French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

The Parish Church of All Saints in Terling, Essex, England stands alone on the village green and although it has a large spire, it can be hard to find depending on the direction you approach Terling. The church records at Essex Record Office, Chelmsford, date back to 1538. The ancient Village of Terling is mentioned in the Domesday book and a church was established in the early 11th century.

Chart #EF, Richard French,
Terling, County Essex, England

This chart updated by Mara French on 5/26/10. 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: 2007, 2010.

Contents

FFA Home Page

Background and History

First Generation

Second Generation

Third Generation

Future Research

Terling

Listed Buildings in Terling

Maps

Bibliography

Background and History

The French families below are only those from pre-1650 when most of the Puritans sailed for America. All connections made here are from the Terling only. The transcripts I looked at were translated by a professional researcher, Peter Nutt, from the Old English script. Later on in 2010 these records were online at http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/ and I made images of them of which are shown below.

The names that appear for the French family in Terling are: George, Thomas, Hugh, John, Awdry, Rebecca, Edward, Robert, Richard, Mary, Jane, Elizabeth, and Elinor.

Old Vicarage in Terling where John Orvice, vicar of Terling, lived.

First Generation

The Terling Parish Records (birth, marriage, death) began in 1538.

1.1* Richard French, b. ca. 1520 or earlier (parish registers nonexistent at this time), listed as the father of John, George, and Robert French of Terling in the Terling Parish Register. Richard could have been born in Felsted or in Old (Great) Saling as these towns are mentioned in his will of 1569.

Richard was married to Jane ca. 1540 [5] in Terling. Jane’s maiden name is not listed, her surname was Clanche as she had a brother named John Clanche and a sister Joan Clanche Watson all of Terling, listed in her will. Richard French wrote his will on 7 Sep 1569 in Terling, and died on 11 Oct 1569. This record is at the Chelmsford Record Office, Record 297 CR 6, transcribed by John Threlfall in his book Essex Wills, p. 256.

To John my son my tenements and lands free and copy in Felsted and Old (Great) Saling in the tenure of Thomas BRIDGE of Felsted. To Jane my wife for her life £3, 6 bushels of wheat and 6 bushels of barley yearly in full satisfaction of her dowry. To George and Robert my sons 40s. apiece; John shall pay them within 3 years after my wife’s decease £38 by equal parts and within other 3 years other £38. For payment to them, John shall be bound in a bond of £160. To 16 poor householders of Terling ½ quarter of wheat and ½ quarter of malt. My wife shall be ‘grdyner’ [guardian] and governor of Robert until he is 23. To her my tenement with 2 gardens called Brettons in Mill Street in Terling, also all my goods. I make John my executor and John Orvice clerk, vicar of Terling, my supervisor, and for his pains 6s.8d. Proved 11 Oct 1569 [sic]. (John Orvice d. 11 jan 1582 in Terling.)

The Essex Record Office has a map of Brettons in Terling, Ref. Code T/M 96/1, dated 1774. It includes 75 acres in east Terling and northwest of Hatfield Peverel Parish boundary marks. It is not to be produced without permission of Searchroom Archivist. Richard’s will pinpoints Brettons on Mill Street.

Also mentioned in Richard French’s will of 1569 is John French, his oldest son, in the presence of Richard and John French of Terling, Essex wills, the Commissary Court, 1558-1569, by F. G. Emmison. I met Dr. Emmison and researched with him in Chelmsford in 1994. You’ll notice that in Richard’s will of 1569, conflict was anticipated between siblings. Richard laid down that his eldest son should enter a bond to pay his younger brothers their inheritance, as researched by Keith Wrightson and David Levine in “Poverty and Piety in an English Village: Terling, 1525-1700”. Richard French is mentioned in the will of John Mylles, 12 Jul 1565 of Harwich D/ABW 25/211.

Jane, Richard’s wife, d. 26 Apr 1582 in Terling, a widow, D/P 299/1/3, Image 37.

She wrote her will in 1582 as Jane, widow of Terling, 132 CR 7. The record of her will is at the Chelmsford Record Office, transcribed by John Threlfall in his book Essex Wills, p. 148.

Jane French of Terling, widow, 20 Apr 1582. To John FRENCH my eldest son 1 croft of land called “Three Ashes” (see description below), a cauldron, and a wicker chair. To Rebecca FRENCH his daughter 20s. To Rt. son of Geo. FRENCH a little brass pot and Geo.’s wife my best gown. To my sister Joan WATSON, if she be alive, a air of canvas sheets. To my borhter John CLANCHE a little flock bed and Rt. CLANCHE a pewter dish. I give a fushel of wheat if it be in the house and a bushel of malt among eight poor householder in Terling as my overseer think meet. To Julian CHAMBERLAYN an old covering on my bed. I constitute Mr. James ROBINSON clerk, vicar of terling, overseer, and for his pains 2s.6p. The rest of my goods to Rt. My son, whom I make executor. Witnesses: Jame s ROBINSON, John STEVEN, John WRITELL. Proved 21 Jul 1582.

1.2 Jane French, m. _______ Salter. John French witnessed the will of Jane Salter of Terling, Widow, 12 Sep 1568, proved 8 Nov 1570, p. 214. Jane Salter was John’s aunt, likewise, Richard’s sister, because the will is dated a year before Richard died; therefore, this Jane was not Richard’s wife because this Jane was a widow when she died. In Jane Salter’s will of 1568 in Terling, she asked to be buried next to her late husband. See early Frenches.

Jane Salter of Terling widow, 12 Sept. 1568. (748), p. 214

To be buried in Terling churchyard by my late husband and other kinsfolk. Towards the reparations of the church 20s. To the poor folks of Tendring [sic]. To my daughter Florence my best featherbed and the great yellow hutch. To my daughter Elizabeth my best gold ring, Florence my next gold ring, and Joan SALTER my little gold ring that I wear every day. To my daughter Audrey my best cassock that is furred and 40s. in money. To my daughter SALTER my other best cassock that is new. To Edward SALTER all my barley in WHITE's barn and my barley growing at the time of my departing. To Mary SALTER another of the children of my son Blase SALTER 4 old ryals. To Jane SALTER his daughter 33s.4d., a little brass pot, a little posnet, a little kettle, a scummer, 2 pair of sheets, a tablecloth, 2 great hutches in my chamber where I lie, a court table, my best bed I lie on, my coverlet with knots, 7 porringers, 4 platters, 3 dishes, 3 saucers, a chamber pot, a fire shovel, a pewter basin, 2 pillows, and a little spruce hutch. To Margaret DAGNETT 4 shillings at marriage and a worsted kirtle. To Rose GRENE of Witham 5s., George CORNEWELL, William JACKSON and Robert WHITINGE each 10s. To my sister SMITHE 15s. To Blase £20 and 2 old ryals. To Margaret DAGNET my black cassock. To Florence, Audrey and my daughter SALTER my linen that I wear, to be equally divided. The residue of my goods to Blase. I ordain my son William HALE of Maldon my executor. Witnesses: John ORVICE clerk and vicar of Terling, Francis ALMONDE, John FRENCHE. Proved 8 Nov. 1570.

Second Generation

Children of Richard and Jane (Clanche) French, 1.1

2.1* John French, b. ca. 1530 or earlier (parish registers nonexistent at this time), m. Avelyn Hant on 19 May 1560 in Terling, D/P 299/1/3, Image 20.

She d. 3 Sep 1569 during childbirth with her 5^th child. Of her 5 children, only one daughter lived to adulthood, thereby ending this French line. John French was still living in Terling in 1586 as per document Q/SR 98/12.

John is listed in the will of his father, Richard Frenche of Terling, as the executor and as his son in 1569, probably the oldest son. John is listed in the will of his mother, Jane, Terling widow, to receive 1 croft of land called Three Ashes, a cauldro, and a wicker chair.

2.2* George French, christened 3 May 1541 in Terling, County Essex, England, as the son of Richard and Jane French [5], D/P 299/1/3, Image 7. He had a son named Robert.

George is listed in the will of his father, Richard Frenche of Terling, as his son in 1569.

2.3 Thomas French, christened 26 Jul 1544 in Terling, County Essex, England, as the son of Richard and Jane French, d. 8 Nov 1545, age 1 [5].

2.4 Hugh French, christened 22 Feb 1547/48 in Terling, County Essex, England, as the son of Richard and Jane French [5], d. 22 Oct 1551, age 4.

2.5* Robert French, christened Mar 1549/50 in Terling, County Essex, England, as the son of Richard French (does not mention Jane). Robert is listed in the will of his father, Richard Frenche, as his son in 1569, in which year he was less than 23 years of age as stated in the will.

Robert French m. Alice Walker on 11 May 1572 (would be on Image 28, but cannot find). Alice d. 13 Oct 1605 in Terling [1], D/P 299/1/3, Image 57.

Alice’s father may have been William Walker who appears in 1574 Terling records. The will of John Seman of Harwich, 7 Mar 1568/9, states that he lived next to Robert French, p. 1041 of Essex wills of the Commissary Court, 1558-1569 by F. G. Emmison.

Document Q/SR 177/126 of a special sessions meeting of the peace, dated 1606, lists Robert French of Terling as a yeoman. At this time he would have been 56 years old. Because of the fact that he is listed as a yeoman and not a tailor, I would predict that the death notice of Robert French who d. 31 Oct 1616, a tailor, is of a later Robert, and in this case, 3.6 below, record 299 CW 7.

As per “Poverty and Piety in an English Village: Terling, 1525-1700” by Keith Wrightson and David Levine, Robert French learned to sign his name only in adult life. He made a mark when acting as a will witness in the 1580s, yet left six examples of his signature on wills made in later years. Between 1580-1609, 53% of men were illiterate and 85% of women. Illiterate is defined as being unable to sign their name.

2.6* John French, christened 23 Mar 1550/51 in Terling. Had son, Robert French, christened 12 Jan 1584 as the son of John French. Robert m. Ann Abdals on 1 Jul 1613. He may have also had a daughter named Rebecca. Per Essex Record Office, Q/SR 98/12, John French was living in Terling in 1586, which definitely indicates he is from this generation. Note that this document also lists a “Richard Franke” which surname shows up various times in Terling and should not be confused with “French”. You will notice the difference between the very round “a” in Franke versus the looped “e” in French. Names below are John French and Richard French using the double lowercase “f” as appearing visually like the Old England script for a capital F. Notice that the capital F has 2 vertical lines:

Also note that the “H” in John matches the “H” in French, but not in Franke. There was a large Franke family in Terling, so don’t get confused.

Document D/DU 267/123 from the Essex Record Office shows he died 31 Dec 1823 after making his will on 24 Mar 1820. See also document D/DU 267/121 with the same date.

Third Generation

Children of John and Avelyn (Hant) French, 2.1

3.1 Awdry French, christened 2 Feb 1561 as the child of John in Terling, D/P 299/1/3, Image 20.

Awdry d. 14 Apr 1561 as the daughter of John in Terling, D/P 299/1/3, Image 20.

3.2 Rebecca French, christened 17 Mar 1562 as the child of John in Terling, the only child to live to adulthood, thereby ending this French male line. I cannot find this christening – it should be on Image 23. Rebecca received 20s from her grandmother Jane French in her will of 1582.

3.3 Edward French, christened 14 Feb 1564 as the child of John in Terling. I cannot find this christening – it should be on Image 23. Edward d. 15 Dec 1568, age 4.

3.4 John French, son of John, d. 6 Apr 1567, at a very young age. I cannot find this christening – it should be on Image 23.

3.5 French unk, christened 3 Sep 1569 as the child of John in Terling, d. 3 Sep 1569, died during childbirth. Cannot find either image. His mother, Avelyn French, died at the same time.

Child of George French, 2.2

3.6 Robert French, b. ca. 1570. Robert received a little brass pot from his grandmother Jane French in her will of 1582. Robert French wrote his will on 21 Nov 1616 as seen at D/ACW 7/299. He was a tailor. I will look this up at the Essex Record Office when I’m there in June 2010 because only the index is online, not the original document. As per D/P 299/1/3, Image 69, shown below, it lists Robert as dying on 31 Oct 1616 in Terling. One of the months of these documents is probably incorrect, as they should be reversed, unless it was on 21 Nov 1616 that his will was proved. Robert French who d. 31 Oct 1616, a tailor, has a record of his will at the Chelmsford Record Office, record 299 CW 7.

Children of Robert French, 2.5

3.7 Mary or Marie French, christened 26 Oct 1572 in Terling, Essex, as the daughter of Robert French of Terling [1].

The following information about Mary French is under research and nothing has been proved so far.

Marie’s dau Elizabeth French, christened 30 Oct 1603 in Terling, Essex, as the daughter of Marie French, baseborn (in other words, illegitimate, see baptism image below.)

Could this Elizabeth have married William French of nearby Halstead, Essex, England and later of Billerica, MA, FFA Chart #E2? The Elizabeth French who immigrated with William French on the ship Defence in Jul 1635 was age 32 indicating she was born in 1603.

3.8 Jane French, christened 1 Jan 1575 in Terling as the daughter of Robert French, d. 26 Mar 1627/8, unmarried, as the last child registered in the old calendar year 1627 [1], age 52, D/P 299/1/3, Image 84.

3.9 Elinor French, christened 2 Feb 1576/77 in Terling as the daughter of Robert French.

She m. James Cardell on 25 Apr 1603 in Terling [1], D/P 299/1/3, Image 54.

3.10 Richard French, christened 7 Feb 1579/1580 in Terling, County Essex, England, as Richard French, the son of Robert French [1].

Richard French was buried 29 Dec 1597 in Terling as the son of Robert French [1]. If he had been married, the burial would have listed his wife, not his father.

3.11 John French, christened Jan 1583 in Terling as the son of Robert French [1]. D/P 299/1/3, Image 38.

We need to search more later records for him, perhaps starting in 1600 for a potential marriage, about at Image 60 onwards. Perhaps he died or moved? There is also a record from the ERO, Q/SR 191/17 stating that “a” John French was fined along with several others for rictously assembling at Terling and cutting the head of the mill pond of John Hales, gentleman, and taking fish therefrom on 4 Apr 1610.

Children of John French, 2.6

3.12 Robert French, christened 12 Jan 1584/85 as the son of John French (cannot find this image). Robert m. Ann Abdals on 1 Jul 1613 in Terling, D/P 299/1/3, Image 65.

3.13 Rebecca French. Need to check from Image 40 onwards.

Future Research

The last image I could find in Terling for French was in 1627, and no French appears in Terling from then through 1635 when the Great Migration took place. I had a researcher check all the small towns around Halstead until 1635, and he found no more in Terling. By not having any more Frenches in Terling, it could mean that the line died out, they moved, or they may have ceased to belong to the established church.

Terling

Terling from the air, looking east to Hull Lane

Terling Road Map

The “A” on the map shows Mill Lane where I suppose Richard French lived on Brettons as mentioned in his will of 1569. You can follow The Dismals St. to New Rd. and then southward to Hatfield-Terling Road to reach Hatfield Peverel Village. Braintree Road going north is the location of “Three Ashes Cottage” mentioned in early wills of this line, on the right going north just after Fairstead Hall Rd.

Three Ashes Farmhouse in Terling

Three Ashes Farm in Terling near Fairstead. In Terling, take the Braintree Rd. north. This farm will be on your right just after Fairstead Rd. and on Fuller Street. Concerning the Terling Court Record, D/DU 267/2, from 1542 to 1579 regarding deeds relating to crofts called Three Ashes and Campes in Terling, held by members of the Ward, Clamptree, and French families from 1542-1579 and later, it mentions Johane (Jane?) French widdowe and her son John French. The cottage was derelict in 1971 and demolished by 1974.

House, now divided into 2 cottages. Mainly C17, altered in C20. Timber framed, plastered, roofed with handmade red clay tiles. L-plan, with wings extending to S and W. Axial stack in S wing. Single-storey and 2-storey lean-to extensions to N, forming catslides and enclosing another stack. Single-story extension to W, with end stack. C20 lean-to enclosed porch in SW angle. 2 storeys. S elevation, to road, scattered fenestration, mostly C20, and C20 door. E elevation, 2-window range of mid-C19 sashes of 6 lights, 2 C20 casements on the ground floor and one on the first floor. Jowled posts, chamfered beams with lamb's tongue stops, face-halved and bladed scarfs in wallplates, short high braces to one tiebeam. Only the E cottage inspected internally. RCHM 26.

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 Terling to Coggeshall.

Bibliography

[1] All records from the Chelmsford Record Office in Chelmsford, Essex Co., England, and research done under the guidance of Peter Nutt.

[2] Jim Weber, jim.weber@nwintl.com, email good in 2006.

[3] Nancy McFarland, nmcfarl@racc2000.com

[4] The Essex 1841 Census and Censusology.net site.

[5] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index ®, Copyright © 1980, 2002, data as of February 14, 2010, Batch No.: P015051, Dates: 1538 - 1840, Source Call No.: 0962530 IT 2, Type: Film, Printout Call No.: 1235415, Type: Film, Sheet: 00, emailed from J. Michael Frost, email: frostinaz@cox.net (email good in 2010). Website: J. Michael Frost’s website on French, Frost, Gilchrist, and Related Families with over 400 Frenches.

[6] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index ®, Copyright © 1980, 2002, data as of August 22, 2007, Batch No.: P015051, Dates: 1538 - 1840, Source Call No.: 0962530 IT 2, Type: Film, Printout Call No.: 1235415, Type: Film, Sheet: 00, emailed from J. Michael Frost, email: frostinaz@cox.net (email good in 2010). Website: J. Michael Frost’s website on French, Frost, Gilchrist, and Related Families with over 400 Frenches.

[7] Don French, email: flynx.pip@verizon.net.

[8] Peter Joslin, email: peterjoslin@btinternet.com. See his Terling website: http://www.peterjoslin.btinternet.co.uk/index.htm.

[9] Seax from the Essex Record Office, Essex Archives Online, website: http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/result_details.asp?intOffSet=0&intThisRecordsOffSet=3, 1542-1579, deeds relating to crofts called Three Ashes and Campes in Terling held by members of the Ward, Clamptree, and French families. D/DU 267/1 and D/DU 267/2 and D/DU 267/3. Furthermore, deeds relating to a croft called Dignis in Terling, held by members of the French, Cannon, and Osband families, 1608-1707, D/DU 267/18 and 19 and 20 and 21. I need to check this document when I’m at the ERO in June 2010. There is an Elizabeth Cannon who married a William French that might be a connection, especially for FFA Chart #E2.

[10] “A” John French was living in Terling at a later time. Document D/DU 267/123 from the Essex Record Office shows he died 31 Dec 1823 after making his will on 24 Mar 1820. See also document D/DU 267/121 with the same date.

[11] Per document Q/SR 165/95-97 dated 12-14 January 1604, Richard French of the parish of Abchurch in the City of London handed in bail to Christopher Temple of Doddinghurst and William Bowlande of Little Warley, gentlemen; indicted.

[12] The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) has the following database online: Wills of the County of Essex (England), Volume 2, 1565–1571 (Online database: NewEnglandAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003), (Orig. Pub.)

[13] Robert Edwards website: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/192515.

by National Genealogical Society, Washington, D.C. F. G. Emmison, Essex wills (England): Archdeaconry of Essex, Archdeaconry of Colchester, . . . , preserved in the Essex Record Office, Chelmsford, seven volumes, 1982–1991). See early Frenches.