Contents
FFA Home Page
Geology,
History, and Background
Who was Samuel
FrenchÕs Father?
First
Generation
Second
Generation
Third
Generation
Fourth
Generation
Fifth
Generation
Sixth
Generation
Seventh
Generation
Eighth
Generation
DNA Testing
Bibliography
Geology, History, and Background
The Conococheague Creek is a
free-flowing stream that originates in Amberson
Valley, PA and empties into the Potomac River in MD. Franklin County was
established on 9 Sep 1784, having previously been the southwestern part of
Cumberland County, known as the Conococheague
settlement. The old settlers pronounce this word Conny-co-jig.
Samuel French and his family were in Franklin County at least between
1750-1816; in 1790 the population was 15,655.
Amberson Valley is between mountains
and spurs, a very narrow and fertile cove, with sources of water. See the 1843
History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
The original population of the county was of the
Scotch-Irish race, and many of their descendants still remain; but the German
population gained in numbers over the descendants of the original pioneers.
Samuel was most likely Scotch-Irish. Philadelphia, were most emigrants came to
from the Old County, is 143 miles east of the Conococheague
area. Chambersburg, the seat of justice of Franklin County was laid out in
1764, at the time of SamuelÕs birth, which might indicate that Samuel was
living there with his parents.
The greater part of Fannett township
lies in what is known as Path Valley, in olden times called ÒTuscarora PathÓ.
Originally the township included what is now Metal township.
Read more about Fannett Township
1761. The surname French is not listed in the early Fannett land entries;
therefore, the family probably lived elsewhere in 1761, perhaps in
Chambersburg. The early surnames were Bechtel, Blair, Steel, Alexander, Baxter,
Hutchinson, McCormick, Elder, Blair, Wallace, Anderson, Askey,
McMichaels, Campbell, Coulter, How, Ross, Doyle,
Parker, Little, Elliott, Gibson, Irvin, Baker, Gamble, Moore, Urich, Baker, Harron, Long,
Galbraith, Holliday, McClellan, and Ramage [23].
Franklin County was formed on 9 Sep 1784 from Cumberland
County and named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The county seat is
Chambersburg.
1868 map of Conococheague Creek
showing the lands of S. French, William French, and J. French. We suppose these stand for Samuel, William, and John.
Who was Samuel FrenchÕs Father?
We would like to know the parents of Samuel and Rebecca
(Woodrow) French. If you have this information, please email marafrench@mindspring.com.
His parents may have been William French, b. ca. 1725, m. Martha Dennison.
Four brothers of the Chambers family emigrated
to Franklin County from Antrim, Ireland between 1726 and 1730. The French
family is not mentioned in Ref. [22].
According to the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society,
there are pages from the Biographical Annals of Franklin County Pennsylvania on
the French family, http://www.lmhs.org/.
Because Samuel French was not on the list of early settlers
and neither is the name of his wife, Woodrow, it is assumed they came from a
nearby area.
The surname French is not listed in the early Fannett
township land entries; therefore, the family probably lived elsewhere in 1761,
perhaps in Chambersburg.
If the French family emigrated to Philadelphia as seen on
the map above, they would have traveled west to Franklin County, but could have
first lived in Lancaster or York County first as other members of the surname
French family did. Mentions of an early French family was
in Antrim township, Cumberland Co. (now Franklin Co.), PA, see FFA Chart #195.
We need someone with the surname French, a male, of this line to take the DNA
test in order to possibly connect Samuel French with DNA Test Group 4 and the
other 11 testees.
The French name was another old and worthy name in Amberson. The French Land at an early date lay on the west
side of the stream to the northwest of the VanScyoc
Mill and neighboring land owners were Pat MaGee, McVitty, and Adam Piper. The later French sites were
smaller places near Laurel Grove. The Samuel French lands consisted of two
tracts: a 120-acre farm and 100 acres of mountain land.
Map of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Key:
Red A – Amberson Valley, Laurel Grove, and Lurgan, Fannett, PA – FFA Chart #66
Blue Circle – Mercerburg, PA
Blue Square – Greencastle, PA – FFA Chart #195
Red Square – Hedgesville, WV – FFA Chart #195 and #30
Red Circle – Lancaster, PA – FFA Chart #129 and #195
Orange Square – Frederick, MD – Chart #129 and #195
Orange Circle – York, PA – Chart #129 and #195
First
Generation
1.1* Samuel French,
b. ca. 1760 in PA [5], d. Jan 1816 intestate in Amberson
Valley, Fannett Twp, Franklin Co., PA [6] or in Chambersburg, PA [6], when his
children were very young. He was living in Cumberland Co., PA, in 1780. By 1781
he was a freeman of Cumberland Co.
Marriage
Samuel French m. Rebecca Woodrow ca. 1785, and had 11
children. Rebecca was b. ca. 1765, d. 1840 in Roxbury, Lurgan
twp., Cumberland Co. now Franklin Co., PA [5]. Many of their children stayed in
Amberson Valley, Franklin Co., PA, and others
migrated to Illinois [6]. The daughters married into the families of Ernst,
Dredge, Eckman, Seibert, Holland, and Gracy [3][11], none of which were the original settlers of Amberson Valley.
RebeccaÕs parents may have been William Woodrow and
Hester Stoneburner, married in 1765 [5], and William
WoodrowÕs father may have been Samuel Woodrow Sr.
Samuel Woodrow Jr. married Jean French on 23 Apr 1807
at Middle Spring Presbyterian Church, Middle Spring Cumberland Co., PA. They
had 4 children: Enoch, Jane Jean, Margaret, and Nancy (all born between 1808
and 1814). After 1814, they had
these 7 children: William, Elizabeth, Polly, John, Martha, Rachel, and Samuel.
All 11 children were named in an Orphans Court Action of 14 Jun 1825 relating
to the death of Samuel Woodrow in Jun 1824 in Lurgan
Township, Franklin Co., PA [9]. Of these 11 names, 6 are the same names as
Samuel FrenchÕs children below. Jean French may have been a descendant of
Samuel French. Samuel Woodrow was born
in Lurgan Twp, Franklin Co, PA in 1806 to a Samuel
Woodrow and his first wife (her name is unknown). Samuel Woodrow (the elder)
had 7 children by his first wife: William, Elizabeth, Polly, John, Martha,
Rachel and Samuel (all born between 1790 and 1807). He then married as his
second wife a Jean Gordon French and had 4 more children: Enoch, Jane, Margaret
and Nancy. Samuel Woodrow died in June of 1824 in Lurgan
Twp, Franklin Co, PA.
Rebecca Woodrow French was a hardworking pioneer lady
who raised 11 children to adulthood. After the death of her husband Samuel, her
son John assisted her in the Orphans Court keeping the family together and
dividing up the lands equally. Later on around 1820 she moved to Roxbury to
finish raising the remaining children. Possibly she had a lover who helped her
or maybe he was just a friend or hired hand, however in 1830, still living in
Roxbury she was all alone.
Military
Samuel served in the Pennsylvania Militia and
Continental Line in Cumberland County Militia from 1778-1783. He served under
Capt. Thomas Askey, Capt. Noah Abraham and Col.
Samuel Culberson (perhaps spelled Culbertson as this family owned a hotel in
Chambersburg) from 1780-1782, and Capt. John Campbell in 1778. He was a part of
the Protective Force. Later he became a landowner and a farmer of 220 acres, 120 farmland, 100 mountain [16]. Alexander and Arthur French
served as Rangers of the Frontier, relationship unknown [26].
Deeds and Documents
Samuel is on the Fannett Township Tax Listing for 1786
as the only adult male with the surname French in Fannett, Franklin Co., PA
[18].
Samuel owned 120 acres of land in Amberson
Valley and 100 acres of mountain land [5].
Census
1790 Franklin County census
1 free white male under 16, Andrew, born after 1774
1 free white male 16+, Samuel French
2 free white females, Mary and Rebecca Woodrow French
1800 Franklin County census, Fannett Twp.,
page 3 out of 4 pages.
Samuel French is listed with 3 males plus himself and
4 females plus his wife, 9 in all.
2 free white males under 10, born between 1790-1800, John and William
1 free white male age 10-15, born between 1785-1790, Andrew
1 free white male 26-44, Samuel French, born 1756-1774
3 free white females under 10, born between 1790-1800, Sarah, Jane, Else
1 free white female 10-15, born between 1785-1790, Mary
1 free white female 26-44, Rebecca Woodrow French, born 1756-1774
1810 Franklin County census, Fannett Twp.,
page 6 out of 11 pages.
Samuel French is listed with 5 males plus himself and
5 females plus his wife.
2 free white males under 10, born 1800-1810, Robert and David
1 free white male 10-15, born 1795-1800, William
2 free white male, 16-25, born 1785-1794, Andrew and John
0 free white male, 26-44
1 free white male, 45+, born before 1765, Samuel French
3 free white females under 10, born 1800-1810, Else, Peggy, Elizabeth
2 free white female 10-15, born 1795-1800, Sarah, Jane
0 free white female, 16-25
1free white female, 26-44, born 1766-1784, Rebecca Woodrow French
0 free white female, 45+,
Daughter Mary married and moved out of her parents household.
1820 Lurgan, Franklin
Co., PA census
Rebecca moved back to where her parents lived after her husband died in 1816
1 free white male under 10,
1 free white male 10-15,
1 free white male 26-44,
1 free white female under 10,
1 free white female 10-15,
1 free white female 45+, Rebecca Woodrow French, b. 1765
Also living as head of household
in Lurgan was Adam French
Death
Samuel d. in 1816 in Amberson,
Franklin Co., PA, and is buried at the Amberson Union
Cemetery there. Letters of Administration on the Estate of Samuel French were
granted to John French, 15 April 1816 [12], before the 1820 census.
When Samuel French died in 1816, eleven children were
mentioned: Andrew, John, Polly, John Taylor, William, Sarah, Jane, Else,
Robert, David, Peggy, and Elizabeth [26].
Devor Family
In Fannett Township, home of Samuel French was a
James DEVOR, son of Joseph DAVER from Scotland. His daughter Jemima
married William French, son of Samuel French (page 696)
His brother Jesse DEVOR, (born in 1771-died in 1833)
son of Joseph DAVER was a farmer in Path Valley...which
is in Metal and Fannett Townships. He married Amy Peterson in
1815. Their daughter Jane (born in 1816- died1893) married David
French on December 31, 1840. David French, son of James
A. French. The researcher has written at the bottom of the page
"This David French is likely a descendant of Samuel French."
David and Jane had Issue: Joseph; William; Melvina married James McCain; Margaret married Solomon
Crouse; Amy married William Richardson; Lucinda married John Sanno; Mary; Jemima Jane,
deceased (page 697) [21].
Second Generation
Children of Samuel and Rebecca (Woodrow) French, 1.1
All children but the oldest daughter was living at the family
home in Fannett in 1810: 5 sons and 5 daughters [16].
2.1 Mary (Polly)
French [6], b. ca. 1785-90 in Fannett, Franklin Co., PA [17], m. John
Taylor by 1810 [9], as John Taylor is listed as head of household in the 1810
census of Fannett, Franklin Co., PA, with a newborn son.
2.2 Andrew Viz French [6], b. 1789 in Fannett, Franklin Co., PA
[17], m. Betsy Baylie or Bayle [9], d. 1789
2.3* John French,
b. 6 May 1793 [6] [8] [11] (as per his gravestone) in Amberson
Valley, Franklin Co., PA, d. 27 Dec 1862 [6] [8], in North Henderson, Mercer
Co., IL [4] [11], m. Sarah Young in Franklin Co., PA in Jan 1817 [4]. Sarah was
b. 1 May 1797 in Ireland, d. 5 May 1862, about 8 months before the death of her
husband [6]. They immigrated to Illinois in April 1851 [11]. They are both
buried at Mt. Vernon Cemetery near N. Henderson, Mercer Co., IL [10].
Marriage
John m. Sarah Young in Franklin Co., PA in Jan 1817
[4]. Sarah was b. 1 May 1797 in Ireland.
John French, b. 6 May 1793 in Amberson
Valley, Franklin Co., PA, d. 27 Dec 1862, in North Henderson, Mercer Co., IL,
m. Sarah Young in Franklin Co., PA in Jan 1817. Sarah was b. 1 May 1797 in
Ireland, d. 5 May 1862, about 8 months before the death of her husband. They
had 10 children. They immigrated to Illinois in April 1851. Their son was
Samuel French, b. 25 Aug 1817 in Metal Twp., Franklin Co., PA, d. 5 Nov 1881,
aged 64 years, in East Pennsboro Twp., Cumberland
Co., PA, m. Elizabeth Ziegler on 5 Mar 1840. Elizabeth was b. 19 Jun 1821, d.
26 Mar 1862, almost 41 years of age. They had at least 6 children.
John was the administrator of his fatherÕs estate,
which consisted of 120 acres of farmland adjoining the land of Robert
Culbertson, Herman Myers, Adam Piper, Edward McVitty,
and John McVitty, and 100 acres of mountain land
adjoining lands of Robert Culbertson, John Emery, and widow Ruth. John also
assisted in the Orphans Court for Rebecca French (his mother), as seven of his
brothers and sisters were minors in 1816 when his father died [10]. This
acreage is located to the northwest of the Van Scyoc
Mill on the west side of the stream. The mill was still standing in 1996 [10].
In 1820 John was in Metal Twp. in Franklin Co.
according to the census records. In 1830 he had moved to Newton Twp. in
Cumberland Co., PA, and was also there in 1840 and 1850. Sometime after this,
he and his family moved to the Pittsburg area, probably during the fall of
1850, as the younger children attended school there. In April of 1851, they
apparently left Pittsburgh by riverboat to make the long journey to Illinois
down the Ohio River, then up the Mississippi River to the Illinois River to
Peoria, IL.
Death
John and Sarah French are both buried at Mt. Vernon
Cemetery near N. Henderson, Mercer Co., IL [10]. d. 5 May 1862, age 65 years
and 7 days, about 8 months before the death of her husband [6] [16]. John d. 27
Dec 1862.
Sarah Young French
2.4* William French
[6], b. ca. 1795 in Amberson Valley, PA, d. 1874 in Amberson Valley, m. Jemima Deavor
/ Devor in 1817. She was b. 1796, d. 1865 [15].
Jemima Devor was the daughter of James Devor who lived in the household of WilliamÕs father,
Samuel. James Devor was the son of Joseph Daver from Scotland. The brother of James Devor was Jesse Devor, b. in 1771
and died in 1833. Jesse was a farmer in Path Valley, which is in Metal and
Fannett townships in PA. Jesse Devor m. Amy Peterson
in 1815. Their daughter Jane was b. in 1816 and d. in 1893, and m. David French
on 31 Dec 1840. David was the son of James A. French, who is most likely a
descendant of Samuel French of this line. David and Jane had issue: Joseph,
William, Melvina who m. James McCain, Margaret who m.
Solomon Crouse, Amy who m. William Richardson, Lucinda who m. John Sanno, Mary, and Jemima Jane [21].
See the 1868 map above of Conococheague
Creek showing the lands of S. French, William French, and J. French. We suppose
these stand for Samuel, William, and John.
2.5 Sarah French
[6], b. 13 Jul 1799 in Fannett, Franklin Co., PA [17].
2.6 Jane French
[6], b. ca. 1801 in Fannett, Franklin Co., PA [17].
2.7 Else French
[6], b. ca. 1803 in Fannett, Franklin Co., PA [17].
2.8 Robert French
[6], b. ca. 1805 in Fannett, Franklin Co., PA [16]. The 1850 census of Freedom, Beaver Co., PA, shows a Robert French, age
50, the only Robert French listed on ancestry.com in PA. He is married to
Nancy, and living with his children Martin 16, Hannah M. 10, and Martha I. 5.
He was a ship carpenter with his son Martin, both born in PA. His wife Nancy
was born in Ireland.
2.9 David French
[6], b. ca. 1806 in Fannett, Franklin Co., PA [16], m. Sally Toughhead [9].
2.10 Peggy
(Margaret) French [6], b. ca. 1808 in Fannett, Franklin Co., PA [16].
2.11 Elizabeth
French [6], b. ca. 1809 in Fannett, Franklin Co., PA [16].
Third
Generation
Children of John and Sarah (Young) French, 2.3
3.1* Samuel French,
b. 25 Aug 1817 in Metal Twp., Franklin Co., PA, d. 5 Nov 1881, aged 64 years,
in East Pennsboro Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, m.
Elizabeth Ziegler on 5 Mar 1840. Elizabeth was b. 19 Jun 1821 [6], d. 26 Mar
1862 [6], almost 41 years of age. They had at least 6 children [11].
See the 1868 map above of Conococheague
Creek showing the lands of S. French, William French, and J. French. We suppose
these stand for Samuel, William, and Jacob.
3.2 Mary (Polly) Ann
French, b. 4 Sep 1819 in Metal Twp., Franklin Co., PA, d. 7 Oct 1889 in
Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., PA, buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery, m.
Timothy Holland in 1840. Timothy was b. in 1817, d. 20 May 1878 in
Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., PA. They had 8 children: Sarah, Samuel, John,
David, Mary, Daniel, Charles, and Robert [11].
3.3 Hannah
French, b. 14 Oct 1821 probably Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d.
probably at the birth of her first child. She m.
William Gracey or Gracy in
1839. William probably d. in 1883 in Caledonia, Marion
Co., OH. They had a daughter, Hannah Gracey,
who came to IL in 1851 with her grandparents, John and Sarah French [11].
3.4 Sarah French,
b. 2 Jan 1823, Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 20 May 1905 at N. Henderson,
Mercer Co. IL. She m. John Young Ernst, probably 1844 or 1845
[4] [8]. John was b. 16 Jun 1817, d. 19 Dec 1887 [16]. They had 10
children: William (stepson of Sarah), Elizabeth, Samuel (1848-1887), Mary,
George Woodrow (1853-1931), John Young, Hannah Ellen (1856-1919, m. Hammon, Rebecca, Martha, and Henry Oscar.
Their son Samuel Ernst m. Margaret
(Maggie) Humes whose mother was Sarah Belle Ernst and
who was the dau. of
Andrew Ernst who was the half-brother of John Young Erst
(cousins married cousins). Their dau.
was Sarah Alena Ernst Sharer
and her son was Sam Sharer,
originally of Alexis, IL near North Henderson, and next generation, their dau. was Diana Sharer Camp [4].
Sarah French Ernst and John Young Ernst
John and Sarah French Ernst were the pioneers of the
French family migration to Illinois. Charlotte Sharper says, ÒSometime in 1850
they migrated west, settling in Salem township, Knox
Co., Illinois, not far from Farmington, Fulton County, Illinois. John Ernst
bought 160 acres of land on 20 Oct 1853, then sold it on 5 Jun 1854 for a
considerable profit and afterwards moved to North Henderson
township, Mercer Co., Illinois [16].
3.5 Rebecca French,
b. 15 Feb 1825, Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 3 Apr 1915, m. Paul Siebert
in 1849. Paul was b. in 1825, d. in 1871 at 45 yrs of age. This family resided
in Pittsburg, PA, and vicinity all their lives. No children, although two
nieces lived with them: Rebecca French (daughter of Samuel French) and Rebecca
Siebert Brown (daughter of Susan Brown) [6] [11].
3.6 Elizabeth French,
b. 17 May 1829 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 12 Apr 1901, m. Samuel Eckman in Mar 1851. Samuel was b. in PA in 1821, d. 15 Jan
1902 in Knox Co., IL. Samuel and Elizabeth migrated to IL in Apr 1851 with
ElizabethÕs parents, John and Sarah French. They had 5 children: John Young,
Frank, Elder, Sarah, and Lillian Mae [6] [11].
3.7* John Young French
I, b. 15 Sep 1830 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 6 May 1904 near
Dexter IA, m1. Rosanna Dredge on 24 Mar 1853. Rosanna was b. Mar 1829, d. 30
Oct 1864. John m2. Sarah Dunn Williams on 2 May 1867. Sarah was b. 11 Feb 1840,
d. 18 Feb 1905 near Dexter, IA [11]. John Young French migrated to IL in 1851
with his parents, John and Sarah French. In the 1870 census of Kelly, Warren Co., IL, he was living with his
family, his wife Sarah, and his son Lincoln 8, and William 2. In the 1880
census of Kelly, Warren Co., IL, he was living with his wife Sarah, son William
12, and son Fredrick 5. He was a farmer and states that both his parents were
born in Pennsylvania. In the 1900 census of Union, Dallas Co., Iowa, he was
living with Sarah and son William 31, and son Frederick 22. John Y. French d. 6
May 1904 in Dallas, Iowa, and is buried at Bear Creek Cemetery in Dexter,
Dallas Co., Iowa, alongside his wife Sarah who was b. 11 Feb 1840 and d. 18 Feb
1905.
3.8 Robert French,
b. 6 Apr 1833 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, death date unknown. He
migrated to IL with his parents John and Sarah French in 1851. In the late
1850s he migrated westward and was never heard from again [6] [11].
3.9 Isabella French,
b. 27 Oct 1835 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 10 Jan 1864 in Mercer
Co., IL, m. Joseph Dredge on 19 Feb 1855 in IL. Joseph was b. in 1833 in
Cumberland Co., PA. The Dredge family had migrated in 1846 from Cumberland Co.,
PA. Joseph Dredge remarried and migrated to Nebraska where he died 20 Feb 1892
at Tilden, NB. Isabella and Joseph had 5 children: Hugh French, Mary Elmira,
John Wilson, Sarah, and Henry [6] [11].
3.10* Hugh French,
b. 30 Aug 1838 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 7 Dec 1907 in N.
Henderson, Mercer Co., IL at the Old SoldierÕs Home-Quincy, m. Louisa Lusetta Schroeder on 28 Feb 1867. Louisa was b. 3 Jul 1848
in Newburg, NY. Louisa d. 2 Nov 1928 in Galesburg, IL [6]
[11].
Children of William and Jemima (Devor)
French, 2.4
3.11 David
French, b. 1818, d. 1867, m. Jane Deavor / Devor who was b. 1816, d. 1893 [15]. They had a son,
William French, b. 1845, d. 1890, m. Sarah Ellen Crouse who was b. 1841, d.
1888, and had daughter Charlotte Ellen French in 1882, d. 1967, m. Franklin
Dallas Varley [15].
DavidÕs mother-in-law, Jemima Devor,
was the daughter of James Devor who lived in the
household of WilliamÕs father, Samuel. James Devor
was the son of Joseph Daver from Scotland. The
brother of James Devor was Jesse Devor,
b. in 1771 and died in 1833. Jesse was a farmer in Path Valley, which is in
Metal and Fannett townships in PA. Jesse Devor m. Amy
Peterson in 1815. Their daughter Jane was b. in 1816 and d. in 1893, and m.
David French on 31 Dec 1840. David was the son of James A. French, who is most
likely a descendant of Samuel French of this line. David and Jane had issue:
Joseph, William, Melvina who m. James McCain,
Margaret who m. Solomon Crouse, Amy who m. William Richardson, Lucinda who m.
John Sanno, Mary, and Jemima Jane [21]. These names
will be added for the next update.
3.12 Simon French,
m. Catherine Angeline.
Fourth
Generation
Children of Samuel and Elizabeth (Ziegler) French, 3.1
4.1 William French
[11].
4.2 Sarah French
[11].
4.3 Margaret French,
d. young [11].
4.4 James French,
d. young [11].
4.5 Matilda French
[11].
4.6 Rebecca French
[11].
4.7 Anna French
[11].
4.8 Arabella French [11].
4.9 Charles French
[11].
4.10 Elizabeth
French [11].
Children of John and Rosanna H. (Dredge) French, 3.7
4.11 William Henry
French [11], b. ca. 8 Mar 1854 in Knox, IL, d. 1855 in infancy.
4.12 Jacob Eckman French [11], b. 11 Dec 1855 in Haw Creek, Knox,
IL, d. 4 Feb 1935 in Mitchell, Davison Co., SD. He was married twice and had at
least 10 children (to be added for next update) [1]. Jacob m1. unk, m2. Ida Amelia Loenning;
Abraham Lincoln French (5), b. 17 Sep 1886 in Table Rock, Pawnee Co., NE, m.
Mary K. Molitor; Helen A. French (6), b. 26 Nov 1915
in Mitchell, Davison Co., SD, m. Thomas J. Palmer; Vickey
L. Palmer (7), m. Gilmore. John Young French (3) had siblings Samuel, b. 1817
in Metal, Franklin Co., PA and Sarah French, b. in 1823 in Newton, Cumberland
Co., PA. Jacob Eckman French (4) had siblings William
Henry French, b. 1854; A. Lincoln French, b. 1862; Mary Elizabeth French, b.
1864; and James William French, b. 1868. These last children were all from IL
[1].
4.13 (Abraham) Lincoln French [11], b. ca. 1862 in IL.
4.14 Mary Elizabeth
[11], b. 20 Oct 1864 in IL, d. 1883.
Children of John and Sarah (Young) French, 3.7
4.15 James William
French [11], b. 1869.
4.16 Frederick
French French [11], b. 1877.
Children of Hugh and Louisa (Schroeder) French, 3.10
4.17 Mary Lorena
French [11].
4.18 Charles Seibert
French [11].
4.19* Philip Herman
French [11], b. 11 Sep 1885 in N. Henderson, Mercer Co., IL, m. 7 Apr 1909
to Minnie Christine Williamson, d. 2 Jul 1957 [9]. Minnie was b. 3 Apr 1889
near Wataga, Knox Co., IL and d. 27 May 1979 in
Knoxville, Knox Co., IL [3].
Fifth
Generation
Children of Philip H. and Minnie C. (Williamson) French, 4.19
5.1 Constance French,
b. 1910.
5.2* Delwin Howe French,
b. 29 Jul 1911 in Wataga, Knox Co., IL, m. 27 Sep
1939 to Verda Minnie Slane
[3], the dau. of George and
Jeannette Slane. Both Delwin
and Verda died in 1998; Delwin
d. 12 Nov 1998 in Galesburg, Knox Co., IL. In the 1920 census of Galesburg, Knox Co., IL, Delwin
was living with his parents and siblings. Not sure where Della Rae (West)
French comes in. In the 1930 census
he was living in Sparta, Knox Co., IL, with the Williamson family.
5.3 Gail French,
b. 1914.
5.4 Beryl French,
b. 1917.
Sixth Generation
Children of Delwin H. and Verda M. (Slane) French, 5.2
6.1 Delbert Edwin
French, b. ca. 1942, m. Lois Marie McHoes.
Seventh Generation
Children of Delbert E. and Lois M. (McHoes)
French, 6.1
7.1 Daniel
Christopher French, b. 17 Oct 1970, m1. Unknown, m2.
Edlira Kocani (she is from
Albania. Daniel works for a science company and is also an actor in the community
theatre [16].
Sketch of Daniel Christopher
French at Cottage Grove, OR, 2010, during Bohemian Mining Days.
7.2 Adele Marie
French, m. Schleik [16].
7.3 Rebecca Benette French [16].
7.4 Sarah Rae French
[16].
Eighth Generation
Children of Daniel Christopher French, 7.1
8.1 Ethan
Christopher French, b. 2000 [16].
Children of Daniel Christopher and Edlira
(Kocani) French, 7.1
8.2 Logan Drin
French, b. 2006 [16].
8.3 Emma Kaltrina French, b. 2008 [16].
DNA Testing
Administered by Julia French Wood. For any questions
regarding DNA, please email Julia at juliaFWood@aol.com.
A good source for research would be for a male with the
surname French of this line to take the DNA test. It is a simple test that
doesnÕt involve blood. A kit is delivered to your house with special brushes
for you to take cheek swabs and the tip is injected into the tiny test tubes to
be returned to the lab. After the tests that you ordered are completed, in
about 4 weeks, you will be notified and can log in to your personal page at the
company to view your results and your DNA matches. They may match up with one
of the tests shown here: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/french/default.aspx?section=yresults.
The FamilyTree DNA website gives a special lower
price to those with the surname French. Read about those who approve of it: http://www.familytreedna.com/testimonials.aspx.
To get the discounted price for our French DNA Project group, go to http://small-stuff.com/FRENCH/DNA/ and click at
the left on "Join the French DNA Project" then place your
order. Julia French Wood suggests the 37 marker
test (Y-DNA37), but if you want to start with 25, you can upgrade to a higher
test at a later date if needed.
Bibliography
[1] FFA member Vickey
Lynn (Palmer) Gilmore, 11200 Christy Ave., Lake View Terrace, CA 91342,
818-899-2815. GILMORE, Vickey Lynn, Membership
#891. 11200 Christy Ave., Lake View Terrace, CA 91342-6912. (818) 899-2815.
Family names: YOUNG, DREDGE, LOENNING, MOLITOR.
Connection: Chart #66. Samuel French (1), m. Rebecca; John French (2), b. 6 May
1791 in Amberson Valley, Franklin Co., PA, m. Sarah
Young; John Young French (3), b. 15 Sep 1830 in Metal Township, Franklin Co.,
PA, m. Rosanna L. Dredge; Jacob Eckman French (4), b.
11 Dec 1855 in Haw Creek, Knox Co., IL, m1. unk, m2. Ida Amelia Loenning;
Abraham Lincoln French (5), b. 17 Sep 1886 in Table Rock, Pawnee Co., NE, m.
Mary K. Molitor; Helen A. French (6), b. 26 Nov 1915
in Mitchell, Davison Co., SD, m. Thomas J. Palmer; Vickey
L. Palmer (7), m. Gilmore. John Young French (3) had siblings Samuel, b. 1817
in Metal, Franklin Co., PA and Sarah French, b. in 1823 in Newton, Cumberland
Co., PA. Jacob Eckman French (4) had siblings William
Henry French, b. 1854; A. Lincoln French, b. 1862; Mary Elizabeth French, b.
1864; and James William French, b. 1868. These last children were all from IL.
[2] Matthew Dennis Gemp
[3] FFA members Delwin
H. & Verda French #140. Family names:
TAYLOR, BAYLIE, DEVOR, TOUGHHEAD, YOUNG, KELSO, SCHROEDER, WILLIAMSON.
184 N. Pleasant Ave., Galesburg, IL 61401. Both died in 1998. Their family (Allison, Jeannie, and Paul French) live at 255
Division St., Galesburg, IL 61401-5363, 309-344-3840. The book that Delwin and Verda French wrote is
no longer available.
[4] Diana (Sharer) Camp, 40316 N. Fox
Drive, Antioch, Illinois 60002. Email: diana@mw.sisna.com
[5] Heidi Claar, email: hdkclaar@webtv.net (good in 2003).
[6] John (Jack) Reichert, Jr., N4RV@worldnet.att.net (good in 2000).
Jack Reichert, 11254 Oakton Rd., Oakton, VA. 22124
[7] History from the book ÒConococheague
Headquarters of Amberson ValleyÓ, website:
http://garyr50.tripod.com/Conococheague.pdf,
slow to open, 154 pages.
[8] Glenn Camp, Email: glenn@mw.sisna.com,
Diana Camp, Email: diana@mw.sisna.com.
(Email good in 1999). See [4] above. The Camps live in North Chicago, IL.
DianaÕs maiden name was Diana Sharer, daughter of Sam Sharer, originally of
Alexis, Illinois, which is by North Henderson. Sam's mother, Sarah Alena Ernst
Sharer, was the daughter of Samuel Ernst, who was the son of John Young
Ernst. John Young Ernst's wife and
Samuel's mother was Sarah French, daughter of John French and Sarah Young. My
grandmother's mother was Margaret (Maggie) Humes,
wife of Samuel Ernst. Maggie's
mother was Sarah Belle Ernst, who was the daughter of Andrew Ernst, who was the
half-brother of John Young Ernst.
Cousins married cousins. My great....grandfather
was John French, who was born May 6, 1793 in Amberson
Valley, PA., married Sarah Young in January 1817 in Franklin County, and died on December 27, 1862
in North Henderson, Illinois. They
had the following children:
Samuel, Mary Ann, Hannah, Sarah, Rebecca, Elizabeth, John Young, Robert,
Isabella, and Hugh. Their child
Sarah was my greatÉgrandmother.
Sarah married John Young Ernst in Newville, Pennsylvania.
[9] FFA member Ray B. Grove, #397.
Jean French, m. Samuel Woodrow 23 Apr 1807, at Middle Spring, Cumberland Co,
PA. Children: Enoch Woodrow b. ca. 1808; Jane Jean Woodrow bap. 10 Apr 1810; Margaret Woodrow bap. 9 Apr
1811; Nancy Woodrow bap. Apr 1814. Ray B. Grove, 38 Santa Monica Ct.,
Salinas, CA 93901 (FFA member in 1989).
This may be the Samuel Woodrow that was born in Lurgan Twp, Franklin Co, PA in 1806 to a Samuel Woodrow and
his first wife (her name is unknown). Samuel Woodrow (the elder) had 7 children
to his first wife: William, Elizabeth, Polly, John, Martha, Rachel and Samuel
(all born between 1790 and 1807). He then married as his second wife a Jean
Gordon French and had 4 more children: Enoch, Jane, Margaret and Nancy. Samuel
Woodrow died in June of 1824 in Lurgan Twp, Franklin
Co, PA.
[10] F498 JOHN FRENCH. "The
Memoirs of our French Family.'' Written and contributed by Delwin
and Verda French. 310 pages,
including index. The FFA library has 26 selected pages. John French, b.
1793, was the son of Samuel (Chart #66) and Rebecca French of Amberson Valley, Fannett Township, Franklin Co., PA.
Surnames: Taylor, Bayle, Young, Deavor, Toughhead, Zeigler, Holland, Gracy,
Ernst, Siebert, Eckman, Dredge, Dunn, Schroeder. Includes homestead maps of Fannett township in
PA; Cumberland Co in PA; and Galesburg, Knox Co., IL. Other counties: Knox,
Warren, Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Peoria. Other
towns: Galesburg, E. Moline, N. Henderson, Monmouth, Abingdon, Farmington,
Peoria, Kewanee, Berwick, Alexis, Geneseo, Port
Byron, Wataga. Delwin wrote
to me on 12 Dec 1985 from Galesburg, IL, detailing his book, of which he sent
me part of. The book has 12 pages of pictures and
about 270 other pages with a 20-page index. He published 109 books and has no
copies left, unless it has been microfilmed in Salt Lake City. The book is not
copyrighted and there are no restrictions on copying. He mentions that he found
about 20 old letters written between 1859-1871 establishing many clues to the
family. Not all of this information has been added to this chart.
[11] F578 JOHN FRENCH. 1 page
contributed by Delwin M. French. John and Sarah Young
French of Fannett, Franklin Co., PA. John was b. 6 May 1793. 1
page written in 1984. Delwin passed away in
1998. This page has been added to this chart and removed from the FFA Library.
[12] In Franklin County
will abstracts, Books A-C, Book
C, p 282. Letters of Administration on the estate of Samuel French were granted
to John French, 15 April 1816. Nothing on them in the county
history by Seilhammer.
[13] 1860 Franklin County
census, Fannett Twp.
French Filson
9 m w Pa. 1289 1274 8 yes 158
French Henrietta 7 f w
Pa. 1289 1274 9 yes 158
French Simon 25 m w Cooper 100 400
Pa. 1291 1276 1 159
French C. A. 20 f w Pa. 1291 1276 2 159
French Mary E. 3 f w Pa. 1291 1276 3 159
French Barbara A. 1 f w Pa. 1291 1276 4 159
French William 50 m w Farmer 400 Pa.
1292 1277 1 159
French Jemima 50 f w Pa. 1292 1277 2 yes 159
French Solomon 30 m w Farmer 500 200
Pa. 1293 1278 1 yes 159
French Mary E. 24 f w Pa. 1293 1278 2 159
French William A. 5 m w Pa. 1293 1278 3 159
French David 37 m w Cooper 600 150
Pa. 1554 1522 1 193
French Jane 40 f w Pa. 1554 1522 2 193
French Joseph 18 m w Day Laborer Pa. 1554 1522 3 yes 193
French William 14 m w Pa. 1554 1522 4 yes 193
French Malvina 13 f w Pa. 1554 1522 5 yes 193
French Margaret 11 f w Pa. 1554 1522 6 yes 193
French Amy 9 f w Pa. 1554 1522 7 yes 193
French Lucinda 7 f w
Pa. 1554 1522 8 193
French Mary 5 f w Pa. 1554 1522 9 193
French Jemima J. 3 m w Pa. 1554 1522 10 193
[14] Cyn78@webtv.net
(undeliverable in 2000).
[15] Dennis L. Myers, dmyers@cheerful.com.
My Grandmother, Charlotte(lotte)
French was born in Franklin County.
She married Franklin Varley
and moved to Maricopa Calif. at the turn of the last century. Her father was William
French, son of David, son of William, son of Samuel. Simon, under your facts,
would be David's brother. I have not been able to trace the French family any
further back than Samuel, however, Jemima's family, Devor
or Deavor
or Davor goes back a couple more generations. Website: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/y/e/Dennis-L-Myers/index.html.
[16] Find A Grave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=47346952.
Daniel Christopher French, email: frenchfamilyhistory@yahoo.com.
[17] The History of Pennsylvania from its
Discovery by Europeans, by Thomas Francis Gordon.
[18] Fannet Township Tax Listing
for 1786, website:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pafrankl/fannett2.html
[19] Samuel French, first generation, is described in the
Pennsylvania Archives, 5th. Series, Volume 6, pp. 394, 409,
424, 442.
[20] Conococheague Headwaters of Amberson Valley, published in 1968 by Harry E. Foreman.
[21] Vicki French Carroll and her research at the Lancaster
Mennonite Historical Society there are pages from the Biographical Annals of
Franklin County Pennsylvania.
In Fannett Township, home of Samuel French (FFA Chart
#66) was a James DEVOR, son of Joseph DAVER from Scotland. His daughter
Jemima married William French, son of Samuel French (page 696)
His brother Jesse DEVOR, (born in 1771-died in 1833)
son of Joseph DAVER was a farmer in Path Valley...which
is in Metal and Fannett Townships. He married Amy Peterson in
1815. Their daughter Jane (born in 1816- died1893) married David
French on December 31, 1840. David French, son of James
A. French. The researcher has written at the bottom of the page
"This David French is likely a descendant of Samuel French."
David and Jane had Issue: Joseph; William; Melvina married James McCain; Margaret married Solomon
Crouse; Amy married William Richardson; Lucinda
married John Sanno; Mary; Jemima
Jane, deceased. (page 697)
[22] 1843 History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania,
contributed by Nancy Piper, website: http://genealogytrails.com/penn/franklin/history/1843history.html.
[23] Don and Jeanine Hartman, coordinators of Franklin Co.,
PA, email: FramilyHart@aol.com.
[24] Franklin County, Pennsylvania USGENWEB Coordinator
Joan Young, email: JYoung6180@aol.com.
[25] Franklin County, Pennsylvania, archivist, Abby Bowman,
email: abbybowman@comcast.net.
Website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pafrankl/.
[26] Conococheague Headwaters of Amberson Valley, 1968, by Harry E. Foreman, website: http://garyr50.tripod.com/Conococheague.pdf. Page 73.
The French name was another old and worthy name in Amberson. The French Land at an early date lay on the west
side of the stream to the northwest of the VanScyoc
Mill and neighboring land owners were Pat MaGee, McVitty, and Adam Piper. The later French sites were
smaller places near Laurel Grove. The Samuel French lands consisted of two
tracts: a 120 acre farm and 100 acres of mountain
land.
Samuel French served under Capt. Thomas Askey in 1780-81-82 and Alexander and Arthur French served
as Rangers of the Frontier.
When Samuel French died in 1816, eleven children were
mentioned: Andrew, John, Polly, John Taylor, William, Sarah, Jane, Else,
Robert, David, Peggy, and Elizabeth.
The tax list of 1786 lists a Henry and James French.
John French married Miss Yon in 1817 and a David French
was married to Jane Devor in 1840. David French and
Mark Piper were listed as coopers shortly before 1868.
By 1858, Solomon and William French lived near Laurel
Grove. One of these older places near the stream was an earlier Drake cabin
where William French was born.
Simon and Solomon French served in the Civil War.
Mrs. Blanch French Herrick was the last of the name
in Amberson. A son, Ira Herrick,
recently removed from the valley. Mrs. Herrick was a daughter of a
William French and granddaughter of Solomon French.
[27] Franklin County, Pennsylvania containing a history of
the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries,
etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of
Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., Chicago, by Warner,
Beers, Y Co., 1887. Website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pafrankl/Documents/FranklinCountyHistoryBates.pdf
Much more on Snively.
The John French below was a Colonel and Commissioner in the Affair of the Cartlidges.
Postmasters and dates of
appointments in Franklin Co.
Frenches in Fayetteville:
R. M. French, January 24, 1837
R. M. French, July 29, 1845
Mary A. French, April 8, 1846
Waynesboro, Company E, James B. French.
Company L, Thomas D. French, first lieutenant
185th Regiment, 22nd Cavalry, 9
months, Thomas D. French, captain of Company L.
Cyrus G. French, 1841, attorney, and date admission
to the bar
E. French, Chaplain, 1847, Waynesboro
J. B. French, Grand Army of the Republic, Waynesboro
The taxables in Fannett
Township (including what is now Metal Township) in 1786,
were Samuel French. No Woodrow.
Dr. R. M. French was married to Mary Ann Peel, and
whose daughter Samantha French married in 1878 to Dr. F. S. Brenisholts,
a dentist of Waynesboro. Mary Ann PeelÕs father was born in Cumberland Co., PA,
and of English descent, and a relative of Sir Robert Peel of England.
The Frantz and Funk families are listed as Knights of
Pythias in Franklin Co., and the Snively
family is listed in the Waynesboro Academy of Medicine.
[28] Foreman
Family Index, of Pennsylvania, includes the French family: Alexander,
Andrew, Arthur, Blanche, David, Elizabeth, Else, Henry, James, Jane, Jane Devor, John, Peggy, Polly, Robert, Samuel, Sarah, Simon,
Solomon, William, Miss Yon.
