. 22 Feb 1902 in Canada, died 26 Oct 1989 in Mentor, Lake Co., Ohio [4].
7.9* William John French, b. 6 Aug 1877 [84] in ColeyÕs Pt., Newfoundland, Canada, and was a carpenter of Long Beach Pond, d. 5 Nov 1948 at Clarkes Beach, South River, m. 4 Apr 1902 at Port de Grave to Mary Jane Kelly, the dau. of Frederick Kelly and Susannah Dale. Mary Jane Kelly was b. 4 Sep 1880 at ColeyÕs Pt., d. 25 Apr 1964 in Clarkes Beach [4]. See Ref. [8] which might be the same person [49].
Eighth Generation
Children of Robert Charles and Bessie (Brown) French, 7.7
8.1 Edward W. French, b. 30 Jan 1908 or 22 Apr 1908 in ColeyÕs Point or Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Canada, m. Josephine Caswell on 28 Apr 1939 [4]. Josephine was an FFA member [49]. He appears in the 1920 census of Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA, age 11. This poor copy of a record of registry shows that Edward entered the U.S. on 22 Apr 1908 to Vanceboro, Maine, showing a destination of Watertown, MA.
r
8.2 Albert G. French, b. 28 Aug 1910 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA, appears in the 1920 census of Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA, age 9. He d. on 2 Jun 2009 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., MA, according to the Social Security Death Index. He lived at 655 Boston Post Rd., in Sudbury.
8.3 Lily B. French, b. 1912 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA, appears in the 1920 census of Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA, age 8.
Children of William John and Mary Jane (Kelly) French, 7.9
8.4 Myra French, b. 12 Dec 1902, chr. 22 Dec 1902 [4]. She died unmarried at Brigus, Newfoundland, on 20 Feb 1986, age 83. See http://ngb.chebucto.org/Parish/brigus-burial-3-pdg.shtml.
8.5 William Frederick French, b. 23 Jun 1905, chr. 24 Jun 1905, d. 8 Sep 1905 at 2 months old [4].
8.6 Harold French, b. 17 Mar 1911, chr. 3 Apr 1911 [4].
Ninth Generation
Children of Garfield and Edith (Benson) French (no research further back)
9.1 Fred French, died before 1939.
9.2 Don French, living in 2010.
David Benson French
9.3 David Benson French, b. 18 Jan 1939 in ColeyÕs Point, d. 5 Dec 2010 at age 71. Jerry and Brenda Mercer, the Victoria Museum Playhouse, and the community of Bay Roberts were saddened at David French's passing in December, 2010. They give their sincere condolences to his partner, Glenda MacFarlane, his son Gareth and his daughter Mary. Brenda Mercer was able to visit with David in Toronto last fall. At that time, she informed him about the Canadian Culture Days production of Salt-Water Moon. The Mercers are pleased to display items from David at the Museum, including the typewriter he used to write many of his plays. See various websites: website 1 website 2 website 3
Award-winning
playwright and Officer of the Order of Canada, David French joined Trent
University students at Champlain and Gzowski colleges
during the Fall of 2003 as a writer-in-residence. He
shared his experience of more than four decades with high school students,
local theatre groups and interested community members.
Champlain
College has had writers-in-residence for more than 30 years, the first of whom
was Margaret Laurence. In each of the last five years, the college has welcomed
five writers-in-residence, among them, Dennis Lee, Andrew Pyper
and Michael Ondaatje. Mr. French was in residence between October 6 and 17,
2003.
"David
French had one of the most sustained careers in the Canadian theatre,"
says Prof. Stephen Brown, master, Champlain College. "ItÕs fair to call
him the Canadian dean of playwriting, and thatÕs what made him attractive to
us."
Mr.
French was best known for his semi-autobiographical Mercer Family series plays Leaving
Home, Of The Fields, Lately, Salt-Water Moon, 1949, and SoldierÕs Heart.
These plays, based on a Newfoundland family, have been performed across Canada
and the United States. Of The Fields, Lately has been produced on
Broadway along with The Seagull, which starred Jon Voight,
Laura Linney, Tyne Daley, Tony Roberts and Ethan
Hawke.
Originally
produced by TorontoÕs Tarragon Theatre in 1979, Mr. FrenchÕs Jitters has
since had hundreds of productions throughout the world, including a highly
acclaimed six-month run at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven. Jitters was revived with success in Toronto by CentreStage in 1987.
Mr.
FrenchÕs plays have inspired screenplays, been filmed as full-length drama
specials for CBC Television and translated into French and Spanish. They have
garnered awards such as the Hollywood Drama-Logue Critics Award, the Canadian
AuthorsÕ Association Award for Drama, the Dora Mavor
Moore Award, Outstanding New Play and the Chalmers Award for Best New Canadian
Play. Born in ColeyÕs Point, Newfoundland, Mr. French was the first inductee
into the Newfoundland Arts Hall of Honour in 1989.
In
his more than 40-year career, Mr. French has worked as a professional actor and
in the 1960s and 1970s, wrote half-hour television dramas and episodes of the
CBC childrenÕs series Razzle Dazzle. He has
adapted his stage plays for radio and has written several original radio dramas
and screenplays as well as dozens of short stories, poems and song lyrics for a
musical revue.
Mr. French has, in the last four decades, given many Canada Council-sponsored readings and workshops at universities, theatres and libraries throughout Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.
French moved with his family from Newfoundland to Toronto when he was 6. He studied acting after high school, performing professionally (1960-65) before turning full time to playwriting. His earliest plays were half-hour TV dramas broadcast on CBC, beginning with "Beckons the Dark River" (1963). His first stage play, Leaving Home (1972), produced and directed by Bill GLASSCO at Toronto's TARRAGON THEATRE, portrayed with humour and powerful emotion the generational conflict and cultural alienation within a Toronto family of transplanted Newfoundlanders. Its sequel, Of the Fields, Lately (1973), won the Jean A. Chalmers Outstanding Play Award and cemented French's position as Canada's foremost stage realist. The third play in what became "the Mercer Trilogy,"Salt-Water Moon (1984), follows the courtship of the characters who turn up as the parents in the other 2 plays. It won the Hollywood Drama-League Critics Award for Best Play in Los Angeles in 1985, and the Canadian Authors Association Literary Award for the next year. The trilogy became a tetralogy with 1949 (1989), in which the expatriate islanders gather in Toronto on the eve of Newfoundland's union with Canada. Jitters (1979), a backstage comedy, remains one of the most frequently produced plays in the history of Canadian theatre.
DAVID BENSON FRENCH, O.C. Playwright 1939 - 2010 David French was born on Wednesday, January 18, 1939 in Coley's Point, Newfoundland. It was a snowy, blustery day in the tiny outport and David's father arrived home with the doctor in tow to find the baby already nestled in his mother's arms. David was the third of the five sons born to Edith Benson French and Garfield French; two older boys -- Fred and Don -- came before him and twin brothers Wallace and Billy followed a year and a half later. David's first years were spent in Coley's Point, a place he remembered vividly and held close all of his life. During World War II, Garfield, a carpenter, worked for the Eastern Air Command in Canada and after the war Edith and the boys joined their father in Ontario. Granny French soon came to live with the family, too and David, who spent many hours reading the Bible to her, became her particular favourite. In Toronto David attended Rawlinson Public School, where he excelled in sports. He went on to high school at Harbord Collegiate and completed Grade 13 at Oakwood Collegiate, where he made several lifelong friends. David was initially uninterested in books, but in Grade Eight a teacher made him sit down and read a book as a punishment for talking in class. The volume David happened to pull off the shelf was Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and by the time he finished reading it he not only knew he wanted to be a writer, he knew that he was one. Almost immediately he started to have poetry published in small magazines. In the late 1950s and early 60s, David studied acting, first at the Pasadena Playhouse in California and later at various Toronto acting studios. He got work as a leading man in several CBC television dramas, but soon turned to writing instead. Throughout the 1960s David wrote many half-hour teleplays for the CBC as well as working on the children's series Razzle Dazzle. In 1971, David took a draft of a play he was working on to a new theatre in Toronto, the Tarragon, run by Bill Glassco. That play was Leaving Home, which was an enormous success in the Tarragon's first season and led to a thirty-year collaboration between the two men, with Bill directing each of David's premiere productions. Leaving Home went on to be produced at every regional theatre in Canada - the first Canadian play to do so. Leaving Home introduced audiences to the Mercers, a family, which, like David's own, had been transplanted from Newfoundland to Toronto. David wrote four more plays about the Mercer family: Of The Fields, Lately, Salt-Water Moon, 1949 and Soldier's Heart. David's other plays include the popular comedy Jitters, the dramas That Summer, The Riddle of the World, and One Crack Out, the mystery Silver Dagger, plus adaptations of The Seagull, The Forest, and Miss Julie. His work has been produced internationally and throughout North America, including on and off-Broadway runs. In recent years, Toronto's Soulpepper Theatre has staged highly-acclaimed and successful revivals of his work. David was one of the first inductees into the Newfoundland Hall of Honour. He was a recipient of the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal and in 2001 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. David was predeceased by his parents and his brother Fred. He is survived by his partner Glenda MacFarlane, and their daughter Mary; his son Gareth; former spouse and friend Leslie French; brothers Don, Bill, and Wallace and their spouses, as well as his many nieces and nephews and their families. David also leaves behind a host of dear friends across the country, but especially in Toronto and at Cable Head, PEI, where he spent the past forty summers. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 10 at 2 p.m. at Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen Street East, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Writers Trust (90 Richmond Street East, Toronto M5C 1P1) would be greatly appreciated.
9.4 Wallace French (twin), b. 1941, living in 2010.
9.5 Billy French (twin), b. 1941, living in 2010
Bibliography
[1] The Guardian – Bay Roberts, 1928 and 1934,
website:
http://familytreegroup.tripod.com/guardian1928.htm
and http://familytreegroup.tripod.com/guardian1934.htm.
The newspaper actually ran from 1910 to 1937. Check this website http://familytreegroup.tripod.com/siteindex.htm
for a list of all newspapers, then add names to recent Frenches.
[2] Lloyd Rowsell, email: lgrowsell@yahoo.com.
Greetings from Victoria, B. C. On Oct. 27, 2002, I connected by email with a descendant of my great-great-grandfather Henry Russell's brother, William Russell, who now lives in Port Orchard, Washington about 60 miles to the south in USA, on the other side of the strait of Juan de Fuca. It appears that Henry Russell and William's son John Charles Russell both married into the French family of Bay Roberts. Other French connections: ancestor Henry Rosewell m. Ann French in 1818 at Harbour Grace, they were both of Bay Roberts area. My grandfather was raised by his father's sister who married Charles French in 1873, and my father's name was Charles French Rousell. Since I have now sorted out all of the Russell lines in Bay Robert's and area I am ready to start on the French line and need all the help that I can get and share. Here is the document that I started just yesterday. I would like to start with persons born before 1880 since this is my area of interest in NFLD. History. The French (Edward French) family operated a West Indies Trading Co. out of Bay Roberts from abt. 1700 to 1800. I have seen IGI records and copies of a ship log at the Bay Robert's Museum which confirms this. I have yet to contact anyone who claims to be a member of this family line. Any information that you can supply will be much appreciated and maybe together, with the help of other interested persons, we can fit the pieces of this Newfoundland family puzzle. The French's were well established in Conception Bay in the Plantation Book of 1805 and the Voter's List for 1835, both items are on line. In 1835 I have 4 families in Bareneed, 4 families at The Dock, 2 families at Cole East Point, 1 family at Bay Robert's, 2 Families at Bishop's Cove, and 9 families at French's Cove, Bay Robert's. Please let me know if you will help with this project. Sincerely, Lloyd Rowsell
FRENCH Document, updated October 30, 2002
1818....Henry Rosewell (abt.
1760-1835) 2nd marriage to Ann
FRENCH
1822....Henry Russell, son of Henry and Patience Rosewell married Joanna Snow at Harbour
Grace Anglican.....AGA
1835 Voters List
Bareneed::: William Sr.,
Edward of William, Robert of William and Nathaniel
Bay Roberts:::Nathaniel
Bishops Cove::::George, Abraham
Coleys Point:::John, Samuel
Dock::: John of Edward, Joseph, Edward of Edward and Abraham
Frenchs Cove::::Edward Jr, William of William, Samuel, James
William Bow (Billy Bow in the Novel), Jonathan, William of Edward, John of
Edward
1837....widow of Henry Rowsal Ann (nee FRENCH ) married John Squire, at Port de
Grave
abt. 1840....Jonathan French married Elizabeth....and had children, Francis,
Fanny, and Amelia Ann
abt. 1840....birth of Benjamin FRENCH, ancestor of Missionary
French Arthur James French who married Elizabeth Dawe...with
the 200 year old picture of Bartlett woman.
1841....Providence French married Hector Bradbury (this couple of Cole East Point) on March 18, 1841....IGI..B. Watanabe (lghr. Cole Lees Point in 1805 >Cole East Point in 1841 >Cold East Point 1842 >Coleys Point 2002)
1841....Frances Bradbury married Mary French on December 2, 1841...IGI. B. Watanabe
1846....William French (a Widower) married Elizabeth Cave on June 2, 1846....IGI. B. Watanabe
1847...Henry Rousell married Amelia French on Nov. 30,1847....IGI..B. Watanabe...and LGHR
1848....George French married Providence Mercer on June 10, 1848.....IGI. B. Watanabe
abt. 1850...birth of Charles French, of Edward French who married Eliza Roussell in 1873
1853.....Ann FRENCH, and her 2nd husband John Squire....settle the estate of Henry Rowsal (Rosewell)
abt. 1865...Francis French married Martha GOULD ....children were Amelia French (b. 1866 - ??) at Bay Roberts and Emily French ( Oct.2, 1870-Jan. 9, 1957) d. at Orange Co., California.....
1872.... I have come across a relative, a sister to my paternal grandfather, William > Moore Snow, b. 25 Mar, 1872. The sister was Clone or Clowe Snow b. 28 April > 1880, in Black Island. Her spouse is listed as 'unknown Rowsell.'
1893....on November 22, 1893...John Charles RUSSELL (1863-1937) married Emily FRENCH (1870-1957) at Bay Roberts.....he d. at Ediz Hook Lt. House, Port Angeles, Clallam Co. Washington.......their children were, William Chester, Minnie (grandmother), Vera Louise, Francis William, Raymond Chester, Eunice Mary
[3] Corrections to Ref. [2] above by Lloyd Rowsell, January 24, 2009:
On October 27th, 2002 I connected by email with a descendant of my great great grandfather Henry Russell's, brother, William Russell, who now lives in Port Orchard, Washington about 60 miles to the south in USA, on the south side of the strait of Juan de Fuca.
My interpertation of parish records and property records seems to indicate:
Henry RUSSELL ROSEWELL, and
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cb_vistat2.htm
William RUSSELL, were both sons of Henry ROSEWELL and
Patience CHURCHWELL
who married at Harbour Grace in 1783.
William's son John Charles Russell and Henry RUSSELL ROSEWELL both
married into the FRENCH family of Bay Roberts.
Other FRENCH connections:
Henry Rosewell later aka ROUSELL and RUSSELL m. Ann FRENCH in 1818 at Harbour Grace, they were both of Bay Roberts area. Ann FRENCH's father was Jonas FRENCH.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cb_vistat2.htm
http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cbhg_pr1805-102-121.htm
My grandfather, George Henry ROUSELL (1888-1967) was adopted in 1890 by his father's sister, Eliza ROUSSELL, who married Charles French in 1873. My father's name was Charles French Rousell.
Since I have now sorted out all of the Russell lines in Bay Robert's and area I am ready to start on the French line and need all the help that I can get and share.
Here is the document that I started just yesterday. I would like to start with persons born before 1880 since this is my area of interest in NFLD. History.
The French (Edward French) family operated a West Indies Trading Co. out of Bay Roberts from abt. 1700 to 1800.
I have seen IGI records and copies of a ship log at the Bay Robert's Museum which confirms this.
The FRENCH / FRANK family were well established in Conception Bay according the Plantation Book of 1805
http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cbhg_pr1805-102-121.htm
and the Voters List for 1835
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cbbrob.htm
In 1835 I have 4 FRENCH families in Bare Need,
4 FRENCH families at The Dock,
2 FRENCH families at Cole East Point,
1 FRENCH family at Bay Robert's,
2 FRENCH Families at Bishop's Cove, and
9 FRENCH families at French's Cove, Bay Robert's.
FRENCH Document, updated October 30, 2002 and January 24th, 2009
1818....Henry Rosewell II (abt. 1760-1835) marred Ann FRENCH
1822....Henry Russell, married Joanna Snow at Harbour Grace Anglican.....AGA
1835 Voters List of the FRENCH surname
Bareneed::: William Sr., Edward of William, Robert of William and Nathaniel
Bay Roberts:::Nathaniel
Bishops Cove::::George, Abraham
Coleys Point:::John, Samuel
Dock::: John of Edward, Joseph, Edward of Edward and Abraham
Frenchs Cove::::
Edward Jr,
William of William,
Samuel,
James,
William Bow (Billy Bow in the Novel titled New Priest in Conception Bay),
Jonathan, William of Edward, John of Edward
1837....widow of Henry Rowsal Ann (nee FRENCH ) married John Squire, at Port de Grave
abt. 1840....Jonathan French married Elizabeth....and had children, Francis,
Fanny, and
Amelia Ann
abt. 1840....birth of Benjamin FRENCH, ancestor of
Arthur James French who married Elizabeth Dawe...
1841....Providence French married Hector Bradbury (this couple of Cole East Point) on March 18, 1841....IGI..B. Watanabe (lghr. Cole Lees Point in 1805 >Cole East Point in 1841 >Cold East Point 1842 >Coleys Point 2002)
1841....Frances Bradbury married Mary French on December 2, 1841...IGI. B. Watanabe
1846....William French (a Widower) married Elizabeth Cave on June 2,
1846....IGI. B. Watanabe
1847...Henry Rousell married Amelia French on Nov. 30,1847..
1848....George French married Providence Mercer on June 10, 1848.....IGI. B. Watanabe
abt. 1850...birth of Charles French, of Edward French who married Eliza Roussell in 1873
1853.....Ann FRENCH, and her 2nd husband John Squire....settle the estate of Henry Rowsal (Rosewell)
abt. 1865...Francis French married Martha GOULD ....children were Amelia French (b. 1866 - ??) at Bay Roberts and Emily French ( Oct.2, 1870-Jan. 9, 1957) d. at Orange Co., California.....
1872.... I have come across a relative, a sister to my paternal grandfather, William Moore Snow, b. 25 Mar, 1872. The sister was Clone or Clowe Snow b. 28 April > 1880, in Black Island. Her spouse is listed as 'unknown Rowsell.'
1893....on November 22, 1893...John Charles RUSSELL (1863-1937) married Emily FRENCH (1870-1957) at Bay Roberts.....he d. at Ediz Hook Lt. House, Port Angeles, Clallam Co. Washington.......
http://walightkeepers.com/Gallery/album07
their children were:
William Chester,
Minnie (grandmother),
Vera Louise,
Francis William,
Raymond Chester,
Eunice Mary
[4] F549 Bay Roberts. French's Cove in Bay Roberts, Conception Bay, Newfoundland. Robert Charles French, b. 14 Oct 1872. Surnames: Snow, Fillier, Kelly, Brown, Mugford, Fradsham. FFA member Barbara Watanabe and her sister Holly Burrows sent a letter to Josephine French, 34 Village Rd., Weston, MA 02193 in Sep 1985 regarding this family. They had contacted several Frenches in Bay Roberts. She contacted Allen French of ColeyÕs Point, b. 10 Aug 1913 who gave Barbara info on his relatives. Barbara looked up the parish registers and found 600 entries. Need to check parish dates at St. Matthews Anglican Church of Bay Roberts. Barbara lives at 173-475 Bramalea Rd., Bramalea, Ontario, Canada L6T 2X3. This may be BarbaraÕs email: sistabarb@hawaii.rr.com. Josephine has since passed away. Bay Roberts Churches.
[5] Vera Short-Cheeseman, email: goofie@home.com,
undeliverable, 1999 Vera Short-Cheeseman, Homepage: http://www.homestead.com/verashort/index.html
IGI- Newfoundland (c) 1988
b=birth, c=christened, m=marriage (Batch # serial sheet # )
Name, date of event, location, parents or spouse
Page 37
FRENCH, Benjamin c. Oct 14 1860 Bay Roberts to Nathaniel French/Mary Ann #8625290 #76
FRENCH, Benjamin c. Aug 4 1871 Bay Roberts to John or William French/Hannah #8625290 #88
FRENCH, Benjamin m. Sarah RUSSELL Nov 25 1881 Bay Roberts #8625291 #4
FRENCH, Benjamin J. b. 1861 to Nathaniel French/Mary HAYES #8000008 #65
FRENCH, Caroline c. Apr 13 1853 to John French/Jane at Bay Roberts #8625205 #98
FRENCH, Caroline c. Mar 17 1875 Bay Roberts to William French/Elizabeth #8726--7 #57
FRENCH, Caroline m. John James FRENCH Dec 9 1881 Bay Roberts #8625291 #2
FRENCH, Caroline Anne m. Adam John WISEMAN Jul 26 1889 Bay Roberts #8625291 #3
FRENCH, Catherine m. Francis BARRETT Dec 20 1860 Bay Roberts #8625290 #90
FRENCH, Charles m. Mary RUSSELL Jun 5 1855 Bay Roberts #8728704 #42
FRENCH, Charles Susanna MINCHIN Jan 8 1861 Bay Roberts #8625290 #93
FRENCH, Charles b. Oct 10 1865 to Stephen French/Elizabeth at Coley's Point #8625290 #86
FRENCH, Charles m. Eliza ROUSSELL Nov 11 1873 at Bay Roberts #8625290 #98
FRENCH, Charles c. Jan 28 1876 Bay Roberts to Abram French/Patience #8625290 #85
FRENCH, Charlotte m. Henry SEYMOUR Bay Roberts #8625291 #3
FRENCH, Chatfield Mary c. Nov 23 1883 Bay Roberts to Edward French/Catherine #8625290 #85
FRENCH, Edward b. Aug 11 1766 French Cove, Bay Roberts to Edward
FRENCH, Elizabeth #7204127 #41
FRENCH, Edward c. Mar 30 1849 to Edward French/Providence at Bay Roberts #8625205 #96
FRENCH, Edward m. Emma TIPPET Nov 26 1853 Bay Roberts #8728704 #41
FRENCH, Edward m. Ann NORTH Dec 14 1854 Bay Roberts #8728704 #41
FRENCH, Edward m. Sarah MINCHIN Nov 11 1858 Bay Roberts #8625290 #92
FRENCH, Edward c. Mar 12 1876 Bay Roberts to Edward French/Sarah #8625290 #85
FRENCH, Edward m. Caroline MITCHEN Jan 5 1879 Bay Roberts #8625291 #4
FRENCH, Edward John c. Aug 3 1845 Bay Roberts to Nathaniel French/Charlotte #8625205 #94
FRENCH, Eileen (Ellen?) m. Samuel NORMAN Dec 16 1890 Bay Roberts #8625291 #3
FRENCH, Elfrida c. Nov 23 1864 Bay Roberts to Charles French/Susanna #8625290 #99
FRENCH, Elfrida m. Elisha BARRETT at Bay Roberts Dec 18 1890 #8625291 #3
FRENCH, Elijah c. Sep 20 1869 Bay Roberts to William French/Mary Ann #8625290 #81
FRENCH, Elijah c. May 26 1872 Bay Roberts to John French/Grace #87265047 #55
FRENCH, Elizabeth c. May 7 1847 Bay Roberts to Edward French/Mary #8625205 #93
FRENCH, Elizabeth Emma b. Mar 1885 Bay Roberts to John French/Sarah #8625290 #86
FRENCH, Eliza c. Aug 23 1871 Bay Roberts to John French/Elizabeth #8625290 #82
FRENCH, Elizabeth m. Abraham PARSONS Dec 22 1842 Bay Roberts #8625290 #90
FRENCH, Elizabeth c. Oct 29 1848 Bay Roberts to Benjamin French/Mary Ann #8625205 #95
FRENCH, Elizabeth m. Stephen RUSSELL at Bay Roberts on Dec 14 1848 #8625290 #90
FRENCH, Elizabeth c. Feb 2 1851 at Bay Roberts to Robert French/Elizabeth #8625205 #97
FRENCH, Elizabeth m. Charles SNOW at Bay Roberts on Dec 10 1857 #8625290 #92
FRENCH, Elizabeth m. Stephen FRENCH at Coley's Point on Dec 05 1863 #8625290 #95
FRENCH, John Francis or John James in Bay Roberts c. Oct 31 1870 to Samuel
French/Charlotte (cleared) #8726507 #55
FRENCH, John J. c. Dec 13 1846 Bay Roberts to Abraham French/Ann #8625205 #93
FRENCH, John James m. Caroline FRENCH Dec 9 1881 Bay Roberts #8625291 #2
FRENCH, John Samuel c. Jun 14 1849 Samuel MERCER/Mary Ann French Bay Roberts #8625205 #96
FRENCH, John Samuel b. 1875 to Stephen French/ Coley's Point #8625290 #87
FRENCH, Joseph c. Nov 22 1865 Bay Roberts to John French/Jane #8625290 #73
FRENCH, Julia c. Sep 17 1843 Bay Roberts Nathaniel French/Charlotte #8625205 #91
FRENCH, Julia m. Adam SNOW Nov 20 1862 Bay Roberts #8625290 #94
FRENCH, Julia c. Apr 1 1870 Bay Roberts to William French/Elizabeth (cleared) #8726507 #55
FRENCH, Julia Ann c. Aug 8 1866 Bay Roberts to Edward French/Sarah (cleared #8726507 #56
FRENCH, Leah c. Jun 13 1850 Bay Roberts to John French/Jane #8625205 #97
FRENCH, Louisea b. Aug 13 1875 Bay Roberts to Charles French/Christinna SINYARD (cleared) #8726507 #57
FRENCH, Lucinda m. Nathan MERCER Dec 14 1888 Bay Roberts #8625291 #3
FRENCH, Mary b. Sep 12 1763 French Cove in Bay Roberts to Edward
French/Elizabeth #7204127 #41
FRENCH, Mary m. Frances BRADBURY Dec 2 1841 Bay Roberts #8625290 #91
FRENCH, Mary m. Samuel MERCER Jan 27 1850 Bay Roberts #8728704 #41
FRENCH, Mary m. Christopher BISHOP Nov 23 1854 Bay Roberts (cleared) #8728704 #41
FRENCH, Mary b. Oct 10 1865 Coley's Point to Stephen French/Elizabeth #8625290 #85
FRENCH, Mary c. Oct 6 1872 Bay Roberts to Charles French/Christina (cleared) #8726507 #55
FRENCH, Mary Ann c. Jun 11 1848 Bay Roberts to John French/Jane #8625205 #95
FRENCH, Mary Ann m. Jacob PARSONS Dec 20 1855 Bay Roberts (cleared) #8728704 #42
FRENCH, Mary Ann m. John BRADBURY Jun 6 1860 Bay Roberts #8625290 #93
FRENCH, Mary Anne m. William GOSSE Dec 1 1867 Coley's Point, St. John the Evangelist #8625290 #96
FRENCH, Mary Anne c. Aug 24 1869 Bay Roberts to Stephen French/Elizabeth #8625290 #81
FRENCH, Mary Anne c. Mar 2 1870 Bay Roberts (cleared) to Thomas French/Susanna #8726507 #56
FRENCH, Mary Grace c. Aug 31 1859 Bay Roberts to Abraham French/Rachel #8625290 #75
FRENCH, Mary Grace c. Nov 11 1868 Bay Roberts to Benjamin French/Ann #8625290 #80
FRENCH, Mary Hannah c. Oct 14 1869 Bay Roberts to John French/Grace #8625290 #81
FRENCH, Mary Jane c. Aug 19 1858 Bay Roberts to Thomas French/Leah #8625205 #89
FRENCH, Mary Jane m. John MUGFORD Jan 1 1861 Bay Roberts #8625290 #93
FRENCH, Mary Jane c. Oct 14 1863 Bay Roberts to Edward French/Sarah #8625290 #78
FRENCH, Mary Jane m. Henry DAWE Dec 10 1874 Bay Roberts #8625290 #98
FRENCH, Mary Jane m. Richard NEIL Apr 14 1875 Bay Roberts #8625290 #98
FRENCH, Mary Olivia c. Nov 30 1871 Bay Roberts to Edward French/Ann #8625290 #83
FRENCH, Mary Patience c. Mar 15 1876 Bay Roberts to John French/Hannah #8625290 #89
[6] Lloyd Rowsell <lgrowsell@yahoo.com>
Subject: [NFLD-LAB] Rosewell, Roussell, Rousell, Rowsell or Russell
Date: Wed, 4 Sep 2002
19:57:12 -0700 (PDT).
My ancestry is now traced to Henry Rousel (1860-1906), of Henry, and Mary Morgan who married at Port de Grave Church of England in 1884. Newfoundland Supreme Court documents confirm that Henry Rousell died at the ice on March 27, 1906 while serving aboard the sealing vessel Newfoundland. On file there is a letter signed by my great grandmother, Mary Rousell, stating that my grandfather, George Henry, was adopted by his uncle at the age of two years. As a teenager I was told that my great grandfather died when my grandfather was a young boy. Grandfather was in fact raised by his uncle Charles French (Sept.19, 1846-June 21,1924) and his birth father died when my grandfather was age 18. On May 5th, 1908 the Supreme Court of Newfoundland Registrar, D.M. Browning, acknowledged receipt of the share in full of George Henry Rowsell under the distribution of the estate. My father was named Charles French Rowsell in honour of his adoptive grandfather.
Property which once belonged to Edward French, father of Charles French, was handed down and is in the hands of my siblings today along with other property, once used as a garden by my grandfather, which was recorded as Russell property on 1950s Government Crown Land Office maps of the area. I was told that the law does not require registration of, old family held property in Newfoundland and that a very expensive quieting of title process discourages people from registering long held family property holdings. An employee of the Crown Lands office said you would be very surprised to know how little of the family held property on the Avalon Peninsula has been registered.
From the IGI files I have viewed microfilm of documents confirming that the Edward French family operated a West Indies Shipping & Trading Company out of Bay Roberts during the period abt. 1700 to 1810. Recently I found a record of a document in the Newfoundland Archives dated April 21, 1636 mentioning a Richard French a skillful Marryner and recommending commission to take Pirattes to be granted to Capt. French. Newfoundland Ship registers confirm that my ancestors built and owned sailing vessels in the late 1700s and later mastered fishing and sealing schooners up until abt. 1860. Other Russell / Rousell relatives in Newfoundland built, owned and operated fishing and trading schooners until the 1940s and some are active in the fishing business today.
During a visit to Newfoundland in November 2001, the land of my birth in 1944, I located for the first time and photographed the house where my Grandfather was born in 1888. It was occupied until about twelve years ago. In the year 2000 the house was included in an inventory of old buildings in the Conception Bay area under #BT009196. Recorded under the notes of interest were these words This home is about two hundred years old. The original wood shingles are under the felt roof. Home is in original condition. Decorative pilasters on corners and next to the main door. The house is standing on property which was granted, by the Crown, to my ancestor in 1873. Although I was told that the Crown Lands copy of original Crown Grant was destroyed by fire and that no record existed for the property, eventually I received a computer print out of a form dated February 18, 2002 with the following information: Title Holder Hy Rowsell, Vol. 19 Folio 76 Document # 3471 Issue Date May 16, 1873 Type G99 Other issued Coleys Point PID 00023764. On Crown Land maps c. 1950 the property is identified by the surname Russell.
Evidence points to the fact that my great grandfathers grandfather spelled his surname Rosewell as recorded of his claim for property in Bay Roberts in 1805 on which there were no buildings at that time. I saw the old index for the 1805 property record at the Land Registry Office where the name is clearly written Henry Rosewell. This sixty three yards of waterfront property is located in the area of Bay Roberts formerly known as Snows Cove, adjoined the property owned by Stephen Russell and Isaac Russell. I have a copy of the Bill of Sale which records that he later sold this property to Robert Pack for Ten pounds Sterling in a Bill of Exchange document dated this seventh day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirteen. Receipt of one Set Bills value ten pounds sterling in payment of a Room was dated December 28th, 1812. His name was recorded in the document, likely written by the property purchaser, as Henry Rousell, even though the handwritten signature clearly reads Henry Rosewell, with no X. The witness Edward Joyce did not sign with an X. The 2nd witness, John French, made his X mark.
The following information was found in Parish records of the Church of England in Harbour Grace.
a) On October 24th, 1783. Edward Russell married Ann Parsons of Bay Roberts
b) October 28th, 1783 Henry Rosewell married Patience Churchill of Bay Roberts.
c) Their son Henry (1797-1868) married Joanna Snow (1797-1866) December 22, 1822. From this marriage until now Russell descendants live in an area of Bay Roberts now know as Coleys Point. The earliest records of this area identify the place as Cole Lees Point, possibly named for the surnames of families who lived there in the past. When the Snow family claimed land there in the late 1700s a notation on their claim stated previously occupied by persons unknown.
d) On December 17th, 1783 William Stow (Snow) married Sarah Cole. (of Cole Lees Point?)
Upon further review of IGI records I found the following name associations with Mass. and Conn.
#1. Joanna Stow (Snow) at Bridgewater, Plymouth, Mass. in 1759.
#2. William Snow at Middletown, Conn. from 1708 -1750 and at Bridgewater, Mass. in 1624
#3. Edward Russell at East Haven and New Have Conn. in 1698
#4. Isaac Russell at Dartmouth, Bristol, Mass. in 1717 and 1742 and Woburn and Sherborn Mass. in 1742.
#5. Stephen Russell at Dartmouth, Mass. in 1722 & 1765 and at Woburn Mass. in 1712 & 1713..also a Stephen Roswell Russell at Woodbridge, New Haven, Conn. abt. 1813.
#6. Patience Churchill, Plymouth Mass. 1747 & 1764.
I realize that the above information provides no conclusion to the question of my ancestors history back past Henry Rosewell and Patience Churchill. New England is the area where I will continue to search for information to link this family, with the help of my friends who have a mutual interest in this subject. There is evidence in other Newfoundland families that their independent and self sufficient ancestors came to NFLD. in the late 1700s from much nearer New England rather than, as many still believe, directly from far away Old England across the Atlantic.
A footnote to NFLD history is that in the year 1774 the number of New England trading ships which came to Newfoundland was 150 but after American Independence, in the year 1776, only 3 ships came to this Island Country where up until today people of Protestant English Stock still have high admiration for the Royal Family of Great Britain.
Additional sources:
Books: #1 The Family and Heirs of Sir Francis Drake, 1911, by Lady Elliott-Drake.....#2 The Safeguard of the Sea --a Naval History of Britain 660-1649 by N.A.M. Rodger.....Articles: #1. Drake of Ashe, by Daphne Drake #2.Distinguished Relations, by Daphne Drake Websites: #1. Sir Francis Drake #2. The Winthrop Society #3. The Avalon Project
[7] Jim French, email: NFLDFrench@shaw.ca (good in 2009).
[8] Daily News, Bay Roberts Supplement, July 1965, contributed by Carol Walsh.
The oldest citizen of Bay Roberts is 95 year old ÒUncle Will FrenchÓ, a gentlemen with aristocratic features and a courteous manner. Uncle Will lived most of his life in FrenchÕs Cove moving to Bay Roberts eleven years ago. In his young days he was a fisherman and farmer and he can tell stories about old Bay Roberts that had been passed along by his ancestors. Mr. French is a spry 95 and takes a walk every day, visits his friends and goes to church. ÒThatÕs as much as anyone can doÓ, he says. He was born in 1870. He may have been the son of Esau and Sarah French.
[9] NL GenWeb Bay RobertÕs 1928
Directory, website:
http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cbbrob_frenchscove28.htm
French, Nathan, Fisherman
French, John James, Fisherman
French, Eli, Fisherman
French, Augustus, Fisherman
French, Nathan, Fisherman
French, George, Fisherman
French, Thomas, Fisherman
French, Augustus, Fisherman
French, Arthur, Fisherman
[10] NL GenWeb Bay RobertÕs 1936
Directory, website:
http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cbbrob_36frenchsc.htm
FRENCH Augustus, fshrmn
FRENCH Arthur, fshrmn
FRENCH Geo of Solomon, retired
FRENCH Graham, fshrmn
FRENCH James of Rd, fshrmn
FRENCH John C., fshrmn
FRENCH John J., fshrmn
FRENCH Lionel, fshrmn
FRENCH Malcolm, fshrmn
FRENCH Richard, fshrmn
FRENCH Robt G., lab
FRENCH Robt R., fshrmn
FRENCH Ronald, fshrmn
FRENCH Thos, fshrmn
FRENCH Wm, fshrmn
FRENCH Wm Jas Jr., fshrmn
FRENCH Wm Jas Sr., retired
[11] Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, by E. R. Seary.
[12] ÒBook of NewfoundlandÓ, six volumes, edited by T. Smallwood.
[13] History of Newfoundland, by Prowse.
[14] Parish Register on various Robert Frenches
1. Robert French, b. 6 Oct 1866, chr. 11 Oct 1886, son of Sarah and John French of ColeyÕs Pt.
2. Robert French, buried 2 May 1882, age 2 years, son of William French of Bay Roberts.
3. Robert French of ColeyÕs Point, m. 22 Nov 1973 to Elizabeth Cluny of South Shore, and had children Mary Selina French (1875), Rebekah Jane French (1878), Mary Selina French (1879), twins Sarah and Elizabeth French (1882), and Martha Jane French (1887).
4. Robert French, fisherman, of ÒCold EastÓ Pt., m. Elizabeth, children: twins James and Isaac (1847), Elizabeth (1850), Selina Jane (1858).
5. Robert French buried 18 Apr 1882, age 82 years, Robert French of ColeyÕs Point.
6. Robert French buried 3 Oct 1854, age 61 years, Robert French of Bay Roberts.
7. Robert French, b. 19 Sep 1897, chr. 5 Nov 1897, Robert Roach French.
[15] Parish Register on various John Frenches
1. John French, buried 19 Apr 1881, age 45 years, John French of ColeyÕs Pt.
2. John French, buried 20 Mar 1906, age 64 years, John French of ColeyÕs Pt.
3. John French of ColeyÕs Pt, m. 8 Dec 1861 to Hannah Snow, and had children Emma French (1862), Ann French (1864), James Knight French (1869), John Charles French (1872), Mary Patience French (1876), Lucinda French (chr. 1881), note after her name says ÒposthumasÓ may refer to father dying before child was born, i.e., 19 Apr 1881 above).
4. John French of Bareneed, m. Grace French of Bay Roberts on 13 Dec 1860, children: Nathaniel French (1863), Elizabeth Ann French (1866), Mary Hannah French (1869), Elizah French (1872), Ruth Jane French (1879).
[16] Parish Register on William French and Caroline Snow, m. 21 Jan 1877, children: Elizabeth Jane French (1878), Mary Patience French (1879), Margaret Ellen French (1881), Caroline French (1882), Emma French (1883), Naomi Beatrice (1885), Leah French (1887), Jessie Lovisa (1889), Solomon French (1892), twins Abraham Snow French died at 5 days old and William French (1895), Esther (1899).
[17] Parish Register on Caroline French
1. Caroline French, b. 15 Oct 1852, dau. of Jane and John French of ColeyÕs Pt.
2. Caroline French, wife of James French of ColeyÕs Pt., m. ca. 1876.
3. Caroline Snow married to William French.
4. Caroline French, wife of James French of ColeyÕs Pt., m. ca. 1885.
5. Caroline Anne Mitchen m. 5 Jan 1879 to Edward French of B.R., (she later m. Adam Wiseman on 26 Jul 1889).
6. Caroline French, dau. of William and Caroline Snow French.
[18] Parish Register on Snow and French entries:
1. Henry Snow m. Joanna French, 29 Nov 1857
2. Charles Snow m. Elizabeth French, 10 Dec 1857
3. Joanna Snow m. James French, 3 Jun 1858
4. Hannah Snow m. John French, 8 Dec 1861
5. Adam Snow m. Julia French, 20 Nov 1862
6. Mary Jane Snow m. James French, 12 Dec 1867 at St. John Evangelist Church in ColeyÕs Pt.
7. Julia Snow (widow) m. John French at ColeyÕs Pt., 3 Feb 1877.
8. Joseph Snow, son of Henry R. Snow, m. Violet French, dau. of John James French, on 19 Nov 1919
[19] 1921 Census, Harbour Grace District, ColeyÕs Point, website:
|
Dwelling |
Family |
Surname |
Given Name |
Sex |
Relationship |
Status |
Birth Year |
Birth Month |
Age |
Place Of Birth |
|
2 |
2 |
FRENCH |
Benjamin |
M |
Head |
Married |
1852 |
Mar |
69 |
Coley's Pt |
|
2 |
2 |
FRENCH |
Sarah |
F |
Wife |
Married |
1852 |
Feb |
69 |
Bay Roberts |
|
3 |
3 |
FRENCH |
John, J |
M |
Head |
Married |
1881 |
Oct |
39 |
Coley's Pt |
|
3 |
3 |
FRENCH |
Ethel |
F |
Wife |
Married |
1882 |
Nov |
38 |
Bay Roberts |
|
3 |
3 |
FRENCH |
Evelyn |
F |
Daughter |
Single |
1911 |
Aug |
9 |
Coley's Pt |
|
3 |
3 |
FRENCH |
Alice |
F |
Daughter |
Single |
1913 |
Feb |
7 |
Coley's Pt |
|
3 |
3 |
FRENCH |
Stella |
F |
Daughter |
Single |
1916 |
Sept |
4 |
Coley's Pt |
|
3 |
3 |
FRENCH |
Lucinda |
F |
Daughter |
Single |
1921 |
May |
3mo |
Coley's Pt |
|
3 |
4 |
FRENCH |
Isaac |
M |
Head |
Married |
1853 |
May |
68 |
Coley's Pt |
|
3 |
4 |
FRENCH |
Rebecca |
F |
Wife |
Married |
1854 |
Sept |
66 |
Bareneed |
|
3 |
4 |
FRENCH |
William |
M |
Son |
Married |
1886 |
May |
35 |
Coley's Pt |
|
3 |
4 |
FRENCH |
Fanny, M |
F |
Daughter in Law |
Married |
1886 |
Aug |
34 |
Coley's Pt |
|
3 |
4 |
FRENCH |
Harry |
M |
Grand Child |
Single |
1913 |
Oct |
7 |
Coley's Pt |
|
3 |
4 |
FRENCH |
Frank, D |
M |
Grand Child |
Single |
1916 |
July |
5 |
Coley's Pt |
|
3 |
4 |
FRENCH |
Marion |
F |
Grand Child |
Single |
1918 |
Nov |
2 |
Coley's Pt |
|
4 |
5 |
FRENCH |
Esau |
M |
Head |
Married |
1860 |
Nov |
60 |
Coley's Pt |
|
4 |
5 |
FRENCH |
Sarah, P |
F |
Wife |
Married |
1869 |
Sept |
51 |
Country Rd |
|
4 |
5 |
FRENCH |
Eliza |
F |
Daughter |
Single |
1903 |
Dec |
17 |
Coley's Pt |
|
4 |
5 |
FRENCH |
E. Garfield |
M |
Son |
Single |
1908 |
June |
13 |
Coley's Pt |
|
4 |
5 |
FRENCH |
Doris |
F |
Daughter |
Single |
1910 |
Oct |
10 |
Coley's Pt |
[20] David French, playwright (b at Coley's Point, NFLD 18 Jan 1939).
French moved with his family from Newfoundland to Toronto when he was 6. He studied acting after high school, performing professionally (1960-65) before turning full time to playwriting. His earliest plays were half-hour TV dramas broadcast on CBC, beginning with "Beckons the Dark River" (1963). His first stage play, Leaving Home (1972), produced and directed by Bill GLASSCO at Toronto's TARRAGON THEATRE, portrayed with humour and powerful emotion the generational conflict and cultural alienation within a Toronto family of transplanted Newfoundlanders. Its sequel, Of the Fields, Lately (1973), won the Jean A. Chalmers Outstanding Play Award and cemented French's position as Canada's foremost stage realist. The third play in what became "the Mercer Trilogy,"Salt-Water Moon (1984), follows the courtship of the characters who turn up as the parents in the other 2 plays. It won the Hollywood Drama-League Critics Award for Best Play in Los Angeles in 1985, and the Canadian Authors Association Literary Award for the next year. The trilogy became a tetralogy with 1949 (1989), in which the expatriate islanders gather in Toronto on the eve of Newfoundland's union with Canada. Jitters (1979), a backstage comedy, remains one of the most frequently produced plays in the history of Canadian theatre.
[21] Will of Stephen French from Newfoundland will books volume 10 pages 397-398 probate year 1916, will written on 9 Jul 1913.
In re STEPHEN FRENCH deceased. I, Stephen French of John, of ColeyÕs Point, in the Island of Newfoundland, fisherman, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made, And as to my worldly estate, and all the property, real personal, or mixed of which I shall die seized and possessed or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my decease, I devise, bequeath and dispose thereof in the manner following to wit: I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary Ann French my house, furniture, outhouses and all my land situated on the south side of the brook running into Long Beach Pond, and bounded on the North by said Brook, on the south by a road, separating my estate from Jacob Morgan Estate, on the east by Isaac CurnewÕs land, and on the west by RowsellÕs Estate, to have and to hold the same during the term of her natural life, and after her decease, this said house, furniture, outhouses, and said land shall become the property of my youngest son Charles Samuel French, to have and to hold the same to his heirs and assigns for ever. I give devise and bequeath to my other three sons Stephen French, James Henry French and Reuben French all that piece or parcel of land situated on the North side of the main road known as the Brigus Road and extending sixty yards along said road, and bounded on south by Brigus Road, on the North by MarleÕs estate, on the west by land belonging to my son Reuben French and on the east by the estate of John, William and Elijah French, to be evenly and equally divided between my said sons Stephen French, James Henry French and Reuben French to have and to hold the same to their heirs and assigns for ever. And lastly, I do nominate and appoint my said sons William John French & Chas. Saml French to be the executors of this my last will and testament In witness whereof, I the said Stephen French, have to this my last will and testament, subscribed my name and affixed my seal this ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirteen. Stephen his X mark French Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Stephen French, as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto Witnesses: James Norman. W.H. Greenland. Correct, Charles H. Emerson Registrar of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland.
[22] The Guardian of Bay Roberts, Dec 27, 1909. The remains of William John FRENCH, son of Mr. John French, of ColeyÕs Point, was brought home by TuesdayÕs express. The deceased was accidentally killed while following his occupation in the lumber woods in the state of Maine.
[23] The Guardian of Bay Roberts, Friday, February 2, 1912.
Obituary
– Mrs. Emma FRENCH, beloved wife of Solomon French, FrenchÕs Cove, and
daughter of the late Thos. and Prudence MERCER of
MercerÕs Cove, passed away rather suddenly on Wednesday, Jan. 24th, in her 64th
year. She was sick only a few days, having been stricken with paralysis
on Saturday, Jan. 20th, and never regained consciousness. She leaves a
husband and two daughters, Prudence, teacher at Seldom Come By, and Emma, at
home; two brothers, Hezekiah and Isaac Mercer, MercerÕs Cove, and one sister,
Mrs. Matthew Martin, Hr. Grace to mourn their loss. The funeral took
place on Friday, Jan. 26th, interment being at the Methodist Cemetery.
Will
of Solomon French:
In
re: SOLOMON FRENCH. DECEASED.
This
is the last Will and Testament of me Solomon French, son of Solomon French, of
FrenchÕs Cove in the Eastern End of the town of Bay Roberts, in the District of
Harbor Grace.
I give devise and bequeat
all the estate, property and effects of which I may die possessed unto my
beloved children George French, Prudence Grandy and Emmie Mercer, and I appoint Prudence Grandy
sole Executor of this my Will made and dated at Bay Roberts this 4th day of
August 1920. Signed, SOLOMON FRENCH.
Witnesses.
William M. Grandy
Prudence Grandy
William French.
CORRECT,
William F. Lloyd Registrar of the Supreme Court of
Newfoundland
(Listed in the margin next to this will the
following) Fiat Aug 21/23 Horwood cj
adm C.T.A. granted to William French Aug 21/23 Estate
sworn at $830.00
[24] The Guardian of Bay Roberts, Friday, May 24, 1912. Mr. Wm. FRENCH of ColeyÕs Point, who became mentally afflicted last fall, died at the Hospital for the treatment of such diseases this week. His body was conveyed
Mr. B.J. FRENCH, formerly of Bay Roberts East but now residing in Jamaica Plains, Mass. arrived here by Saturday nightÕs express on a short visit to his mother. Mr. French first left Bay Roberts over 33 years ago and during that period has visited nearly every part of the United States and certain sections of Canada. It is 15 years ago since he last visited his native town.
[25] LDS Microfilm of original record in possession of Elvin
FRENCH BURROWS, Burnaby, B. C. This is a logbook kept by the shipping company
of Edward FRENCH (1737-1783).
After Edward died in 1783, his son Edward carried on the company until
ca. 1800. The company's headquarters was at Bay ROBERTS, Newfoundland. Elvin
French Burrows (1924-2008) was of Burnaby, British Columbia. Elvin French
Burrows Late of Maple Ridge, passed away at 84 years
of age on February 12, 2008 at Ridge Meadows Hospital, Maple Ridge, B.C.
The log is for several ships and covers from the early 1700s to ca. 1800. It includes several birth entries for the FRENCH family as well as one marriage and one death entry.
***************************
Note: [a Robert (Bob) FRENCH, claiming to be a FRENCH's Cove property owner, in 2002 told me that the FRENCH Shipping Company operated from the south side of Coley's Point]
"in 1835 the male only Voters were at least 21 years of age, Heads of Households, and property owners"
after a study of the Plantaton book records of 1805, this list of 1835 FRENCH "HOHs" is a 'good place to continue'.....
FRENCH established first landing at FRENCH's Cove and later generations moved on to:
Port de Grave,
BARENEED,
the DOCK, and COLEY's Point
The christian name of your ancestor might help in your efforts to connect with the CLAN lineage going back to the first Newfoundland possessors of Land.
PB#660..EDWARD, of Beechy Cove or Bishop's Cove PB#660 in 1775
PB#694..ABRAM, of French's Cove in 1804
PB#699..William of William...of French's Cove
PB#706..EDWARD, [Jr.] of French's Cove '48 yds' waterfront
PB#707..JONAS, of French's Cove, heirs of ROBERT FRENCH
PB#708..THOMAS of French's Cove
PB#709..EDWARD Sr. of French's Cove
PB#834..JOHN, deed from Thomas BUTT 1805 at Carbonear
[1816 will of John FRENCH of Carbonear, bequeath plantation to his wife Mary and son John]
http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cbbrob_spaniardsbaytoportdegrave35.htm
"Bareneed"
--FRENCH, William Senior Port de Grave Barened
[1817, merchant PACK, well off]
--FRENCH, Edward of William Port de Grave Bareneed
[1817, merchant GRAHAM, bad off]
--FRENCH, Robert of William Port de Grave Bareneed
--FRENCH, Nathaniel Port de Grave Bareneed
"the DOCK" Bareneed
--FRENCH, John of Edward Port de Grave Dock
--FRENCH, Joseph Port de Grave Dock
--FRENCH, Edward of Edward Port de Grave Dock
[1829 will of Edward FRENCH mentions:
.wife Mary
..son Edward
...sons Joseph and Abraham
....sons John [eldest], Joseph, Abraham and Edward [youngest]
.....schooner "Brothers"
.ground belonging formerly to James BUTLER
..monies which may be in England at the time of my death.
...Elizabeth HUSSEY, Ann DAW, and Mary BATTEN
...."the balance which may be due to me on the voyage of the present season"
....."my brother, Abraham FRENCH of Bay Roberts, and Richard RYAN of Bearneed..
witnesses:
Charles BLACKMAN
Ann BEECHAM
Grace BOONE [was Grace Daw, daughter of George DAW]
--FRENCH, Abraham Port de Grave Dock
[married Amy BARTLETT on November 10, 1828
"Coley's Point"
--FRENCH, John Bay Roberts Coleys Point
--FRENCH, Samuel Bay Roberts Coleys Point
[mentioned in the 1840 will of William FRENCH Sr. also mentioned:
Nathaniel FRENCH,
Robert, son of William
Edward, son of John
my son William
"not wishing that any of the land should go out of the name of the FRENCHes"
witnesses:
William BARTLETT
George JACKSON and
John MOORE
--FRENCH, Nathaniel Bay Roberts
[1851-1853 Will http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cb_wills_nfrench1851.htm
mentions:
son Charles FRENCH
wife Charlotte
sons Edward and Isaac
son Nathaniel
land bequeathed is bounded on the east by W. BADCOCK's andon the west by Mrs. FRENCH, north by Abraham and Samuel MERCER.
"BEECHEY Cove, or BISHOP's Cove
--FRENCH, George Bay Roberts Bishop's Cove
--FRENCH, Abraham Bay Roberts Bishop's Cove
"FRENCH's Cove"
--FRENCH, Edward Senior Bay Roberts French's Cove
--FRENCH, Edward Junior Bay Roberts French's Cove
--FRENCH, William of William Bay Roberts French's Cove
[son, and brother of a Edward FRENCH mentioned in the 1797 will of William FRENCH, of Bay Roberts, daughter Patt'ce gift of one shilling]
--FRENCH, Samuel Bay Roberts French's Cove
--FRENCH, James Bay Roberts French's Cove
--FRENCH, William "Bow" Bay Roberts French's Cove
--*FRENCH, Jonathan Bay Roberts French's Cove
[had a son named FRANCIS FRENCH, amd Francis FRENCH had a son named Jonathan, source: Bill WEAVER Dec. 2002 ??]
--FRENCH, William of Edward Bay Roberts French's Cove
--FRENCH, John of Edward Bay Roberts French's Cove
sons of Edward FRENCH
..William FRENCH of French's Cove
..John FRENCH of French's Cove
sons of William FRENCH
..William FRENCH of French's Cove
..Edward FRENCH (son of William)
[December 20th, 1839 Will mentions bequeath to his son William FRENCH]
1826 Founding Methodists in Bay ROBERTS
Edward FRENCH and William FRENCH, son of William ..'trustee'
FRENCHs / FRANKs mentioned in the 1843 Novel by R.T.S. LOWELL
Abram,
Granny, at age 3 score
Patience,
Prudence,
Jonathan, and
Will ....William
1847 Sealing Master "FRENCH" of "Lady ANN" 82 tons and 30 men.
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=%22Lady+ANN%22+FRENCH+Brigus+1847&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
1849 "FRENCH" Donors to the Bay ROBERTS and Coley's Point Anglican Church
FRENCH, Benjamin
FRENCH, John
*FRENCH, Jonathan
....from my files of 2004....now working again on the FRENCH clan of FRENCH's Cove, Bay ROBERTS....
Plantation BOOK Sirname FRENCH
http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cbhg_pr1805-102-121.htm
FRENCH of Bay ROBERTS in 1864 Directory
..PLANTERS
..Vessel Owner and
..Fishermen
FRENCH Abraham [of John], planter
FRENCH Benjamin, planter
FRENCH Charles [of Nathaniel], fisherman
FRENCH Charles [of Thomas], planter
FRENCH Edward, fisherman
FRENCH Edward [of Abraham], planter
FRENCH Edward [of Samuel], planter
FRENCH Edward [of William], planter
FRENCH George, fisherman
FRENCH James, Sr., planter
FRENCH James [of Thomas], planter
FRENCH John, vessel owner
FRENCH John Toomey, planter
FRENCH Jonathan, planter
FRENCH Nathaniel, fisherman
FRENCH Robert, fisherman
FRENCH Robert [of William], planter
FRENCH Solomon, planter
FRENCH Thomas [of James], planter
FRENCH Thomas [of Thomas], planter
FRENCH Thomas [of William], planter
FRENCH William, Sr., planter
1805 Greenspond, Bonavista area Rooms website "(from the files of lghr)".....follow up....Monday, November 8, 2004 8:23 AM
From: "Lloyd Rowsell" <lgrowsell@yahoo.com>
"(from the files of lghr)"......
1805 Greenspond, Bonavista area Rooms website
http://ngb.chebucto.org/Fish-Rooms/bon_1805.shtml
[26] Newfoundland Grand Banks, Wills with surnames beginning with ÒFÓ from LDS FHC Microfilm 1830-1962. Website: http://ngb.chebucto.org/Wills/nfwillsf.shtml and http://ngb.chebucto.org/Parish/bareneed-ce-mar-pdg.shtml (lots more to add here)
Edward French of Bareneed
Edward (of William) French, probate 1840, of Bay Roberts
Mary French, probate 1855, widow of Edward French, Bareneed Port de Grave
John French, probate 1882, Scilly Cove, fisherman
James French, probate 1885, St. JohnÕs, dealer
Norah French, probate 1895
Isaac French, probate 1900, of St. JohnÕs
Isaac French, probate 1903
Abraham French, probate 1904
John French, probate 1906, ColeyÕs Point, in the District of Harbor Grace, fisherman
Stephen French, probate 1916, of ColeyÕs Point, fisherman
Benjamin French, probate 1917, of Brigus
Solomon French, probate 1923, of FrenchÕs Cove in the Eastern End of the town of Bay Roberts, District of Harbor Grace
Rupert Haywood French, probate 1934
James French, probate 1939
Thomas French, probate 1939
Esau French, probate 1941
Henry Edward French, probate 1944
William Aloysius French, probate 1946
William P. French, probate 1948
William French Sr., probate 1948
Alfred French, probate 1953
Gordon M. French, probate 1957
Abraham French, probate 1957
William T. French, probate 1958
Mary Elesie French, probate 1961
Isaac French, probate 1962
[27] Newfoundland Parish Records of Bareneed – Port de Grave, website: http://ngb.chebucto.org/Vstats/bareneed-marriages-vol38.shtml, 1860-1891, includes 15 French marriages.
[28] Bertha Gretchen French, b. 19 Nov 1908 at ColeyÕs Pt., Newfoundland, daughter of William French, arrived 4 Jan 1930 in Buffalo, NY. Fred French, b. ca. 1899 at ColeyÕs Pt., Newfoundland, son of William J. French, arrived 15 May 1922 in Vanceboro, Maine. From Ancestry.ca.
[29] Email from Lloyd Rowsell, lgrowsell@yahoo.com, dated Jan 24, 2009. Thanks very very much for your email and weblinks.....back in 2000 I found a LDS reference to my great great grandmother, Amelia FRENCH. This was posted by WATANABE....she was apparently becoming a member of the LDS and wished to 'seal' the names of relatives at Bay ROBERTS. I returned to Newfoundland during the winter of 2001-2002 and found the original record of my GG Grandparents marriage. I have wished to thank someone for posting the information on the LDS website. Someday I might find records of Amelia's parents and siblings. The father of Amelia's husband, Henry ROUSELL/ROSEWELL, also married a FRENCH, his widow Ann FRENCH married a John SQUIRES abt. 1836 and probated her first husband's will in 1859, one year before my great grandfather was born. Me thinks that Ann FRENCH was a daughter of Jonas FRENCH.....of course I would love to add information to your collection. Thanks again, Sincerely, Lloyd ROWSELL
[30] Email from Jim French, NFLDFrench@shaw.ca, dated Jan 24, 2009. I have been looking at all this information trying to figure out a plan of attack. There is mention of my great grand parentsÕ marriage
FRENCH, Edward m. Ann NORTH Dec 14 1854 Bay Roberts #8728704 #41 but as far as I know there does not appear to be a reference to any other members of my lineÉ that IÕm aware of. It is a bit of tangled mess trying to get the FrenchÕs of Newfoundland straightened out particularly FrenchÕs cove with the few records that still exist back prior to 1800.
MaraÉ give me some time and I will see if I can figure something out. I will, in the next while, send you the information that I have on my family to add to the chart.
LloydÉ yes IÕm in British ColumbiaÉ Cranbrook to be exact.
[31] Ed and Marian Craft, email: emcraft@shaw.ca, dated Jan 31, 2009, sister of Ref. [30].
Hi everyone, I will get something together for you next week hopefully. I have spent this week fighting the flu bug and will be away in Kamloops for two days with Mom. For Lloyd and Mara, I have been putting all the information we gathered in St. John's and all I have found on the internet, into a database using Family Tree Maker. When I find a connection, I join the families. It is a slow process and I try to be very careful and not make too many assumptions! There are some big holes in records, but maybe with combining all the information I can find, into one database, I will be able to tie all these "French" families together! And I wish there was more of a variety in first names! But naming patterns also help. I gather you are in Victoria, Lloyd? And Mara is somewhere in the USA? I'm in Castlegar, BC. I will be in touch! Blessings, Marian
[32] Joy French, email: joyf@shaw.ca.
[33] David Anstey, email: daveanstey@shaw.ca.
[34] Jim French, email: jim.french@shaw.ca.
[35] NL GenWeb: Conception Bay North: Bay Roberts: Guardian Newspaper, 1920, website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cbnorth_norguardian1920a.htm, has 35 hits on the search ÒFrenchÓ.
[36] The Guardian, Bay Roberts, 1926, website: http://members.tripod.com/familytreegroup/guardian1926.htm, has 21 hits on the search ÒFrenchÓ.
[37] Bay Roberts video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZj-TkvPw-k
[38] Bill Weaver, email: waweaver53@hotmail.com, email good in 2002. Looking for French Family of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland
Jonathan French
Spouse: Elizabeth
Children:
Frances
Fanny
Amelia Ann
Frances French
Spouse: Martha
Children:
Amelia (1866-)
Emily (1870-1957)
Jonathan (1872-)
Amelia French Birth: 1 Oct 1866
Emily French
Birth: 2 Oct 1870, Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Newfoundland
Death: 9 Jan 1957, Whittier, California
Spouse: John Charles Russell
Birth: 18 Feb 1867, Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Newfoundland
Death: 1937, Port Angeles, Washington
Father: William Russell
Mother: Sarah
Marr: 22 Nov 1893, Bay Roberts, Newfoundland
Children:
William Chester (1894-1894)
Minnie (1896-2001)
Vera Louise (1898-1981)
Frank W (1901-1962)
Raymond Chester (1903-1967)
Eunice (1912-1984)
[39] Friday, June 1, 1928. Passed peacefully away at Shearstown, May 20th, after a long illness, Edward FRENCH, beloved husband of Leah French, aged 51 years and 7 months. Deceased was one of our prominent carpenters. Left to mourn are a widow, five sons, Thomas and Joseph in White Plains, N.Y., U.S.A., Max, Edward and Donald at home, two daughters, Iva Myrtle and Lizzie Barbara, at home, one sister, Mrs. John Holmes (of Henry), at Shearstown and one grandchild. Funeral took place May 22nd to the United Church cemetery [1].
[40] Friday, October 26, 1928. Died, October 26th, Esther, widow of the late Edward FRENCH, aged 74 years. Left to mourn are two sons, Abram and John of this town, and two daughters, Mrs. Duncan Collins, Spaniard's Bay, and Mrs. Abram Barrett, French's Cove [1].
Map of Bay Roberts, Bareneed,
and FrenchÕs Cove
[41] The Knight Families of Newfoundland, beginning in 1820, see website: http://members.tripod.com/~Al_Beagan/knightree3.htm, and search for ÒFrenchÓ. It mentions Robert French, Edward French, William French, and Aug. 9, 1869 "FRENCH, James Knight c. Aug 9 1869 Bay Roberts to John French/Hannah #8625290 #81 IGI- Newfoundland (c) 1988 b=birth, c=christened, m=marriage (Batch # serial sheet #) Name, date of event, location, parents or spouse Page 39 goofie@home.com (not deliverable).
[42] Yetman and Related Families of Newfoundland,
Edward FRENCH was born about 1758 in of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. He married 1 Jane JONES on 24 Oct 1783 in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland.
Jane JONES was born about 1763 in of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. She married 1 Edward FRENCH on 24 Oct 1783 in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland.
FRENCH, Abraham m.1882
FRENCH, Benjamin J. b.1860
FRENCH, Charles b.1836
FRENCH, Dianna b.1811
FRENCH, Edward b.1758
FRENCH, James b.1832
FRENCH, Jethro b.1877
FRENCH, Mary Ann b.1848
FRENCH, Matthew b.1842
FRENCH, Nathan b.1909
FRENCH, Patience b.1812
FRENCH, Sarah Jane b.1851
FRENCH, Susan or Ann b.1814
FRENCH, William b.1851
See website: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jybell/index3.htm#French
[43] Website: http://ngb.chebucto.org/Wills/french-edward-1-77.shtml
Will of Edward French from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 77 & 78, probate year 1829.
In re Edward French deceased.
In the name of God Amen. By this my last will and testament, I Edward French, at the Dock, Bearneed, being of sound mind and memory do will and bequeath as follows. First, I commit my soul and body to the Mercy of God, praying that he may give me a joyful resurrection and a place in his heavenly kingdom. 2d I bequeath to each of my children, the sum of One hundred pounds sterling (except my eldest and youngest sons, John and Edward French,) i.e. to Elizabeth Hussey, Joseph French, Ann Dawe, of Ship Cove, Abraham French and Mary Batten. 3d I bequeath to my wife, Mary, and to my son, Edward jointly all the monies which may be in England at the time of my death, together with the house, outbuildings and land, occupied and owned by me at the Dock, Bearneed at the time of my death. 4. I give to my sons Joseph and Abraham, the house, ground and all thereunto pertaining belonging formerly to James Butler, and given to me by a decree of the court at Harbor Grace. 5. I give to my wife Mary, and my son, Edward Jointly, the balance which may be due to me on the voyage of the present season after paying all wages and other lawful expenses. 6. I give to my four sons, John, Joseph, Abraham and Edward, the Schooner "Brothers" with all her materials, together with all the nets, seines, and every article used in the fishery, skiffs, boats, barking kettles, &c. 7. I give to my wife and my son Edward all my cattle & sheep to dispose of as they please. 8. I also give to my wife and my son Edward all monies which may remain after the payment of the aforesaid legacies, wheresoever such money may be placed. They will see however that I am respectably buried, and pay out of said money my funeral expenses. 9. I hereby appoint my brother Abraham French of Bay Roberts, and Richard Ryan of Bearneed, my Executors to see this my will carried into effect. 10. I hereby also direct that when my sons, Joseph and Abraham shall require shingles, board & nails my son Edward shall supply them with a sufficiency for the erection of a convenient house each. Joseph and Abraham however are to assist in sawing such board as may require sawing. Given under my hand and seal at Bearneed this third day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine. Edward his x mark French (LS) Witnesses Charles Blackman. Ann Beecham. Grace Boone.
Certified Correct, D. M. Browning Registrar.
[44] Bay Roberts Directory, 1864-65, page 240.
[45] St. Johns Directory, 1864-65, page 119.
[46] Harbour Grace Directory, 1864-65, page 273
[47] New Perlican Directory, 1864-65, page 300
No French in Directories of North Harbour, Old ManÕs Bay, Old Perlican, Paradise, Port de Grave, St. MaryÕs, and Toads Cove.
[48] Carolyn Kelly, email: Carolyn.Kelly@Rogers.com. (email good in 2011). Microfilm copy of the Edward French Shipping Co. log listing births, marriages, and deaths of the family, from LDS Family History Center, Microfilm #1887634, covering the years 1700 to 1800. She is the great-freat-granddaughter of John French, b. 1808 in Bareneed, NL who is the son of William French. Website: http://www.frenchfamilyassoc.com/FFA/CHARTS/Chart057/CarolynKellyGenealogy.doc.
[49] Josephine E. French, former FFA Member #77, 44 School St., Apt. C-34, Weston, MA 02193. In the SS death index, I see a Josephine French who died on 18 Oct 2009 at age 92 from Weston, MA.
[50] Newfoundland GenWeb, Conception Bay North, Harbour Grace District, Harbour Grace Burial Records, website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cbhg_hg_burials_1775.htm
[51] Lloyd Rowsell, email: lgrowsell@yahoo.com. From email dated 6 Oct 2004.
Greetings,
Your name came to mind last night as I was again reviewing some of my notes which were made during my trips to Bay Roberts Museum in 2002. Inside a glass case was an old record book which one time belonged to the Edward FRENCH Trading Co. of Bay Roberts. This book was apparently a ship log or record of transactions involving the purchase of fish from local fishermen. Someone had handwritten some transcriptions from the book are recorded below. Since I was, at that time, unaware of many of my FRENCH ancestoral connections I spent very little time with these transcriptions.
1762...small articles and a new coat
1777...SQUIRRE on Acct.
1778..Peter SQUIRE and John SQUIRE
1778...RINES
1778...Nov. John SPARKES and Ambrose Acct.
1786...Wm. SQUIRES
1788...John CHURCHILL ....shareman,
boatsman
1790...John CHURCHILL....Elizabeth CHURCHILL
1793...Wm. BUTT...1794...20.0.0 by draft....bills drawn on Bristol
1797...John CHURCHILL accounts
1809...Wm. TIPPETT ....Wm. SQUIRES...23.00.00 (pounds stg.)
This is a 'timeline' of some ancestor connections to the above surnames:
1783...Henry ROSEWELL m. Patience CHURCHILL at HGA
1778...John SPARKES was my great great great great grandfather on my
maternal side.
1837...Widow Ann ROWSAL married John SQUIRES at Port de Grave
1842...Hannah ROWSAL married William TIPPETT
Recently there was a posting to the NL Roots List concerning Irish young men who came to NL for the fishing season and returned home with 'money to spend'. I wonder if anyone can tell us if the Irish migratory fishermen were paid in 'bills drawn on Bristol' or bills drawn on Irish Merchant Banks or Counting Houses. Cheers, Lloyd
[52] Newfoundland Labrador NL GenWeb Data Plantation Book, 1805, website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cbbrig_pr1805-102-121.htm. This needs to be rechecked after more of this line has been entered. See also http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cbnorth_nor1_102_121.htm.
[53] Lloyd Rowsell, email: lgrowsell@yahoo.com. From email dated 22 Jun 2005. The name of Susanna Jane Russell/Rowsell b. abt. 1853 is not familiar at the moment. Although it seems that I have seen records for the names Susanna and Jane RUSSELL of the Cole Lee's Point and Bay Roberts area. My great grandfather, Henry ROUSELL/ROWSELL had at least two sisters, that I have identified over the past few years.
#1. Eliza, who married Charles FRENCH, son of Edward FRENCH.
Eliza and Charles FRENCH adopted my grandfather when he was 2 yrs of age in the year 1890.
#2. Sarah, who married John CURNEW/CURLEW . She died in 1906, within weeks of her brother, the above named Henry, who died 'at the ice' crew of the SS Newfoundland on March 28th, 1906. John CURNEW/CURLEW later married my widowed great grandmother. She was the daughter of Solomon MORGAN of Port de Grave.
A descendant of my grandfather's sister once told me that there may have been other siblings.
[54] Bill Weaver, waweaver53@hotmail.com, email written in 2003:
Jonathan m Elizabeth had the following children:
Francis b 1839
Fanny b 8 Jun 1844
Amelia Ann b 5 Sep 1846
Francis m Martha Gould and had the following children:
Amelia b 1 Oct 1866 Bay Roberts
Emily b 2 Oct 1870 Bay Roberts d 9 Jan 1957 Orange Co., CA m 22 Nov 1898 Bay
Roberts to John Charles Russell b 18 Feb 1867 Bay Roberts d 26 Aug 1937 Port
Angeles, WA
Jonathan b 15 Jul 1872 Bay Roberts
[55] Newfoundland GenWeb CBN Newspaper Announcements website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cbnorth_norstandard_80.htm. This website needs to be rechecked for the 7 matches to French after the a more stable family tree has been created.
[56] Brian Dawe email: wbdawe@connection.com (good in 2010).
[57] John French email: jfrench269@hotmail.com (good in 2010).
[58] daveanstey@shaw.ca (good in 2010).
[59] Lois French Andrews email: loiemish@yahoo.ca (good in 2011).
[60] Carol Walsh email: carol.walsh@nf.sympatico.ca (good in 2010).
[61] mcurran@stx.rr.com (good in 2010).
[62] Bay Roberts Trails website: http://www.northernavalon.com/baccalieu/bayr.htm
[63] Websites of David French, b. 18 Jan 1939, d. 5 Dec 2010: http://www.victoriamuseumplayhouse.com/, http://www.trentu.ca/news/weekly/archive/031006dfrench.html
[64] Sent by Ref. [48]. From Yetman and related families of Newfoundland:
http://ngb.chebucto.org/extlnk/lnkframe.htm?http%3A//freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jybell/
Ancestors of Jennifer Yetman Bell, including research on families with the same surname as her pedigree families, many with no known relationship at present
Abraham FRENCH was born in of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland. He married Mary Jane YETMAN on 19 Dec 1882 in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland.
Benjamin J. FRENCH was born about 1860 in of Spaniard's Bay. He married 1 Melina VOKEY on 22 Oct 1885 in Spaniard's Bay, Newfoundland.
Charles FRENCH was born about 1836 in of Bay Roberts. He married 1 Susanna MINCHIN on 8 Jan 1861 in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland.
Dianna FRENCH was born in 1811. She married 1 William GOSSE on 5 Jan 1830 in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland.
Edward FRENCH was born about 1758 in of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. He married 1 Jane JONES on 24 Oct 1783 in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland.
James FRENCH was born about 1832 in of Carbonear, Newfoundland. He married 1 Patience BUTT on 16 Dec 1857 in Carbonear, Newfoundland
Jethro FRENCH was born in 1877 in of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland. He married 1 Diana YETMAN on 31 Dec 1902 in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland.
Mary Ann FRENCH was born about 1848 in of Spaniard's Bay. She married William GOSSE.
Matthew FRENCH was born about 1842 in of Harbour Grace. He married 1 Susanna GOSSE on 4 Jan 1867 in Spaniard's Bay, Newfoundland
Nathan FRENCH, (son of Jethro French and Diana Yetman), was born on 10 Jul 1909 in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland. He died 1 in Jul 1984 in U S Consulate, Canada.
Patience FRENCH was born about 1812 in of Courage's Beach, Newfoundland. She was buried on 16 Sep 1890 in Courage's Beach, Newfoundland. She married 1 Joseph BUTT in Dec 1832 in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland.
Sarah Jane FRENCH was born about 1851 in of Spaniard's Bay. She married William GOSSE.
Susan or Ann FRENCH was born in 1814. She married 1 Edward MUNAHEN on 7 Dec 1834 in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland.
William FRENCH was born about 1851 in of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland. He married 1 Eliza BAGGS on 26 Jan 1876 in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland.
[65] Sent by Ref. [48]. French Family Names Mentioned Governor Gower's "Plantations Book."
On August 21, 1804, in an effort to help avoid frequent disputes regarding possession and rights of Fishing Rooms, Beaches, Flakes and land, Governor Erasmus Gower issued an order directing his Surrogates around the Island of Newfoundland to take an exact account of all Fishing Rooms, Wharves, Beaches, Flakes, etcÉ within 200 yards from the High Water Mark and register them in a book. The claims of every Merchant, Planter, and Boat Keeper to the land he occupied were to be clearly defined. The transcript is available at:
http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cbhg_pr1805-102-121.htm
The following are named as holding property in Bay Roberts:
Edward French
Wm French
Abram French
Wm. & Edward French
Edward & Jonas French
Jonas French, Thos. French, heirs of Robert French, Jno. French, Edward French
Thomas French, Edward French Sr., Jonas French
Edward French Sr., Thomas French.
[66] Sent by Ref. [48]. French Family Names Mentioned in Bay Roberts - Wesleyan Chapel Proprietor List
The proprietorsÕ list as of November 3, 1826 is at: http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cbbrob_bayrobertswesleyan1826.htm
It lists the following:
Edward French of William
William French of William
[67] Sent by Ref. [48]. French Family Names Mentioned in HutchinsonÕs Directory, Bay Roberts, 1864-65
FRENCH Abraham [of John], planter
FRENCH Benjamin, planter
FRENCH Charles [of Nathaniel], fisherman
FRENCH Charles [of Thomas], planter
FRENCH Edward, fisherman
FRENCH Edward [of Abraham], planter
FRENCH Edward [of Samuel], planter
FRENCH Edward [of William], planter
FRENCH George, fisherman
FRENCH James, Sr., planter
FRENCH James [of Thomas], planter
FRENCH John, vessel owner
FRENCH John Toomey, planter
FRENCH Jonathan, planter
FRENCH Nathaniel, fisherman
FRENCH Robert, fisherman
FRENCH Robert [of William], planter
FRENCH Solomon, planter
FRENCH Thomas [of James], planter
FRENCH Thomas [of Thomas], planter
FRENCH Thomas [of William], planter
FRENCH William, Sr., planter
[68] Sent by Ref. [48]. French Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland
Reference:
Seary, E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill-QueenÕs University Press. 1988, p192.
Seary says French is Òa surname of England and Ireland from Old English frenisc, Middle English frenche – French(man)Ó
He lists the following individuals:
Edward French, of Bay Roberts, 1764, property ÒpossessÕd by his Ancestors for upwards of 130 years,Ó that is, before 1634 (CO 199.18)
John French, of Harbour Grace, 1770, property Òin Possession of the Family for upwards of 60 years,Ó that is, before 1710 (CO 199.18)
John French, of Carbonear, 1784 (CO 199.18)
Edward French, of Port de Grave, 1797 (CO 199.18)
Benjamin French, of Brigus, 1834 (DPHW 34)
Solomon French, of SnowÕs Cove, (Port De Grave district), 1851 (DPHW 39)
Place Name: FrenchÕs Cove, (Bay Roberts), 47-37, 53-13
Seary also says that the first record of the French name in Newfoundland is Òbefore 1634Ó (p573).
[69] Sent by Ref. [48]. French Family Names Mentioned in Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador
Reference:
Smallwood, Joseph Roberts, and Pitt, Robert D.
W., Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, volume 1, St. JohnÕs: Newfoundland Book Publishers (1967) Ltd., 1981.
Rev. Elijah Chesley French, b1881, in Bay Roberts, NL. p404.
Solomon French, b1836, in
Bay Roberts, NL. ÒHe was one of nineteen survivors of the Huntsman qv
disaster of 1872 in which forty-three men died.Ó p.415.
[70] Sent by Ref. [48]. From The Star & Conception Bay Journal Carbonear and Harbour Grace, January 1837-December 1837
Married, November7th, at St. Matthew's Church, Bay Roberts, Mr. STEPHEN FRENCH, of that town, to SARAH SMITH, of Port de Grave.
December 5th, at Bay Roberts, by the same, JAMES SPARKES to AMY FRENCH
[71] Newfoundland Parish Records, Marriage Records, 1825-1830, website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cbhg_hg_mar_1825.htm.
Amy French, spinster of Bay Roberts, to Mansel Badcock, bachelor of Bay
Roberts, 16 Nov 1826.
John French, bachelor of Bay Roberts, to Elizabeth Norman, spinster of Bay
Roberts, 21 Dec 1826.
Patience French, spinster of Harbour Grace, to
William Puddicombe, Widower of Harbour
Grace, 24 Oct 1827.
John French, bachelor of Harbour Grace, to Jane
Nicholas, spinster of Harbour Grace, 17 Jan 1828.
Edward French of Harbour Grace, to Patience Martin,
spinster of Harbour Grace, 29 Jan 1829.
Dianna French, spinster of Bay Roberts, to William Goss, bachelor of Spanyards Bay, 5 Jan 1830.
Elizabeth French, spinster of Harbour Grace, to
Thomas Nicholas or Nichols, bachelor of Harbour
Grace, 30 Jan 1830.
[72] Newfoundland Conception Bay North Harbour, Grace District Marriage Records, website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cbhg_hg_mar_1802.htm.
[73] Will of Benjamin French from Newfoundland will books volume 10 pages 574-575 probate year 1917
In re
Benjamin French deceased.
a Will The last will and testament of Benjamin French Lumber Surveyor of Brigus in the District of Port-de-Grave. I, Benjamin French considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory (blessed be Almighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner and form following (that is to say). First. I give and bequeath unto my son, Kenneth M. French, my land, dwelling house and work-shop in rear of said dwelling house situate and being on the East side of Brigus Main Street and in the town of Brigus aforesaid and bounded as follows, north by a roadway eight feet wide common to the said property and the property of my brother James French, south by the land of Fredrick Jerrett, Merchant, East by the Saltwater Pond of Brigus and west by the aforesaid Main Street of Brigus and measuring twenty four feet by the said Road, with all chattels, furniture and carpenters tools thereon, also that three corner lot on the southside of the main line from Brigus aforesaid to the railway station and bounded as follows, north by the aforesaid road on the south East by road to Gardens and on the west by the property of James French. Also all moneys in the Bank of Nova Scotia in the town of Brigus aforesaid, and all money in the Newfoundland Savings Bank in the name of the said Benjamin French. The said Kenneth M. French to pay all my Funeral Expenses. I appoint Patrick J. Kent accountant of the town of St. JohnÕs and Thomas Brien Telegrapher of Brigus aforesaid executors to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty second day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand, nine hundred and seventeen Benjamin French (LS) The above instrument consisting of one sheet was now here subscribed by Benjamin French, the testator in the presence of each of us and was at the same time declared by him to be his last will and testament and we at his request, sign our name hereto as attesting witnesses. - William J. Brien St. JohnÕs Michael Costello St. JohnÕs
Correct, Charles H. Emerson Registrar of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland (Listed in the margin of this will) Fiat Aug 7/17 Kent J. Probate Aug 9/17 granted to Patk. J. Kent Thos Brien Estate sworn at $678.00
[74] Conception
Bay North Wills Index website: http://nl.canadagenweb.org/cb_wills.htm
[75] FRENCH
Researcher: Walter Bradbury - waltdeb@telus.net
Address: 1707 55ST Edmonton, Alberta T6L 1T3
Phone: 780-799-2408
Description: I am searching for any info on the parents of EMMA REBECCA FRENCH she was born 1859 in French's Cove, married my ggrandfather Abraham Hill Nov. 18 1883 in Battle Harbour Labrador, my grandfather was John James Hill.
Area of Research: Entire Province
Extent of Research: Limited
[April/2005]
[76] FRENCH
Researcher: Randy Harnett - rjh@warp.nfld.net
Address:
Phone:
Description: Searching for the parents, siblings of Mary French, born abt 1830 in or near St. John's, NF. She married John Comerford in St. John's, NF on 28 Oct 1851. The witnesses for the marriage were Thomas Comerford and Eliza Harris. Sponsors for her first child's baptism were William French and Bridget Nolan. I am assuming that William is Mary's brother.
Area of Research: Entire Province
Extent of Research: Limited
[October/99][March/2004]
[77] FRENCH
Researcher: William F. Mugford - billmugford@yahoo.ca
Address: P.O. Box 551 Gander, NF A1V 2E1
Phone: 709-651-2237
Description: Seeking information on Abraham French of "the Dock", Bareneed, CB, NF who married Mary Newell of same place early 1860's. Abraham died latter 1860's. One daughter Lavinia (my ggm) marrried William Morgan. Did Abraham French have any siblings? Who were his parents? Any more children besides Lavinia?
Area of research: Conception Bay
Extent of research: Limited
[April/98][June/2003]
[78] FRENCH
Researcher:Bob Scheiderman - knottoday@worldnet.att.net
Address:30 N. Gateway Toms River, NJ, USA 08753
Phone:
Description:Any info re Robert French, Devonshire England, m. Mary Layman, Fogo, Twillingate. Children, Henry, Annie, Sarah, Mary Jane, Alexander, Robert, George, Selina & Menna (Minnie)
Area of Research:Entire Province
Extent of research:Moderate
[June/2001]
[79] FRENCH
Researcher :Patricia Walberg - pbwalberg@netscape.net
Address :8606 - 103 Avenue Morinville, Alberta Canada T8R 1C1
Area of Research :Conception Bay
Extent of researchExtensive
Description :A)My GGGG-Gfather, WILLIAM FRENCH (b. abt 1786) m.MARY FRENCH on 06Dec.1809, Harbour Grace, Nfld. Children: 1) George (b.05Nov.1810 in H.G.) 2)*WILLIAM (chr.28Oct.1814 in H.G.) 3) Mary Ann (b.27Nov.1816 in H.G.) 4) Richard (b.08Oct.1818 in H.G.) 5) Martha (b.23Oct.1821 in HG) 6) Frederic (b.02May1825 in HG) 7) Elizabeth (chr.07Jan.1806 in HG) B)*WILLIAM FRENCH m. RUTH ASH 30Dec.1840. Children: 1) Matthew (b.23Oct.1841 in HG) 2)**GEORGE (b.17Aug.1843 in HG) 3) Frederic (b.05Sept.1846 in HG) 4) Martha (b.09Sept.1849 in HG) C)**GEORGE FRENCH m. MARY SHEPPARD (b.1843 in HG) abt. 1865-70. Their Children: 1) Belineda (Bell) (chr.06Jan.1872 - HG) 2) Mary Jane 3) ALICE (chr.22Dec.1873 - HG) 4) Else Maude 5) Ken 6) Walter (or Wallace) 7) Ambrose 8) Rachael 9) Emily
[Jan/2000]
[80] 2 Feb 1912 newspaper: Obituary - Mrs. EMMA FRENCH, beloved wife of SOLOMON FRENCH, French's Cove, and daughter of the late Thos. And Prudence MERCER of Mercer's Cove, passed away rather suddenly on Wednesday, Jan. 24th, in her 64th year. She was sick only a few days, having been stricken with paralysis on Saturday, Jan. 20th, and never regained consciousness. She leaves a husband and two daughters, Prudence, teacher at Seldom Come By, and Emma, at home; two brothers, Hezekiah and Isaac Mercer, Mercer's Cove, and one sister, Mrs. Matthew Martin, Hr. Grace to mourn their loss. The funeral took place on Friday, Jan. 26th, interment being at the Methodist Cemetery.
Many more here: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cbnorth_norguardian1910.htm
[81] William John French, b. 29 Jul 1896 in Bay Roberts, mother was Sarah French.
[82] http://www.thefamilyattic.info/RQNewfoundland.html
Posted: January 19, 2006 - The Western Star
QUERY: Who were Mary FrenchÕs parents? She married John Comerford (1816-1907) on October 28, 1851 at St. JohnÕs. Were their daughters, Jane Martha (baptized 1857) and Laura Mary (baptised 1867)? Was MaryÕs brother William French? Contact: Randy Harnett, 18 Leslie St., Clarenville, NL, A5A 1J9; or email: rjh@warp.nfld.net.
[83] Websites to
research:
http://ngb.chebucto.org/Vstats/bareneed-marriages-vol38.shtml
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/cbhg_hg_mar_1825.htm
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlcav/cadwell.htm
http://familytreegroup.tripod.com/guardian1932.htm
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/events2_newspaper1932.htm
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/nd_news_sun_1884janjune.htm
http://ngb.chebucto.org/Parish/topsail-ang-mar-3-1863-1963-hm.shtml
[84] WATANABE, Barbara Ann, #112. Family names: BURROWS, GILPIN, GRADBERRY, PATCHENE, VIRTUE. Connection: Edward French, Chart #57 and William John French, Chart #44. Query: William Aquilla French was b. ca. 1878 in Bareneed, Newfoundland. Later he lived in B.C. Canada. Seek name of his brother who lived in Boston area. My father, Elvin French Burrows, son of Mary P. French from Newfoundland, descendant of family from FrenchÕs Cove, Bay Roberts, Newfoundland. Said to have owned land there from 1634. Any further information would be appreciated. Will gladly supply any info to others seeking a Nfld/Boston connection.
[85] French-Haley Line sebsite: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/9191549/?o_cvc=Image:SavedPublic:Tree -- must be tied in somewhere because they are from Bay Roberts.
[86] Unknown connections:
George French, b. 14 Sep 1872 at Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Canada, m. Jessie, had son Graham who was born 14 Nov 1900 at Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Canada, immigrated to Seattle, WA on 30 Sep 1921.
James Henry French, b. 12 Aug 1880 at Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, m. Ada, immigrated to Windsor Ave., West Acton, MA, on 29 Jan 1923. He was a laborer.
Annie French, b. 1 May 1884 at Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, unmarried, immigrated to 149 Naples Rd., Brookline, MA on 22 Nov 1920. She was a nurse.
Marcus French, b. 20 Jul 1899 at Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Canada, m. Ethel M., immigrated to MA. He was a carpenter.
[87]
Birth records: http://sortedbyname.com/pages/f100797.html
[88] Will of William French Sr., 2 Apr 1840
This my Last Will and Testament Given. To Samuel
French that spot of ground which Nathaniel French, his father now lives on
after his decease. Also to Robert, son of William, that spot of ground which he
lives on after his decease also my bed and bedding. Also Edward, son of John
that lot of ground which he lives on after his
decease. Also, the dwelling house and houses and all the land to the eastern of
Edward, I give my son, William, after his decease. I give and if ever he
married and his wife should have a son, I give all the property to him not
wishing that any of the land should go out of the name of the Frenches. Witness our hand this thirtieth day of July one
thousand and eight hundred and thirty nine. William (his mark) French, Senior
– William Bartlett, George Jackson, John Moore.
I hereby certify that the executor of the Will of
which the foregoing is a true and correct and literal copy of William French
Senior, the Testator was proved before me by the Oath of George Jackson, one of
the subscribing witnesses thereto on the thirtieth day of March one thousand
eight hundred and forty and the same is hereby actually registered by me this
day.
Given under my hand this second day of April one
thousand eight hundred and forty. A.D. 1840.
No. 1950 John Stark, Registrar
[88] These children are listed in Edward FrenchÕs Shipping Company log as children of Edward and Patchene (or Patience), but are so far unidentified:
Elizabeth French March 1, 1786 Edward & Patchene
Dycanner French (or Duncan?) March 1, 1788
Koblif French (or Caleb?) November 9, 1792
John French May 1, 1796
Samuel French April 29, 1801
[89] Bay Roberts Genealogy: http://www.bayroberts.com/gen.htm