French Family Association

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

Chart #EB, Thomas French of Arkesden, Great Bardfield, Wetherfield, Gosfield, and Stanstead Hall near Halstead, Essex Co., England

Last Updated by Mara French on 2/21/08. Return to FFA Home Page.

Contents

· Contact Information	·
· England History and Research	·
· French Family Ancestry in England	·
· Maps of Suffolk and Essex Counties	·
· Bibliography	·

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Contact Information: Please send any corrections or additions to Mara French.

England History and Research

This family did not immigrate to America, but the genealogy is presented here because the location is precisely where other Frenches lived who immigrated to America. This chart is especially important to disseminate because various researchers have confused these Frenches with those that immigrated to Massachusetts in the 1630s. These Frenches never immigrated to America – they lived and died in England.

French Family Ancestry in England

The letter designation for England goes backward beginning with the last generation living in England, Generation A, and goes forward with number designations in America, beginning with the first generation living in America, Generation 1.

Generation E

E.1* Thomas French I, b. ca. 1504, m. Elizabeth [1] ca. 1520, d. 28 Jul 1551 and buried in the churchyard at Arkesden [1] [6], lived on land called Shepecoote in Arkesden [1]. Elizabeth d. 21 Sep 1556 in Arkesden [6]. Held the Manor of Pitley in Great Bardfield, Essex [9] which still exists today [15]. Had daughters Elizabeth, Joane, Agnes, Jane, Grace, and one son, Thomas, are mentioned in his will along with his wife, Elizabeth [16]. Thomas gave in his will to the poor people of Arkesden, Mallenden (Manuden), Ffarnham, and Aldeburye (Albury) [1] and it is assumed he had family in these villages. He owned land in Mallenden [1]. Will probated at Stortford (Bishop’s Stortford) [1]. See Note [31]. Gave to poor people of Farnham because that is where his grandchildren were married. Bishops Stortford is in Hertfordshire County. Address of County Record Office is County Hall, Hertfordshire, SG 13 8 DE. Bishops Stortford once was in the same diocese as parts of Essex [37]. Elizabeth’s probate refers to Reg. Garland 69 [44]. The world “Garland” was also used as a name of an Encyclopedia (Garland Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages) of Medieval England. See Ref. [44] to understand what Reg. Garland 69 means. I have a lot of photos of the Manor of Pitley, now called Pitley Farms, and I was lucky enough to spend the night there in this 14^th Century farmhouse. I will add photos as I have time. Mara French

Photo of Bridget and Jim Franklin who farmed the 8 acres of Pitley Manor until about 1990. Here they are standing in the doorway of the manor house that leads to the old kitchen. Photo taken by Mara French.

Generation D

Children of Thomas and Elizabeth French, E.1

D.1 Elizabeth French [16], b. ca. 1520, m. Rychard Bulle [1], and had children by 1551 mentioned in father’s will [1].

D.2 Johanne French [1], b. ca. 1522, married and had children by 1551 mentioned in father’s will [1]. May have m. Andrew Brockys [40].

D.3 Agnes French [1], b. ca. 1523 m. Henre Grygge (Grigg or Gryffen or Grigge) [1] [17]), had children by 1551 who are mentioned in father’s will [1]. A John Grigg carved his name with date of 1635 in the beams at Assington Hall. Bought land with brother Thomas in Great Parndon [40]. The French family from Chart #1 lived in Assington Hall.

D.4 Grace French [1], b. ca. 1525, m. Nycholas Wryght [1] ca. 1549, had children Thomas ca. 1550 and Grace Wryght ca. 1552 [1]. Mentioned in father’s will [1].

D.5* Thomas French II [1], b. ca.1530, m1. ca. 1557 Elizabeth and had at least 3 children (Mary, Elizabeth, Thomas), m2. Bridget Higham (or Heigham) Burrough on 2 Dec 1597 [2] [3], d. 23 Jul 1599 in Wethersfield [2], probated 31 Oct 1599 [2]. Bridget was b. ca. 1542 in Of, Higham, Suffolk, England [46], the dau. of Thomas Higham and Phyllis Waldergrave [45]. Thomas Higham d. ca. 14 Dec 1559 in Gazeley, Suffolk, England.

Bridget m1. Thomas Burrough of Wickhambrook, Suffolk Co., England ca. 1564 [13] and before 1579 and Thomas d. 19 Jun 1597 [45]. Thomas Burrough was b. ca. 1531 of Of, Higham, Suffolk, England [46]. Thomas and Bridget had at least 4 children born between 1565 and 1579 (these children were all grown when Bridget married Thomas French):

· Susan Burrough

· Thomas Burrough 1576 who moved to Chancery Lane in the Parish of Dunstan’s-In-The-West, London, in 1610, aged 34.

· George Burrough, b. before 26 Oct 1579 in Wickhambrook, Suffolk, England and d. before 24 Feb 1652/53.

· William Burrough.

Budget m2. Thomas French of Wethersfield, Essex, England on 2 Dec 1597 in Wickhambrook, Suffolk, England, just 6 months after her first husband died. Bridget inherited Manor of Pitley from her father [16]. Inherited Shepecoote [1]. See Note [17]. Bridget was from Wickhambrook, Suffolk County [3]. Purchased land in Great Parndon, Essex County [17] (near London) with brother-in-law Henre Gryffen [42] [44]. May have had a brother Richard of Saffron Walden [40]. Thomas gives to the poor people of Halstead, West Wratting, Snettisham, Great Bardfield, Little Bardfield, Wethersfield, and Arkesden.

Generation C

Children of Thomas and Elizabeth French, D.5

C.1 Mary French [2] [16], mentioned in father’s will of 1599, b. ca. 1558, m. ca. 1578 John Collin [2] [7], had children by 1599, all of Muche Bardfeild: John Collin, William Collin, Mary Collin, Elizabeth Collin [2], d. 1612, a widow, in Blackmore (Blackmore End) [21]. A John Collyn d. 1567 in Halstead [21]. Could have been Mary’s father-in-law.

C.2 Elizabeth French [2] [16], mentioned in father’s will of 1599, b. ca. 1560, m. John Meade [2] [7] [40] on 9 Oct 1581 in Farnham, Essex, England, had children by 1599, all of Muche Bardfeild: Edward Meade, Elizabeth Meade, John Meade, Agnes Meade [2]. Elizabeth d. 1595, a widow, in Chipping Ongar [21]. Notes [22]. John Meade, Esq., was son of Thomas Meade [21]. No Frenches born in Farnham 1559-1600 [37]. Elias Meade was vicar of St. M. Northgate and he performed the marriage ceremony for Thomas French and Pulludia or Palladia Wood.

C.3* Thomas French III, [2], [4], [16], mentioned in father’s will of 1599, born ca. 1562, Executor of father’s will [2]. Thomas m. Anne (Agnes) Olmstead [4] [7] in Farnham, Essex, England on 26 Jul 1587 [40], had son John before 1599 [2], d. 28 Nov 1613 in Halstead [4] [7] [26]. Will written 28 Oct 1613, d. 28 Nov 1613 in Halstead [4], probated 27 Jan 1614. Anne d. 11 Feb 1624 as the widowe and Gentt. from Stansted Hall [26]. Thomas’ will mentions wife Ann, son Thomas and his mother-in-law Palladia, which means his son’s mother-in-law. He mentions sons John, Edward, William, Robert, and Francis. It appears that entire family left Halstead after Thomas’ death in 1614. Youngest dau. was only 2 yrs old when her father died. Bought land in Halstead in 1596 [42]. Bought land in Halstead in 1601 from Anthony Bland [42]. All 60 acres sold to a non-family in 1602 [42]. No manorial record of a French at Manor of Stanstead 1637-1651 [44]. Inherited Pitley Manor from father.

Generation B

Children of Thomas and Anne (Olmstead) French, C.3

B.1 Thomas French IV [4] [25], b. ca. 1587 in Frating, Essex [16], not mentioned in Halstead baptisms, m. Pulludia Wood [4] [7], alias Beckingham, in Prerogative Court of Canterbury [16] on 20 Nov 1611 [39] [28], and is not mentioned in his brother William’s will of 1620 because Thomas died that same year. The Pulludia Wood mentioned here and the one mentioned as his father’s mother-in-law in quite confusing. Thomas died 27 Feb 1620/1 (age 33), buried 2 Mar 1620/1 in Frating, Essex. No male issue. Mentioned in his father’s will of 1614 [2]. Sold Stanstead Hall in 1620 [17]. I had two tours of Stanstead Hall and have various photos and notes which I’ll add as time permits. See notes [23] [24] [33] [35].

B.2 Marie (Mary) French [8], bp. 3 Oct 1591 in Halstead as the child of Thomas French. Not mentioned in her brother William’s will of 1621 [5] probably because she was married by that time before 1621 to a man named Bacon [16].

B.3 Anne French [8], bp. 21 Sep 1592 in Halstead as the child of Thomas French. Mentioned in her brother William’s will of 1621 [5] [16]. Unmarried in 1621 [5]. Mentioned in her father’s will of 1614 [2], d. 11 Feb 1624 in Halstead [9].

B.4 John French [4] [5], b. before 1599 [2], bp. 14 Dec 1595 as the child of Thomas, gent. of Halstead. Mentioned in his brother William’s will of 1621 [5] [16]. Living in Halstead on 17 Feb 1635/6 when Pulludia Wood, brother Thomas’ widow died, and John administered goods. On 15 Jul 1639 goods were turned over to Edward since John had died (age 39) as Gentt. Of Halstead. The turnover of the will was noted in a court case. In 1642 power was given to Dorothy (French) and her husband Thomas Lewyn. John was mentioned in his grandfather’s will of 1599 [2]. John d. 11 Mar 1638 in Halstead [18] [26]. See [27]. This is not FFA Chart #3, because that John French died in 1646 in Cambridge, MA.

B.5 Elenor (Eleanor) (Ellen) (Ellanor) French [8], bp. 29 May 1597 in Halstead as the child of Mr. French. Her father has to be Thomas French because Eleanor is mentioned in her brother William’s will of 1621 [5]. She m. George Gunter [19] [43] before 26 Nov 1637 since she was executrix to her brother William’s contested will [1].

B.6 Edward French [4] [8], bp. 13 Aug 1598 in Halstead as the child of Thomas French. Lived in Thorpe Morieux, Suffolk, in 1624 when he was 26 years old [43]. Mentioned in his brother William’s will of 1621 [5]. Living in England on 15 Jul 1639 to handle John’s estate [43]. Estate turned over to his sister Dorothy in 1642 [43]. Mentioned in his father’s will of 1614 [2]. See notes [20].

B.7 Elizabeth French [8], bp. 26 May 1600 in Halstead as the child of Thomas French. Mentioned in her brother William’s will of 1621 [5] [16]. Unmarried in 1621 [5].

B.8 Marget (Margret) French [8], bp. 2 Feb 1601/2 in Halstead as the child of Thomas French, gent. Mentioned in her brother William’s will of 1621 [5] [16]. Unmarried in 1621 [5]. Administered mother’s will in 1624/5 [16], m. Samuel Dike, clerk, at Bury St. Mary, Suffolk, 16 Jul 1627 [16].

B.9 William French [8], bp. 15 Mar 1602/3 in Halstead as the child of Thomas French, gent. Died on 16 May 1621 at age 18 at St. Dunstans-In-The-West, London, England. William mentions most of his brothers and sisters in his will [5]. This is not the William who immigrated to Billerica, MA, in 1635. Mentioned in his father’s will of 1614 [2]. No baptisms, marriages, or burials at St. Dunstans-In-The-West for Frenches between 1620 - 1635 except William [41], and one unrelated marriage of Mary French to Nicholas Bulfeild on 10 Jun 1632. This is not FFA Chart #2 because that William French died 20 Nov 1681 in Billerica, MA. See Ref [45].

Photo: St. Dunstans In The West, Fleet Street, London, England

B.10 Francis French [1], bp. 29 Jun 1606 in Halstead as child of Thomas French, gent. Not mentioned in his brother William’s will of 1621 [16]. Mentioned in his father’s will of 1614 [3] [16] as a son. This is not the Francis who immigrated to America (FFA Chart #8) because that Francis was b. 1625. No Francis b. 1625 in Halstead [9]. See Note [34]. Perhaps this son d. before 1621.

B.11 Jerrymya (Jemima) (Jemonia) Frynch [8], bp. 21 Nov 1607 in Halstead as the child (dau.) of Thomas French Esquy[er], mentioned in her brother William’s will of 1621 [5] [16]. This child may have died young.

B.12* Robert French [4], b. 1608 [12] in Halstead, perhaps 1604/05 [43], not mentioned in the Halstead baptism records, but mentioned in his brother William’s will of 1621 [5]. Mentioned in his father’s will of 1614 [2] [16]. Robert was Adm. sizar at age 15 at Christ’s, June 26, 1623, son of Thomas of Halstead [12], BA Degree 1626/7 in Halstead, MA Degree 1630 in Halstead [12], m1. Edith, Edith who d. 17 Jan 1644 [36] giving childbirth to her son Francis, born that same day. Robert m2. Elizabeth Mann on 17 Feb 1644 in Gosfield, Essex [24] [36] [40], d. 1660 [16] [43]. Elizabeth may be the dau. of John Man whose father was Thomas Man of London [39]. The Man family and the Symmes family have some connection [39]. This Robert did not immigrate to America during the Puritan Migration because he had children born between 1636 and 1652 in England.

B.13 Judeath (Judith) French [8], bp. 26 Oct 1609 in Halstead as the child of Thomas French, mentioned in her brother William’s will of 1621 [5], m. Edward Wygott [16] [43].

B.14 Dorryty (Dorothy) French [8], bp. 2 Sep 1611 in Halstead, the child of Thomas French, gen., mentioned in her brother William’s will of 1621 [5] [16], m. Thomas Lewyn before 1642 [16].

Generation A

Children of Robert and Edith French, B.12

All children born in Gosfield, Essex, England. No French born in Gosfield 1653-1700 [37].

A.1 Thomas French, son of Robert and Edith, b. 28 Dec 1636 in Gosfield [36], d. 17 Jan 1636/7 in Gosfield, aged 2 weeks [36].

A.2 Francis French, b. 17 Jan 1644 in Gosfield as the son of Robert and Edith [36], d. 3 Feb 1644 in Gosfield, aged 2 weeks [36]. Mother died giving birth to this child the same day.

Children of Robert and Elizabeth French, B.12

A.3 Robert French, b. 8 Jan 1645/6 as son of Robert and Elizabeth of Gosfield [36], d. 19 Nov 1648 in Gosfield, age 2 1/2 [36].

A.4 Elizabeth French, b. 8 Feb 1648/9 as dau. of Robert and Elizabeth of Gosfield [36].

A.5 Thomas French, b. 29 Oct 1650 as son of Robert and Elizabeth of Gosfield [36].

A.6 Susan[n]a French, b. 15 Apr 1652 as dau of Robert and Elizabeth of Gosfield [37].

Maps

These superly-detailed historical Ordnance Survey maps date back to between 1860 and 1910, and are available for every town in England and Wales.

Zoom in on this satellite map of England to visually see the approximation of these towns: Boxford, Assington, Edwardstone, Bures St. Mary, Lamarsh, Twinstead, Groton, Halstead, Coggeshall, Gosfield, Wethersfield, Arkesden, Great Bardfield, Farnham, and Wickhambrook where large French families lived.

Bibliography

Numbers in square brackets [ ] are bibliography notations. FFA stands for French Family Association Library Number.

[1] Thomas French I will, probated 28 Jul 1551, Essex Record Office, Chelmsford, England. Transcribed by Delpha Triptow, 20 Nov 1986

[2] Thomas French II will, probated 23 Jul 1599, Essex Record Office, Chelmsford, England. Gave to poor people of West Wrattinge (Cambridge Co.), Snettisham (Norfolk Co.), Muche Bardfeild (Essex Co.), Little Bardfeild (Essex Co.), Wetherfeilde (Essex Co.), Arkesden (Essex Co.).

[3] Thomas Burrough’s will, from Wickhambrook, Suffolk, England. This Thomas m1. before 1559 to Elizabeth Barrell, m2. Bridget Higham who was b. before 1527, after Thomas Burrough died on 19 Jun 1597, Bridget m2. Thomas French on 2 Dec 1597 when she was about 70 years old. Also found in the Parish Registers of Wickhambrook. Thomas French died 1 1/2 years later.

[4] Thomas French III will of Halstead, will written 24 Oct 1613, probated 27 Jan 1614, Prerogative Court of Canterbury (1614, 1 Lawe). Thomas French, of Halstead in Essex, Gentleman and Pulludia Wood of the precincts Canterbury Cathedral, Christchurch, Marriage bonds at St. Mary, Northgate parish, in Canterbury (City). Elias Meade, Vicar of St. Mary Northgate, (marriage bonds), 20 Nov 1611.

Canterbury now refers to different things. It was one of the first villages in England, beging the center of the area of southern England, called Jutland, in about 410, after the Romans left. By 669, Christianity began to be developed and the Greek monk was sent by the Pope to be Archibishop of Canterbury. Then by 1170, King Henry appointed Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury. Of course, the big area of southern England was finally divided into specific shires, or counties, with Canterbury being the principal city in the county of the area called Kent, which eventually produced 16 separate parish churches, beginning as early as 1538, in Canterbury alone. Besides these instances, we have the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, which is the largest probate court in England, covering the lower 2/3 of England. Along with the Prerogative court of York, it is the highest court system for probates. Precincts Cathedral, Christchurch, is in the city of Canterbury, one of the 16 above-mentioned parishes.

[5] William French’s will of Halstead, buried in the former courtyard of the Parish of St. Dunstans-In-The-West, London, England. Will proved in 1637 by Elianor French Gunter when John died and in 1642 when Edward died [London Record Office]. Also mentions a sister Harmond Johnson. The actual administration of the will (or the probate of the will) took place after the death of the testator, in this case, it was just before the probate date of 12 Feb 1637/8, which was, in actuality, 1638, due to the old calendar system of that time. This will does not reference Halstead nor does it refer to his age at death. It does reference his brother John, of Halstead, and all siblings match to those of this chart.

[6] Calendar of the Commissary Court of London, Essex & Herts, 1431-1660.

[7] A Genealogical History of the French and Allied Families, by Mary Queal Beyer, 1912. Erroneously combined this chart with Chart #2.

[8] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed in 1989, document ref. E.R.O. D/P 96/1/1, Search ref. G.S. 173/89, dated 22 June 1989, of all baptisms in the Parish of Halstead in the county of Essex from 1564 to 1616. These records list a variety in the spelling of Thomas (Thomas, Thomas gent, Mr., Thomas Esquyer). These could all be different men, however, none of the baptism dates overlap of all 12 children mentioned. 22 French baptisms listed in Halstead between 1564 and 1616.

[9] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed in 1989, document ref. E.R.O. GS 207/89, dated 9 August 1989, of all baptisms between 1617-1650, and all burials 1564-1607. No French was born between 1617 and 1650 in Halstead. Only two deaths were recorded in Halstead between 1564 and 1607, a William and John, both in the year 1604.

[10] 1777 Map of Halstead.

[11] Nilda Evans, researcher at the Suffolk Record Office, Bury St. Edmonds, May 1989.

[12] Records in Ipswich Record Office, Peile, I. 352. See [46], Matric 1623-4, BA 1626-7, MA 1630.

[13] Thomas Burrough m1. before 1559 to Elizabeth Barrell, m2. Bridget Higham who was born before 1527. This was Bridget’s first marriage. She m2. Thomas French 2 Dec 1597. Thomas Burrough had a son by his first marriage, Charles, who m1. 24 Mar 1590/91 to Mary Debenham, m2. 14 Oct 1598 to Elizabeth Sayer. Charles d. before 6 June 1637.

[14] Thomas may have had three other sons: The only proof of connection is that Christopher, William, and Thomas are the only men listed as fathers of 22 children born in Halstead between 1564 and 1616. See [8]. Only son Thomas is me[15] Mara French’s trips to England, August 1985 and May 1989.

[16] NEHGR, Vol 65, p. 284. Anne/Agnes Olmstead, dau. and co-heiress with her two sisters of John Olmstead, gentleman, of Stanstead Hall, Halstead. Standstead Hall is on Greenstead Green mentioned in FFA Chart #EA. After an Australian couple sold Standstead Hall, it was bought by a couple from France and they did vast renovations between 1995 and 2006.

[17] Sold Stanstead Hall to Sir Oliver Luke for 3,500 Sterling Pounds in Nov 1620 [16]. Gave to poor people of West Wrattinge in Cambridge County and to poor people of Snetesham in Norfolk County. Bury St. Edmunds Record Office in Suffolk lists Bridget French, b. ca. 1527 in Higham, Suffolk. Essex Record Office in Chelmsford, reference 134/1715, no. 35 (1589), lists Thomas Frenche, Andrew Brockys, and Henry Gryffen bought 6 acres in Great Parndon. Henry was Thomas’ brother-in-law.

[18] Administered Palladia French’s will (wife of his brother, Thomas) on 17 Feb 1635/6 [16]. Buried in Halstead on 11 Mar 1638 [16].

[19] Married about 1630 to George Gunter [16]. Other records say John Gunter.

[20] Administered mother’s will in 1624/5 [16]. Edward was of Thorpe Morieux, Suffolk, in 1624 [16], and was living in England in 1642 [16]. He administered his brother John’s will on 15 Jul 1639 [16]. This administration was revoked in 1642 by his sister Dorothy Lewyn. This could not be Edward French, FFA Chart #4, who was already in America in 1637. His first 4 children were born in England, probably born between 1631-1636. These children married ca. 1653-1664. Edward’s name is not on the ship list for the Angel Gabriel of 1635 which was shipwrecked in a hurricane off the coast at Pemaquid, Maine on 16 Aug 1635. We do not know from where Edward French, FFA Chart #4, came.

[21] Index of Wills at Chelmsford, 1400-1619 lists a Mary Collin, 1612, widow in Blackmore, reference 225 E W 14 at the Essex Record Office. John Meade, Esq. was son of Sir Thomas Meade. John Collyn, sawyer, d. 1567 in Halstead.

[22] Index of Wills at Chelmsford, 1400-1619 lists an Elizabeth Meade, 1595, widow in Chipping Ongar, reference 156 ER 17 at the Essex Record Office in Chelmsford.

[23] Frating, Essex, 27 Feb 1621, Thomas French, gentleman, buryed Feb 27. Thomas was b. 1567 or 1570 (llegible in will).

[24] Court cases in Halstead found at the Essex Record Office.

Petition addressed to the Justice from the inhabitants of Halstead, recites that whereas the bearer, Robert Dod of Halstead, by sudden misfortune had his dwelling-house and goods consumed and burnt with fire, to the great hindrance and utter undoing of the said Robert, his poor and small children, and now he is desirous to build a poor cottage for to dwell in; and forasmuch as there is a waste plot of ground by the highway’s side in the same parish meet and convenient for such purpose, prays therefor for the Justices’ favour in this his earnest and needful suit. Subscribed with the names of John Holsted, Thomas Frenche, John Coggeshall, John Watson and Geoffery Little. Let License be made by the court. Reference Q/SR 126/59. 20 Jul 1593.

Order by the Court that all matters in controversy between Hercules Turnor, Anthony Bland, George Sparrows, John Bullocke, and Robert Boyes, be referred to Thomas Frenche and William Sewell of Halstead, arbitrators indifferently chosen by consent of the said Turnor and Bland for that purpose, so that the same and be made before “Hollonstyde” next; and if the said arbitrators cannot end the same, then Mr. Arthur Beame, esquire, is chosen to be umpire; and if the same matters be not ended according to this order then the said Turnor shall appear at the next Sessions. Reference Q/SR 131/4, 2 and 3 October 1595.

[25] Bury St. Edmunds Record Office, Thomas French, b. 1587 in Frating, Suffolk (Mara, check county), Reference 27 TM 0923.

[26] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed 26 Apr 1990, Order No. GS 99/90 for 3 hrs, Halstead Parish Register, burials 1608 to 1639. Nine deaths of French in Halstead between 1608 and 1639. Mr. Thomas French’s mother in lawe died 12 Oct 1620, her name being Mrs. Wood. The term “other-in-law” often described a step-mother.

[27] No French children born in Halstead 1617 - 1650. John m. (perhaps) Jane Pratt in Halstead 1631 [26].

[28] Boyd’s Marriage Index, 1600-1650, varied counties, FFA E003-1.

[29] IGI, Essex County, England.

[30] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed 13 Jun 1990, document ref. E.R.O. GS 149/90, burials in Halstead, 1639-1650, only one surname French, 26 Jan 1641, the child of Thomas French. Marriages 1564-1650 (5 total). Earls Colne Parish Register, Baptisms 1628-1635. None of surname French. Private research also done on names Greenstreet and Leete.

[31] Parish records need to be checked for Mallenden, Ffarnham, and Aldeburye from the first records of these villages to 1650.

[32] Most sources [7] connect this line to William French of Billerica, MA, Chart #2; however, it is proven here that this is not true. The information in this chart is from wills translated by Delpha Triptow in Salt Lake City. Related towns in England are: Mallenden, Farnham, Albury (or Aldeburye), Little Bardfield (all in Essex), West Wrattinge (Cambridge), Snettisham (Norfolk), and Wickhambrook (Suffolk), all mentioned in the wills.

Delpha Triptow also found a William French of Honiton on Otter in Devon, England who had three children born in Honiton on Otter with the same names as those listed in Mary Queal Beyer’s book, but the dates are different. These children are: Elizabeth, b. 1622 (Beyer and ship records says 1629), John, b. 1628 (Beyer says 1635), and Mary, 1632 (Beyer says 1633). There is also a Mary born on 20 Nov 1630 in Wantage, Berkshire, England. No Francis is listed, but the other three children are all listed as the children of William French of Honiton on Otter, England.

A gentleman or Esquire is a man of noble or gentle birth who did not engage in a menial occupation or in manual labor.

[33] Year Books of Probates, 1620-29, edited by John and George F. Matthews, 93/94 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., 1911. Thomas French of Frating, relict Pulludia French, alias Beckingham, Nov 6, 1622. Mentions sister Frances.

[34] Francis (male) probably d. before 1621 since he is not mentioned in his brother’s will; however, there was a Frances (female) living in Halstead in 1622 [33]. Francis is mentioned in his father’s will of 1613 as the son of Thomas French.

[35] Mrs. Wood, mother-in-law of Mr. Thomas French, was buried 12 Oct 1620.

[36] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed on 7 Aug 1990 of all baptism, marriage, and burial records of Gosfield, Essex, England, 1538 to 1650.

[37] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed on 27 Sep 1990 of all baptism, marriage, and burial records of Gosfield, Essex, England, 1651-1700. No others listed.

[38] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed on 17 Oct 1990, order number GS 262/90, 3 hrs research. No surname French found in baptism registers for Farnham, 1559-1600.

[39] Genealogical Gleanings in England by Henry F. Waters, A.M., Vol II, Boston, NEHGS, 1901.

[39] Canterbury Marriage Licenses, SLC 942.23 V25C 1568-1618, collated by Phillimore.

[40] Boyd’s Marriage Index, Essex.

[41] Research done by John B. McKee, 9, Downland Close, Woodingdean Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 6DN, England, 17 Jan 1992. No migration pattern of Frenches to St. Dunstans-In-The-West. Marriage found was for 10 Jun 1632 for Nicholas Bulfeild and Mary French. Rate Assessments for the parish for 1628 and 1630 indicate no French found. Rate Assessments list only heads of household.

[42] Letter from Frederick G. Emmison, 20 Jun 1989 to Mara French. Dr. Emmison, researcher and about 80 years old. lives at 8 Coffins Close, Chelmsford, England CM26AY.

[43] English Origins of New England Families. Genealogical Research in England, transcribed by Miss Elizabeth French and communicated by the Committee on English Research.

[44] "Reg. Garland 69", associated with the probate of Elizabeth Frenche of Arkesden, was a system by which the probates were kept. Different scribes were responsible for different periods of time in the early years. It was particularly common, in regards to the General Court systems of England, namely, the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, which covered all of the southern 2/3 of England, and the Prerogative Court of York, which covered the upper 1/3. The court systems were the highest court system of England and goverened according to how much property a man had and whether he owned land or property in more than one county. These cases were goverened by the Prerogative Court System. If a person had land in just one county, the probate was administered within the county court system. The index to the Prerogative Courts was distinguished by the identity of the scribe’s code or name. Occasionally the lower courts used this sytem in very particular circumstances. As for Elizabeth Frenche’s probate, we have been unable to determine which court had jurisdiction over her probate, thus it is not found yet. We have checked the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, where there is only a Thomas Frenche, Esquire of Halstead, Essex listed and Thomas Frenche of Weathersfield, Essex of 1599. Since the entirees are all identified by a name of a court code or scribe, the one for Thomas is "1 Lawe". That means that, in the index of 1614, there is a special department labeled "Lawe". On the folio "1", is the probate.

Before 1858 the probate of wills were matters for the church courts. It was normal for the will to be proved in the court in which the testator died. If his possessions fell into two archdeaconries, however, it would be necessary for the will to be taken to the higher court which could have been an overriding court within that county or to the Prerogative Court.

Other court systems besides the Prerogative Court:

"Peculiar Court System" was exempt from the local authority, having their own court system within a single parish or group of parishes. If the Bishop died in this court, those court proceedings during the hiatus, could be placed in the established court of the county, usually designated as a "Consistory Court". In times of Civil War in England, during the commonwealth period and some time before when a Court of Civil Commission was set up, the authority of the "Peculiar Court System" was abolished.

There are 5 known major probate court systems within the County of Essex, not counting the higher court or the Prerogative Court:

· Court of Colchester - Arkesden (no Frenche probates)

· Commissary of London - Essex and Herts. Counties, Arkesden, Felstead

· Peculiar Courts (has 8 separate courts) - Halstead

· Archdeaconry of Middlesex - Weathersfield

I have the entire Prerogative Court Index to Frenche names, 372 pages from two books. Unable to find the will of Elizabeth Frenche.

[45] Bridget m1. Thomas Burrough of Wickhambrook ca. 1564. Had children William 1565, Susan, Thomas 1576, George 1579. Thomas moved to Chancery Lane in the parish of St. Dunstan’s-In-The-West, Ondon, in 1610, aged 34.

[44] List of Educated Frenches, large-sized black portfolio from the Ipswich Record Office.

[45] UTZ@aol.com, 11 Aug 2000, genealogy of William Drury in 1590.

[46] Jonathan Webber website.