French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

Columbia, Washington County, Maine

Chart #147, Sewell Worcester French, 1805
Columbia, Washington County, Maine

This chart updated by Mara French on 7/26/15. Numbers in brackets [ ] show sources and refer to the bibliography at the end of this chart. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Send any corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 2011, 2015.

Contents

FFA Home Page

Introduction

First Generation

Second Generation

Third Generation

Fourth Generation

Fifth Generation

Sixth Generation

DNA Testing

Bibliography

Introduction

Barnes French was in the 3^rd Regiment with Lovering, in the New Hampshire Military during the War of 1812. He was a Private in the Army. He was born in 1787.

Although this is not of my line, I will continue to research it as time permits. My line is FFA Chart #6.

First Generation

1.1* Sewell Worcester French, b. 1805*. The 1850, 1860, and 1870 census records of Columbia, Washington, ME, state that Sewell was born in NH. The 1880 census states he was born in Maine, but at that time, Sewell was 76 years old and may not have given the correct information. Sewell died 4 years later on 2 Jun 1884 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME.

*Sewell’s son Talbot states that Sewell W. French was born in Epping/Exeter, Rockingham, NH (not proven). The Worcester family also lived in Exeter, NH. A very close lineage to Sewell French is Freeman French of FFA Chart #109, who comes from Bristol County, MA. It is possible that Sewell’s father died in the War of 1812. Furthermore, Sewell’s daughter’s marriage, Syldania to William Wallace Young on 22 Jul 1964 in Columbia, Washington County, ME, states that Sewell was born in NH. An online message board suggests Sewell’s father was Gould French. The following Frenches were born in Epping, NH, close to the time Sewell was born:

Abigail French, b. 1806, dau. of Caleb French
Mary French, b. 1800, dau. of Reuben French
Gould French, b. 1798, son of Joseph French
Caleb French, b. 1804, son of Caleb French
Dearborn French, b. 1809, son of Dearborn French
Hannah French, b. 1795, dau. of Amos French
Dorothy French, b. 1797, dau. of James French
Sarah French, b. 1799, dau. of James French
Lucy French, b. 1802, dau. of James French
Mehitable French, b. 1804, dau. of James French

Marriage: Sewell m. Sarah “Sally” Tucker on 27 Nov 1829 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME. Sally was b. 24 May 1806 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, the daughter of Samuel Tucker and Esther Leighton, and died on 27 Mar 1885 in Columbia, Washington, ME. Samuel Tucker is in the 1800 census of Columbia, Washington, ME. Samuel was born there in 1758 and died there in 1840. Samuel Tucker was among one of the earliest English colonists along with his brother Josiah to reside in Columbia, Washington County, ME. Another brother went to Honduras.

From “Centennial Historical Sketch of the Town of Columbia” from 1796-1896, by Levi Leighton, Esq.

1805 – Sewell Worcester French was born. See asterisk above.

1810 census --

1820 census – Washington County, ME. Sewell would have been age 15 and probably would have been living with his parents. Only 2 head of households are listed in Washington County, ME:

Benjamin French, Lubec, Washington, ME, 10 in household, including a son of Sewell’s age – Benjamin is age 26-44 or born 1776-1794. Benjamin was born 1786 in Stratham, Rockingham County, NH, and married Mary Ewer Young in 1809; they had 10 children born between 1810-1829 and all in NH; therefore, he was not Sewell’s father, but the possibility exists that Benjamin could have been Sewell’s uncle.

Freeman French, Plantation 11, Washington, ME, with 5 in the household, including a son of Sewell’s age – research indicates this is not the same family. But the possibility exists that Freeman could have been Sewell’s uncle as the name Freeman is seen frequently in this line. See FFA Chart #109.

1829 Nov 27 – Sewell m. Sarah “Sally” Tucker in Columbia, Washington County, ME. Sewell and Sally spent the rest of their lives in Columbia, Washington Co., ME.

1829 -- son Rowland was born and died in Columbia, Washington County, ME, before the 1830 census.

1830 Mar 24 – daughter Ursula was born in Columbia, Washington County, ME.

1830 census – Columbia, Washington County, Maine with 3 people in the household:
1 male 20-29, Sewell French, born 1801-1810, head of household
1 female under 5, daughter Ursula S. French, born 1825-1830
1 female 20-29, wife Sally Tucker
No other Frenches were living in this city at that time.

1834 Jun 10 – son Talbot was born in Columbia, Washington County, ME.

1838 Mar 30 – son Freeman Worchester (P. T.) French, Sr. was born in Columbia, Washington County, Maine.

1840 census – Columbia, Washington County, Maine
1 male under 5, born 1836-1840, Freeman born 1838
1 male 5-9, born 1831-1835, Talbot born 1834
1 male 40-49, born 1791-1800, Sewell, head of household, date is somewhat incorrect.
1 female 10-14, born 1826-1830, Ursula born 1830
1 female 30-39, born 1801-1810, wife Sally Tucker

1841 Mar 15 – son Venleson E. French was born in Columbia Falls, Washington County, Maine.

1844 Jan 4 – daughter Syldania (or Sildania) French was born in Columbia Falls, Washington County, Maine.

1850 census of Columbia, Washington County, Maine, Sewell (45) was a laborer living with his wife Sarah (44) and 5 children: Wosula French (20), Tolbert (16), Freeman (12), Venessow (9), Sildana (6). The census states that Sewell was born in NH, and his wife and all his children were born in Maine.

1860 Agriculture Schedule -- Columbia, Washington, ME, shows that Sewell French was living next door to Moses Worcester. Sewell owned 10 acres of improved land, 70 acres of unimproved land, the cash value of his farm was $400 and the value of farming machinery was $10, he had 3 milch cows, 2 working oxen, 3 other cattle, 15 sheep, 1 swine, and the value of his live stock was $225. He had 5 bushels of corn, 46 pounds of wool, and no bushels of wheat, rye, oats, rice, tobacco, or cotton bales. He is also listed in the 1870 and 1880 Agriculture Schedules.

1860 census of Columbia, Washington County, Maine, Sewell (54) and Salley (53) are living with children Freeman P. T. French (22), Venieson French (19), and Syldania French (16). Sewell was a farmer.

1870 census – Columbia, Washington County, Maine, Sewell (65) was living with his wife Sally (64) and son Freeman (32). Sewell was a farmer born in NH, and Freeman was a laborer. Several Worcester families are living nearby.

1880 census – Columbia, Washington County, Maine, enumerated 15-16 June 1880:
Sewell as Lewell French, age 75, b. ca. 1805 in Maine, living with his wife Sally in Columbia, Washington Co., ME. He was a farmer. Both of Sewell’s parents birth places are left blank. Living next to him in 1880 was the Worcester family: Leander K., Julia A., Truman I., Freeman W., Sarah J., and Harvey B. Worster, and next to them are Ashiel M. Worster and his family: Julia E., Edward A., Sarah C., Diaden W., Geneva P., and Jasper W. Sewell’s first daughter, Ursula, married Daniel Grant, and 4 of Daniel Grant’s 9 siblings married into the Worcester family. Also living next door to Sewell in the 1880 census are the Puffer and Grant families, and his son Talbot with his family.

1880 census – Columbia, Washington County, Maine, enumerated 12-18 June 1880:
Catherine Puffer, age 83, widowed, head of household. She was the mother of Sewell’s son Talbot’s wife. She was born in Massachusetts and so were her parents.
Sewell French, age 75, born in Maine and so were his parents. This census does indicate that Sewell is married.
Ann Lenney, age 75, lists her as “wife”; however, the census taker aligned the rows incorrectly and it appears that Ann Lenney should really be the husband of Alexander Lenney, age 79, who appears on the following line. The name French does not appear alongside her name on the original, but it does on the indexer.

1884 Jun 2 -- Sewell died in Columbia Falls, Washington Co., ME.

1885 Mar 27 – Sally died in Columbia Falls, Washington Co., ME.

Second Generation

Children of Sewell French and Sarah “Sally” Tucker, 1.1

2.1 Rowland French, b. 1829 in Columbia, Washington County, ME, d. 1829 in Columbia, Washington County, ME, because he does not appear in the 1830 census with his parents and sister Ursula. His parents were married in 1829. See Ref. [4] in the Bibliography.

2.2 Ursula S. French, b. 24 Mar 1830 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, living with her parents and siblings in the 1850 census of Columbia, Washington Co., ME. She m. Daniel Grant on 4 Dec 1852 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME. He was b. 19 Dec 1823 and d. 2 Jan 1897, both in Columbia, Washington, ME. She d. 3 Apr 1916 in Columbia Falls, Washington Co., ME. They had 4 children: Mary Emma Grant, Adrianna Grant, Rosa Grant, and Leander Grant. In the 1850 census her name was spelled Wosula.

2.3* Talbot Smith French, b. 10 Jun 1834 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, m. Tryphene/Taphenes N. Puffer on 22 May 1860 in Columbia, ME. She was born 1836, died 1897. Tryphene was the daughter of John Puffer and Catherine Redman Stanwood, and the sibling of 8. Talbot was a farmer. Talbot d. on 17 Jan 1911 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, and his parents are stated as Sewell French and Sarah Tucker. His father is stated as born in Epping, NH, and his mother in Columbia, and that his father was a farmer. Because all the census records state that Talbot’s father was born in Maine, including Sewell himself in the 1880 census, most likely they are referring to Epping, Maine which is a section of Columbia, Maine. In fact, there is even an Epping Road that connects Columbia to Columbia Falls. Columbia Falls did not split from Columbia until 1863, somewhere in the Epping district of that town. Talbot died at age 76 years, 7 months, 7 days, and was widowed at his death. He was a milkman and farmer and died of pneumonia. For further information on the Puffer family, see Dave Caranci’s website.

1850 census -- Talbot was 16 years old, living with his parents Sewell and Sarah, and his siblings Wosula, Freeman, Venleson, and Sildana.

1860 census -- Columbia, Washington Co., ME, lists Talbot S. French, age 25, living with his wife Tahpenies (24).

1870 census – Columbia, Washington County, Maine, lists Talbot (36), his wife Tryphena (34), children Belona (8) and Everett (5).

1880 census -- Columbia, Washington County, Maine, lists Talbot (46), his wife Janpene (44), and children Lorice L. (18), Everett V. (15), and Mary P. (8).

1883 Jul 6 – from the Bangor Daily Whig and Courier in Bangor, Maine:

1900 census -- Talbot in the same location, born Jun 1833, age 66, widowed, both parents born in ME, living with his dau. Mary (28) and grandson Charles K. French (2).

1910 census -- Talbot in the same location, he was 75 and living with his daughter and family, Mary “Mamie” P. French, who had married Harvey Holly Smith.

2.4 Freeman Worcester (P. T.) French, Sr., b. 30 Mar 1838 in Columbia, Washington County, ME, living with his parents and siblings in the 1850, 1860, and 1870 census of Columbia, Washington Co., ME. He d. 15 Mar 1874, at age 35 yrs. 11 mos. & 15 days, and is buried at Columbia Cemetery, Columbia, Washington Co., ME. Subtracting these years from the death date calculate to a birth on 11 Apr 1838 – this date probably also calculates the time between death and burial.

Freeman married Julia A. Dorr, born Jun 1850 according to the 1900 census, in Cherryfield, Maine, the daughter of John Fredric Dorr (10 May 1816-1 Dec 1882) and Betsy Oakes. According to his gravestone, they had 2 sons. After Freeman died in 1874, Julia m. Leander K. Worcester in 1875. The Dorr family was from Roxbury, Suffolk, MA, and from Dorchester, Dorset, England before that.

1850 census – Freeman French, 12, living with his parents in Columbia
Sewel French 45
Sarah French 44
Wosula French 20
Tolbert French 16
Freeman French 12
Venlessow French 9
Sildana French 6

1860 census – Julia A. Dorr, 9, living with her parents John F. (Fredric) Dorr 44, and Betsey 37, and 6 siblings. Columbia, Washington, ME.

1860 census – Freeman P. T. French, 22, living with his parents Sewall French 54 and Salley French 53, and siblings Venleson 19 and Syldania 16. Columbia, Washington, ME.

1870 census – Julia A. Worcester, 19, was living with Isaac Worcester 52 and Louise Worcester 45.

1870 census – Freeman French, 32, living with his parents Sewel French 65 and Sally French 64. No one else was in the household. They are living in the same neighborhood with many Worcester and Leighton families.

1871-1873 – Supposedly Freeman married Julia A. Dorr and had 2 sons during this timeframe and then died. These sons must have been Truman S. born 1872 and Freeman W. born 1874, both of whom took the surname Worcester when Julia remarried.

1874 Mar 15 – Freeman Worcester P.T. French died in Columbia, Washington, ME. His gravestone mentions leaving 2 little sons behind.

1875 – Julia A. Dorr French m. Leander K. Worcester according to the 1900 census.

1880 census – Columbia, Washington County, ME. They were living next door to Sewell (75) and Sally French (74), parents of Julia’s first husband, Freeman Worcester P. T. French. They were all born in ME, including parents.
Leander K. Worcester is 28, head of household
Julia A. 29, wife and servant, b. 1851
Truman S. Worcester, 8, son, b. 1872
Freeman W. Worcester, 6, son, b. 1874
Sarah I. Worcester, 4, daughter, b. 1876
Harvey B. Worcester, 1, son, b. 1879

1900 census – Columbia, Washington, ME
Leander K. Worcester, 48
Julia A. Worcester, 49
Harvey B. Worcester, 21
John F. Worcester, 18
Georgia A. Worcester, 14
Bertha E. Worcester, 11
Deliliah L. Worcester, 7

1910 census – Columbia, Washington, ME
Leander K. Worcester, 58, head of household
Julia A. Worcester, 58
Carrie H. Worcester, 6, granddaughter

Julia died 22 Aug 1911 at age 60; she predeceased her husband L. K. Worcester.

Inscription for gravestone of Freeman W. French:

AE 35 yrs. 11 mos. & 15 days; Go down in yonder graveyard, And there you read with care, Remember it won't be long, Before you must be there.

He left two little sons behind, May God to them be very kind, And held them in His blessed hand, And bring them to the promised land.

2.5 Everett Venleson French, b. 15 Mar 1841 in Columbia Falls, ME, d. 19 Jul 1863 during the U.S. Civil War, unmarried, no heirs.

1850 census -- Everett was living with his parents and siblings in Columbia, Washington Co., ME.

1860 census -- Everett was living with his parents and siblings in Columbia, Washington Co., ME.

1862 Oct 10 – Everett was enlisted as a Private during the U.S. Civil War for Company D, Maine 22nd Infantry Regiment.

1863 Jul 19 – Everett died during the war in New Orleans Parish, Louisiana, and is buried at the Columbia Cemetery, Columbia, Washington Co., ME. He was captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana between May and July 1863 and held a prisoner in Libby Prison in Richmond, VA.  Then hospitalized on 24 Jul 1863. He died of disease there. He was buried at Columbia Cemetery, Columbia, ME. 

Venleson E. French is mentioned on p. 12 of 40 pages, see Ref. [8] in the Bibliography. This name has been seen throughout this French family. Venleson is mentioned in connection with men who went south in the 22d Regiment during the Revolutionary War.

Inscription: Son of Suel & Sally French; Died in New Orleans; AE 22 Yrs. 1 mos. 1 dys.
Residence Columbia ME; 21 years old.
Enlisted on 10/10/1862 as a Private.
On 10/10/1862 he mustered into "D" Co. ME 22nd Infantry
(date and method of discharge not given)
He was listed as: Hospitalized 7/24/1863 New Orleans, LA (Sick)
He died 30 Jul 1863.
He was buried at the Mailey Hill Cemetery in Columbia, Washington, ME.

2.6 Syldania French, b. 4 Jan 1844 in Columbia Falls, Washington County, Maine. She is living with her parents and siblings in the 1850 census of Columbia, Washington Co., ME. In the 1860 census of Columbia, she was living with her parents. She m. William Wallace Young on 22 Jul 1864 in Columbia, the son of John Young and Mary A. Worster. In the 1880 census of Columbia Falls, Washington County, Maine, she was (36), William Wallace (36), living with their children: Rowland V. Young (15), Orie E. Young (12), Minerva J. Young (10), Sewall F. Young (8), Mabell I. Young (4), and Irvin M. Young (2). In the 1900 census she was living with her husband in Concord, Merrimack Co., NH. They had at least 6 children: Rowland V., Orie E., Minerva J., Sewell F., Mabell I., and Irvin M. She died 24 Jun 1905 in Concord, NH, the daughter of Sewell French and Sally Tucker, and the wife of William Wallace Young. Yet another document stating that Sewell was born in NH.

Third Generation

Children of Talbot S. French and Taphenes Janpene Puffer, 2.3

3.1 Bellona “Lonie” Imogene French, b. 6 Sep 1861 in Columbia, Washington County, ME. At the age of only 18, she was teaching school. In the 1880 census, she was living in Columbia, Washington Co., ME. She died 13 May 1942 in Columbia, Washington County, ME, the daughter of Talbot Smith French and Taphenes Puffer French, and was buried at the Columbia Cemetery. She married Edgar F. Allen, born 1855, died 1923.

3.2 Everett Venleson French, b. 22 Feb 1865 in Columbia, Washington County, ME, married Inez Evelyn Peterson in 1899 in Nova Scotia, Canada, no heirs.

1880 census -- Columbia, Washington County, ME.

1900 census – Columbia, Washington County, ME, married to Inez P. French, who was quite a bit younger than he was, born 1877.

1910 census -- Columbia, Washington County, ME, living alone, single.

1920 census -- Columbia, Washington County, ME, he is listed as a widow, living alone at age 53.

1930 census -- Columbia, Washington County, ME.

3.3* Mary Pedlegras “Mamie” French, b. 6 Oct 1871, m. Harvey Holly Smith on 21 Jun 1902, he was born 1880 and died 1955. She died in 16 Nov 1931 in Buxton, ME. She did not marry Charles Kimball Worcester, but had his child after being raped in 1897. This son does not carry the French DNA gene.

Children of Freeman Worcester P.T. French and Julia A. Dorr, 2.4

3.4 Truman S. French, b. Nov 1871 in ME, raised by Leander K. Worcester after his father Freeman died. Truman m. Ada May Hackett on 7 Apr 1905 and had dau. Viola May French in 1905, and she d. 1982. Ada was the daughter of James M. Hackett and Ann S. Fitts. Truman was a janitor at a church when he was age 68, and before that he was a machinist in a hosiery mill. In 1900 Truman lived in Belmont, Belknap, NH. In 1820 at 264 South Main Street, Laconia, Belknap, NH. In 1830 and 1940 in Laconia.

3.5 Freeman Worcester French, Jr., b. Jan 1874 in ME, raised by Leander K. Worcester after his father Freeman died. He kept the surname French throughout the census records. He m1. Emma E. Cummings and had dau. Julia E. French, b. 9 Feb 1893 in Columbia, d. 21 Jul 1895 in Columbia. Freeman m2. Myrtles M. Bryant on 22 Sep 1894 in Belmont, NH. She was the daughter of Willie C. Bryant and Lora Flint. Myrtles was b. 1877.

1900 census – Tilton, Belknap, NH
Freeman French 26
Myrtie M. French 23
Geneva B. French 4, b. Mar 1896, d. before 1996
Theodore A. French 2, b. May 1898, d. before 1998

1910 census – Belmont, Belknap, NH
Freeman French, 36
Myrtie French 33
Geneva French 14
William (Willis) F. French, b. 29 Oct 1901, d. before 2001
Walter French, b. 1902, d. before 2002
Clinton French, b. 1904, d. before 2004
Lora French 3
Valchester French 4/12
John Worchester 28

1920 census – Belmont, Belknap, NH
Freeman W. French 45
Mertie M. French 41 wife
John C. French 16 son b. 1904
Valchester U. French 10 son b. 2 Dec 1909, d. 10 Apr 1964 in Yuba City, CA
Lora J. French 12 dau b. 6 Mar 1907
Thersa D. French 8 dau b. 1912
Loyd D. Smith 28 son-in-law
Genevia Smith 23 dau
Elmer F. Smith 1 8/12 grandson
John F. Woster 39 brother (half brother)

1925 City Directory – Laconia, NH
Freeman W. French, mill operator, living with Mertie

1930 census – Columbia Falls, Washington, ME
137 Tibbettstown Road
Freeman French, woodsman, living with the Hartford family.

1940 census – Columbia Falls, Washington, ME
Freeman French, widowed, age 66, boarder, cook, living with the Hartford family.

Fourth Generation

Child of Mary Pedlegras French and Charles Kimball Worcester, 3.3

4.1* Charles K. W. (Kimball Worcester) French, b. 14 Feb 1898 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME. He took his mother’s name, French, which indicates that Charles is not biologically a French in regards to DNA testing, but of the Worcester bloodline. Charles m. Frances Alma Smith who was b. 24 Jan 1901 in Columbia, Washington County, ME, d. 18 May 1979 in Canaan, Connecticut. Charles French d. 26 Nov 1967 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, and is buried at the South Buxton Cemetery in Buxton, York Co., ME. In the 1940 census, he was living in Providence County, RI.

Charles K. W. French

Children of Freeman Worcester French Jr. and Myrtles M. Bryant, 3.5

4.2 Geneva Belle French, b. 28 Mar 1896 in Belmont, NH, m. Loyd D. Smith, d. before 1996.

4.3 Theodore Alpheus French, b. May 1898 in Belmont, NH, d. 31 Aug 1900 in Tilton, NH, 2 years, 3 months, 27 days.

4.4 William (Willis or Walter) Freeman French, b. 29 Oct 1901 in ME, d. before 2001. He m. Isabel Irene Bunker on 11 Oct 1923 in Lakeport, NH. She was the dau. of Edwin A. Bunker and Lena E. Savage. In 1920 he lived in Newport Ward 2, Newport, Rhode Island, and was in the U.S. Navy.

4.5 John Clinton “Clint” French, b. 1904 in ME, d. before 2004. In the 1940 census, John was living in Winter Haven, Polk County, Florida at 110 Bates Ave., with his wife Tessie E. and with their son Jack E. French, age 13, b. ca. 1929. Clint was a chauffeur.

4.6 Lora J. French, b. 6 Mar 1907 in ME.

4.7 Valchester U. French, b. 2 Dec 1909 in NH, d. 10 Apr 1964 in Yuba City, Sutter, CA. He was in the U.S. Navy in Rockwood, ME, at age 41, and served at Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA.

4.8 Theresa D. French, b. 1912 in NH.

Fifth Generation

Children of Charles Kimball Worcester French and Frances Alma Smith, 4.1

5.1* Stanley Nelson French, Sr., b. 15 Jan 1918 in Columbia, Washington Co., ME, d. 18 Nov 1983 in Waynesboro, Augusta Co., VA. He m. Helen Frances Mason, who was born 18 Apr 1916 in Crisfield, Somerset County, Maryland and died 8 May 1998 in Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California. He is buried at the Riverview Cemetery in Waynesboro, Augusta Co., VA.

5.2 Owen Forrester French, b. 6 Dec 1922 in Buxton, York County, ME, d. 9 Apr 2010 in Ocala, Marion County, Florida. He was a U.S. Navy veteran during WWII and the Korean War. He m1. Pearl Theresa Dufresqune, b. 1921. He m2. Irene Frances Lavin Rumford Cannon. Owen is buried at the Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Ocala, Marion Co., FL.

5.3 Mary Edith French, b. 30 Dec 1924 in Providence, Providence Co., RI, m. Charles H. Boorom (1923-1978), d. 30 Mar 2005 in Providence, Providence Co., RI. They had daughter Sharon Joan Boorom Marsden, 1948-2005. She is buried at the Saint Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket, Providence Co., RI.

5.4 Norma Imogene French, b. 25 Feb 1925 in Bruxton, York, ME, m. John Charles Caranci (1922-1970), in Providence, Rhode Island, and she d. 21 Jun 1991 in Torrington, Litchfield Co., CT and is buried at the South Buxton Cemetery, Buxton, York Co., ME. They had sons David Caranci [1], John Charles Caranci, Donald Lee Caranci, and Stephen Joseph Caranci. Norma’s death date on her gravestone is incorrect due to an error by the gravestone people; it should be 1991 not 1990 [1].

5.5 Carol Westford French, b. 14 Nov 1926 in Buxton, York Co., ME, and d. 20 Apr 1996. He m. 6 Jul 1957 in Providence, Rhode Island, to Iola E. Manasterska, dau. of Michael and Frances Bronkiewicz. Iola was b. 17 Apr 1931 in Pawtucket, Providence County, RI, d. 24 Jul 2013 in Providence, RI. They are both buried at Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket, Providence County, RI.

Sixth Generation

Children of Stanley Nelson French Sr. and Helen Frances Mason, 5.1

6.1 Stanley Nelson French Jr., b. 26 Aug 1943, lived in Pleasanton, Alameda County, CA, and Mountain View, Santa Clara County, CA.

6.2 James Charles French of Raleigh, NC.

DNA Testing

Administered by Julia French Wood. For any questions regarding DNA, please email Julia at juliaFWood@aol.com.

A good source for research would be for a male with the surname French of this line to take the DNA test. It is a simple test that doesn’t involve blood. A kit is delivered to your house with special brushes for you to take cheek swabs and the tip is injected into the tiny test tubes to be returned to the lab. After the tests that you ordered are completed, in about 4 weeks, you will be notified and can log in to your personal page at the company to view your results and your DNA matches. They may match up with one of the tests shown here: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/french/default.aspx?section=yresults. The FamilyTree DNA website gives a special lower price to those with the surname French. Read about those who approve of it: http://www.familytreedna.com/testimonials.aspx. To get the discounted price for our French DNA Project group, go to http://small-stuff.com/FRENCH/DNA/ and click at the left on "Join the French DNA Project" then place your order. Julia French Wood suggests the 37 marker test (Y-DNA37), but if you want to start with 25, you can upgrade to a higher test at a later date if needed.

Bibliography

[1] Dave M. Caranci, email: ncdave4@gmail.com. FFA Member #367. For further information on the Puffer family, see Dave Caranci’s website.

[2] David James, email: jamesdm49@gmail.com.

[3] Appearing in U.S. public records is Pauline D. French, b. 6 Jun 1937 in Columbia, ME, and Vernon B. French b. 5 Aug 1937 in Columbia Falls, ME. It is assumed they are husband and wife, living there in 1966 and 1990.

[4] Dr. Rowland Barnes French, born 28 Oct 1919 in Massachusetts, died 31 Jul 2009 in Eastport, Washington County, Maine, buried at the Bayside Cemetery in Eastport, married to Winifred B. French, 1918-1995. This obituary is given here because he died in Washington County, Maine, where Sewell lived, and because Sewell had a son named Rowland. The obituary states that Rowland was the 18^th man with that name in the family.

EASTPORT - Rowland Barnes French, M.D., 89, of Eastport passed away Friday, July 31, 2009, at a Calais hospital. He was born in Haverhill, Mass., on October 28, 1919, a son of Dr. Harry and Florence (Austin) French. He was the 18th Rowland Barnes French, a name passed by tradition from uncle to nephew. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College, Class of 1941, and Harvard Medical School, Class of 1943, the only class to graduate from the four years of medical school in three, in a program accelerated because of World War II. As a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, he was attached to the Marine Corps and took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima. He served there as a doctor, under fire on the front lines, until he was wounded. Later, he was bound on a transport ship for a land invasion of Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped and the war ended. He then was stationed for a year in Japan at a Marine Corps hospital. He did his surgical residency at Boston City Hospital and Massachusetts Memorial Hospital and then taught surgery and was the assistant director of the tumor clinic at the University of Wisconsin, studying how carcinogens work, and then practiced general surgery at the veterans hospital in Phoenix, Ariz., before moving to Eastport in 1953 with his young family. He served as a physician there for 37 years, delivering hundreds of babies and making house calls at all hours of the day and night. He served as the tuberculosis consultant for Washington County and helped establish the Eastport Health Care Center, which is now named in his honor. His interests ranged from hiking in the mountains, canoeing and skiing to the theory of relativity, history and classical music. He believed that all cancers and most heart disease can be prevented; said that everyone should take part in an invasion, as they would no longer wish to wage war; and, as hate begats hate and violence begats violence, felt strongly that people should learn to be kind to each other. He was predeceased by his wife Winifred in 1995; and his sister Elizabeth. Survivors include: a brother, Arthur, of Ann Arbor, Mich.; five children, Ann and husband Ralph Townsend of Wellington, New Zealand, and their children Sandra and Kevin; Robert and wife Robin Siegel of Troy, Mich.; John of Cranberry Isles, Maine; Hugh and wife Kristin McKinlay and their daughter Winifred of Eastport; and Edward and wife Lora Whelan of Eastport; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed for his compassion and caring by his family and all who knew him. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Homes, Calais & Eastport.

Also in this cemetery is John French, born 3 Aug 1803 in East Kingston, Rockingham County, NH, close to the same time and place where Sewell French was born. John’s parents were John French and Elizabeth Webster. John was a descendant of Edward French of FFA Chart #4. He was born 18 May 1776 in East Kingston. They had daughter Laura on 8 Jul 1801 in East Kingdom, John on 3 Aug 1803 in East Kingdom and Eliza A. on 24 Jun 1806 in Pittsfield, Abraham on 21 Mar 1810 who died young, and Abraham on 27 Sep 1812 in East Kingdom.

[5] Graveyards in Washington County, Maine: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GSfn=&GSmn=&GSln=French&GSbyrel=all&GSby=&GSdyrel=all&GSdy=&GScntry=4&GSst=23&GScnty=1225&GSgrid=&df=all&GSob=n

[6] Danford Orlando French of Jonesport was a Republican and an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention from Maine, 1912. He was born 4 Mar 1862 in Jonesport, Washington County, Maine and died in the same city on 6 Jan 1932.

[7] Freeman Worcester French and his wife Emma E. Worcester Cummings of Columbia Falls, Maine, had a daughter, Julia E. French on 9 Feb 1893 who died in 1895.

[8] “Centennial Historical Sketch of the Town of Columbia” from 1796-1896, by Levi Leighton, Esq.
In this book, Venleson E. French is mentioned on p. 12 of 40 pages. This name has been seen throughout this French family. Venleson is mentioned in connection with men who went south in the 22d Regiment during the Revolutionary War.