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French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

Chart #14, James French of
Prince William County, VA
Overwharton, Stafford County, VA
and Montgomery Co. KY

Fifth Generation

This page updated by Mara French on 4/9/14. Numbers in brackets [ ] show the source material and refer to the bibliography. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Please send any corrections or additions to Mara French.

Contents

FFA Home Page

List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves

French Family Slaveholders of Mulatto and Black Slaves

Prince William County Court Papers

DNA Group 21 and Cross-Reference chart

Bibliography

Generations: Index 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Fifth Generation

Children of James French and Keziah Calloway, 4.6

5.1* William French, Sr., b. 1 Mar 1785 in KY, d. 16 Mar 1863, m. 1805 Polly Taylor, dau. of Rev. John Taylor. Polly was b. 17 Jul 1792 in KY and d. 7 Jan 1879 [11], 16 years after her husband [18]. Both are buried at the French Cemetery in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY. They lived in a brick house on the south side of Georgetown Road on Georgetown Pike, across the road from “Bellsgrove”, the farm of Clement Bell in Franklin Co., KY. Rev. John Taylor built this house for his daughter, Polly.

She died at the residence of son John W. French [18]. They lived in Franklin Co., KY [11]. Polly Taylor was born on 17 Jun 1792 in Clear Creek, Woodford Co., KY, d. 7 Jan 1879. William French was a Captain in War of 1812. Captain William French is in Will Book D, p. 515, Montgomery Co., KY. William and Polly French lived in a brick house built by her father, the Rev. John Taylor, and located on the Georgetown Road in Franklin Co. [30] [18]. They were members of the Buck Run Baptist Church, for which her father wrote the constitution. They had 11 children [18].

The 1850 census of District 1, Franklin Co., KY shows two French families living in the same area: William (33) and his wife Martha (21), children Sidney (5), Isaac C. (4), and Sally French (2). In another household, William (65), his wife Polly (57), and their son Benjamin (15).

William received the slave Ann from his mother after her death per his father’s will, which states that William is to keep Ann until 1 Jan 1864 when she will go free. The date 1864 happened a year after William himself died. William’s father mentions in his will the age of 45 to be an age when slaves would have worked enough to gain their freedom. Going on this concept, Ann may have been born in 1819.

William and Polly are buried on what was probably their farm, in Franklin Co., on the Georgetown road, about 10 miles from Frankfort, KY [18].

The 1850 census of Franklin Co., KY, lists William French Sr. with 10 slaves. The slaves are listed after the 4 slaves that his son, William French Jr. of Franklin Co., KY, owns. Races are Black and Mulatto. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves.

Slave Name	Birth Date	Age in 1850	Sex	Race
Unknown	1800	50	M	B
Unknown	1805	45	F	M
Unknown	1805	45	F	B
Unknown	1826	24	F	B
Unknown	1836	14	F	M
Unknown	1838	12	F	B
Unknown	1838	12	M	B
Unknown	1843	7	F	M
Unknown	1844	6	F	B
Unknown	1790	60	M	B

5.2 Catherine French, b. 1791-1794 as per census records below, m. Isaac Farrow (the brother of her sister Susannah’s husband), and they moved to IL [1].

Census

Isaac Farrow appears in the 1810 census of Montgomery, KY with 2 white males under 10, 1 white male 26-44 who was probably Isaac, and 1 white female age 16-25 who was probably Catherine. They had 6 slaves. This establishes her birthdate between 1785-1794.

The 1820 census of Montgomery, KY, shows a family of 17:

5 white males under 10
1 white male 10-15
1 white male 26-44
1 white female under 10
1 white female 10-15
1 white female 26-44, establishing Catherine’s birth 1776-1794.
2 male slaves under 14
1 male slave 26-44
2 female slaves under 14
1 female slave 14-25
1 female slave 26-44

The 1830 census of Montgomery, KY, shows a family of 17:

2 white males under 5
2 white males 5-9
1 white male 10-14
2 white males 15-19
1 white male 20-29
1 white male 40-49
1 white female 5-9
1 white female 30-39, establishing Catherine’s birth 1791-1800.

By the 1840 census, they had moved to Chicago.

The 1850 census of Township 9 Range 10 in Jersey, IL, shows a Catharine Farrow, age 60, born ca. 1790 in KY, living with a Catharine Farrow, age 17. She is living next door to many other Farrows: William C. Farrow age 22, Jane Farrow age 22, Mary farrow age 8/12, Albert Farrow age 21, Sarah Farrow age 25, William Farrow age 1. As Jersey County is no where near Cook County where Chicago is, we are unsure if this is the correct research.

Slaves

She received the man slave Daniel in her father’s will of 1835 and was allowed to keep him until 1 Jan 1836 when he would go free. Her father mentions in his will the age of 45 to be an age when slaves would have worked enough to gain their freedom. Going on this concept, Daniel may have been born in 1791. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves.

5.3* Richard French, b. 20 Jun 1792 in Boonesborough, Madison Co., KY, d. 1 May 1854 in Covington, Kenton Co., KY, m. Mary Tutt Taliaferro on 7 Aug 1820 when she was age 15 in Clark Co., KY [11], and had 6 children.

Marriage

Richard m. Mary Tutt Taliaferro on 7 Aug 1820 when she was age 15 in Clark Co., KY. She was b. 8 Nov 1805 in Caroline Co., VA and d. 14 Feb 1886 and is buried at the French Cemetery on Winchester Road in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., Kentucky.

An unknown woman, Kiohara French, was b. 20 Jun 1792 and d. 1 May 1851 and is buried at the French Cemetery. We do not know who she was.

Occupation

Richard was a

· Lawyer

· State Legislator representing Clark County

· U.S. Congressman elected to represent Kentucky’s 9^th and 11^th Districts in the United States House of Representatives serving three terms from 1835-1847 and 1843-1845 and 1847 to 1859. See also the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

Notable residents of the community have included a number of congressmen in the 1800s, including Garrett Davis, Richard Menefee and Richard French, and several justices on the state court of appeals, among them B.J. Peters, James Hazelrigg, and E.C. O'Rear. Prominent military figures from the county included Gen. Samuel Williams, a veteran of the War of 1812; his son, Confederate Gen. John "Cerro Gordo" Williams; and Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood. Among notable religious leaders were John ("Raccoon") Smith and David Barrow. Mt. Sterling was the major city in the county, the county seat, founded in 1792, the same year that Richard was born.

· Circuit Court Judge in Kentucky

Judge Richard French, b. 23 Jun 1792, d. 1 May 1854 [13]

JUDGE RICHARD FRENCH, son of William, was also a member of the Lulbegrud church. He was born in Madison County, Ky., June 23, 1792. In early childhood, he was carried by his parents to Montgomery County where he was raised up. He received a moderate common school education, and chose the law for his profession. He was early admitted to the bar, and entered into partnership with Mr. Dillard (afterward the distinguished Ryland T. Dillard, D.D.), at Winchester, Ky. In 1820, he represented Clark County in the Legislature, and was returned in 1822. In 1828, he was appointed Circuit Judge. He afterwards served three terms in Congress. In the midst of his political honors, he paused to seek the salvation of his soul, and was baptized by his former law partner. In 1850, he located in Covington, where he resumed the practice of his profession. His health soon failed, and he moved out a few miles into the country, where he departed this life in a most triumphant manner, May 1, 1856. Two of his sons, James, Judge of the County Court and Moderator of Boone's Creek Association, and Stephen, Judge of the Circuit Court, are members of the Baptist Church in Winchester, Ky.

FRENCH, Richard, a Representative from Kentucky; born near Boonesborough, Madison County, Ky., June 20, 1792; attended private schools; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1820 and commenced practice in Winchester, Ky.; member of the State house of representatives 1820-1826; judge of the circuit court in 1829; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1835-March 3, 1837); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1836 to the Twenty-fifth Congress; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of Kentucky in 1840; elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-eighth Congress (March 4, 1843-March 3, 1845); again elected to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1849); resumed the practice of law; died in Covington, Ky., on May 1, 1854; interment in the family burial ground near Mount Sterling, Montgomery County, Ky.

French Cemetery

Buried at the French Cemetery in Montgomery Co., KY are Susannah French Farrow 1795-1866, James French 1756-1835, James Hay French 1823-1900, Joseph William French 1826-1850, Kezia Callaway French 1768-1845, Kiohara French 1792-1851, Mary Tutt Taliaferro French 1805-1886, Richard French 1792-1854, Stephen French 1798-1827, Theodosia French Hood 1801-1186, and Livia French Smith 1806-unk.

Census

1840 -- Montgomery Co., KY, at list time with only one slave, a male between 36 and 56 years of age. He is also listed in the Kentucky Census of 1810-1890, living in Montgomery Co., and recording a slave schedule on page 035 of the KY 1850 Slave Schedule.

1850 – District 1, Montgomery Co., KY, Richard 58, Mary F. 44, James H. 26 (1824), Charles S. 21 (1829), Mary E. 16 (1834), Ann C. 11 (1839), and Richard 8 (1842).

Slaves

Richard had various slaves, but their names are at present unknown [35]. Ref. [35] has been researching an old cemetery in Elsmere, Kenton Co., KY for 10 years – the cemetery was referred to as the “French Cemetery” in a book of “Small Cemeteries of Kenton County”, but no names or stones are visible. She believes it is connected to slaves that were once owned by the French family. The 1850 census (4 years before Richard died) of District 1, Montgomery Co., KY, shows Richard as having 17 slaves; 9 were female and 8 were male. Two of these were mulattos (m) and the other 15 were black (b). Their names are not listed. Could the 42-year old Mulatto male and the 23-year old Mulatto female be children of Richard? Showing their ages, sex, and color, the 17 slaves are:

Trina Robinson (Ref. [36] ) sent me a list of numerous slaves with the surname French (black and mulatto) from Kentucky who first traveled to Chicago from Mount Sterling, KY in 1866. Their names are Martin French (born roughly around 1815 in Kentucky), his wife Martha, and their children, David, Martin, John B., Seward, Luther, James and Peter. Some family members returned briefly to Shelbyville, KY in the mid-1880s. I cannot match these 9 names up with Richard’s 17 slaves.

Richard French is also listed in another section of the 1850 census of District 1, Montgomery, KY, as being 58 years old, born 1792 in KY, living with his wife Mary, age 44, and their 5 children.

Richard’s father’s will indicates that Richard is to receive two slaves old and infirm Matt & Charlotte and the woman Mourning after the death of my wife and all her increase Mourning to go free, the first day of January 1860 and all children as they respectively arrive to the age of 45 years to go free….

Richard’s wife, Mary T. French, died much later than her husband on 14 Feb 1886; he had died in 1854. Therefore, she inherited 6 of the slaves that are noted in the 1860 census for slave schedules. I need to add these.

For further details on mulatto and black slaves, see the website on French Family Slaveholders of Mulatto and Black Slaves. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves. During the pre-Civil War era the county developed a prosperous, slave-based economy with hemp, livestock, and wheat as staples. The population grew rapidly until the 1820s and then leveled off with out-migration to Missouri, Texas, and other western areas. During this period the county became the political center of a congressional district that included more backward mountain areas. Mt. Sterling lawyers represented the district in Congress for twenty-six of the thirty-two years, from 1817 to 1849.

With slaves making up 36 percent of the population, the county was deeply split by the Civil War. Located at the junction of routes from central Kentucky to the Big Sandy River Valley in the east, Mt. Sterling had considerable strategic importance. There were substantial clashes in 1862 and 1864 and smaller skirmishes as possession of the county seat changed hands several times. Considerable damage was done by guerrillas to business buildings, and Confederate cavalry burned the courthouse in 1863. The more isolated regions of the county were infested with outlaw bands of deserters and thieves. In October 1863, Jeffersonville was burned and a guerrilla leader killed. The war inflicted substantial crop losses and disrupted the slave-labor force.

After the war, many of the former slaves forsook the rural areas for the county seat and drained the agricultural economy of labor. Hemp production virtually ceased, with cattle becoming the focus of the economy until the commencement of the burley tobacco boom in the 1870s.

As railroads and better roads began to penetrate the mountain counties, Montgomery County's trade declined. Its economy became based on the local tobacco-livestock agricultural system. In the 1960s the combination of several new factories and the completion of I-64 led to rapid growth.

Left: Ambrotype of Charles Stephen French, 1828-1905, son of Judge Richard French, photo taken circa 1858. His family owned multiple generations of my ancestors in Kentucky, his grandfather and father among them. 

Right: Photo of John B. French taken in 1900 — a former slave of the previously mentioned French family — who migrated Chicago with his family in 1868 where he became a successful businessman and politician.

Background: A page from the 1854 estate inventory of Richard French, the father of Charles, listing the monetary value of his slaves, including the brothers and mother of John B. French (James, David, Martin, John, unknown, Nancy, Joseph, Martin, Mourning, Keziah, James, Dolly.

First Baptist Church in Winchester

From the First Baptist Church of Winchester:
Richard chose law for his profession and in the practice of which he entered in partnership with Mr. Dillard, at Winchester, Kentucky, who was afterwards the distinguished Ryland T. Dillard, D. D. Judge Richard French was a man of distinction and was appointed and served many years as Circuit Judge and also served in Congress until defeated by the brilliant Richard Menefee in 1837. In 1840, Judge French was the Democratic nominee for governor against Governor Letcher and ran many thousand votes ahead of his ticket, but lost by only a small majority. Frenchburg, the county seat of Menefee County, KY, is named for him and his portrait adorns the walls of the Clark County Court House [13]. Though wedded to his professional career, no doubt that the early teachings of his pious parents caused him to pause in the midst of his political honors to seek the salvation of his soul and he was baptized by his former law partner, Dr. Ryland T. Dillard. He was a consistent member of the church and died in the full triumph of his faith on May 1, 1854. His widow, Mary Taliaferro French, was one of the constituent members of the First Baptist Church of Winchester , and their three sons, Judge James H. French, Judge Charles S. French, and Rev. Richard French, became prominent in both the civil and religious affairs of the community and state. All three of the sons were influential members of the First Baptist Church and zealous for her welfare. A fourth son, William, died in early manhood. Judge James H. French was a deacon of the church, clerk of th Boone's Creek Association for two years and moderator from 1872 to 1881, with the exception of two years, and in all matters pertaining to the church, especially those of doctrinal and denominational importance his counsel was always sought. Judge Charles S. French was a constituent member of the First Baptist Church and her first clerk, serving for twenty-one years, and was a deacon during the latter part of his life. Rev. Richard French was clerk of the church for several year and was then ordained to the ministry.

Frenchburg, Kentucky

From Frenchburg, Kentucky Website: Menifee became the Commonwealth's 113th county in 1869 when it was formed from the adjoining counties of Bath, Montgomery, Morgan, Powell, and Wolfe counties.  Menifee was named after Richard H. Menefee, a well-regarded statesman and successful lawyer.  Mr. Menefee was serving in the state legislature when he ran for Congress in 1837 and defeated Judge Richard French in a vigorous campaign.  Mr. French was equally well known and admired; and his name was chosen for the county seat, Frenchburg.

Clark County, Kentucky

From a chart made from surveys in court records of Clark County by S. J. Conkwright and S. H. Rutledge.

The following settlers came with Capt. William Bush and settled on lower Howards Creek, Clark County: Fielding Bush, Ambrose Bush, Philip Bush, Francis Bush, Henry Cain, Robert Clark, Ambrose Christy, Joel Embry, Elder Robert Elkin, Smallwood Eckton, Richard French, George Gordon, Nicholas George, John George, Lewis Grigsby, John Halyard, Nathaniel Haggard, James Hodgkin, James Haggard, David Hampton, Richard Jones, Allen Neil, Elder James Quisenberry, Joel Quisenberry, John Quisenberry, Roger Quisenberry, Tandy Quisenberry, Nathaniel Ragland, John Ried, Robert Richard, James Ragland, Sr., James Ragland, Jr., Joseph Stevens, Wm. Tate, Wm. Wills.

Death

The following photo was received from Trina Robinson [36] showing the 1854 deed regarding the property of former Kentucky Congressman Richard French following his death located in the Kenton County Courthouse in Kentucky.

5.4 Susannah French, b. 25 Jul 1795, d. 5 Mar 1866 near Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY [28], m. Judge Kenaz Farrow (1794-1864) of Culpeper, VA [1]. He was b. 23 Dec 1794 in Culpeper Co., VA, d. 31 Aug 1864 [11]. Susannah received the man slave Enoch in her father’s will and was to keep him until 1 Jan 1840 when he would go free. Her father mentions in his will the age of 45 to be an age when slaves would have worked enough to gain their freedom. Going on this concept, Enoch may have been born in 1795. Susannah and Kenaz had children William Farrow 1819-1823, Kiziah Farrow 1821-1827, and Susan Farrow 1832-1848, none reaching adulthood, all buried at the French Cemetery. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves.

Census

1840 census of Montgomery, KY, Kenaz Farrow was the head of household. There are 18 in this family. The oldest female probably was Susannah as she is listed as age 40-49.

Kenaz Farrow appears in the 1850 census as born in 1795. The census states he was born in VA.

The 1860 census shows that Kenaz lives in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY, born in 1795, living with his wife Susan. His death record shows that he was Judge Kenaz Farrow, born 23 Dec 1794, died 31 Aug 1864. He served 14 years as Circuit Judge. His wife was Susannah French Farrow, 1795-1866. Their children were William Farrow 1819-1823, Keziah Farrow 1821-1827, and Susan Farrow 1832-1848; as you can see, they all died young and all were buried at the French Cemetery in Montgomery Co., KY.

French Cemetery

Buried at the French Cemetery in Montgomery Co., KY are Susannah French Farrow 1795-1866, James French 1756-1835, James Hay French 1823-1900, Joseph William French 1826-1850, Kezia Callaway French 1768-1845, Kiohara French 1792-1851, Mary Tutt Taliaferro French 1805-1886, Richard French 1792-1854, Stephen French 1798-1827, Theodosia French Hood 1801-1186, and Livia French Smith 1806-unk.

5.5 Stephen French, b. 9 Jul 1798 most likely in Madison Co., KY, d. 3 May 1827, a lawyer [1], died before his father died and is therefore not mentioned in his father’s will of 1835. He died young and unmarried at age 29.

French Cemetery

Buried at the French Cemetery in Montgomery Co., KY are Susannah French Farrow 1795-1866, James French 1756-1835, James Hay French 1823-1900, Joseph William French 1826-1850, Kezia Callaway French 1768-1845, Kiohara French 1792-1851, Mary Tutt Taliaferro French 1805-1886, Richard French 1792-1854, Stephen French 1798-1827, Theodosia French Hood 1801-1186, and Livia French Smith 1806-unk.

5.6 Theodosia (or Theodora) French, b. 16 Jun 1801, d. 12 Jan 1886 in Montgomery Co., KY. She m. Dr. John W. Hood, prominent physician of Montgomery County, KY, ca. 1823 in Winchester, Clark Co., KY. He was b. 29 Jun 1831 in Owingsville, Bath Co., KY. For the ancestry on Theodosia Hood’s line, see website: http://www.johnbellhood.org/bio-01.htm. Her son was General John Bell Hood, CSA. Upon the death of her father in 1835, Theodosia inherited $700,000 in cash and apparently used those funds to purchase a home [33]. The two-story brick structure still stands today (May 2001) on US Route 60, three miles west of Mt. Sterling, and is occupied as a personal residence. In 1823 John Hood moved to the town of Owingsville, some 25 miles to the east, with his young bride, the former Theodosia French.

Theodosia received the man slave Westly (or Wesley) in her father’s will and was allowed to keep him until 1 Jan 1860 when he would go free. Her father mentions in his will the age of 45 to be an age when slaves would have worked enough to gain their freedom. Going on this concept, Westly may have been born in 1815. Her father also gives the man slave Martin, but only after Theodosia’s mother dies and until 1 Jan 1856 when he would go free. He may have been born in 1811. Theodosia also received negro woman Jane whom her father had originally given to Levia. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves.

Theodosia French was buried at the French Graveyard in Montgomery Co., KY, where many other members of this French family are buried.

French Cemetery

Buried at the French Cemetery in Montgomery Co., KY are Susannah French Farrow 1795-1866, James French 1756-1835, James Hay French 1823-1900, Joseph William French 1826-1850, Kezia Callaway French 1768-1845, Kiohara French 1792-1851, Mary Tutt Taliaferro French 1805-1886, Richard French 1792-1854, Stephen French 1798-1827, Theodosia French Hood 1801-1186, and Livia French Smith 1806-unk.

5.7 Keziah French, b. 18 Mar 1804 most likely in Madison Co., KY, d. 13 Nov 1829, m. 25 Jan 1824 James Prewitt, b. 26 Sep 1802, d. 5 May 1879 [62]. Both are buried in the French family graveyard, Montgomery County, KY [62]. Their son was William French Prewitt, b. 1 Dec 1821 [18]. She died before her father died and is therefore not mentioned in her father’s will of 1835.

5.8 Lina (or Olivia or Livia or Levia) French, b. 10 Feb 1806, d. 27 Nov 1853, m1. to Waller Cluke on 5 Jan 1826, m2. William Prewitt Smith. Levia received the man slave Mooses (or Moses) in her father’s will and was allowed to keep him until 1 Jan 1854 when he would go free. Her father mentions in his will the age of 45 to be an age when slaves would have worked enough to gain their freedom. Going on this concept, Mooses may have been born in 1809. Her father also gives the man slave Shelton, but only after Theodosia’s mother dies and until 1 Jan 1854 when he would go free. He may have been born in 1809, perhaps a twin to Mooses. Her father gave the man slave Eli on his daughter’s first marriage (in 1826) and he was to go free at age 45 which would be on 8 Jul 1858; thereby indicating Eli was born in 1813. Levia was also to receive the woman slave Jane, and after Jane serves her two years, Jane is to go free (that date was to be 1837 – 2 years after her father James died). At the end of James’ will, it appears he made an alteration dated 30 Mar 1835, giving negro woman Jane to his daughter Theodosia instead of Levia. For details on French’s Black and Mulatto slaves, freed servants after emancipation, and their descendants of today, see List of Chart #14 Slaveholders and Slaves.

French Cemetery

Buried at the French Cemetery in Montgomery Co., KY are Susannah French Farrow 1795-1866, James French 1756-1835, James Hay French 1823-1900, Joseph William French 1826-1850, Kezia Callaway French 1768-1845, Kiohara French 1792-1851, Mary Tutt Taliaferro French 1805-1886, Richard French 1792-1854, Stephen French 1798-1827, Theodosia French Hood 1801-1186, and Livia French Smith 1806-unk.

Children of Stephen Zinah French and Betsy Helm, 4.8

All born in VA.

5.9 Susannah French, b. 21 Nov 1790 [40], d. 25 May 1795 (age 5) on Chappamansix in Stafford Co., VA, and is buried the same day at Hester Helm’s on Seder Run, Prince William County [1] [25].

5.10* William French, b. 23/26 Apr 1793 in Stafford Co., VA [40], m. Martha L. Taylor on 2 Jan 1814 in Loudoun Co., VA [19], and had a son, William II, who was b. 21 Nov 1814. William, the father, d. 15 May 1826 [1] [25] and is buried at Merrimac Farm owned by the French family in Prince William Co., VA. The Merrimac Farm is now a Wildlife Management Area, 14712 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville, Prince William Co., VA, 703-499-4954. Unearthed headstones at Merrimac Farm offer glimpse into Prince William’s buried past. Five graves have been clearly defined, all from before the Civil War, including William French, his wife Martha, and their daughters Elizabeth, Susan and Maria, their deaths ranging from 1823-1854. William’s other 2 children who lived well into adulthood, William and Martha, moved out of Virginia.

5.11* James Henry French, b. 18 Mar 1801 in Frenchville, Prince William Co., VA [40], m. Sarah Scarborough Butler Henry on 27 May 1829 at Woodlawn, Halifax Co., VA, d. 6 May 1850 [72], age 49 and is buried at the Congressional Burying Ground in Washington D.C.

Sarah was b. 27 Aug 1808 in Pittsylvania Co., VA, d. suddenly in Brooklyn on 9 Apr 1873, of apoplexy (stroke), after a few hours illness, the widow of the late James French, of Fauquier county, Va.
[4/17/1873 Alexandria Gazette Submitted by Erica Beatty].

The following picture of James was drawn by his son Junius before 1863 when Junius died.

Oil Portrait of Sarah, b. 27 Aug 1808.

Sarah’s Death

Sarah B. Henry, the daughter of Martha Henry, born 27 Aug 1808 in Pittsylvania, VA, and d. 9 Apr 1873 in Brooklyn, NY. She was buried at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY.

Green-Wood Cemetery

Section 16, Lot 7406.

The only stone on this lot appears to be inscribed on its front and left side panels. The absence of any inscription on the rear and right side panels may be due to erosion. But a search of the cemetery's online burial database using the 3 surnames inscribed on the stone reveals no names other than those inscribed.

INSCRIPTION, front panel:

To My Husband [first husband of daughter Matilda]

Franklin C. Gray

Who Died July 15th 1853

Aged 37 years

Beloved, rest in peace.

INSCRIPTION, left side panel:

Sarah B. French

Died April 8th 1873.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.

Matilda C. Hewes [Hewes was her second husband]

Daughter of Sarah B. French

Entered into rest January 2, 1887

At Tustin California.

He giveth His beloved sleep.

Burial Dates:
FRENCH: Sarah B, 4/10/1873.
HEWES: Matilda C, 3/2/1889, daughter of Sarah B. French.
GRAY: Franklin C, 9/15/1853.

James’ Death

The Fredericksburg News”, 14 May 1850. James and Sarah lived in Warrenton until 1850 (the year James died). They inherited his father’s plantation “Brentown” in Prince William County, VA, and James was a wealthy tobacco planter in VA and represented his district for a number of terms in the state legislature. Sarah was b. 27 Aug 1808 at “Woodlawn” Plantation, Pittsylvania Co., VA, the dau. of John and Martha Henry, d. suddenly 9 Apr 1873 in Brooklyn, NY and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn. James was executor of his father’s property and administered the accounts until 3 Dec 1844 from his residence, “Fenton” Plantation, a Revolutionary Estate in Fauquier Co., 3 miles from the town of Warrenton [1]. The "Fenton" Plantation has since burned down [1] [25]. See Ref. [60] for more information. Martha Williams Henry was James’ mother-in-law (mother to Sarah S. B. Henry). See 1737 survey maps of Brentown by John Savage who officially surveyed Brent Town for its four early proprietors, Nicolas Haywood, Richard Foot, Robert Bristow, and George Brent of Stafford Co., VA, ca. 1687. In 1660 Gilbert Metcalfe shipped goods on the “Golden Fortune” owned by Nicholas Hayward, Sr., who was later a founder of the Brentown tract. Brentown has a study online called The Colvin Study Blog and The Brent Town Plat. Also interesting is the book “Fauquier During the Proprietorship” by H. C. Groome, dated 15 Jan 2008, which can be bought online; the preview to this book states:

The first half of the book is an important collection of early records of Fauquier County consisting of abstracts and land grants and patents for land from 1600-1800. Mr. Groome also provides extensive footnotes identifying many of the early settlers and their families. The second half of the book chronicles the religious and political organization of the county and the eventual dissolution of the proprietorship.

Page 13 states that the Brent Town block house in lower Fauquier was built in 1686 as a defense against the far wandering bands of the Iroquois.

10 Jan 1686/7.  King James sold to a syndicate the Brentown Tract managed by George Brent, Nicholas Hayward, Richard Foote, and Robert Bristow.  George Brent married Mary Sewall (b. 1658), daughter of Henry Sewell & Jane Lowe.  He was the son of George Brent and Anne Peyton.  Mary also married Francis Hammersley.  Francis Hammersley acted as a guardian to Giles Brent, George's son by Mary Sewall?  (Per the Mercer Land Book, John Mercer in 1723 leased land in Marlborough from Wm. Brent a descendant of Giles Brent.  John Mercer was the father of James Mercer who employed Capt. John & James Metcalfe in the 1760's as overseers of his Loudoun Co. property.)

Chronology for James Henry French

1801 Mar 18 – James Henry French born in Frenchville, Prince William Co., VA.

1808 Aug 27 – Sarah Scarborough Butler Henry born at Woodlawn Plantation in Pittsylvania, VA.

1810 and 1820 census – James lived with his father Stephen.

1829 May 27 – James m. Sarah S.B.H. in Woodlawn, Halifax Co., VA.

1830 census – Cannot find, but they had no children yet by this census.

1831 Feb 14 – son Marcellus was born near Warrenton, Fauquier Co., VA.

1833 Jul 26 – daughter Matilda was born near Warrenton, Fauquier Co., VA.

1835 Mar 26 – son James Henry was born near Warrenton, Fauquier Co., VA.

1837 Aug 7 – son Junius Butler French was born near Warrenton, Fauquier Co., VA.

1839 Aug 4 – daughter Rosalie was born near Warrenton, Fauquier Co., VA.

1840 census – James in Leeds, Fauquier Co., VA with 23 slaves, 18 persons employed in agriculture. Total of 7 free white persons and 23 slaves = 30 total.
1 free white male under 5 (b. 1836-1840) – Junius (1837)
2 free white males 5-9 (b. 1831-1835) – Marcellus (1831), James (1835)
1 free white male 30-39 (b. 1801-1810) – James, head of household
1 free white female under 5 (b. 1836-1840) – Matilda (1833) or Rosalie (1839)?
1 free white female 30-39 (b. 1801-1810) – wife Sarah, b. 1808

3 male slaves under 10 (b. 1831-1840) – perhaps Aaron, b. 1832,
2 male slaves ages 10-23 (b. 1817-1830) --
2 male slaves ages 24-35 (b. 1805-1816) --
3 male slaves ages 36-54 (b. 1786-1804) – perhaps Noah, b. 1800,
1 male slave age 55-99 (b. 1741-1785)
5 female slaves under 10 (b. 1831-1840) --
4 female slaves 10-23 (b. 1817-1830) –
3 female slaves 24-35 (b. 1805-1816) --

1850 census, 15 Jul 1850 – Washington Ward 4, Washington, District of Columbia. This census has errors in the ancestry.com index file, corrected from the original in brackets. James actually died 6 May 1850 before this census was taken, and therefore, he should not have been listed. The entire family moved to WDC between 6 May 1850 and 15 Jul 1850. The Brentwood Plantation in Fauquier Co., VA, was divided up among James’ slaves. What caused this sudden surge to WDC? A total of 68 people named French lived in WDC in the 1850 census, many of them in Washington Ward 4, without slaves.

James French, age 41 or born 1809 (could he have been a relative of the family?)
Sarah B. French, age 39 [s/b 42]
Marcellus French, age 79 [s/b 19, the “1” was written as the European “1” which looks like a 7], son
Martha C. French, age 17 [s/b Matilda Caroline French, age 17]
James H. French, age 15 [correct as James Henry French Jr.]
Jannie French, age 13 [s/b Junius]
Rosa French, age 10
John French, age 8 [relationship unidentified].
Charles French, age 6 [relationship unidentified].
Ellen French, age 5 [relationship unidentified].
Margaret French, age 3 [relationship unidentified].

1850 Aug 27 – James V. Brooke was chosen guardian of orphan sons James and Marcellus French, as James had died. James V. Brooke may have also been guardian to all the younger children. At this time, Marcellus was 19 years old, and he was the oldest child.

James had a total of 5 children and perhaps 4 more until 1847, all by Sarah Scarborough Butler Henry, and all of them moved immediately to NY after James’ death, and his land at Brentown Plantation was divided up among the slaves. By 1860 his wife Sarah and her daughters lived Kings Co., NY.

All James’ children moved immediately after his death to WDC with their mother Sarah, and then later to other locations. What drew them to move to WDC and leave the plantation? What happened to their slaves? The migration patterns of their children were:

(1) Marcellus moved to Houston, Halifax Co., TX in 1852 and married there in 1857, but returned to VA in 1861 where he died in 1919.

(2) Matilda Caroline French moved to WDC and was married there in 1853, then to NY by 1860 where she appears as a widow, then later San Francisco, CA.

(3) James Henry French moved to San Antonio, TX, before 1856 and until his death in 1893.

(4) Junius Butler French moved to NY with his mother and appears there with her in the 1860 census. He died in 1863 during the Civil War in Gettysburg, PA. He had 9 Black slaves in 1860, ranging in age from 6 months to 48 years old, some inherited from Richard Cooper, Mrs. Lucas, Sam Christian, L. Dixous while he lived in Fauquier Co., VA. Junius remained unmarried with no heirs. It is unknown if these slaves could have been ones his father had.

(5) Rosalie Henry French moved with her mother to NY, then moved to CA by 1861 and had married in Honolulu that year, but resided in Oakland, Alameda Co., CA, close to where her sister Matilda lived.

(6) John French moved to WDC, relationship unknown, but they appear with the family in the 1850 census and vanish thereafter.

(7) Charles French moved to WDC, relationship unknown, but they appear with the family in the 1850 census and vanish thereafter.

(8) Ellen French moved to WDC, relationship unknown, but they appear with the family in the 1850 census and vanish thereafter.

(9) Margaret French moved to WDC, relationship unknown, but they appear with the family in the 1850 census and vanish thereafter.

1850-1860 -- James V. Brooke (James Vass Brooke), guardian of the James French’s children, was born 10 Oct 1824 in Virginia, and was therefore 26 years old when he became guardian. In the 1850 census, he lived at Ashbys (Turner Ashby), Fauquier Co., VA, was a white male married to Mary E. Norris, age 28, and with children William T. Brook 5, Richard Brook 3, and Jennett Brook 0. By 10 Mar 1862 at age 37, he enlisted as Captain in the Revolutionary War in Virginia, and was therefore most likely not living with any of the French children. He m. Mary E. Norris on 22 May 1844, 6 years before he became guardian of the French children.

The 1860 census of South West Revenue District, Fauquier Co., VA, shows “Jas V Brooke” living with his wife Mary E., and their children: Wm T. Brooke 14, Richard W. Brooke 12, Janie M. Brooke 10, Jas V. Brooke 7, Francis C. Brooke 5, and Annie A. Brooke 2. No French children are listed.

James V. Brooke died on 9 Oct 1898 in Warrenton, VA, a member of the Virginia Convention of 1861; son of William Brooke and Jane Morrison Brooke, and buried at the Warrenton Cemetery in Fauquier Co, VA (see gravestone on findmygrave).

1860 census – Brooklyn Ward 3, District 1, Kings Co., NY.
Sarah French, age 50, head of household, widow of James French
Matilda C. Gray, age 25 (daughter)
Rosalia French, age 20
Mary E. Brose, age 23
Jennie B. French, age 22 [this s/b Junius B. French]
F. C. Gray, age 2 [daughter of Matilda and husband Franklin C. Gray]
Thom Holbrook, age 40, b. 1820
H. L. Wilson, age 32

1870 census – Cannot find Sarah.

1873 Apr 9 – Sarah S.B.H. French died, buried in Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY, at Green-Wood Cemetery where 66 other people with the surname French are buried; none of the Christian names appear to be of this family.

Slavery

The Black slaves belonging to James French whose name was also James French was still living in 1860 in Fauquier Co., VA. This Black slave also had a brother named William S. French. See more about the Slaves of James French. As James died in 1850, the Brentown Plantation was divided up among the various slaves who worked there, and the slave James who was a bought slave, took the surname French by 1860.

See Slavery in Fauquier County, VA.

Turner’s District refers to General Turner Ashby who lived between 1828-1862 in Fauquier Co., VA.

5.12 Stephen Lynaugh French, b. 29 Jul 1804 in Prince William Co., VA [29] [40]. Stephen d. 25 Aug 1827 in Warrenton, Fauquier Co., VA [1] [25]. Not married. He is buried at Colonel William Edmonds Family Cemetery in Warrenton. “Rumors” state that he married an Anna Briggs and had daughter Anne just before he died, and supposedly, she m. Colonel Charles E. Hoge.

The obituary of Colonel Charles E. Hoge does mention his wife as Annie B. French of Culpeper Co., VA whom he m. in 1868 and who d. 17 Mar 1914. Col. Hoge d. 1 Apr 1919, and the following obituary appeared in “The Continent” on 15 May 1919:

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