French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

Chart #31, Henry French, Shenandoah County, VA
to Mercer County, KY, 1755

Records

This chart updated by Mara French on 4/5/11. Numbers in brackets [ ] show sources and refer to the bibliography at the end of this chart. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Send any corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 2009.

NOTE: Please make any corrections or additions to this chart that you can and send them to Mara. Refer to this chart by chart number and revision date so that your information will be understood. Refer to each family member by their number. Additions are greatly appreciated. This chart has been widely distributed and is constantly being updated. You will be notified of the next revision.

Contents

FFA Home Page

FFA Chart #31

Vital Records, Census Records, and Land Grants

French Family Circuit Court Records for Mercer Co., KY

Email

Bibliography

Vital Records, Census Records, and Land Grants

Marriages

Armilda Clark French, m. Caleb Sims, 5 Mar 1845 in Mercer Co., KY [1]

Jane Banta m. Edward French on 6 Oct 1842 in Mercer Co., KY [1]

David Banta m. Elizabeth French on 18 Jan 1838 in Harrodsburg, Mercer Co., KY [1]

Charity Banta m. George French in 1837 in Mercer Co., KY [1]

Nancy Stone m. Isaac French on 3 Oct 1805 in Mercer Co., KY [1] [12, p. 112]

Rachel Banta, m. John French on 20 Mar 1844 in Mercer Co., KY [1]. Apparently this couple had a son named Thomas [36].

Mary Smock m. Simon French on 12 Aug 1828 in Mercer Co., KY [1] [12, p. 350]

Philip B. French, m. Ann Demott 5 Oct 1836 in Mercer Co., KY

Isaac French m. Nancy Stone, 13 Oct 1805 in Mercer Co., KY [12, p. 112].

William French m. Sally Barber 4 May 1809 in Mercer Co., KY [12, p. 144].

John French m. Alsey Barnet 12-21-1844 in Mercer Co., KY

John French m. Rachel Banta 3-20-1844 in Mercer Co., KY

Edward French m. Jane Banta 10-6-1842 in Mercer Co., KY

Philip B. French m. Ann Demott, b. Thos. Kyle 10-6-1836 in Mercer Co., KY

Isaac French m. Nancy Stone 10-13-1805 in Mercer Co., KY

George French m. Elizabeth Sturman 6-14-1804 in Mercer Co., KY

Simeon French m. Mary Smock 8-12-1828 [26] in Mercer Co., KY

John E. French m. Marena Ann Graham, 18 Sep 1832, Vermilion Co., IL, 1823-1840

Mary French m. William Peter, 24 Mar 1839, Vermilion Co., IL, 1823-1840

Richard French m. Elizabeth Rice, 17 Jun 1840, Vermilion Co., IL, 1823-1840

Births

Elizabeth French gave birth to Clifton French on 25 Jan 1874 in Mercer Co., KY [1].

Rachel Banta and John French gave birth to Kitty French, b. 8 Jul 1853 in Mercer Co., KY [1].

Kitty French, b. 8 Jul 1853, Boyle Co., Dau. of John and Rachel Bonta French, Perryville [25].

Deaths

Charity French, d. 10 Apr 1834, female trouble, 36 years old, married, b. Mercer Co., dau. of Charity French [25].

Margaret French, d. 7 Oct 1858, consumption, 35 years, single, b. Delaware, buried Pleasant Hill or Pleasant Run Methodist Church Graveyard, Mercer Co. [25].

Clifton Rhodes French

Birth:	Jan. 25, 1874
Death:	Feb. 7, 1947 Mercer County Kentucky, USA
Clifford R. French, 73, well known Mercer County farmer, died at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, 1947, at his home on the Cornishville Road near this city. He was a son of George (incorrect) and Betty French and was born January 25, 1874 in Mercer County. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Mary Alice French and the following children: Mrs. Mildred Peterson, Chicago; Mrs. Leona Shackleford, Mrs. Mable Morgan, Mrs. Virginia Murphy, Mrs. Laverne Sims, all of Harrodsburg, and one son, Sgt. Morgan French, of Ft. Knox, who is one of the survivors of Mercer County's 66 prisoners of war of the Japanese in the Philippines, members of the former Tank Unit, National Guards, captured at Bataan. Also surviving are one step-daughter, Mrs. Sallie Lou Dorsey, of Boyle County, 14 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two sisters, Mrs. Cordie Clark and Mrs. Mabel Kummert, both of Louisville. Funeral at 2:30 Sunday at Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, on the Perryville Road, West of Harrodsburg, conducted by the Rev. T. Hassel Bowen, minister of the Christian Church, Harrodsburg, assisted by the Rev. Ezra Jewell, pastor at Bethel. Burial in the Bethel church cemetery, the bearers being his sons-in-law, Chris Peterson, Edwin Sims, Gilbert Murphy, Jack Morgan, William Shackleford and Ben Dorsey.
Burial: Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery Mercer County Kentucky, USA
Rosecord added: Jun 28, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 38836275

Elizabeth Mildred “Bettie” French

Birth:	May 14, 1856 Mercer County Kentucky, USA
Death:	May 3, 1937 Louisville Jefferson County Kentucky, USA
OBITUARY - FRENCH Mrs. Bettie M. French died May 3, at the home of her daughter in Louisville. The funeral was held May 4 from Bethel Church, at 2:30 p.m., Rev. G. Whitcomb Ellers, of the Harrodsburg Baptist church conducting the services. Burial was in the local cemetery. Grandsons of the deceased acted as pallbearers. Mrs. French was a most estimable lady. Surviving are one son, Cliff French and two daughters. One brother, William, lived in the Nevada neighborhood. Second obituary - French Harrodsburg Herald Friday May 14, 1937 Mrs. Bettie French died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Leo Kurmett, in Louisville, Ky., on April 3, 1937, in her 83rd year, of complications. She was a member of Bethel Cumberland Church of this place Nevada which she joined at an early age. She made her home in Louisville in winter with her two daughters, Mrs. Cordia Clark and Mrs. Kurmett and spent the summer months here with her son, Mr. Clifton French. Besides the three children she is survived by one brother, Mr. W. E. French, of this place, 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. She was laid to rest in Bethel Cemetery. The funeral was conducted by Rev. G. Whitcomb Ellers, of Harrodsburg.
Burial: Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery Mercer County Kentucky, USA
Created by: Dianna Rose Record added: Sep 09, 2010 Find A Grave Memorial# 58416842

Mary Alice Smith French

Birth:	Oct. 1, 1887 Kentucky, USA
Death:	Sep. 16, 1967 Mercer County Kentucky, USA
Burial: Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery Mercer County Kentucky, USA
Created by: Dianna Rose Record added: Jun 28, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 38836360

Deeds

Recorded in Mercer Co., KY, 1786-1840, received from Kaye S., 1990 by [40].

Grantee	Date	Book	Page
Henry French from James Thompson	1804	5	250
John French from Henry French	1813	8	359
Henry French from John Grant	1822	8	220
John French from Henry French	1822	12	326
John S. French from Charles Riker	1832	18	156
John French from John Brisco, Exor	1836	20	434
Philip B. French from William Dodd	1837	20	188
Philip B. French from C. B. Vanarsdall	1836	20	121
John French from Susan Neal	1832	23	445
Henry French to Bennett Bull	1798	3	221
Henry French to George Reed	1804	5	231
Henry French to Christian Ludwick	1807	6	203
Henry French to David Lillard	1807	6	217
Henry French to Bennett Bull	1808	6	517
Henry French to Edward Davis	1808	6	519
Henry French to John Grant	1810	7	340
Henry French to James Harlan	1810	8	38
Henry French to John Grant	1812	8	221
Henry French to James Harlan	1812	8	222
Henry French to Robert Burton	1812	8	308
Henry French to John Ludwick	1813	8	357
Henry French to Godhart Smock	1813	8	360
Henry French to Godhart Smick	1822	12	327
Henry French to Henderson Vermillion	1822	12	328
Philip B. French Apprentice	1824	13	208
George French to John Ludwick	1826	14	53
Henry French Heirs Agreement	1827	15	130
George French to Argalus Pancake	1829	15	490
Henry French to John French	1831	17	231
Henry French to &c. to John Pittman	1831	17	239
Philip B. French to William Dodd	1837	20	91
Sarah French &c. to Nancy Bergin	1839	23	144

French Family Circuit Court Records for Mercer Co., KY

The following notes (received from Kaye Scheiman) are from various legal records of Mercer County, KY. Some of them include Henry and Samuel French together. Though nothing says they are brothers, it certainly appears that they are closely related [40]. This Henry could also be from another lineage. The earliest record for Samuel French listed below is 1794; therefore, as an adult land owner, he would have had to be at least 16 years old or born in 1778 or before. That would put him in the second generation of the DNA Group 4 Analysis Chart, or with Henry French Sr. b. 12 Mar 1755 of Mercer Co., KY. There is no other Henry French born between 1755 and 1778, except of course if we are missing one, which is a curious situation in that David French also had dealings with a Henry French in Kentucky but seems to not fit in anywhere. It seems logical that John French, b. ca. 1739-1742, FFA Chart #129, would have had a son named Henry French who could fit in very nicely. This might also tie in Isaac French to this line.

JUDGEMENT BOX M#5 - John Milner Versus Samuel French, etc.

1794

A bond of Samuel French, John Bridges and James Harbison is filed 3 June 1794 in the amount of 40 pounds. The condition is that John Milner has brought suit against Samuel French on a debt. Bridges and Harbison are security on the bond which is to be void when ??? horses belonging to French are delivered to the Sheriff of Mercer Co., on Sat. 21 of June.

JUDGMENT BOX S#9 - Elisha Stone Versus Samuel French

1804

Elisha Stone claims he paid off a note to Samuel French which he had owed him on an occasion when he did not have the note on his person and when he was away from home where the note was kept. Therefore, he did not get the note, but French promised to give it to him or else to tear it up. It appears neither was done and it was assigned by French to Edward Shipley to apply on one of his own debts. Said executors of French are now suing Stone for collection and he in turn is suing French to recover amount of the note.

JUDGMENT BOX N#2 - Bernard Neal Versus Samuel and Henry French*

1794

Promissory Note:

Samuel French promises to deliver to Bernard Neal in Danville five second rate cows and calves not to exceed 8 years old nor under five on April 1st ensuing.

17 Dec 1792

Signed: Samuel (his mark) French

Witness: John Warren

Said French has failed to deliver the cows and calves and Neal sues.

Bond:

Samuel French and Henry French* are bound unto Bernard Neal in sum of 41 pounds, 2 shillings, and 4 pence. “We bind ourselves and each of our heirs” this 20th July 1795. Obligation of the bond is that Neal has served out of Court and execution against the estate of Samuel French for 17 pounds, 10 shillings plus costs. Said Samuel French has tendered Henry French as his security and the debt has been levied on a white horse and a saddle and bridle. If either Samuel or Henry deliver the property to the Sheriff of Mercer Co. on the second Sat. next month, this obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue.

Signed: Samuel (his mark) French – Henry French

Witness: Thomas Hanna

The following statement is handwritten by Kaye S. or Eliza K.:

“Here we find Henry French and Samuel French appearing on the same documents before 1800 which is a good indication they were related.”

JUDGMENT BOX F#2 – Samuel French Versus James Harbison

1796

Summons issued on behalf of Samuel French in a certain matter of controversy between him and James Harberson [sic], June 1796, to John Bridges, Henry Goodnight, and Charles Hart. The controversy is over a sorel stud horse which Harberson [sic] purchased of French on July 1794 and has failed to pay the amount of 75 pounds which he promised for the horse named Pilgrim.

JUDGMENT BOX F#2 – Samuel French Versus Andrew Quigley

1796

Andrew Quigley has served out of the Mercer Circuit Court an execution against the estate of Samuel French. It was levied against two horses which belonged to French. French makes bond with Isaac Coffman as his security. If either of them deliver the horses to the Sheriff of Mercer Co. at Harrodsburg the second Sat. in next month, then this obligation to be void.

JUDGMENT BOX F#3 – Henry and Samuel French Versus Joslem’s Executors

1797

Henry and Samuel French* make a bond to Edward Powell, executor of Joslem, dec’d., in the sum of 158 pounds, 13 shillings, 9 pence of the 14th of Sept. 1796. The condition of the bond is such that the executor of Joslem has served an execution against the estate of Henry French and the same was levied against a wagon and 4 horses, the property of said Henry, and he tendered Samuel French his security for the delivery of the wagon and horses. Now if either Henry or Samuel French deliver to the Sheriff of Mercer Co. at Harrodsburg on the second Saturday in next month, then this obligation is to be void, else to remain in full force and virtue.

Signatures: Henry – Samuel French

Witness: Thomas Hannah [sic]

JUDGMENT BOX F#23 – Sarah French, on a Petition

1839

Sarah French, widow of John S. French, on a petition to sell a tract of 51 acres of which her deceased husband died seized and possessed. Catherine French is the only child of Sarah and John S. French, and she is an infant under age. Her mother is acting guardian of the child. John S. French died 4 April 1835. The tract of land to be sold is part of Henry Wilson’s 1000 acre preemption and is bounded by lands of John Cozine’s heirs – Widow Vannice – John Comingore – Widow Comingore – Charles Riker.

ORDER BK. 1 – Page 21, Mercer County, KY, Mar. 28, 1787

Luke Foster vs. Henry French on petition. Dismissed by Court; plaintiff to pay costs of defendant.

A List of Lands Taken by James Clark in the County of Mercer, 1795

Henry French – 400 A. 1st rate land in Mercer Co. on Salt River

                          Tax paid 1792, 1793, 1794

Henry French – 200 A. 2nd rate land in Mercer Co. on Salt River

                          Tax paid 1792, 1793, 1794

Henry French – 200 A. 2nd rate land in Shelby Co. on Plumb Ck.

                          No tax pd.

Henry French – 338 A. 3rd rate land in Scott Co. on N. Elkhorn

                          No tax paid.

Henry French – 400 A. 3rd rate land in Clark or Mason Co.

                          No tax pd.

Henry French – 1000 A. 3rd rate land in Clark Co.

                          No tax paid.

Insolvents and Removals from Mercer Co., KY, 1798

Samuel French

Second Census of KY, 1800

Henry French – Mercer Co.

Samuel French – Mercer Co.

David French – Jefferson Co.          

(David’s name appears on a least two marriage records in Mercer Co. before 1800.)

Lincoln County, KY, Wills

(Mercer Co. was formed from Lincoln, 1785)

WILL BOOK A – PAGE ___

EDWARD BULGER’S WILL

Date: Aug. 21, 1782

Witnesses: John Reed – Henry French – William Crow

Email

Email from Dianna Rose [43] to Shirley Scott [27], 3 Feb 2007

The answer of Christopher Houts shows the relationship between Henry French (who was the complainant in the lawsuit) and Samuel French. I am including the transcription of this answer below that I have in my records.  I am unsure where you were researching but these records were contained in the Clerk of the Mercer Circuit Court's office, not the County Clerk.  They are the original papers from the 1700s and 1800s.  Unfortunately, these records have been removed from Mrs. Bishop's office to Frankfort now to the Archives.  They can still be viewed but the conditions are very stringent before they will allow them to be accessed.  They were contained in bundles tied with ribbons when they were still here in Mercer County.  There is also another reference that refers to their relationship as brothers but I can't lay my hands on it at this time.    The reference while it was still here was Bundle F - 1798.  You had to literally look through the entire bundle to locate documents and they were and are very fragile.  Some were too fragile to photocopy.  Does this help?  The question marks are mine because I was unsure about the verbage. Lawsuit - French v. Houts - Mercer County, Kentucky: The answer of Christopher Houts [1] in a Bill of Chancery exhibited against himself by Henry French in the Court of Mercer County, 27th day of February 1798.

-----------------------------

This Deft now and at all other times saving and reserving to himself all &~ all manner of Benefits of exception to the many errors, untruths &~ uncertainties in the said complainats (sic) Bill of Complaint contained the answer thereto or as much thereof as it is advised it is material for him to answer to he answers it and saith That here it is that this Deft instituted a suit ___________ Judgment at common Law against s'd com't on a Note assigned to this Deft from Isaac Coffman and this Deft expressly says that before he traded (?) for said Note he talked with Complt who acknowledged it to be Just &~ said he would pay it.  This Deft says that the comp't never did deliver a Note on Smith or any other person for fifty Bushels of salt as stated in the Bill But Samuel French [2] a Brother of the Comp't being indebted to this Deft offered a Note on s'd Smith which note was executed to the Comp't as a Discharge or payment of the debt owed by the s'd Samuel French to this Deft But this Deft believes from what had passed said Smith was insolvent utterly refused to take the Note as a payment of the debt owed by Samuel French.  The s'd Samuel French then said that he knew the s'd Smith was not good for payment of the Note but requested this Deft to take the Note as a Neighbour & friend and try to get something.  This Deft took s'd Note but never got anything from s'd note from Smith & afterwards s'd Samuel discharged the debt he owed to this Deft took back the Note on Smith & the s'd note this Deft has since seen as he believes in the possession of William McGinnis who told this Deft that he received the s'd note from Samuel French.  That this Deft never heard that the com't set up any claim to s'd note on Smith untill very latterly (?) and since this Deft sued the Comp & often since the said Samuel delivered the s'd note on Smith, the Comp't has acknowledged the Justice of the debt he owed to this Deft.  This Deft. Positively declares that he did give s'd Comp't notice according to the requisitions of the Note on which suit was brought & that it was proven on the trial a Common Law & this Deft further says that when he gave notice to s'd Comp't he hired Waggons to go for the salt & also some hides he had at the Falls one of which Waggons belonged to the Comp't & the said wagons went to the Falls for the Hides, then went to the Lick & waited two days as this Deft is informed & believes & then returned without any salt.  This Deft. Conceives that the Comp't had fair trial a(t) Common Law, that on the day of trial he believes that the Councile moved for a Continuance of the cause on account of the absence of some of the Witnesses and for the want of the deposition of Smith, but the Court perceiving that no steps had been taken by the Comp't to take the Deposition of s'd Smith & that the cause had been continued on the Docket for a Considerable time ruled the Comp't on to trial & this Deft verily believes that the object of the Comp't is delay for after the Deft commenced suit in a private conversation this Deft asked the Comp't why he by his plea denyed the debt since he has always acknowledged it to be Just, the Comp't said that he was afraid the Deft would get Judgment against him and distress his family while he was gone to the settlement.  He told this Deft that he did not know the nature of Law as he did, that the Lawyers would plead anything to keep off the suit but that he would get money while he was gone & would pay this Deft as soon as he returned.  This Deft. Says that he never got any notice from s'd Comp't that he was about to take the Deposition of Smith & does not know that a new trial was moved for at term when Judgment was obtained & conceives that it would be extreamly (sic) unjust that there should be a new trial granted & that it would tend to promote delay & injustice even if their (sic) might have been a reason for a new Trial.  That this Comp'ts application is too late but denies that there is any reason.  Christopher Houts

This day came Christopher Houts personally before me one of the Justices of the Peace for said County and made Oath that the within answer is true so far as he recollects from his own knowledge & what he recollects from the information of others believes to be true given under my hand this 27th day of February 1798    Hugh McGary

-----------------------------

[1] This suit is included not only because it establishes the relationship between Henry and Samuel but it offers another clue as to the migration pattern of the Frenches to Kentucky.  Christopher Houts (Houtz) was also located in Shenandoah County (West) Virginia with Henry French in the 1790 census.  Isaac Coffman was also included in this same census.

[2] The language in this answer confirms the relationship between Samuel French and Henry French.  In addition, there is a deposition wherein the deponent testifies as to their relationship.

[3] From the FFA: Christopher Houts appears in the 1810 census of Washington Co., KY with 6 members in his household. William Hover writes in his will of 25 Nov 1779, listing his children including his daughter Susanna Hover who married Christopher Houts. This will was written in Shenandoah Co., VA. Christopher Houts (spelled Houtz, a German name) appears in the first census of the U.S. in 1790 as head of household in Shenandoah Co., VA, first in 1783. These are the other Frenches listed in this 1790 census: French, Penelope and Benjamin Dulany (Fairfax Co., VA of FFA Chart #36), Robert French (Amelia Co., VA), William French (Frederick Co., and Shenandoah Co., VA).

[4] From the FFA: If Christopher Houts calls Samuel French a brother, this might indicate that Christopher’s sister married Samuel French.

Email from Thresea R. Hamon [33]

Thresea R. Hamon [33] found Henry French’s middle name Creagar in "Jefferson County Kentucky Records", Vol. 5, p. 17, by Michael L. Cook, G.G.; and Bettie A. Cummings Cook, C.G., Book Publications, 3318 Wimberg Ave., Evansville, IN 47712. Jacob Creagar (or Reagar) bought property in Louisville from Henry Creagar French of Lincoln Co., KY. Jacob Creagar was also a gunsmith and blacksmith.

Thresea R. Hamon [33] found the following information in "Back of the Camela”, copyright 1992, p. 124-125, Early Virginia Surveys in Today’s Garrard County, KY, by Fred Logan Simpson, P.O. Box 89, Lancaster, KY 40444. McDowell Publications, 11129 Pleasant Ridge Rd., Utica, KY, 42376. Issued 6-28-1780, Treasury Warrant 5808. Henry French was an assignee of Jacob Fromon, granted 11-20-1783 to Jacob Froman, #692, 500 acres. pg 123 - The family of Jacob Froman was of Protestant German descent with roots in the Alsace-Lorraine region near the border of Germany and France. Jacob Froman was a grandson of Jost Hite. Jost Hite, William Bradley, and Benjamin Border were active in soliciting settlers from Europe to Western, VA, in the years after Jost Hite helped survey an extension of the Virginia boundary line in 1728. The father of Jacob Fromen also received a grant from the crown, but Jacob Fromen went down the Ohio River shortly after the establishment of the settlement at Harrodsburg to obtain land of his own.  There were other Kentucky settlers with German names in the area. The Jacob Holsclaw, Jacob Fishback, and Kemper families have been members of the Reformed Church in Germany at the beginning of the 18th century. They also shared a background in the iron ore and metal working industry there. Their immigration to America was arranged by Gov. Spottswood of the Colony of Virginia in order that they might assist in the development of an iron industry in Virginia. Jacob Holsclaw arrived in 1714 and settled in Germanna, a German settlement located in the bend of the lower Rappahanock River. Jacob Holsclaw 1779, a grandson of the earlier Holslaw, followed David Rice’s Cane Run Presbyterian Church (similar to German Reform Church). David Rice was a pioneer preacher who established the Presbyterian Church in KY.  The Virginia Frontier map of 1756 placed them in Old Culpeper and Frederick Counties, VA. Frederick County is in or near the Shenandoah Valley.

Email from Kaye Scheiman [35]

Reference [35], a cousin to Ref [7], says the Frenches came with George Rogers Clark from the Shenandoah Valley to Kentucky. Samuel was either a brother or father to Henry, and he went to Indiana. In West Liberty, KY, Henry received a land grant of 10,000 acres for being a Gunsmith. He had the rank of Lieutenant. Benjamin French of Woodford Co., KY, was also a brother. Note: Both Samuel and Benjamin have not been entered on Chart #31 until further proof is received.