French Family Association
The Official Website of the Surname French
Chart #41, Otho French, 1707
William Morgan French, 1807
Baltimore, MD; Allegheny Co., PA
Stanton, Powell Co., KY
Belmont Co., OH
Bibliography and Records
This chart updated by Mara French on 9/28/16. Numbers in brackets [ ] show sources and refer to the bibliography at the end of this chart. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. You are welcome to have me add or delete any information here -- Contact. Always a Òwork-in-progressÓ for which I take no responsibility for errors, but I do the best research I can. Revisions: 2009, 2010, 2014, 2016. Former FFA Chart #189 was merged into FFA Chart #41.
Contents
Bibliography
[1] Terry L. Thompson: terrylee@newnorth.net and her aunt Nina Yocum who was a member of the FFA. (email good in 2010)
[2] French Family Bible Records – New Oxford Quarto Edition of the Holy Bible; Oxford Bible Publishing Co. copyrighted 1896. Copied 1961 by Gladys Hoffmann & Augusta Helm Morris of the DAR Mary Ingles Chapter of Ft. Thomas, Kentucky and published in the Kentucky Bible Records Volume 1 in 1962. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kycampbe/biblefrench.htm
BIRTHS
David
McLaughlin (Father) 26 Aug 1800 Fayette Co. Ky
Elizabeth
Morris (Mother) 4 Aug 1804 Montgomery Co. Ky
CHILDREN
John-26 Dec 1827
in Montgomery County
Clarrissa A-18 Dec 1828 in Montgomery County
Thomas G-27 Apr 1830 in Montgomery County
Sarah A-26 Apr 1832 in Montgomery County
Elizabeth-6 Jan 1834 in Montgomery County
Susan-26 Aug 1835 in Montgomery County
Caroline-27 Sep 1837 in Montgomery County
Andrew P-15 Nov 1841 in Montgomery County
Hugh-15 Mar 1843 in Montgomery County
Christopher-10 Feb 1846 in Montgomery County
--------------
William M
French (Father) 9 Sep 1807 in Baltimore, Maryland
Ann Richards
(Mother) 10 Aug 1810 in Wales, England
CHILDREN
John-26 Apr
1830 in Pittsburg, Penn
Elizabeth-21 Feb 1832 in Pittsburg, Penn
Nicholas-5 Oct 1834 in Pittsburg, Penn
Mary J-born in Pittsburg, Penn
William R-born in Powell County, Kentucky
Adeline R-31 Jan 1843 in Powell County
Josephine-20 Nov 1844 in Powell County
Frances I-17 Nov 1847 in Powell County
Eoline-7 Nov 1852 in Powell County
-----------------
Sarah Jane
Pelfry-10 Jul 1863 in Wolf County Kentucky
Joseph L
French-29 Sep 1890 in Powell County Kentucky
John French
(Father) 26 Apr 1830 in Pittsburg, Penn
Sarah
McLaughlin (Mother) 26 Apr 1832 in Powell County, Kentucky
CHILDREN
William G-19
Jul 1852
David N-21 Feb 1854
Elizabeth A-27 Oct 1856
George W-29 Jan 1859
Elsie R-9 Jan 1861
Christopher M-8 Jan 1863
Sarah F-14 Jul 1865
A S Eugene-16 May 1867
J Morgan-2 Apr 1869
Charlie E-14 Jul 1871
Warren
Martin-15 May 1872
Charles E Martin-21 Sep 1898
Earl F Martin-29 Sep 1900
Elsie L Martin-29 Jul 1903
Ellis Martin-29 Jul 1903
Kenneth Martin-25 Aug 1905
MARRIAGES
David McLaughlin to Elizabeth Morris-26 Apr 1826
Sarah A McLaughlin to John French-25 Sep 1851
Earl Martin of Stanton, Powell Co. Kentucky to
Elsie Conlee of Stanton-24 Sep 1925 at Stanton in Powell Co by Alanzo
Willoughby;
witnesses Kenneth Martin & Earl Williams
John French to Sarah McLaughlin-25 Sep 1851
at the home of the bride in presence of Robt Knox & Mary J French;
signed Thomas White, Min Church of Christ
Nicholas French to Sarah Jane Pelfrey-7 Oct 1889
William G French to ___-10 Oct 1874
David N French to ___-14 Mar 1883
Elizabeth A French to ___-17 Mar 1881
George W French to ____-14 Dec 1884
Elsie R French to ____-25 Feb 1880
Christopher M French to ____-1 Feb 1894
Sarah F French to ____-25 Nov 1897
A S Eugene French to ____-7 Mar 1889
J Morgan French to ____-24 May 1896
Charlie E French to ____-28 Dec 1898
Warren Martin to ____-25 Nov 1897
Charles E Martin to ____-6 Jul 1921
Earl
F Martin to ____-24 Sep 1925
Elise L Martin to ____-3 Jul 19__
Kenneth Martin to ____-4 Sep 1926
DEATHS
David
McLaughlin-23 Jan 1887
Elizabeth Morris McLaughlin-7 Sep 1853
Andrew P McLaughlin-10 Sep 1852
William M French-4 Oct 1898
Ann Richards French-17 Jan 1894
John French-2 Oct 1900
Nicholas French-13 Feb 1913
Adeline R French-24 Jun 1844
Josephine French-11 Oct 1918
Frances I French-17 Jul 1867
Sarah Jane Pelfrey French-17 Feb 1892
John French-2 Oct 1900
Sarah McLaughlin French-20 May 1907
William G French-4 Jun 1903
David N French-30 May 1885
Elizabeth A French-18 Jul 1905
George W French-28 Dec 1939
Elsie R French-21 Aug 1935
Sarah F French-27 Dec 1925
A S Eugene French-15 Mar 1959
J Morgan French-22 Aug 1901
Charlie E French-22 Oct 1925
Warren Martin-12 Dec 1921
Ellis Martin-9 Aug 1903
[3] Joan Miller, email Joanjmm@aol.com (good in 2010). Powell Co., KY Archives from ancestry.com: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/KYPOWELL/2001-03/0983811375
Descendants of William M. French
Generation No. 1
1. William M.1 French was born 1806 in Maryland, and died 1904. He
married Hannah "Ann" Richardson March 11, 1822. She was born 1810 in
England, and died 1911 in Stanton, Powell Co., KY.
Children of William French and Hannah Richardson are:
2 i. John B.2 French, born 1830 in Pennsylvania; died 1901 in Powell
Co., Kentucky. He married (1) Sarah McLaughen Bef. 1866; born 1834 in
Pennsylvania. He married (2) Anna "Ann" E. Kennon January 02, 1866 in Robert
E. Kennon's residence, Estill Co., KY, recorded in Estill Co., KY, Marriage
Records, Vol. #6, page 159; born 1848 in Estill Co., Kentucky; died 1928 in
Powell Co., Kentucky.
More About John B. French:
Burial: French Cemetery, Hatchers Creek, Means, Powell Co., KY
More About Anna "Ann" E. Kennon:
Burial: Kennon/Wells Cemetery, Hardwick's Creek, Clay City, Powell Co., KY
+ 3 ii. Elizabeth Ann French, born 1832 in Pennsylvania.
+ 4 iii. Mary Jane French, born June 30, 1837 in Pennsylvania.
5 iv. Nicholas French, born October 05, 1839 in Montgomery Co.,
Kentucky; died February 14, 1913 in Powell Co., Kentucky. He married
Catherine Susan Garrett May 19, 1859 in Wesley Garrett's residence, Powell
Co., KY, recorded in Powell Co., KY, Marriage Records; born 1832 in Estill
Co., Kentucky.
More About Nicholas French:
Burial: French Cemetery, Hatchers Creek, Means, Powell Co., KY
6 v. William R. French, born 1840 in Montgomery Co., Kentucky.
7 vi. Josephine French, born 1845 in Montgomery Co., Kentucky. She
married Green Hall; born 1841 in Kentucky.
8 vii. Irene French, born 1847 in Montgomery Co., Kentucky.
+ 9 viii. Delina "Lina" French, born November 07, 1853 in Powell Co.,
Kentucky.
Generation No. 2
3. Elizabeth Ann2 French (William M.1) was born 1832 in Pennsylvania.
She married George W. Lyle. He was born 1830 in Kentucky.
Children of Elizabeth French and George Lyle are:
10 i. William Daniel3 Lyle, born November 1855 in Estill Co., Kentucky.
He married Belle Shimfessel March 17, 1883 in Augustin Shimfessel's home,
Estill Co., KY, recorded in Estill Co., KY, Marriage Records, Vol. #14, pages
295-296, & Vol. #10, pages 342-343; born 1864 in Estill Co., Kentucky.
11 ii. John B. Lyle, born October 05, 1857; died August 29, 1911. He
married Adaline "Ada" F. Snowden September 22, 1881 in Estill Co., Kentucky,
recorded in Estill Co., KY, Marriage Records, Vol. #4, pages 27-28; born
August 20, 1863 in Estill Co., Kentucky; died September 18, 1948.
More About John B. Lyle:
Burial: Old Irvine Cemetery, River Road, Irvine, Estill Co., KY
More About Adaline "Ada" F. Snowden:
Burial: Old Irvine Cemetery, River Road, Irvine, Estill Co., KY
12 iii. Julia N. Lyle, born February 1862 in Estill Co., Kentucky;
died July 05, 1932 in Irvine, Estill Co., KY. She married Archibald David
Snowden, Jr. April 14, 1881 in Estill Co., Kentucky, recorded in Estill Co.,
KY, Marriage Records, page 216, & Vol. #10, pages 284-285; born October 28,
1857 in Estill Co., Kentucky; died May 30, 1925 in Irvine, Estill Co., KY.
More About Julia N. Lyle:
Burial: Old Irvine Cemetery, River Road, Irvine, Estill Co., KY
More About Archibald David Snowden, Jr.:
Burial: Old Irvine Cemetery, River Road, Irvine, Estill Co., KY
13 iv. Morgan R. Lyle, born 1864 in Estill Co., Kentucky.
14 v. Overton A. Lyle, born 1867 in Estill Co., Kentucky.
15 vi. L. C. Lyle.
16 vii. Julia N. Lyle. She married ? Snowden.
4. Mary Jane2 French (William M.1) was born June 30, 1837 in
Pennsylvania. She married Robert Knox June 15, 1854 in Powell Co., KY,
recorded in Powell Co., KY, Marriage Records. He was born 1828 in Stanton,
Powell Co., KY, and died 1868.
Children of Mary French and Robert Knox are:
17 i. Elizabeth French3 Knox, born 1857 in Stanton, Powell Co., KY.
18 ii. Amanda Knox, born 1859 in Stanton, Powell Co., KY.
19 iii. William Thomas Knox, born 1861 in Stanton, Powell Co., KY.
20 iv. Henrietta Knox, born 1863 in Stanton, Powell Co., KY; died June
13, 1940.
21 v. Dora Knox, born February 02, 1868 in Stanton, Powell Co., KY;
died November 18, 1929 in Middletown, Butler Co., OH.
More About Dora Knox:
Burial: Woodside Cemetery, Middletown, Butler Co., OH
9. Delina "Lina"2 French (William M.1) was born November 07, 1853 in
Powell Co., Kentucky. She married Thomas "Tom" Conley 1874 in Powell Co.,
KY, recorded in Powell Co., KY, Marriage Records, Vol. #2, page 176. He was
born 1854 in Kentucky.
Children of Delina French and Thomas Conley are:
22 i. Annie3 Conley, born 1876 in Powell Co., Kentucky.
23 ii. Hattie M. Conley, born 1878 in Powell Co., Kentucky.
24 iii. Everett Conley, born 1880 in Powell Co., Kentucky.
[4] Nikki Jade, researchers for the surname French in Anne
Arundel Co., MD. Email: nikkijade@ncweb.com (email no
longer good).
[5] Anne Arundel County, Maryland, first settled during the
winter of 1649-1650, website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mdannear/
[6] Jeff Carskadden, email: carsk@aol.com (email good in 2014). I am looking for the parents of my 6g-grandmother Emma Dowlin. She married Otho French on July 30, 1727 in All Hallows Church, Westminster Parrish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Otho was born 1707 in Anne Arundel County. Emma and Otho had ten children, including Samuel, Otho, Ann, Agness, Benjamin, William, Martha, Joanah, Emma, and my 5g-grandfather Israel French, born Sept 16, 1746 in Anne Arundel County. Any information on Emma Dowlin's family would be greatly appreciated. Jeff is from New Carlisle, Ohio (formerly of Zanesville, OH).
[7] Irene Watson, email: iwatson@swbell.net,
(email good in 2010), website: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=iwatson&id=I08435
This website has 83 Frenches:
FRENCH,
Agnes b: 20 APR 1736
FRENCH, Albert W. b: 7 DEC 1879 in St. Clair Co., MO
FRENCH, Albert Weaver b: 7 DEC 1879 in St. Clair Co., MO
FRENCH, Alonzo Franklin b: 12 DEC 1881 in St. Clair Co., MO d: 16
JUN 1965 in Jackson Co Mo
FRENCH, Ann b: 7 MAR 1772
FRENCH, Ann b: 21 FEB 1734/35
FRENCH, Anna b: 4 DEC 1820
FRENCH, Anna Lieutitia b: 4 JAN 1884 in Chalk Level, Mo d: 31 AUG
1971 in Kansas City, Mo
FRENCH, Annie L. b: 4 JAN 1884 in St. Clair Co., MO d: in
Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO
FRENCH, Benjamin b: 20 NOV 1738
FRENCH, Cassandra b: 25 OCT 1816
FRENCH, Charles F. b: 1870
FRENCH, Charles Francis b: 13 JUL 1869 in Pineville, McDonald Co.,
MO
FRENCH, Clarence E. b: 21 MAR 1860 d: ABT SEP 1860
FRENCH, Cosmos b: 1846
FRENCH, Cosmos Erasmus b: 11 MAR 1863 d: 1928
FRENCH, Dorcas b: 28 OCT 1810 in Belmont Co., OH d: 9 JAN
1898 in Elliotts Crossroad, Morgan Co., OH
FRENCH, Eli H. b: 30 AUG 1825 in Belmont Co., OH d: 17 FEB
1892 in Chalk Level, MO
FRENCH, Eli Harrison b: 13 SEP 1887 in Arkansas d: 11 NOV 1979 in
Portland OR
FRENCH, Eliza J. b: 2 OCT 1861 in Newton Co., MO
FRENCH, Eliza Jane b: 2 OCT 1861 in Newton Co., MO
FRENCH, Elizabeth b: 4 OCT 1812 d: 10 JUL 1822
FRENCH, Elizabeth b: 10 JAN 1824 d: 7 MAR 1824
FRENCH, Elizabeth b: 24 JAN 1845 d: 19 NOV 1846
FRENCH, Emma b: 11 DEC 1749
FRENCH, Emma b: 6 OCT 1773 in Belmont Co OH
FRENCH, Emma b: 26 NOV 1788
FRENCH, Emma Lorena b: 16 OCT 1862 in Ohio d: 14 APR 1871 in OH
FRENCH, Emma Loretta b: 6 OCT 1877 in St. Clair Co., MO d: 1932
in Clay Co., MO
FRENCH, Ethel b: 24 DEC 1895
FRENCH, George Bailey b: 2 SEP 1876 in St. Clair Co., MO d: 6 SEP
1876 in St. Clair Co., MO
FRENCH, Harry Clifford b: 28 JAN 1867
FRENCH, Israel b: 16 SEP 1746 in All Hallow's Parish, Anne
Arundel Co., MD d: 16 AUG 1820 in Belmont Co., MD
FRENCH, Israel b: 21 OCT 1779 d: 22 FEB 1816
FRENCH, Isreal b: 16 SEP 1746 in All Hallow's Parish, Anne
Arundel Co., MD d: 16 AUG 1820 in Belmont Co., MD
FRENCH, Isreal b: 2 MAY 1805
FRENCH, Isreal b: 21 SEP 1818 in Ohio d: 1900
FRENCH, Isreal Erasmus b: 7 MAY 1843 d: 8 MAY 1876
FRENCH, Isreal Jr. b: 21 OCT 1779 d: 22 FEB 1816
FRENCH, James A. b: 8 MAR 1853
FRENCH, James William b: 29 MAY 1871 in Pineville, McDonald Co.,
MO
FRENCH, Jemima b: 4 AUG 1693 in Concord, Middlesex, MA d: 9
SEP 1743 in Bedford, Middlesex, MA
FRENCH, Joanah b: 11 DEC 1749 in MD
FRENCH, Joanna b: 11 DEC 1749 in MD
FRENCH, Joanna b: 29 JUN 1775 in MD d: JUL 1779 in MD
FRENCH, John C. b: 22 OCT 1856
FRENCH, Julia Ann b: 30 SEP 1848
FRENCH, Julia Mariah b: 10 MAY 1858 in Ohio d: 19 SEP 1907 in
Ohio
FRENCH, Karl Erasmus b: 19 SEP 1868
FRENCH, Martha b: 3 MAY 1744 in Anne Arundel Co., MD d: WFT
Est 1760-1829
FRENCH, Martha Elizabeth b: 21 APR 1851 in Ohio d: 26 JUN 1856 in
Ohio
FRENCH, Mary Ellen b: 19 FEB 1847 d: 2 JUL 1883
FRENCH, Nicholas b: 3 APR 1781
FRENCH, Otho b: 1707 in Anne Arundel Co., MD d: 1793 in
Anne Arundel Co Md
FRENCH, Otho b: 24 NOV 1731
FRENCH, Otho b: 2 MAY 1777 in Frederick Co., MD d: 27 SEP
1857 in Warren Twp., Belmont Co., OH
FRENCH, Otho b: 1827 in Morgan Co., MD
FRENCH, Otho Jr. b: 7 OCT 1814 d: 8 APR 1886
FRENCH, Ray Franklin b: 1906 d: ABT 1970
FRENCH, Rhoda Ann b: 9 MAY 1807 d: WFT Est 1831-1899
FRENCH, Roy Alonzo b: 14 DEC 1902 in Appleton City, MO d: 22
MAR 1965 in Miami, FL
FRENCH, Ruth b: 22 SEP 1891 d: 12 MAR 1892
FRENCH, Samuel b: 11 DEC 1729
FRENCH, Samuel b: 25 MAY 1809
FRENCH, Samuel E. b: 20 MAY 1825 in Ohio d: 20 MAY 1856
FRENCH, Samuel Leeke b: 29 MAR 1841
FRENCH, Sarah Ann b: WFT Est 1765-1793
FRENCH, Sarah Darcas b: 5 JUN 1867 in Austin, Cass Co., MO d:
1867
FRENCH, Sarah Rosetta b: 25 JUN 1874 in St. Clair Co., MO
FRENCH, William b: 14 MAY 1741
FRENCH, William b: 16 JAN 1783
FRENCH, William b: 5 DEC 1802 in MD
FRENCH, William Otho b: 5 JUN 1867 in Austin, Cass Co., MO d:
1867 in Austin, Cass Co., MO
FRENCH, William Thomas b: 19 MAY 1849 d: 24 MAR 1865 in Camp Chase OH
[8] The ÒGenealogy and Family History of Otho FrenchÓ was compiled by Martha Frasher Laney on November 10, 1993. It was dedicated to the memory of her mother, Delia Campbell Frasher, and her grandmother, Julia French Campbell. They were granddaughter and daughter of Otho French, Jr., of Belmont County, OH. In her research she found the following documents:
á William French received a ÒRights to Property in the Province of Maryland 1680 to William French of Plymouth, Devon, England.Ó
á Deed of William Burgess grant of 1666 called ÒBurgessÕ ChoiceÓ.
á Deed of Robert Wade grant of 1678 called ÒWadeÕs IncreaseÓ.
á Deed of purchase of land in 1742 by Otho French from John Hopper of 100 acres of ÒWadeÕs IncreaseÓ which were 2 pieces of land, one was 25 acres and the other was 45 acres.
á Alexander French received a deed in 1725 and in 1726 in Annapolis, MD.
á Charles Carroll deeded to James French in 1770.
á Otho French deeded to William French in 1776.
á Otho French and his wife Emma, will 1780.
á Record of births and deaths from 1707 to 1825 from Otho French Jr.Õs Journal.
á Deed of Elizabeth French of Frederick County, MD.
á Eight Deeds in Frederick County, MD, of Israel French, Sr. and Jr.
á Deed of Otho French from Abraham Plummer in 1804 in Belmont County, Ohio.
á Otho French Home History from Quaker book of 1940.
á Otho French stories from CaldwellÕs History of 1880.
á Excerpts from Otho French Jr.Õs Journal.
á List of the many Otho French Property Deeds in Belmont County, OH.
á Deed of Otho and Elizabeth French to Israel French.
á Picture and Biography of General Otho French Strahl.
á Historical French Home -- 8 pages, pictures, and articles.
á Pictures of the old Family Bible and Journal.
á Photographs and Julia French, the 4 Campbell girls, etc. including photos of Marriages Licenses of Julia French and William Campbell, and of Delia Campbell and Luther Frasher of 1876 and 1900.
It's a white spiral bound edition. Info extracts:
1st gen: Otho French b. 1-12-1707 Anne Arundel CO., MD d. 1793
m. 30 Jul 1727 Emma Dowlin b. 11-10-1709 d 1780
2nd gen: Israel French b. 9-16-1746 d. 8-26-1820
m. 1770 Margaret ? b. 1-16-1746
moved to Frederick Co. MD just prior to Revolutionary War
3rd gen: Otho French b. 5-21-1777 d. 9-27-1856
m. 2-17-1802 Frederick Co. MD, Elizabeth Anderson b.9-20-1782 d.1863
went west to Belmont Co., OH (1802)
[9] Stratton House Inn, Flushing, Ohio, Mary Ellen (Stratton) Wall, Email: strattonhouseinn@yahoo.com Website: www.strattonhouse.com
[10] Willis Kopitsky, have over 1000 family photos.
[11] Rick Cole, email: RCole86005@aol.com (email good in 1999 – no longer good).
[12] Beverly Louise PHILLIPS, P.O. Box 542 Hebron Indiana 46341.
[13] Portrait and Biographical Album of McLean Co., IL, website: http://genealogytrails.com/ill/mclean/thompsonWilliam.html
[14] John and Tina French, email: tfrench@ccrtc.com (email good in 2016). She is researching the French ancestors for her husband. I have ancestor information written in 1957/58 by Ralph French as told to him by his father, Christopher Mayhew French, known as Kit, a son of John French, and grandson of Wm French and Ann Richards. This information differs slightly in the story begins with 4 French brothers coming to America from London. William and John went one direction and the other 2 brothers went West and were never heard from again, The names and dates are all the same, except with your research, it states that he was born in Maryland.
I have typed the story that was given by Christopher
Mayhew French, (Wm's grandson) and I am sending it to you. David
Nicholas would have been my husband's great grandfather, John, great great
grandfather and Wm, great, great, great grandfather.
John French still has 3 living granddaughters, one
which is 87 years old and as sharp as she can be. She has given me pictures as
well as family information regarding their life in Ky
I hope this information is helpful to you. I am
certainly interested in finding out if Wm was born in the US or London and the
names of the 2 missing brothers.
Please let me know if I can be of any help to you.
Thanks
Tina French
Four French Brothers – all millwrights—came to the United States from London.
Wm. Marian French – oldest (dadÕs grandfather) and John.
Name of 2 other brothers not remembered. They came west while William and John remained in Pittsburg area where they kept in touch but lost track of other 2 brothers.
DadÕs grandparents, are Wm M. French, Anne Richards (from Wales)
Their children-William, Nicholas, John (dadÕs father), Lena, Irene and Joanne.
DadÕs parents – John French –about 1831. Sarah McLaughlin, married in Powell County Ky.
Their children – chronological order.
Wm G (born abt 1853) Married Jane Holley
David Nicholas married Mattie Hall
Annie married Frank Yokum
George married Ella Hall
Elsie married Belvin Ewing
Christopher Mayhew married Emma C Smith
Eugene married Mattie Rose
Morgan married Minnie Maple
Sallie Frances married Warren Martin
Charles Edward married did not remember.
Ralph recalls her as Aunt Nallie. This history was given to us (Ralph and Neva French) in the summer of 1957 when dad was 94 years of age. He recalled all their names and gave us the same information on his 100th birthday, Jan 8, 1863. Ralph French is the son of Christopher Mayhew French and Emma C Smith French.
2nd page –
History of the French
Ancestor
(about 1857/58)
Grandfather French and 3 brothers came to America. Got as far as the Ohio river and there they separated. Grandfather and his brother John went to Pittsburg, Penn and went to work in a rolling mill. The other two went on west and that was the last seen of them. I donÕt know how many years they worked while in Pittsburg but grandfather married there. A girl that came from Wales and my father was born there.
After several years, there was a small rolling mill started in what is known as Clay City, Kentucky and grandfather French and his brother came there to operate the mill. After a few years the mill closed up and Grandfather French bought a farm on HatcherÕs Creek and there raised family of 5 girls and 3 boys. They all married and have passed away. There are a few grandchildren living.
There were 10 in our family, 7 boys and 3 girls. I am the only one living. I was 95 on the 9th day of Jan.
Brother Will married in Kentucky and moved to Loami Illinois. He raised 4 boys and one of them is living. He is the youngest one of the family and lives at Lexington Illinois.
Brother Nick married and has 2 children. The boy (Millard) is married and lives in Terre Haute In. The girl (Ottie) married at LeRoy Ill and moved to Atlanta Ill. They have 6 children, 4 girls and 2 boys. The oldest boy is married to an Atlanta girl and he is superintended of a telephone district near Detroit Mich. The girls all married Atlanta boys and they now live in the little town of Atlanta.
Annie married a Yokum and there is one boy living, Andrew. He lives at Crandon Wisc.
George married in Kentucky and moved to Illinois. He raised 4 boys and 3 girls. The oldest girl, Mable, married a man by the name of Timson and they raised one boy and live in Downey Calif.
Ada married a man by the name of Orville Ennis and they moved to Canada on a farm near Windsor, 16 miles from Detroit. Yula works for the Edison Electric Co. She has been with the company 15 years.
Sister Elsie married a Ewing and raised a family of 10 children, one living at Jackson Kentucky
C.M. French (Kit) married a girl by the name of Smith. Raised 2 boys. Ralph lives in San Diego, Calif. He raised two girls. both are married and there is one daughter. Charlie has one son and one daughter married. and the son works for the Northwestern Ry. He does clerical work in the Chicago office.Sister Sallie married and raised 3 boys and 1 girl. All live around Stanton Ky
Eugene married and raised one girl who had married but who had no chidlren. The family is all dead but EugeneÕs son-on-law still lives and has possession of the farm.
Brother Morgan had two boys and 1 girl. One boy lives at Jackson Ky and one at Stanton Ky and the girl, Fern lives in Nashville Tenn. Her husband os wotj TVA and the firl teaches. Their name is Mitchell.
Charles Edward French married Nellie James of Hazel Green Ky. They had one son, Carlin Scott, born at Lexington Ky while his father was attending Trannslylvania college. They lived at Anniston Ala for a while and then settled in Illinois living progressively in Ashland, Tulluls, and then Virginia, Gibson City and Onarga, Ill. He died of an operation in Watseka in 1925. Mrs Malvin French died at the house of a sister, Mrs James Amy in Marshall, Illinois in 1940.
[15] Ref: French Library F074. Also, Kentucky Bible Records, Vol. 192, #972.903, Kentucky Historical Society. Also, FFA member Nina Yocum and her niece Terry L. Thompson.
Kentucky birth and death records of Powell Co. KY for the French family are:
Helen Chaney, nee Helen French on 25 Dec 1889, d. 20 Apr 1953.
Eolinia Coulie, nee Eolinia French on 7 Nov 1852, d. 20 Jan 1913.
Nick French, b. 5 Oct 1835, d. 14 Feb 1913.
Elijah French, b. 18 Aug 1847, d. 26 Jan 1928.
Nannie French, b. 5 Mar 1855, d. 5 Mar 1917.
Olivia French, b. 29 Oct 1868, d. 17 Mar 1927.
Lou Mattie French, b. 26 Nov (year unk), d. 20 Apr 1953.
Hall (French), b. 20 Nov 1844, d. 11 Oct 1918.
Amanda Knox, nee Amanda French on 22 Feb 1858, d. 27 Dec 1942.
Sallie French Martin, nee Sallie French on 14 Jul 1865, d. 27 Dec 1925.
Sudia Ringo, nee Sudia French on 18 Oct 1848, d. 7 Mar 1916.
Henretta Tipton, nee Henretta French on 1 Mar 1860, d. 5 Apr 1936.
[16] Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850. There are 63 tax records of men named French 1830 in Ohio. Some of these men have more than one tax record. Website: https://www.familysearch.org/search/records#count=20&query=%2Bsurname%3AFrench~%20%2Bany_year%3A1830-1830~&collection_id=1473259
Names are: Charles French of Green township, Columbiana Co., OH James French of Butler township, Columbiana Co., OH Robert French, same Thomas French, same William French, same Thomas French of Goshen township, Columbiana Co., OH Robert French, same Bartilla French, same Squire B. French of Geneva township, Ashtabula Co., OH Levi French of Lenox township, Ashtabula Co., OH Chauncey French, same Ira French, same Otho French of Warren township, Belmont Co., OH Ezra French of Boardman township, Trumbull Co., OH Alanson French, same Alanson French, same Alexander French of Milton township, Trumbull Co., OH William French, same John French of Marietta township, Washington Co., OH Ezekui French of Warren township, Washington Co., OH Isaac French, same Israel French of Mount Pleasant township, Jefferson Co., OH Thomas French of Salem township, Jefferson Co., OH
Tax Records existed in 1830 for only 6 counties: Columbiana, Ashtabula, Belmont, Trumbull, Washington, and Jefferson.
[17] Janet Mclean, frenchfox38@verizon.net, email good in 2014. I am interested in the origin of Otho French who came to Maryland in early 1700's to All Hallowed Parish Maryland....do you have any information on this line of the French family. Thank you Janet French
[18] Mary Joan French, email: mjfrench36@att.net, email good in 2014. Her husband was Russell W. French. My son and I recently had our DNA tested through Ancestry.com. I realize my DNA is of no value, but in the future, the DNA of my son Russell Wendell French, Jr. might be of some interest.
[19] Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850. There are 63 tax records of men named French 1830 in Ohio. Some of these men have more than one tax record. Website: https://www.familysearch.org/search/records#count=20&query=%2Bsurname%3AFrench~%20%2Bany_year%3A1830-1830~&collection_id=1473259
Names are:
Charles French of Green township,
Columbiana Co., OH
James French of Butler township, Columbiana Co., OH
Robert French, same
Thomas French, same
William French, same
Thomas French of Goshen township, Columbiana Co., OH
Robert French, same
Bartilla French, same
Squire B. French of Geneva township, Ashtabula Co., OH
Levi French of Lenox township, Ashtabula Co., OH
Chauncey French, same
Ira French, same
Otho French of Warren township, Belmont
Co., OH
Ezra French of Boardman township, Trumbull Co., OH
Alanson French, same
Alanson French, same
Alexander French of Milton township, Trumbull Co., OH
William French, same
John French of Marietta township, Washington Co., OH
Ezekui French of Warren township, Washington Co., OH
Isaac French, same
Israel French of Mount Pleasant township, Jefferson Co., OH
Thomas French of Salem township, Jefferson Co., OH
Tax Records existed in 1830 for only 6 counties: Columbiana, Ashtabula, Belmont, Trumbull, Washington, and Jefferson.
[20] Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland, p. 80.
The will of Mrs. Brice, in 1725, named her granddaughter, Rebecca Ridgely, to whom she left, "one quart silver tankard, one dozen silver spoons, and ^50, in money." Similar legacies were given to her sisters. In 1727, Mr. Nicholas Ridgely's wife was Ann French Gordon, daughter of Robert French, and widow of James Gordon. She bore him one daughter, Mary, who, became Mrs, Patrick Martain. In 1727, Nicholas and Ann Ridgely' of Cecil County, sold to John Brown, his inheritance "Ridgely's Forrest,' which was re- surveyed into "Browne's Purchase." His daughter Rachel, became the wife of John Vining, Speaker of Delaware Assembly, who owned a large estate in New Jersey. On one of his visits there, he was taken sick, died, and was buried at St. John's Church, Salem, Under the aisle, a stone with an inscription, marks the sepulcher. Mrs. Rachel Vining died in 1753, and was buried under the pew of her father. Judge Ridgely, in Christ Church, Dover.
This following paragraph from the same source is FFA Chart #36:
HON. DANIEL DULANY. (THE YOUNGER). Both father and son were leading men in political affairs, but the son eclipsed the father. Yet the father decided most of the Chancery records I have reviewed. The son was educated at Eton and Clare Hall in Cambridge. He entered the Temple and returning was admitted to the bar in 1727. He became a member of the Council, and Secretary of the Province. His celebrated essay against the Stamp Act made him renowned, but the position he took in the debate with Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, classed him among the enemies to American Independence. His wife was Rebecca Tasker, daughter of Hon. Benjamin and Ann (Bladen) Tasker. Their three children were Daniel, Barrister of Lincoln's Inn, London; Colonel Benjamin Tasker Dulany, aid to General Washington. He married Eliza French, whose daughter Eliza French Delany became the wife of Admiral French Forrest, of the Confederate Navy.
[21] A Historical Overview of the Origin of Anne Arundel
County & its Early Subdivisions
Anne Arundel County was first settled 350 Years ago during the winter of 1649/1650 at Providence, which was across the Severn River from Annapolis by Puritans & Independents from Virginia who resisted Gov. Berkleys demands for them to attend services at the Church of England. One account of the early settlement of Anne Arundel Co is the historical novel Providence Ye Lost Towne At Severn In Mary Land by James E. Moss. this book while written as a novel, is about actual people, and events surrounding the founding of Anne Arundel County as researched by the author and includes a number of factual indexes. Unfortunately this book is now out-of-print. Another good source of history and biographical information on Anne Arundel County is J. D. Warfield's The Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties Maryland, published in 1905
Anne Arundel County was formed in the summer of 1650, the third county formed in Maryland and was named in honor of Lady Anne Arundel, wife of Cecilus (Calvert), Lord Baltimore. There were two types of subdivisions found in the County and its records in its early history. The first were hundreds. The concept of a hundred is old and dates to the Roman occupation of England. A Hundred was said to be an area that could raise a force of 100 soldiers However, Hundreds in Maryland seemed to primarily been used for tax collection and land rent purposes. The second subdivivion occurred in 1692 when Parishes for the Church of England were established in Maryland.
There were Five hundreds in Anne Arundel Co in 1707. Herring Creek Hundred was the southern-most part of the County West River Hundred lay to the north Herring Creek Hundred, around the West River, South River Hundred, was the area between West River Hundred and the South RIver. Middle Neck Hundred took in the area between the South River and Severn River Broad Neck and Town Hundred. was area east of the Severn River and included the original settlement of Providence.
As the population grew, new hundreds were formed. The Hundreds of Anne Arundel County from the 1783 Tax Lists are the: Annapolis Hundred Broad Neck Hundred Elkridge Hundred Elkridge Landing Hundred Herring Creek Hundred Huntingdon Hundred Lyons Creek Hundred Magothy Hundred Middle Neck Hundred Patapsco Hundred Patuxent Hundred Road River Hundred Severn Hundred South River Hundred Town Neck Hundred Upper Fork and Bear Ground Hundred - (this is in Howard County today) and West River Hundred
In 1692 the Maryland Assembly passed an act establishing the Church of England as basically the state church and setup the establishment of Parish boundaries and establish vestries to support the church. Fortunantely of use today, the parish was to keep a register of all the births, deaths, and marriages. These parish registers provide us today with a great deal of genealogical data available on late 17th and 18th century Anne Arundel County. It should also be noted that the Quakers also kept minutes of their meetings in which births, marriages and deaths were recorded. The Parishs for Anne Arundel County through the 18th Century were:St James Parish (also called Herring Creek Parish) took in all of Herring Creek Hundred and part of the West River Hundred. It basically took in the southern part of Anne Arundel County below West River and Muddy Creek. St James Church today is located on Rt 2 All Hallows Parish (also called South River Parish) took in the area of South River Hundred and part of West River Hundred. It is basically the area south and west of South River, bounded to the south by St James Parish. All Hallows Church is located today near Davidsonville. The orginial church was apparently erected near Birdsville. St Annes Parish. (also known as Middle Neck Parish) included the land between the South River and Severn River. The church is located today in the center of Church Circle in Annapolis. St Margaret's, Westminister Parish (also called Broad Neck Parish) This parish took in Broad Neck and Town Hundreds and was the area east and north of Severn River extending up to the Baltimore County Line (St Paul's Parish). Christ Church, Queen Caroline Parish, was formed in 1728 from the western portions of All Hallows, St Anne's and St Margaret's, Westminster Parishs. This parish included the area which is now Howard County and the western edge of Anne Arundel County. The chapel was built near Guilford.
[22] Register of MarylandÕs Heraldic Families, p. 183
[23] Maryland Records, Colonial, Revolutionary, County, and Church
By Gaius Marcus Brumbaugh, 1915, website:
http://archive.org/stream/marylandrecordsc01brumuoft/marylandrecordsc01brumuoft_djvu.txt
Census of 1775-1778 of Maryland lists James French in William and Mary Lower Hundred.
Elizabeth French married James Bullock on 2 Aug 1799.
Philip French married Elizabeth Norris in St. MaryÕs County.
John R. French m. Mary L. Jones on 8 Feb 1847.
Eleanor French m. William Harden between 1763-1794.
Susanna French m. Michael Riley on 17 Oct 1796.
Monica French m. Charles Russell on Aug 10, 1813.
Mary French m. Bennett Spalding.
Bazel and Benjamin French were living together in Frederick Co., VA.
[24] Removed.
[25] Marcea Oetting, email: elpheaba@aol.com. Email good in 2016.
[26] Images sent my Linda French Dawson, Email texas44@comcast.net.
[27] From Prairie to Palestine. The Eva Marshall Totah Story, edited by Lyla Ann May, pages 391-401 (however, p. 401 is not online), ÒHistory of the French FamilyÓ.
Deed of purchase of land in 1742 by Otho French from John Hopper of 100 acres of ÒWadeÕs IncreaseÓ which were 2 pieces of land, one was 75 acres and the other was 40 acres.
[28] Jefferson County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, website: http://jeffcochapter.com/french.html
Israel French Jr.
An Advocate Of God And Freedom
Introduction – The Israel French Ancestry In Maryland
The ÒFrenchÓ surname is an old colonial name; one branch of which settled in the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County area of Maryland in the late 1600Õs. It is not known exactly when they arrived in America. Otho French is one of the first known Frenchs in Maryland. He was born there around 1707. His son Israel (Sr.) was born in the All Hallows parish in 1746. Israel French married Margaret Grant at the All Hallows Anglican Church in 1770. Their first three children would be born in Anne Arundel County.
The early 1770Õs were a very turbulent time in the British Colony of America. It was a time of mis-trust between the colonials and the British - the talk of a revolution was in the air. It was potentially a great danger to a young family like the FrenchÕs who were living in the bustling, strategic commercial area of Annapolis. Some colonists were opposed to a war. Some became British sympathizers – Tories – and were publically ridiculed. Others were pacifists but were not British sympathizers. The French Family were not Tories but most likely did not support war.
Around 1775 with a war looming, Israel Sr. and Margaret French changed their lives greatly. They left the Anglican Church – the official Church of England – and became Quakers. The Quaker faith strictly opposes war. Religion was a much larger part of life back then and to change faiths was a serious commitment. The French Family also relocated from busy Annapolis to remote Frederick County in western Maryland where warfare would probably not invade their life. Israel SrÕs only known encounter with the American Revolution was in 1776 when he was fined 2 pounds by a Maryland War Commission for not enrolling with the local militia to train for combat. He held fast to his new Quaker faith.
In Frederick County, the FrenchÕs built a homestead at Pipe Creek where a Quaker Friends Meeting House had been established in 1735. They had a few more children including Israel Jr. who was born in 1779. The family lived a quiet life farming the land in the Pipe Creek community for over 30 years. They were registered in the 1790 and 1800 census for Frederick County Maryland. Israel Sr. and Margaret died around 1820 most likely in Maryland but possibly in Ohio.
Israel Jr. – Migration To Ohio
Around 1805, Israel Jr. started a family of his own. He married a lady named Deborah and they had a daughter Zeruah in 1807. In 1808 and 1813 came two more children: Israel 3rd and Julia. Israel Jr. may have worked in the real estate business or had a partnership with a Joel Elliot. In 1812 he bought land for Elliot in Frederick County, Maryland and later in 1815 he bought land for Elliot again in Belmont County, Ohio. Israel Jr.Õs brother Otho and sister Emma had previously bought land in Ohio as well. These three French siblings all decided to relocate their families to neighboring Belmont and Jefferson counties in Ohio between 1810 and 1815. This area was the wild frontier of America back in those times but it also had a strong Quaker population.
Israel French Jr. decided to build a home in Mount Pleasant village in Jefferson County. The town was founded ten years earlier as a haven for North Carolina Quakers who had aligned themselves with the Anti-slavery cause. The town is only a few miles from the Ohio River and the slave-holding Virginia border (West Virginia today). Here the Quakers would be more easily able to help escaped slaves along their northward journey on the Underground Railroad. Black residents were integrated into the Mt. Pleasant society; some purchasing property on the lands bought and divided by Israel French Jr.
Israel Jr. and DeborahÕs family was enumerated in the 1820 Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio census. It listed Israel as a ÒmanufacturerÓ for his occupation. Along with occasional land dealings, he was also known as a teacher throughout the region. An interesting note in the census indicated that there was a free Black Girl living with the family and in the 1830 census a free Black Boy was residing there as well. They would be paid for doing typical household chores. The next seven years were tranquil for the FrenchÕs and the Mt. Pleasant community.
Dis-Harmony Amongst The Friends
The late 1820Õs would be a time of reckoning for the Quaker population through out the United States and especially in Mt. Pleasant where a revolution would take place. Oddly enough, the Society of Friends who based much of their faith in non-violence would see the potential towards violence as a reality amongst themselves. Elias Hicks was a travelling Quaker from Long Island, New York who preached about the straying of the Society of Friends. He believed that the traditional Quaker methods taught by John Woolman were being forgotten and that they should return to the faith and values of the Quaker forefathers. HicksÕ popularity was very strong in Ohio and Indiana otherwise known as the ÒNorthwest TerritoriesÓ of the US at that time. His followers would become known as ÒHicksitesÓ.
Israel French Jr. had become a respected and well-known Quaker leadership figure in Mt. Pleasant. He was in favor of the preachings of Elias Hicks and the return to traditional values along with a large number of other Ohio families. Quakers would hold quarterly meetings in regional areas of individual states and in the last quarter meeting of 1827 the separation of beliefs became evident. Israel and a few other Hicksite Friends were to be appointed as committee members but had their names erased and were excluded from holding office by the Orthodox Quakers. Israel and his colleagues were assuredly upset. Though they still considered themselves Friends, they bided their time until the 1828 yearly meeting of ministers and elders.
In September of 1828, the Quaker Ohio yearly meeting was held at Mt. Pleasant. At the first days meeting, Elias Hicks was verbally harassed following his speech and later that night a confrontation was planned. It is known that during the week of the meeting, Hicks and his supporting elders also held private evening meetings at the home of Israel French, Jr. As the second dayÕs meeting was about to begin, Israel stood up and protested that he would no longer recognize the clerks of the meeting and that new ones should be appointed. About half of the attendees agreed stating, ÒI concur.Ó Another from IsraelÕs party called for a new (Hicksite) head clerk of the meeting. Again, a large number spoke, ÒI concurÓ. After this, voices were raised for and against the disturbance then some shoving began. Order was restored shortly there after and no more physical confrontations occurred. Since Hicksites had the slight majority of numbers, the Orthodox Quakers had to vacate the meeting house and held their conference outside.
This rebellion officially would split the Society of Friends throughout the young United States. Accounts of the events from the schism have been clearly documented through transcripts of the legal proceedings that were held in 1828 and 1829. Some Hicksites including Israel French Jr. were fined a token amount and did 30 minutes of jail time for inciting riotous behavior. A retrial at the Ohio Supreme Court over-ruled the fines and determined both parties should share the blame. In an 1829 letter written by Israel Jr. to Elias Hicks, he tells Hicks about the continuing disputes between the two Quaker factions and little hope for a fast reconciliation, ÒÉbut from Ohio I fear a long course of probation awaits thee. Thy shepherds appear to have been smote with blindness and thy flock scattered while devouring wolves seek them for a prey.Ó
Israel Jr. would correspond occasionally with Halliday Jackson – a Hicksite Quaker from Darby, Pa. Jackson was visiting the Mt. Pleasant meeting the day the schism took place and was called to testify in the subsequent trials. From 1830 to 1833, Israel would send letters to Jackson keeping him abreast of the SocietyÕs issues. One October 1830 letter described the split over the use of the existing meetinghouse. The Hicksite and Orthodox Friends came to an agreement for a while for both of them to use the same meetinghouse for yearly and other meetings although at different times. There were still very bitter feelings evident as Israel Jr. told Jackson, ÒWe closed the 5th day and left the house in good order for the reception of our enemies – for so I think we may justly call them. They have manifested so much enmity of late – endeavoring to assail and destroy if possibly the reputation of every minister that appears to be pointing the way to life.Ó
There is little doubt that the on-going hard feelings from the Hicksite separation put attention and stress on the French family. Young Israel III may not have supported the radical Quaker ways of his father and his name has not been found on transcribed Quaker records. Around 1829 Israel III left the family and moved back east to Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania – 60 miles from Frederick County Maryland. There he was married as a Methodist in 1830. However, Israel JrÕs daughters were known to strongly support their father in religion and in the Abolition cause. Around 1830, Zeruah French married Joel Wood who was a prominent figure in the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society. He helped form the Liberty Party which put a Presidential Candidate on the ballot. Julia French would marry Dr. Caleb Cope in 1849. He was raised on an Underground Railroad stop. He helped his father Joshua hide slaves in a clever spot behind their sawmillÕs water wheel.
The FrenchÕs became members of the Short Creek Friends Society - one mile west of Mt. Pleasant - after the Orthodox Quakers re-took control of the Mt. Pleasant meetinghouse. Israel Jr. still continued his leadership role; he was the head clerk at the Wheeling (West) Virginia Friends yearly meeting in 1831. He was also an agent and writer for the ÒAdvocate of TruthÓ from 1830 – 1833. The ÒAdvocateÓ was a monthly published news and opinion pamphlet of the Hicksite Quaker Friends Society. In one of the 1831 issues, Israel described a bit of hope for the relationship between the two factions. The meeting house was being swept out by Mr. Richards, a Hicksite, after a meeting when an Orthodox guard of the building walked up and stated, ÒÕI am appointed to keep the houseÕ to which Richards replied, ÔAnd so am I and would be as well pleased with thy help as any personÕsÕ and pointing to a broom, the guard took it and they swept it out together. This is I think the first instance I have heard of anything like the parties joining in active operations within the limits of our Yearly Meeting since 1828.Ó
A Staunch Quaker Abolitionist Seeks Sanctuary
Around 1832, Israel Jr., Deborah, Julia, Zeruah and Joel Wood moved to Richmond in Wayne County, Indiana – another Quaker settlement in the ÒNorthwestÓ United States - and joined the Whitewater Chapter of the Friends. Perhaps he felt no longer able to make a positive change amongst the split Mt. Pleasant, Ohio Society. Early in 1833 Israel Jr. wrote to Halliday Jackson, ÒI am now with all of my family in a strange land among strangers where the harvest appears to be truly great and the faithful labors fine, but I feel very much stripped and sometimes I fear I shall be ranked as a deserter.Ó
Wayne County was a major hub of the Underground Railroad, locally lead by Levi Coffin, a cousin of Lucretia Mott– the Quaker Abolitionist / Social Reform leader. The late 1830Õs saw another gradual divide taking place in the Society of Friends. Levi Coffin became a powerful figure in the Indiana Anti-Slavery campaign. His strong desire for the Quakers to pay more attention to Abolition made him and his associates very controversial. In 1838, Israel Jr. was selected to take part in a Hicksite Quaker committee that travelled to remote Friends meetings to get a feel for how they collectively viewed the importance of Abolition.
It appears that Israel French sided with the ÒAnti-Slavery FriendsÓ as in 1842 he was nominated to a four person committee by the Indiana Anti-Slavery Society in order to meet with Henry Clay, the famous Kentucky Senator. When Clay was to lecture in Indiana, the committee was to present him with a petition asking him to free his slaves. Israel Jr. declined that nomination however because he was elected as a business director for the annual meeting of the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society. His daughter Julia was also a business director for the three-day meeting.
Five months before Israel Jr. passed away in August of 1846, he must have again voiced his strong opinion, this time to the changing hierarchy of the Hicksite Quakers. In doing so, he was dismissed from the Friends due to disunity. It has not been discovered exactly what this ÒdisunityÓ was, but his anti-slavery opinions may have become too much for the Quaker elders. The matter may have come up again at the 1847 Indiana Quaker Yearly meeting. At that meeting, Israel Jr. and some of his compatriots were slandered so much so that it was noted in a letter written by Lucretia Mott. ÒI do not at all wonder, that John Mott should have little hope of any revival in the Society in its present form. What an abomination - the proceeding in Indiana, against such men as Morris Place, Israel French, and some whom we could name--Fredk. Hooker & wife &.c &.c! All from the intolerance of a few ruling Spirits.Ó Lucretia Mott was clearly on Israel JrÕs side, after all he had recently died and was defenseless. She also felt the Hicksites were now forming their own factions – mostly split on the Abolition issue.
Deborah French passed away only 18 days after her husband in 1846 and both were interred at the non-sectarian Goshen Cemetery just north of Richmond. Ironically, they were not interred as members of the Society of Friends - the religious group they had faithfully followed their entire lives. The Indiana Quakers also dismissed Julia French for disunity a year after her father. She then moved back east and married Caleb Cope in Mount Pleasant in 1849, so she returned to her Ohio roots.
Israel French Jr. lived his life with passion for his faith in God and the Abolition causes of the 1800Õs. Many people like him get lost in the vast history of the US, yet we are indebted to them for the important roles that they played in championing religious and social Freedom.
References:
All Hallows Anglican Church records, Pipe Creek Quaker Meeting records, Maryland State Observation Committee military records, US Census records, State property tax records, Jefferson and Belmont County, OH; Fulton County, PA; Wayne County, IN historical sketches, Mt. Pleasant Quaker Meeting records.
The Life & Labors of Elias Hicks, 1910, Henry Wilbur
Report of the Trial of Friends, Steubenville, Ohio, 1829. Marcus Gould
Abstracts of the Records of the Society of Friends in Indiana, 1962, Willard Heiss
Advocate of Truth, Quaker publications, 1828 – 1833
Indiana & Ohio Anti Slavery Society programs, 1842
Lucretia Mott letter, 1847
Wayne Co., Indiana Genealogical Society
Swarthmore College Library, Swarthmore, PA.
Bob Blattenberger, 327 King St. Woodbury, NJ 08096; October 2009 / 2012
Letter To Elias Hicks From Israel French Jr.
Bridgeport, Ohio
April 9, (1829)
Dear Friend,
I received thy very acceptable favor of the 21st of the 2nd month last. We were rejoiced to hear of thy safe arrival at home for reports had been put in circulation that thou hadst been denied that favor and had departed this life before thou had reached the arms of thy family. But it appears to have been ordered otherwise by our gracious and kind heavenly father whom I trust thou hast been serving with fidelity in so much that the enemies of all good have thereby been incited to jealousy. And finding that thou couldst not be brought to bow down and worship the work of menÕs hands for all the kingdoms that the world could present, nor get to cast thyself down where set as it were on the pinnacle of the temple; this spirit of anti-christ hath become exceedingly enraged - pursuing with unrelenting hate every appearance of the steadfast reliance on him who alone remains to be the author and finisher of the true Christian faith.
I have also seen in a New York paper an account of the departure of thy dear consort. Have felt deep sympathy on the occasion for as mortal beings, we cannot help feeling our depreciations - especially those of so tender a tie. But when we recollect, we are so soon to follow and have the appearance of a well grounded hope of reunion in that state where the wicked cease from troubling, the weary are at rest, and the poignancy of grief is abated; and this I trust dear friend, is thy liberation. And it must have afforded some consolation to thy mind that thou wast permitted to arrive in time to witness the closing scene of her with whom thou has passed so great a portion of time in that union of love that constitutes the greatest felicity allowed to us here, which we may reasonably conclude that forms an important item of the joys to be realized in a never ending state.
I also heartily rejoice that thou wast favored to perform my visit or rather that we were favored to have thy company and services at the time we did. Many have been convinced of the falsity of the charges against thee, but there are still thousands in our country who having suffered themselves to be imposed on receiving too easy credulity - the false statements of their leaders - are yet sitting as it were in darkness. It is a time of great trial indeed to see so many of our friends drawn away by this dark accusing spirit and become so bewildered that they cannot receive the truth. If Òthe darkest time is just before dayÓ (as thou observed to me near our parting) surely we may hope that the day may begin to dawn ever long and I think it will in the East, but from Ohio I fear a long course of probation awaits thee. Thy shepherds appear to have been smote with blindness and thy flock scattered while devouring wolves seek them for a prey. But I will be silent perhaps – itÕs all in the ordering of wisdom by him who knows best and that these trials are permitted to work some great good at present in mercy concealed from the view of many.
Our meetings are mostly attended but I think that there are many that still go with our opposers on account of them being in possession of most of the meeting houses and perhaps other reasons of a private nature & popularity. There have been a few desertions from our ranks but they were mostly where Friends are in the majority. Where Friends are small in number and have been much tried, there has been an accession to their numbers – particularly at Smithfield Friends – they at first considered themselves almost too weak to hold a meeting at all but they have gathered up and hold a monthly meeting and are preparing to build themselves a house.
At Concord, Friends have braved the storm until the Orthodox have left them and hold their meeting in the schoolhouse. Elisha Bates and Rebecca Updegraff made an appointment at Concord last first day for a meeting at 2 oÕclock in the afternoon to be Òprincipally for the SeparatistsÓ – using a great deal of ingenuity to get them by their attendance to acknowledge themselves as Separatists. They soon informed them (at the close of the forenoon meeting) that if they wanted the meeting house for themselves as Separatists from the Society of Friends, they could have it, but that they could not sanction them by giving their attendance and retired to their homes. The Orthodox held their meeting in the schoolhouse and withdrew also, but at some other meetings they have not been so guarded but have opened their meeting house and attended. I know not what is best but I am very fearful that Friends will not be sufficiently attentive to Òbe aware of the Leaven of the PhariseesÓ, and more especially as they are now assuming a softer tone better calculated to allure the innocent.
I received an interesting letter a few days since from Noah Haines from Waynesville, Miami County. This dear Friend appears to continue alive in the truth. He informs us that after making great efforts to scatter and drive Friends from the meeting house (which Friends bore with patience but persevered with firmness to hold all their meetings) the Orthodox are having them in most of their meetings in that quarter. I also received a letter some time ago from dear Amos Peaslee. Not with standing his great trials, he appears to continue to be engaged as a laborer in the LordÕs vineyard – visiting the meetings in Jersey; but I think there is no place where the declaration Òthe harvest is truly great and the laborers are fewÓ is realized than in our poor Ohio. And my mind is often drawn to the junction Òpray ye the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth laborers into his harvestÓ.
And I have been ready to say is not our case similar to that of David and his men when pursued by Saul? We have a number of raw and undisciplined men and pursued by those who have appeared in former times to be the LordÕs anointed. And oh if we may in mercy be so preserved as David was not to stretch forth a carnal hand against them although they may appear to have fallen as SaulÕs head. I hope we may yet be made to rejoice as David did not at the overthrow of those that sought his life but in the God of his salvation that preserved him from evil, so that in time all Israel were brought back – and that this may be the case with our poor deluded brethren. That they may return to their first love and put this accusing spirit from them is the sincere desire of my soul.
We are all in usual health. My dear Wife and Daughter join in much love to thee hoping that thou mayest continue to persevere in the path of perfect obedience so as to witness the sun of righteousness to gild thy evening days and receive in the end the answers of well done good. And faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of the Lord. I subscribe thy friend and brother in the truth – Elias Hicks.
Israel French
PS. Please present our love to our dear friend Jesse Merritt, also to our dear friend Townsend Hawkhurst if way should open. He paid us a very acceptable visit some years ago and as well as I recollect, was the second person that the Orthodox undertook to grind because he observed in his testimony that the captain of our salvation Òwas placed in the same predicament with ourselves. Being in all points tempted as we are _______(letter torn) sinÓ, this gave offense to some of Òthe better part of societyÓ as they stated themselves at that time. And they refused to give him an endorsement though Ann Taylor told me then that she considered him a solid Friend.
I think sometimes it will Òdevolve on meÓ to write a history of the Ohio yearly meeting as I recollect not to have been absent from a single meeting of it from its commencement until I was dragged away from it by the civil officers at the insistence of Orthodoxy in 1828 – a span of 16 years during which time from my peculiar situation and standing, I became acquainted with the origin of many things that would be well to be preserved as beacons to warn succeeding generations of the rocks on which our bark appears at present to have been shattered. If it is not too great a burden or if thou hast anything to communicate for our help or encouragement, I should be glad to receive a line from thee when it may be convenient.
NB. It is hard to ascertain the standing of the parties as regards to numbers. The Orthodox make a great parade at meetings for discipline, going in flocks from neighboring meetings, perhaps to make a show of strength to discourage us. But from what we have ascertained by actual enumeration in some meetings, we think an equal division is not far from the truth of the case and it is quite uncertain on which side the majority would be.
Letter To Halliday Jackson From Israel French Jr.
Colerain, Ohio
October 4, [1830?]
Esteemed Friend Halliday Jackson,
Thy very acceptable letter with the pamphlets therein mentioned came safe to hand. This interesting work of our natured friend Job Scott has been rather scarce here and was an acceptable present from you. I gave them to our Committee for Sufferings and they were divided by them among the quarters for further usefulness. I had wanted to get some of them also in the Letter of Luke Howard and have this work, LukeÕs letter attesting it and JobÕs character, and the ÒAnswer to Luke by a Friend in AmericaÓ all bound together. This would please the subject in a prominent point of view to every reader and I think be more generally useful than to have them separate. I am now supplied with about 10 of these treasures and the answer to Luke Howard but have not LukeÕs letter. If there are any of them that can be readily obtained with you, I would be glad if thee would send me an equal number (or more) to enable me to carry my design into effort. Perhaps thou can find some safe hand to send them by as I am in hopes some more of our friends will find themselves drawn to visit in gospel love their poor little weak brethren in the west.
Thee requested me to give thee our account of our yearly meeting. My apology for not attending to it sooner is in disposition in my family. My daughter – my only child I now have with me – was taken ill during the yearly meeting week. We almost despaired of her life for sometime. And this has been the first day that she has been able to sit up and but little at a time yet, but she appears now to be in a way to recover. Her case was fever of the rather of the typhoid type. There have been many cases of this and dysentery amongst us this summer and several deaths – mostly young people in the bloom of life.
With regard to our yearly meeting, I think it was rather larger than it was last year – especially on the sisterÕs side. We had the company of Elizabeth Cox and companions Mary Matthews accompanied by her husband Eli Matthews from Baltimore, and Joseph Cadwallader, Amos Cook and Samuel Paine from Indiana. Our dear ancient friend Hugh Judge also attended – alive in the truth – and seemed to enjoy himself as well as I have ever seen him. Near the close he bore testimony to itÕs being one of the most solemn and interesting yearly meetings he had through the long course of his life and ever been favored to sit in. And indeed I can add my testimony that for solemnity of feeling and harmony of proceeding, I have seldom if ever seen one to equal the present. Not that we were all in one opinion on matters that came before us but all seemed to be striving to advance the cause; and when after free and open discussion, the best way seemed to be pointed out. All seemed willing to relinquish their own previous views and adopt it. We closed on the 5th day and left the house in good order for the reception of our enemies – for so I think we may justly call them. They have manifested so much enmity of late – endeavoring to assail and destroy if possibly the reputation of every minister that appears to be pointing the way to life.
Poor Joseph Cadwallader – a more innocent or honest man I think lives not. He has all the innocence of the dove but lacks the wisdom of the serpent which really appears to be requisite among such wolves. They have strove to circumscribe his labors in these parts, raising a report that he had twice made sale of a piece of property. And rather than be exposed, had been induced to refund the purchase money and a good deal more so as by insinuation to make him appear quite fraudulent. Now the truth appears to be Joseph sold a town lot, had a deed prepared, notified the purchaser who promised to call and get it. Joseph moved to Indiana. The purchaser (who was brother-in-law to Joseph) called on JosephÕs brother who was the person who held the deed but managed so as not to have left it - JosephÕs brother also moved to the west. And now when Joseph was with us, his brother-in-law called on him apparently in a very friendly manner and after stating that he had not got his deed, [he was told] that the lot had been sold for taxes and received from Joseph a sum as a full indemnity and satisfaction of all claims. And Joseph in that confiding way which is common to good and unsuspecting men, paid the money without ascertaining where the deed was, or taking any receipt, or clearance from his brother-in-law – after which this wicked version of a tale was put into circulation. I have been thus particular as this upright movement was made to look so bad here. I do not know how black it may appear by the time it reaches your lying friend.
I have no late account of the trespass case, so conclude and remain thy friend,
Israel French
PS – I would take it as a favor if thee would – when thee goes to the city – call on Marcus TC Gould and have the direction of my paper altered to be forwarded in future to Farmington, Colerain Township, Belmont County, Ohio; to which place thee will also please to direct thy letters. My present residence being about 5 miles south of Mount Pleasant.
NB – It may be proper to note that the lot sold by Joseph Cadwallader had fallen in value and that his brother-in-law had offered to sell it for one-half of what Joseph now paid him. So it will appear that Evan Herford (as his name ought to be recorded somewhere) – he being the purchaser and brother-in-law – had a double purpose to effect to obtain more than the present value for his lot which might have satisfied a man merely covetous and second to injure a man whom he envies. Well, might Solomon say who can stand before envy? Joseph seems to be improving in best wisdom and nothing appears to remove the enmity of those people so much so, any of those they would wish to ____________[letter torn] because they have unjustly called them __________[letter torn] abiding in the Truth.
Letter To Halliday Jackson From Israel French Jr.
Rural Retreat near Farmington, Belmont Co, Ohio, 2nd mo. 24th, 1831
My Endeared Friend Halliday Jackson,
I have just returned from attending our quarterly meeting at Short Creek house. The meeting was, I think, as large as any we have had since the separation and love & harmony reigns among us. And there were some small appearances among the middle aged class that seemed to rest as dew on the parched field and we were led to hope that our Zion might again arise and put on her beautiful garments.
Our meetings for discipline are for the most part encouraging but when we return to our little meetings, we are often deeply tried when we find that many (particularly of our young people) are absent. On these rests the hopes of succeeding days and when we observe that those who have stood as pillars in the church militant are daily called from words to rewards, we naturally look around to see where are the successors of those standard bearers – scattered abroad! Greedy wolves hast entered in by which the flock have been scattered and we have not, I fear, been sufficiently devoted to the author of all true wisdom – so as to be rightly instructed how to gather the flock and lead them back into the fold of peace and rest. I have often been led to view the gospel day as described by one of the LordÕs prophets. Formerly when ÒRighteousness shall cover the earth as the waters do the seaÓ, the language is then to be ÒCome and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of our God and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths.Ó And when I contrast this with what I have observed to be the practice of the society for more than 30 years in the exercise of our discipline, I am led to conclude that the glorious privileges of that day are but dimly seen and perhaps still less felt and enjoyed.
The chief object of all religious society appears to me to be to lead one another into the enclosure of love and good will in which God designed should be in the inheritance of all his children. The whole human family as from this source alone proceeds all righteousness. And from all righteousness, all happiness and the true and complete happiness of the creature can only bring glory to the creator and thereby answer the end for which man was created. These I believe to have been the views of all in every age who have through obedience obtained the privilege of having their eyes anointed with the eye salve of the kingdom. Now when we look at the labor that has been used to separate the weak and diseased from the flock, instead of endeavoring to heal and restore – binding up that which was broken and leading back that which has gone astray – I say when we look back, can we not trace a great deal of the proceedings of society to Pharaseatic origin? And as there has been several revisions of the discipline since the declension, would it not be well to let it undergo a strict scrutiny and to prune it from everything – if anything there be (when examined by the piercing light of gospel truth) that bears the stamp of Idolitry or self sufficiency which is Babylon, the mother of harlots and the abomination of the whole Earth.
When I took my pen, I had other subjects in view, but the foregoing coming before me I have penned it down and feel free to commit it to thy care. And I will now turn to what I at first had in view which was to inform thee that the actions for trespass as it is termed is expected to come on at the next term on the 2nd of the 5th month next. B. Tappan is the only attorney at present retained by Friends. I have not seen or heard anything from him since the court in the 11th month last. He informed me then that the Orthodox had withdrawn their demurrer and were pressing for to join issue in the common pleas, but that he had no curiosity to have it tried before such a jury as might be obtained there. What course he means to pursue, I know not. He said he would write to me timely but I have heard nothing from him since. One of my neighbors was up lately who gave me the following statement, ÒThe plea put in by Tappan was that his clients being members of FriendÕs Society could not trespass on their own property, therefore no cause of action. To this their council demurred, alleging that members of the same society might commit trespass by entering against the prohibition of the trustees.Ó This was a law point for the judge to decide and he (my informant) understood that the judge had decided against the authority of the trustees to prohibit a member from entering. Now if this statement be correct and issue is joined on the assumption of a right of membership by the defendants and a denial of it by the plaintiffs, it appears to me that it will open a wide field for discussion. In the first place, I expect it will be necessary for Friends to prove their right of membership. This can perhaps be done by the records of the meetings. These of course would have to be properly authenticated and under seal of sufficient authority to gain credence and admission as evidence in our court. If this is attended to and rendered sufficiently secure so as to be admitted on the records of the court, it will then lie with the Orthodox to disprove it which will open a door to examine the grounds of their proceeding in regard to disownments, etc, etc, etc.
Our committee for Sufferings (discussed??) of holding a meeting at the stated time last 6th day but the few who met consisting of seven members being impressed with belief that the interest of society required a special meeting, have fixed upon the 2nd 6th day in the 3rd month for that purpose and appointed a committee to notify the members generally. I am not at present a member of that committee and have no appointment that requires my attention to the law cases, but feeling a deep interest in all that concerns Society, I meet with them when convenient and was with them when the special call was concluded on. The object of the call was in part to be ready to give the necessary attention to the present suit, but more particularly to take the general subject of law into consideration in order to agree upon what cause would be most consistent for Friends to pursue in the event that any more suits being brought against us. Some tender minded Friends are of the opinion that in our situation, a better effect would be produced by throwing all the weight on them by just attending when summoned to appear and answering to such questions as might be put to us - without employing attorneys to defend or attempting much defense in any way. I am not inclined to think that we can lay down any rule of action that will suit all cases, but I an glad the committee are to come together believing that a free communication on the subject might be useful. And any thing that thee may wish to communicate to the committee will be promptly attended to if forwarded to thy sincere friend - Israel French
The severe shock Society received from the conduct of the members composing the select committee before and at the time of separation has induced some of the monthly meetings to decline making any appointments. And the question is beginning to arise – whether the time of its usefulness has expired and we may safely abolish it and rest the judging of the fitness of every concern with monthly meetings to be exercised by them (by special committee or otherwise) as truth may open the way. Or whether by reorganizing, it can be placed on its ancient foundation and can become again (instead of a curse) an ornament and a blessing to Society as we believe it to have been in former times. I should like to have thy judgment on this subject.
Time of Courts – common pleas – for Jefferson County, Ohio at Steubenville for 1831 – May 2nd, August 22nd, Nov. 21st. Supreme Court – October 14th.
[29] New Market, Frederick County, MD: http://www.townofnewmarket.org, and www.LivableFrederick.org.
[30] Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy by William Wade Hinshaw, Thomas Worth Marshall, and Dr. Harlow Lindley, 1946. Not all data has been integrated into this family – lots more research to be done. Much of the data is from FFA Chart #20. On Ancestry.com: http://interactive.ancestry.com/3753/quakergenvoliv-003275?pid=246801&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com//cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26db%3DEncycloQuakerGen%26h%3D246801%26tid%3D%26pid%3D%26usePUB%3Dtrue%26_phsrc%3Dhps4%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26rhSource%3D2189&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=hps4&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true#?imageId=quakergenvoliv-003161
[31] FriendÕs Township Cemetery in Barnesville, Belmont County, OH. Apparently this cemetery in Tacoma and not in Barnesville. Friends Township Cemetery is located on Township Road 184 (Bailey Road), just past the intersection with OH-147, in Tacoma, Ohio (Warren Township, Belmont County). The coordinates are 39¡ 59' 44.05" N, 81¡ 8' 44.13" W. Friends Township Cemetery, also known as French Cemetery, is no longer active. There are many old gravestones, and although a few have been damaged, most are in good condition. The grounds are very well maintained by the township. Other surnames in this cemetery are Moore and Douglass who may be connected to the French family. Website: http://www.graveaddiction.com/friendstwp.html. Also see the ChildrenÕs Cemetery in approximately the same location: http://midwestlost.com/gallery/Belmont_Childrens_Home?page=1. This cemetery is a very very small cemetery that is literally right behind Friends Township – French Cemetery. If you travel up the small road, you will see one newer house and then a 2 rows of stones that are fenced off in the same fence as Friends.
[32] As for the list of marriages in Maryland shown below, only Benjamin and Otho are part of the family of this document. The others are listed here to differentiate them as other lines and are further explained in the Bibliography, Ref. [32].
James FrenchÕs marriage to Susan or Susanna Melton is listed in Saint MaryÕs, MD. He was born ca. 1750 in Saint MaryÕs, MD, the son of Ignatius French Sr. and Susanna Mary Brown. He died 9 Apr 1815 in Hardin, KY. According to his fatherÕs will, he had 7 children: Elinor, James, Martin, Raphael, Mary, Ignatius Jr., and Stephen. See FFA Chart #137.
James Ormsby FrenchÕs marriage to Elizabeth Kennedy is listed in Baltimore, MD. It is possible that James Ormsby French died, as on 19 Dec 1778, Elizabeth Kennedy is listed as marrying George Hagerty in Frederick County, MD. George Hagerty was b. 1754 in PR. James Ormsby French arrived in Baltimore, MD, in 1761. He was a clockmaker from 1771-1783 and resided in Baltimore Highlands and Annapolis, MD. He was also a watchmaker during the period 1783-1785 in Annapolis, MD, for his own firm, Claude & French, as per ÒSilver in MarylandÓ by Jennifer F. Goldsborough, 1983.
Zorobable FrenchÕs marriage to Elizabeth Leger is listed in Kent, MD.
Another man is listed below as living in the same area, plus having a connection to the Hall family, which the Otho French family has. The other interesting connection to Michael French is that he was Irish, born in 1733, lived in Baltimore, MD, convicted on 25 Oct 1753 when he was a runaway servant of his master John Hall, as per ÒRunaway Servants, Convicts, and Apprentices, 1728-1796Ó, by Farley Grubb, 1992, p. 60 of 204. Michael arrived in 1746, more than 40 years after the Otho French family arrived. John Hall was listed in 1747 in ÒList of Rebels of Maryland ColonyÓ in the MD Early Census index.
[33] Baltimore County Court Records. As Benjamin died in 1813, the 1827 report could not be him.
BALTIMORE COUNTY COURT
(Chancery Papers)
Dates: 1827/05/01
C473: John Cafferty and Elizabeth Cafferty vs. Lydia Egan, Anthony Egan, David French, Benjamin French, Mary Magis, and Charles Magis. Petition to
partition lots on Potter and Green Sts.
Accession No.: 40,200-736
MSA No.: C 295-738
Location: 2/15/12/2
BALTIMORE COUNTY COURT
(Chancery Papers)
Dates: 1846/12/12
C332: Elizabeth French vs. Henry M. French. Divorce
Accession No.: 40,200-3463
MSA No.: C 295-3489
Location: 2/15/13/90
BALTIMORE CITY SUPERIOR COURT
(Chancery Papers)
Dates: 1862/03/18
C59: Isaac S. George vs. William French.
Mortgage foreclosure on lots on High St. and Necessity Alley
Accession No.: 40,200-5943-1/2
MSA No.: C 168- 1568
Location: 2/16/6/71
BALTIMORE CITY SUPERIOR COURT
(Chancery Papers)
Dates: 1863/10/03
C62: Miles White vs. William French.
Mortgage foreclosure on lots on Biddle St.
Accession No.: 40,200-6022-1/3
MSA No.: C 168- 1648
Location: 2/16/6/78
[34] Bill and Kay DuttonÕs Family Tree: http://person.ancestry.com/tree/7608724/person/-1065425943/facts. Email:
bill1kay2@bellsouth.net, email good in 2016. Bill
was born in 1936. Kay is the French from the line of Benjamin French and
Rachael McNamee. Look at the Stillwater Friends Cemetery in
Barnesville, Belmont, OH, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GScid=2378968
for Bailey gravestones.
|
(gr-gr-grandfather)
Benjamin French, b. ca. 1825, m.
Rachael McNamee. |
|
(gr-grandmother)
Marie Elizabeth French, b. 8 May
1853 in Pomeroy, Meigs Co., OH, d. 5 Mar 1933 in Pomeroy. She m. Robert James Bailey and had 9
children: Joseph A., Perry Benjamin, Bertha
Ann, John Harvey, James Dana, Pearl Lafayette, Carrie Blanche, Lennie D.,
and Vernie Viola Bailey. |
|
(grandmother) Bertha (Bailey) Howell, in this
household in the 1920 census lived James/John French, widower, when dau.
Evelyn Howell was 11. John was b. 1876 in OH. á Bertha BaileyÕs motherÕs brother.
BerthaÕs mother was Maria Elizabeth French, b. 1854 in OH. She m.
Robert James Bailey. Maria had a brother named James V. French, b. Mar
1874, who is the uncle mentioned in the 1920 census. |
|
(mother) Evelyn Merle Howell, b. 27 Jun 1907
in Meigs, OH, married James Rupert Turner. He was born 1907 and died 26 Jul
1938 in Newark, Licking, OH, when their daughter was 5 months old. James was
buried in the Beech Grove Cemetery in Pomeroy, Meigs Co., OH, and in 1972, so
was his widow, Evelyn. Evelyn had CVA (cerebrovascular accident) when dau.
Kay was in 2nd grade or about 1945. Dau. Kay was placed under
guardianship at age 10 in 1948. Raised in Florida. Evelyn married (2nd)
Cecil Grover Russell on 11 Aug 1950 in Point Pleasant, Mason, WV. Evelyn d.
25 Sep 1972 in Monroe, Monroe Co., Michigan, as stated in the Monroe Evening
News on 26 Sep 1972; the article states her husband was Cecil Russell and her
father was Charles Howell. See marriage certificate below. Evelyn and James
Turner were in the 1930 census; he was from WV.
|
|
Kay (Karen) Turner, b. 18 Mar 1938 in Meigs Co., OH, m.
William Dutton. Placed under guardianship at age 10 in 1948. Raised in
Florida. Was 34 when her mother died. |
|
** Beech Grove Cemetery, Pomeroy, Meigs County, OH. See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=66212798.
|
Evelyn Merle Howell, b. 27 Jun 1907 in Meigs, OH, married James Rupert Turner.
The Daily Tribune, Pomeroy, OH, 7/27/1938
[35] The following is excerpted from Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio, ed. Hon. A.T. McKelvey 1801- 1901. Published by Biographical Publishing company , Chicago, IL. Accessed on http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Belmont/BelmontCXVII.htm on 7/26/08:
Seven years before the organization of Warren township, emigrants began to enter into the territory from Pennsylvania and Maryland, and large caravans of Quakers arrived from the Southern States.The country was almost an unbroken wilderness, and the labors and hardships and dangers to which these early emigrants were subjected are scarcely understood by their descendants today. Among the first settlers are mentioned the names of George Shannon, father of Governor Shannon, John Dougherty, John Grier, who emigrated from Maryland in 1800, and built their rude cabins on section 9 and 12.
The year following, Robert Plummer, the first Quaker to settle in the township, built his humble cabin of poles on section 10, not far distant from the settlers above mentioned. Mr. Plummer was a devoted Friend, and set apart land at the very outset for the establishment of a Friend's Meeting House and graveyard. Indeed until 1806 the pioneers of Warren township were largely Quakers from the States above mentioned.
All kinds of game were plentiful, and the pioneers killed large numbers of bears, deer, wild cats, panthers and wolves. And, incredible as it may seem, wild turkeys were so abundant that flocks containing as many as a thousand turkeys were not an uncommon sight.
A noted hunter in those days was a pioneer named Otho French, whose skill in trapping wolves, fighting wild cats, killing bears and deer, and gathering wild honey, are still listened to with entire credulity and enthusiasm by the younger generation. French was a zealot in the cause of temperance, and in those days of universal indulgence in the strong drink, refused to entertain in his cabin those carrying liquor about their persons, or shelter the drovers' hogs that were fattened at a distillery.
We are indebted to Edwin and Sarah D. Sears of Warren township for this interesting history of the Society of Friends in the western section of the county. As one of the molding influences in the early history of Warren, Wayne and Somerset townships, we give a brief account of the settlements made by the Society of Friends, some of the improvements with which they have been connected and items of history thought worthy of preservation as being of general interest, together with some of the characteristics of that people.
The eastern half of Warren township was settled mainly by Friends, who came principally from the South, leaving comfortable homes, to become pioneers in the forest wilds north of the Ohio. "Their main object was to remove their children and themselves from the blighting influences of human slavery, against which their religious principles required them to bear a faithful testimony."
Robert Plummer and family, from Maryland —ancestors of the Plummers now living near the Children's Home—were the first "Friend" settlers and were the fourth family in the township, coming about 1801. There was then no open road from the site of Morristown to these parts and it required five days to make the road before them and perform the journey—about six miles. In 1802, William Hodgin and William Patten came prospecting, from Georgia, and were so favorably impressed with Belmont and Jefferson counties that they arranged with Jonathan Taylor to secure a section of land for each of them—that being the smallest amount then subject to entry. As they returned to Georgia, they had to swim their horses through all unfordable streams this side of Cincinnati.
In 1803, they came again, accompanied by Stephen Hodgin, Joseph Stubbs and daughter, Deborah, and others. After this, the settlers came in companies, so in the next five years the exact date of arrival of certain families is not now known; but (gleaning from a list very carefully prepared by Jonathan T. Scofield for the Belmont and Jefferson County History, to which able article recourse has been had for valuable information) we find many in that time and later, whose descendants remain in this and adjoining neighborhoods as useful and honored citizens. There were the Vernons, Williamses and Thomases from Georgia; the Starbucks, then but recently from Nantucket ; the Pattersons, Bundys, Stantons (ancestors of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton), Edgertons, Doudnas, Boswells, Outlands, Halls, Middletons and Hansons from North Carolina; the Baileys from Southeastern Virginia, and the Smiths from Pennsylvania. Soon after came Mary Hicks, Peter Sears, Sr., the Parkers, Wilsons, Joel and Carolus Judkins, Joseph Garretson, the Crews and Nicholsons, Abisha Thomas, James Barnes (the founder of Barnesville), Issachar Scofield, William Dewees, Daniel Strahl, and later the Kennards, Francis Davis, Samuel Walton, James Steer and many others.
Friends assembled for divine worship at the home of Robert Vernon, until a meeting house could be built, which was in 1803 or 1804. This was, and still is known as "Stillwater Meeting," and was a branch of Concord Monthly Meeting in Colerain township. The house was a single "log pen," to which an addition was made in 1805. This was the first house built for religious service in Warren township, and Ruth Boswell preached the first sermon there. It served as both meeting and school house for a number of years and was replaced by a larger, better one in 1812, which, in turn was enlarged about 1823 and stood, serving the meeting well till 1878, when it was replaced by the Yearly Meeting with a plain, substantial brick building, 60 by 100 feet, at a cost of $9,000. Its seating capacity is 500. The Yearly Meeting convenes there each autumn and is composed of subordinate meetings in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa and California, from all of which places members attend, beside many visiting Friends from other Yearly meetings. We quote the words of one, not a Friend, who, in referring to these grounds having been thus occupied for nearly 100 years, and to the meetings held there, said: "Out from its influence has come the greater part of the moral dignity of the township and throughout the West its power for good has been felt."
Other settlements were soon made; one in Wayne township in 1808, another at Leatherwood in Guernsey County in 1809 (where a meeting is still held), one at "Ridge," near three miles south of Barnesville, in 1811, one at Somerton and one at Jerusalem in Monroe County,—all being branches of Stillwater Meeting. David and Christiana Grey, parents of Elisha Grey, inventor of the telephone, were members of Ridge Meeting and Warren township is glad to claim him as one of her sons. The first religious services in Somerset and Goshen townships were held by Friends; the former near Somerton in 1818, the latter in Belmont in 1818, where they also built the first school house in the township, Joseph Wright being the first teacher. In Warren also the first school was established by Friends in 1806; it was on the farm now owned by Daniel E. Stanton, three miles southeast of Barnesville. Samuel Berry was the first teacher. As a people. the Society has always maintained a zealous care on the subject of education—it being one of their religious tenets to "assist pecuniarily those members who are unable to defray the expenses of their children's tuition." Thus we find them establishing schools in the different neighborhoods soon after their settlement ; sometimes in buildings for the purpose, sometimes in the meeting house or part of a dwelling, until other arrangements could be made, and always, then as now, maintained by private subscription—no part of the public funds being used to defray their expenses.
When the Boarding School was built in 1875, the necessary funds—approximately $45,000were raised by subscriptions of the members composing the Yearly Meeting, together with a generous donation from Philadelphia Friends. Addison Hutton of that city planned the building, Francis Davis was appointed general superintendent of the work, and different divisions were assigned to careful, experienced foremen. Three-fourth of a million brick, burned on the farm (which had just been bought for the location of the School) were used in the walls; as evidence of the care exerted that the work be of good materials and thoroughly done, these bricks were three times carefully selected before being used. The School was opened New Year's Day, 1876. It is located a short distance south of the Yearly Meeting House and is composed of a center building. 120 by 68 feet, and two wings, each 40 by 58 feet—all four stories high. It will accommodate 75 to 80 pupils; one term opened with 108, but the usual number is from 60 to 70 in winter, while the spring term is quite small, owing largely to the fact that a large per cent of the pupils are farmers' children who wish to be at home during the spring and summer. An observatory, containing a telescope, is located on the grounds, and, together with some chemical, physiological and other apparatus, greatly aids in thoroughness of work, which is aimed to be one of the chief characteristics. Necessary improvements have been made from time to time; at present we note the installation of a new "low-pressure" steam heating plant, at a cost of $1,800. Barclay and Hannah Stratton were the first superintendents and Jesse and Susan Edgerton are the present incumbents. In the history of the institution, only two deaths have occurred there. A regular course of study was adopted some years ago, and there is now a small class of graduates each winter session—the total number being 121. During the 26 years the Boarding School has been in successful operation, many hundreds of pupils have obtained a portion of their education there, and it is rare to find any who do not in after years regard the lessons there learned, both from books and the larger school of life, as some of its best discipline.
As illustrations of the hardships of pioneer life, we give two authentic incidents. George and Elizabeth Starbuck, who came to Warren township in the spring of 1805, erected a tent, covered it with canvas, drove forked stakes in the ground, upon which they fixed their beds, to protect themselves from rattlesnakes and other venomous reptiles, and lived in this way until four acres were cleared and planted in corn, after which they built a cabin. Jesse Bailey and family arrived too late in 1806 to build before winter set in. He found a projecting rock, along whose outer edge he stood puncheons upright, enclosing a space 15 to 20 feet wide. In one corner the rocks formed a natural chimney ; four puncheons made a funnel-shaped top; he daubed the sides with clay mud. Here, in comparative comfort, they wintered, while by day, timid deer bounded away, and by night, wolves howled, bears clawed at the door and panthers screamed from trees nearby. Before 1806, the pioneers ground their corn in hand-mills or cracked it on hominy blocks. In that year, Joseph Middleton built the first horsepower grist mill in Warren township, where also the first water mill and sawmill were built by Camm Thomas,—the former in 1807, and it was for eight years the only one in the township. The first fulling mill in Wayne township was built in 1824 by Samuel Berry. Throughout the dark days of slavery, Friends felt and manifested warm sympathy for the slaves; it found expression here in making some of their homes stations on the "Underground Railroad," and in helping them in their escape by night to the North.
On the subject of temperance, Friends' discipline requires its members to abstain from "the unnecessary use of spirituous liquors," and it is rare to find any who make use of them.
[36] Dorset, England, Church of England Baptisms,
Marriages, and Burials, 1538-1812, website: http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2243.
The French family of Sherborne – not every record is accurate as to generations and parents.
1.x Henry French, m. 21 Jul 1606 to Jone (Joan) Wilcoxe in Sherborne. Henry made a will in 1610 in Sherborne. Joan made a will in 1612 in Sherborne. Because no more records can be found for Henry and Joan, it is assumed they both had died, especially since they both made out wills. This could have been a second marriage.
2.x Mary French, b. ca. 1607, m. Nicholas Hancocke on 18 May 1630 in Sherborne. No parents stated. No further Hancocke records.
2.x John French m. Patience in Jul 1629 in Sherborne. No parents stated. No children found.
[37] Mount
Pleasant Short Creek Friends Meeting House, Email: smith@hanover.edu.
[38] J. Michael
Frost website: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=SHOW&db=frostinaz01&recno=0. Email: frostinaz@cox.net.
[39] Theory if Jeremiah was an immigrant.
JeremiahÕs cousin,
Otho, immigrated to America, and it is very likely that Jeremiah did also, as
ÒaÓ Jeremiah French appears in NJ at the same time, plus the descendants of
both Otho and Jeremiah have the same DNA test results. The
name Moses must have come from somewhere in the U.S. Let us suppose that
Jeremiah married and his wifeÕs fatherÕs name was Moses, so he would have been
born ca. 1690. Men named Moses living in Sussex, NJ, between 1725-1745 have the
surnames Tatamy, Van Campen, Gumaer, and Moses DuPuy b. 1713.
5.x Moses French, b. 1735 in
Sussex, Sussex, NJ, m. Rebecca Congleton, d. 1797 in Sandyston, Sussex, NJ.
Lived in Shamokin, Northumberland, PA. See FFA Chart #22.
6.x Jeremiah French III, b.
1759 in Sandyston, Sussex, NJ, m. Margaret Van Gorder, d. 1846 in Erin, Tioga,
NY, age 97. Moved to Middlebury Center, Tioga Co., PA in 1774. A Revolutionary War soldier. Moved to
Shamokin, Northumberland, PA 1791-1791. He then moved from Northumberland
County up the Susquehanna River to Bradford County and later settled on the
Chemung River near Elmira where son William was born in 1790. See FFA Chart #179.
7.x Moses French, b.
1783 in PA, lived in Owego, Tioga, NY in the 1800 census, m. Nancy Dearborn.
Settled in Northumberland, PA on French Hill in 1823.
7.x Sarah French,
b. 1786 in PA, lived in Owego, Tioga, NY in the 1800 census.
7.x William French,
b. 3 Jun 1790 near Elmira, NY, lived in Owego, Tioga, NY in the 1800 census.
Moved to Northumberland, PA, French Hill in 1834, m. Esther Martin and had 6
children: Nehemiah, William Jr., and John W., Mariah, Louise, and Lucretia. He
d. 1881.
7.x Jeremiah French
Jr., b. 1791 in Owego, Tioga, NY in the 1800 census, m. Charlotte Van Gorder,
d. 1847.
7.x Flora French, b.
1793 in NY, lived in Owego, Tioga, NY in the 1800 census.
6.x Jonathan French,
b. ca. 1760, settled on the Maurnee River, OH.
6.x John Congleton
French, b. 1766 in Sussex, NJ, m. Martha Morris. John d. 10 May 1859 and Martha
d. 15 Jan 1849 in Moreland Lutheran Cemetery, Lycoming County, PA. See FFA Chart #22.
http://person.ancestry.com/tree/40170039/person/28450931087/facts
6.x Aaron French, b.
1 Mar 1767 in Sussex, NJ, lived in Washington Co., PA in 1790, m. Mary Myers,
d. 1 Jan 1851 in Sheshequin, Bradford, PA. See FFA Chart #21.
[40]
Joiner Ancestry.com website: http://joinermarriageindex.co.uk/marriage-records/search/
[41] William was buried 29 Sep 1766 in Sherborne, and Elizabeth was buried 30 Nov 1767, a widow in Sherborne.
Sarah French, baptized ca. 1668, (no parents or children mentioned), married Thomas Small on 13 Apr 1691 in Sherborne. Thomas was baptized 4 Sep 1666 in Sherborne, Dorset, England, the son of Thomas and Joane Small.
