French Family Association
The Official Website of the Surname French
Washington County Courthouse, Machias, Maine
Chart #147, Sewell W. French, 1805
Columbia, Washington Co., Maine
Also connected to Freeman French, formerly FFA Chart #109
This chart updated by Mara French on 9/27/11. 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: 2011.
Contents
Who was Sewell FrenchÕs Father?
Foreword
IÕve researched this line just about all I can from ancestry.com and from the internet. Additions need to come from family members or from local books or historians who havenÕt put their information online.
P.S. Although Sewell French is not of my line, I will continue to do research on him as time permits. My line is FFA Chart #6.
Who was Sewell FrenchÕs Father?
From the 1880 census of Columbia, Washington Co., ME, we know that both of SewellÕs parents were born in Maine, supposedly ca. 1780. Most likely his parents remained in Maine where Sewell lived. Ancestry.com shows various men fitting this description, i.e., Abel, James, William, Josiah, Zetham, Jacob, Samuel, Nehemiah, Oliver, Isaac. None of these men lived in Washington Co., ME. Searching for a French living in 1800 or 1810 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., NH, ancestry.com shows none in 1800, 1810, or 1820.
Then, searching the name Freeman French, I perhaps found his father.
First Generation
1.1 Freeman French, b. 1795 or Apr 1791 in other records in ME, living in the 1850 census with his wife, Mary Davis, b. 1800, and their children: William, 20 – b. 1830; Mercy Jane, 17 – b. 1833; Elizabeth, 14 – b. 1836, and Amantha, 7 – b. 1843. The 1880 census shows son William as b. 1830 in ME, married to Mary Nash, with children William B. b. 1860; Estell b. 1863; Elmus A. b. 1867; Charlie b. 1870; Sanburn b. 1874. In 1880 they were living in Waldoboro, Lincoln Co., ME, and William was a carriage maker. It states that both FreemanÕs parents were born in Maine, which fits in with the criteria of his brother Sewell. Freeman d. 10 Oct 1852 in Cutler, Washington Co., ME, and he m. Mary ÒPollyÓ Davis, also of Cutler, ME, on 24 Aug 1815. This used to be FFA Chart #109, but is now combined with this chart as we found a connection.
Checking the 1820 census of Washington Co., ME, there is a Freeman French with a family of 5 (Freeman, his wife, and 3 children under 16). This seems by far the best bet because Sewell named his son Freeman, which is a rather unusual name. This census shows only 1 person over 25 years of age, which would probably be Freeman, b. 1795, which in this case would be SewellÕs brother, not his father. His wife was aged 16-25, and 3 children were under 10; therefore, his wife was born between 1810-1820.
The 1840 census of Cutler, Washington Co., ME, lists Freeman French with a family of 7. The 1850 census of Jonesport, Washington Co., ME, shows a Freeman French b. ca. 1795 in ME.
Because FreemanÕs wife was born in 1800, this eliminates the possibility of Freeman being SewellÕs father instead of his brother.
1.2* Sewell Worcester or Worster? French, b. 1805 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., NH, or in ME, d. 2 Jun 1884 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, m. Sally Tucker on 27 Nov 1829 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME. Sally was b. 24 May 1806 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, the dau. of Samuel Tucker and Esther Leighton. They spent the rest of their lives in Columbia, Washington Co., ME.
They are in the 1830 census in Columbia with 3 people in the household. They are in the 1840 census in Columbia with 5 people in the household. In the 1850 census of Columbia, Sewell is with his wife and 5 children, and the census states that he was born in NH. They are in the 1860 census in Columbia with their children, likewise in the 1870 census. The 1880 census lists Sewell as Lewell French, age 75, b. ca. 1805 in Maine, living with spouse Sally in Columbia, Washington Co., ME. He was a farmer. Both parents are listed as born in Maine. Living next to him in 1880 was the Worster family: Leander K., Julia A., Truman I., Freeman W., Sarah J., and Harvey B. Worster, and next to them are Ashiel M. Worster and his family: Julia E., Edward A., Sarah C., Diaden W., Geneva P., and Jasper W. This family definitely had some connection with the French family. FFA Chart #4 was closely related to the Worster family, and they were from Salisbury, MA. SewellÕs first daughter, Ursula, married Daniel Grant, and 4 of Daniel GrantÕs 9 siblings married into the Worcester family. Living next door to Sewell in the 1880 census are the Puffer and Grant families, and his son Talbot and his family.
1.3 Sibling French, b. after 1805.
1.4 Sibling French, b. after 1805.
Second Generation
Children of Sewell and Sally (Tucker) French, 1.2
2.1 Wosula (or Ursula) French, b. 24 Mar1830 in ME, living with her parents and siblings in the 1850 census of Columbia, Washington Co., ME. She m. Daniel Grant on 4 Dec 1852 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME. She d. 3 Apr 1916 in Columbia Falls, Washington Co., ME. They had 4 children: Mary Emma, Adrianna, Rosa, and Leander Grant.
2.2* Talbot Smith French, b. 10 Jun 1834 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, m. Taphenus Puffer, 1836-1897.
The 1860 census of Columbia, Washington Co., ME, lists Talbot S. French, age 25. The 1870 census lists Talbot in the same location, b. ca. 1834. The 1900 census lists Talbot in the same location, born Jun 1833, age 66, widowed, both parents born in ME, living with his dau. Mary (28) and grandson Charles K. French (2). Talbot d. on 17 Jan 1911 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, and his parents are stated as Sewell and Sarah French. Talbot m. Janpene Taphenus or Tryphene Puffer and had 3 children: Lonice, Everett, and Mary. He was a farmer. In the 1880 census of Columbia, he was 46 living with his wife and 3 children. In the 1910 census of Columbia, he was 75 and living with his wifeÕs family, Harvey H. and Mamie P. Smith. In the 1850 census, he was 16 years old, living with his parents Sewell and Sarah, and his siblings Wosula, Freeman, Venlessow, and Sildana.
2.3 Freeman W. French, b. 30 Mar 1838 in ME, living with her parents and siblings in the 1850 census of Columbia, Washington Co., ME. In the 1860 census of Columbia, Freeman was living with his parents. In the 1870 census of Columbia, Freeman was living with his parents. He d. 15 Mar 1874 and is buried at Columbia Cemetery, Columbia, Washington Co., ME. No heirs.
Inscription:
AE 35 yrs. 11 mos. & 15 days; Go down in yonder graveyard, And there you read with care, Remember it won't be long, Before you must be there.
He left two little sons behind, May God to them be
very kind, And held them in His blessed hand, And bring them to the promised land.
2.4 Venlessow or Venleson E. French, b. 1841, living with her parents and siblings in the 1850 census of Columbia, Washington Co., ME. In the 1860 census of Columbia, he was living with his parents. He enlisted as a Private on 10 Oct 1862 during the U.S. Civil War for Company D, Maine 22nd Infantry Regiment. He is not listed in future census records. He d. 19 Jul 1863 in New Orleans Parish, Louisiana, and is buried at the Columbia Cemetery, Columbia, Washington Co., ME. Most likely he died during the War. Aanother record shows he was buried at Mailey Hill Cemetery in Columbia. No heirs.
Inscription: Son of Suel & Sally French; Died in New Orleans; AE 22 Yrs. 1 mos. 1 dys.
Residence Columbia ME; 21 years old.
Enlisted on 10/10/1862 as a Private.
On 10/10/1862 he mustered into "D" Co. ME 22nd Infantry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as: Hospitalized 7/24/1863 New Orleans, LA (Sick)
No Dates
2.5 Syldania (or Sildania) French, b. Jan 1844 in ME. In the 1860 census of Columbia, she was living with her parents. She is living with her parents and siblings in the 1850 census of Columbia, Washington Co., ME. She m. William Wallace Young on 22 Jul 1864 in Columbia, the son of John and Mary A. Young. In 1900 she was living with her husband in Concord, Merrimack Co., NH. They had at least 6 children: Rowland V., Orie E., Minerva J., Sewell F., Mabell I., and Irvin M.
Third Generation
Children of Talbot S. and Taphenus Janpene (Puffer) French, 2.2
3.1 Lonice or Belona or Belleonia or Belloni Imogene French, daughter, b. 6 Sep 1861 in ME, at the age of only 18, she was teacher school. In the 1880 census, she was living in Columbia, Washington Co., ME.
3.2 Everett V. French, b. 22 Feb 1865 in ME. In the 1880 census, he was living in Columbia, Washington Co., ME. By the 1900 census, he was living in the same location, married to Inez P. French, who was quite a bit younger than he was, born 1877. By the 1910 census, he was living alone in the same location, single. In the 1920 census of the same location, he is listed as a widow, living alone at age 53. This French line ends with this son.
3.3* Mary Pedlegras ÒMamieÓ French, b. Oct 1871, m. Harvey H. Smith, 1880-1955. She died in 1931. She did not marry Charles Kimball Worcester, but had his child after being raped in 1897.
Fourth Generation
Children of Mary P. French and Charbles Kimball Worcester, 3.3
4.1* Charles K. W. (Kimball Worcester) French, b. 14 Feb 1898 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME. He took his motherÕs name, French, which indicates that Charles is not a blood-line French, but of the Worcester blood line. Charles m. Frances Alma Smith who was b. 1901, d. 1979. They had daughter Norma I. French who m. John Caranci and had son David Caranci. Charles French d. 26 Nov 1967 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, and is buried at the South Buxton Cemetery in Buxton, York Co., ME.
Fifth Generation
Children of Charles K. W. and Frances Alma (Smith) French, 4.1
5.1 Stanley Nelson French, b. 15 Jan 1918 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, d. Nov 1983 in Waynesboro, Augusta Co., VA. He m. Helen Frances Mason, 1916-1998. He is buried at the Riverview Cemetery in Waynesboro, Augusta Co., VA.
5.2 Owen F. French, b. 6 Dec 1922 in Buxton, York Co, ME, d. 9 Apr 2010 in Ocala, Marion Co., FL. He was a U.S. Navy veteran during WWII and the Korean War. He m. Pearl Theresa Dufresqune, b. 1921. Own is buried at the Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Ocala, Marion Co., FL.
5.3 Mary Edith French, b. 30 Dec 1924 in Providence, Providence Co., RI, m. Charles H. Boorom (1923-1978), d. 30 Mar 2005 in Providence, Providence Co., RI. They had daughter Sharon Joan Boorom Marsden, 1948-2005. She is buried at the Saint Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket, Providence Co., RI.
5.4 Norma Imogene French, b. 25 Feb 1925 in Torrington, Litchfield Co., CT, m. John Charles Caranci (1922-1970), d. 21 Jun 1991 in Torrington, Litchfield Co., CT and is buried at the South Buxton Cemetery, Buxton, York Co., ME. They had son David Caranci.
F
5.5 Carol Westford French, b. 14 Nov 1926 in Buxton, York Co., ME, d. 20 Apr 1996 in Providence, Providence Co., RI. She is buried at the Saint Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket, Providence Co., RI.
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] Dave Caranci, email: ncdave4@aol.com.
[2] David James, email: jamesdm49@gmail.com.
[3] Appearing in U.S. public records is Pauline D. French, b. 6 Jun 1937 in Columbia, ME, and Vernon B. French b. 5 Aug 1937 in Columbia Falls, ME. It is assumed they are husband and wife, living there in 1966 and 1990.