FRENCH
Peter Price French b. 15 Oct 1762 Ripton Parish,
Huntington (now Shelton), Fairfield County, Connecticut baptised
3 Apr 1763 St. Pauls Episcopal Church, Huntington son
of Thomas French and Abigail Mallory m. 20 Oct 1782 in Manchester, Bennington
County, Vermont, Lucy Benedict b. 24 May 1760 New Milford, Litchfield County,
Connecticut daughter of Jonathan Benedict. In 1783 they removed from Vermont to
Hampton, Washington, County, New York and purchased 400 acres. Peter opened a
tavern in 1783 and the first store with Samuel Beaman. He was trustee of
Washington Salem Academy. In 1792 he was supervisor of the town. Lucy d. 23 Nov
1793 Hampton. Peter m. 6 July 1795 in Hampton, Washington County, New York, (2)
Jerusha Dart b. 17 Apr 1772 Hartford, Hartford County,
Connecticut and she d. 13 Nov 1798 Hampton. Peter m. 22 Mar 1799 in Claremont,
Sullivan County, New Hampshire, (3) Sarah Sterne b. 25 July 1777 Claremont,
Sullivan County, New Hampshire daughter of Dr. Thomas Sterne and Sarah Gleason.
Enumerated in Washington County, New York in 1800, 1810, and 1820. Peter and
Sarah are related to have arrived in the summer of 1824 to Wells from Hampton,
Washington County, New York and located at what is now Mosherville
where the Odd Fellows Hall is. Peter first appears on the 1825 assessment list,
which would indicate he was living in Wells in 1824. Peter is related to have
built a sawmill in 1824, the first erected in the township. In 1838, Peter disposed
of his mill and gave his full attention to farming. Peter and son, James
petitioned for the establishment of a mail line from Elmira to Mansfield, which
was granted. The post office was established in 1825 as French Mills with James
French as postmaster. French Mills changed to Wells in 1869 and later to Mosherville. Will of Peter dated 17 Jan 1841 Wells
(Bradford County Probate file 385) named beloved wife, Sarah, all her jewels
and wearing apparel with one bed and bedding, then same divided equally between
two daughters; real estate sold and one third of all proceeds for maintenance
of wife with interest paid semi-annually as long as she remains my widow; to
heirs of Hiram French, my dec’d son, $1 in addition
to what the said Hiram received in his lifetime; to heirs of Charity Streeter,
$1 in addition to what she received in her lifetime; to she whose maiden name
was Anna Streeter I give $25 as a mark of my esteem and consideration of her
service during her residence in my family; to grandson Peter Price French son
of Seabury G. French, $50 put at interest until age 21 when same shall be paid
to him; remainder divided between children James S. French, George W. French,
Seabury G. French, William Henry French, Lyman French, Mary Ann Brownell and
Charlotte Wylie, deducting the following sums in consideration of what they have
received, James $500, George $400, Seabury $200, William H., the obligation
which he holds against me, Mary A Brownell $30, Charlotte Wylie $25. Executors,
son James S. French, son in law William P. Wylie and friend Hiram B. Roberts of
Jackson, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Witnessed by Alex Roy and William H. Roy.
Probate filed 12 Jan 1842 and inventory filed 25 Jan 1842 by David Griswold,
Jr., and Zenas Roberts. Peter d. 26 Dec 1841 79y 2m 11d (ts
and Elmira Gazette). Sarah d. 14 Mar 1847 69y 7m 20d (ts
and Elmira Gazette, March 25, 1847) at the home of daughter Mary Ann buried Mosherville Cemetery with Peter. Son, Lyman occupied the
family farm situated in the valley on the north edge of the village.
At his residence in Wells, Tioga (misprint and should read
Bradford) Co., Pa., on the 26th of December last, Maj. Peter P. French, in the
80th year of his age. Maj. French was born in Chatford
(misprint and probably was meant to read Hartford) Co., October 1762 . . .
removed at an early age to Vermont where he lived during the Revolutionary War
. . . a “Minute Man” (Elmira Gazette, January 13, 1842).
Children of Peter and Lucy: 1. Charity French b. 16
June 1783 Hampton, Washington County, New York. 2. Clara French b. 30 May 1785
Hampton d. 7 Feb 1786 Hampton.
Child of Peter and Jerusha: 3.
Hiram P. French b. 2 Mar 1797 Hampton.
Children of Peter and Sarah: 4. James Sterne French b.
8 Dec 1800 Hampton. 5. Seabury George French b. 8 Sept 1802 Hampton. 6. George
Washington French b. 20 Mar 1804 Hampton. 7. Mary Ann French b. 9 June 1806
Hampton m. 3 Nov 1831 John Brownell. 8. William Henry French b. 1 Apr 1808 Hampton.
9. Harvey French b. 15 June 1811 Hampton d. 29 Mar 1812 Hampton. 10. Charlotte
L. French b. 4 Jan 1813 Hampton m. 12 Oct 1831 William Pease Wiley. 11. Lyman
French b. 4 Nov 1815 Hampton. 12. Sarah Elizabeth French b. 26 Feb 1818 Hampton
d. 15 Aug 1820 Hampton.
Second Generation:
1. Charity French, known as Charry, b. 16 June 1783
m. 13 Oct 1805 Lemuel Streator (sometimes Streeter) b. 14 Nov 1787 son of John
Streator. Enumerated in Washington County, New York in 1810. Removed to Orwell,
Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Lemuel elected sheriff, 1818; county commissioner,
1821; representative, 1823, 24, 25. Charry d. 5 Aug 1824 42y (ts) buried Wysox Cemetery, Wysox, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. While attending
1825-26 session of legislature, Lemuel d. suddenly, buried Harrisburg. A
special election was held 7 Feb 1826 to fill his vacany.
They left three children, Price F. age 20, Lemuel W. age 14, and Harriet age 12
in 1826.
13. Price F. Streator
b. c. 1806 resided Monroe Township in 1830. 14. daughter b. c. 1808-10 living
1810 and 1820 census enumerations. 15. Lemuel W. Streator b. 1812.
16. Harriet
Streator b. 1814 was of Monroe Township when she m. 25 Dec 1834 (Bradford
County marriage by Justice E. S. Goodrich) Barunk
Denny.
3. Hiram P. French b. 2 Mar 1797 m. 12 Dec 1819 Ann
Eliza Beaman. Enumerated in Hampton, Washington County, New York in 1820. Hiram
d. 21 June 1838 Hampton. Two children in 1820 census.
daughter.
son.
4. James Sterne French b. 8 Dec 1800 was listed as
single on the 1825 assessment list of Wells. James is related to have taught
school near Mosherville at Deacon Waldron's log
house. In the 1826, 1827, and 1828 assessment lists he is identified with
sawmill operations. James m. 10 Apr 1828 at Southport, Chemung County, New
York, Martha M. B. Cadnor b. 20 Mar 1810. In the 1830
assessment of Wells, James was an innkeeper and had transferred property to Ithamar Judson and removed from the township before the
1830 census enumeration. Enumerated in Southport, Chemung County, New York in
1830. James S. French enumerated in 1835 in Southport with one male (James) and
one female (Martha) in household. There was also a James French with two males
and one female in the household in the 1835 census of Southport. Enumerated in
Elmira, New York in 1860, grocer. Resided Towanda, Pennsylvania in 1872 when
brother Seabury died. Enumerated in Elmira in 1880, treasurer for Mechanics
Savings Bank. James d. 4 May 1881 80y 4m 27d (cemetery record and Elmira City
Death record) at 501 East Market Street. Martha d. 15 May 1894 84y 1m 26d
(cemetery record). Buried Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira. No children.
5. Seabury George French b. 8 Sept 1802 was listed as
single in the 1825 assessment list of Wells m. 8 Sept 1825 at Southport,
Chemung County, New York by Rev. Simeon R. Jones, Emma Anna Smith b. 10 Mar
1807 daughter of Solomon Little Smith and Julia Seeley of Southport, Chemung
County, New York. In the early assessment lists Seabury was identified with
sawmill operations and then turned his attention to farming. In Nov 1869
Seabury contributed $10 to a fund to remove the Presbyterian Church at the
state line to French Mills (now Mosherville). Seabury
d. 18 Oct 1872 (ts). Emma renounced her right to
administer the estate of her husband and requested Charles Sheive
and Levi B. Sheive, dated 23 Nov 1872 (Bradford
County Probate file 2446). Emma d. 5 July 1889 (ts) buried
with Seabury in Mosherville Cemetery.
17. Frances Helen
French b. 22 Sept 1826 Wells. 18. William Seabury French b. 25 July 1828 Wells.
19. Julia Smith French b. 14 Sept 1830 Wells. 20. Henry Case French b. 17 May
1832 Wells. 21. Solomon Smith French b. 27 Feb 1835 Wells. 22. Peter Price
French b. 12 Mar 1838 Wells. 23. Harriet Smith French b. 13 Nov 1839 Wells. 24.
George Washington French b. c. 1846 Wells. 25. Mary Ann French b. 1849 Wells.
6. George Washington French b. 20 Mar 1804 acquired a
patent of 400 acres on 30 Oct 1835 that had been surveyed 14 Sept 1832. This
was a tract in the area of Roaring Run Road between Ayers Corners and the Coryland Road. George m. 25 Mar 1838 (Elmira Gazette, March
31, 1838) in Starkey, Yates, County, New York, Mrs. Letitia Reeder of
Starkey b. 3 Jan 1803 Romulus, Seneca County, New York and the mother of three
children from her first marriage. Letitia d. 13 Oct 1878 and George d. 1 May
1885 Geneva, Ontario County, New York.
26. Lyman P. French.
27. Albert French.
8. William Henry French b. 1 Apr 1808 m. 5 Oct 1831
(Elmira Gazette, October 15, 1831) at Starkey, Yates County, New York, Eliza
Harrison of Starkey b. 28 Aug 1806. Resided Mosherville
and then removed to Geneva, New York. He had a second wife Ann. William d. 23
Sept 1887 Rochester, Monroe County, New York.
11. Lyman French b. 4 Nov 1815 first appears on the 1836
assessment list of Wells. On the 1838 assessment list he is refered
to as a single freeman, but not in later assessment lists. Enumerated in 1850,
age 33, in the household of James Osgood. Lyman m. 27 Mar 1858 Catherine Mosher
b. 25 Mar 1824 who had first married a White and daughter of Humphrey Mosher
and Abigail Coonley. Lyman occupied the farm of his parents.
In the 1860 census enumeration there was a Flora French, age 14, in their
household, presumed to be a daughter of Lyman or Catherine. Lyman d. 1890 (ts) Mosherville Cemetery.
Catherine d. Colfax, Whitman County, Washington.
Lyman French for many
years a prominent farmer and resident of Wells, Pa., has disposed of his farm and
will go to Kansas to live in his daughter's family (Elmira Advertiser, Elmira,
New York, June 3, 1887).
28. Winifred Alida French, often known as Fannie, b. 22 Apr 1862 Wells. 29.
Sarah Elizabeth French b. 16 Sept 1866 Wells.
Third Generation: 17. Frances Helen French b. 22 Sept 1826 m. 3 July 1844
Charles Sheive b. 9 June 1820 son of John Sheive and Amelia Bodder of
Jackson township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Helen d. 18 Oct 1889 Seeley
Creek, Chemung County, New York.
Judson E. Sheive b. 20 July 1847 Daggett Mills, Jackson Township,
Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Charles Henry Sheive b.
19 June 1850 Daggett Mills m. Salina Stillwell (2)Julia
Cole. George William Sheive b. 28 Mar 1854 Daggett
Mills. Emma Jane Sheive b. 24 Mar 1858 Daggett Mills
m. Albert Hosmer Baker (2) Morgan A. Rugar. Wallace
E. Sheive b. 7 Oct 1860 Daggett Mills. Seabury French
Sheive b. 20 Apr 1863 Daggett Mills.
Hammond
Matthews Sheive b. 6 Sept 1864 Daggett Mills m. Maud
Alice Baxter.
18. William Seabury French b. 25 July 1828 was of Wells when
he m. 28 Dec 1854 (Elmira Gazette, January 11, 1855) Eveline Lathrop of
Jerusalem, Chemung County, New York b. 17 Dec 1832. Eveline d. 24 Mar 1864
buried Wellsburg Cemetery, Wellsburg, New York. William m. 15 Mar 1865 (2) Lucy
Ann Lucas b. 30 June 1838 daughter of Uriah Lucas and Lucy H. Potter of Wells
and widow of Jonas A. Dans. William d. 16 May 1896 Wellsburg, New York. Lucy d.
25 Dec 1912 Elmira buried with William in Ashland Cemetery, Wellsburg.
Children of William
and Eveline born Wellsburg: Harriet Lathrop French b. 16 Jan 1856 d. 11 Oct
1861 5y 8m 26d (ts) Wellsburg Cemetery. James Henry
French b. 29 Jan 1858 d. 2 Nov 1858 9m 3d (ts) Mosherville Cemetery. Susan Eveline French b. 12 May 1859
d. 23 Nov 1861 2y 2m 11d (ts) Wellsburg Cemetery. Age
at death would not compute to 12 May 1859 but 12 May 1859 is the date from the
family record. Joseph H. French b. 2 June 1861 d. 13 Oct 1861 4m 11d (ts) Wellsburg Cemetery. Emma Smith French b. 18 Jan 1863 d.
24 Mar 1864 (ts) Ashland Cemetery.
Children of Jonas and
Lucy: Forrest Dans b. 1861. Floyd Dans b. 1862.
Children of William
and Lucy born Wellsburg: Martha Cordelia French b. 25 Dec 1866 m. Jonathan
Brown Day. Henry Lucas French b. 16 Sept 1868 m. Agnes Marie Gilmore (2) Margaret
Lamere. Emma Smith French b. 8 Feb 1871 m. Edward
Seymour Houck. Fannie Vidian French b. 15 Aug 1873 m.
Charles Atherton Holly. Forrest Uriah French (twin) b. 23 Nov 1876 d. 1891 (ts) Ashland Cemetery. Florence Lucy French (twin) b. 23 Nov
1876 m. George Frederick Sauer. Albert Baker French b. 11 Oct 1883 m. Nellie
May Saunders.
19. Julia Smith French b. 14 Sept 1830 m. 8 June 1848 George
Carpenter and (2) Joseph Mapes and she d. 24 Apr
1908 (ts) Elmira Heights, New York buried Daggett
Cemetery, Daggett, Jackson Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.
Mary Ann Carpenter b.
18 Nov 1849 Wells m. Nathaniel McConnell. Viola Carpenter b. 31 Jan 1856 Wells
m. Warren Cronk. Smith French Carpenter b. 22 May 1863 Wells m. Jane Phebe
Lain.
20. Henry Case French b. 17 May 1832 m. 7 Oct 1858 in
Elmira, New York, Mary Ann Strong b. 8 Mar 1838 Wells. Possibly he is the Henry
French included on 1851 military roll of Southport, Chemung County, New
York. Farmer in Wells. Enumerated in Wells in 1860 with Julia Ann French, age
6, in household. Henry d. 22 June 1914 (ts) and Mary
Ann d. 8 May 1916 (ts) Mosherville
Cemetery. Helen Maria French b. 13 Aug 1861 m. 9 Nov 1882 Frank Henry Seelye b. 21 Apr 1859 Mainesburg,
Sullivan Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania son of George Seelye.
They removed to South Dakota. Helen d. 29 Jan 1908 Rochester, Minnesota buried Mosherville Cemetery (see obituary below). Frank d. 9 June
1930 Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Frank Henry Seelye,
Jr., b: 2 May 1885 Wells, Anna Belle Seelye b. 30
July 1886 Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, George Washington Seelye b. 20 Sept 1890 Elmira, New York, Raymond Henry Seelye b. 10 Feb 1892 Wells. Emma Rebecca French b. 23 Feb
1864 m. 14 Jan 1885 Charles Voorhees, Jr., son of Dr. Charles Voorhees and
Julia Ann Shepard, resided Philadelphia. Harriet Ann French b. 12 May 1868 m.
25 Aug 1886 David Hammond Ryon. Ada Lucretia French
b. 31 July 1870 m. 26 Dec 1891 Freeman Chester Garrison and 18 Dec 1918 (2) Anson
Garrison. Mary Arbelle French b. 5 Nov 1874/5 m. 20
June 1896 Eugene Patrick Slocum, she sued for divorce Apr 1906 and she d. 23 July 1941 (ts) Mosherville Cemetery.
Helen French Seeley
was born on Jusdon Hill in Wells, Pa., Aug. 13th
1860, and died Jan. 29th, 1908 at the hospital in Rochester, Minn. Helen French
was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church in her early childhood
and always took an active part in church work. When the writer was pastor of
the charge Mrs. Seeley was the leading member if the Judson Hill church. Nearly
three years ago M. and Mrs. F. H. Seeley and family moved West. Mrs. Seeley's
health had been failing since last July. January 19th she went to the hospital in Rochester, Minn.,
where she lived but fifteen hours after an operation. The funeral was held in
the church at Wells, Pa., Feb 3d, 1908 at 2 p.m. The services were conducted by
her former pastor, Rev. K. M. Walker, now of Wellsburg, N. Y., assisted by Rev.
M. D. Foster, pastor of the church, and Rev. J. W. Miller, pastor of the M. E.
church in Millerton. Mrs. LeRoy Ayers, of Job's Corners and Mrs. A. E.
Barnhart, of Bulk Head, N. Y., sang three selections. The church was filled to
the doors, which speaks of the many friends the deceased has in her old home.
Burial was at Wells, Pa. Deceased is survived by her husband, Frank H.
Seeley, two sons, Henry Seeley and George Seeley, all of Rockford, Iowa. Her
father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. French, of Wells, Pa., and four sisters;
Mrs. Chas. Voorhess, of Philadelphia, Mrs. D.
H. Ryon, of Corning, N. Y., Mrs. F. C. Garrison,
of Job's Corners and Miss Bella French, of Wells, Pa., also survive her
(obituary).
21. Solomon Smith French b. 27 Feb 1835 m. Mary Elizabeth
Mitchell b. 1834 daughter of Rachel Mitchell and she d.
1896 (ts). Solomon m. (2) Rose Wright divorced wife
of Edwin J. Wright. Obituary of Rose in Troy Gazette, October 13, 1921. Solomon
d. 5 Feb 1922 buried with Mary in Mosherville
Cemetery. No children.
22. Peter Price French b. 12 Mar 1838 enlisted Sept 1862
during the Civil War, served 161st Regiment 16th Cavalry, wounded, confined in
Libby Prison, m. 11 Aug 1872 Nancy McKay b. 15 Aug 1847 Dramore,
County Down, Ireland. Farmer in Wells at Judson Hill, occupying the place
improved by Levi Adams, until 1893 when they removed to Elmira, New York.
Nancy d. 17 June 1904 Elmira and Peter d. 12 June 1921 Elmira.
Uriah Smith French b.
2 June 1873 Wells m. 22 Apr 1902 Sarah Conevery. Henry
Thomas French b. 30 Oct 1876 Wells m. 1 May 1905 Treva Ella Davis, resided
Elmira, New York. Jermone Judd French b. 24 May
1887 Wells m. 22 June 1910 Clara Gertrude Wickham, resided Elmira, New
York.
23. Harriet Smith French b. 13 Nov 1839 m. 9 Apr 1863 in
Wells, George Leland Goodrich b. 22 Aug 1836 d. 26 Feb 1898 Owego and Harriet
d. 2 Nov 1904 Owego, New York.
Emma May Goodrich b.
3 Aug 1865. Harry Alanson Goodrich b. 27 Sept 1876 m. Mabel Emma Holly.
24. George Washington French b. c. 1846, served in Civil
War, m. Sarah Elizabeth Doland b. 1846. Farmer in
Wells until 1886 when they removed to Elmira, New York. George d. 26 Mar 1913
and Sarah d. 4 Aug 1913 buried Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, New York.
William Smith French b.
1 Apr 1868 Wells m. 5 July 1900 Caroline Jacoby. Malvena
French b. 12 Feb 1870 Wells m. 23 Jan 1890 Fred James Lain. Lillian French b.
14 Nov 1875 Wells m. 24 Dec 1891 Leroy Evander Brown and she
d. 3 Dec 1919 Elmira, New York.
26. Lyman P. French.
Catherine French b.
17 June 1884. Mary L. French b. 5 Nov 1888.
28. Winifred Alida French, often
known as Fannie, b. 22 Apr 1862, teacher, m. 13 Oct 1886 in Wells Township,
William A. Plummer of Wichita, Kansas, real estate owner, b. c. 1847 son of G.
W. and Mary S. Plummer.
William H. French b. 27 May 1828 d. 21 Apr 1909 (ts). Wife, Viletta b. 14 Mar 1827 d. 25 Dec 1911 (ts) Judson Hill Cemetery. William is presumed to be related to the Peter Price French family.