French Family Association
The Official Website of the Surname French
Hillsborough Co., NH, showing the town of Hollis on the Massachusetts border
Chart #178, Andrew J. French, 1828
Hollis, Hillsborough Co., NH
Waterbury, New Haven Co., CT
This chart updated by Mara French on 11/22/11. Numbers in brackets [ ] show sources and refer to the bibliography at the end of this chart. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Send any corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 2009.
Contents
History and Research
Browsing the internet, I found an entry saying Andrew Jackson French, b. 20 Jun 1828 in Pembroke, Merrimack, NH, d. after 1880 in Kansas, buried in Pearlette, Meade, KS, son of George and Alphia (Baker) French. George was b. 9 Mar 1790 in Pembroke, NH. Andrew J. FrenchÕs father could have been named George, the name of AndrewÕs first son.
Andrew French, b. 20 Jun 1828, m. Melvina (or Malvina) B. Allen probably ca. 1848 and had children Joseph (died within 6 months), and Mary (died within 6 months). This is from FFA Chart #1 which is not this line (FFA Chart #178) and also has different DNA test results.
A website on ancestry.com states that Malvina B. Allen was b. 21 Oct 1827 in Deerfield, NH, the dau. of Joseph Hill Allen and Mary Batchelder, and that she d. on 7 Feb 1863. It further states that Andrew J. French was b. 20 Jun 1828 in Pembroke, NH, and d. in 1880 in Kansas, which is also the timeframe when Andrew J. of Chart #178 died.
It is possible that these children (Joseph and Mary) were twins and their mother died in childbirth, then Andrew remarried in 1850 and had son George in 1850. Chart #1 does state that Andrew had a second marriage to Emma M. who was b. ca. 1840 in IL. Chart #178 shows that Andrew J. m. H. Maria (perhaps Covel) ca. 1850.
This line must be very difficult to research and find, because the DNA test results donÕt match with any of the other 60+ tests that have been taken. As for the early MA immigrants, DNA tests have been taken for FFA Charts #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6, all of whom have different DNA results than this chart. FFA Chart #7 from MA does not have a corresponding DNA test, nor does Chart #88, but they donÕt watch this line.
I suspect that Andrew J. French lived only a short time in MA where he was born, but his line came from another state, or even from Canada. AndrewÕs father might have been born ca. 1800, and perhaps he was the emigrant to New England. Listed below are several emigrants named Andrew French:
á Andrew French, Covenanter, Prisoner in Edinburgh Tolbooth, transported from Leith by Alexander Fearne to America in Dec 1685.
á Andrew French was a Canadian immigrant soldier in 1783 with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of New York, listed in Canada as being Òfrom AmericaÓ.
á Andrew French immigrated to America in 1685 according to David DobsonÕs Directory of Scots Banished to American Plantations, in this case, to Barbados.
The ÒJ.Ó in AndrewÕs middle name might stand for Jackson. President Andrew Jackson served between 1829-1837 and was a very popular name at that time, just when Andrew was born.
First Generation
1.1* Andrew J. French, b. 1828 in MA, (32), according to the 1860 census, a machinist, and living in 1860 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., NH with his wife, H. Maria French (33), and their 3 children: George A. (9), Ella Maria (7), and Charles (1/12). They were probably married about 1850. All census records list him as a machinist.
In the 1850 census, there is an Andrew T. French, age 23, born 1828, living with a group of people (surnames Annis, Bryant, Coffer, Cory, Fernal, Gault, George, Lewis, Nicholes, Stearns, Tilton, Tison) in Manchester, Hillsborough Co., NH. He is listed as born in NH, and this entry is the only one close enough to match. None are listed in MA. This census was taken just before Andrew married H. Maria. There is no H. Maria in the 1850 household where this Andrew was living.
I was very surprised to learn that when you search the census records, you do not need the surname. I search the 1850 census for H. Maria and found H. Maria Covel, b. ca. 1827 in NH, living in Hanover, Grafton Co., NH in 1850. She is living with her parents (Walter Covel 48 and Harriet Heaton 43), 3 siblings (Eliza Covel 17, Volney H. Covel 15, and M. M. Covel 12), and her grandmother, Keziah Heaton 73. None of these names were used in the French family. There is no guarantee that this Covel family is connected with this French family.
In the 1870 census, Andrew J. would have been 42. There is only 1 Andrew French listed in this census who was born in MA or NH, and that is Andrew, age 40, born in NH, a machinist, living with Katherine French, age 28, born in 1842 in MA, and their son Lester French, age 10, born in NY, living in Brooklyn Ward 17, Kings Co., NY in 1870. Perhaps AndrewÕs first wife, H. Maria French, died about 1861, perhaps with the childbirth of Charles.
In the 1880 census, Andrew J. would have been 52. There are 2 men named Andrew French listed in this census: one born in CT, a farmer, and one born in NH, also a farmer. Andrew was a machinist, so perhaps neither of these 2 men is correct. Andrew could have died prior to 1880. No Katherine French was found; she may have remarried because at that time, she was only 38 and her son Lester was 20 and able to take care of himself, supposedly. He was living in NY.
Second Generation
Children of Andrew Jackson and H. Maria French, 1.1
2.1* George Andrew French [1], b. 25 Oct 1850 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., NH, according to the 1860 census of Hollis, Hillsborough Co., NH.
He married Annie E. Stubbs on 11 May 1890 in Waterbury, New Haven Co., CT [1]. She was born 29 Nov 1873 in Waterbury, New Haven Co., CT, and d. 24 Apr 1957 in Des Plaines, Cook Co., IL. George was a laborer in a brass mill according to the 1900 census.
The 1860 census shows George A. French, age 9, born in MA, a machinist, living in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., NH in 1860 with his parents, Andrew J. French (32) and H. Maria French (33), and his sister Ella Maria French (7), and brother Charles French (1/12).
In the 1870 census, George would have been 20, and his mother probably died when he was 10. A George A. French is listed, age 21, born in MA, living with the Godfrey family of 7 members. George is listed as working in a cotton mill. Also in this household is Eliza French, age 19, born in New Brunswick. How this family relates to this chart is unknown.
By about 1880, GeorgeÕs father probably had already died when George was 30. This census shows a George A. French b. 1850 in NH, living in 1880 in Mansfield, Bristol Co., MA with his wife, Lizzie M. Nottage (31) and son Freddie A. (8). It is not known if this record belongs with this chart, but the fact that it states George was an R.R. employee may rule him out. Just immediately prior to living in Mansfield, this family lived in Nashua, Hillsborough Co., NH. There is another George A. French listed in this census, age 32, born c. 1848 in NH, living with his wife Jennie (28) and their son Harry C. (2) and George was working in a paper mill in Henniker, Merrimack Co., NH.
In 1891, George A. French was living in Waterbury, New Haven Co., CT, with his wife, Annie E. Stubbs, where his first son was born, Alfred Warren French. No record is found in the 1900 census.
2.2 Ella Maria French, b. ca. 1852. Ella cannot be found in the 1870 census, unless she is living with the Vining family in Randolph, Norfolk Co., MA, age 19. It is possible that her mother had died.
2.3 Charles (Charley) French, b. ca. 1860. Charles may have been the one in the 1870 census of NH, age 10, born in NH, living in Bartlett, Carroll Co., NH with the Dinsmore and Larabee families.
Children of Andrew Jackson and Katherine French, 1.1
2.4 Lester C. French, b. 1860 in NY. Ref [1] states that Lester is a family member.
He is listed in the 1870 census of Brooklyn Ward 17, Kings Co., NY as 10 years old, born in NH, living in 1870 with his parents, Andrew J. and Katherine French.
In 1880, he may have been living with the Palmer family in Waterbury, New Haven Co., CT.
In 1900, he was still living in Waterbury, New Haven Co., CT, born May 1860 in VT?, and it states both parents born in VT, and in 1900 he was married to Anna (36, born Sep 1863), and lived with their daughter Ella A. (14, born Aug 1885), and son Robert E. (13, born May 1887). Ella would have been the same name as his half-sister. Lester was a machinist, following his fatherÕs occupation.
In the 1910 census, Lester E. French is 50, b. ca. 1860 in NH, both parents born in NH, heÕs living with his wife Anne J. in Waterbury Ward 2, New Haven, CT, and their daughter Ella, age 24.
In the 1920 census, Lester is listed as 60 years old, b. ca. 1860 in NH, living with his wife Anne in Waterbury Ward 6, New Haven, CT, both his parents were born in NH.
In the 1930 census, Lester E. French is 69, living in Waterbury, New Haven Co., CT, born in NH, living with his wife Ann J., age 66. Lester was a machinist, following his fatherÕs trade.
Third Generation
Children of George Andrew and Annie E. (Stubbs) French, 2.1
3.1* Alfred Warren French [1], b. 13 Jan 1891 in Waterbury, CT, and died 26 Sep 1957 in Chicago, IL. He married Edith Maria Harvey (known as May her entire life) on 5 Jan 1929 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada [1]. She was born 3 Mar 1895 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of William Henry Harvey and Rebecca Edith Marshall. She died 11 Dec 1986 in Rochester, NY. Her siblings were Olive, Madge, John, James, and Henry.
Alfred W. French is listed in the 1900 census of Waterbury, New Haven Co., CT as 9 years old, the son of George A. French (35) and Annie (26), living with his brother Clifford T. French, age 7.
In the 1910 census, Alfred was 15, b. ca. 1895 in CT, the son of George A. French of MA and Anna of CT, living in Waterbury Ward 3, New Haven Co., CT with his parents George A. (54) and Anna (35) and his brother Clifford (17).
In the 1920 census, Alfred was 28, b. ca. 1892 in CT, the son of George (64) of MA and Annie (46) of CT, living with his parents and brother Clifford (28).
In the 1930 census, Alfred W. (38) and Edith French (35) are living in Chicago, Cook Co., IL. This was both of their first marriages. The census states that he was born in CT and she in Canada, and that his father was born in MA and her father in Canada. Alfred was an engraver working in photography. They had just married and had no children.
3.2 Clifford Thomas French [1], b. 3 Jan. 1893, married and had 2 daughters. One of these daughters is the youngest cousin of George French, Fourth Generation. This cousin remembers two uncles, Charley and Lester. She also believes that great-grandpaÕs name was Andrew. Somehow this name turned up as Andrew J. having children George Andrew, Charley, Lester, and Ella Maria [1]. Clifford T. French is listed in the 1930 census of Waterbury, New Haven Co., CT as living with his wife, Emma T., age 31, and their 5 year old daughter Anna E. French. Clifford worked in a factory as a carpenter and was a veteran of WWI according to the 1930 census.
Fourth Generation
Children of Alfred Warren and Edith Maria (Harvey) French, 3.1
4.1 George H. French [1], b. ca. 1931, only child.
Further Research
Could be AndrewÕs Uncle, but not his Father
In the1860 census is a Timothy French (60) living close to Andrew J. French, born in NH, living with the Pierco Family, working as a laborer. There is also a Mary French (58 – a widow born in MA) living next door to him with children William F. (24 – born in NH) and George E. (19 – born in NH). It seems very likely that Timothy and Mary French were AndrewÕs uncle and aunt. TimothyÕs children in 1850 were:
David R. French, b. 1821
Walter T. or F. French, b. 1827, lived in Lynn Ward 3, Essex Co., MA in 1860
Jackson French, b. 1829
Mary E. French, b. 1833
William F. French, b. 1836
Lucinda M. French, b. 1838
George E. French, b. 1840
Juliet E. French, b. 1842
In the 1850 census, this Timothy (53 – born 1797) is living with his wife Mary (49) and 8 children: David R. (29 – deaf and dumb), Walter (23), Jackson (21), William F. (14), Mary E. (17), Lucinda M. (12), George E. (10), and Juliet E. (8). Walter (23) and Jackson (21) are also listed in the 1850 census as living with the Hutchinson family in Milford, Hillsborough Co., NH. Milford is just north of Hollis in Hillsborough Co. Walter was working as a shoemaker and Jackson as a machinist, both born in NH. Could Jackson actually be Andrew Jackson French?
In the 1860 census, Walter T. French, 33, was a cabinet maker and head of household, living with his wife, Hannah, and his sister Lucinda M. age 22 and Juliette E. 18, in Lynn Ward 3, Essex, MA. In 1860, George E. French (1841) was living with his brother, William F. (1836) and their mother Mary, age 58.
In the 1870 census, Walter F. French, 43, was head of household, living with Hannah W. his wife, and Emma F., age 13, b. ca. 1857, in Lynn Ward 3, Essex Co., MA. Walter was working in a shoe factory. By 1880, Walter and Hannah W. had died.
In the 1840 census of NH, there are 281 men named French. We would need to find one who had a son age 12, who would be Andrew J. French. Looking at Hillsborough Co., there are 46 men. Considering that his father may have been Timothy (age 43 in 1840), he is shown in the 1840 census, age 40-50, with 1 male under 5 (William F.), 2 males 10-15 (Jackson and Walter), 2 males 15-20 (David R. and another male who must be old enough to have moved out), 1 female under 5 (Lucinda M.), 1 female 5-10 (Mary E.), and one female 40-50 (Mary, his wife). George E. and Juliet E. were not yet born by the 1840 census.
In the 1830 census, Timothy was living in Loudon, Merrimack Co., NH, with 2 sons under 5 (Walter and Jackson), 2 sons 15-20 (David R.), and he was 40-50. He was also living with 1 female 10-15, 1 female 15-20, and 1 female 40-50. This would seem as though Timothy were born in 1790 or before, so maybe this isnÕt the correct line.
In the 1820 census, Timothy (listed as Tim o French Jr., with the ÒoÓ written as a superscript meaning Timothy) was living in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., NH, with 1 male under 5, 1 male 5-10, 1 female under 5, 1 female 5-10, 1 female 10-15, and 1 female 15-20. Also in this 1820 census are Isaac French, Silas French, David French, and Hannah French, all head of households living near each other. Timothy is listed as a ÒJr.Ó, perhaps indicating that his father was Timothy French, Sr.
Further Research, Unidentifiable
I did find 4 men in the 1840 census living in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., NH, and one of them was Timothy French, a name weÕve seen before above. The others were David, Ezekiel, and Silas. There was also a Susan French, age 40-50, living alone. She was living very close to David French, age 20-30, living with a man, aged 70-80, and a female age 20-30, and no one else. This could not be AndrewÕs father because Andrew would have been listed as age 12, and perhaps David was too young to be his father. Silas is also listed nearby, age 60-70 living with a male, 15-20, and a female 20-30. Silas would also not be AndrewÕs father because Andrew would have been 12. Ezekiel is on another page of this census, age 60-70, living with a male 10-15, and a female 60-70. The male 10-15 could have been Andrew.
So, researching more on Ezekiel French, back to the 1830 census, Andrew would have been 2 and his parents both between 50-60. His parents would have been born ca. 1775. There are 6 Ezekiel Frenches in the 1830 census from MA, NH, NY, and OH. The Ezekiel from Seabrook, Rockingham Co., NH does not match, and the Ezekiel from Sandwich, Strafford Co., NH also does not match.
In the 1800 census, Ezekiel was ca. 25 years of age (born 1775) and could have married, but to have a child, Andrew, born in 1828 seems a bit stretched.
Bibliography
[1] George H. French, email: pokydoll@aol.com.