French Family Association

Analysis of New Jersey Frenches

Last Updated: Nov 29, 2004 at 12 midnight PST by Mara French. These charts have been divided into their proper families, as currently shown on the FFA website. Therefore, this analysis is no longer being researched and parts of it are incorrect. To see the correct families, go to the chart index.

The purpose of this research is to eliminate erroneous information about NJ Frenches. Much of the information below is hearsay, but some has documented legal resources. If a researcher failed to provide a reference to documentation that proves their statement(s) and which allows us to verify their work, then their statement is as likely to be wrong as anyone else's theory or assumption. The fact that someone published their research does not magically make it correct. If you can weed out the truth from the fiction, please email marafrench@mindspring.com.

Analysts:

DNA Matched Family Group Results for NJ

For DNA results, see http://dnafrench.tripod.com/

*This line has not been proven by legal documents.

FFA Charts of New Jersey with First-Known Ancestry

We need verification whether or not these NJ families are related.

*Three earliest NJ lines.

Old maps of NJ: http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/MAPS.html showing French homesteads.

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FFA Chart #16. Joseph P. French, 1840

Thomas (A) b. Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England
Thomas (1) b. 1639, m. Jane Atkins
Thomas (2) b. 1667, m. Mary Allen

Joseph (3) b. 1698 of Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ, who m. Allee, moved to SC
Joseph Jr. (4) b. 1723, m. Hannah Horn in 1749
Lafford French (5), b. ca. 1753 in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ, m. 1779 in Rutherford Co. NC to Elizabeth Gregory
James Lewis French (6), b. 1788 in KY
Lewis P. French (7), b. 1814 in KY
Joseph P. French (8), b. 1840 in AL

Generations (3) through (8) have not been proved.

FFA Chart #19, John French 1645, son Richard 1670, his son John 1721, his son Captain Noah French, 1754

Elizabethtown and Morristown, NJ; Essex Co., NY. 1754-1843. This chart was originally maintained by Virginia E. Schwabel, and has now been taken over by Jan McCabe. 

John (1), b. ca. 1645
Richard (2), b. ca. 1670
John (3) b. 1721                                       John's brother Robert C. (3), FFA Chart #188
Noah (4), b. 1754 FFA Chart #19            Noah's brother John (4), unnamed chart as of yet
Noah Jr. (5)

Noah was b. 28 Feb 1754 in Elizabethtown, NJ, m1. Mary Rolfe, m2. Johannah Campbell, d. 14 Nov 1843, Hermon, St. Lawrence Co., NY. He had 12 children: Jemima, Henry, Sarah, Eunas, Rolf, Mary, John, Alexander, Noah Jr., Johannah, Elias, George. Noah's wives were Mary Rolfe (1770-1786) and Johannah Campbell (1760-1846). Noah's father, John may not have married Mary Terry. Place names include: New Jersey (Elizabethtown, Essex County; New Providence/Turkey, Union County; Morristown, Morris County; Newton, Sussex County); Vermont (Bridport, Addison County); New York (Essex, Willsboro and Elizabethtown, Essex County; Hermon, St. Lawrence County; Clintonville, Clinton County); Indiana (St. Joseph County); Ohio (Wyandot County); Michigan (Kent County, Ionia County). Related surnames include: ROLFE, CAMPBELL, PETTIT, MILLER, AVERILL, ALLEN, PARKER, PALMER, YOUNG, ADSIT, RICE, SOPER, CHASE, DICKERSON. Recurring first names include: Noah, Henry and George W(ashington). Unusual first names include: Rolfe/Rolph, Squire, Marbrey, Merritt, Fletcher, Elias, and Electa.

Jan McCabe is trying to identify the parents of Noah. Per his military records, at the age of about 16, Noah served as an express rider during the Revolutionary War. In these records, Noah's father is listed as John. However, one of Noah's grandsons, Zerah French (1827 - 1890), identifies Noah's father as William French. Perhaps Zerah was actually referring to Noah's grandfather, rather than his father. Because of information that connects Noah to Essex County, Union County, and Morris County, NJ, we've been trying to work back from Noah and down from John French, the brick mason (FFA Chart #188).

FFA Chart #20, Thomas French Jr., 1639, 

The Quaker line from Nether Heyford, County Northamptonshire, England who emigrated to New Jersey ca. 1680 is a very well-documented line. They settled in West Jersey near the Delaware River. First lineage by Howard Barclay French. Thomas ffrench (Sr.), the father of Thomas French b. 1639, and Sara were married in the mid-1630's in Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England. Thomas died in Nether Heyford in 1673. They had 6 children: Patience b. 1637, Thomas b. 1639, Sara b. 1643, Elizabeth b. 1645, Mary b. 1648, and John b. 1651 (perhaps of Woodbridge, NJ). By Thomas Sr.'s second wife, Martha, he had 2 children: Robert b. 1657 and Martha b. 1660. Thomas Jr. b. 1639 and wife Jane Atkins had 14 Children: Sara, Jane, Rachel, Richard, Thomas, Hannah, Charles, John, Sarah, Mary, Jane, Lydia, an infant, and Rebecca. 

Website: (search for French)
http://www.angelfire.com/me3/families/beckler/haines.htm

(A) Thomas French, b. ca 1610 in England, m. Sara (-), b. ca 1615 in England.

(I) Thomas French, b. 29 Oct 1639 Nether Heyford, Northampton, England, m.12 Jun1660 Jane Atkins (1643 Nether Heyford, Northampton, England- 05 Nov 1692 Rancocas, Burlington, NJ.) at Whilton, Wiltshire, England, d. 03 May 1699, Rancocas, Burlington Co, NJ. 

(2) Rachel French, b. 24 Mar 1663/64 in Nether Heyford, Northampton, England, m. (1) Matthew Allen (b.16 Jun 1657) at Chester Twp, Burlington Co., NJ. (2 children), (2) 09 Feb 170, Hugh Sharp (b. 03 Jun 1668) at Chester MM, Burlington Co., NJ. (2 children), (3) Samuel Mickle. 
(2) Richard, b. 01 Dec 1665 in Nether Heyford, Northampton, England, m.(1)11 Jul 1693 Sarah Scattergood, m. (2)13 Mar1701/2 Mary King at Chesterfield MM, Burlington, NJ. d.1745 
        (3). Jonathan 
(2) Thomas b. ca 1667, m.(1) 03 Dec 1696 Mary Allen at Shrewsbury, Northampton, NJ. m.(2) 09 Nov 1732 Mary Ogborne. 
        (by 1st wife) 
        (3) Thomas French, b. 27 Aug 1702 
        (3) Mary French, b. ca1706 
        (3) Robert L., French, b. Aug 1707 in Chester Twp, Burlington Co, NJ. 
(2) Hannah French, b.1669 in Nether Heyford, Northampton, England, m. 30 Oct 1695 Richard Buzby (b.1670) at Burlington, Burlington Co., NJ, d. aft.1747 Burlington, Burlington Co., NJ.
(2) Charles French, b. 20 Mar 1671 in Nether Heyford, Northampton, England, m.Elenor (-) d.1741 
        (3) Charles French, b.12 Oct 1714 in Evesham Twp, Burlington Co, NJ. 
(2) Sarah French, b.1674 in Nether Heyford, Northampton, England, m. 01 May1695 Isaac Wood at Burlington, Burlington Co., NJ. (1 child) 
(2) Mary French, b.1675 in Nether Heyford, Northampton, England, m.30 Oct 1695 Nicholas Buzby at Burlington MM, Burlington, NJ.

Sources:
Author: Wilbur H. Haines. whaines@mcn.org Publication: P.O. Box 165, The Sea Ranch, CA 95497 707-785-3268 Fax: 707-785-2682 

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The French families from Hunterdon and Sussex Counties NJ might be related to this family. This includes Walpack and New Germantown (from Jim Gunderson). 

Website of Judith French: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~judith333/index.html (this chart might be closest connected to Chart #20 and not #188). David French, Pvt Somerset Co., NJ Militia, Rev War, b. 6 Feb 1743, d. 8 Oct 1838, Essex Co., NJ. See http://dnafrench.tripod.com/id31.html.

David's (1) father is unknown. Possibility is John French, inherited the plantation on Turkey Rd., and his father Richard, and his father John, b. 1651 of Woodbridge, NJ, and his father Thomas of Nether Heyford, England. (Chart #20)

1...David A. French Sr. was born Feb 6, 1743 and died Oct. 8, 1838 Essex Co., NJ. He was one of the first settlers of the Passaic Valley, New Jersey. He married Sarah Wilcox who was born in 1755 in New Providence, NJ and died in 1837 in Essex Co., NJ.

2......Their son, David French, Jr., was born b. Jan 30, 1786 d. July 24, 1879. He lived in Stoney Hill Valley, NJ and was a member of the Union Village Methodist Church, Warren Twp., NJ. He was married to Margaret Noe who was born in 1787 in Chatham, NJ and died in 1875.

3.........Their son, Phineas Mundy French, was born about 1813 in North Plainfield, Union Co., NJ. He married Mary Emaline Oswald. She was born in 1819 in NY and died in 1861 in NJ. In the census of 1860 Phineas is listed with his wife, Mary E. in Warrenville and in 1880 with second wife, Sarah Jane Lees. Phineas died in 1901 in NJ.

4............Phineas and Mary French's son, Theodore Franklin French, was born about 1841and died in 1908 in North Plainfield, Union Co., NJ. He married Mary Crane Burnett who was born in 1842 in Chatham, NJ and died in 1883.

5................Their son, Charles Gray French, was born in 1871 in North Plainfield, Union Co., NJ and died in 1949 in St. Paul, MN. He married Clara Louise Steiner who was born in 1870 in North Plainfield, NJ and died in 1949 in St. Paul, MN.

FFA Chart #21, Aaron French, 1739

For years Aaron (FFA Chart #21) and Lafford (FFA Chart #22) have been disputed as descendants of Thomas French, FFA Chart #20. Through legal documents or DNA, we are hoping to discover the truth -- whether these two men are related to Thomas or not. Your input is welcome to marafrench@mindspring.com.

Aaron French could be a descendant of Thomas and Sara ffrench of Nether Heyford, however, he is not mentioned in Howard Barclay French's book. But was he the great grandson of Thomas or the great grandson of John?. During the Revolutionary War, Aaron lived in a part of New Jersey that suffered much at the hands of the British. Many church, town, and other records were then lost. Here is what the experts say:

Remarks from Genealogists on the Lineage of Aaron French, b. 1739, FFA Chart #21:

1. Charles Newton French, "Aaron French and His Descendants," 1910.
2. Jeanette S. French, 2004
3. Harry Dana French Collection, 1961.
4. Judith J. French, 2004
5. Howard Barclay French, "Thomas French of Burlington, NJ," 1909.
6. Wilna Powell Sawyer, "James Lewis French and His Ancestors and Descendants," 1973.
7. Christopher French, Frenches of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, 1994

1. Charles Newton French

Charles Newton reached conclusions without any proof. We are not claiming that he is wrong, we are stating that there is no proof that he, nor any of the others who made the claim, are right. This lineage is on-line: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/surnames/french/

Thomas (A) b. Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England
Thomas (1) b. 1639, m. Jane Atkins
Thomas (2) b. 1667, m. Mary Allen
Joseph (3) b. 1698 of Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ, who m. Allee, moved to SC
Joseph Jr. (4) b. 1723, m. Hannah Horn in 1749
Francis (4) of New Gretna, NJ
Aaron (4) b. 1739, d. 1805 in PA

Charles writes about Aaron, and we quote: "It is said that he had two or more brothers, one of whom removed to NY, and another "went south". Charles believes that the latter was Francis of New Gretna, in south NJ near Little Egg Harbor. Generations 3-4 have not been proved. 

2. Jeanette S. French

The Hannah Horn descended from the Gyles line out of MA/NY that records show married a Joseph FRENCH increases the probability that this Joseph FRENCH is not descended from the West Jersey FRENCH line. 

(From Mara French: The Giles and van Horn families are shown on this Piscataway map: 
http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/PISCATAWAY/Piscataway_Brush.jpg)

3. Harry Dana French

Descendants of John French (1) of Middlesex County. He had a copy of the Charles Newton French and Howard Barclay French books and from his research gave Aaron the following lineage: 

(A) Thomas, b. Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England
(1) John, b. 1651 of Woodbridge, NJ, as early as 1670, d. 1747, m. Elizabeth
(2) Richard
(3) John, inherited the plantation on Turkey Rd.
(4) Aaron, b. 1739
(4) John, of Harpersfield, Montgomery Co., NY (Aaron's brother who moved to NY)
(4) David, b. 1747.
(4) Joseph, Rev. Soldier, m. Joanna Osborn, was a Rev. soldier. 

4. Judith J. French

Judith comments on Harry Dana French's lineage above, especially David (4):

(A) Thomas, b. Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England
(1) John, b. 1651 of Woodbridge, NJ, as early as 1670, d. 1747, m. Elizabeth
(2) Richard of Elizabethtown, NJ
(3) John, inherited the plantation on Turkey Rd.
(4) Aaron, b. 1739
(4) John, of Harpersfield, Montgomery Co., NY in 1790 (Aaron's brother who "went to the lakes" in NY)
(4) David, b. 6 Feb 1744-1747, m. 1776 Sarah Wilcox (Willcocks), was one of the first settlers of Passaic, in northern NJ, and was also in the Montgomery Co. NY 1790 census. He was a private in the Somerset County, New Jersey militia, where he was born. David d. in NJ 8 Oct 1838 in Union Village, N. J. His descendants carry on name Aaron.
(4) Joseph, b. Aug 1755, Rev. Soldier, m. Joanna Osborn, was a Rev. soldier, whom is not carried forward. 
(4) Elsa, b. 8 Oct 1749

From: Family Records or Genealogies of the 1st Settlers of Passaic Valley & Vicinity above Chatham -Written By: John Littell-1851: David French (Sr.) came from Connecticut Farms, now Union, and settled about one mile east of David Smalley's, Esq. He had a (half) brother John (J.) French (father Robert Sr. & 2nd wife Johanna Osborn) who lived where Thomas Conn now does, who sold out to Mr. Conn and went to the Lakes, New York. David French married, 30th May 1776, Sarah Wilcox, daughter of William, son of Peter Willcockse, Sr., and had (11) children. (Benjamin, Mary aka Polly, Willis, Levi, Sally aka Sarah, David Jr., Cornelius, Elizabeth, Phebe, Nancy, possibly Lucretia as 11th on tree)

From Judith J. French: Robert French was the husband of Joanna Osborn. I found that 1790 census, but it showed it as David Sr. and right below David Jr. How can that be? I also followed to them appearing in another state after that. I did have a Joseph as a brother to David and it shows Joseph being born Aug. 1755 (nothing further) with sister Elsa b. Oct 8, 1749, along with David and other but later Robert Sr. and 2nd wife Johanna named another son Joseph b. 1767, it looks like Harry put several different men in one family. 

FFA staff member Art Westneat's lineage list of 1989 is where the following was listed and it has been a mess ever since. (This is because the software program he wrote in 1974 was perhaps not as precise as those of today.) There are David's in all the families but I think things are mixed up. I would like to be wrong too but no proof. I just came back from East New Jersey and visited 3 cemeteries and took pictures of the headstones. In a row in the Methodist 1700's cemetery is David Sr. faded but DAR put marker but states birth date as 1745 which I actually have on my uncle's old tree as 1744 so I have seen his birth date with the Feb 6 from 1744 to 1747. I could not read the headstone of David Sr. right next to him is Margaret Noe wife of David Jr. which is next to her and clear on both, then DAR has the marker next to that on David Sr. I found out that Sarah Wilcox is listed as being buried in a Baptist Cemetery with the family of Noe. I did not get there either. The Willcocks have a family burial site at Watchung Reservation, Feltville, which was near but not time to go. Sarah's grandparents Peter Willcocks and Phoebe Badgley are buried there. Then next to the DAR marker is headstone of Willis French but not readable and next to his is his wife that states widow of Willis French, etc. In this cemetery which is small had several connected family members, Noe, Wilcox, Moore, Littell, Ruckman, Crane, Marsh, Howell, Willis, and Badgley. 

5. Wilna Powell Sawyer 

Traced the descendants of Joseph French (4), who m. Hannah Horn in 1749. Wilna writes that Joseph (3), was located in or near Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, where so far as can be learned, he continued to reside until his death in 1752. He left children Joseph Jr., Francis, Aaron, and Mary. Wilna believes that the brother who "went south" was Joseph Jr.(4), who went to Spartanburg District, SC. Wilna bases this line on Charles Newton French's book. Joseph French Jr. had five children: Sarah, William, Joseph, Lafford, and Simon. All four sons entered the Continental Army from the Spartanburg District, SC. After the war, three of the brothers (William, Simon, Joseph) moved to Kentucky. Sarah was b. 17 Mar 1754 at New Jersey City, NJ, m. 1772/73 at Wofford Fort, SC, to Hugh Moore. She d. at age 99. Lafford may be FFA Chart #22. 

6. Howard Barclay French 

Does not list Aaron in his book. He traced only as far as the birth of Joseph (3). In Volume I of Howard's book, page 40, he says, the Rev. H. H. Crawley examined the parish register for the purposes of this book and states "There are at least 60 entries of the [French] name between 1558 and 1680 [when Thomas came to America]; the other entries of the name are evidently members of the family who did not leave the old country." Harry Dana French researched this line back to Richard (C), wife Joanna; Thomas (B), chr. 28 Apr 1588 at SS Peter & Paul Church in Nether Heyford, and lists his brother Nathaniel and sister Sarah; Thomas (A) who m. Sara 

7. Christopher French and Warren B. French Jr. 

Wrote "The Descendants of Elizabeth Jane, Bertie Melissa, and Fannie Ellen Hottel", 8 Feb 1994.

Thomas French (1), b. 1639 in Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England, m. Jane Atkins
Richard (2), m. Mary King
Jonathan (3), m. Esther Matlack
Francis Sr. (4), m. Elizabeth Sparrow
Thomas Sr. (5), m. Hannah Johnson
Capt. William (6), m. Phoebe Mathis
Martin Van Buren French (7), m. Frances Schoonover
William Schoonover French Sr. (8), m. Elizabeth J. Hottel
Warren Ballinger French (9), m. Lena Belle Sheetz
Warren B. French (10), m. Patricia H. Teale
Christopher E. French (11), m. Rhonda L. Harris. 

Another book: The Frenches of Woodstock, VA, an account of six generations edited by Anne French Dalke, Christopher Edward French, and Carolyn French Long, 1997. Martin Van Buren French of Burlington Co., NJ and his descendants of Little Egg Harbor, NJ and Woodstock, VA. 

FFA Chart #22. Lafford French, 1753

For years Aaron (FFA Chart #21) and Lafford (FFA Chart #22) have been disputed as descendants of Thomas French, FFA Chart #20. Through legal documents or DNA, we are hoping to discover the truth -- whether these two men are related to Thomas or not. Your input is welcome to marafrench@mindspring.com.

No one has PROVEN the connection between Lafford FRENCH of SC/NC and the Thomas French line of Quakers who settled in West Jersey. The chart below is only an assumption.

Thomas (A) b. Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England
Thomas (1) b. 1639, m. Jane Atkins
Thomas (2) b. 1667, m. Mary Allen
Joseph (3) b. 1698 of Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co., NJ, who m. Allee, moved to SC
Joseph Jr. (4) b. 1723, m. Hannah Horn in 1749
Lafford French (5), b. ca. 1753 in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ, , m1. unknown, first child was born 20 September 1780, m2. 1806 in Rutherford Co. NC to Elizabeth Gregory
James Lewis French, Rev. (6), b. 14 Jun 1788 in SC, m. Elenor Shanks, and died in 1870, perhaps in Marshall, AL or in KY.
Lewis P. French (7), b. 1814 in KY
Joseph P. French (8), b. 1840 in AL

Lafford French (5), b. ca. 1753 in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ, m1. 1779 to unknown, m2. Jan 1806 in Rutherford Co. NC to Elizabeth Gregory. William FRENCH of Jefferson Co. TN, ASSUMED to be the eldest son of Laffert FRENCH our Rev. War veteran. Lafford had a brother, William, and a sister, Mary. Generations 3-8 have not been proved.

Elizabeth Gregory (ca. 1778-ca. April 1855), the only known daughter of Isaac and Alse Gregory, was born in Union District, South Carolina and died in Rutherford County, North Carolina. She married, as his second wife, Lafford French (ca. 1753, New Jersey - 11 September 1834, Rutherford County, NC.). 

After the death of his first wife, he was married to Elizabeth Gregory in January 1806 by William McDowell, Esquire, of Spartanburg District, in the home of William Renfroe. They remained in Spartanburg District until around 1824, when they moved to the part of Rutherford County, NC. that is now Polk County (just over the North Carolina/South Carolina state line), possibly in the Mills Springs area. 

Lafford named John Granway, John Moore and John Mills as persons who lived in his present neighborhood and knew of his military service when he applied for his federal pension on 19 October 1832. When Elizabeth Gregory French was applying for her husband's pension, on 4 November 1854 in Spartanburg District (she was still a resident of Rutherford County, N.C.), she stated that there were children by her marriage to French and that she had a son living in Spartanburg. 

Lafford French entered the South Carolina Militia as a horseman and scout from Spartanburg District under the command of Colonel John Thomas, Sr. and Captain David McDowell in 1778 or 1779. He also served under Colonel John Thomas, Jr., son of John Thomas, Sr., marching from York District, S.C. to Musgrove Mill on the Enoree River, where they were met by Colonel Clarke and Colonel Shelby for that battle. Then they went to a rendezvous at Mountain Creek in Rutherford County, N.C. to await the return of Colonel Clarke who had taken the prisoners captured at Musgrove Mill to Salisbury, NC. Lafford served in a company of Rutherford Militia commanded by Captain James McFadden in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians. 
http://www.gregoryfamily.com/chaptr4.htm#Elizabeth%20Gregory

FFA Chart #108, Patrick French, ca. 1765, Monmouth Co., NJ

"Descendants of Patrick French," 1989. Bruce H. French has written a book on his line, tracing the descendants in the male line from the three sons of Patrick French: David, Reuben, and Grosvenor (Grovey) B. French. These three sons were born in Monmouth County, NJ around 1789-1792, moved with their father, Patrick, to Rockingham County, VA, and then to Fairfield County, OH and points west. Bruce's line is Patrick (1) b. ca 1765 in Marlboro, NJ, m. Mary Erickson 19 Nov 1788; Grosvenor (2); George (3); Grosvenor (4); Garnett (5); Bruce (6). There is no apparent connection with the Quaker Thomas French of Burlington Co., NJ or with Phillip French of New Brunswick, NJ. 

FFA Chart #131. Philip French of NY/NJ, 1666/67, New Brunswick, NJ

Saxmundham, Kelsdale, Knodishall, Lowestoft, County Suffolk, England; NYC. Note that (A) and (B) generations did not immigrate to America. The immigrant starts with generation (1). 

(B) Thomas French, father of Philip Sr., remained in England. 

(A) Philip French Sr., b. ca. 1625 in Saxmundham, Suffolk Co., England, m. Mary, also shows a marriage to Rebekah in his will of 12 Feb 1697/8, proved 4 Feb 1703/4. Philip Sr. was the brother of Rev. Jeremiah French below. 

In "a" will of Philip Sr., he mentions children Philip Jr., John, Ann or Alice Pigeon, and minor son William. Philip Sr. remained his entire life in England. He indicates in his will that his children went back and forth between NY and England; however, in his father Thomas' will of 1699, he does not appear to have a daughter named either Ann or Alice. 

(1) Philip French Jr. (eldest son). 

The following two records document Phillip FRENCH, merchant, of New York, who was born 1666-1667. This is the eldest son Phillip French who was named executor of his father, Phillip French Esq.'s will.

 

Year: 1689 Age: 22 = birth 1666-1667

8 Nov., 1698, age 31 = birth 1666-1667

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Philip, Jr. French found in:

 

Passenger and Immigration Index, 1500s-1900s

Place: New York Year: 1689

Age: 22

Primary immigrant: French, Philip, Jr.

Permanent entry number: 1827418

Source publication code: 8198

Source publication page number: 282

Source publication: SCOTT, KENNETH. "Early New Yorkers and Their Ages." In

National Genealogical Society Quarterly, vol. 57:4 (Dec. 1969), pp. 274-297.

Source annotation: Concerns 700 early inhabitants of New Netherland and New

York. Based mostly upon Colonial Documents of New York in the Manuscript

Division of the New York State Library; manuscript collections of the

New-York Historical Society; and Historical Documents Collection, Queens

College. Considerable information on individual's place of origin, trade or

profession, and some data on 17th and early 18th century migration.

========================

English Origins of American Colonists, Genealogical Notes of the High Court

of Admiralty Examinations, Page 183

"Philip Grench [French], junior, of New York, where he has lived for 12

years, merchant, deposes 8 Nov., 1698, age 31."

==========================

Since the above record states he has lived in New York for 12 years [since

1686], the following must be his initial trip to New York.

 

Philip French found in:

 

Passenger and Immigration Index, 1500s-1900s

Place: New York Year: 1686

Primary immigrant: French, Philip

Permanent entry number: 717909

Source publication code: 1219.5

Source publication page number: 697

Source publication: COLDHAM, PETER WILSON. The Complete Book of Emigrants:

A Comprehensive Listing Compiled from English Public Records of Those Who

Took Ship to the Americas for Political, Religious, and Economic Reasons; of

Those Who Were Deported for Vagrancy, Roguery, or Non-Conformity; and of

Those Who Were Sold to Labour in the New Colonies. Baltimore: Genealogical

Publishing Co. 1661-1699. 1990. 894p.

Source annotation: For the majority of entries, date and port reflect date

of the transportation or apprenticeship orders and the intended destination.

Information was extracted from English records of apprenticeship bindings or

criminal transportation orders and from port books.

===============================

The Passenger and Immigration Index list Philip as being 22 in 1689 indicating he was born in 1666/7. Philip m. 6 Jul 1694 in the Dutch Church in New York City to Anna Philipse, daughter of Frederick and Margariet (Hardenbroeck) Philipse and was then called "Mr. Philip French, young man from London." 

1694
den Jul. Mr. Philip Fiench, j.m., Van London, Anna Philips, j.d., Van N. Yorck, beyde wonende alheir. Met een licentie den 6 Jul.

Prior to the establishment of churches in NJ, the people recorded their information in New York.

Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam/New York - Marriages
Marriage Book of the Register of the Persons who are herin recorded, and who were married here or outside the city of New York from the 11th Dec. 1639
Source: The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record published 1890 and 1940

http://olivetreegenealogy.com/nn/church/rdcmarr1694.shtml

Philip Jr. is also said to have lived near a large estate near New Brunswick, New Jersey. In his will (See New York Wills, Vol. 7, page 304, new p. 395) dated May 29 1706, probated June 3, 1707, he mentions his wife Anna, son Philip (the 3rd) and daughters Elizabeth, Anne, and Margaret. Philip lived in the vicinity of New Brunswick near the Raritan River opposite the township of Piscataway. 

This will ties the NY Phillip French & son to county Suffolk England and to the parish of Kellshell and the Phillip French Sr. who died there a few years earlier.

Judith J. French previously posted this will to the French list. The following is a copy of her post.

Page 395.--PHILLIP FRENCH. In the name of God, Amen. I, Phillip French, of New York, merchant, being in perfect health. I leave to my wife one third of rents and income of estate, and one third of personal property. I leave to my son, Phillip French, all my lands in Suffolk County in England. I leave to my three daughters, Elizabeth, Anne, and Margaret, all my lands and estate in East New Jersey, which I lately purchased from Thomas Coddington. I leave to my wife (Pounds) 1,000, and all plate, rings, jewels, etc. I leave to the poor of the Parish of Kellshell, in England, (Pounds) 5. Mentions "children of my brother, John French." I make my wife Ann, Lewis Morris, and my brother in law, Adolph Phillipse, executors. Dated May 20, 1706. Witnesses, Jacobus Van Cortlandt, Phillip Schuyler, Edward Brown. Proved, June 3, 1707.

[NOTE.--Phillip French was son in law of Fredrick Phillipse. His residence, which was the house and lot given by his father in law in his will, is on the south side of Pearl street, and next east of the famous "Fraunces Tavern."--W. S. P.] 

Source Information:
Tami, Chris. New York City Wills, Vol. 1. Orem, UT: Ancestry, Inc., 1998.

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The Mansfield Joseph French book lists a Philip French, b. 1 Feb 1656 probably in Kelshall, now Kelsale, and within the present bounds of Saxmundham. He was baptized in St. John and Baptist Church, Saxmundham, on 8 Feb 1656/57. This would be about 10 years before the New York Phillip French was born, and is therefore not part of this line.
The above referenced book documented a Phillip & John FRENCH, son of Phillip French who it claims was a brother of Rev Jeremiah French. He documented these 2 sons - Phillip and John - based on baptism records he found in St. John the Baptist Church, Saxmundham. The records that I have found show that his Phillip and John are a different family than the Phillip and John we find in NY/NJ. (Jeanette S. French)

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(2) Elizabeth French
(2) Anne French, m. Joseph Reade. From Jim Gunderson: There is a 40-page study published in 1936 by CC Vermuele entitled "Raritan Landing That Was". It was published in 1936 and is printed in Vol. 54 of the Proceedings of the NJ Historical Society on p.85--115 and continued on p.196--205. It covers roughly the 1700s and has several refrences to Frenches who lived there - including John French who m. 1749 Hannah Horn and who lived in the home of Joseph and Anne French Reade (Anne was a daughter of Philip French of NYC) ... suggesting a relationship with FFA Charts 20 and 131. Vermuele was an historian, not a genealogist, and so does not give genealogical evidence the way that we would like it, but he does suggest some relationships that those researching E. Jersey French families need to read carefully and then interpret. This map shows the homestead of Joseph Reade and a William French. http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/HISTORICALMAPS/RaritanLanding.jpg
(2) Margaret French
(2) Philip the 3rd, bapt. 17 Nov 1697 in a Dutch Church in NYC with no children with Susanna Brockholst whom he married in 1720. She was an invalid and died in 1730. Philip m2. Anne Billopp Farmar, and had 4 daughters and one son, Philip.

http://www.altlaw.com/edball/dutchbap.html1719

      (3) Philip French the 4th, b. 1 Apr 1733, died in 1803 in New York, without issue.

(1) Captain John French, Philip Jr.'s brother, settled in NYC and then NJ, born after 1666. (This John is not the John who was baptized March 3, 1659, in St. John the Baptist Church, Saxmundham, County Suffolk, England.) Before he was thirty years of age he was a captain of a ship and came from London to New York. After several trips he and his brother, Philip, Jr., settled in New York as headquarters for their commercial enterprises. 

The following data has not yet been verified as the Capt. John French of NY and of this line:
"Old Times in Old Monmouth, New Jersey", page 252, gives "A record of Mr. John French's marriage: Att Tinton Manor in Shrewsbury, in the province of New Jersey, the last day of August, 1694, John French of New York and Mary White of the same Town, came before me, and did take each other in marriage before several witnesses until death part. Peter Tilton, East New Jersey". Mary was the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth White of New York. The old Dutch Church records in New York City give their intention to marry under date of October 21, 1694, but the record was copied from a printed transcript and the month may have been August in the original records. 
Capt. John French lived in the lower part of the Broad Way, near the Bowling Green, and not far from the new home of his brother Philip, on Pearl St., near the present site of the celebrated Fraunces Tavern. Capt. John French may have removed with his family to England or he may have established a home in New Jersey or eastern Pennsylvania. The names of his children have not been determined. 

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The following chart is FFA Chart #11, Samuel French, the Joiner, who settled in Stratford, Connecticut and is not part of this study.
(C) Robert French
(B) Thomas French, gentleman, remained in Knoddishall Parish, England. Thomas' will presents a transcription/abstraction of the will of Rev. Jeremiah French, in the County of Dorsett, 12 May 1685, which states "Moreover my will is that he shold pay my sister Hanah in Suffulke the three pounds a year (injoyned me by my father on his will) during her life.
(A) Rev. Jeremiah French, b. ca. 1623 also in Saxmundham, d. ca. 17 May 1685 in Bradford Abbas, Dorset, England, was the brother of Philip French Sr. above. 

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Jeanette S. French transcribed two wills (below) written in the 1600's by Phillip French (written about 1699), father of the NY/East Jersey Phillip & John French and an older will written by a Thomas French (written 1653) who appears to be related since both are living in the little area of county Suffolk which contained the Kelshall Parish and Saxmundham Parish near Knoddishall. These are scanned copies of the actual wills that were entered into the records. And as I noted before, there is an army of French's living in this area.

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This abstraction/transcription uses the modern alphabet. The content of the will is here presented in paragraph form which was not used in the original. Emailed from Jeanette S. French.

Will of Thomas FRENCH, written in 1653

Summary:

Will of Thomas French, 29 Sep 1653
Father: Robert French
Wife: Lucie
Sons: Nathaniell, Robert, Samuell, John, Jerimy, Phillip
Daughters; Hannah Wilson, Mary Webb, Abigall
Others: Abigale now the wife of son Samuell
Robert Fletcher who his father bought land from
Witnesses: Thomas Knight, William L___ugman

Coppyhold = a conveyable lease of land

"In the Name of God Amen the nine and twentith day of September in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred fifty three I Thomas French of Knodishall in the County of Suffolke gentleman being in perfect health and good remembrance doe ordain and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. "Item I give and bequeth unto Nathaniell my youngest sonne one little tenement called Nic??boned together with the yards orchards and Tightle there unto belonging lying in Knoddshall aforesaid now in the occupation of Samuell French his Brother to to have and to hould the said tenement with the yards orchard and tightell before bequeathed unto the said Nathaniell my sonne to him and his heirs forever from and after the death of Lucie my wife" 

"Item I give and bequeth unto John my sonne all that my coppyhold or customary lands lying in a close called the (?Slay or Slone) close in Knoddishall aforesayd the whole Land Robert French my father bought and had of the Surrender of one Robert Fletcher of (?firston) in the Countie aforsaid to have and to hold to the said John my sonne and his heires forever from and after my decease 

"Item I give unto Jerimy French my sonne one close called Broadsenn with three Tightells lying att the westende of the close in Knoddshall aforesaid and one close called (?Cordecalls) lying in four peices and one little meadowe called the long meadow lying in Buxlowes in the Countie aforesaid to houlde to him the said Jeremy his heires and assignes forever he the said Jeremiah paying unto Phillipp my sonne the summe of three (?score) pounds of lawfull english money within foure years next after my decease the first payment to beginn within one yeare next after my decease and if my said sonne Jeremie shall faile in paying of the sayd three (?score) pounds I give my sayde sonne Phillipp as aforesaid then I give and bequeth the same Land unto my seconde sonne Phillip and his heires Seconde 

"Item I give and bequeath unto the said Jeremye my sonne all the rest of my Land and tenemente with the appurtenances whatsoever or wheresoever both freehold lands and tenements or coppyhold and Customary Land and tenements lying in Knoddishall or Buxlowes or elsewhere and not formerly given in this my last will and testement to have and to hould from and after my Decease unto the said Jereme my sonne and to his heire forever nonethless upon _______ ________ at ones following (viz) that so the said Jerimie my sonne his heires Executor or Adminestratores doe pay or cause to be payde such summe and summes of money as he hath formerly entered into Bond to pay unto Abigall my daughter Samuell my sonne and Nathaniell my sonne "and also that he his Executors or Administrators shall pay or cause to bepayede unto Hannah Wilson my daughter the summe of three pounds of lawfullmoney of England yearely and every yeare during her naturale life and if mysaid sonne Jeremie his Executores or Administrat shall refuse to pay thesaid summes of mony formerly expressed that then I will my queath to himshall be utterly voide and of none effect"

And then I give and bequeath all those Lands and tenements herein this mywill given unto Jeremie my sonne unto Philipp my sonne and to his heiresforever he paying all such summe and summes of money as Jerimies sonnesshould have done.

"Item I give unto Nathaniell my sonne the great bedd in the now parlour asit standeth with all that belongeth unto it and two payre of sheetes;

"Item I give unto Hannah Wilson my daughter the trundle bedd in the nowParlour with all that belonges unto it and two payre of sheetes;

"Item I give unto Robert French my sonne the summe of twenty shillings to bepayd unto him by my Executors within one yeare next after my demease

"Item I give unto Mary Webb my daughter the summe of twenty shillings to bepaide unto her within one year next after my demise

"Item I give and bequeath unto Abigale now the wife of Samuell the summe oftenne shillings of lawfull English money to be paid by m y Executores withinsix monthes next after my demise all the rest of my goods chattells andmoveable _____ bequeathes I give and bequeath unto Phillip French my sonnewhom I make and ordaine solo Executor of this my last will and testement inwitnesse of which I have hereunto _______ my name and ______ to my seale the day and yeare fixst above written Thomas French Publishes __________ and________ in the presence of Thomas Knight William L___ugman

"This will was proved at Westminster the fourth day of February in the yeare of our Lord God (according to the computation of the Church of the Church of England) one thousand six hundred fifty and three before the Judges for probate of Wills and granting administration __ lawfully authorized by the oath of Phillipp French his natural and lawfull sonne and Executor named in the said will to whome administration was committed of all and singular the goods chattells and debts of the said condicile having first sworn truly and faithfully to administer."

FFA Chart #183. Robert French, 1775 

Robert French is of the French's Mustard line, which starts in NJ and moves to NY.

(1) Robert French was born ca. April 24, 1766 in NJ, and died October 24, 1824 in Genoa, Cayuga County, NY. He married (1) Jane Rapplyea (Rapleyea). He married (2) Rachel Manning 1795-1798 in NJ, daughter of John Manning and Sarah Van Pelt. 

Robert was a native of New Jersey, a steady and industrious man of good principles. In 1806 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.

Phillip's mother Rachel French moved from Ludlowville to Southport - sometimes staying with Swazee family and sometimes with Smock family, all New Jersey families.

Children of Robert French and Rachel Manning:
(2) John Manning French, b. July 11, 1798, New Brunswick, NJ.
(2) Phillip French, b. 1802, New Jersey; d. 1873-1879, Washington Heights, IL.
(2) Betsey French, b. Aft. 1802; m.? Van Narstrand.
(2) Harriet French, b. Aft. 1802; m.? Brocaw.
(2) Polly French, b. Aft. 1802; m.? Brocaw.
(2) Marg French, b. Abt. 1793, and died in Hector, Schyler County, NJ. She married Caleb J. Brokaw.

Will of Mr. John Manning, b. 1734 of Woodbridge NJ includes French's Robard and Robert married to his daughters. circa 1800.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvmarsha/jmanning.txt

FFA Chart #188. John French, Brick Mason, b. ca. 1645, d. 1713 in Woodbridge, NJ, and his grandson Robert C. French (East Jersey)

(1) John French, b. ca. 1651, m. Susannah of Woodbridge, in Middlesex County as early as 1680, d. 1713, were from Staten Island before Woodbridge. Was a brick mason at Woodbridge, NJ.
(2) John French Jr. of Woodbridge, E. Jersey in 1669
(2) Richard French, b. ca. 1670, immigrated with his brother from Lockington, Leicestershire, England ca 1692. Brother went to CT to settle and Richard to NJ, near Elizabeth. Who was Richard's brother who went to CT? Richard and his brother John lived in Woodbridge, E. Jersey in 1669.
(3) Robert C. French.
(3) John French, b. 1721.

FFA Chart #188 from Jim Gunderson. As a long time NJ French family researcher and descendant of John French, brick mason of Woodbridge, I am on a campaign to keep separate the W. Jersey line of Thomas French of Nether Heyford from that of the E. Jersey line of John French who first appears in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., on 20 August 1669 when the Woodbridge Town meeting granted him a 10 acre house lot and 5 acres of meadow, requiring that "he is bound here to live and to furnish the inhabitants bricks before strangers." The W. Jersey line (the "Nether Heyford" family) does not appear in New Jersey until 1680, when they came up the Delaware River to Burlington between Philadelphia and Trenton some 50 miles overland from Woodbridge (an unfriendly wilderness at that time). Woodbridge is much more distant by boat. The Nether Heyford family did have a son, John born 1651, who is listed by many as the same as John, brick mason, of Woodbridge. But, at age 17 or 18 in 1669, he was too young to have been granted land. I have a copy of John French brick mason's will and I found out that the copy that is located at the New Jersey State Archives is in error because the original one is not located there and when someone copied it from the original, the mention of "my son John" listed above "my son Richard" is on the fold and totally missed. 

I wish the connection would prove out because it would provide a great extension to my family line. But for the above reasons and more, I have to reject the connection. Barring solid y DNA matches (only mis-matches so far), those of us from the Woodbridge French line (John "Jr." and Richard - my line, the 2 sons of John, brick mason) will have to keep struggling with the origin of our family before Woodbridge. The early church records for the Woodbridge line are Presbyterian, none were Quaker. The next few generations of the Woodbridge lines mostly stayed in Middlesex, Essex/Union, and Morris Cos. of NJ or migrated to Steuben, Ontario/Yates, and Wyoming Cos. of NY. I have traced some 2000 descendants of a son of Richard and a fellow researcher a like number from a son of "John Jr."

From Jan McCabe: John French, brick mason, also had another son, "John Jr." whose line is being traced by Jan McCabe through Noah French, express rider (FFA Chart #19). John French and his wife, Susannah of Woodbridge, were in Middlesex County as early as 1680. John (c.1650 - 1713) and Susannah were from Staten Island before being in Woodbridge. Many of John and Susannah's descendants were in Essex County and Union County (including David French (1747-1838) who fought during the Revolutionary War. Other male descendants of John and Susannah also fought during the Revolutionary War. Because this military connection seems at odds with a Quaker heritage, it appears that this family is a completely separate French line, distinct from the Quaker line of Thomas (b 1611 in England, FFA Chart #20). I'm particularly interested in William French, who married Antie Sebring in Middlesex County, NJ in 1742. Antie Sebring had a brother Leffert, who posted the marriage bond with William French when he obtained the marriage license in Middlesex County. I believe this William is descended from John (the brick mason) and Susannah French. Lafford (born in 1753) would fit nicely into this family, as he would have been named for his uncle. Also, Lafford names his son William. This theory would then resolve what seems to be a strange DNA connection from the "military" Frenches to the Quaker Frenches. 

Website of Judith French: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~judith333/index.html (this chart might be closest connected to Chart #20 and not #188). David French, Pvt Somerset Co., NJ Militia, Rev War, b. 6 Feb 1743, d. 8 Oct 1838, Essex Co., NJ. See http://dnafrench.tripod.com/id31.html.

1...David French Sr. was born Feb 6, 1743 and died Oct. 8, 1838 Essex Co., NJ. He was one of the first settlers of the Passaic Valley, New Jersey. He married Sarah Wilcox who was born in 1755 in New Providence, NJ and died in 1837 in Essex Co., NJ.

2......Their son, David French, Jr., was born b. Jan 30, 1786 d. July 24, 1879. He lived in Stoney Hill Valley, NJ and was a member of the Union Village Methodist Church, Warren Twp., NJ. He was married to Margaret Noe who was born in 1787 in Chatham, NJ and died in 1875.

3.........Their son, Phineas Mundy French, was born about 1813 in North Plainfield, Union Co., NJ. He married Mary Emaline Oswald. She was born in 1819 in NY and died in 1861 in NJ. In the census of 1860 Phineas is listed with his wife, Mary E. in Warrenville and in 1880 with second wife, Sarah Jane Lees. Phineas died in 1901 in NJ.

4............Phineas and Mary French's son, Theodore Franklin French, was born about 1841and died in 1908 in North Plainfield, Union Co., NJ. He married Mary Crane Burnett who was born in 1842 in Chatham, NJ and died in 1883.

5................Their son, Charles Gray French, was born in 1871 in North Plainfield, Union Co., NJ and died in 1949 in St. Paul, MN. He married Clara Louise Steiner who was born in 1870 in North Plainfield, NJ and died in 1949 in St. Paul, MN.

Miscellaneous Documents:

From Jeanette S. French:

Abstracts of Unrecorded Wills, Vol XI, Prior to 1790

In the name of God, Amen. I, SAMUEL HALLETT, of Newtown, in Queens County, being sickly and weak. I leave to my daughters, Elizabeth Jackson, Grace Hewlett, Mercy Cornell, and Martha Hazzard, 2 horses, 2 cows, six yearlings, and 210 which is due to me by the bond of John French, of New York, and 24 due me from said John French and his son-in-law, Edward Earle, and also the produce of a certain horse now in the hands of Edmond Haynes, and all my household goods except a cedar chest and 4 in the hands of my son, Samuel Hallett. All to be divided equally between them. I leave to my son Samuel, all the rest of my estate, real and personal, and he is to pay all debts. And he is to pay 6 to my granddaughters, Mary Cornell, Hannah Washburn, and Sarah Hazzard. I make my son Samuel, and my son-in-law, James Hazzard, executors.

Dated October 7, 1716. Witnesses, Joseph Hallett, Thomas Jones, Peter Berrian. Proved, May 16, 1727.

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I did not add in any "Earle" family documents until we can find a definite tie-in.