French’s Mustard Company

French’s Mustard History

Chronology of R. T. French Co.

French’s Mustard History

French’s Mustard Homepage

Wikipedia Encyclopedia of French’s Mustard

“Dining Delights” 1948 Cookbook by Carol French

R. T. French Products

French’s Recipes

Ancestry of Robert T. French

Maps of the NY and NJ Counties Where the Early Frenches Lived

Who Was Robert French’s Father?

Chronology of Robert French

No Male Heirs Left In This Family

Chart #183 (gedcom) Chart Index

Note that this file is dated 2007 and has not been kept up to date, but it includes other surnames related to this line such as Smoke, Jackson, Manning, Sweazy, and Kelly. Corrections have not been made to this file. For accuracy, see the following generations:

Surname French in Bernards Twp, Somerset Co., NJ

Robert French of FFA Chart 188

William French and Cornelius French, FFA Chart 188

Bibliography

Foreword

I’ve 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 haven’t put their information online.

P.S. Although Robert T. French is not of my line, I will continue to do research as time permits. My line is FFA Chart #6.

In Appreciation

The FFA wants to thank Jan Rieke for her tremendous help on this line. She not only researched most of the data, but also submitted various photos and scanned other “hard-to-see” xeroxed photos that are shown below.

The FFA would also like to thank Priscilla Cummings for her untiring research of documents for this line. I met Priscilla in a very unusual way. A lady friend of mine in Northern California is a relative of Priscilla. My friend told me that she saw a small box at Priscilla’s house with the name “French” on it, and lo and behold, Priscilla is on my own chart, Chart #6, but she helped me out greatly with the French’s Mustard line out of sheer enjoyment.

History and Research

Another chart, FFA Chart #188 of New Jersey has descendants with the names Rapplyea, Voorhees and Manning, but no Bond nor Van Pelt family. Chart #183 is also from New Jersey, but so far there has been no tie between the two charts. The earliest ancestor from this line is the grandfather of French’s Mustard inventor Robert T. French. This earliest French was born 24 Apr 1766 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. This line ends with no male heirs.

French’s Mustard History

In 1885 Rochester was a bustling community of 90,000 people when Robert T. French moved his operations from the burned out plant in Fairport to Brown’s Race adjacent to the Genesee River. The city at that time was still a center of flour milling [6].

From Robert T. French's vision in 1880 of a family run spice mill has come a nationwide enterprise of 2,500 employees in 1980, and a brand name that is known and respected by tens of millions of Americans, starting with a mustard seed. Robert Timothy French's trade was spices of all kinds. The founder's eldest son, George Jackson French, with substantial help from his brother Francis, provided the drive and vision that propelled the firm into the forefront of America's flavor market [6].

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The Rochester-made Selden truck in this photo was occupied by the German-Americans in the photo, and was made by Rochester's only automotive pioneer [6].

There was no way for Robert French to know that in the same year, 1880, an obscure bank clerk named George Eastman started a photographic business a scant block from R. T. French's later location in Rochester, NY. Both Kodak and French's Mustard became household names. R. T. French did not live to celebrate this success, but his sons did. Francis Jackson French was barely a teenager when his elder brother, George, was taken into the firm. R. T. French lived to see the company through a crucial initial period. It was George who took the firm from tenuous survival status to the grounds of solid success. George French was the only one of the brothers to go without a college degree, although he took some classes. Robert and Edward (Ned) became physicians; Francis majored in chemistry, a background which proved useful as he grew into the spice business. George's higher education was confined almost entirely to the School of Hard Knocks whose lack of specialization proved to be an asset. Unlettered by an academic specialty, he became something of a Renaissance Man in his business, equally adept at busying, selling, production, housekeeping, and finance. Through voracious reading, in later years he also became a man interested in the world at large [6].

R.T. French Company Presidents
Robert T. French 1880-1893
George J. French 1893-1926
Francis French 1926-1942

Chronology of R. T. French Co.

1883. Three year old R. T. French Co., started by spice trader Robert French and his brother George French, moves from New York City to Fairport, NY. Brothers Robert and George French bought a flour mill.

1884. The flour mill burned down; they relocated the flour mill to Rochester, NY, and named their mill the R. T. French Company.

1893. R. T. French dies and brothers George and Francis take over the business [5].

1904. French’s Mustard discovered at the St. Louis World’s Fair the same year that the hot dog was introduced [5]. Created as a salad dressing, it is paired with another new food, the hot dog, and becomes an instant success [4].

1912. R. T. French Co. moves into city, and locates factory at One Mustard Street, Rochester, NY [4].

1920. R. T. French Co. introduces power machinery and becomes one of the largest food producers in the world [4].

1942 French's Bird Seed and Bird Biscuit ad shows it is also owned by The R. T. French Company, 2471 Mustard Street, Rochester, NY [4].

The R.T. French Company is now owned by Reckitt Benckiser PLC, a British Company, bought in 2005, New Jersey-based Reckitt Benckiser Inc. They also have an office in Springfield, Missouri. One reason the company was sold off was because there was no son or son-in-law to pass the business to.

The company that produces French's mustard is now neither owned by French interests nor headquartered in France, however. French's corporate parent is actually a British firm, Reckitt Benckiser PLC; the popular mustard brand is designated "French's" because it was originally a product of the American firm R.T. French Company, named for its founder, Robert T. French.

Maps of the NY and NJ Counties Where the Early Frenches Lived

Note that Somerset and Middlesex Counties in New Jersey border each other. Cayuga, Chemung, and Tompkins Counties in New York are all near one another.

Who Was Robert French’s Father?

Was Robert French from England?

There is no evidence that Robert was born in NJ. Ancestry.com in their “London, England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812” a record of a Robert French baptized 2 Nov 1766 in St. Marylebone, Westminster (now Middlesex), London, the son of Stephen and Grace French. No other children are listed from Stephen and Grace French between 1756-1776. The name Stephen is not used in this lineage, plus there is no mention that this Robert immigrated to America; therefore, we are considering this person not part of this line unless we find more accurate documentation.

Was Robert French’s Father also named Robert French?

From Documents Relating to the Colonial Revolutionary, and post-Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey, Paterson, NJ: The Call Printing and Publishing Co., 1904, vol. 7, pp. 31-33.

New-York, February 4 [1768]. By a written Account from Richmond County on Staten-Island, and by a Gentleman who brought it, and was himself a Sharer in the Calamity, we are acquainted with the following Scene of Distress, viz.

Website: http://www.archive.org/stream/documentsrelatin26newjuoft/documentsrelatin26newjuoft_djvu.txt.

From a 1768 newspaper, we find Robert French arrived at Philadelphia from St. Kitts, formally known as Saint Christopher Island, in the West Indies. Many members of the Irish family with the surname French immigrated to the West Indies. This article takes place in 1768 and Robert of this line was born in 1766; perhaps both father and son immigrated at the same time. If not, who is this Robert French? By 1776 St. Kitts had become the richest British colony in the Caribbean, per capita.

Unknown Newspaper 
New-York, February 4 [1768].

By a written Account from Richmond County on Staten-Island, and by a Gentleman who brought it, and was himself a Sharer in the Calamity, we are acquainted with the following Scene of Distress, viz.   

On Thursday Night, the 28th January, between 7 and 8 o'Clock, the Weather extremely cold, and the Ground cover'd with Snow, the following Persons went from the Blazing Star, in New-Jersey, to cross the Ferry to Staten-Island, (the Wind being moderate and fair, and the Passage judged to be very safe) viz. Mr. William Cornelius George, supposed to belong to Rhode-Island; and Col. Kalb, a German Gentleman; both lately arrived at Philadelphia from London. Mr. Robert French, lately arrived at Philadelphia from St. Kitts. Mr. John Kidd, of Philadelphia, Merchant. John Thomson, (who has a Wooden Legg) Stage Driver. William Bury, and a Lad, belonging to the Ferry, (the Lad was lately Cabin Boy to a Ship from London to New-York, where he left the Ship, alledging that the Captain had misused him). A Negro Man, belonging to Mr. Newry of the Jersies, and a Negro Man, belonging to Mr. Provoost of this City, in all 9 Persons, and 4 Horses. As they were crossing the Ferry in a Scow, a violent Wind suddenly arose at N. W. whereby they were driven a considerable Way down the River, and ashore on a Mud Bank, where the Scow was half filled with Water; but as it was impracticable to land at that Place, they were obliged to put off again, and in their Efforts to gain the Land broke two of their Oars, and were soon driven ashore upon a small Marsh Island, in the Mouth of the Fish-Kill Creek, about half a Mile distant from the Ferry-House, where the Scow immediately fill'd, and the People and Horses were obliged to get out. The Mud was so soft, that the Men sunk in it to near the upper Part of the Thigh, and were not able to pull out their Feet, without lying down on the Water and Mud, and assisting with their Hands; but with great Difficulty they at last all got to the highest Part of the Marsh: The poor lame man was rendered more helpless, by breaking his Wooden Leg. Three Horses not being able to disengage themselves from the Mud, stuck there and perished. The People on their small Portion of Marsh, deep cover'd with Snow, had not the least Shelter from the freezing Blasts of the Wind, nor could they make themselves be heard by the People on Shore, the Wind being against them. They had no other Resourse than to huddle as close together and give themselves as much Motion as possible. It was then about 9 o'Clock, the Boy soon gave out and sunk down, but the Men took him up, shook him, and did all they could to exercise and heat him; but at about Eleven he expired. At one o'Clock, Mr. George, who had till then seem'd to bear up as well as any of them, began to faulter, and not-withstanding the best Assistance his Fellow-Sufferers could give him, he expired at about three o'Clock, the Rest lived out the dreadful Night, and at last, almost quite spent and hopeless, at about nine o'Clock in the Morning, were discover'd, and with proper Help, for they had all nearly lost the Use of their Limbs, they were carried to Mr. Mersereau's and all possible Care taken of them. Col. Kalb, after taking off his Boots immediately put his Feet in cold Water, where he held them near half an Hour, during which he took some Refreshment, and then went to Bed and slept soundly till the Afternoon: And he was the only Person that escaped without Hurt. The Rest sat up, round the Fire, and are terribly frost bitten; it is fear'd they will all lose their Toes, and that the Feet and Legs of some are in Danger; an Ear of one of the Negroes seems entirely perish'd. Mr. French, Mr. Kidd, John Thomson, Wm. Bury, and the two Negroes when this Account came away, were at Mr. Mersereau's Ferry-House, opposite to the Blazing Star, unable to travel. The two dead Bodies were carried to the same Place for interment; the Coroner's Inquest having first sat on them. Mr. George, (said to be a Man of good Family and Fortune) was buried on Sunday last, with proper Solemnity. His Effects are in the Hands of the Coroner, till claimed by his Friends. Col. Kalb, proceeded on his Journey, and arrived here on Monday last. The Horses belonged to Mr. Mersereau.**

New Blasing-Star 4th February, 1768.

To the IMPARTIAL PUBLIC.

WHEREAS it has been maliciously reported, that John Thomson, Stage-Waggoner, was the sole Cause of the unhappy Misfortune which happened on the 28th last, we who were at that Time in the Boat, and had come with Mr. Thomson from Princeton, cannot refrain from clearing an innocent, suffering Man, from that false Imputation under which he at present labours: We do candidly own, that he proffered staying at Woodbridge, but we not willingly consenting to that Proposal, set off; when we came to the Ferry, the Night appeared very agreeable, and we all with one Consent got into the Boat, when about the Middle of the River, a Storm came on, which drove us on a desert Island, where we staid till next Morning, when Mr. Mersereau came to our Assistance.   JOHN KIDD,  ROBERT FRENCH†

* William L. Stone. History of New York City from the Discovery to the Present Day. New York: Virtue & Yorston, 1872. Pages 184-187.

** William Nelson, ed. Extracts from American Newspapers, Relating to New Jersey. Vol. VII, 1768-1769. "Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State Of New Jersey.". Volume XXVI. Paterson, N. J.: The Call Printing And Publishing Co. 1904. Pages 31-33.

† William Nelson, ed. Extracts from American Newspapers, Relating to New Jersey. Vol. VII. 1768-1769. "Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State Of New Jersey." Volume XXVI. Paterson, N. J.: The Call Printing And Publishing Co. 1904. Page 48.

Researching John Kidd, he was b. ca. 1768 and d. 1 Dec 1862 in VA, a contemporary to Robert French. John Kidd m. Sarah Robinson ca. 1791, and as far as we can see, he is no relation to Robert French.

8 February 1768. Since our last we have learnt the Names of the suffers on board the Blazing-Star Ferry-Boat, on Thursday the 28th of last month, Viz. Col KALB, a German Gentleman; William Cornelius GEORGE, Robert FRENCH, John KIDD, William BURY, John THOMSON, two Negroes, and a lad that went in the Boat, in all 9 Persons.

[Note that William Cornelius George came from Anatigua and spent the early part of his college course at Yale.

In the same book as mentioned above is this obituary [20]. It takes place during the same year, 1768, only 6 months later. Sandy Hook is in NJ, a barrier split approximately 6 miles in length, in Middletown Twp, Monmouth Co., along the Atlantic Ocean. The Dutch called the area “Sant Hoek,” with the English “Hook” deriving from the Dutch “Hoek” meaning “split of land”. Sir Henry Moore, 1^st Baronet, was Colonial Governor of New York from 1765-1769. He was b. 1713 and d. 11 Sep 1769, only a year after this article was written. Sir Henry m. Catherine Maria Long, member of another prominent Jamaica family. Sir Henry was born in Jamaica and became Governor there. Henry and Catherine had several children, and after Henry’s death, Catherine moved to England. Catherine’s Peak in Jamaica is named after her, as local legend reports her to be the first woman to climb the peak. John French is not the John French of FFA Chart #131, as that John French of New York was b. after 1667.

PHILADELPHIA, July 28, 1768.

We hear from New-Jersey, that last Week died at

Sandy-Hook, JOHN FRENCH, Esq; late Secretary to his

Excellency Sir HENRY MOORE, Governor of New-York.

Other Background on John French to see if he connects with Robert French, which does not seem likely:

From the “History of Eastern Vermont”, Chapter V, First Settlements”. The charter of the township of Bradford was issued by Sir Henry Moore, Governor of New York, on the 7th of November, 1766. John French and his associates were named as the grantees in the patent. After the death of French, William Smith and his associates applied for a grant of the township and received a new charter on the 28th of March, 1770. At the same time the name of the town was changed to Mooretown, as a compliment to the governor. On the 23d of October, 1788, the name was again altered to Bradford by an act of the Legislature of Vermont. [Robert was born 4 years before John died, so it is undocumented whether or not John was his father].

From the “Collections of the New York Historical Society For the Year 1898”: (the name Robert French is not mentioned)

Was Robert French Related to Philip and John French of NYC, FFA Chart #131?

Close ties are evident with the names Philip and John of FFA Chart #131 and to Robert, Philip, and John of FFA Chart #183. They both attended the Reformed Dutch Church of New Brunswick and lived in the same generation. There are many descendants named Philip in both families. See Philip and John French, FFA Chart #131. This chart ends in 1742 because no male heirs exist.

Chronology of Robert French

Life in New Jersey

1740 – probably birth date of Robert French’s father

1766, 24 Apr -- Robert French born, probably in Middlesex Co., NJ

1774, 8 Mar – Jane Rapplyea born

1774, 1 May – Rachel Manning born in NJ, grew up in Essex Co., NJ

1791? – Robert French m. Jane Rapplyea

1792, 15 May -- Robert and Jane's daughter born, Marg French, in NJ, married in Somerset Co., NJ, in 1813

1793 -- Robert and Jane's daughter born, Betsey French, in NJ. She attended the Dutch Reformed Church in Millstone in 1804 on the border of Somerset and Middlesex Counties, NJ.

1793 – Robert is listed in the Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ, military Census

1793 -- June Tax List of Middlesex Co., NJ

1794 -- Robert and Jane's daughter born, Mary French, married and moved to Hector, Tompkins Co., NY.

1794 -- Birth of Sarah Bond, first child born to Rachel Manning Bond by her first husband, Isaac Bond.

1796 – Robert French lived in Essex Co., NJ, on land given him by his father.

1797? -- Robert m. Rachel Manning Bond

1798 -- Robert and Rachel's first child born, John Manning French, in NJ, grew up in Cayuga Co., NY

1802 -- Robert and Rachel's second child born, Philip French in NJ, perhaps Bernards Twp., Essex Co., but lived in NY in 1827.

1805 – Robert Jr. on the Bernards Twp, Somerset Co., NJ Tax List

1815 -- Robert and Rachel's third child born, Harriet M. French

Life in New York

1824, 24 Oct -- Robert French died in Genoa, Cayuga Co., NY, age 58

1850 -- Rachel is living in Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY with the Smoke family

1860 -- Rachel is living in Horseheads, Chemung co., NY with the Sweezy family.

1862 -- Rachel d. and is buried at the Breesport Baptist Cemetery in Horseheads, Chemung Co., NY.

No Male Heirs Left In This Family

From Ref. [2]:

Father	Son	Grandson	Great-Grandson
French, Philip	Edson M. French	Edson M French, Jr.	Died at age 24 in Rochester-Fell off Trolly
	Horace Chapin French	Henry Redfield French	Jared Blandford French	Famous Artist-Had no Children
		Sylvester Beard French	Elmira & Utica NY - Had no Children
	John M. French	Arthur G. French	(Chicago Optician) Had no Children
	Philip (Jr) French	Charles French	Elmira NY - Had no Children
		William French	Claude B. French b. 1884 NY	Had one Daughter
	Philip French	Died when young
	Robert T. French	Edward Augustin French	Had no Children (Physician died in CA)
		Francis Jackson French	Only Had 3 Daughters (French's Mustard)
		George Jackson French	Only Had Daughter Julia (French's Mustard)
		Robert T. French	Had no Children (Rochester Physician)
	Rodney L. French	Died when young
	William Edwin French	Died when young
French, John Manning	Frances French	Died when young
	John M. French, Jr.	George S. French	Oregon State Insane Asylum-no heir

First Generation

1.1* Robert French, b. 24 Apr 1766 and lived in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., NJ, and d. 24 Oct 1824 in Genoa, Cayuga County, NY, age 58 years and 6 months. He shows up in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ on the military census of 1793 and on the June Tax List of 1793, which gave his age as 27 at that time [3].

Robert was a native of New Jersey, a steady and industrious man of good principles and followed the avocation of a carpenter. In 1806 after his second marriage, the family moved to Cayuga County NY, where he purchased a farm, on which he resided until his death. Buried in King Ferry Cemetery, Genoa, Cayuga County NY. He was a Yeoman and a Carpenter. His will dated 9/28/1824 was probated March 24, 1825, mentions his wife Rachel and sons John M and Philip and daughters Betsey Van Narstrand, Polly Brocaw and Harriet Brocaw. Executors were Caleb J. Brocaw and John M. French, and witnesses were Munson Brockitt, Elijah Drake and Bartlett H. Halsey. There was also a record of Robert French in 1793 (aged 27), in the Piscataway, Middlesex County, NJ citizen rolls and an Isaac Brocaw (aged 34).

First Marriage

Robert m1. Jane Rapplyea (Rapleyea) and had 3 daughters. Jane was b. 1774 in Bernards Township, Somerset Co., NJ. Jane either died or remained in NJ and Robert remarried and moved to NY. Jane Rapplyea’s relatives may have been Jerome Rappleyea and Jane Voorhees who married Dec 1, 1809 in Somerset Co., NJ and lived there between 1795-1879. Jane’s father, Nathanial Rapleyea owned land in 1810 in Benton, Ontario County NY (by Steuben County).

Nathanial Rapleyea owned land in 1810 in Benton, Ontario County NY (By Steuben County).

Somerset Co., NJ, Marriages
Jerome Rappleyea & Jane Voorhees, 1 Dec 1809
Abraham VanVoorhees & Jane Rappleyea, 14 Jul 1803Ancestry.com shows the following possible relations:

Maria Van D Veer Perlee born 26 Oct 1797, christened at the Harlingen Dutch Reformed Church in Montgomery Twp., Somerset, NJ, the daughter of Peter Perlee and Rachel Manning.

At least 12 members of the Rappleye family were members of the Harlingen Dutch Reformed Church. Jane A. Rappleye was a member, but this Jane was not born until 1829.

The Rapalje (Rappleye) family lived in France before they moved to Holland. There they acquired the Dutch spelling of their surname and in 1624 immigrated to New Amsterdam [19].

Immigrant: Rapalje , Joris Jansen  Name of Ship: Unity  Arrival Date: About 1625  Origin of Immigrant: Valenciennes, France Immigrant's Date & Place of Birth: 1572, Leyden, Holland  Immigrant's Date & Place of Death: 21 FEB 1663, Brooklyn NY Immigrant's Spouse: Catalyntie Trico  Source of Information: Register of the Early Settlers of Kings Cty, NY, also family records [18].

Notes: Joris is said to have been a clothworker in France, possibly later a sailor. He was one of the 'Twelve Men' - influential Dutchmen who were advisors to Governor Klieft. He was a deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church, owned land in what is now Brooklyn, and was the ancestor of all (so far as is known) of those who bear variants of the Rapalje name (Rappleye, Rappleyea, Rapalier, Rapalye, etc.) [18].

Second Marriage

Robert m2. Rachel or Rachael Manning Bond (widow of Isaac Bond), ca. 1797. Rachel was first married to Isaac Bond, by whom she had a daughter, Sarah Bond, born 9 Jul 1794 in NJ who m. Jonathan Smoke, and had 4 children: Eveline, Sarah, David D., and Harriet. Rachel m2. Robert French. Rachel died in the home of her daughter, Harriet Swazy, in Horsehead, Chemung Co., NY. Jonathan Smoke was b. 1806 in NJ. For details, see http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mtf183&id=I61.

Rachel Manning was born 8 Mar 1774 or 1 May 1774 in Bernard Twp, Somerset Co., NJ, daughter of John Manning and Sarah Van Pelt. Rachel d. 4 Aug 1862 at 88 ½ years old (88 years, 5 months, 3 days) and is buried at the Breesport Baptist Cemetery in Horseheads, Chemung Co., NY. She grew up in Essex Co., NJ. Rachel and her sister Sarah were the only surviving children at the time of their mother's death.

Rachel was always a Baptist even though her husband’s first wife’s family (Jane Rapplyea) were from the Dutch Reform Church.

The Bond Family

Isaac Bond and Rachel Manning Bond’s daughter, Sarah Bond, married Jonathan Smoke. Rachel remained in close contact with her daughter from her first marriage after her second marriage to Robert French. Rachel French is listed in the 1850 census of Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY living with the her daughter, Sarah Smoke, b. 1794 in NJ, Sarah’s husband Jonathan Smoke, and their 4 children.

By the 1860 census of Horseheads, Chemung, NY, Rachel moved from the Smoke residence to the Sweezy residence, and her daughter Harriet’s husband and their family.

The Manning Family

Rachel’s father, John Manning, b. 1734, mentions in his will in Bernards Town, Somerset Co., his daughter, Rachel French, to have her part put to interest and paid her yearly until her 2 sons, John French and Philip French, come of age, when they are to receive out of their mother's dowry, each $250. Should daughter, Rachel French, become a widow, before sons come of age then her dowry to be paid her: or if a reformation takes place in her husband, Robard French, and said sons die, the said dowry to be paid them. Executors-Samuel F. Randolph and Elijah Smith. Witnesses-Benjamin Jennings, John Peniton, William Compton. Proved July 17, 1804. Unrecorded. It is not known if Robard was a derivative for Robert. See: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvmarsha/jmanning.txt.

John MANNING was born in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., New Jersey, and died 18 Jul 1804 in Bernards Twp., Somerset Co., New Jersey. He married Sarah VAN PELT ca. 1737. Children of John Manning and Sarah Van Pelt were:

1. Rachel Manning who m. Robert French.

2. Sarah Manning who m. Daniel Cooper. The John and Sarah Manning family Bible (page included with the Revolutionary War pension files for John Manning) shows the birth of Sarah Bond on 9 July 1794. See records found at Footnote.com. Digital copy of Bible page also in the records of Lana Archibald, lana_a2000@yahoo.com. Website: http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mtf183&id=I60

3. Margaret Manning, b. ca. 1770, d. in Genoa, Cayuga Co., NY, m. John H. Kelly

John Manning’s will:

Wife (unnamed), $300, best bed, round table, 4 chairs, looping glass, brass hand irons and tongs and other articles, one cow and bay mare, room and other privileges of house; also my 3 daughters to pay her $8 yearly, while my widow. Grandson, James Manning Kelley, $250, when of age; also my brown colt. Granddaughter, Sarah Bond, $100 with interest, when of age. My share of land in the Muskingum [O.] to be sold, likewise my land in Vermont State, my saw mill and lot joining Benjamin Alward on east side of road; also my home place of 150 acres and moveable estate, all to be sold. Remainder of estate to be divided amongst my 3 daughters and their children. Daughter, Margaret Kelley, $100, and my granddaughters (John Kelley's children), i.e., Sarah Kelley, Elizabeth Kelley, Mary Kelley and Rachel Kelley, each $60 out of their mother's dowry, when of age. Daughter, Rachel French, to have her part put to interest and paid her yearly until her 2 sons, John French and Philip French, come of age, when they are to receive out of their mother's dowry, each $250. Should daughter, Rachel French, become a widow, before sons come of age then her dowry to be paid her: or if a reformation takes place in her husband, Robard French, and said sons die, the said dowry to be paid them. Daughter, Sarah Cooper, her 3rd part. Granddaughter, Agnes Cooper (daughter of Daniel Cooper), $25, before division takes place. Executors-Samuel F. Randolph and Elijah Smith. Witnesses-Benjamin Jennings, John Peniton, William Compton. Proved July 17, 1804. Unrecorded."

The Dutch Reformed Church of Millstone, Somerset County, New Jersey

See Historic Dutch Reformed Churches of Millstone, Somerset County, NJ, plus more, and yet more, and yet more. The Brokaw family who married into the French family were definitely Dutch. See the Descendants of Jan Van Cleef.

The first religious organization of Millstone was organized by the Presbyterians who erected a house of worship in 1760; this was shared by the Dutch. Difficulties arose and on August 11, 1766, the Dutch organized a congregation under the name of New Millstone. The land for the church was given by John Van Doren. John Smock (a family who married into the French family) owned the land where the church now stands, and he exchanged his lot for that given by Van Doren, so that the first deed of the church property is from John Smock for 8 ½ tenth of an acre valued at ten pounds. The first church was completed in 1768. During the Revolution, it was greatly damaged by troops. The new church was laid out in 1828 and is shown above. See Historic Map Works, or PDF version. Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Reformed.

Census Records

No Robert French is listed in the 1800 census of NJ or NY.

Robert lived in Genoa, Cayuga Co., NY in the 1820 census. He died in 1825.

Rachel French is listed in the 1850 census of Lansing, Tompkins Co., NY living with the Smoke family; she is the only French.

Rachel French is listed in the 1860 census of Horseheads, Chemung Co., NY, at age 86, living with the Sweezy family (her daughter Harriet’s husband and their family); she is the only French. Harriet French married Joseph Sweezy. Harriet Sweezy was the youngest daughter of Rachel and Robert French.

The 1855 NY State Census, Town of Horseheads, Chemung Co., NY. The only French in this census is on Page 26, Rachel French, age 80, the mother to the head of household Swayzee family, having lived 3 years at this log house residence.

Death Records

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Robert French’s gravestone at West Genoa Cemetery, Kings Ferry, Cayuga Co., NY, fallen to its side. Robert died a Veteran, on 24 Oct 1824 at 58 years old and 6 months and was buried in King Ferry Cemetery, Genoa, Cayuga County NY. He was a yeoman and a carpenter. His will dated 28 Sep 1824 was probated 24 Mar 1825, mentions his wife Rachel and sons John M. and Philip, and daughters Betsey Van Narstrand or Van Nostrand, Polly Brocaw and Harriet Brocaw. Executors were Caleb J. Brocaw (Robert’s son-in-law) and John M. French, and witnesses were Munson Brockitt, Elijah Drake and Bartlett H. Halsey. There was also a record of Robert French in 1793 (aged 27), in the Piscataway, Middlesex County, NJ citizen rolls and an Isaac Brocaw (aged 34).

From Ref. [2]: I'm attaching a picture of Robert's King Ferry gravestone and another of his son-in-law's, Caleb J. Brokaw, which is in very close proximity to Robert's. And a third which shows both stones. Unfortunatly, Robert's stone is knocked to it's side. I've been to the Breesport Baptist Cemetery in Horseheads, but was unable to locate her stone, but many of the flat stones are illegible or partially buried under the grass.

The Lane Family

From the “Colonial History of the State of New Jersey” by Elmer T. Hutchinson, showing calendar of wills, 1796-1800, proves Robert French of Somerset Co., NJ, was the Fellowbondsman for Abraham Lane on 4 Apr 1799. It mentions Joseph Manning – Manning was a surname connected with his French family. From this entry we can only determine that Robert was at least 18 years of age in 1799; therefore, born in 1781 or before, and this we already knew as he was born in 1766 and was 33 years old at the time of his fellowbondsman.

Looking at ancestry.com for Abraham Lane, we find he fits right in with this family. He was b. ca. 1781 in Marlborough, Monmouth Co., NJ, the son of Abraham Lane and Hannah Horne. Here is the ancestry of this family:

Adriaen Lane, 1672-1738, m. Martyntje Smack
Abraham Lane, 1709-1761, m. Johanna Brouwer, of Raritan Landing, Somerset Co., NJ
Abraham Lane, 1749-?, m. Hannah Horne, of Freehold, Monmouth Co., NJ
Abraham Lane, 1781-?, of Marlborough, Monmouth Co., NJ. He was baptized at the Dutch Reformed Church of Freehold and Middletown, Monmouth Co., NJ, which is the church that Robert French and his wife belonged to.
Abraham Lane, b. 1795 in NJ. By the 1870 census, he was living in Ocean, Monmouth Co., NJ with his wife, Ann Lane, and with several children and grandchildren.

FFA Chart #188 also lists a Hannah Horn married to Joseph French, b. between 1714 and 1721 of Raritan Landing, Middlesex Co., NJ.

Second Generation

Child of Robert and Jane (Rapleyea) French, 1.1

2.1 Marg French, b. 15 May 1792 and was of the Dutch Reform Church, d. 14 Mar 1863 in Hector, Schyler County, NJ. She married Caleb J. Brokaw of Millstone, Somerset Co., NJ, on 25 Sep 1813 in Raritan, Somerset Co., NJ. In 1824 the Caleb family moved to Cayuga County, NY. Caleb Brocaw or Brokaw was b. 12 Oct 1792 in Millstone, Somerset Co., NJ, and d. 1 Sep 1834.

Children of Marg French and Caleb Brokaw (a Dutchman) are: John Brokaw, b. 1813; Ann Eliza Brokaw, b. 2 Jul 1815; Isaac Brokaw, b. 7 Sep 1817; Jane Rapplyea Brokaw, b. 23 Jul 1819; Lambert Brokaw, b. 28 May 1822; Philip French Brokaw, b. 1825; and Robert M. Brokaw, b. 24 Feb 1827, and maybe a Sarah Esther Brocaw b. 1828.

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Caleb I. Brokaw, buried at the King Ferry Cemetery, Genoa, Cayuga County NY

2.2 Betsey (Elizabeth) French, b. ca. 1793; m. Christopher Van Narstrand.

A Bridgewater Twp, (Somerset County) will of Christopher Van Norstrand (must have been his father), dated May 10, 1804 names nephew Gilbert A. Lane, and Jacob Van Norstrand, son of my brother Jacob. Gilbert Lane was b. 12 Oct 1790 in Branchburg, NJ, the son of Cornelius Gilbert Lane and Judith Van Fleet, d. 24 Nov 1866 in Branchburg, Somerset Co., NJ at 76 years of age. Gilbert Lane was connected to the Teneyck (or Ten Eick) family.

Betsey was of the Dutch Reform Church in Millstone, on the border of Somerset and Middlesex Counties. Christopher was b. 1790, d. 1841. They had children: Jane b. 9-30-1815 married Andrew Ten Eick b. 7-4-1813 Somerset NJ. It appears son John Ten Eick, b.1840, died Civil War 7-9-1864. Did the same fate happen to John's brother Matthew b.1838? Cornelius b.1843 wed Mary Eleanor Vroom in 1867. What became of another brother Andrew, b.1849? Did they have yet another brother named Rodney? Jane Van Norstrand had siblings; John C. b. 1810, wife Mary Ann Brown; Mary Ann b. 1813 wed John D. Van Doren; Elizabeth b. 1818 no further info. Jacob Van Norstrand married Cornelia Cox. The Ten Eyck family also appears in FFA Chart #

2.3 Mary (Polly) French, b. ca. 1794; m. a Brocaw. Mary lived in Hector, Tompkins Co., (became Schyler Co.), NY. She d. in Rochester, Monroe Co., NY. They had daughter Sarah Esther Brokaw, b. 22 Oct 1829 in Genoa, Cayuga Co., NY.

Children of Robert and Rachel Manning (Bond) French, 1.1

2.4* John Manning French, b. 11 Jul 1798, New Brunswick, NJ. He m. Sarah Herrington in 1823 in Canandaigua, New York. Sarah was b. near Albany, NY and was from Canandaigua, NY. They moved with their children to Michigan in 1839.

John M. French was one of the first settlers of Lansing, Michigan in the township of Aurelius. He was born in NJ, grew up in Cayuga County NY, and left home at 18 to acquire a trade. He apprenticed himself to a tanner and currier, and completed his indentures about the time he was 21 years of age. He then worked as a journeyman in various towns, and in 1820 entered the employ of Mr. Tillman. The following year they formed a co-partnership and commenced business in Canandaigua, NY. From Canandaigua he went to Seneca Falls, NY, where having dissolved partnership with Mr. Tillman, he took charge of his business. After several changes of location he went to Ludlowville, Tompkins County, NY, where he made the acquaintance of Joseph L. Huntington, and between the two a warm friendship sprang up, which continued unbroken for over forty years. In 1838 the two resolved to come west. Mr. French had disposed of his property for lands in the towns of Aurelius and Onondaga, Michigan. They arrived in April 1838, and Mr. French immediately commenced to prepare for the coming of his family, whom he had left behind. He built a log house, cleared and sowed thirty acres of wheat, and in the autumn of that year returned for his family. The following spring he made a permanent settlement. He resided in Aurelius until his removal to Lansing in 1866 where he resided until his death. He was prominently identified with the development of Aurelius. He served the town as its supervisor and in 1842 was elected to the representative branch of the Legislature. He acquired a competency and perfected a valuable record as a citizen. Although he always shrunk from prominence and led a quiet home-life, still, throughout the length and breadth of Ingham County, Michigan, he is known as one of its founders, and his name is associated with the best men that the county has produced.

Photo Reference

Another record says that John M. French was born in Essex Co., NJ in 1798, settled on section 31 in the township of Aurelius, April 29, 1838. During the first ten years of their residence in the county, Mr. and Mrs. French lost three of their children. He was the town supervisor of Aurelius and a representative of the Legislature. He was also a pioneer of Lansing, Ingham Co., MI.

Another record says that John M. French was a representative from Ingham Co., in 1842, was born in New Brunswick, NJ on 11 Jul 1798, and removed to western New York in 1806, there learned the trade of a tanner, and was in that business in several places. He settled in Aurelius, MI, as a farmer in 1838, and held several offices, including that of supervisor. He resided in Lansing, MI, since 1866. At the legislative reunion in 1886, he was the oldest person present. In politics, he was a Democrat.

Sarah Herrington was born near Albany NY and from Canandaigua, NY. They married in New York in 1823 and then the entire family moved to Michigan in 1839.

"History of Ingham and Eaton Counties Michigan, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Their Prominent Men and Pioneers", by Samuel W. Durant. From Ingham County Biographical Sketches, http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mi/county/ingham/Bio/FrenchBio.html

Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., 1880.

Page 224 – 225

The venerable pioneer, whose name and history are so intimately connected with the city of Lansing and the township of Aurelius, where he was one of the first settlers, was born in New Brunswick, N. J., July, 11, 1798. His father, Robert French, was a native of New Jersey, and followed the avocation of a carpenter. He was a steady, industrious man, of good principles. He married Mrs. Rachel Bend, and reared a family of three children, John M. being the oldest. In 1806 the family removed to Cayuga Co., N. Y., where the elder French purchased a farm, on which he resided until his death. He apprenticed himself to a tanner and currier, and completed indentures about the time he was twenty-one years of age. He then worked as a journeyman in various towns, and in 1820 entered the employ of one Tillman. The following year they formed a copartnership and commenced business in Canandaigua. From Danandiagua he went Seneca Falls, where, having dissolved partnership with Mr. Tillman, he took charge of his business. After several changes of location he went to Ludlowville, Tompkins Co., N. Y., where he made the acquaintance of Joseph L. Huntington, and between the two a warm friendship sprang up, which continued unbroken for over forty years. In 1838 the two resolved to come West. Mr. French had disposed of his property for lands in the towns of Aurelius and Onondaga. They arrived in April, 1838, and Mr. French immediately commenced to prepare for thecoming of his family, which he had left behind. He built a log house, clearned and sowed thirty acres to wheat, and in the autumn of that year returned for his family. The following spring he made a permanent settlement. He resided in Aurelius until his removal to Lansing in 1866, where he has since resided. Mr. French has been prominently identified with Aurelius and its development. He served the town as its supervisor for a number of terms, and also officiated in varous minor positions. In 1842 he was elected to the representative branch of the Legislature. In 1823, Mr. French married Miss Sarah Herrington, of Canandaigua, N. Y. She was born in 1804, near Albany, N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1839. She has shared with her husband the privations of early days, and has been his faithful friend and companion for over fifty-seven years. The life of Mr. French has been comparatively uneventful. His early days were full of trials and toil, but his life has been a success. He has acquired a competency and perfected a valuable record as a citizen. Although he has always shrunk from prominence and had led a quiet home-life, still, throughout the length and breadth of Ingham County, he is known as one of its founders, and his name is associated with the best men that they country has produced.

John died 28 Oct 1889 in Lansing, Ingham, MI at age 91. He was a farmer and widowed before he died, the son of Robert and Rachael French. He was born ca. 1798 in NJ and in the 1860 census, he is 62 and living in Onondaga, Ingham Co., MI, with his wife Sara and children John M. French, age 30, and Esther A. French, age 26. In the 1850 census of Aurelius, Ingham Co., MI, he was 52 years old and living with his wife, Sarah, age 46, and son John M. French, age 19.

2.5* Philip French, b. 1802 in perhaps Bernards Twp, Somerset Co., NJ; d. 1881 in Washington Heights, IL. He m1. Julia Caroline Walker before 1827 in New York. The 1900 census of Philip’s son, John M. French, states that his mother, Julia Walker, was born in 1805 in Connecticut. Philip m2. Amanda Barber between 1868-1870 in Elmira NY or Chicago IL. When Phillip and Julia moved from Ludlowville, Tompkins Co., NY, to Elmira, Chemung County, NY, Phillip's mother Rachel French moved from Ludlowville to Southport, sometimes staying with Swazees and sometimes with Smokes, all New Jersey people.

The following information is from Joyce Tice’s website: http://www.joycetice.com/families/barber.htm

Phillip was a wealthy Chicago businessman who made his money selling furniture. The 1870 census listed him as a 66 year old spring board manufacturer, born in New York. It lists his wife Amanda as 26 years old and also born in New York. Family notes report that he was a very wealthy man who lost most all of his fortune during the Chicago Fire the second week of October 1871. He and Amanda lived in Washington Heights, Calumet Township, Chicago. Washington Heights was a German community between 95th Street and 103rd Street, now considered South Chicago. It emerged between 1860-1873 as an elaborate suburban development engineered by the Blue Island Land and Building Company. The census also shows a nine-year old girl named Lizzie Goodrich lived with them, very possibly Amanda's niece (as her sister Harriet married John Goodrich). Lizzie was also born in New York. Amanda was listed as a widow with a seven-year old daughter (H.E. French) in the 1880 census.

Phillip and his first wife (and 8 children) lived in Ludlowville (Tompkins County) NY from 1834 to ca. 1856 according to Deed Records and his mother Rachel is listed there in both 1854 and 1859. The town directory of Elmira, Chemung Co., NY, lists his name in 1857. His son Robert was born in Ithaca, Tompkins Co., NY in 1828. Tompkins Co. NY changed to Chemung Co in 1851.

The book "History of Early Chicago - Modern Chicago and its Settlements" by Albert D. Hager (p. 628), lists Philip French as one of the Washington Heights Justices (1874-1881).

The 1850 Lansing, Thompkins, NY Census shows Philip (48 b. NJ), Julia C. (45 B. Con), Philip, jr. (15 b. Thompkins), Edson (13 b. Thompkins), Julia C. (11 b. Thompkins), Horace C. (9 b. Thompkins), John (6 b. Thompkins), Hannah Walker (60 b. Con), and Margaret ??und (19, b. Thompkins). In 1855, son Philip is listed as 20, but there is also a boarder named Philip French, aged 21 b. Tompkins living with them).