French Family Association

Mara French, P.O. Box 1109, Sutter Creek, CA 95685-1109. 209-267-0649 marafrench@mindspring.com

Chart #1, Thomas French of Assington

This chart updated by Mara French on 2/21/08. Return to FFA Home Page.

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Assington Hall

Assington Hall is behind the church. John Gurton lived at Assington Hall and owned about 2,000 acres, on which land Thomas French worked. In 1994 only about 400 people lived in Assington.

Wirtus Viget in Arduis

Assington Hall is behind the church. John Gurton owned about 2,000 acres. Above the Assington Hall is stone archway is chiseled “Wirtus Viget in Arduis”, meaning “Virtue Flourished in Hardships.” I have a photo of this and a photo of the Hall before and after the fire. In 1994 only 400 people lived in Assington. I’ve been to Assington 3 times up until 1994.

Assington Hall burnt down in 1957. Parts of the outbuildings survived, including the range to the left of the church.

Sir John Gurdon lived in Assington Hall and hired many servants to work the fields or work with the horses. This was during the early 1800s after Thomas French had already immigrated.

Photos by Mara French, 1994

The second photo is the caretaker’s house, who in 1994 was a retired school teacher from Denmark. She fed many ducks and cats who lived on the acreage. The next photos show what is left of Assington Hall after the fire.The four corner posts are still intact, but the ivy growing up them might damage the posts. The green grass area shows the size that the hall once was. The proximity of the hall to St. Edward Church can be seen in one photo. The caretaker’s home can be seen through the archway.