Descendants of Jeremiah French

 

 

Generation No. 1

 

1.  JEREMIAH1 FRENCH was born Abt. 1759, and died May 04, 1846 in Erin, Tioga County, New York.  He married (1) MARGARETE VANGORDER.    He married (2) HANNAH GILDERSLEEVE.  She was born 1770, and died Unknown.

 

Notes for JEREMIAH FRENCH:

Although the exact date of Jeremiah's birth has not been established,  the Census for Revolutionary and Military Services as Returned Under the Act for taking the Sixth Census, Owego, Tioga County, New York, 1840,  lists Jeremiah's age as 81. 

 

Jeremiah served as a Private from Sandyston, Sussex County, New Jersey in the Revolutionary War, enlisting in 1778; Pensioner's application number S43570.  

 

Source:  Florence Spencer

 

In The Official Register of the Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolutionary War, prepared by the State of New Jersey Adjutant General's Office in 1870, page 599, Jeremiah French is recorded as having served in Captain Westbrook's company, Third Battalion, Sussex, also Continental Army.

 

After being mustered out of the army Jeremiah removed to Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.  Jeremiah may have lived in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts prior to 1778.  In 1778 Jeremiah resided in Sandyston, Sussex County, New Jersey.  From 1800 to 1846 Jeremiah lived in Tioga, Chemung and Steuben Counties, New York. 

 

Source:  Florence Spencer

 

From the book the "Passenger Pigeon in Pennsylvania", by John C. French comes the following:

 

"....Jeremiah French had served through the Revolutionary War and then traveled up the Susquehanna from his father's farm, near Shamokin, to Bradford County, where he soon married Miss Margaret VanGorder and took her to a farm on the Chemung River, north of Elmira, New York."

 

Source: Marion Scherer

 

On the 1790 Census, Jeremiah is recorded as having one son over sixteen, two sons under sixteen and two daughters under sixteen. 

 

Source:  French Family Association - Mara French

 

Jeremiah's parents are unknown at this time.  Jeremiah may have had a brother named Nathaniel.

 

From the Elmira Gazette, March 12, 1846 -  Died in Erin on the 4th inst., Jeremiah French, in the 97th year of his age.  Mr. French was in and fought through the Revolutionary War in the army of General Wasington.  He was in the battles of Monmouth, White Plains, Brandywine, and was in the army when Cornwallis surrendered.  (Source Tri -County History and Genealogy Site by Joyce Tice)

 

Notes for MARGARETE VANGORDER:

Margariet VanGorder  was the daughter of Margaret Quick and Johannes (John) VanGorder (Albert G., Gysbert Albert, Albert)

 

Albert Gysbert is the progenitor of the VanGarden/VanGorder family in America.  He and his son Gysbert Albert, were the first two American born ancestors of the family and Gysbert Albert was the first to bear the name of VanGarden.

 

The New Netherlands being taken from the Dutch by the English in 1664, all were required to adopt a surname.  Gysbert Albert took the name of VanGarden after the name of the village where his father lived in Gelderland, Holland.

 

Margariet's female ancestors were Aeltje Wygers, Rachel Rosencrans and Jannetje (Van)Vrendenburgh.

 

Source:  Research file of Greenleaf S. VanGorder

Buffalo and Erie County Library

Local History File

Special Collections Department

 

Notes for HANNAH GILDERSLEEVE:

Source:  Florence Spencer

        

Children of JEREMIAH FRENCH and MARGARETE VANGORDER are:

2.                             i.       MOSES2 FRENCH, SR., b. Abt. 1783; d. Unknown.

                                ii.       SARAH FRENCH, b. Abt. 1786, Pennsylvania.

3.                          iii.       WILLIAM FRENCH, b. June 03, 1790, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania; d. May 11, 1881, Middlebury, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania.

 

        

Child of JEREMIAH FRENCH and HANNAH GILDERSLEEVE is:

                              iv.       JEREMIAH2 FRENCH, JR., b. 1792, owego, Tioga County, New York; d. November 16, 1847.

 

Notes for JEREMIAH FRENCH, JR.:

Source:  Florence Spencer

 

 

 

 

Generation No. 2

 

2.  MOSES2 FRENCH, SR. (JEREMIAH1) was born Abt. 1783, and died Unknown.  He married NANCY.  She was born Abt. 1784, and died September 09, 1846 in Middlebury  Township, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania.

 

Notes for MOSES FRENCH, SR.:

Moses French, Sr., Nancy and their son William appear on the 1850 Census for Middlebury Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

 

Source:  Tri-County History and Genealogy Site by Joyce Tice

 

 

 

 

 

More About NANCY:

Burial: the French Hill Cemetery, Middlebury, Tioga County, Pennsylvania

        

Children of MOSES FRENCH and NANCY are:

4.                             i.       MOSES3 FRENCH, JR., b. Abt. 1818.

                                ii.       WILLIAM M. FRENCH, b. 1831, Steuben County, New York; m. CATHARINE SMITH; b. Wellsville, New York.

 

Notes for WILLIAM M. FRENCH:

Source: 

 

History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Biographical Appendix, Middlebury Township.  W.W. Munsell and Company, New York:  1883 page 25.  Typed by Wilma Johns Sakowsky for the Tri-Counties Genealogy Sites by Joyce M. Tice.

 

 

3.  WILLIAM2 FRENCH (JEREMIAH1) was born June 03, 1790 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, and died May 11, 1881 in Middlebury, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania.  He married ESTHER MARTIN.  She was born March 11, 1792 in Rhode Island, and died October 18, 1865 in Middlebury  Township, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania.

 

Notes for WILLIAM FRENCH:

William and Esther moved from Steuben County, New York between 1830 and 1850.  

 

William's remaining years were spent in Middlebury, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the Methodist Church.  William was a lumber farmer.   

 

Source:  Florence Spencer

 

There is a photograph of William in the book "The Passenger Pigeon of Pennsylvania" written by his grandson, John Churchill French. 

 

William was a talented vocalist, many of the songs he loved are recorded in the book, "North Pennsylvania Minstrelsy", by Henry W. Shoemaker, with contributions by John Churchill French.  

 

Source:  Marion Scherer

 

There were several related French families located on French Hill in Middlebury, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. 

 

Also located on French Hill is the small French Hill Cemetery.  In addition to the previously mentioned burials at the French Hill Cemetery are, Catherine French, who married Palmer, born in 1844 and died in 1921; and Nathan T. French, born in 1858 and died in 1929, and Nathan's wife Mary. 

 

William, Esther and their children William Jr., Mariah, John W., Louise E. and Lucretia appear on the 1850 Census for Middlebury Township, Tioga County, ennsylvania. 

 

Source:  Tri-County History and Genealogy Site by Joyce Tice

 

From the article "Journey to Day Before Yesterday with Rhonda English Ladd, is the following:

 

French Hill was first settled by Moses French in 1823.  His brother William French came to French Hill in 1834.  Both were sons of Jeremiah French, a Revolutionary War soldier.  Besides these two sons, there were daughters.  These pioneers erected log houses, cleared land, and made homes for themselves that were quite comfortable.  In addition to farming, Moses raised honey.  He had two sons, Moses, Jr. and William French.

 

William French married Ester Martin, a daughter of Gideon and Tammer Martin.  They had three sons, Nehemiah (Nathaniel Nehemiah), William Jr., and John W.; three daughters, Mariah, Louise and Lucretia.

 

William French was something of a genius.  He was a cooper, a hunter, a crackshot, and a great worker.  When he needed cloth, he built a loom in which to weave it.  He built a spinning wheel, spun the yarn and woe the cloth.  When he needed a barrel, a wash tub, or a sap bucket, he made it.  He also made a keeler to wash dishes in and a piggin for buckwheat batter.  When he needed a threshing machine, he made that.  He also worked in the field all day without a hat and he never ate butter.  He never used a dog on hunting trips; he simply took the track of a deer and followed it.  William French died in 1881, just a few days before his 91st birthday. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More About WILLIAM FRENCH:

Burial: the French Hill Cemetery, Middlebury, Tioga County, Pennsylvania

 

Notes for ESTHER MARTIN:

Esther Martin was the daughter of John Gideon Martin and Tammer Hulett also known as Tammer Hewlett. 

 

On the 1850 Census of Middlebury Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Esther is listed as born in Rhode Island.  On the 1860 Census Esther is listed as born in Connecticut.

 

Source:  Tri-County History and Genealogy Site by Joyce Tice.

 

Esther's father is mentioned in the article regarding his great grandson, John Churchill French in the book "The History of Roulette Pennsylvania" by Robert R. Lyman, Sr., 1967.  The article lists Esther's father's name as John J. Gideon Martin and further states that John J. Gideon Martin instructed Isaac Lyman as a boy in border warfare in the Lake George area of New York and gave him the title of Major. 

 

Isaac Lyman kept the rank of Major during the Revolutionary War.  In the book entitled Genealogy of the Lyman Family in Great Britian and America, author unknown,  Isaac Lyman's fourth wife is listed as Sarah French.  IGI lists Sarah as Sarah Franch. 

 

John C. French mentions John Gideon Martin in his book "The Passenger Pigeon of Pennsylvania as follows:   Seneca John Titus - " In his youth he was taught to read and the tactics of scouting for an army by John Gideon Martin, scout of Oriskany, and the surrender of Burgoyne." 

 

Source:  Marion Scherer

 

From the article Journey to Day Before Yesterday with Rhonda English Ladd comes the following:

 

Back to French Hill (Middlebury Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania):

 

John Gideon Martin, an Irishmane, came to America about 1765, and settled in the New England State.  He was a scout at the Battle of Oriskany, and was with Arnold and the 800 Massachusetts troops who drove the enemy back to Lake Ontario.  After that, he served as a scout with General Sullivan when he swept the Seneca Lake country with sword and torch.  John and his wife, Tammer, came to French Hill with their son-in-law, William French.  He lived there until his death in 1845.  There is no monument to mark his grave, but he is buried in the French Hill Cemetery.

 

More About ESTHER MARTIN:

Burial: the French Hill Cemetery, Middlebury, Tioga County, Pennsylvania

 

Marriage Notes for WILLIAM FRENCH and ESTHER MARTIN:

Esther and William were married between 1816-1817.  [2]

        

Children of WILLIAM FRENCH and ESTHER MARTIN are:

5.                             i.       NEHEMIAH3 FRENCH, b. July 24, 1818, Horseheads, Chemung County, New York; d. March 21, 1906, Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.

6.                           ii.       WILLIAM FRENCH, JR., b. Abt. 1825, Horseheads, Chemung County, New York; d. November 17, 1867.

                              iii.       MARIAH FRENCH, b. Abt. 1832.

7.                         iv.       JOHN WESLEY FRENCH, b. January 13, 1835.

                               v.       LOUISE E. FRENCH, b. Abt. 1840.

                              vi.       LUCRETIA FRENCH, b. Abt. 1844.

 

 

Generation No. 3

 

4.  MOSES3 FRENCH, JR. (MOSES2, JEREMIAH1) was born Abt. 1818.  He married ROSINA SHAFF. 

 

Notes for MOSES FRENCH, JR.:

Moses French, Jr., his wife and three daughters appear on the 1850 Census for Middlebury Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania; and again with his wife, three daughters and three sons on the 1860 Census for Middlebury Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. 

 

Residing in the same household as Moses French, Jr. is William M. French, age 29.  (1860 Census)

 

Source:  Joyce Tice Tri-County History and Genealogy Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Children of MOSES FRENCH and ROSINA SHAFF are:

                                 i.       NANCY A.4 FRENCH, b. Abt. 1842, Middlebury  Township, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania; d. September 09, 1846, Middlebury  Township, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania.

 

More About NANCY A. FRENCH:

Burial: the French Hill Cemetery, Middlebury, Tioga County, Pennsylvania

 

                                ii.       ELIZABETH FRENCH, b. Abt. 1845.

                              iii.       CHRISTIANA FRENCH, b. Abt. 1847.

8.                         iv.       JANE FRENCH, b. Abt. 1849, Middlebury  Township, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania.

                               v.       JEREMIAH FRENCH, b. Abt. 1853.

                              vi.       WILLIAM FRENCH, b. Abt. 1854.

                            vii.       WALTER FRENCH, b. Abt. 1855.

 

 

5.  NEHEMIAH3 FRENCH (WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1) was born July 24, 1818 in Horseheads, Chemung County, New York, and died March 21, 1906 in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.  He married (1) MARGARET SHAFF.  She was born 1816 in New York, and died 1851 in Middlebury, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania.  He married (2) OLIVE CHURCHILL September 05, 1852.  She was born June 02, 1823 in Elmira, Steuben County, New york, and died December 10, 1887 in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.

 

Notes for NEHEMIAH FRENCH:

Nehemiah French went by this name throughout his life, however, his name appears as Nathaniel Nehemiah French on his marker and in his obituary he is listed as Nathaniel Nehemiah.

 

Source:  Records of the John Lyman Cemetery, Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.

 

As a young man, Nehemiah French moved to Middlebury, Tioga County, Pennsylvania with his parents.  Nehemiah then settled in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.  For a period of time Nehemiah also lived in Fishing Creek, Pennsylvania.

 

Nehemiah was a member of the Methodist Church.  Nehemiah followed his father in the lumber farming industry. 

 

Source:  Florence Spencer

 

Nehemiah inherited his father's love of music and was in his own right a gifted vocalist.  Many of the songs he loved are collected in the book "North Pennsylvania Minstrelsy", by Henry W. Shoemaker, with contributions by John Churchill French. 

 

Nehemiah's son, John C. French, dedicates his book "The Passenger Pigeon of Pennsylvania" and writes of him in the same book:  "Two young men climbed Tuscarora Hill, north of the Cowanesque, to find the "top of the world."  That was in 1836 and they were about 17 years old.  One was Nehemiah French, my father; and the other was John Churchill, my mother's eldest brother."  The story continues with the boys meeting and old Indian, Chingachkun and then concludes "The boys found the top of the world, where the rivers start from."

 

Nehemiah, Margaret and their children Martha Rosanna, Sarah D. and William H. appear on the 1850 Census for Middlebury Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. 

 

Source:  Tri-County History and Genealogy Site by Joyce Tice

 

More About NEHEMIAH FRENCH:

Burial: the John Lyman Cemetery in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania

 

Notes for MARGARET SHAFF:

Margaret Shaff was the daughter of John Shaff and Annie or Annas McCarty.  John Shaff was born in 1777 in Saratoga Springs, New York, he died November 13, 1871 in Pennsylvania.  John was a farmer and resided most of his life in Middlebury center, Pennsylvania.  John's father was William Shaff, born about 1758 perhaps in Germany.

 

Source:  Florence Spencer

 

Notes for OLIVE CHURCHILL:

Olive Churchill, (William, Lemuel, William, Samuel, Joseph, Josiah of Wethersfield), was the widow of unknown Samson.  Olive appears with her two young sons, George Samson, age 4 years and Joseph J. Samson, age 4 months, on the 1850 Census for Charleston Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. 

Olive's grandfather, Lemuel Churchill and great uncle, Asa Gildersleeve Churchill were among the first four settlers of Whitneyville, Charleston Townhip, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. 

 

Sources:

 

The Churchill Family in America, compiled by Gardner Aspah Churchill and Nathaniel Wiley Churchill, published by the Family of Garder A. Churchill, 1904.

 

The History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, W.W. Munsell and Company, New York, 1883.  Typed by Jeanette Hulse for the Tri-Counties Genealogy Sites by Joyce M. Tice.

 

More About OLIVE CHURCHILL:

Burial: the John Lyman Cemetery in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania

        

Children of NEHEMIAH FRENCH and MARGARET SHAFF are:

                                 i.       WILLIAM H.4 FRENCH, b. Abt. 1840.

 

Notes for WILLIAM H. FRENCH:

William is listed in his father's 1906 obituary as living in Colorado.  Nothing further is known of William and his descendents at this time. 

 

                                ii.       MARTHA ROSANNA FRENCH, b. Abt. 1841; m. ELISHA WILLOUGHBY.

9.                          iii.       SARAH D. FRENCH, b. Abt. 1843; d. Abt. 1869, Minnesota.

 

        

Children of NEHEMIAH FRENCH and OLIVE CHURCHILL are:

                              iv.       BABY GIRL4 FRENCH, b. Unknown.

 

Notes for BABY GIRL FRENCH:

The name of Baby Girl French is unknown.  She is probably buried on the French Farm property in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania. 

 

10.                        v.       JOHN CHURCHILL FRENCH, b. August 13, 1856, Port Allegheny, McKean County, Pennsylvania; d. November 06, 1934, Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.

11.                      vi.       ESTHER ELIZABETH FRENCH, b. April 19, 1862, Clara, McKean County, Pennsylvania.

 

 

6.  WILLIAM3 FRENCH, JR. (WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1) was born Abt. 1825 in Horseheads, Chemung County, New York, and died November 17, 1867.  He married ANNETTE A. NILES. 

 

Notes for WILLIAM FRENCH, JR.:

William French Jr., his wife Louisa and two children appear on the 1860 Census for Middlebury Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

 

William French Sr., his wife (H)Esther French (Martin), and Lucretia Shaft (French) appear as living in the same household as William French, Jr. and his family on the 1860 Census.

 

Source:  Joyce Tice Tri-County History and Genealogy Site

 

 

        

Children of WILLIAM FRENCH and ANNETTE NILES are:

12.                          i.       NATHAN T.4 FRENCH, b. Abt. 1854.

                                ii.       FLORA FRENCH, b. Abt. 1855; m. ERNEST MONK.

 

 

7.  JOHN WESLEY3 FRENCH (WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1) was born January 13, 1835.  He married ANN ROSEATHEA COLGROVE September 07, 1861 in Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.  She died 1929.

 

Notes for JOHN WESLEY FRENCH:

John Wesley French was in Co. D, 16th PA. V.I. during the Civil War.  He suffered gunshot wounds during his service and also suffered from Typhoid Fever and jaundice.  John received an honorable discharge May 17, 1865.  John served as a Justice of the Peace, town clerk, auditor and school director of Chatham Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. 

 

Source:  Biographies of Tioga County Civil War Soldiers extracted from Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen, author unknown.  Typed by John D. Campbell for the Tri Counties Genealogy Sites by Joyce M. Tice.

 

Notes for ANN ROSEATHEA COLGROVE:

Ann was the daughter of Henry D. Colegrove also known as Colgrove and Trinn Fox. 

 

Source:

 

Biographies of Tioga County Civil War Soldiers extracted from Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen, typed by John D. Campbell for the Tri-Counties Genealogy Sites by Joyce M. Tice.

        

Children of JOHN FRENCH and ANN COLGROVE are:

                                 i.       JOHN E.4 FRENCH.

13.                        ii.       ETTA FRENCH.

                              iii.       MARY K. FRENCH.

                              iv.       MABYN E. FRENCH.

                               v.       HENRY W. FRENCH.

14.                      vi.       EDITH A. FRENCH.

                            vii.       TACIE I. FRENCH.

 

 

Generation No. 4

 

8.  JANE4 FRENCH (MOSES3, MOSES2, JEREMIAH1) was born Abt. 1849 in Middlebury  Township, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania.  She married ERASTUS NILES.  He was born March 08, 1846 in Middlebury  Township, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania.

 

Notes for ERASTUS NILES:

Erastus Niles family history is well documented and includes Peter Niles, who married Sarah French, 1777, Braintree, Massachusetts; and Ebenezer Niles, who married Mrs. S. French, after 1808, probably in Braintree, Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

 

Source:  Marion Scherer

        

Children of JANE FRENCH and ERASTUS NILES are:

                                 i.       MARION5 NILES.

                                ii.       ANGIE NILES.

 

 

9.  SARAH D.4 FRENCH (NEHEMIAH3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1) was born Abt. 1843, and died Abt. 1869 in Minnesota.  She married WILLIAM R. MOREY, JR. 1858.  He was born February 11, 1840 in troupsburg, Steuben County, New York, and died 1900 in Minnesota.

 

Notes for SARAH D. FRENCH:

Source:  Florence Spencer

 

Notes for WILLIAM R. MOREY, JR.:

Source:  Florence Spencer

        

Child of SARAH FRENCH and WILLIAM MOREY is:

                                 i.       EUGENE5 MOREY, b. 1866.

 

 

10.  JOHN CHURCHILL4 FRENCH (NEHEMIAH3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1) was born August 13, 1856 in Port Allegheny, McKean County, Pennsylvania, and died November 06, 1934 in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.  He married EFFIE DEANS DONSHEA April 16, 1884 in East Aurora, Erie County, New York.  She was born October 04, 1862 in New York City, New York, and died February 03, 1930 in Blossburg, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

 

Notes for JOHN CHURCHILL FRENCH:

As an infant, John and his family moved to the head of Fishing Creek, Pennsylvania, and in 1865, moved to a farm east of Card Creek.

 

John attended Alexander University in Ohio, a business school in Painesville, Ohio, and completed his formal education at a Spencerian College in Cleveland, Ohio.  John taught school in Fishing Creek, Pennsylvania for a period of time and was paid $16.00 a month with room and board. 

 

Prior to John's marriage to Effie, John worked as a bookkeeper in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and later, as a bookkeeper in Buffalo, New York.

 

John was one of the organizers of the Roulette Oil Company in 1877.

 

John operated a general store from 1885 to 1888 with his half brother Joseph Samson.  The store was located in Larabee, Pennsylvania and was known as J.A. Samson and Company.

 

In 1888, John started a wholesale lumber business, the Olean Hardwood Company,  in Olean, New York.  Effie was the secretary and treasurer of the Company.  John sold out to B. H. Parkhurst in 1893.

 

John's health began failing after he was mauled by a bear.  The last forty years of his life he was an invalid, spending the last nine years of his life almost totally bedridden.

 

During this time, John was Justice of the Peace for several terms in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.  It was also during this time that John began his extensive writing career, which included writing a weekly column for the Altoona Tribune and writing several books.  John also collaborated on several books with his young "cousin" Colonel Henry W. Shoemaker as well as contributing chapters to other of Henry's books. 

 

John inherited his father and grandfather's love of music and was a gifted vocalist.  Many of the songs that he loved are listed in "North Pennsylvania Minstrelsy", by Henry W. Shoemaker, with contributions by John C. French.

 

The books known to have been written by John include:  The Passenger Pigeon in Pennsylvania; Rafting Days in Pennsylvania; The Heroine of Lake Shetak, Minnesota; and the Black Bear of Pennsylvania.  As a folklorist and naturalist, John wrote of Pennsylvania with great affection.

 

John was noted for his incredible memory, a fact that his sons marveled at.

 

John his wife Effie and their three children, Helen, John Jr. and Rose are listed on the 1892 Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York Census.

 

The 1900 Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York Census lists John and his wife Effie and their four children, Helen, John Jr., Rose and Robert. 

 

Sources:  The History of Roulette, Pennsylvania, by Robert R. Lyman, Sr., 1967

         The History of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter Counties, printed in                1890, author unknown.

         The Potter Enterprise, obituary and news article

         Family correspondence and oral history

 

More About JOHN CHURCHILL FRENCH:

Burial: the John Lyman Cemetery in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania

 

Notes for EFFIE DEANS DONSHEA:

Effie Deans Donshea was the daughter of Rosetta Willis (James, Charles, James, Richard, John William, Henry Jr., Henry) and James Harvey Donshea.  Donshea is believed to be an Anglocized version of a similar sounding name to Doushea.    Robert William French stated that the Donshea family had originally been French Huguenots.

 

 

 

More About EFFIE DEANS DONSHEA:

Burial: Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York

 

Marriage Notes for JOHN FRENCH and EFFIE DONSHEA:

Sources:

 

Marriages Abstracted from the Journal of the Reverand Richard M. Sandfaord, Erie County, New York.  NSDAR, Katherine Pratt Horton, Buffalo Chapter.

 

The Buffalo Courier Express, Thursday, April 17, 1884.

 

Vital Records of Western New York, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, Special Collections Department, Buffalo, New York  [1]

        

Children of JOHN FRENCH and EFFIE DONSHEA are:

                                 i.       HELEN MARGARET5 FRENCH, b. January 20, 1885, olean, Cattaraugus County, New York; d. June 28, 1912, Whitefish, Montana.

 

Notes for HELEN MARGARET FRENCH:

Helen Margaret French was a young school teacher when she contracted tuberculosis from a student.  Helen and her mother Effie stayed with Uncle Joe Samson in Whitefish, Montana with the hopes that the drier climate would cure Helen of her illness.  While in Whitefish, Helen became engaged to a Mr. Applegate.  Unfortunately, Helen died before she and Mr. Applegate were married. 

 

 

More About HELEN MARGARET FRENCH:

Burial: the John Lyman Cemetery in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania

 

                                ii.       JAMES HARVEY FRENCH, b. 1887, olean, Cattaraugus County, New York; d. 1887, olean, Cattaraugus County, New York.

 

Notes for JAMES HARVEY FRENCH:

James Harvey French was seven months old at the time of his death. 

 

More About JAMES HARVEY FRENCH:

Burial: olean, Cattaraugus County, New York

 

                              iii.       JOHN C. FRENCH, JR., b. February 13, 1888, olean, Cattaraugus County, New York; m. LAURA LUCE.

 

Notes for JOHN C. FRENCH, JR.:

John C. French, Jr. and his wife Laura remained childless.  John and Laura resided in Olean, New York and in Roulette, Pennsylvania.  John was appointed as Justice of the Peace in Roulette, Pennsyvlania.

 

15.                      iv.       ROSEMARY WILLIS FRENCH, b. August 02, 1889, olean, Cattaraugus County, New York; d. May 12, 1946, Evanston, Illionois.

16.                        v.       ROBERT WILLIAM FRENCH, b. July 21, 1893, olean, Cattaraugus County, New York; d. December 14, 1971, New Port Richey, Pasco County, Florida.

 

 

11.  ESTHER ELIZABETH4 FRENCH (NEHEMIAH3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1) was born April 19, 1862 in Clara, McKean County, Pennsylvania.  She married WILLIAM HENRY HAZEN May 20, 1882 in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.  He was born February 21, 1842 in Stewardson, Potter County, Pennsylvania, and died 1925 in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.

 

Notes for ESTHER ELIZABETH FRENCH:

Esther Elizabeth French was named for her two grandmothers, Esther Martin and Elizabeth Hopper. 

 

In John Churchill French's obituary in 1934, Esther is noted as living in Glendale, Oregon.  It is believed that Esther was residing with her son Warren at that time and probably died in Glendale years later.  

 

Notes for WILLIAM HENRY HAZEN:

William Hazen's family history is well documented and includes Thomas Hazen, b. February 27, 1657, m. Mary Howlett, b. 1664.  Mary Howlett was the daughter of Thomas Howlett and Alice French.

 

William Hazen served in the Union Army in the "Pennsylvania Bucktails" the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil War.  On William's pension application under the marital status question, William answered "Still holding down the fort together after all these years."

 

William was a master carpenter. 

 

More About WILLIAM HENRY HAZEN:

Burial: the John Lyman Cemetery in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania

        

Child of ESTHER FRENCH and WILLIAM HAZEN is:

                                 i.       WARREN H.5 HAZEN, b. August 09, 1886.

 

 

12.  NATHAN T.4 FRENCH (WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1) was born Abt. 1854.  He married MARY EVELENE EGGLESTON May 1879. 

 

Notes for NATHAN T. FRENCH:

The French Hill Cemetery Association was incorporated September 24, 1894 by A.D. Shaff, N.T. Shaff and James Shaff.  It is located in the northwest part of Middlebury Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

 

The N.T. French mentioned above is Nathan Towner French. 

 

Source:  Journey to Day Before Yesterday with Rhonda English Ladd

 

 

        

Child of NATHAN FRENCH and MARY EGGLESTON is:

17.                          i.       NATHAN EDWIN5 FRENCH.

 

 

13.  ETTA4 FRENCH (JOHN WESLEY3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1)  She married FAY C. DOANE.  

        

Children of ETTA FRENCH and FAY DOANE are:

                                 i.       ROLAND5 DOANE.

                                ii.       LYLE DOANE.

18.                       iii.       ANNA BEATRICE DOANE.

 

 

14.  EDITH A.4 FRENCH (JOHN WESLEY3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1)  She married WILLIAM HAWLEY. 

        

Child of EDITH FRENCH and WILLIAM HAWLEY is:

                                 i.       DOROTHY SHREMP5 HAWLEY.

 

 

Generation No. 5

 

15.  ROSEMARY WILLIS5 FRENCH (JOHN CHURCHILL4, NEHEMIAH3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1) was born August 02, 1889 in olean, Cattaraugus County, New York, and died May 12, 1946 in Evanston, Illionois.  She married IRVIN EDWARD DEER August 06, 1913 in Buffalo, New York.  He was born in Manor, Maryland.

 

Notes for ROSEMARY WILLIS FRENCH:

Rosemary had curly blonde hair, bright blue eyes and freckled easily. 

 

Rosemary was an active member in her husband's Church and in the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

 

More About ROSEMARY WILLIS FRENCH:

Burial: Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York

 

Notes for IRVIN EDWARD DEER:

Irvin Deer was a Minister.  Irvin officiated at the wedding of his daughter Helen Marie Deer  and her husband Raymond Chester Ebling.  Irvin christened many of his family members including his niece Dorothy Gene French, and his grand niece Marion Louise Waller.  He served on a film censorship board during part of his career.

        

Children of ROSEMARY FRENCH and IRVIN DEER are:

                                 i.       HELEN MARIE6 DEER, b. January 24, 1916; d. January 10, 1986, Big Spring, Howard County, Texas; m. RAYMOND CHESTER EBLING, September 08, 1938, Evanston, Cook County, Illinois; b. January 28, 1915; d. January 11, 1983, Big Spring, Howard County, Texas.

 

Marriage Notes for HELEN DEER and RAYMOND EBLING:

 

Two clippings from newspapers regarding the wedding:

 

Bridal Dinner for Helen Deer to be Tomorrow

 

A bridal dinner tomorrow evening at the Georgian hotel will be the final social event before the wedding of Miss Helen Marie Deer and Raymond Chester Ebling, which will be read at 8 pm Saturday in the Levere Memorial Temple of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon University.

 

The Rev. Irvin E. Deer will read the ceremony uniting his daughter and the son of Dr. and Mrs. Eugene E. Ebling of Lindsborg, Kansas.

 

The bride, who moved here recently with the Rev. and Mrs. Deer from Kansas City, Missouri, will be given in marriage by her uncle, Fred Mohr of Buffalo, NY.

 

The maid of honor will be Miss Olive Adele Krebiel of Wichita, Kansas, and the other two bride's attendants will be two 14 year old girls, Dorothy Gene French of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and Marian Carrothers of Kansas City, Missouri.

 

Marie Mohr, another cousin of the bride, will sing during the ceremony. 

 

Best man for the groom will be his brother, Donald Ebling of Lindsborg and the usher will be James Deer, brother of the bride.

 

Following the ceremony the guests will be received at the Deer home, 2440 Orrington Avenue.

 

The bridal couple plan to take their honeymoon in Northern Minnesota before going to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where Mr. Ebling is in business.

 

Miss Deer was graduated this June from the University of Kansas where she was a Kappa Kappa Gamma.  Her fiance was a graduate of the same university two years ago.  He was affiliated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity which uses the Evanston temple as national headquarters.

________

 

Miss Helen Deer, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Irvin E. Deer of Evanston, Illinois and Mr. Raymond Chester Ebling, son of Dr. and Mrs. Eugene E. Ebling of Lindsborg, Kansas were married at LeVere Chapel, Sigma Slpha Epsilon Shrine, on the campus at Northwestern University.  The bride's father, Irvin Deer, read the service.  Frederick A. Mohr of Buffalo, NY, gave his niece in marriage.  The bride's gown was of ivory satin and the bodice had a yoke of Duchess lace and seed pearls which was worn by her mother at her wedding.  Her crownless halo of lace held the finger tip length veil and she carried white rose, gardenias and white larkspur.  Marie Louise Mohr of Buffalo, sang "Beloved, It Is Morn."  Miss Olive Adele Krehbiel of Whichita, the maid of honor wore a hyacinth blue marquisette empire gown combined with pale yellow.  The bridesmaids, Miss Dorothy Gene French of Hamilton, Ontario and Miss Marion Carrothers of Kansas City were gowned in hyacinth blue and they carried large arm bouquets of garden flowers.  Mr. Donald Price Ebling of Lindsborg, Kansas was the best man.  The ushers were Mr. James Willis Deer of Evanston and Mr. Wilmer Schaffer of Russell, Kansas.  The couple left to motor through the NOrth and after October 1 will live in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  Among the out of town guests were Mrs. Henry N. Carrothers and her daughters Doris and Marion, of Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. French and daughter, Dorothy Gene, of Hamilton, Ontario; Miss Dorothy Blue of Lawrence, Kansas; Miss Mary Jane Hoyland of Kansas City; Mr. Russell Symes of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mr. and Mrs. Red Rassweiler of Beloit, Wisconsin; Mrs. Alexander Morris, Bloomington, Illinois; Miss Katherine Avery, Minneaplois, Minnesota; Dr. and Mrs. Eugene E. Ebling and Mr. Jack Ebling, Lindsborg, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Mohr, Buffalo, NY and Mr. Charles Pipkin of Kansas City, Missouri.

 

 

 

                                ii.       JAMES WILLIS DEER, m. MARION HAWKINSON.

 

 

16.  ROBERT WILLIAM5 FRENCH (JOHN CHURCHILL4, NEHEMIAH3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1) was born July 21, 1893 in olean, Cattaraugus County, New York, and died December 14, 1971 in New Port Richey, Pasco County, Florida.  He married FLORENCE EMMA BOUCHER July 21, 1923 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  She was born August 14, 1903 in Saint Martin Parish, Island of Guernsey, and died August 25, 1998 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

 

Notes for ROBERT WILLIAM FRENCH:

Robert lived with his parents and siblings at 110 Barry Street, Olean, New York.  As a young boy Robert and his parents moved to the old French Farm located in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania.

 

Robert enlisted in the United States Army during World War I and attained the rank of Corporal.

 

The Dominion Glass Company, Ltd., was Robert's place of employment for forty five years.  Robert took an early retirement due to a series of strokes.

 

Robert was an Episcopalian until the last ten years of his life when he became a Christian Scientist.

 

Robert was a 32nd Degree Mason.

 

Sources: 

 

New York State Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics; Certificat of Birth, Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York.

 

Document, Honorable Discharge from the United State Army

 

Document, United States Army Enlistment Record of Robert W. French

 

More About ROBERT WILLIAM FRENCH:

Burial: Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York

 

Notes for FLORENCE EMMA BOUCHER:

Florence was the daughter of William Lloyd Boucher and his wife Mahalia Maud Smith.  She was Christened in St. Martin's Anglican Church in St. Martin's Parish, Island of Guernsey on September 4, 1903.  

 

Sources:

 

Certified Copy of the Entry of Birth in the Parish of Saint Martin, Island of Guernsey, Registrar-General's Office, Guernsey.

 

Baptismal Certificate of St. Martin's Anglican Church, St. Martin's Parish, Island of Guernsey.

 

More About FLORENCE EMMA BOUCHER:

Burial: Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York

 

Marriage Notes for ROBERT FRENCH and FLORENCE BOUCHER:

The marriage ceremony was performed at St. Matthew's Anglican Church, by the Reverand W. E. White.  [1]

 

Sources:

 

Certificate of Marriage, Church of England, St. Matthew's Anglican Church, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

 

Hamilton newspaper article regarding the French-Boucher marriage.  Name and date of the newspaper article are unknown.

        

Child of ROBERT FRENCH and FLORENCE BOUCHER is:

19.                          i.       DOROTHY GENE6 FRENCH, b. February 18, 1924, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; d. May 06, 1990, New Port Richey, Pasco County, Florida.

 

 

17.  NATHAN EDWIN5 FRENCH (NATHAN T.4, WILLIAM3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1)  He married IDESSA ROUPE. 

        

Children of NATHAN FRENCH and IDESSA ROUPE are:

                                 i.       MARY ANNETTIE6 FRENCH.

                                ii.       HARRIET VIOLA FRENCH.

                              iii.       EDITH CHRISTEEN FRENCH.

 

 

18.  ANNA BEATRICE5 DOANE (ETTA4 FRENCH, JOHN WESLEY3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1)  She married JOSHUA L. WOLFE. 

        

Children of ANNA DOANE and JOSHUA WOLFE are:

                                 i.       FRED W.6 WOLFE.

                                ii.       PHYLLIS M. WOLFE.

 

 

Generation No. 6

 

19.  DOROTHY GENE6 FRENCH (ROBERT WILLIAM5, JOHN CHURCHILL4, NEHEMIAH3, WILLIAM2, JEREMIAH1) was born February 18, 1924 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and died May 06, 1990 in New Port Richey, Pasco County, Florida.  She married (1) WILLIAM CHARLES WALLER February 24, 1944 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  He was born February 22, 1924 in Erie, Pennsylvania, and died September 1968 in Dayton, Ohio.  She married (2) JOSEPH ADDISON WILSON June 1966 in Orlando Air Force Base, Orlando, Orange County, Florida.  He was born June 26, 1904 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and died July 16, 1994 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.

 

Notes for DOROTHY GENE FRENCH:

Dorothy was graduated from Delta Collegiate Normal School and the Hamilton Conservatory of Music.

 

She was an accomplished classical pianist and vocalist, graduating from the Toronto Conservatory of Music at the University of Toronto.

 

In addition to her love of music, Dorothy studied foreign languages, she was fluent in eight languages other than English.

 

More About DOROTHY GENE FRENCH:

Burial: Grace Memorial Gardens, New Port Richey, Pasco County, Florida

 

Notes for WILLIAM CHARLES WALLER:

William Charles Waller was the son of William Isaac Waller and A. Kathleen McNair.

 

He was a gifted musician and obtained his musicians license at the age of 14.  At the same age he received his pilot's license.

 

William graduated from Carnegie Technical University, now known as Carnegie Mellon, with a degree in Physics.  He later obtained his Masters Degree at Boston College and his PhD at the University of Buffalo.  While he was attending Carnegie Tech, William was the student conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony.

 

William served in the Army Air Corps as a Lieutenant during World War II.  He was graduated and received his wings of a fighter pilot at Moore Field, Misson Texas in January of 1944.  William flew a modified P-47, (armed recon), for the duration of the War and received the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, one of many medals and honors he received while in the Air Force.  At the start of the Korean War, he was called back into service in the newly formed United States Air Force.  He remained in the Air Force attaining the rank of Colonel until his retirement in 1964.

 

More About WILLIAM CHARLES WALLER:

Burial: Veteran's Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio

 

Marriage Notes for DOROTHY FRENCH and WILLIAM WALLER:

The wedding ceremony was held at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  After the ceremony a reception was held at the Scottish Rite Club.  [1]

 

Sources:

 

Erie Dispatch Herald, Wednesday, March 8, 1944.

 

Certificate of Marriage, Church of England, St. Peter's Anglican Church, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

 

More About JOSEPH ADDISON WILSON:

Burial: Grace Memorial Gardens, New Port Richey, Pasco County, Florida

        

Children of DOROTHY FRENCH and WILLIAM WALLER are:

                                 i.       MARION LOUISE7 WALLER.

                                ii.       ROBERT WILLIAM WALLER, b. December 01, 1950, Greenville, South Carolina; d. March 29, 1994, Hudson, Pasco County, Florida.

 

More About ROBERT WILLIAM WALLER:

Burial: Grace Memorial Gardens, New Port Richey, Pasco County, Florida