French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

Chart #141, Mary French, 1632
Concord, Middlesex Co., MA

This chart updated by Mara French on 4/29/09. Numbers in brackets [ ] refer to the bibliography at the end of this chart. Send any corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 2009. Back to FFA Home Page.

Introduction

When I first started numbering FFA charts, I included both male and female lines; hence, this female line of a former FFA member. I’ve decided to keep these female lines in place so as not to confuse the numbering system.

As soon as the FFA finds the parents of Mary, this chart will no longer be maintained, but continue with her parent’s chart. Hopefully, it will connect into another male chart. Mary French’s parents seem not to be found anywhere. If you find more data, please email marafrench@mindspring.com.

History

Mary French, b. ca. 1632 probably in England, m. William Baker who was born in England and d. 8 Feb 1679 in Concord, MA. William Baker immigrated to America in 1660 with his wife, Mary French, and son William, age 4, and settled in Concord, MA. William d. 2 Aug 1679 in Concord, Middlesex Co., MA. William Baker had at least 6 children [1]:

· William Baker, b. 19 Oct 1655 in Ipswich, MA, d. 8 Jun 1702 in Concord, MA, m. Elizabeth Dutton [2]. This son’s mother could have been Mary Eddington (see below) because she could have died shortly after childbirth. Note that the next child is born 13 years later.

· Mary Baker, b: about 1668, m. John Haskell and had 5 children, and d. 24 Nov 1723.

· Elizabeth Baker, b: about 1670

· Susanna Baker, b: about 1672

· Sarah Baker, b: about 1674

· Joseph Baker, b: 4 Nov 1680 at Concord, MA, d: 2 Jun 1755, at Marlborough, MA, m. Esther or Elizabeth Perry, May 27, 1707, at Marlborough.

Incorrect Lines

Mary French is thought to be the daughter of William and Elizabeth French of Billerica, MA, FFA Chart #2. She was also b. ca. 1632/33. However, our records for William’s daughter, Mary, indicate:

Mary French, b. in England ca. 1633, immigrated age 2 1/2 [4] with parents, baptized between two and three years of age at her father’s "joyning", m. Jonathan Hyde, d. 27 May 1672 at the birth of her son Joseph, who was her 12th child. First child was Jonathan Jr. who was mentioned in her father’s will along with her husband’s father, Jonathan Hyde Sr., therefore, both fathers were living in 1681.

There was apparently also another William Baker, who resided in Plymouth colony by 7 Jan 1632/3 probably a very young man. He was admitted an inhabitant of Boston on 28 Jul 1651. He m1. Mary Eddington on 23 Sep 1651 who d. 12 Dec 1655. He m2. Pilgrim Eddy on 22 Apr 1656 [6]. Apparently Pilgrim Eddy died shortly after they married, childless.

Much more concentration and research is needed on this line. Anyone willing to help?

Bibliography

[1] Walter F. Harwood, harwood@loxinfo.co.th (good in 1997).

[2] Richard A. Dutton, RAD@dunton.org (good in 2006 – he was ill at this time and may no longer be living).

[3] FFA member #65, John and Lisa Robbins, P.O. Box 9, Richmond, ME 04357-0009, 207-737-8587.

[4] FFA member #130, Helen D. Baker.

[5] Concord, MA, Marriage Records to 1800, does not list Mary French nor William Baker. Website: http://www.rays-place.com/marrage/concord-ma-ah.htm. All the French listed are from FFA Chart #2.

[6] Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, MA, by Ellery Bicknell Crane, 1907, p. 109, Worcester County, website: http://books.google.com/books?id=ByzhgLUOIRIC&pg=RA1-PA109&dq=%22Mary+Eddington%22+%2B%22William+Baker%22&ei=gY_4Sc_nPIO-NtK_1N0D&client=safari