French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

Church of St. Giles, Church Street, Great Maplestead, Essex Co., England

Chart #EC, Christopher French of Halstead,
Greenstreet (now Greenstead Green),
Gosfield, and Great Maplestead
County Essex, England

This chart updated by Mara French on 11/13/10. 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, 2010.

Contents

FFA Home Page

England History and Research

DNA Group 6 Analysis of Families

DNA Group 6 Test Results

DNA Group and Chart Cross Reference

First Generation

Second Generation

Photos of French Family Homesteads in England (coming soon)

Halstead

Maps

Essex Record Office

Bibliography

Outline

1.1 Christopher French, b. ca. 1560, m1. Elizabeth Tewson 1581 in Halstead, m2. Mary, Christopher d. 1617 in Gosfield, FFA Chart #EC. All sons are mentioned in Christopher’s will of 1616.

2.1 Susane French, chr. 14 Oct 1582 in Halstead, m. Rychard Smythe 1612 in Halstead.

2.2 Anne French, chr. 1584 in Halstead.

2.3 John French, chr. 1591 in Halstead, had children mentioned in father’s will but not by name. This is probably the family who lived in Stisted or Gosfield.

2.4 Thomas French, chr. 1595 but not in Halstead, m. Margaret 1632, d. 1654 in Halstead. This is probably the family who lived in Stisted or Gosfield.

2.5 William French, chr. 18 Oct 1596 but not in Halstead.

England History and Research

This family did not immigrate to America, but the genealogy is presented here because the location is precisely where other Frenches lived who immigrated to America. This chart is especially important to disseminate because various researchers have confused these Frenches with those that immigrated to Massachusetts in the 1630s. These Frenches never immigrated to America – they lived and died in England.

Halstead, Gosfield, Great Maplestead, Little Maplestead, plus other villages where Frenches resided: Sible Hedingham, Casle Hedingham, Greenstead Green.

Possible Siblings of Christopher French

These are the Charts involved for DNA Group 6 Ancestry:

· Thomas French, b. ca. 1520, FFA Chart #E1 (line immigrated to New England – DNA Gp 6).

· William French, b. 1606, FFA Chart #E2 (line immigrated to New England – DNA Gp 6).

· John French, b. ca. 1599, FFA Chart #E3 (line immigrated to New England – DNA Gp 6).

· William French, b. ca. 1554, FFA Chart #EA.

· Thomas French, b. ca. 1504, FFA Chart #EB.

· Christopher French, b. ca. 1560, FFA Chart #EC.

· Robert French, b. ca. 1555, FFA Chart #ED

First Generation

1.1* Chr[ist]opher or [Christ]ofer French of Halstead [1], b. ca. 1560 (baptism records for Halstead begin in 1564), he wrote his will on 26 Aug 1616 in Halstead, his will was proved 17 Jun 1617 at St. Catherine Parish Church in Gosfield, Essex, England [8].

St. Catherine’s Parish Church in Gosfield (photos by Mara French, Jun 2010). The first church was built by Aubrey de Vere, third Earl of Oxford, the princely owner of much of north Essex, in 1190. His countess had recently built a convent at Hedingham, and the titles of the new church were given to the nunnery. When Henry VIII suppressed the convent in 1536 he presented the titles to the 15th Earl, known as the good Earl of Oxford. His effigy in black marble lies in the chancel at Castle Hedingham Parish Church. Gosfield is not mentioned in the Domesday book, as the land belonged to the adjoining lordships of Castle Hedingham, Halstead, Hocking, Wethersfield, and Gestingthorpe, all of which are villages where the French family lived. For more details, click here.

Charles Ernest French of Gosfield died during WWI on 2 Oct 1918.

Christopher was a millwright (a person who designs or builds mills or who maintains mill machinery) in Great Maplestead, just 2 miles north of Halstead [5]. See mill in Halstead below.

Halstead Mill over the River Colne, just 2 miles south of Great Maplestead, built in 1788 as a corn mill, but there had almost certainly been a mill on this site for many centuries before. Perhaps the first mill was developed by Christopher French, millwright.

The Halstead Mill is the gray square, situated over the Colne River. It was used by weavers in the early times and employed 800-900 workers. There were about 150 hand-loom weavers in Halstead. High St. is the main street in Halstead, at the other end of which is St. Andrews Church where this family was baptized. The Bull Hotel and Bar (below and on map above) dates back to 1398. One can imagine Christopher enjoying himself there. It was once the stopping place for the London to Bury St. Edmunds horse-drawn coaches.

Marriages

Christopher French m1. Elizabeth Tewson on 12 Oct 1581 in Halstead at St. Andrew’s Church [3] [4] [6] [7], D/P 96/1/1, Image 67.

Just for interest sake, Elizabeth Tewson is also the name of Hyacinth Bucket’s next-door neighbor of “Keeping Up Appearances” TV fame. There is also a Tewson Road in Halstead.

Christopher French m2. Mary and was married to her at the time he wrote his will in 1616 [8]. They did not marry in Halstead. Only sons John, Thomas, and William mentioned in will, and wife Mary [8]. Christopher’s will was witnessed by Richard Greene, John Canham, and Philip Clarke, proved on 17 Jun 1617 in Gosfield, Essex, England. It appears that some children were not living in Halstead after Christopher’s death in 1616.

It might help to research the witnesses of Christopher’s will. Richard Greene was a butcher living in Castle Hedingham in 1587, 1590, and 1627. In 1590 Richard Greene was living in Sible Hedingham. He was still living in Castle Hedingham in 1642. John Canham was a baker of Manningtree in 1614. Philip Clarke doesn’t appear in any record at the ERO.

It seems odd that none of his children proved his will, but then, they were underage at the time of his death. Also it seems odd that he didn’t give the name “Christopher” nor the names of his wives, Elizabeth or Mary, to any of his children.

“A” Christopher Frenche existed in Toppesfield, husbandman, with Elizabeth on 24 Mar 1574 in an indictment at Castle Hedingham where he entered and was found guilty, T/A 418/23/59. The 1574 date does not coincide with their marriage date of 1581. Record T/A 418/23/59 states that Christopher Frenche was of Toppesfield, husbandman, on 13 Aug 1574. Perhaps there are several men named Christopher Frenche. If this were an early record of this Christopher, he would have been only 15 and not yet married.

Burial

Christopher French wrote his will on 26 Aug 1616 in Halstead. His will was proved 17 Jun 1617 at St. Catherine Parish Church in Gosfield, Essex, England [8]. His death record is below: D/P 165/1/1. Also see D/AMW 2/137 [8], will of Christopher Frenche of Great Maplestead, millwright, transcribed by Peter Nutt [8].

Second Generation

Children of Christopher and Elizabeth (Tewson) French, 1.1

2.1 Susane French [1], bp. 14 Oct 1582 in Halstead [3] as the daughter of Chr[ist]opher French, D/P 96/1/1, Image 20, see below.

Susane m. Rychard Smythe 4 Oct 1612 in Halstead [4] [6] [7] at St. Andrew’s Church. D/P 96/1/1, Image 72, see below.

Susane was not mentioned in her father’s will [8], probably because she was married when her father died in 1616 or she was no longer living herself.

2.2 Anne French [1], bp 6 Sep 1584 in Halstead [3], the dau. of [Christ]ofer French, D/P 96/1/1, Image 22.

Most likely married or died before 1616 at age 32, because she is not mentioned in her father’s will [8]. Perhaps m. Thomas Smith (or Smythe) of Horndon East (south of Chelmsford in Essex) in 1611.

Children of Christopher and Mary French, 1.1

2.3 John French [1] [8] (mentioned as oldest son in his father’s will of 1616 but not by name, but by mentioning only John’s children, indicating that John the son must have died), bp. 25 Jul 1591 in Halstead [3] as the son of Chr[ist]opher French, D/P 96/1/1, Image 27.

By 1616, John was 25 years old, probably married by 1610, and had at least a couple of children by 1613, and died in 1614 or 1615.

John had a family by 1616 because his heirs are mentioned in John’s father’s will [8]; however, these children were not born in Halstead, but perhaps in Great Maplestead or Gosfield [1] [2]. The family may have lived in Great Maplestead where his father was a millwright [5] or in Gosfield where his father’s will was proved [8]. John’s sister Susan was married in Halstead in 1612, but no marriage record of a John French appears in Halstead between 1600-1640.

The Great Maplestead Parish Register did not appear until 1651; baptisms and marriages began in 1697, and burials in 1689. Apparently earlier than 1651, no records were kept in that village, but may be found in a nearby town with a church. We have records of a French family living in Great Maplestead before 1651, but we have not found the parish to which this family belonged.

John, perhaps his son, appeared in court in Great Maplestead as a yeoman, 10 Sep 1637, Q/SR 298/69. John appeared in court in Great Maplestead on 14 Apr 1645, Q/SR 325/34. He or his son John may have married a Poole or Polle.

There is a record of a John French who died in Halstead on 1 Oct 1604, but this could not have been this John because he wouldn’t have been married that early. See following burial record: “William Haler and John French were buryed 1 October 1604”. See information about the outbreak of the bubonic plague in England around 1603.

John French may have married m. Jane Pratt in Halstead, 1631 [7]. “A” John Pratt, laborer, lived in Halstead per court case Q/SR 342/60 on 9 Aug 1649 from SEAX or ERO.

No French marriage was recorded in Gosfield between 1599 and 1643. What about Stisted?

Death

The will of John French of Great Maplestead, yeoman, 27 Feb 1679/80, D/AMW 8/122. This John had son John who had several children: John, Joseph

Court Cases

Recognizances of Hamlet Fryer (as in 68), Robert Bateman and John French, both of Great Maplestead, yeomen, Fryer to appear, 10 Sep 1637, Q/SR 298/69.

Will of John French of Great Maplestead, yeoman, 1679/80, D/AMW 8/122.

Disturbance of the peace witnessed by John French, Great Maplestead, 1645, Q/SR 325/34.

On SEAX, search for only Maplestead and French and add all those.

“A” burial record of a John French in Halstead in 1604, but we know this record is not this John French because this John is mentioned in his father’s will of 1616. A burial record of “a” John French exists in Halstead in 1638 which is the John French of FFA Chart #EB; we know this because of the will of his brother William in 1621, which John administered until his death in 1638.

2.4 Thomas French [8], b. 1595 or after, but not in Halstead where his father’s first three children are listed [1], perhaps born in Great Maplestead where his father was a millwright [5] or in Gosfield where his father’s will was proved [8] (however, there were no French baptisms in Gosfield until 1636). See Note [9]. Thomas was still a minor when his father wrote his will in 1616 [8].

“A” Thomas French m. Margaret in Halstead, 1632 [7].

A child of Thomas French was buried 26 Jan 1641/42, D/P 96/1/2, Image 31, see below. You would think that since the child was not even named, that this child died at birth.

“A” Thomas French d. 16 Feb 1654 in Halstead [15], D/P 96/1/3, Image 42. Because no wife or father or widower is listed, it is assumed this Thomas died before his wife.

“A” Widdow French was buried in Halstead on 28 Jul 1667 which could have been Thomas French’s wife.

“A” Thomas French lived in Stisted, yeoman, in a court case on 11 Oct 1628, Q/SR 264/87.

2.5 William French [8] (youngest son as per his father’s will in 1616), christened 18 Oct 1596 perhaps in Great Maplestead where his father was a millwright or in Gosfield but not Halstead [5]. See Notes [9] [10] [12] [13]. William was still a minor when his father wrote his will in 1616 [8].

“A” William French, widower, m. Anne Bland, widow, 18 Feb 1640/41, in Halstead. This marriage took place after the Puritan immigration to New England; therefore, this William was not the one who immigrated. Image 36 below shows marriage, D/P 96/1/2.

Anne Bland was the oldest daughter of Anthony Bland. Anne Bland m1. Mr. Farmer. Most likely Mr. Farmer died before 1640 as Anne is listed as a widow when she married William French. In Halstead on 20 Dec 1617, William French and Reginald Bland, both weavers, answered to misdemeanors Q/SR 220/65.

14 Jul 1645 -- Essex Record Office in Chelmsford, work done by Dr. Emmison, May 1989. Unpublished typescript Calendar of Essex Quarter Sessions Rolls, Q/SR 329/29. 1646. Presentment for parish of Halstead by the surveyors of the highways of all such as have peremptorily refused to do their duties [in maintaining the roads]. Landowners [8 names] include Mr. Frenche. [Each fined 40 shillings.] Inhabitants included 91 persons, all of whom have surnames at the moment not connected to anyone in this line.

Maps

These superly-detailed historical Ordnance Survey maps date back to between 1860 and 1910, and are available for every town in England and Wales.

Zoom in on this satellite map of England to visually see the approximation of these towns: Boxford, Assington, Edwardstone, Bures St. Mary, Lamarsh, Twinstead, Groton, Halstead, Coggeshall, Gosfield, Wethersfield, Arkesden, Great Bardfield, Farnham, and Wickhambrook where large French families lived.

Essex Record Office

The Essex Record Office in England recently began posting high resolution images of the early parish registers (more extensive and better quality than the LDS filmings) on their website. All parish registers before 1700 are now available to view online. The main shortcoming is there is no plan as yet for any date indexes to these images that makes finding particular years and events a little awkward. This might interest French's with origins in Essex. There are also images of wills and other documents. Website: http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/

Bibliography

[1] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed in 1989, document ref. E.R.O. D/P 96/1/1, Search ref. G.S. 173/89 of all baptisms in the Parish of Halstead in the county of Essex from 1564 to 1616. Only these 3 children are listed as being baptized in Halstead of this line (Susane, Anne, and John). 22 French baptisms listed in Halstead between 1564 and 1616.

Searched these records again in 2010, baptisms 1564-1631 and 1639-1859. Marriages 1564-1688 and 1694-1837. Burials 1564-1531, 1638-1678, and 1713-1840, reference TS 89/1.

[2] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed in 1989, document ref. E.R.O. GS 207/89, dated 9 August 1989, of all baptisms between 1617-1650, and all burials 1564-1607. No French was born between 1617 and 1650 in Halstead. Only two deaths were recorded in Halstead between 1564 and 1607, a William and John, both in the year 1604. The William and John in this line did not die in 1604 because they are mentioned in Christopher’s will of 1617 [8].

[3] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed 26 Apr 1990, Order No. GS 99/90 for 3 hrs, Halstead Parish Register, burials 1608 to 1639. Nine deaths of French in Halstead between 1608 and 1639. Parish Records of Halstead and Gosfield (never before published) researched by Jane Smith at the Essex Record Office in Chelmsford, England, 1990.

The word “gent” or “Mr.” or “Esquire” is used for Thomas French of Stanstead Hall in Halstead, FFA Chart EB, because he owned land.

Since all of the following baptisms in Halstead are fathered by 3 men (Christopher, William, and Thomas), it seems as though these 3 men could be brothers since these births all occur between 1582 and 1611. The chart number is listed at the end of each line. See England Parish Register for the surname French.

[4] IGI, Essex County, England.

[5] Index of Wills at Chelmsford, Essex, and East Herts. 1400-1619, p. 162, 137 MW2.

[6] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed 13 Jun 1990, document ref. E.R.O. GS 149/90, burials in Halstead, 1639-1650, only one surname French, 26 Jan 1641, the child of Thomas French. Marriages 1564-1650 (5 total). Earls Colne Parish Register, Baptisms 1628-1635. None of surname French. Private research also done on French ancestors in Greenstreet and Leete.

[7] Boyd’s Marriage Index, Essex.

[8] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed on 27 June 1990, document ref. E.R.O. GS159/90, 2 1/2 hrs research. Will transcribed of Christopher French, D/AMW 2/137.

[9] Gosfield, Essex, is also the village where Robert French, Chart #ED, was married in 1645. The birth records of Great Maplestead and Gosfield were researched in July 1990. Gosfield is 2 miles SW of Halstead. Great Maplestead is 2 miles N of Halstead.

[10] Other researches: A William French, widower, of Halstead, m. Anne Stevens, widow, on 13 May 1622. A William French, widower, of Halstead, m. Anne Bland, widow, on 18 Feb 1640. An Ann French, widow, the wife of William French from The Leete, d. 7 Jul 1623. Elizabeth French, d. 5 Apr 1625, widowe from The Leete. A Letches existed in 1777 [9]. Letches Farm was 3 miles south of Halstead and has nothing to do with The Leete as the name Letche is a surname.

[11] Will of Robert Derehaugh, 1611, Vesey of Hintlesham, p. 59, Ipswich Record Office in Suffolk County, England. Robert Derehaugh d. 10 Oct 1611, will probated 8 Feb 1612. In his will he mentions his brother’s daughter, Agnes Derehaugh who m. Thomas French. This family has many of the same names: William, Elizabeth, Anne, Mary, ffrances, Robert, Dorothy. In 1601 Robert Derehaugh and Thomas French bought a barn and 25 acres in Halstead. Derehaugh is an old name from the 1400s coming from Badingham, Suffolk Co., England.

[12] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed on 7 Aug 1990. Researcher states that Great Maplestead parish registers did not survive before 1651 (baptisms and marriage records began in 1697, and burials in 1678 in the surviving registers).

[13] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed on 7 Aug 1990 of all baptism, marriage, and burial records of Gosfield, Essex, England, 1538 to 1650.

[14] Worksheets of Harry Dana French, New Hampshire Historical Library, Concord, NH.

[15] Essex County Council, Essex Record Office, County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1LX, England. Research completed on 27 Sep 1990, order number GS252/90, Halstead baptisms 1650-1669, 1686-1700; marriages 1653-58, 1662-88, 1695-1700; burials, 1653-73. No register survives for intervening periods. There is also a record of a widdow French, d. 28 Jul 1667 in Halstead and a Mistris French, d. 29 Nov 1671. Also a Henrye French d. 14 Feb 1670. Also marriage of a John French and Elizabeth Ingram, 29 Aug 1654. Also marriage of Thomas French and Elizabeth Hickford, 14 Jul 1700.

[16] Letter from Frederick G. Emmison, Chelmsford, of Manorial Records from the Essex Record Office, 1989.

[17] Halstead, Essex, website: http://www.connecthalstead.co.uk/

[18] Will 1679 John French of Gt.Maplestead ref: ERO D/AMR 7/40 1680. Submitted by Dr. Geoffrey Mann, geoff.mann@btinternet.com (email good in 2010). Website: http://www.btinternet.com/~surrey.hypno/Genealogy/French/FREN-B9.htm

30 Jan 1679 John FRENCH of Gt. Maplestead, ESS, yeoman; to Mary PATRICK eldest dau of Thomas PATRICK of White Colne, yeoman, all lands messuages etc in Gt or Lt Maplestead in occupation of me, known as Hempers, and household stuff etc to her and her lawfully begotten heirs; if she die without issue to Thomas PATRICK her father and his heirs.

to my kinswoman Elizabeth SMITH £50

to my kinswoman Sarah SMITH, her sister, £50

to my kinsman John POLLE £50 when 21

to John the son of John FRENCH £30

to Joseph FRENCH another son of John FRENCH £20

to kinsmen Edward FRENCH & Richard FRENCH £5 each

to Solomon FRENCH £20

to Elizabeth wife of Henry TYNERSON £10

to Henry TYNERSON son of Henry TYNERSON £20 when 21

to my aunt Mary FRENCH widow, £10

to her dau my cousin Mary FRENCH £10

to kinswomen Elizabeth & Rebecca LORKIN £20 each (Elizabeth Lorkin was acquitted on 1 Mar 1675 in Chelmsford, T/A 418/179/76)

to my cousin Ann wife of John SMITH £20

to John PASK £5 (he was a widower in 1755, D/DU 788/9 – his wife’s name may have been Drury).

to widow POLLE of Coggeshall, my wife's sister £20

to her son Wm COCKLEY £20 when 21 (he made his will in Great Coggeshall, husbandman, in 1717, D/ACW 25/22)

to Anne HAYWOOD widow £40

to Peter POLLE £20 when 21

to Thomas POLLE £20 when 21

to Ann SMITH £5

to Elizabeth da of John SMITH £5

to Sarah da of Edmund HARRINGTON £5 when 21

to Mary THOMPSON da of John THOMPSON £5

to my servant Wm RAYNER £10

to Mr John BREWER vicar of Gt. Maplestead £5 (Note: vicar from 1663-1700)

to the poor of Gt. Maplestead £5

to the poor of Lt. Maplestead 40/-

Analysis of Will of John French, written on 27 Feb 1679/80 in Great Maplestead, yeoman, D/AMW 8/122

Most likely this John was the grandson of Christopher of Great Maplestead (Christopher dying in 1617), because he mentions only a few relatives in his generation and many others in the generations below him, especially those who have children under 21. Therefore, John most likely was born ca. 1650. If this is true, John could have been the son of Christopher’s son, John, chr. 1591, and his son John chr. ca. 1620.

PATRICK. Perhaps John had daughter Mary who married Thomas Patrick of White Colne and had dau. Mary. This shows that John who died in 1679 was a grandfather, so if you count 30 years for each generation, he was born ca. 1620.

SMITH. Close relatives and sisters Elizabeth and Sarah Smith, John’s cousin Ann French, wife of John Smith, to Ann Smith, and to Elizabeth Smith dau. of John Smith

FRENCH
John’s uncle xxxx French had dau. Ann French who m. John Smith and had daughters Elizabeth and Sarah Smith. In 1663 they lived in Halstead with John French and William Rayner all mentioned in this will per Q/SR 398/14. In 1645 they all lived in Halstead per Q/SR 329/29 and were at least 21 years of age. John Poole is also mentioned in this record.

John, his son, and John’s sons John and Joseph
Close relatives Edward French and Richard French. Richard could have been the Richard French of Belchamp Otten.
To Solomon French. A recognizance of Solomon French shows he was a farmer on 8 Jul 1689, Q/SR 461/27, of Little Maplestead. He was a yeoman of Little Maplestead in 1681, Q/SR 443/43. I would estimate with birth at about 1650 or before.
To aunt Mary French who is a widow of John’s brother who died, and to her dau. Mary French

Not in will, Henry French of Little Maplestead, appeared in court on 1 Aug 1651, Q/SR 350/77. He was only 28 when John died.

POLLE. Close relative John Polle, widow Polle of Coggeshall who was John’s wife’s sister and her son William Cockley when 21, to Peter Polle when 21, to Thomas Polle when 21. In a document dated 1 Mar 1671/2, a John Polle is listed as the husband of Mary, T/A 418/175/39. He could have actually spelled his name Poole. John Poole and Mr. French were listed in a court case in Halstead on 14 Jul 1645, Q/SR 329/29. In this last record, I would assume John French was born ca. 1620 or before, and could have very well been the son of Christopher.

CLOSE FRIENDS:

Elizabeth Tynerson, wife of Henry Tynerson. Elizabeth was closer to him than Henry, but she was under 21.
Elizabeth and Rebecca Lorkin. Elizabeth Lorkin was acquitted in a case on 1 Mar 1675, T/A 418/179/76.
John Pask.
Anne Haywood, widow
Sarah Harrington, dau. of Edmund when 21
Mary Thompson, dau. of John Thompson who could have been of Pebmarsh and made his will on 18 Apr 1675, D/AMW 7/223. Let’s just assume he was born in 1615 and Mary was born in 1640.
William Rayner, John’s servant, in 1663 lived in Halstead. He died in Feering, yeoman, on 3 Jun 1681, a yeoman, D/ABW 70/82, in which he mentions his wife Anne, but no French. Most likely he was a contemporary of John French. William Rayner’s father was Thomas Rayner.

[19] The Great Maplestead Parish Register did not appear until 1651; baptisms and marriages began in 1697, and burials in 1678. Apparently earlier than 1651 no parish was established in that village; therefore, the parish records may be found in a nearby town with a church.

We have records of a French family living in Great Maplestead before 1651, but we have not found the parish to which this family belonged.

Little Maplestead, St. John the Baptist, D/P 363/1/1, 1688-1829, 30 Images, baptisms 1690-1829; marriages 1691-1745; burials 1688-1814.

Thomas French of Weathersfield, singleman, and Sarah of Finchingfield? Parish, singlewoman, were married by license May 1708, Image 4
Richard, the son of Richard and Mary French, baptized 24 Feb 1714 in Little Maplestead, Image 4
John, the son of Richard and Mary French was baptized 26 Jun 1715 in Little Maplestead, Image 4
John, the son of John French and Mary his wife was baptized 26 Nov 1752 in Little Maplestead, Image 10
Samuel, son of ______ French, baptized 21 Feb 1779, Image 11, Little Maplestead
John, the son of John and Sarah French, b. 10 Apr 1785, Image 12, Little Maplestead
Thomas, the son of Thomas and Sarah French, 30 Oct 1785, Image 12, Little Maplestead
Elizabeth, dau. of John and Sarah French, 5 Aug 1787, Image 12, Little Maplestead
Israel, the son of Thomas and Mary French, baptized between June 8-22, 1788, Image 13, Little Maplestead
Henrietta, the dau. of John and Henrietta French, bap. 26 Oct 1788, Image 13, Little Maplestead
Mary Anne, dau. of John and Alice French, 11 May 1799, Image 14, Little Maplestead
Hannah, dau. of John and Hitty French, 2 Jan 1803, Image 14, Little Maplestead
Rachael, dau. of John and Henrietta French, bap. 6 Oct 1805, Image 15, Little Maplestead

Thomas French, buried 12 March 1811, Image 20, Little Maplestead
John French, buried 4 Jun 1777, Image 22, Little Maplestead
John French, buried 15 Jul 1787, Image 22, Little Maplestead
Richard French, buried 17 Feb 1751, Image 23, Little Maplestead
Ann French, buried 12 Feb 1770, Image 23, Little Maplestead
Elisabeth French, buried 27 Nov 1770, Image 23, Little Maplestead
Richard French, buried 14 Feb 1734, Image 24, Little Maplestead
John French, buried 29 May 1740, Image 24, Little Maplestead

William Hurril and Sarah French married 19 Nov 1734, Image 25, Little Maplestead
Sarah French widow was buried 2 May 1716, Image 27, Little Maplestead

[20] Christopher French was a millwright; however, I found these other listings of “a” Christopher French’s will at about the same timeframe which could not be this Christopher because they are from a tailor, not a millwright:

· D/AEW 15/244 lists the will of Christopher Frenche of Chadwell, tailor, on 29 Sep 1616. Various places exist in Essex called Chadwell: on London Rd. in Kelvedon, Colchester; in Canewdon, Rochford; in Leigh-on-Sea, and in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire. The name Christopher appears almost never in the French family, and especially one making a will in 1616, which is totally a coincidence.

· There is also a will of Walter Frenche of Chadwell in 10 Feb 1606/7, D/AEW 13/232.