French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

Monticello, Home of President Thomas Jefferson, Culpeper, Virginia

Chart #146, Samuel French, 1740
Culpeper Co., VA; Caswell Co., NC;
Rogersville, Limestone Co., AL
Lexington, Lauderdale Co., AL

This chart updated by Mara French on 3/28/11. 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: 2000, 2011.

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Samuel French, compiled by Shari Bennett, approximately 250 Frenches

Benjamin French, compiled by Rick Freder, 19 Frenches

First Generation

1.1* Samuel French, b. ca. 1740 in VA, and lived in NC, KY, and AL. Samuel was Ens./Lt. Rev War, 1st or 2nd Virginia State Militia, June 1777 to May 1778, resigned due to ill health. Petition in Limestone Co., AL, lists heirs: William French, Benjamin French, Lucy French Tetrick, Franky French Payne [7]. Samuel died before 1837 [7].

Quoting from "War 4" from VA State Library and Archives, p. 177, "A list of soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment who have received certificates for the balances of their full pay agreeable to an act of Assembly passed November Session, 1781: [15]

FRENCH, Samuel, Sol. Inf., received by himself, 24 (pounds?);

FRENCH, Benjamin, Sol. Inf., received by Sam'l FRENCH, 36".

If Benjamin and Samuel were not brothers, they certainly were close kin as she didn't think they'd trust that much money to just anybody.

Second Generation

Children of Samuel French, 1.1

2.1 William French [7]. He m. Susannah Johnson [18].

2.2* Benjamin French, b. 28 Nov 1764 [1][7][18] in Culpeper Co., VA [3]. Benjamin was a Revolutionary War soldier. He lived in AL and d. near Rogersville in Limestone County, AL on 21 Mar 1847 when he died [3]. Benjamin French of Lauderdale County, AL purchased 79.51 acres of land in Section 39 of T2-R7W on August 1, 1839 [18]. An interesting note found in the AL State Archives in Montgomery states that Benjamin "made the best peach brandy in the community".

Marriages

Benjamin m1. Sally M. Turner on 10 Nov 1784 in Caswell Co., NC and had 11 children. Sally was b. in 1764 in Caswell Co., NC, the dau. of Henry Turner and Nancy Anne Kimbrough [18]. She d. 27 Nov 1820 in Limestone Co., AL [5]. Another source says she died on 26 Aug 1822 [17]. Another source says she d. 22 Aug 1822 in Limestone Co., AL, at age 59 [18]. They had 11 children between 1783 and 1807.

After Sally Turner’s death in 1822, Benjamin m2. Catherine Shoemaker on 23 Sep 1823 in Lauderdale Co., AL [1]. Another source says they married on 10 Nov 1822 [18]. Catherine was a widow. Catherine was b. 1777 and d. 22 Jan 1858 in Limestone Co., AL, at 80 [18]. Both Benjamin and Catherine are in the Lauderdale Co., AL 1840-1850 census. No children from this second marriage.

Death

Benjamin died near Rogersville in Limestone Co., AL, on 21 Mar 1847.

The following information is from Eunice Pace: "Benjamin is buried behind a barn in the area of Lexington, AL and the grave was marked by the DAR, however, I have reliable information that says the grave is NOT where the marker is displayed, but is nearby........behind the old barn."

The following information was taken from "Valley Leaves Lauderdale County, June 1982", pages 168-169:

Will of Benjamin French

15 December 1839 "Weak in body" To my beloved wife, Katharine French, for her lifetime. At her death to dispose of all my estate, livestock, household and kitchen furniture among her own children or as she is otherwise disposed to do. At her death, my landed estate of my home plantation, to be divided equally "among my own children, lawful heirs, eleven in number, and for Yancy Shoemaker to have an equal portion with my own lawful heirs". "The 80 Acres of land which I entered (I think in the 25th Section) for which Yancy Shoemaker hold my bond for one forty Acres of said entry the other 40 Acres of said entry, I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Ann French" and her heirs. Witnesses: Samuel Lentz, Bennett Rose, Zacariah Tooten. Proven by Samuel Lentz and Bennett Rose before Wm. B. Wood, Judge, 21 Nov 1848. Recorded: 22 May 1850.

Yancy Shoemaker was a son of Benjamin’s second wife by a previous marriage.

The article below says Benjamin was 73 in 1847, making his birth in 1774 which could not be due to the fact that he was in the Revolutionary War and he would have been too young. The article also says he died in 1857, but he actually died in 1847, and probably that’s why this article was written. The article mentions his son Amos, who was in the War of 1812.

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Military Career

The following was taken from "The French Family: A Personal History" by Irvin Himmel, pages 1-6:

"My maternal great-great-great-grandfather bearing the name French was born Nov. 28, 1764. He lived in Virginia, probably Culpepper County. At the age of fifteen he enlisted in the army and participated in the Revolutionary War.

He enlisted between the middle and 19th of Sept., 1780, being mustered in service under Captain Valentine Harrison, and was in Col. John Green's Virginia continental regiment. Col. Green was a native of Culpepper County, born about 1730, and entered the Continental Army as a Captain on Jan. 20, 1776. He was promoted to Colonel, Jan. 26, 1778. (Horace Edwin Hayden, Virginia Genealogies, Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1966, p. 548.)

Private Benjamin French took part in four major battles and a number of skirmishes. When applying for government assistance as a veteran of the Revolution, he listed the following as the battles in which he took part: (1) the Battle of Guilford in Greensboro, NC, on 15 Mar 1781; (2) the Battle of Camden in SC on 16 Aug 1780; (3) the Siege of Ninety-Six in SC from May 22 to Jun 18, 1781; and (4) the Battle of Eutaw Springs in Eutawville, SC on 8 Sep 1781.

It was on Dec. 2, 1780, that Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene took command of the Southern Department at Charlotte, North Carolina. The Southern Army had about 1600 men at that time. On Dec. 19, Gen. Greene moved 1000 of his men southward to threaten the British under Cornwallis at Winnsboro, South Carolina. The next day Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan took the remaining 600 men from Charlotte for western South Carolina. Both divisions soon received reinforcements.

In mid-Jan., 1781, Col. John Green of Virginia brought 400 militia to join Gen. Nathanael Greene's division. The dividing of the Southern Army forced Cornwallis to split his army. Lt. Col. Tarleton took one division and fought Morgan's men at Cowpens, South Carolina, on Jan. 17. Tarleton was soundly defeated, with nine-tenths of his men killed or captured. Morgan moved his men eastward to join Greene. The two divisions of the Southern Army met at the Catawba River on Jan. 30, 1781. Greene decided to retreat northward to escape Cornwallis. He moved his men through Guilford, North Carolina, and into Virginia with Cornwallis in hot pursuit. The Southern Army crossed the Dan River on Feb 14. Cornwallis was forced to give up the chase, returning southward to Hillsboro, North Carolina.

In a few days Greene moved his army in the direction of Hillsboro, having received reinforcements from Virginia. On Mar. 15, 1781, at Guilford Court House, west of Hillsboro, the British and Americans faced each other. This was the first of the major battles in which Private Benjamin French participated. Col. John green's regiment of Virginia Continentals was placed in the third line but held out of the fighting in case retreat was necessary. Although the British suffered heavy losses, Gen. Greene deemed it wise to retreat. Col. John Green's regiment took on the British while the remainder of the Americans withdrew. "Under heavy fire Green's regiment stood firm until all the rest of the Americans had left the field; then it too retired." (Christopher Ward, The War of the Revolution, New York: MacMillan Co., 1952, Vol. 2, p. 792.)

Cornwallis was in no position to pursue Greene after Guilford. The British moved southward to Wilmington. Greene decided to concentrate on South Carolina where Lt. Col. Rawdon commanded the British forces. The two armies fought at Hobkirk's Hill on the outskirts of Camden, Apr. 25. This is doubtless the "battle of Camden" to which Benjamin French referred. On the same day of this encounter Cornwallis left Wilmington to march to Virginia. Rawdon evacuated Camden on May 10.

Ninety-Six was the name of a village surrounded by a stockade and under British control. Lt. Col. Cruger commanded this strongly fortified post. Greene brought his army and put the fort under siege from May 22 to June 19, 1781. The Americans were busy building approaches. Word came on June 11 that Rawdon was coming from Charleston to aid Cruger. Greene tried to storm the fort before Rawdon's arrival. There was bitter and bloody conflict but the Americans were forced to withdraw on the 20th. This was the siege of Ninety-Six to which Benjamin French referred.

In July and Aug., Greene's army spent several weeks resting in the High Hills of Santee in South Carolina. He now had about 2000 men. Lt. Col. Stuart had succeeded Rawdon as head of the British forces in the Carolinas, having about the same number of men as Greene. The American forces marched to Eutaw Springs where the British were encamped. A battle ensued which turned out to be the last major battle of the Revolutionary War in the South. The date was Sept. 8, 1781. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and both sides claimed victory. This was the last major battle in which Benjamin French fought.

On Oct. 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered his army at Yorktown. Peace was still more than a year away, and troops in the South underwent many hardships.

Benjamin French was discharged Jan. 22, 1782, having served slightly more than sixteen months. He was seventeen years of age when discharged at Salisbury, North Carolina. His pension records give his term of service as eighteen months. His pension enrollment began Oct. 17, 1818, and was for $96.00 per annum.

After the Military

After the Revolutionary War, Benjamin French married in North Carolina. The North Carolina State Census for 1786 lists a Benjamin French and a Samuel French as heads of households in Caswell County. Both families resided in the Gloucester District in the southeast part of the county. It appears that Benjamin and his family left North Carolina before the federal census of 1790. By 1800 he is listed in Barren County, Kentucky. (The "Second Census" of Kentucky 1800, Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1970.) Later he moved to the neighboring county of Warren.

The area known as Kentucky was a part of Virginia until its admission to the Union on Jun. 1, 1792. Settlers from the east had moved into Kentucky through the Cumberland Gap in the 1770s and 1780s. The pace accelerated in the 1790s.

Warren County, Kentucky, was created out of Logan County, Dec. 19, 1796. Bowling Green was established as the county seat. It was from Warren County that Benjamin French, with his large family, removed to what afterward became know as Limestone County, Alabama. The area was then a part of Mississippi territory. According to records in the Department of Archives and History at Raleigh, North Carolina, the power of attorney for Benjamin French of Madison County, Mississippi Territory, was given to James Kimbrow of Giles County, Tennessee, to recover all sums of money due him, as of Sept. 5, 1814, and was registered in Caswell County, North Carolina, July Court, 1817. This establishes that the Benjamin French who was in Caswell County, North Carolina, in 1786, was the same Benjamin French who came to north Alabama when it was still Mississippi Territory.

According to Capt. R. A. McClellan's "Early History of Limestone County" (Reprinted from the Athens Post of June, 1881), Benjamin French and his family settled on Limestone Creek, nine miles east of Athens, in 1808. (p. 13) That was eleven years before Alabama became a state, and it was ten years before Athens was incorporated as a town.

Limestone was Chickasaw country in those days. White settlers who came into the area west of Madison County were intruders. The federal government again and again sent soldiers to remove the settlers. When forced out, the settlers would temporarily remove to Madison County or to nearby Tennessee. The issue of intruders on Chickasaw lands reached a boiling point in 1810. The War Department sent notice in July that all white settlers were to be removed by Dec. 15. The white inhabitants of what later became Limestone County petitioned President James Madison and the Congress of the United States. The petition, dated Sept. 5, 1810, was signed by more than 400 settlers, including Benjamin French and his son Amos. (Robert Henry Walker Jr., History of Limestone County Alabama, Limestone County commission, 1973, pp. 17-22, 177-181) Neither Indians nor soldiers were successful in removing Limestone's first white inhabitants.

The Chickasaws ceded their lands in the Limestone area to the federal government in 1816. Congress established out of the Mississippi Territory on March 1, 1817, the Territory of Alabama. On Feb. 6, 1818, Limestone County was designated a political subdivision of the Territory of Alabama. In Dec. of 1819, Alabama became a part of the Union.

Cotton Port was an early landing on the Tennessee River just south of the town of Mooresville near Piney Creek. "In 1808, Benjamin French established his pioneer home on Limestone Creek, but soon removed to the site of the future Cotton Port. A short while later the first cotton was shipped from Limestone County to New Orleans, and cotton Port became an important landing." (W. Stuart Harris, Dead Towns of Alabama, University of Alabama Press, 1985, p. 74)

Official records show that Benjamin French appeared before the County Court of Madison County, District of Alabama, Nov. 27, 1820, to apply for government benefits according to the Act of Congress of Mar. 18, 1818, for Revolutionary War service. A resident of Limestone county, he listed his property as follows: one mare and colt, twenty hogs, nine head of cattle, and one-half quarter section of land at $6.54 per acre on which the first installment only had been paid to the general government. Living with him at that time were his wife (about 54 years old) and three daughters: Anne (about fifteen), Frances (about fourteen), and Jinney (about twelve). The older children had already left home.

It appears that this wife died between Nov. 27, 1820, and Sept. 23, 1823. On the latter date a marriage license was issued in Limestone County to Benjamin French and Catharine Shumaker [Shoemaker]. The marriage was solemnized by Albert Higgins, Justice of the Peace. Benjamin was about fifty-eight at the time of this marriage.

Four years later, on Sept. 7, 1827, he applied to Limestone County Court of Record to have his pension restored. It had been discontinued sometime earlier. He listed his property as follows: one horse (worth $15) and two cows (worth $14). He gave his occupation as a planter, explaining that he was too old and superannuated to follow it. He gave his wife's age as about fifty-seven years, and stated that a youth (about twelve years old), the son of his second wife was living at home (this was Yancy Shoemaker). This son would have been about age eight when Benjamin married Catharine. It appears that this was in fact a stepson, and that all of Benjamin's children were by his first wife. He explained that since his earlier listing of his property for pension purposes (1820), he had sold his eighty acres of land to Jesse French in 1823, and had given over two cows, one horse, and $60 in cash to pay a dept due to Jesse French. (Jesse was one of his sons.) The pension was restored in Jan. 1830.

After living on Limestone Creek and at Cotton Port, Benjamin French settled just west of Dr. Blair's plantation on Elk River. One historian compares him to Daniel Boone, "for one gets the feeling that he didn't like 'crowded' areas." It was around 1830 that he moved "over Elk" and built the log house shown below. It was a single-pen cabin with a shed room to the rear. A later addition was attached to on side of the cabin. The house was destroyed by fire in the late 1970s. (Chris Edwards and Faye Axford, The Lure and Lore of Limestone County, Tuscaloosa: Portals Press, 1978, p. 149.)

Benjamin’s cabin on Elk River

Obituary

Benjamin and Catharine French moved to Lauderdale County about ten years before his death. He died Mar. 21, 1847, being eighty-two years of age. Limestone County records show that Catharine appeared before Robert W. Figg, Justice of the Peace, Apr. 29, 1847, to have it recorded that Amos French was given power of attorney for her to receive pension due to Benjamin from the government, with the payment terminating on the day of his death. In June, 1855, she applied for a widow's pension according to the Act of Congress of Feb. 3, 1853. She received $96 per year. She also was granted 160 acres under Act of Mar. 3, 1855, for the services of her husband.

The following is recorded in 'Revolutionary Soldiers in Alabama,' 1911, from the State of Alabama, Department of Archives and History:

"French, Benjamin. 'Died -- Near Rodgersville on the 21st inst., Mr. Benjamin French, age 84 years, an old faithful Revolutionary soldier.' -- Southern Advocate, Huntsville, April 2, 1847."

It should be noted that his age at the time of his death was eighty-two, not eighty-four as indicated in this account. Capt. McClellan erroneously puts the date of Benjamin French's death as 1840. He also incorrectly gives his age as over ninety at the time of his death. A declaration and affidavit filed in Limestone County on Jun. 6, 1855, by Catharine French contains a number of inaccuracies, due to her advanced age and reliance on memory.

A record similar to that quoted above is preserved in 'The Alabama Historical Quarterly,' Winter Issue, 1944, State Department of Archives and History:

"French, Benjamin -- Satisfactory evidence was this day exhibited to this Court that Benjamin French was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of eight dollars per month; was a resident of the County of Lauderdale in said State of Alabama and died in said County of Lauderdale and State aforesaid on the twenty-first day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven and that he left a widow whose name is Catherine French; whereupon the same is ordered by the Court to be entered of records which is done. -- 'Minutes of Orphans Courts,' Feb. 1847 - May 1850, p. 18. Recorded at Athens, Limestone County, Ala."

The will of Benjamin French was filed in Lauderdale County and witnessed by Samuel Lentz, Bennett Rose, and Zacariah Tuten. The will directs that his landed estate of his home plantation be equally divided among his own eleven children, and that Yancy Shoemaker receive an equal share with his own heirs. It is probable that Yancy Shoemaker was his stepson. The only one of his own children who was specifically named in the will was his daughter Ann French.

Caswell County, North Carolina, marriage records list Benjamin French as marrying Sally Turner, Nov. 10, 1784. James Turner was a witness. Henry Turner had moved with his family from Culpepper County, Virginia, to Caswell County, North Carolina, about 1775. He had twelve children, including a daughter named Sally and a son named James. The date of the marriage is about a year and a half after the birth of Benjamin's son Amos. It is possible that one of the dates is wrong. Discrepancies in dates of birth and ages are rather common in the 1700s and 1800s.

Benjamin French had five sons and six daughters. Incomplete information makes it impossible to know the exact sequence of their births. Some were born in North Carolina and some in Kentucky...."

French Cemetery

Township 1, Range 8, Section 9   Location: From Lexington, go west on AL 64 for one block, turn right on CR 48 and then left on CR 136. Continue to the Glover home. There is a historical marker by the road. The cemetery is on the right near the old barn. This information was copied from “Cemeteries of East Lauderdale County, Alabama”, page 398, by Robert Torbert in January 2008. Name French, Benjamin DOB DOD Notes French, M. 28 Nov 1764 21 Mar 1847 Continental Line, Revolutionary War

French Grover Farm

French Glover Farm-Located north of intersection of County Road 48 and 136. Revolutionary War Veteran Benjamin French (1764-1847), a native of Virginia, is buried at this site. Arriving in Limestone County, Alabama, about 1808, French acquired this farm 1837. The nearby spring is site of prehistoric Indian village and Civil War encampments. The two-story log house, originally located three miles southwest of this place, is believed to have been constructed as early as 1829. It was moved here by the Glover family prior to 1913. This road was part of the early Pulaski Pike, a major stage coach and supply route the connected the river at Florence with Pulaski, Tennessee. (Marker erected by Darnell and Kimberley Glover)

2.3 Lucy (Lucille) French [7], b. ca. 1768 in VA [18], m. John Tetrick ca. 1790 [18]. She d. 9 Oct 1852 in Needham Twp., Johnson Co., IN, at 84 years of age. Her body was interred in 2^nd Mt. Pleasant, Johnson Co., IN [18]. John was b. in VA ca. 1765, and he d. ca. 1812 perhaps in KY [18]. They had 12 children with the surname Tetrick: Samuel, Henry, Mary, Fannie, Elizabeth, Joseph, John, Benjamin, Sarah, Lucy, Nancy, and Catherine. For details, see http://members.fortunecity.com/shariben/family/french.html#s1b [18].

2.4 Franky French [7] [18], m. Payne [7].

Third Generation

Children of Benjamin and Sally M. (Turner) French, 2.2

This family was in Barren Co KY by 1790 because several of the children were born there. They were in Lauderdale Co AL later and then Benjamin died in Limestone Co., AL [5]. Most of Benjamin's sons fought in the War of 1812, the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 under "Old Hickory", and in the Mexican War in the 1830's.

3.1* Amos J. French [1], b. Apr 1783 in NC [18], or Mar 1787 in NC (could be confused with his brother), m1. Elizabeth Sanderson, ca. 1807 in KY/TN and had 11 children, m2. Eliza S. Mitchell 9 Sep 1841 in Limestone Co., AL [3]. Amos d. 4 Jul 1869 [5] [17] in Limestone Co., AL, at 86 yrs [18].

The following was taken from "The French Family: A Personal History" by Irvin Himmel:

"The Athens Post, Athens, Alabama, July 9, 1869 lists Amos as being born in North Carolina in the spring of 1783. The 1850 census listed him as born in Virginia. This error misled our earlier research to suppose that Benjamin French began his family in Virginia. The 1860 census listed Amos French as born in North Carolina, and his death notice in the Athens Post agrees. Amos married a Miss Sanderson in Kentucky in 1807 and lived briefly in Nashville, Tennessee, before settling in Limestone County, Alabama in 1808. He resided in Madison County in 1816. He was a member of the Christian Church.

Amos French was in the War of 1812 and in the battle of New Orleans. Capt. McCellan states in his 'Early History of Limestone County':

"Just before the battle of New Orleans, Gen. Jackson knocked a cup of coffee out of 'Uncle' Amos' hand, and the act was never forgiven. Years afterward all this family were ardent Whigs, great admirers of Henry Clay and believed to the last that "Old Hickory' was a tyrant."

On one occasion when he was a squatter in Limestone, the Indians tried to run Amos out by burning his cabins. McClellan says:

"In about 1810 one of the Indians, who had shared his hospitality, came to him in a 'little new ground' in which he was at work, and in bad English, made him understand that evil was impending and he left as quickly as he could. Before he had gotten out of sight, however, he saw the smoke arising from his cabins on fire. In a short while he returned, and re-established himself..."

Following the death of his first wife, Amos married Elizabeth Mitchell in 1841. She was a widow with several children. One of her daughters married Amos B. French (a son of Amos). A keeper of the Poor House in Limestone County in 1860, death came to Amos French on July 4, 1869, at age 86."

Amos French of Limestone County, AL purchased 80.54 acres of land in Section 23 of T3-R4W on April 2, 1857 in Limestone County, AL. (Is this Amos Sr. or Jr.?)

The following was taken from Eunice Pace: "He had his will drawn up the 29th day of September, 1868. It was probated the 30th day of August, 1869."

The following was taken from "Valley Leaves, Limestone County, Dec. 1981" 1981-1982 VOL. 16. 4 July 1869:

Amos French, born in spring of 1788, N.C. Moved to Nashville and stayed until 1808. Only two men in the county older than he ..... Capt. James Lockhart and Mr. Hanks.

List of Taxable Property in Madison County, MS Territory Dated 19 JUL 1810 -- Amos French

1850 Limestone County, AL Census: Amos French 63? (farmer), Elizabeth S. 41?, Martha M. 22, Amos R. Mitchell 17 (farmer), Martha M. 15, Amos B. 19 (farmer), Richard D. 13.

3.2* Jesse French [7], b.16 May 1787 in NC [18], d. 3 Feb 1857 in Jackson Co., AL at 69 years of age [2] [5]. He married Mary Smith January 24, 1808. Mary was born in VA January 14, 1788. Mary died November 19, 1863 in AL, at 75 years of age.

The following was taken from "The French Family: A Personal History" by Irvin Himmel:

"My great-great-grandfather of the French family was born May 16, 1787, in North Carolina, when his father Benjamin was about twenty-two years of age. Jesse French married Mary Smith on Jan. 24, 1808, which was the year the family moved to the area later known as Limestone County, Alabama. Mary was born Jan. 14, 1788, in Virginia. In his own handwriting Jesse recorded the date of their marriage as the first entry in a family record. This part of the record is produced above.

Basic data on the families of Jesse French and his son Jeremiah L. French are taken from this family record written in longhand on both sides of two sheets which likely came from an old Bible. This record was preserved by my grandmother Nancy French Melton, passed on to my mother, and recently came into my possession. I know of no other source which provides the names and birthdates of Jesse French's children.

Like his brothers, Jeremiah and Samuel, Jesse "rejoiced in the possession of gigantic strength and size," according to Capt. McClellan. In keeping with the spirit of those pioneer days, these French boys "were often the heroes of 'fist and skull' encounters." (Early History of Limestone County, p. 14)

In 1816, Jesse French was living in Madison County, Mississippi Territory. The first U. S. Government census after Alabama became a state was in 1820, but for the original states that was the fourth such census. the 1820 census lists Jesse French as living in Limestone County. By about 1830 he had acquired land and established residence in Jackson County. There he spent the remainder of his years.

Jackson County forms the northeastern corner of Alabama, and it is bounded on the north by Tennessee, on the east by Georgia, and on the west by Madison County. The Tennessee River flows through the county. The southern tip of the Sequatichie Valley extends into the county from the northeast.

The Cherokee Indians migrated to the Jackson County area, left, then returned in the 1770's. In 1819, the federal government began taking measures to insure the safety of white settlers entering the area. On Dec. 29, 1835, all Cherokee lands in northern Alabama were ceded to the United States, then the Indians were removed to Western reservations, mainly in Oklahoma. by 1838 most of the Indians has been removed. The Cherokees had become quite literate as a result of the alphabet which the half-breed Sequoyah had invented and presented to them at North Sauta Creek in 1820.

Alabama was officially admitted as a state on Dec. 14, 1819. Jackson County was created at that time. The temporary seat of justice was Old Sauta, a former Cherokee Indian Village which had attracted many white settlers. It remained the county seat for two years. On Dec. 13, 1821, Bellefonte became the county seat, and it was the first incorporated town in the county. Located on the Tennessee River, the town flourished until the building of the Memphis-Charleston Railroad in 1855. The courthouse at Bellefonte was burned during the closing days of the Civil War. On Nov. 13, 1868, the seat of justice was established at Scottsboro. A new courthouse was built in 1870 but it burned in 1879. It was rebuilt and used until 1913 when replaced by a completely new structure.

W. Jerry Gist states in 'The Story of Scottsboro, Alabama,' privately published, 1968, p. 29:

"Very little is known of the early history of Sauta and only a few fragments remain to remind us of its former existence. The small town was located near Sauta Creek some distance from its mouth. McCutheon's School stood at one time on the site of the old courthouse and nearby is a saltpetre cave from which the early settlers obtained much of their salt supply."

Census and Land Records

When the 1850 census was taken, Jesse French was listed as a farmer, born in North Carolina. His wife Mary was listed as born in Virginia. Four children, all born in Alabama, were then living at home: Jerry, age 22; Henry, age 20; Isabell, age 18; and Jessee, age 16. These are the last four of Jesse French's children named in the family record.

The Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company must have seemed an attractive investment to people in Northern Alabama. The 'M. & C. R. R. Co. Annual Report for 1856-1857' lists its stockholders in the Eastern Division. Among them, two names are of special interest. Jesse French of Jackson County had 8 shares, and Amos French of Limestone County had 4 shares.

Jesse French died in Jackson County, Feb. 3, 1857, being a little short of three-score and ten years. His widow, Mary Smith French, died Nov. 19, 1863, having attained more than seventy-five years.

1802 List of Taxable Property: Madison County, MS Territory - Jessee French

Jesse French of Jackson County, AL purchased 80.72 acres of land in Section 31 of T4-R5E on August 1, 1831 and 50 acres of land in Section 8 of T5-R5E on November 7, 1835.

1861, December 7 -- Jackson County, AL: Jere. L. French, adm. of Jesse French dec'd sold 50 acres of land in Section 8 of T5-RE for $356.50 to Abraham Gross. Witnessed by John Owen, Justice of the Peace. (Source: Jackson County, AL Deeds Vol H. page 433, LDS Film# 1018417)

1882, April 11 -- Jackson County, AL: J. L. French & wife, Martha French, Abraham Gross & wife, Rebecca Gross, Elizabeth French, Nancy S. Davis, and Jesse French & wife, Polly French, sold land known as part of the Arther Burns Reservation in the interest of Isabella French dec'd on the estate of Jesse French dec'd to Martha J. Giddens for $150. Witnessed by Ruben Z. Giddens, NP and Justice of the Peace. Nancy S. Davis of Denton County, TX was witnessed by J.N. Deagan, NP on May 26, 1882. Jesse and Polly French of Bastop County, TX were witnessed by Wm. E. Coulson on July 22, 1882. Filed for registration by John B. Tally, JP of Jackson County on July 25, 1882. (Source: Jackson County, AL Deeds, Vol 11, years 1881-1883, LDS Film# 1018422)

1850 Jackson County, AL Agricultural Census: Jessey French -- 100 acres of improved land; 500 acres of unimproved land; 3000 cash value of farm; 500 value of farm implements & machinery; 400 value of livestock.

1850 Jackson County, AL Census [P64]: Jessey French 66 (farmer), Mary 63, Jerry 22 (farmer), Henry 20 (laborer), Isabell 18, Jessey 16 (laborer).

3.3 Mary (Polly) French, b. 1787 [18], twin to Jesse?, m. Thomas Vaughan Jr. [18].

3.4* Samuel French, b. Sep 1790 in KY [18], m. Sarah Greenhaw [5] [3]. Samuel died August 13, 1834 in Limestone County, AL, at 43 years of age. He m. Sarah Greenhaw in Madison County, AL, April 5, 1816. (Sarah Greenhaw is #5360.) Sarah was born in NC 1799. Sarah was the daughter of William Greenhaw and Elizabeth (Unknown) Greenhaw. Conflicting evidence states that he died in Bastrop County, TX, 1857.

The 1830 census of Limestone, Alabama lists Samuel with the following people in his household:

1 free white males 10-14
1 free white males 30-39 (Samuel)
1 free white females under 5
2 free white females 5-9
1 white female 30-39 (Sarah)

3.5* Jeremiah (Jerry) French, b. 1792 [18] in KY, d. 1835 [5] or in 1832 in Lauderdale County, AL, at 40 years of age. Jeremiah French of Lawrence County, AL purchased 79.35 acres of land in Section 19 of T6-R8W on October 20, 1823.

1830 Lawrence County, AL Census: Jeremiah French ( Males ) 2 3 1 1 0 0 1 ( Females ) 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

3.6 Benjamin Franklin French, b. 1796 in KY and d. in KY [18].

3.7 Emily (Milly or Millie) French, b. 30 Sep 1802 [18], m. Benjamin West [5] on 7 Feb 1818 [16].

3.8 Sarah (Sallie) French, b. 1805 in KY [18], m. Samuel Evans on 14 Mar 1818 [16] in Madison Co., AL [18].

3.9 Ann (Anna) French, b. 1803 in KY [18].

3.10 Frances French, b. 1804 in KY [18].

3.11 Jane (Jinny or Jinney) French, b. 1806 in KY [18].

Fourth Generation

Children of Amos J. and Elizabeth (Sanderson) French, 3.1

4.1 Henry T. French [3], b. 12 Jul 1809 in Limestone County, AL. Henry died before September 27, 1844 in Limestone County, AL, at approximately 35 years of age. He married Ann Yancey in Limestone County, AL, January 12, 1837 [16].

4.2 Mary (Polly) H. French [3], was born in Limestone County, AL March 25, 1811. Mary died March 12, 1894 in AL, at 82 years of age. She married John D. Belew in Limestone County, AL, 1829. John died abt. 1874. John and Mary moved to Texas in 1846.

4.3* John S. French [3] [17], b. 13 Apr or 1 Oct 1813 in Limestone Co., AL, d. 19 Nov 1895 in Grayson Co., TX, m. Elizabeth "Eliza" Johnston, who was b. 24 Jan 1821 in GA. They were m. 30 Mar ‘1837 in Limestone Co., AL, she d. 27 Apr 1902 in Grayson Co., TX [17].

4.4* Elisha Kimble French (3), b. 1 Mar 1817 [3], m. Ann Vaughn on 10 Nov 1841 [16].

4.5 Jane R. French [3], b. 1822, m. John W. Patterson on 17 Dec 1839 [16].

4.6 Jeremiah W. French [3], b. ca. 1824. There seems to be more than one Jeremiah W. French in Limestone Co., AL [7]. Jeremiah W. m1. Marietta E. David on 12 Aug 1844 [16], m2. Mary Ann Johnston on 4 Oct 1854 [16].

4.7 Martha L. French {3], b. 15 Jun 1828, most likely m. Samuel Johnston on 5 Jan 1852 [16].

4.8 Amos Benjamin French [3], b. 23 Jul 1830, most likely m. Martha M. Mitchell on 24 Dec 1853 [16].

4.9 Ann G. French [3], most likely m. Holden W. Hendricks on 18 Nov 1833 [16].

4.10 Prudence French [3], b. ca. 1825.

4.11 Sallie P. French [3].

Children of Jesse and Mary (Smith) French, 3.2

The following were the fifteen children born to Jesse and Mary French over a span of twenty-six year. (need to add some)

4.12 James M.⁴ French was born April 11, 1808.

4.13 Elizabeth French was born in AL May 27, 1810.

4.14 Sarah French was born in AL November 3, 1811. Sarah died March 10, 1814 at 2 years of age.

4.15 Nancy S. French was born in AL March 26, 1813. Perhaps m. Davis.

4.16 child, b. ca. 1815.

4.17 child, b. ca. 1817.

4.18 child b. ca. 1819.

4.19 child b. ca. 1821.

4.20 child b. ca. 1822.

4.21 child b. ca. 1824.

4.22 child b. ca. 1826.

4.23* Jeremiah L. French [1] [7], may be the Jeremiah who was b. Jan 29 1827 in AL, d. Aug 19, 1899 in TX, m1. Eliza Jerrome Cloud (b. Mar 15, 1842 d. Aug 22, 1866) on Feb 15, 1860 in Jackson County, AL. They had four children. After the death of Eliza, Jeremiah m2. Martha Jenning on Dec. 12, 1866. They had two sons. Martha died Oct. 28, 1895. Jeremiah was buried in the Brandon Cemetery in Hill County, TX, about 10 miles east of Hillsboro [10].

1857, August 29 -- Jackson County, AL: Abraham Gross & wife, Rebecca Gross, Luther Gideon & wife, Martha J. Gideon, Elizabeth French, and Nancy S. Davis sold 640 acres of land known as the reservation of Arthur Burns to Jeremiah L. French and Henry G. French for $5. Witnessed by Wm. Storton (?), Justice of the Peace. Filed on January 30, 1858 by J.N. Judge.

1882, June 1 -- Abraham Gross & wife, Rebecca Gross, Nancy Davis, and Jessee French & wife, Mary French, sold land as lot No. 4 apart of the Author Burns Reservation to Martha J. Giddens. Witnessed by Wm. Gidden and Luther Gidden. Nancy S. Davis of Denton County, TX was witnessed by J. N. Deagan, NP on June 22, 1882. Jesse and Mary French of Bastop County, TX were witnessed by Wm. E. Coulson, NP and Justice of the Peace. (Source: Jackson County, AL Deeds, Vol 11, years 1881-1883, LDS Film# 1018422)

Photos was taken from "French Family: A Personal History" by Irvin Himmel.

4.24* Henry W. French, b. in 1830 in AL, m. Susan A. Adams on 13 Nov 1860 in Catahoula Parish, LA [2].

4.25 Isabell French, b. 1832.

4.26 Jessee French, b. 1834.

Children of Samuel and Sarah (Greenhaw) French, 3.4

4.27 Female child.

4.28 Female child.

4.29 Male child.

4.30 Zebulon M. P. French was born in Madison County, AL August 11, 1817.

4.31 Maria French was born in Limestone County, AL 1830.

4.32 Samuel French was born in Limestone County, AL 1836.

Children of Jeremiah French, 3.5

4.27 James French [5].

4.28 William D. French [5].

4.29 son French [5].

4.30 son French [5].

4.31 son French [6].

4.32 son French [7].

4.33 son French [8].

4.34 Sarah French, b. ca. 1813 in AL, m. John A. Dickey [5]. This line continues with James M. Dickey (1836-1907) and Martha A. Patterson (abt 1839-1866/73); James Bennett Dickey (1863-1939) and Francis Ellen Wilks (1865-1952); Arlis T. Dickey and Effie Mae Baker; Warren Wilks Dickey and Bonnie Dell Rivers; Apala Deon Dickey and Charles Edward Wilson [5]. Some Dickeys ended up in Hill Co., TX.

4.35 Benjamin French was born in AL May 7, 1815.

The following was taken from "The French Family: A Personal History" by Irvin Himmel:

"... Two of Jesse French's older sons left home in about 1849 or 1850 for the California gold fields. A letter dated Aug. 7, 1941, from Samuel J. French of Shreveport, Louisiana, to W. Jess French of Decatur, Alabama, states that those two brothers were never heard from again. A different version of the story was related by Thomas W. French, Sr., of Tafe, Texas, in a letter dated July 28, 1958, to W. Jess French. The two brothers got to the Rocky Mountains in the late fall, and because of cold and snow turned back and steeled near Austin, Texas. Their names were "Ben" and "Zeb." No "Zeb" is listed in the old family record, but that could have been a nickname. A will probated in Jackson County, Alabama, June 21, 1868, states that Benjamin French and the children of James M. French resided in the state of Texas, county unknown."

4.36 Rebecca French was born November 3, 1817.

4.37 Hartwell French was born in AL May 6, 1819.

4.38 Mary A. French was born in AL April 12, 1822. Conflicting evidence states that Mary was born in AL, August 12, 1822.

4.39 George French was born in AL January 19, 1824. George died February 14, 1824 in AL, at less than one year of age.

4.40 Washington French was born in AL January 19, 1824. Washington died February 8, 1824 in AL, at less than one year of age.

4.50 Martha Jane French was born March 15, 1826.

4.51 Jeremiah L. (Jerry) French was born January 29, 1827.

4.52 Henry T. French was born in Limestone County, AL April 3, 1830. Henry died February 9, 1862 in AL, at 31 years of age.

The following information was taken from Eunice Pace: "...died ... from an infected skin...Was a business partner with brother Jerry... Never married."

4.53 Isabella French was born in Limestone County, AL February 27, 1832. Isabella died bef. 1882. Isabella was mentally disabled and lived with her brother, Jeremiah.

4.53 Jesse French Jr. was born in AL July 21, 1834. Jesse died May 6, 1853 in AL, at 18 years of age.

Fifth Generation

Children of John S. and Elizabeth (Johnston) French, 4.3

5.1 Martha Prudence "Mattie" French, b. 2 Dec 1857 in Lafayette Co., AR, d. 3 May 1937 in Grayson Co., TX, m. Nathan Joel Nabors who was b. 6 Jan 1854 in Titus Co., TX and d. 26 Feb 1907. They were m. 24 Dec 1878 in Grayson Co., TX. This family continues with son Robert Ervin Nabors (6), b. 10 Jul 1891 in Gordonville, Grayson Co., TX, d. 11 Sep 1957 in Shawnee, Pottawatomie Co., OK. He m. Tommie Ownes who was b. 21 Sep 1911 in Caldwell, Sumner Co., KS, They were m. 28 Jan 1928 in Waurika, Jefferson Co., OK. Their dau Betty June Nabors (7), b. 29 Feb 1932 in Addington, Jefferson Co., OK, m. Charles Leroy Alexander. Their dau. Melanie Carole Alexander (8), b. 16 Aug 1960 in Forth Worth, Tarrant Co., TX [17].

Children of Elisha and Ann (Vaughn) French 4.4

5.2* John French (4), b. ca. 1846 [3].

Children of Jeremiah L. and Eliza J. (Cloud) French, 4.23

5.3* Samuel Jesse French [1] [7] was b. 26 Dec 1861 in Tuscumbia, AL, m. Mamie R. Enos, d. 27 Sep 1944 in Shreveport, LA. Photo below is of Samuel J. French and son, Henry George French in 1934.

Photo was taken from "French Family: A Personal History" by Irvin Himmel.

5.4 Henry Alexander French.

Photos was taken from "French Family: A Personal History" by Irvin Himmel.

4.4 Nancy Susin French, m. Virgil Melton.

Photo was taken from "French Family: A Personal History" by Irvin Himmel.

4.5 John D. French, m2. Perry (photo below).

Photo was taken from "French Family: A Personal History" by Irvin Himmel.

Children of Henry W. and Susan (Adams) French, 4.24

5.5* Henry Martin French, b. LA, m. Minerva A. Adams, d. LA [2].

Sixth Generation

Children of John French, 5.2

6.1* Jerry (Jeremiah) French (5), b. 7 Jan 1877 [3].

Children of Samuel and Mamie (Enos) French, 5.3

6.2 Jesse Marguerite French [7], m. Anthony Vos. The line continues with John Edward Vos (7), Judith Anna Vos (8), m. Ogle [7].

Children of Henry and Minerva (Adams) French, 5.5

6.3 Lois French, b. LA, m. James A. Brown. The family continues with their daughter Violet Brown who m. Hetzel [2].

Seventh Generation

Children of Jerry French, 6.1

7.1 Olen French, b. 19 Dec 1914 [3].

Unknown French

John Anthony French, b. 23 Dec 1832, d. 14 Oct 1922, came to Fayette (then Tipton Co) TN from Lexington, Lauderdale Co., AL before the Civil War. He served in the Confederate Army, m. Susan I. Newton.

John Anthony French’s siblings were Pinkney or Pickney (lived in TX), Henry (lived in Arkansas), and James (lived in AL). Still looking for parents of John Anthony French, James French, Henry French, and Pinkney French. Also, Henry Jacob French (1), b. 1826 in SC, died in Leon Co., TX, served in the Civil War, 7th Cavalry; William Monroe French (2), b. in TN in 1855, m. Ida J. Cothran; Minnie Gertrudis French (3), b. 1898 in TX, m. Lawrence Collins; Ernest Gordon Collins (4), b. 1924 in Leon Co., TX, m. Lois Katherine Ellis. Shirley Jean Collins Craig (5) born 2/9/50 in Walker Co., TX, married Richard Nolan Craig. This line also continues with Jesse French’s brother, Jacob French (3); Henry Jacob French (4), b. 1826 in SC, died in Leon Co., TX, served in the Civil War, 7th Cavalry; William Monroe French (5), b. in TN in 1855, m. Ida J. Cothran; Minnie Gertrudis French (6), b. 1898 in TX, m. Lawrence Collins; Ernest Gordon Collins (7), b. 1924 in Leon Co., TX, m. Shirley Jean Collins Craig. Jacob French (3) was the father of Henry Jacob, John Anthony, William, James, and Morgan E. French.

Index

French, Aaron Shay (i6967) (still alive)

French, Albert (i6536) (living status unknown)

French, Alice Ruth (i6305) (still alive)

French, Allyn Lynn (i6861) (living status unknown)

French, Amos Benjamin (i5370), b.1830-d.1861

French, Amos J. (i5340), b.1783-d.1869

French, Ann (Anna) (i5346), b.1803-

French, Ann G. (i6113)

French, Benjamin (i5303), b.1815-

French, Benjamin (i5312), b.1764-d.1847

French, Benjamin (i6461), b.1843-

French, Benjamin Franklin (i5341), b.1796-

French, Benjamin Franklin (i5350), b.1843-

French, Bessie (i6520) (living status unknown)

French, Bessie Cloud (i6213), b.1886-d.1967

French, Bessie May (i6530), b.1885-d.1963

French, Billie Margaret (i6829) (still alive)

French, Bobbie Louise (i6782) (living status unknown)

French, Carl Howard (i6879) (living status unknown)

French, Carl Howard, Jr. (i6695) (living status unknown)

French, Carl Howard, Sr. (i6538) (living status unknown)

French, Carrie Lee (i6281) (still alive)

French, Charles Haywood (i6532), b.1887-d.1962

French, Charlie (i6255), b.1893-d.1894

French, Clyde Kennamer (i6539), b.1900-d.1955

French, Cora (i6169) (still alive)

French, Curtis Paul (i6878) (living status unknown)

French, Daisy Leigh (i6247) (still alive)

French, David Wayne (i6885) (living status unknown)

French, Derral Wayne (i6820) (living status unknown)

French, Dollie (i6634) (living status unknown)

French, Dolly Ann (i6175), b.1856-

French, Donna (i6158) (living status unknown)

French, Dora Margie (i6666), b.1923-d.1923

French, Doris Marion (i6690) (living status unknown)

French, Dorothy Marie (i6882) (living status unknown)

French, Earline (i6217) (living status unknown)

French, Edith Roberta (i6813) (still alive)

French, Edny (i5357), b.1848-

French, Edward (i6139), b.1879-d.1945

French, Edward Daniel (i6671) (living status unknown)

French, Elisha K. (i6522), b.1881-

French, Elisha Kimble (i5377), b.1817-d.1887

French, Eliza (i6421), b.1848-

French, Elizabeth (i5304), b.1810-

French, Elizabeth (i6266) (living status unknown)

French, Elizabeth (i6459), b.1839-

French, Elsie Irene (i6303) (still alive)

French, Emily (Milly) (i5342), b.1802-

French, Ernest (i6272) (living status unknown)

French, Erwin (i6458), b.1837-

French, Eunice Louise (i6814) (still alive)

French, Floy Mae (i6640), b.1907-d.1940

French, Frances (i5347), b.1807-

French, Francis (i6193), b.1869-

French, Frank (i6517), d.1913

French, Frank Edward (i6533), b.1892-d.1952

French, Franky (i5335)

French, Fred (i6535), b.1888-

French, George (i5355), b.1835-

French, George (i5935), b.1824-d.1824

French, George Elbert (i6256), b.1895-d.1933

French, George L., Turner (i6784) (living status unknown)

French, Gerral Dwayne (i6821) (living status unknown)

French, Gladys (i6236) (still alive)

French, Hartwell (i5933), b.1819-

French, Henry Alexander (i6301), b.1871-d.1935

French, Henry George (i6234) (still alive)

French, Henry George (i6295) (still alive)

French, Henry T. (i5309), b.1830-d.1862

French, Henry T. (i5373), b.1809-d.1844

French, Herbert Ivan (i6541) (living status unknown)

French, Homer Lee (i6145), b.1877-d.1966

French, Horace B. (i6168), b.1890-d.1956

French, Horace Keltner (i6679) (living status unknown)

French, Horace Kirk (i6859) (living status unknown)

French, Howard Randall (i6639), b.1904-

French, Ida Cleveland (i6149), b.1885-d.1968

French, Isabella (i5310), b.1832-d.1882

French, James (i5938), b.1845-

French, James (i6402) (living status unknown)

French, James (i6460), b.1842-

French, James Edward, Jr. (i6883) (living status unknown)

French, James Edward, Sr. (i6696) (living status unknown)

French, James F. (i6419), b.1840-

French, James Gordon (i6780) (living status unknown)

French, James Haywood (i6198), b.1858-d.1926

French, James Haywood (i6676), b.1912-d.1915

French, James M. (i5307), b.1808-d.1860

French, James Monroe (i6638) (living status unknown)

French, James Pinkner (i6215), b.1887-d.1953

French, James Washington (i6300), b.1868-d.1868

French, Jana Colleen (i6983) (living status unknown)

French, Jane (i5349), b.1842-

French, Jane (Jinny) (i5931), b.1807-

French, Jane Haywood (i6688) (living status unknown)

French, Jane L. (i6200), b.1845-

French, Jane R. (i6170), b.1822-

French, Jeremiah (Jerry) (i5338), b.1792-d.1832

French, Jeremiah E. (i6177), b.1860-

French, Jeremiah L. (Jerry) (i5308), b.1827-d.1899

French, Jeremiah Lipscomb (i6138), b.1877-d.1926

French, Jeremiah W. (i5369), b.1824-

French, Jerry (i6273), b.1897-d.1944

French, Jerry Edward (i6294)

French, Jerry Walter (i6818), b.1944-d.1944

French, Jesse (i5301), b.1787-d.1857

French, Jesse (i5311), b.1819-

French, Jesse (i5353), b.1850-

French, Jesse Arthur (i6318) (still alive)

French, Jesse, Jr. (i6400), b.1834-d.1853

French, Jessie Marguerite (i6287), b.1895-d.1950

French, Joanna (i6425), b.1859-

French, Joe Wheeler (i6244) (still alive)

French, John Benjamin (i6199), b.1859-d.1908

French, John Douglas (i6210), b.1860-d.1932

French, John Hector, III (i6157) (living status unknown)

French, John Hector, Jr. (i6155), d.1996

French, John Hector, Sr. (i6153), b.1887-d.1950

French, John Howard (i6664), b.1918-d.1974

French, John James (i5381), b.1846-d.1887

French, John Monte (i6265), b.1924-d.1948

French, John S. (i5375), b.1813-

French, John Travis (i6253), b.1892-d.1956

French, John W. (i6423), b.1854-

French, John William (i6135), b.1867-d.1927

French, Johnny Mack (i6830) (living status unknown)

French, Jon Michael Graham (i6985) (living status unknown)

French, Josie Ethel (i6659), b.1910-d.1971

French, Joy Elizabeth (i6862) (living status unknown)

French, Joyce Norman (Jack) (i6663), b.1916-d.1977

French, Kenneth Lee (i6884) (living status unknown)

French, Lance Devon (i7045) (living status unknown)

French, Laura Louise (i6677) (living status unknown)

French, Lawrence (Larry) Kinght (i6319) (still alive)

French, Leamon (i6636), b.1897-

French, Lemuel (i6192), b.1869-

French, Lenora (i6260) (living status unknown)

French, Lifford (i6160) (living status unknown)

French, Louisa (i6427), b.1847-

French, Lucy (i5337), b.1768-d.1852

French, Lydia (i6518) (living status unknown)

French, Madeline (i6665), b.1921-d.1921

French, Mamie Irene (i6275) (living status unknown)

French, Mamie Laura (i6540) (living status unknown)

French, Margie Lee (i6831) (living status unknown)

French, Maria (i5365), b.1830-

French, Marilda (i6464), b.1848-

French, Martha (i6424), b.1856-

French, Martha E. (i5380), b.1842-d.1893

French, Martha Jane (i5305), b.1826-

French, Martha L. (i5368), b.1828-d.1907

French, Marvin (i6228) (living status unknown)

French, Mary (Polly) (i5345), b.1787-

French, Mary A. (i5934), b.1822-

French, Mary A. (i6420), b.1845-

French, Mary Dean (i6162) (living status unknown)

French, Mary Elizabeth (i6246), b.1925-d.1925

French, Mary H. (i5374), b.1811-d.1894

French, Mary J. (i6398), b.1842-

French, Mary Josephine (Polly) (i6178), b.1866-d.1950

French, Mary Laquita (i6819) (living status unknown)

French, Mary Lee (i6667), d.1997

French, Mary Prudence (i6197), b.1856-d.1936

French, Mary Prudence (Mollie) (i5379), b.1844-d.1870

French, Max Benjamin (i6529), b.1883-d.1944

French, Max Harlan, Sr. (i6678) (living status unknown)

French, Max Harlen, Jr. (i6856) (living status unknown)

French, May (i6537) (living status unknown)

French, Mildred (i6268) (living status unknown)

French, Mildred Elaine (i6687) (living status unknown)

French, Montie Leon (i6258), b.1896-d.1969

French, Myrtie Lee (i6531), b.1886-d.1887

French, Myrtle Maxine (i6675), b.1911-d.1911

French, Nancy S. (i5306), b.1813-

French, Nancy Susin (i6296), b.1863-d.1938

French, Nellie Lorene (i6232), b.1917-d.1967

French, Nicholas Davis (i6143), b.1858-d.1927

French, Norman (i6225) (living status unknown)

French, Olean (i6263) (living status unknown)

French, Olen Rogers (i6662), b.1914-d.1970

French, Olive Belle (i6137), b.1875-d.1956

French, Patricia (i6860) (living status unknown)

French, Paul Greywood (i6657), b.1907-d.1908

French, Preston Icenogle (i7044) (living status unknown)

French, Price I. (i6262) (still alive)

French, Prudence (i6172), d.1861

French, Randall Wayne (i6975) (living status unknown)

French, Rebecca (i5300), b.1817-d.1898

French, Robert P. (i6428), b.1850-

French, Ruby Jewel (i6660) (living status unknown)

French, Samuel (i5334), b.1750-

French, Samuel (i5339), b.1790-d.1834

French, Samuel (i5362), b.1836-

French, Samuel Jesse (i6277), b.1861-d.1944

French, Sandra Lois (i6880) (living status unknown)

French, Sarah (i5351), b.1845-

French, Sarah (i5932), b.1811-d.1814

French, Sarah (i6404), b.1813-

French, Sarah (Sallie) T. (i6142), b.1854-d.1875

French, Sarah (Sally) (i5344), b.1805-

French, Sarah Ann (i6462), b.1840-

French, Sarah P. (i6195) (living status unknown)

French, Shawn Duane (i6976) (living status unknown)

French, Sheron Jane (i6815) (still alive)

French, Shirley (i6270) (living status unknown)

French, Sue May (i6316) (still alive)

French, Susan (i6422), b.1851-

French, Taswell (i6136), b.1871-

French, Thelma Mae (i6249) (still alive)

French, Theron Zane (i6816) (still alive)

French, Thomas Benjamin (Ben) (i6191), b.1867-

French, Thomas Waston, Jr. (i6692) (living status unknown)

French, Thomas Waston, Sr. (i6304) (still alive)

French, Travis Franklin (i6658) (living status unknown)

French, Washington (i6111), b.1824-d.1824

French, Wendell (i6221) (living status unknown)

French, William (i5336)

French, William (i5352), b.1848-

French, William (i6141), b.1876-

French, William Burton (i5382), b.1850-

French, William D. (i6403), d.1850

French, William J. (i6297), b.1864-

French, William Jesse (Jess) (i6229), b.1890-d.1970

French, William Jesse (Jess) (marriage to Elsie Arabell Dobbins) (i6229), b.1890-d.1970

French, William Miles (i6231) (still alive)

French, William T. (i5356), b.1842-d.1862

French, William T. (i6176), b.1857-d.1870

French, Zebulon M. P. (i5361), b.1817-

Records to Add Above

From [1]: Descendants, probably from 7th or 8th generation from [1]: John Anthony French, b. 23 Dec 1832, d. 14 Oct 1922, came to Fayette (then Tipton Co) TN, and then to Lexington, Lauderdale Co., AL before the Civil War. He served in the Confederate Army, m. Susan I. Newton. John Anthony French’s siblings were Pinkney or Pickney (lived in TX), Henry (lived in Arkansas), and James (lived in AL). Still looking for parents of John Anthony French, James French, Henry French, and Pinkney French.

From [2]: Other French family members include Lottie R. m. George M. Irby, Thomas B. m. Belle Williamson, James H. m. Minnie L. Roberts, Guy G. m. Ina D. Blythe, James D. m. Jimmie Pourcy, Norvel m. Mildred Croxton, Dorothy L. m. Freeman Coleman.

From [4], may not be part of this chart: Henry Jacob French (1), b. 1826 in SC, died in Leon Co., TX, served in the Civil War, 7th Cavalry; William Monroe French (2), b. in TN in 1855, m. Ida J. Cothran; Minnie Gertrudis French (3), b. 1898 in TX, m. Lawrence Collins; Ernest Gordon Collins (4), b. 1924 in Leon Co., TX, m. Lois Katherine Ellis. Shirley Jean Collins Craig (5) born 2/9/50 in Walker Co., TX, married Richard Nolan Craig. Query: Who were the parents of Henry Jacob, John Anthony, William, James, and Morgan E. French?

From [6]: How does John Anthony French connect to this family. Does anyone know if Jacob French that was in Lauderdale County Alabama in 1840 is connected to this family. I think this Jacob is the same one who married Nancy Morrison in Lawrence County TN in 1848. He shows up in the 1850 census in Lawrence county TN

Household 430

Jacob French 71M Farmer Tenn.

Nancy " 40F SC

James " 21M " Tenn

John " 19M " "

Elizabeth A. French 15F "

Nancy J. " 13F "

Mary F. " 11F "

George W. " 8M "

Sarah " 6F "

Joseph " 4M "

From [7]. Also seeking information on a William Burton French, b. ca. 1850, AL. Need info on John Vos, b. 17 Sep 1864, m. 11 Mar 1886 in Alton, Iowa to Annie Vanderkamp, b. 9 Oct 1870 in Pella, Iowa. Would like to correspond with anyone who has more data on the Frenches of Limestone Co. AL.

From [13]: Seeking ancestors of William French and daughter (?) Mary (Polly) French. She m. Isaac Clark in Warren Co. KY on 10 Mar 1800 with consent of William French. Isaac and Mary moved before 1820 to Montgomery Co. MO. A possible connection of William and Mary French is one John French of Calloway Co. MD who m. Jane Clark between 1810 and 1820. She was a daughter of the above Isaac Clark and his first wife Miss Campbell. The children of John and Jane (Clark) French are: William H., Bryant, Milton, and Sally. Pinckney French witnessed the will of Henry Clark, father of Isaac Clark. Pinckney French m. Devonia Clark in 1822 in Christian Co., KY.

From Shirley Craig: Connection: Chart #146, Samuel French (1), of VA, NC, KY or AL, in the 1790 Greenville SC census; Benjamin French (2), b. 28 Nov 1764, m1. Sally Turner on 10 Nov 1784 in Caswell Co., NC and had 11 children, m2. Catherine Shoemaker on 23 Sep 1823 in Lauderdale Co., AL, in the 1840-1850 census; Jacob French (3); Henry Jacob French (4), b. 1826 in SC, died in Leon Co., TX, served in the Civil War, 7th Cavalry; William Monroe French (5), b. in TN in 1855, m. Ida J. Cothran; Minnie Gertrudis French (6), b. 1898 in TX, m. Lawrence Collins; Ernest Gordon Collins (7), b. 1924 in Leon Co., TX, m. Shirley Jean Collins Craig. Query: Jacob (3) was the father of Henry Jacob, John Anthony, William, James, and Morgan E.

I am interested in your Benjamin FRENCH because I believe he is kin to my Samuel FRENCH. I am looking for a Samuel FRENCH b. 1787 who married Julia Ann DOUGHERTY in 1811. This is a note from Katherine King, a French researcher, quoting from "War 4" from VA State Library and Archives, p. 177, "A list of soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment who have received certificates for the balances of their full pay agreeable to an act of Assembly passed November Session, 1781: FRENCH, Samuel, Sol. Inf., received by himself, 24 (pounds?); FRENCH, Benjamin, Sol. Inf., received by Sam'l FRENCH, 36". Katherine's remark was that if Benjamin and Samuel were not brothers, they certainly were close kin as she didn't think they'd trust that much money to just anybody. This info was sent to me by Donna Ryan.

Next....in Barren County, I have DOUGHERTY/FRENCH family (direct lines) and in a matter involving the disposition of James WILLIAMS, Jr.'s inheritance, (James was Nancy's Father, mother of Julia Ann DOUGHERTY) one of the witnesses was a Samuel FRENCH. This could have been Julia's husband or her Father-in-law. In another tie-in, Henry DOUGHERTY, Robert DOUGHERTY's brother, married a Katherine FRENCH in Lincoln County, KY. This is a quote from Kentucky Genealogies: Henry (FRENCH) lived in Mercer County, Kentucky and, Jane, having died, was married to Katherine FRENCH, perhaps the widow of John FRENCH, May 21, 1792. By 1797, Henry lived in Shelby County and when the Gallatin County line was drawn the following year, it ran two miles north of his farm on the road to Shelbyville to the mouth of the Kentucky River. He is last found in records in Henry Co., KY in 1800." end quote. So I'm trying to tie all these people into the Mercer County people. Anybody got any other ideas.....HELP!!!!!!! I know there is a connection but we have to put our heads together and figure it out. Here is the contents of the e-mail I sent Donna the other day and maybe some of these facts will help other FRENCH researchers!

You said maybe there was a connection between Henry DOUGHERTY who married Katherine FRENCH and I don't know if I told you that Henry was Robert DOUGHERTY's brother, and Robert is Julia Ann DOUGHERTY's Father and she married Samuel FRENCH so there is definitely a connection and they were together during this migration, evidently. The name "Katherine" has passed down through our family...my Aunt is named Katherine, my middle name is Katherine and my new granddaughter is named Deanna Katherine. In the French Family Cemetery in Orange County, Indiana is a headstone for a Katherine FRENCH but I think it is a child...it is a small white headstone..... I have the CD "Kentucky Genealogies" and I've just put in the search name FRENCH and checked everyone of them out....came up with a lot of additional info but don't know how it all ties in. It does say this: Shortly after February 7 1775, John Dougherty appears to have left Virginia for the Kentucky country. Henry followed him permanently within three years, returning to Virginia only to settle the estate of his Father, Michael II, who died in 1782. Henry lived in Mercer County, KY and Jane having died, he was married to Katherine FRENCH, perhaps the widow of John FRENCH!

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Polly Taylor b. Clear Creek in Woodford Co., KY 17 June 1792, died 7 January 1879. Married William FRENCH in 1805, later a Captain in War of 1812. He was son of James FRENCH II (1765-1835) who came from Virginia to Lincoln County, KY after serving in the Revolution and was married in Boonesborough 19 June 1783 to Keziah Calloway (p. 468 of Ky Genealogies). James and Keziah FRENCH had William, Richard, Catherine m. FARROW, Susanna m. FARROW, Theodora m. HOOD, Lina m. SMITH. Captain William FRENCH, the oldest, is in Will Book D, p. 515, Montgomery Co., KY. (This is FFA Chart #14)

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Polly TAYLOR (1792-1879) m. William FRENCH and had 11 children (lineage is on p. 451).

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HARDIN family.......Margaret C. HARDIN b. 9 September 1802, married Mr. Hiram FRENCH.

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John W. b. 1 June 1798 d. 30 November 1857 m Theodosia, daughter of the pioneer, James FRENCH. P. 516 of Kentucky Genealogies.

1 June 1792 James FRENCH appointed to the Courts of Madison Co., KY by Governor George Shelby.

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Page 680 -- Bridget FRENCH, daughter of Capt. Benjamin FRENCH b. 14 January 1772 and died near Madison Co., Indiana on 26 May 1828. Daniel WARD b. 30 January 1764 at Plymouth, New Hampshire.

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James Strother, of Orange Co., VA (before Culpepper was formed) m. Margaret FRENCH. He died in 1761. Their son, French STROTHER d. 1800 after having been in the House of Burgesses Convention of 1788, which adopted the Constitution of the United States, etc. (P. 361). (This is FFA Chart #12)

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Ann Lewis, daughter of Thomas Lewis and Jane STROTHER, m. a Mr. Douthatt and 2nd a Mr. FRENCH of Kentucky (p. 279). Pages, 391, 392, 402, 413 covers this lineage. (This is FFA Chart #12)

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A Dr. FRENCH was in Spottsylvania, VA p. 419

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TAYLOR/FRENCH Bible records P. 744

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Pulaski Co., KY, a Luiza FRENCH b. 16 October 1809, married James A. WILLIAMS 18 April 1837. (P.S. I am also a WILLIAMS descendant ... Jan)

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Bibliography

[1] FFA member Burrough, Billy Wayne, #309.

[2] FFA member Hetzel, Violet M., #415.

[3] FFA member Eunice Pace, Rt. 1, Box 663, Wolfforth, TX 79382.

[4] FFA Member Craig, Shirley J., #749.

[5] Email correspondent: Apala Wilson, 27 Buttercup Cir., Waco, TX 76708, Email: Apalawil@aol.com.

[6] Johnnie G. Stewart, 248 Co. Rd. 358, Trinity, AL 35673, Email: jgstew@hiwaay.net.

[7] FFA member Ogle, Judith A., #298

[8] Bobby Will, Email: blwill@swbell.net, not of this line, but has information on Benjamin (2).

[9] Sara Scott, Email: SSCOTT736@aol.com.

[10] West Tenn Lumber, wtlumber@centuryinter.net

[11] Libb Ballard, Rt. 2,Box 353, Kinston, Al. 365453, libb@alaweb.com.

[12] Brenda Thomas, 1650 Chapel Hill Road Huntingdon, Tennessee 38344, Jackie Thomas" sprat@compu.net.

[13] FFA member Rowland, Jon M., #445.

[14] Jan Lund, email: jan4gen@verizon.net

[15] FFA member Donna Ryan, 4000 Royal Marco Way #628, Marco Island, FL 34145, DRyan78069@aol.com

[16] AL Marriages, Limestone County, AL (1821-1862)

[17] FFA member Melanie Carole Alexander, #917, 1129 Bryant St., Benbrook, TX 76126. (817) 249-0290.

[18] Shari Bennett’s Family Tree. Surnames include Bradley, Bennett, Beason, Boggess, Croshaw, Davenport, Davis, Douglas, French, Graves, Gross, Henderson, Howell, Kimbrough, Morris, Perrin, Smith, Spurlin, Starnes, Turner, Vineyard, West, and Woodruff. Website: http://members.fortunecity.com/shariben/family/french.html

[19] Caswell County Family Tree, website: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caswellcounty&id=I18998, Rick Freder email: rfreder12@comcast.net. Look at http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=SHOW&db=caswellcounty&recno=14894 and add in only about 20 Frenches

[20] FFA Member Warren Wilhite [3] says that the 1790 census for North Carolina has been destroyed, but a reasonable substitute has been compiled from other sources such as tax lists, court cases, land sales, etc. Warren Wilhite died in 1991. This chart may also connect to Chart #157 or #196. The list is incomplete; if a name is not shown, that does not mean that the person was not in NC. At least ten French families resided in NC in 1790:

1. Daniel French, Beaufort Co., with wife and one slave

2. James French, Onslow Co. (FFA Chart #196)

3. John French, Halifax Co.

4. Mason French, Rockingham Co.

5. Moses French, Rutherford Co. with wife, 3 sons, 2 dau.

6. Robert French, Chowan Co. with wife, dau, 2 sons, 1 slave

7. Samuel French, Caswell Co.

8. Sarah French, Rutherford Co, 1 son under 16, 1 son over 16.

9. William French Sr, Rockingham Co.

10. William French Jr, Rockingham Co.

The 1810 NC census shows only two families:

1. William French, Esq. Onslow Co. (FFA Chart #196)

2. Jeremiah French, Caswell Co.

[21] This is FFA Chart #47 – connection? The family lived in Halifax County, VA; Rowan County, NC; and in 1753 they lived in Orange County, NC; in 1785 in Wentworth City, Rockingham County, NC (which formerly was Orange County). Rockingham Co. formed in 1785 from Guilford County. This could connect to FFA Chart #188.

Anna Waters and two of her children married a French of Rockingham Co, NC and VA. Anna Waters was b. 1794 in MD, d. 1881 in Rockingham Co, NC, m. Daniel Wall ca. 1814, children: Joseph Henry, b. ca. 1815 in Henry Co, VA; George W; Lloyd; Peter; Anna (married a French); John C.; Rachel C. (married a French); James R.; Abraham J.; and Rebecca.

From the FFA Reference Library V021, the 1790 census of NC shows these French family members:

Daniel French	head of household in Newbern District, Beauport Co., NC.
James French	head of household in Wilmington District, Onslow Co., NC.
John French	head of household in Halifax District, Halifax Co., NC.
Mason French	head of household in Salisbury District, Rockingham Co., NC.
Moses French	head of household in Morgan District, Rutherford Co., NC.
Robert French	head of household in Edenton District, Edenton Town, NC.
Samuel French	head of household in Hillsborough District, Caswell Co., NC.
Sarah French	head of household in Morgan District, Rutherford Co., NC.
William French Jr.	head of household in Salisbury District, Rockingham Co., NC.
William French Sr.	head of household in Salisbury District, Rockingham Co., NC.

[22] Website: http://members.fortunecity.com/shariben/family/french.html#s1b

[23] Chart #157, Catherine French, 1790. Catherine French, b. between 1785 and 1795, likely 1790 Census, Caswell Co. NC as dau of Jeremiah French age 16/26. Census, Duachita Parish, LA, as wife of Absolom Wilhite 26/45. Absolom Whilhite m1. Sarah Elizabeth Farmer. One of their sons, Jackson Farmer Wilhite, b. 1810, was a huge baby, weighted 18 lbs at birth and grew up to be 6’ 8" tall and 350 lbs with no fat. He was incredibly strong. It is no wonder that his mother died of complications of his birth. Absolom m2. Catherine French. They moved to White, Bedford Co. TN. They had 4 children, but because their surname wasn’t French, this line ends here. Catherine’s father could have been Jeremiah French.

[24] Joan Lutz, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, 714-928-6610. Email: joanl@earthlink.net (good in 2009).

Contents

First Generation

Second Generation

Marriages

Death

Military Career

After the Military

Obituary

French Cemetery

French Grover Farm

Third Generation

Census and Land Records

Fourth Generation

Fifth Generation

Sixth Generation

Seventh Generation

Unknown French

Index

Records to Add Above

Bibliography