French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

DNA Test Group 1
John French, the Brick Mason
First Four Generations
17^th and 18^th Centuries

Last Updated by Mara French on 7/27/16

Contents

FFA Home Page

Outline

First Generation

Second Generation

Third Generation

Fourth Generation

Fifth Generation

FFA Chart #188, John French Lineage

DNA Test Group 1

Cross-Reference French Charts and DNA Groups

Bibliography and Records

Introduction

The purpose of this web page is to tie together all the male ancestors whose DNA matches from DNA Test Group 1. It is a work in progress.

Note: Two Distinct French Lines (please do not mix them together):

Quaker Richard French, b. 1 Dec 1665 in Nether Heyford, Northhamptonshire, England, lived in Burlington County, NJ. For details, see FFA Chart #20.

Presbyterian Richard French, b. 1689 in New Jersey, one record below states that his father was from Lockington, Leicestershire, England, lived in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ. For details, see below.

Outline

1.1 John French, brick mason, b. ca. 1647, lived in Lockington, Leicestershire, England, d. before 20 Mar 1713 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, m. Susannah Poulain Skinner in . John’s will names 3 children and his wife. The research of FFA Chart #188 was done by Jeanette S. French and includes at least 1,443 descendants of John French with the surname French. Detailed research by Mara French on the first 4 generations in the 17^th and 18^th centuries is shown below.

2.1 John French Jr., b. 1685 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, m. Mary Bonamy, d. 1721.

3.1 Susannah French, b. 11 Jun 1706 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, m. Benjamin Bloomfield, d. May 1746. Named after her grandmother.

3.2 William French, b. 15 Jan 1707-8 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, d. 1784, m. Annette Sebring in 1742.

4.1 John French, b. 20 Oct 1743 in Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ, m. Garre Boice, and had 9 children.

4.2 Leffert French, baptized 7 Aug 1745 in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ. Continued FFA Chart #183. (connection not yet proven)

4.3 William French II, b. 1748-1749 in Raritan Landing, Middlesex, NJ, d. before Nov 1812, m. Saertje Rappelyea.

3.3 Mary French, b. 4 Jun 1710 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ.

3.4 Sarah French, b. 25 Nov 1712 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ.

3.5 Joseph French, b. 1714 in Rarity Landing, Middlesex, NJ, d. 1790 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg, SC, m. Hannah Horn. 

4.4 Joseph French, b. 1749-1750 in NJ.

4.5 William French, b. before 7 May 1752 near New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ.

4.6 Lafford/Lefford French, b. 1753 in NJ, d. 1834, m2. Elizabeth Gregory.

4.7 Sarah French, b. 17 Mar 1756 in NJ, m. Hugh Moore. 

4.8 Mary French, b. ca. 1758 in NJ, m. William Moore.

4.9 Simon H. French, b. 29 Feb 1764 in NJ, d. before 1831 in Christian County, KY, m. Mary A. Clark, and had 8 children.

2.2 Richard French, b. ca. 1689 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, m. Elizabeth, d. 13 May 1747 in Springfield, Essex, NJ. The family moved to Westfield in 1692 where his sister Ann was born.

3.6 Richard French Jr., b. 1717 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, m1. Sarah, m2. Mercy North, d. 1798 in NJ.

4.10 Richard French, b. 1745 in NJ, d. before 1797 in Oldwick, Hunterdon, NJ, m. Selletje. Continued FFA Chart #112.

4.11 Joseph French, b. 1740, m. Eleanora.

3.7 Sarah French, b. ca. 1719, m. Amos Butler.

3.8 John French, b. 1721 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, d. 1770 in Morris, Morris, NJ, m. Mary.

4.12 John French, b. ca. 1749 in Morristown, Middlesex, NJ. 

4.13 David French, b. ca. 1748.

4.14 Noah French, b. 28 Feb 1754 in Elizabethtown, Essex, NJ, d. 1843, m1. Mary Rolfe, m2. Joanna Campbell. Continued FFA Chart #19.

4.15 William French, b. ca. 1755, d. 1832, m. Sarah. 

3.9 Robert C. French, b. 16 Oct 1723 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, d. 1813, m1. Mary Willis, m2. Joanna Osborn. Continued FFA Chart #187. He was the earliest French buried at the French-Richards cemetery in Springfield, Essex, NJ.

4.16 Willis French, b. ca. 1745 in Westfield, Essex, NJ.

4.17 David A. French, b. 6 Feb 1747 in Somerset, NJ, d. 1838, m. Patience or Sarah Wilcox.

4.18 Naomi French, b. ca. 1749 in Westfield, Essex, NJ.

4.19 Rebecca French, b. ca. 1750 in Westfield, Essex, NJ, m. Joseph Horton.

4.20 Robert French, b. 1752 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, called the “Scout”, m. Rachel Drew Osborne, d. 28 Feb 1830. Continued FFA Chart #21. He was born 7 years before his mother Mary Willis died in 1759.

5.1 Isaac French, b. 19 Jan 1787 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, d. 1872, m. Mary L. Davis. 

5.2 Abigail French, b. 6 Jan 1788 in Springfield, Essex, NJ.

5.3 Charlotte French, b. 11 Aug 1792 in Springfield, Essex, NJ.

5.4 Abraham French, b. 24 Jul 1793 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, d. 1826, m. Catherine Baldwin. 

5.x Most likely 2 infants were born and died at birth, R. I. F., died 1793, P. H. F. died 1794. (Robert and Philip or Patience or Philemon or Phebe?)

5.5 Jacob French, b. 17 Sep 1796, d. 1879, m. Sarah Clark. 

5.6 Mary French, b. 1801, d. 1877, m. Abner Ball Burnett. 

4.21 Anderson French, b. 24 Oct 1763 in Springfield, Essex, NJ. 

4.22 Aaron French, b. 1765 in Westfield, Essex, NJ.

4.23 Joseph P. French, b. 25 Dec 1767 in Westfield, Essex, NJ, m. Hannah Robertson or Nancy Ann Brandenburg, or Nancy Sibbert, or Anna Bellamy. Continued FFA Chart #187.

4.24 Philemon Elias French, b. Oct 1773 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, m. Temperance Clair, d. 1856. 

4.25 John J. French, b. 18 Sep 1778 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, m. Rebecca Enslee in Morristown, Morris, NJ.

3.10 Elizabeth French, m. Samuel Anderson.

3.11 Joanna A. French, b. 1744-1747.

3.12 Phebe French, b. 1744-1747.

3.13 Ann French, b. 1744-1747.

2.3 Ann French, b. 13 Dec 1692 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, m. James Leith.

First Generation

1.1* John French, a brick mason, b. ca. 1647, lived in Lockington, Leicestershire, England. John was a neighbor of Samuel Richards in New Jersey who was also from Lockington and immigrated to Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ.

John French immigrated before 1670 as he owned land in New Jersey that year. He needed to be of age (21) to own land in 1670 in New Jersey; therefore, he was born ca. 1647 or before. He was not one of the 309 first settlers of ye plantations of Piscataway and Woodbridge of Olde East New Jersey.

John French d. before 20 Mar 1713 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ, when his will was proved; he mentions 3 children (John Jr., Richard, Ann) and his wife Susannah. Could the name “Ann” hold any significance as the name of an earlier ancestor?

The words “brick mason” or “brick layer” were used to distinguish between John Sr. from John Jr.

The French and Richards families shared the same cemetery, the French-Richards Burying Ground in Springfield, Union County, NJ. John’s son, Richard, is documented with Samuel Richards in Lockington. Several early members of the French family of Lockington are listed in Ref. [12] in Bibliography and Records. See Vital Records for Samuel Richards of Leicestershire; no further records appear after 1754 for Samuel Richards in Leicester.

Marriage

John married Susannah in New Jersey after 1669, the date by which John immigrated and before 1685, the year their first child was born. He met and married Susannah in New Jersey where he lived at that time. Susannah was noted on a land deed in 1687 along with John. John and Susannah had 3 children: John, Richard, Ann, as indicated in John’s will of 1711, proven 1713. No immigration or marriage records have been found for John.

The following information has not been verified as connected to this French family.
Susannah Poulain who was born in 1644 in St. Germain En Laye, Oise, Picardie, France, the daughter of Louis Poulain and Margueritte Daniel. Susannah Poulain married Richard Skinner on 1 May 1666 in Elizabethtown, Union, NJ. Richard Skinner was born in 1639 in England and died in 1682 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey. They both immigrated to the New World on the ship “Philip” in 1664 from the Isle of Jersey (off the coast of France but belongs to the U.K.) and with the surveyor who offered John French land, Robert Vauquellin. Susannah Poulain and Robert Vauquellin were both of the country France.

Richard Skinner subsequently became a servant of Richard Painter of Elizabethtown, NJ. Richard was a joiner (carpenter) and built the first houses in Woodbridge, NJ, as did John French who built houses out of brick in Woodbridge, NJ.

Their son, John Skinner, was born in 1667 in Union County, NJ. Their younger son Richard Skinner was b. 15 Dec 1668 in Elizabeth, Union County, NJ; he is buried in the First Presbyterian Churchyard at 600 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, stating that his parents were Richard and Susanna Poulain Skinner. This son was married to Sarah Moore and d. 2 May 1727 in Woodbridge. Of the 1,930 interments in the First Presbyterian Churchyard, none were of the French family, and only this one of the Skinner family. See details in Ref. [40] in Bibliography and Records.

After Richard Skinner’s death in 1682, Susannah may have married John French, thereby marking the birth of their first son John Jr. ca. 1685.

Susanna d. 1714 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, only a year after John French died, as John French’s wife Susannah is listed on his will in 1711, proven in 1713.

Side Note: From “History of Elizabeth, New Jersey, including the Early History of Union County”. Susannah French, from another French line in NJ (as far as research can prove). She was born 19 Feb 1696 in New York, married Governor William Livingston in 1745. William died 25 Jul 1790 in the 67^th year of his age. She had died 17 Jul 1789 in New York. Susannah French was the daughter of New Jersey landowner Philip French and the granddaughter of a Lieutenant Governor of New York. See FFA Chart #131. This particular line daughtered out; there is no male living with the surname French to take the DNA test of this line.

Chronology

All entries involving Susanna Poulain have not been proved; these entries are kept here for research purposes. It is most probably that Susanna lived with John French but they never married. No record has been found of ANY Susanna marrying John French, although her name appears in his will as his wife. The date and location for Susanna’s first husband Richard Skinner’s death fit precisely with the date that John French’s first son was born. No source has been found for her death in 1714, but John French predeceased her and the name Susanna is in John’s will of 1711, proved 1713.

1644 – Susanna Poulain (Skinner French) was born in St. Germain En Laye, Oise, Picardie, France, the daughter of Louise Poulain (1610-1647) and Margueritte Daniel (1615-1647).

1647 – Both parents of Susanna Poulain died when she was only 3.

1647 – Approximate year (or before) John French was born in England. No record found, but this date is chosen because in 1669 when he was granted land, he had to be 21. Full majority was reached at the age of 21. Only persons who had reached majority could buy or sell land, vote, hold public office, patent land, devise land in a will, sign a bond or note, bring suit in one’s own name, serve on a jury, act as a guardian, marry without parental consent, or be sued in one’s own name.

1664 – The town of Elizabeth, NJ, was settled.

1664 Jun 23 – Susanna Poulain arrived in NJ from France on the ship “Philip” to work as a servant at age 21. She emigrated with her future husband-to-be Richard Skinner and with the surveyor who offered John French land, Robert Vauquellin.

On the ship “Philip” from England on 23 Jun 1664 with about 30 emigrants, came Sir Philip Cartaret, a newly appointed governor of Elizabeth Town, NJ. Of these 30 emigrants, 18 were male servants belonging to Sir George Carteret of the Court of England. A portion of them were Frenchmen from the Island of Jersey. The key to this list of emigrants from the “History of Union County, New Jersey, 1664-1923, Vol. I, Chapter III, shows Robert Vauquellin. He must have returned to England on his earlier trip in 1655 and then re-entered New Jersey 9 years later in 1664. Robert Vauquellin took the Oath of Allegiance at a meeting on 19 Feb 1666. Nobody with the surname French was on this ship.

1666 May 1 – Susanna Poulain m. Richard Skinner in Elizabethtown, Union, NJ, by T. Ballen, Secy. of the Province of East Jersey (Vol. I, 3rd series, NJ Historical Society, p. 110). Richard Skinner was a joiner (carpenter) and built the first houses in Woodbridge. According to Rev. Dally, the town was named in honor of Rev. John Woodbridge of Newberry, MA.. Richard Skinner was born in 1639 in England.

1666 -- The Middlesex County townships of Woodbridge and Piscataway were first settled in the 1660s. Woodbridge was founded in 1666 by Daniel Pierce, John Pike and Abraham Tappen, all of whom were originally from Newbury, Massachusetts (the settlement was named in honor of Newbury Minister John Woodbridge). Woodbridge received a town charter from Governor Carteret in 1669. Piscataway was founded as Piscataqua in 1666 by four New Hampshire men who collectively purchased one third of Daniel Pierce’s holdings in the Woodbridge Patent.

1667 – Richard and Susanna Skinner’s first son, John Skinner, was born in 1667 in Union County, Middlesex, NJ. He died on 14 Feb 1749 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ. He left a will dated 12 Jul 1725, proved 19 Aug 1749; executors were his wife Ann and son John (NJ Archives, Series 7, Vol. 20, wills 1730-1750). John Skinner was age 15 when his father died in 1682. He married Ann who was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge in 1708 as was her husband John.

1668 Dec 15 – Richard and Susanna Skinner’s second son Richard Skinner was b. 15 Dec 1668 in Elizabeth, Union County, NJ, and d. 2 May 1727 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ. He m. Sarah Moore. He was a Deacon and Planter. He is buried in the First Presbyterian Churchyard at 600 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, stating that his parents were Richard and Susanna Poulain Skinner. He had m. Sarah Moore. Of the 1,930 interments, none were of the French family, and only one of the Skinner family. Richard Skinner was age 14 when his father died in 1682. See details in Ref. [40] in Bibliography and Records.

1669 – John French had immigrated to the New World by this time. He had not yet married (no record found to the contrary), and his first son John, listed in his will, was not born until about 1684, and his last child was born in 1692.

1669 Aug 20 -- The minutes of a Woodbridge town meeting held on August 20, 1669 state: “Granted to John French to be an inhabitant that is only to have ten acres of upland for a house lott [sic] and five acres of meadow and to expect no more and that he is bound here to live and to furnish the inhabitants bricks before strangers.” John would have had to be of age (21) to receive a land grant; therefore, he was born in 1648 or before.

1670 – Richard and Susanna Skinner’s third son Francis was born in Elizabethtown, Union, NJ. He d. in 1702. Francis Skinner was age 12 when his father died in 1682.

1670 May 20 -- Do. to Stephen Kent senior of Woodbridge for: 1, a house-lot of 23 acres; 2, six acres of meadow West of Papiack Creek, betw. Tho. Blumfield senior and Stephen Kent junior; 3, 180 acres of upland, bounded S. by Raraton R., W. by Slingtaile Brook, N. by Rehoboth Gannet, E. by a fresh brook, the boundary of Mathew Bunn’s land; 4, 40 acres of meadow, adjoining the preceding on both sides. 94. This entry concerning Slingtaile is kept here as John French was allocated this land in 1690.

1670 Dec 30 -- Source: NJCD: EJ Deeds, etc., Liber 1.
“1670 Dec 30. Patent to John ffrench of Woodbridge mason for: I, 10 ac of upland on the W of Vaquellins Hill, along Israel Thorncum's meadow; II, 5 ac of meadow, not yet laid out. Marg'l note: This pattent is transported to Robert Vauquellin.” “1670 Dec 31. Affidavit of John French, that he has conveyed land and meadow, mentioned in his patent, to Robert Vauquellin.”

John French received 10 acres of upland and 5 acres of meadowland [22] in Bibliography and Records.

John French, a brick maker, was allotted a small 15 ac. house lot adjacent to Surveyor General Robert Vauquellin and Woodbridge Creek to provide both the surveyor general and other associates with brick for the construction of their homes. It remains unclear, however, to what extent individuals actually resided on the parcels they owned. Perth Amboy was sited as the most ideal spot in the township of Woodbridge, at the confluence of the Raritan River and Arthur Kill.

John French was selected a Freeholder on condition that he should furnish the Woodbridge men with bricks in preference to all others [22] in Bibliography and Records.

1670 Dec 31 -- Affidavit of John French, that he has conveyed land and meadow, mentioned in his patent, to Robert Vauquellin. This land was given to John French only because he was hired to provide the bricks for Woodbridge, but he turned over the land the very next day to Robert Vauquelin perhaps as he no longer needed or wanted it, but we will probably never know his intentions.

Robert Vauquelin was born ca. 1607 in Calvadoes, Basse-Normandie, France, and d. 1698 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, the son of Nicholas Vauquelin des Yveteaux and Anne de Bourgueville. Robert married Jeanne in 1633; she was born in 1611; both died in 1698 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ. Robert and his wife immigrated to New Jersey for the first time in 1655, for the second time in 1664, and were residents in Woodbridge in 1673.

The following is the list of free-holders, supposed to be actual settlers, to whom patents were granted in 1670, for different amounts of land in Woodbridge, varying from 15 to 512 acres [8] in Bibliography and Records:

Daniel Pearce, Joshua Pearce, John Pike, John Pike, Jr., Robert Dennis, John Bishop, Henry Jaques. Stephen Kent, Hugh March, and John Smith, millwright (the original associates of Daniel Pearce, who were each granted 240 acres of upland and 40 acres of (salt) meadow, in addition to the regular allotment); John Adams, Ephraim Andrews, Thomas Auger, or Alger; Obadiah Ayres, Samuel Baker, or Bacon; Joseph Bradley, John Bishop, Jr., Matthew Bunn, mariner; Thomas Bloomfield, Thos. Bloomfield, Jr., John Bloomfield, John Conger, John Cromwell, William Compton, John and Samuel Dennis, John Dilly, Hugh Dun, Jonathan Dunham, John French, mason; Rehoboth Gannit, Daniel Grasie, Samuel Haynes. Elisha Ilsley, or Inslee; Henry Jaques, Jr., Stephen Kent, Jr., Henry Lessenby, George Little, David Makany, Samuel and Matthew Moore, Benjamin Parker, joiner; Elisha Parker, Daniel Robins, Robert Rogers, Samuel Smith, John Smith, “Scotchman;” Isaac and Abraham Tappen, John Taylor, blacksmith ; Israel Thorne, Robert Vauquellin, or “La Prairie;” John Watkins, Nathan Webster, John Whitaker and Richard Worth. The following names are also found in the Town Book, but without date: Thomas Adams, John Allen, minister; John Averill, William Bingley, Jonathan Bishop. James Clawson, or Clarkson; Jonathan Dennis, Hopewell Hull, John Ilsley, John Martin, Thomas Pike and John Trewman. Ref. [8] in Bibliography and Records.

Fourteen homesteaders with the surname French are listed in this book of Union County, NJ: Elizabeth, Georgena F., Harriet E., Homer M., Isaac, Jacob D., James M., Lydia S., Richard, Robert, Robert (2), Robert M., Robert W., and Thomas (index on p. 1223 online or 407 book version). Ref. [8] in Bibliography and Records.

Sir George Carteret died in 1682 and many Society of Friends or Quakers entered Westfield. The Quakers lasted only 4 years until the Scotch Presbyterians arrived. They were more forceful with the Indians and drove them out within 25 years [9] in Bibliography and Records.

1671 May 15 -- Governor Philip Carteret ordered Richard Skinner and three other persons (two of whom had also arrived on the ship “Philip” as indentured servants) to seize control of the ship “Indeavor”, which had unloaded and loaded goods at Woodbridge without submitting proper paperwork.

1672 July 4 -- Richard Skinner purchased an Elizabeth Town house and property from the heirs of Balthazar De Hart, merchant, who had died in January of that year. Richard Skinner lived in the house at the time of purchase and had been a servant of Balthazar De Hart. Richard Skinner had also been a servant of the previous owner of the property, Richard Painter, tailor, who had sold the property to Balthazar April 3, 1671, the previous year. Richard Skinner's trade was shown in the purchase transaction as that of 'Joyner". Back when Richard Painter had first purchased the property, the three-acre section on which the house stood was listed as being next to property owned by Governor Philip Carteret. (Hatfield-3, Archives-5, Monnette-7)

1672 Jul – Evidently, Richard Skinner was no longer an indentured servant as of July 1672.

1671-2 Mar 17 -- Source: NJCD: EJ Deeds, etc., Liber E, involving RV only in 1671-2: "1671-2 Mar 17. Endorsements on the patent of Henry Lessenby of Woodbridge: I, transferring the property granted to Robt Vauquellin; II, 24 Oct 1672 transfer of sd 60 ac by Vauquellin to Gabriel Minvielle; III, 13 Nov 1694 transfer of the same by Gabriel Minvielle and wife Susanna of NY to Anthony Brockholls; IV, 14 Nov 1694 transfer of do. by Brockholls and wife Susanna to Thos Carhart." [Note that Gabriel Minvielle was commissioned 14 Oct 1684 to be Mayor of NYC.] "1694 Nov 13. Endorsement on the bill of sale from Robt Vauquillen to Gabriel Minvielle: I, G. Minvielle and wife Susanna convey to Anthony Brockholls the property deeded; 2, transfer of the same by A. Brockholls and wife Susanna to Thos Carhart; 3, G. Minvielle and wife to A. Brockholls for 75 ac; 4, transfer of the same property by Brockholls and wife to Thos Carhart."

Side Note: Susanna Brockholles was wife of Phillipus French III who was born in 1697 in NYC. Gabriel Monvielle’s wife was Susanna of NY. Gabriel Monvielle owned land in 1679 in NY. He immigrated to NY in 1671. He lived in NY in 1690. Gabriel Monvielle d. 8 Mar 1697 in NY. His wife may have been Susannah Lawrence.

1673 Sep 5 -- The will of Robert Vauquellin of Woodbridge, dated 5 Sep 1673, leaves all his property, real and personal, to his wife Jeane. Witnesses—James Bollen and Saml Moore. Letters testimonial dated 10 Oct 1698 with preceding will annexed, issued to the widow Jeane Vauquellin. On this date, Jean, widow and executris of Robert Vauquellin of Woodbridge, to Thomas Hawerdin of N. Y. City, mercent, for the plantation at Woodbridge, now occupied by her and all other real and personal property there; she keeping possession until her death. Robert Vauquellin died 10 Oct 1698, 25 years after he wrote his will.

1674 -- New Jersey’s total population of about 2,500, 63 settlers lived in Woodbridge and 43 lived in Piscataway.

1682 – Richard Skinner d. in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ.

1683 – Robert Vauquillan was tried in court for seditions causing trouble in the Province, along with Henry Greenland, Sam Edsall, and Capt. Vickars [26] in Bibliography and Records.

1683/4 – Susannah Poulain Skinner m2. John French. After Susannah’s husband Richard Skinner died in 1682, it is highly possible that Susannah either married or lived with John French as she had 3 younger children by Richard Skiller. The name “Susannah” appears in John French’s will of 1711, proven 1713, and there is absolutely no other Susannah in the area at this time except for Susannah Skinner. She had to have died after 1711, and Susannah Skinner died in 1714.

1685-1692 – Approximate time their 3 children were born: John, Richard, Ann, all born in New Jersey.

1685 – Perth Amboy did not come into its own and was not considered of sufficient importance to establish a court until 1685 [26]. The only towns of any importance in Middlesex County were Woodbridge and Piscataway [26] in Bibliography and Records.

1685 – John French and Susannah’s first child, John French Jr., was born in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ..

1686 – Quakers existed in Woodbridge from 1686-1788. See Woodbridge and Vicinity. In this document, the towns for Quaker meetings included Amboy, Shrewsbury, Rahway, and Plainfield. This French family were not Quakers, but Presbyterians.

1687 Dec 12 -- Deed. John French of Staten Island, mason, to Peter Dassigny of Woodbridge, surgeon, for half a lot between Abraham Coole and Claese Smith on Staten Island.

1687 Dec 12 -- Consent of Susanna, wife of John French, to the preceding conveyance.

1688 April 11. Will of Thomas Bartlett of Barcla’s Point over against Perth Amboy. Myles Forster sole heir and executor of real and personal estate. Witnesses — John and Sussanah French. Proved April 16, 1695. 216. [20] in Bibliography and Records.

1689 – Son Richard French was born in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ.

Pre-1690 -- John French owned land pre-1690 on Staten Island, NY [24] in Bibliography and Records. John French uses the term “cattlemark”. In order to own a land grant, an owner needed to be at least 21 years of age; therefore, born ca. 1669 or before. His son John Jr. was born after this date, and therefore this land belonged to John Sr.

This following map of Westfield shows the proximity of Staten Island and Woodbridge. It is the earliest known map of Westfield [31] in Bibliography and Records. It also shows the Indian path to Minisink mentioned with Richard French of the 5^th generation and the Minisink Valley Reformed Dutch Church where his children were baptized in Walpack, NJ.

1690 May 26 -- “Slingtaile Brook” was allocated to John French on 26 May 1690, 10 acres from John Lambert, N. Mathew Ganett, E. Stephen Kent. 575. “Slingtaile Brook” in NJ is mentioned in John’s will of 1711; therefore, he owned this land for quite awhile (research FFA Chart #131 for possible connection).

1692 – John and Susannah French moved to Westfield, NJ, about 1692 the year their last child, Ann, was born.

1692 – son Richard French and his family moved to Elizabeth (Westfield?), Union, NJ, crossing the Rahway River, and settling two miles south of Springfield on a knoll where the Indians had cleared the ground, near a spring about a quarter of a mile distant in a southeasterly direction from the road running from Union to Plainfield, NJ. It was said that this Richard French was the first white man to cross the Rahway River, the Indians, with whom he traded, being his only neighbors. Settling upon this beautiful knoll, Richard French built his homestead, there married, and had a son, Robert. Richard died in 1756 at the age of 86 years (therefore born in 1670) and was buried in the family cemetery on the homestead [10] in Bibliography and Records. Information from the Union County book in Bible.

1692 Dec 13 – daughter Ann French was born most likely in Westfield, Union, NJ, and she married James Leith by 1711 as her name is listed in her father’s will as Ann Leith, and she was his executrix. At the time that her father made his will, Ann was only 19.

1698 April 11 -- Will of Thomas Bartlett of Barcla's Point over against Perth Amboy. Myles Bolster sole heir and executor of real and personal estate. Witnesses — John and Sussanah French. Proved April 16, 1695. 216

1698 Oct 10 -- Source: NJCD: EJ Deeds, etc., Liber F.:

“1673 Sep 5. Will of Robert Vauquellin of Woodbridge leaves all his property, real and personal, to his wife Jeane. Witnesses: James Bollen and Samuel Moore.” “1698 Oct 10. Letters testimonial with preceding will annexed, issued to the widow Jeane Vauquellin.” He certainly made out his will in good time. Samuel Moore was the first Sheriff of Middlesex County, NJ.

Source: NJCD: Calendar of Wills. See NJ Arch 21 p288 & Middlesex Wills.

“1698 Oct 10. Inventory of personal estate of Robt Vauquellin alias Leprery of Woodbridge. L 184.10.6 incl some French books, L5; surveying instruments L1; 6 silver spoons, 4 forks and a small cup, L4.19; made by John & Ezekiel Blomfield.”

1699-1700 Jan 11 -- Do. William Thornell of Woodbridge, cordwainer, to Henry Alward for several lots, vizt: 1, 60 acres at Langstaff’s Farm or Plain, S. a road, W Samuel Dennes, N. and E. land in common; 2, a lot on the W. side of Slingtaile Brook, along Piscataway road and Harman Perce’s Hill; 3, 9 a. of salt marsh, in the Houselot Pond, Rariton meadows; adjoining Thomas Smith. 145

1710 – Approximate date John French’s daughter Ann married James Leith. Her name is listed in her father’s will of 1711 as Ann Leith.

1711 Jan 31 – John made his will, unrecorded, Vol. 10, Folio 41, New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, according to “An Earthly Tabernacle”: English Land Use and Town Planning in Seventeenth-Century Woodbridge, New Jersey, by Michael J. Gall.

Abstract of Will of John French, Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, from New Jersey Abstract of Wills, 1670-1817 [20]. Sussannah was still living at this time.

1713 Mar 20 – John French’s death was proven in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ. E. Jersey Bd. of Prop. Property records 1670 (2), 1687, 1690.

1714 – Susanna French died in 1714 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, only a year after her husband John French died.

1721 – Death of son John French.

1746 Jul 7 – Death of son Richard French in Essex County, NJ.

1751 – Death of daughter Ann French Leith in Frederick County, VA.

Second Generation

Children of John French Sr. and Susannah, 1.1

John French Sr.’s will names his children John, Richard, and Ann of Woodbridge. For more details, see FFA Chart #188.

2.1* John French Jr., b. 1685 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey. John d. 18 May 1721 in Raritan Landing, NJ. He m. Mary Bonamy on 4 Aug 1705 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ.

Chronology

1685 – John French Jr. was born in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ.

1705 Aug 4 -- John married Mary Bonamy on 4 Aug 1705 and she is recorded in the Woodbridge Township records as the mother of the 4 documented children, Susannah, William, Mary and Sarah, born 1706-1712. Son Joseph was left out of this recording because he was their last child and born after they moved to Raritan Landing, NJ. This record was certified by Justice Samuel Hale [22] in Bibliography and Records.

1711 – John French is listed on his father’s will.

1715 -- John French was shown in Col. Thomas ffarmar’s (Farmar) militia regiment in 1715 in Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ, and was still living in Piscataway in 1721 when Col. ffarmar witnessed John’s will. See Ref. [14] in Bibliography and Records for details about the ffarmar family of Staten Island, NY. See “A History of Thomas and Anne Billopp Farmar” who lived on Staten Island. Anne Billopp Farmar, b. 1723, m. Philip French, issue 1 son and 1 daughter, see FFA Chart #131.

1721 Apr 28 – John French Jr. witnessed the will of Edward Jones in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ.

1721 May 18 -- John died in Raritan Landing, Middlesex, NJ, age 36.

2.2* Richard French, according to Ref [25] in Bibliography and Records, b. ca. 1689 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, m. Elizabeth Fearing?, d. 13 May 1747 in Springfield, NJ. His father, John French Sr., was in New Jersey by 1669; therefore, Richard was born in the New World.

Note: Two Distinct French Lines (please do not mix them together):

Quaker Richard French, b. 1 Dec 1665 in Nether Heyford, Northhamptonshire, England, lived in Burlington County, NJ.

Presbyterian Richard French, b. 1689 in New Jersey, one record below states that his father was from Lockington, Leicestershire, England, lived in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ.

Richard French was said to have been the 1^st white settler west of the Rahway River, near the crossroads, about a mile beyond Branch Mills where Turkey Lane crosses Springfield Road in an Indian clearing about a quarter mile from the road running from Union to Plainfield - he established a trading post there (probably now in Lenape Park) re. p. 80, document not identified further.
One ref. says he had a brother who went to Connecticut Farms (early name for Union township in NJ).
Richard owned land in Morris near the East end of Long Hill, next to Jonathan Hampton and John Totten.

The following article from Ref. [4] in Bibliography and Records

, p. 10, in Bibliography and Records mentions Richard French’s farm, Springfield Road, and Branch Mills. This was prior to Richard’s death in 1747 and talks about the Colonial period, which was before 1750.

From “Commemorative History of Presbyterian Church in Westfield, New Jersey, 1728-1928”, pages 80 and 130 [31] in Bibliography and Records. This book proves that Richard French as not a Quaker, but a Presbyterian, and that he and his father were the first white men who permanently crossed the Rahway River.

Richard French Sr.’s Chronology

1689 ca. – Richard French was born in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ,

1692 – Richard French, an Englishman, arrived in Westfield, Union County, NJ, from Ref. [4], p. 38-41, see Bibliography and Records. The sentence that states he “came here about 1692”, refers to his father and him arriving in Westfield, Union County, NJ, and not to the New World itself, as beforehand, his father and he had lived in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ. The rest of the article concerns Richard’s son, Richard, and other members of the family [4] in Bibliography and Records.

1710? -- The following article is from Ref. [11] in Bibliography and Records.

1711 – Richard French is listed on his father’s will.

1715 – About the year Richard married Elizabeth.

1747 Apr 17 – Richard wrote his will, of the Borough of Elizabeth, Essex, NJ, yeoman, children Richard, John, Robert, Sarah (wife of Amos Butler), Elizabeth (wife of Samuel Anderson), and Joanna, Phebe, and Ann (last 3 under age. Sons of son Richard; no names mentioned. Land on Turkey Road bought of William Broadwell, deceased. Executors wife, Elizabeth, Charles Hole, schoolmaster, and Joseph Willis, blacksmith. Witness'es James Hindes, Joshua Marsh, Daniel Potter.

1747 Jul 17 -- Richard’s will was approved, at which time his wife, Elizabeth declined to act on the will, witnessed by Zerobubel North.

1747 Jul 25 – The inventory of Richard’s estate was filed. Inventory of personal estate (£120.04.06), includes bonds of Samuel Robinson, Jacob Wright, the widow Elizabeth French, Richard French, Jun'r, Samuel Woodruff, merchant. Made by John Stlts and Daniel Potter.

New Jersey Abstracts of Wills, 1730-1750, Volume XXX. Pages 188-189. Website: http://interactive.ancestry.com/2793/32669_236594-00193/17256?backurl=http://person.ancestry.com/tree/1869128/person/6148595354/facts/citation/24306314512/edit/record#?imageId=32669_236594-00193

Richard French was living in Westfield, Union County, NJ, before 1750, as were his children, in particular Robert, after 1750 [4] in Bibliography and Records. It is quite possible that Richard’s wife, Elizabeth, could have one of the surnames listed below.

Richard’s Will and Death

Richard's will is dated April 17, 1747, the will was proved July 17, 1747 which was not necessarily his death date as he could have died earlier. His wife, Elizabeth declined to act on the will on July 17, 1747, and the inventory of his estate was filed on July 25, 1747. They had 8 children: 3 boys and 5 girls. For details, see FFA Chart #188.

Frenchtown, East of the River

Frenchtown is a borough in Hunterdon County, NJ, on the banks of the Delaware River. Across the river is Bucks County, PA. Richard French’s grandson, Noah French (1754) is the son of John French, who inherited the "plantation at Turkey Road" in Essex/Union County, New Jersey.  This would make Noah the grandson of Richard French and great grandson of John French (the brickmason) and his wife, Susannah, of Woodbridge. 

Richard French of the second generation was the grandfather of Robert French, the Continental Scout, in the fourth generation.

2.3 Ann French, b. 13 Dec 1692 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ [22] in Bibliography and Records.

She m. James Leith on 22 Jun 1711 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ, the year that her father wrote his will and included her and her husband [22] in Bibliography and Records.

They were married in Woodbridge and had 3 children: Margaret Leith b. 6 Feb 1713 in Woodbridge, George Leith, and Ephraim Leith. James Leith was b. ca. 1685 in Newe Newlands, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the son of John Leith or Leath and Isobel Wyness. James and Ann moved to Shenandoah, VA, in 1721, where James died before 2 Nov 1768 (see article below). In his will he mentions his wife Miriam; therefore, Ann must have predeceased him. They may have also lived in Frederick County just north of Shenandoah County.

Ann received her father John’s land in Slingtaile Brook in 1713 when he died. Fords in the early days was called “Sling Taile” after a little stream which ran through the heart of the vicinity. No one seems to know exactly why this stream was so called. However, there are several legends. Some say it was so named because of the cows with slinging tails that grazed in the meadows through which the brook tumbled. Others, that it may have received its name because the boys in those days would sling skunks or muskrats they trapped from one shore to another by their tails. Nevertheless, Sling Taile is the name by which the town of Fords was originally known. Any one passing through the community today would see no sign of this running stream as it is piped underground.

The water which used to form the Sling Taile Brook runs under the Fords Streets beginning in a vicinity north of King George Road, in an area that at one time was the George Liddle farm, flowing in a south west direction under New Brunswick Avenue, beyond Lope's Restaurant, under the Lehigh Railroad, through the clay banks into Raritan River.

Third Generation

Children of John French Jr. and Mary Bonamy, 2.1

Note: This family and their descendants continue with FFA Chart #188.

3.1 Susannah French, b. 11 Jun 1706 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ [22]. She m. Benjamin Bloomfield, had at least 6 children, and d. May 1746 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ. She was named after her grandmother.

3.2* William French, b. 15 Jan 1707/1708 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ [22], d. Feb 1784 in Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ, when his will was proven and his estate appraised. He wrote his will on 13 Apr 1776 and mentions his sons John and William and not his wife nor his other son Lafford as they had both predeceased him. As his youngest brother, Joseph, was born in Raritan Landing, William remained in Raritan Landing for the rest of his life even though his brother Joseph moved to South Carolina.

William married Annetje Sebring on 28 Dec 1742 in Bond which location can be seen on a map elsewhere in this document. The bondsman for their marriage was Leffert Sebring, which might indicate the naming pattern for naming one of their sons Leffert. He was a sea captain.

William’s will was proven and his estate appraised in Feb 1784 [13]. A baptismal record was found for Leffert French, son of William and Annetje; however, his wife and Leffert were not mentioned in William's will because they predeceased William. He named his “eldest son John” and “son William” in his will. He left a bequest to William, “son of my brother Joseph.” From the New Jersey, Abstract of Wills, 1670-1817.

See p. 80 in “Rediscovering Raritan Landing” by Rebecca Yamin in 2011. The map is from Rutgers University if you want to enlarge it.

William, was born Jan 1708. A William French lived at Raritan Landing, Piscataway Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey, and had died by Feb 1784 when his will was proven and estate appraised. Documented proof that this William is the same man as William, s/o John Jr., has not been found; however, circumstantial evidence indicates they probably are the same man. William French married Annetje "ing, license dated Dec 1742, bondsman Leffert Sebring. She was baptized in 1708. A baptismal record was found for Leffert French, son of William and Annetje; however, his wife and Leffert were not mentioned in William's will. He named his “eldest son John” and “son William” in his will. He left a bequest to William, “son of my brother Joseph.” [13].

William m. Annetje Rappelyea ca. 1780 in Middlesex County, NJ, and had 4 children: Elizabeth, Ann, Mary, and Cornelius. Of importance to this genealogy is Cornelius’ move to Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, ca. 1807, where he was a physician in 1850, and d. 1863 – refer to www.findagrave.com.

Joseph Reade lives next door to William French. Joseph m. Ann French and she was the daughter of Philip French, born 1697 in NYC. She was b. 1705. FFA Chart #131.

Samuel Moore who lives next door to Joseph Reade was the first Sheriff of Middlesex County, NJ. On 5 Sep 1673 Samuel Moore was a witness for the will of Robert Vauquellin of Woodbridge

Rappelyea Family

The surname Rappelyea is also seen in FFA Chart #131 and FFA Chart #183. Many varieties of the spelling, including Rapalje.

Saertje Rappelyea, b. 7 Apr 1754 in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ, m. William French in 1780 at the New Brunswick Dutch Reformed Church in NJ; her husband William French was b. 1748 and d. 1812 in Raritan Landing, Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ.

William French II m. Sarah Rappelyea, dau. of Cornelius Rappelyea.

Saertje Rappelje was christened 15 Oct 1729 at the Millstone (Harlingen) Dutch Reformed Church in Montgomery township, Somerset, NJ, the dau. of Janneke Ten Eyk and Abraham Rappelje. Millstone is on the border of Somerset and Middlesex Counties.

Annetje Rappeljee was baptized 15 Apr 1730 in Millstone (Harlingen), Somerset, NJ, the dau. of Joris Rappeljee and Lena Jansen.

Jane Rappelyea was born 8 Mar 1774 and attended the Dutch Reformed Church in Millstone (Harlingen), Montgomery township, Somerset, NJ. She m. Robert T. French, the grandfather of the inventor of French’s Mustard, see FFA Chart #183.

Jannetje Rappelyea, b. 7 Nov 1730 of Somerset, NJ, d. 7 Feb 1777, daughter of Abraham Jacobse Rapalie. Jannetje m. William Gilbert Lane.

Saartje (Sarah) Rappelyea m. Frederick Bodine who was baptized 26 Apr 1709. The Bodine House in Raritan Landing, NJ, was sold to William French, the son of a sea captain. The Bodine House, 1281 River Rd., Raritan Landing, Piscataway, NJ. Peter Bodine, a Dutchman, built a 2-story house near the Raritan River in 1728. The house was sold in 1780 to William French, and he sold it in 1814 to Isaac Lawrence, as William French had died the year before.

3.3 Mary French, b. 4 Jun 1710 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ.

3.4 Sarah French, b. 25 Nov 1712 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ [22].

3.5* Joseph French, b. 1714 in Raritan Landing, Middlesex, NJ, d. 1790 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg, SC, m. Hannah Horn, dau. of Simon Horn and Sarah Olden, 3 Jan 1749 and had son Lafford / Lefford. Joseph was a shopkeeper.

“A” Joseph French was living in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1760 in the U.S. Census Reconstructed Records along with “a” Philip French. Both of these men were on a petition, 23 Mar 1758, in New Brunswick, to the House of Representatives from the inhabitants of the “Corporation of New Brunswick and plans adjacent” who quartered soldiers of 3 companies of the 11^th Regiment. Philip French d. Dec 1803 and is buried at Christ Church Episcopal Churchyard in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ. In the same cemetery was buried Catherine French on Jul 1769 – relationship unknown.

Raritan Landing is a historical unincorporated community located within Piscataway Township in Middlesex County, NJ, which was once an inland port, the farthest upstream point ocean-going ships could reach along the Raritan River, across from New Brunswick. It began in the early 18^th century and remained vital until the mid-19^th century when most of the port was abandoned. 
Joseph French is first documented in the southwestern part of North Carolina, Oct 1769, when he signs a petition. In Nov 1770 it is noted on the Field Return of the Regiment of Militia for Anson County that Lieut. Joseph French removed out of the county. A South Carolina land survey dated Jan 1773 mentions Joseph French land on branch of Pacolet. It is probable that Joseph had died before 1790. It is believed that this Joseph is the father of the documented French family living in the Northwest corner of South Carolina in the 1770's. It may be his widow who is shown as a female, age 45 and up, in the Lafford French household, 1800 US Census. Children of Joseph French and Hannah Horn are William, Joseph, Lafford, Sarah, Mary and Simon.

Children of Richard French and Elizabeth, 2.2

Children mentioned in their father’s will: Richard, John, Robert, Sarah (wife of Amos Butler), Elizabeth (wife of Samuel Anderson), and Joanna, Phebe, and Ann (last 3 daughters were under age).

3.6* Richard French Jr., b. 1717 in Springfield, Essex (now Union) Co., NJ, m1. Sarah ca. 1744 who 23 Mar 1763 and is buried at the New Providence Presbyterian Churchyard in New Providence, Union County, NJ, m2. Mercy North on 2 Mar 1766 in New Providence, Essex, NJ, she was b. ca. 1730. See FFA Chart #188. Richard d. 5 Dec 1798 in NJ.

Richard French and John French were involved in a counterfeiting ring in 1748 [5]. They turned themselves in with one Zerubabel North (mentioned in Richard’s father’s will) to the Essex Sheriff. In Zerubabel North's family, there was no Mercy or Marcy in the children, so I believe that Mercy is a sister or cousin of Zerubabel. New Jersey's total population in 1750 was about 70,000. It is unrealistic to expect to find many other surname North Families in the Colony [5]. Familysearch.org has 1 Zerubabel North, b. 1718 in Washington, RI.  BUT ergo, it stands to reason that Zerubabel North b. 1718 and Richard b. 1717 and his brother John are the same people in the counterfeiting ring in 1748 [5]. Richard and John were the two oldest sons of Richard French, b. ca. 1680-90. Other siblings were Sarah, Elizabeth, Robert, Samuel, Joanna, Phebe, and Annette. “A” Zorobabel / Zerabable French is listed in the 1790 and 1800 federal census in Kent Co., MD.

1748 Early August [27]

The following men voluntarily surrendered themselves to the Sheriff of Essex County, confessed their activities and were released on bond at the August session of the court. James Bruff, Aaron Miller, John Radley, Andrew Miller, Daniel Clark Jr., Josiah Winans, Zorobabel North, Daniel Perine, Joseph Marsh, John Roll, John French and Richard French. It is assumed they gave the names of others because 5 days after appearing before the court (on August 12), a warrant was issued for the arrest of the men in the next entry. 

1748 August 17 [27]

A whole ring of counterfeiters and passers of counterfeit bills were arrested and jailed. A warrant had been issued by Judge Robert Hunter Morris to Sheriff  John Kinney. The names of the arrested were: Timothy Conner, Seth Hall, Jonathan Hathaway, John Pipes, Job Allen, Andrew Morrison, Abraham Southerd, Samuel Blackford, Sylvanus Totten, David Brant, Abraham Hathaway, Jacobus Vanetta, John McNeal, Joshua Robins, Abraham Anderson, Robert Livingston, Court Timery, and Isaac Woortman.

Paragraph below is from Ref [28].

3.7 Sarah French, b. ca. 1719, married Amos Butler who was born 23 Nov 1701 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ. They had 3 daughters: Anna Butler, b. 1752 in Somerset Co., NJ; Phoebe Butler b. 23 Jul 1756 in Essex Co., NJ; and Sarah Butler, b. ca. 1758 in NJ.

3.8* John French, b. 1721 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, d. 1770 in Morris, Morris, NJ. He m. Mary and they had at least 4 children: John, David, Noah, and William.

3.9* Robert C. French, b. 16 Oct 1723 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, d. 15 Mar 1813 at the age of 89 in Elizabethtown, Essex (now Union), NJ, and was buried at the French-Richards Burying Ground in Westfield, Union, NJ. For more detail on descendants, see FFA Chart #187. Alongside Robert’s gravestone were 2 stones with the initials R.E.F. 1793 and R.H.F. 1794. At the time of these smaller stone deaths, Robert was about age 70; therefore, these were probably grandchildren who died at birth, children of Robert C. French’s son Robert, and children who fit precisely in between Robert’s children who lived (see Outline).

Marriages

Robert m1. Mary Willis who was born in 1726 and died in 1759 having had 5 young children.

Robert m2. Joanna Osborn who was born in 1735, the daughter of Henry Osborn and Margaret, and died in 1824. They married on 31 Dec 1761, shortly after Robert’s first wife died and when he was age 37 in Westfield, Union County, NJ, as per the Westfield NJ Presbyterian Church in Westfield, NJ [31].

They also had 5 children. She was buried near her son Philemon and his 2 daughters in the same cemetery. Her gravestone says she was the wife of Robert French.

Robert C. French died intestate. The origin of the initial "C" is unclear and possibly just came from a deed where the "C" was simply a stylized "X" for his signature.
Robert had land transactions in Essex Co. ca. 1779-85 in
NJ. In 1778-80 he was in the Revolutionary War census at Westfield and Springfield. Robert and Joanna Osborne French had land in Morris Twp, Morris Co., NJ - 9.5 acres of land which was sold to Elias Pierson 22 Apr 1805. The land was on the N side of Jockey Hollow Road, probably just NE of Passaic Twp. and just W of present day Springfield along the Morris - Union Co. border. Believed to be in or near the present day Morristown National Historic Park. The land was purchased by Robert and Joanna from John Morris on 15 May 1799. Turkey Twp where they lived is the same as New Providence Twp today. See http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jsfrench&id=I3694. FFA Chart #188.

Robert is mentioned in his father’s will of 17 Apr 1747. This line continues with FFA Chart #188.

Robert C. French died 15 Mar 1813 in Elizabeth, Union Co., NJ, and is buried at the French-Richards Burying Ground in Springfield, Union Co., NJ. Next to him are buried R.E.F. 1793 and R.H.F 1794 who may have been infant grandchildren. DNA Test 32005. Richard was the earliest French buried at the French-Richards cemetery in Springfield, Essex, NJ [36].

3.10 Elizabeth French, m. Samuel Anderson who was born ca. 1720.

3.11 Joanna French, born between 1744-1747 as she is listed in her father’s will as under age 3

3.12 Phebe French, born between 1744-1747 as she is listed in her father’s will as under age 3 (3 daughters unnamed under 3).

3.13 Ann/Annette French, born between 1744-1747 as she is listed in her father’s will as under age 3.

Fourth Generation

Children of William French and Annetje Sebring, 3.2

For details on all these children, see FFA Chart #188. A baptismal record was found for Leffert French, son of William and Annetje; however, his wife and Leffert were not mentioned in William’s will as Leffert had predeceased his father. William named his “eldest son John” and “son William” in his will. He left a bequest to William, “son of my brother Joseph.”

4.1 John French, b. 20 Oct 1743 in Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ, m. Garre Dinah Boice or Geradina Buys/Boice/Boyce on 16 Sep 1750 and had 9 children: Antje, Scyth, William, Mary, John, Nelly, Joseph, Garre, and Mary, all born near New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ. John d. 16 Sep 1812. This John French was probably the one who is listed on a petition on 7 Sep 1778 to the Governor from the inhabitants of Raritan Landing, Piscataway Township, Middlesex, NJ, asking that Rachel Wells be given a pass to go to her husband, James Wells. John French’s name was on a memorial, 30 Sep 1777, to the Council and General Assembly from inhabitants of Middlesex County concerning the “depreciated State of the Continental money”. See FFA Chart #188.

4.2 Leffert/Lafford French, baptized on 7 Aug 1745 in New Brunswick RD Church, Middlesex, NJ. He died before 1776 as his name was not mentioned in his father’s will of 1776.

It is highly suspected that Lafford married and had son Robert French, b. 24 Apr 1766 in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ, who m. Jane Rappelyea, a relative of Saertje Rappelyea who was the wife of Lafford’s brother William and also living in New Brunswick. Robert T. French was Lafford’s great-grandson, the founder of French’s Mustard, see FFA Chart #183. Jane Rappleyea was b. 19 Feb 1780 in New Brunswick, NJ, and d. 2 Feb 1863 in Ovid, NJ.

The connection between Lafford and Robert has not been proven:
Lafford French, baptized 7 Aug 1745 in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ, died before 1776.

Robert French, b. 24 Apr 1766 in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ, m. Jane Rappelyea.

Philip French, b. 1802 in Somerset County, NJ.

Robert Timothy French, b. 15 Nov 1828 in Tompkins County, NY, invented French’s Seeds.

Sons George, Robert, and Francis ran the company after their father died in 1893 and French’s Mustard was invented at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904.

4.3 William French II, b. Aug 1748 (as per gravestone) in Raritan Landing, Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ, d. 3 Jun 1810 in Raritan Landing, Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ. He m. Saertje Rappelyea (her second marriage) in 1780 in Middlesex County, NJ, and had 4 children: Elizabeth, Ann, Mary, and Cornelius. Their only son Cornelius had only one child, a daughter.

Saartje (Sarah) Rappelyea m1. to Frederick Bodine as his second wife and her first husband in 1731. Saartje was b. 30 Apr 1712 in Somerville, Somerset, NJ, and d. 19 Oct 1762. Frederick was baptized 26 Apr 1709 in Bridgewater, Somerset, NJ, m1. Elsie Borgart and had several children until he died Oct 1770. The Bodine family are known today by their Bodine House, 1281 River Rd., Raritan Landing, Piscataway, NJ. It was built by Peter Bodine, a Dutchman, born 1696 on Staten Island, Richmond, NY, who built the 2-story house near the Raritan River in 1728, only 7 years before he died. Frederick Bodine died in Oct 1770 in Bridgewater, Somerset, NJ. The Bodine House was sold in 1780 to William French, the son of a sea captain, after William French married Frederick’s widow, Saartje. The house was then sold in William French’s estate in 1814 to Isaac Lawrence, as William French had died.

BACKGROUND DATA as there are 2 women named Saertje, most likely changed to Sarah.

Saertje Rappelyea, b. 7 Apr 1754 in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ, m. William French in 1780 at the New Brunswick Dutch Reformed Church in NJ; her husband William French was b. 1748 and d. 1812 in Raritan Landing, Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ.

William French II m. Sarah Rappelyea, dau. of Cornelius Rappelyea.

Saertje Rappelje was christened 15 Oct 1729 at the Millstone (Harlingen) Dutch Reformed Church in Montgomery township, Somerset, NJ, the dau. of Janneke Ten Eyk and Abraham Rappelje. Millstone is on the border of Somerset and Middlesex Counties.

Annetje Rappeljee was baptized 15 Apr 1730 in Millstone (Harlingen), Somerset, NJ, the dau. of Joris Rappeljee and Lena Jansen.

William d. 3 Jun 1810 at 61 years 10 months or age. He was initially buried at the First Presbyterian Church in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ, and his remains were transferred to the Van Liew Cemetery sometime between Jan 17 and Mar 17, 1921. No grave marker. Sarah (Saartje) died on 6 Jul 1813 at 57 years 2 months of age. Her remains were also transferred. See FFA Chart #188.

Children of Joseph French and Hannah Horn, 3.5

4.4 Joseph French, b. 1749-1750 in NJ. See FFA Chart #188.

4.5 William French, b. before 7 May 1752 near New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ, m. Ann Richards. See FFA Chart #188.

4.6 Lefford (Lafford) French, b. ca. 15 Feb 1753 in Raritan Landing, NJ, d. 11 Sep 1834 in Rutherford County, NC, m1. Unk, m2. Elizabeth Gregory. His first wife had 9 children and his second wife had 3 children, all in the Spartanburg area of SC. He was a Revolutionary War Pensioner who entered service while living in Spartanburg district, South Carolina, was born 1753 in New Jersey and died Sep 1834 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. His first wife is unknown; they probably married 1779-1780. She died about 1805. He married, second, Elizabeth Gregory, Jan 1806, in Spartanburg District, South Carolina. Elizabeth was born about 1790 in South Carolina and died 1850-1860. The French family land was located on the north branch of the Pacolet River near the boundary line of the area then called Rutherford County, North Carolina (area is designated Polk County, North Carolina today). Affidavits found in Lafford's Revolutionary War Pension file state that he continued to live in the same neighborhood (on the North Pacolet River) until he moved his family to Rutherford County, North Carolina, about 1824. 
Documented children of Lafford's first marriage are Mary, William, Joseph, James, Moses, Ruth, Sarah, Elizabeth and Lefford, Jr. Documented child of his 2nd marriage is John who lived and died in the area of the original French land in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Census records indicate Lafford and Elizabeth had additional children. Probably Margaret who married Robert Ballard and a last child, a son named Berry, shown with Elizabeth in the 1850 Census. All of their children were born in South Carolina; but no names have been discovered for another girl and boy shown in their household on earlier census records. DNA Test 80527 and DNA Test 8805. See FFA Chart #188.

4.7 Sarah French, b. 17 Mar 1756 in NJ, m. Hugh Moore.

4.8 Mary French, b. ca. 1758 in NJ, m. William Moore.

4.9 Simon H. French, b. 29 Feb 1764 in NJ, d. before 4 Jul 1831 in Christian County, KY, and buried in the Askew Cemetery, Christian County, KY. He m. Mary A. Clark and had 8 children: Lewis and Pinckney were born in SC, and Andrew, Sarah, Mary, William, Isaac, and Susan were born in Christian County, KY. See FFA Chart #188.

Children of Richard French Jr. and Sarah, 3.6

For details, see FFA Chart #112.

4.10* Richard French, b. 1745 in NJ, d. before 5 Dec 1797 in Oldwick (formerly Germantown or New Germantown), Hunterdon County, NJ [17]. He m. Selletje (of Dutch heritage) (Ref [21] proves this generation. His siblings are believed to include Joseph (listed in records of the Zion Lutheran Church [21] ) and potentially Moses, listed in FFA Chart #22). They probably married ca. 1770. In 1797 “ye widow Selletje” married Wm. Lewis at the Zion Church in Oldwick, NJ.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oldwick, Hunterdon County, NJ, the oldest Lutheran church in NJ, founded in 1714.

Born Seletje Osterhout? 27 Sep 1741 NY http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=us%2fnewyork%2fbap%2f006103. Was she Seletje Oosterhout, b. 27 Sep 1741 in NY, had siblings Lodewijk, Johannes, Maria, and Anaatjen Oosterhout, all born in NY?

Selletje Koppes was born on 14 Sep 1751 in Ursem (Noorddijk), Holland, the dau. of Jacob Sijmensz Koppes and Maartje Crelis van ‘t Hoogland, Holland.

Selitie Day was born 21 Feb 1757 and baptized 20 Mar 1757 in the Dutch Reformed Church, Schraalenburg, Bergen, NJ.

Samuel Richards

Various men named Samuel Richards are listed in vital records of Leicestershire.

Samuel Richards and John French were born and lived in Lockington, Leicestershire, England (see Frenchtown, East of the River) and see Ref. [10] and [12] in Bibliography and Records.

Samuel Richards was born 24 Apr 1683 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, the son of John and Mary. He is listed in the Society of Friends (Quaker) Births, 1578-1841. April is listed as the 2^nd month in the old calendar.

Samuel Richards married 22 May 1713 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, to Ann Elliott. He is listed in the Society of Friends (Quaker).

Samuel Richards was born 16 Jan 1713 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, as a Presbyterian.

Samuel Richards died 29 Sep 1714 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England as a Presbyterian.

Samuel Richards died 17 Jul 1721 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, as a Quaker.

Samuel Richards m. 6 Oct 1754 to Elizabeth Winfield in Lockington, Leicester, England. He died only 14 years later on 9 Aug 1768 in Lockington, Leicester, England. Samuel’s widow, Elizabeth Richards, married Richard Annabell on 14 Jul 1771 in Lockington, Leicester, England. Richard Annabell was from Kegworth in Leicester, England. Kegworth is immediately next to Lockington.

Samuel Richards was baptized on 28 Feb 1756 in Lockington, Leicester, England, the son of Samuel Richards and Elizabeth. This is the last vital record of Samuel Richards in Leicestershire until 1822.

Charles Richards m. Sary Hoansson on 15 May 1684 in Kegworth, Leicester, England.

The French-Richards cemetery in Springfield, Union County, NJ, shows Samuel Richards’ gravestone as dying 11 Mar 1838 at age 82 years, 15 days, of Lockington, Leicestershire, England (birth place engraved on gravestone); thereby, born 1756, or 28 Feb 1756 as the record shows above.

“A” Mary Richards married William Draper on 2 Mar 1752 in Lockington, Leicester, England. She was probably Mary Richards who is buried in the same cemetery 15 May 1835, at age 69 years; thereby, born 1766 (inconsistent birthdates). Mary Richards was born 3 Apr 1791 in Lockington, Leicestershire, England, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Richards.

Samuel Richards appears on the 1810 August Tax List of Springfield, Essex County, NJ. “A” Samuel Richards appears on the 1850 census in Newark Ward 5, Essex, NJ, stating he was b. 1802, is 48, living with his wife Lucy Ann 41, and children Thomas E. 20, Marcus s. 18, James H. 12, Julia Ann 9, Emma L. 7, Frederick S. 5, Laura W. 2.

See the list of gravestones at the French-Richards Burying Ground in Springfield, Union County, NJ. About 45 burials; 6 are French, 14 are Richards, and the others are Abell, Denman, Foster, Hand, Howell, Hoyt, Lanskey, Parsell, and Quick. A puzzling factor in this scenario is that the Abell family were from Lockington, Leicestershire, England between 1600-1630 who immigrated prior to Oct 1630 to the Massachusetts Bay. Robert Abell was an early settler of Weymouth and Rehoboth, MA. John French of Northampton appears in the same area.

The 1830 census of Springfield, Essex, NJ, shows Samuel Richards as age 70-79, living with a total of 6 white people in the household.

Samuel Richards’ ancestor (probably a generation back) was a friend of Richard French together in England, but immigrated almost a century later. Samuel Richards built The American Hotel in 1837 at 106 E. Main Street and Farragut Avenue in the Mays Landing section of Hamilton township, Atlantic County, NJ. He was part of the Batsto Iron Dynasty, which is in Batsto, Atlantic County, NJ. Twelve early members of the Richards family are buried at the Batsto-Pleasant Mills Cemetery in Pleasant Mills, Atlantic County, NJ.

November 29th 1831, by act of Legislature, the Mount Hope Mining Company was incorporated, the incorporators being Samuel Richards, Moses Phillips, Samuel G. Wright and Thomas S. Richards. The capital stock was fixed at $60,000. In April previous Moses Phillips had conveyed to Samuel Richards and Samuel G. Wright a two-thirds interest in the tract of 831 acres, and two- thirds of all the minerals in the adjoining lands, owned by him at the time. After the incorporation of the company all three of the owners conveyed to the company, which has ever since been the owner. The stock has changed hands, but no transfers have been made by ordinary deeds of conveyance. By supplements to its charter the company was allowed to build a railroad to Rockaway (which was done), to construct furnaces, mills, etc., and to increase its capital stock to $300,000.

Richard, b. ca. 1775 (fifth generation), lived in New Jersey until at least 1809 as his son Moses was born 27 Mar 1809 in Walpack, Sussex, NJ, and then moved to Cross Creek, Washington Co., PA, where he is listed in the 1810 census, age 26-44 (born 1766-1784), with a total of 5 in the family, including a son under 10, 2 daughters under 10, and his wife age 26-44.

4.11 Joseph French, b. ca. 1740, m. Eleanora and had a daughter named Eleanora [21] who was born 15 May 1771, record found at the Zion Church in Germantown, now Oldwick, an unincorporated community in NJ. Zion Lutheran Church in Oldwick was the oldest Lutheran parish in NJ.

Ref [21] is a proven source to indicate this line goes back to Richard and Selletje French. Ref [21] also lists “a” Joseph French who probably was this Richard’s brother, as he also had a child born and christened about the same time in the same church. That child is Eleonora French, born 15 May 1771 and baptized on 17 Aug 1771 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Oldwick, NJ, as the daughter of Joseph French and his wife Eleanora, plus Eleanora Sander who may be his wife or a witness. Adam Sander and his wife Mary are also listed as members of this church [21]. No death records were found for either a French or Sander.

There was also a French family who attended the First Baptist Church of Trenton and Lamberton, Hunterdon Co., NJ between 1805 and 1823. Their names were Richard and his wife Mary, and Charlotte.

Children of John French and Mary, 3.8

4.12 John French, b. 2 Mar 1749 in Morristown, Middlesex, New Jersey. He served as a sergeant in Captain O'Hara's Company of Colonel Cornelius Van Veghten. He also served as a member of General George Washington's Life Guard. In the Battle of Stony Point (a.k.a. Ver Planck's Point), he received a bayonet wound in the left hand. In 1779 [October of 1780?] he was out to Fort Stanwix under the command of Captain Phillips and states that while there, they were sent out on an assignment during which they were ambushed and but four of the detachment were killed or taken; John received a scalp wound in the skirmish, but was able to escape by killing his assailant.

4.13 David French, b. ca. 1748 in NJ.

4.14 Noah French, b. 28 Feb 1754 in Elizabethtown, Essex, NJ, d. 14 Nov 1843 in Hermon, St. Lawrence, NY, m1. Mary Rolfe on 9 Mar 1770 in Morristown, Morris, NJ, and had the following children by his first wife: Jemima, Henry, Sarah, Eunice, Rolfe who were born in Turkey, Essex, NJ. Noah m2. Joanna Campbell 19 Oct 1786 and had the following children: Mary, John, Alexander, Noah, Johanna, Elias, and George, in Mendham, Newton, NJ, and in Willsborough, NY. For details on Noah’s descendants, see FFA Chart #188 and FFA Chart #19.

Noah French enlisted in the Fall of 1775 and served at various times amounting to two years as a Private and Express Rider under Captains Peter Layton, Stephen Day, David Bates, and Jeremiah Dunn. He enlisted again on June 12, 1788 as an Ensign under Captain Dunn and Colonel Nathan Luse, and again on October 13, 1789 as a Captain under Captain Dunn and Colonel Luse. Noah's final enlistment was on June 5, 1793 as a Captain in the Sussex County (New Jersey) Militia. During the Revolutionary War, Noah engaged in the Battles of Middlebrook, Newark, and Springfield (New Jersey). [Source: Noah French Military and Pension files, National Archives, Washington, D.C.]



Noah lived at Morristown, NJ during the Revolution. Enlisted and served two years, first as a private and express rider of Light Horse in Captain Dunn's company, New Jersey Lin, under Colonel Ludlum. After the war he moved to Mendham, NJ, and thence to Bridgeport [sic], VT. About 1802 he moved to Essex Co, NY, and it was while there that he made application for and received his pension. Filed with his application for pension is a leaf torn from his family Bible, which records his two marriages and the children of each marriage. [Source: Colonial & Revolutionary Lineage of America, Volume 3, page 211]

4.15 William French, b. ca. 1755 in NJ, d. May 1832 in Morris County, NJ, m. Sarah and had children John and Thomas in Morris County, NJ. For details on William’s descendants, see FFA Chart #188.

William French, b. ca. 1755 in NJ, m. Sarah and had sons John French (who married Phebe and had 4 daughters) and Thomas French, see http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jsfrench&id=I0966.

The inhabitants were very patriotic during the Revolution. In the roster of Continental troops we find the names of Micajah Dunn, lieutenant-colonel ; John Dunn and Samuel Randolph, majors ; Thompson Stelle, Hugh Dunn and Jacob Van Deventer, captains : Jere. Field, lieutenant, and Benjamin and Richard Field, William French, David, Benjamin and Nathaniel Martin ; James Bishop, John Langstaff, Robert Kip ; Daniel, Benjamin and Jere. Dunn ; Hendrick Smock, John Shippey, Peter Schenck, Henry Fouratt, Andrew and David Manning, Charles Suydam, Richard Merrill, John Smalley, Joseph Stelle, Henry Sutton, Jonathan Sharp, Simon Van Nortwick, James Woodin, Samuel Walker, Thomas Webster and Samuel Whitehead. The British troops occupied Piscataway, Woodbridge, Bonhamtown, Six Mile and Middlebush from December 2, 1776, till June 22nd of the following year. On the last named day they retreated, by way of Piscataway, to Perth Amboy, burning many houses and barns, and robbing the people in the course of their march [8].

Children of Robert C. French and first wife Mary Willis, 3.9

See details at FFA Chart #188.

4.16 Willis French, b. ca. 1745 in Westfield, Essex/Union, NJ.

4.17 David A. French, b. 6 Feb 1747 in Somerset Co., NJ, d. 8 Oct 1838 in Essex/Union Co., NJ. 1830 Starkey, Yates Co., NY, p.259, 1m 80-90 (David), 1m 90-100 (unknown, possibly related to Sarah), 1f 10-89 (Sarah). He was a Private in Somerset County in the NJ Militia in the Revolutionary War. He is buried at the United Methodist Cemetery and Memorial Garden, New Providence, Union, NJ. He m. Sarah Wilcox or Willcocks on 30 May 1776 in New Providence, Essex, NJ, and had the following 10 children, all born in Essex County, NJ.

Benjamin French, b. 7 Nov 1776, m. Polly Collard.
Mary Polly French, b. 21 Mar 1778, m. David Hays.
Willis French, b. 18 Feb 1780, m. Hannah Hetfield.
Levi French, b. 3 May 1782, m. Fanny Dunham.
Sarah French, b. 15 Sep 1784, m. James Williamson.
David French, b. 30 Jan 1786, m. Margaret Noe.
Cornelius French, b. 15 Jun 1789, m. Sally Winans, burial
Elizabeth French Corwin, b. 19 Jul 1794, m. John Corwin, burial
Phebe French, b. 1 Jul 1794, m. Moses Moore.
Nancy French Littell, b. 9 Aug 1797, m. Moses S. Littell, burial

From “Genealogies of the First Settlers of Passaic Valley” by John Littell, 1981.

For details, see the cemetery at www.findagrave.com. Another website states he m. Patience. Burial of wife Sarah Wilcox French. Both Patience and Sarah French are buried at the Scotch Plains Baptist Church Cemetery in Scotch Plans, Union County, NJ.

See an article in the Genealogical Magazine of NJ (my notes are unclear, it may be NY, V 3-10-11, and also David French's Bible in possession of the Wixson family at Dundee, Yates Co., NY. Grace Wixson notes that the Bible records are also on file at the DAR.Further ref: History of Union & Essex Cos., NJ, Cleveland's History of Yates Co, NY. David lived at French's Corners (aka Eddytown and Lakemont NY) currently Yates Co. in 1794. The moved from Connecticut Farms (Union NJ) to the Passaic Valley
NJ 1778-80 Rev.War census at Springfield, Essex Co.The DAR application of Laura Snodgrass Searles, a descendant, claims that the ancestors of David A. came from Northamptonshire, England - this reference is from Ricord and refers to the family of Thomas Ffrench of Burlington Co., NJ - not our line. Stacy L. Jackson's History of Cameron, NY: "David French was born in New Jersey Feb. 6, 1747. He married Sarah Wilcox who was born Oct 8, 1745. They settled in Starkey, now Schuyler Co., in 1794, being among the first settlers at that point. They had at least one son, Benjamin, who was born 1771, and married Mary Conklin (actually Collard).

He m. Sarah Willcocks on 30 May 1776 in New Providence, Essex, NJ. She was b. 8 Oct 1755 in New Providence, Essex, NJ. They had 10 children: Benjamin, Mary, Willis, Levi, Sarah, David, Cornelius, Elizabeth, Phebe, and Nancy.

David French came from Connecticut Farms, now Union, and settled about one mile east of David Smalley's, Esq. He had a brother, John French, who lived where Thomas Conn now does, who sold out to Mr. Conn, and went to the lakes, New York. David French married, 30 May 1776, Sarah Willcox, daughter of William, son of Peter Willcocks, Sen., and had children [22]: (See also French’s, a USGenWeb Project).

Benjamin, married Polly Collard, daughter of Benjamin Collard.
Polly married David Hays, of Westfield.
Willis married Hannah Hetfield, daughter of Moses, of Westfield. Children: Betsey, Sarah m. Barzilla Ayers, Moses Hetfield m. Betsey Cole, David A. m. Margaret Wood, Mary m. Henry Frazee.
Levi married Fanny Dunham, daughter of John Jr., went to the lakes.
Sally married James Williamson, of Monmouth County.
David, Jr., married, 2 Nov l809, Margaret Noe, daughter of Lewis Noe. Children: Huma m. William Drake, Phinehas m. Mary Emeline Oswalk, Lewis Noe, Pheve m. David Coulter, Harriet m. Benjamin Lollard, Margaret m. Frederick Bryant, Maria, Sally Anne, Hetty Jane.
Cornelius married Sally Winans, above Morristown, and went to the lakes.
Betsey married Jolm Corwin, son of Stephen.
Phebe married Moses Moore, son of Isaac Moore.
Nancy married Moses S. Littell, son of Master Benjamin Littell; went to the lakes.

4.18 Naomi French, b. ca. 1749 in Westfield, Essex/Union, NJ.

4.19 Rebecca French, b. ca. 1750 in Westfield, Essex/Union, NJ, m. Joseph Horton on 12 May 1771 according to the Westfield Presbyterian Church Records in Westfield, NJ [31].

4.20* Robert French, b. 1752 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, called the “Scout” probably for his participation in the Revolutionary War [10]. He was born 7 years before his mother Mary Willis died in 1759. He d. 28 Feb 1830. His will is fund on record in book “E”, page 291, at the Newark, NJ, Surrogate’s Office. For continuation, see FFA Chart #188 and FFA Chart #21.

Robert m. Rachel (Drew) Osborne on 25 Jun 1786 according to the Westfield Presbyterian Church Records in Westfield, NJ. She was a widow with one son (maiden name was Drew). Robert and Rachel had several sons themselves. Robert d. 28 Feb 1830. Rachel was b. 1752 and d. 8 Jul 1827, age 75. She was a sister of John Drew, b. 1754, d. 1828, age 74. John Drew had son Rufus Baldwin Drew (a brother to Rachel Drew), b. 20 Apr 1803 who m. Mary Ann Buck. They had daughter Mary Ann Drew, born 1836 who married Barney Ballard French, FFA Chart #203. The relationship between Robert French and Barney Ballard French is unknown.

During the Revolutionary War period, 1776-1781, there was continual fighting in Westfield, Elizabeth Town, Perth Amboy, New Brunswick, Woodbridge, Piscataway, Connecticut Farms, and Springfield [4]. The following article is from Ref. [4] in Bibliography and Records.

Robert and Rachel French were buried at the French-Richards Burying Ground in Westfield, Union, NJ, with a total of 38 altogether. Rachel d. 8 Jul 1827, age 75. Robert d. 28 Feb 1830, age 78. See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GScid=2129268.

Children of Robert C. French and second wife Joanna Osborne, 3.9

4.21 Anderson French, b. 24 Oct 1763 in Springfield, Essex, NJ. In 1790 Anderson French is listed in Elizabeth Township, Essex County, NJ as a name on 1 of 9 petitions to the Council from inhabitants/freeholders of Elizabeth Township in Essex County asking repeal of the act that incorporated the wards of Elizabethtown, Rahway, Springfield, and others. William French was also on that list, but his relationship is unknown. Robert French was also on that list, and in 1790 his father was still alive. Anderson’s brother Joseph French was also on this list. Anderson married and had daughter Lucy who m. James Conklin and had no children [22]. Albert Crane was b. 17 Mar 1804 and married a daughter of Anderson French of Westfield [22].

4.22 Aaron French, b. 16 Sep 1764 in Westfield, Essex/Union, NJ, noted from the New Providence formerly Turkey Presbyterian Church in New Providence, Union, NJ. Another man named Aaron French was born on Feb 1767 in NJ and d. in Bradford County, PA, who is unrelated. Another record shows Aaron marrying Mary Ayers on 28 May 1797 in Sussex, NJ. No further data has been researched on this line, nor if the above data is correct or not.

4.23 Joseph P. French, b. 25 Dec 1767 in Westfield, Essex/Union, NJ. He m. Hannah-Anna Robertson and had son Samuel French, b. 18 Aug 1788 in Westfield, Essex/Union, NJ, d. 1862 in Warren Co., OH, and married 3 times.

Joseph P. French m1. Eliza Meeker, m2. Nancy Ann Brandenburg, m3. Nancy Sibbert and had son Samuel S. French, b. Jun 1829 in Warren Co., OH. For more detail on descendants, see records for FFA Chart #187 and genealogy for FFA Chart #187.

Joseph was born 25 Dec 1767 in Westfield, Essex/Union, NJ, and married Hannah-Anna Robertson, b. 25 Feb 1768 in Westfield. She died after 1845, but in Fayette Co., PA, not in Warren, OH.

Checking the original of this 1820 census, 

2 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1

Ancestry.com transcribed this correctly, plus the head of household is engaged in Agriculture. So, after finding this 1820 census of S French, ancestry.com matched it up with 5 others using the name “Samuel”, but these are all of a Samuel French who lived in Randolph Co., IN, who was b. 1790 and d. 1858.  

Joseph P. French had son Daniel French, b. 9 Aug 1791 in NJ, who m. Amy Tingle on 25 Feb 1819 in Lebanon, Warren, OH, and they had 7 children. Daniel d. 9 Apr 1843 in Shelby, IN. Daniel French was a brick mason and built a beautiful brick hotel on one of the main highways in Warren County, OH [18]. He had son John French, b. 1812 in Warren County, IN, who ties into FFA Chart #187.

In Wright's newspaper extracts:

Maryland Advocate
Nov. 4, 1826
“Allegany Equity Court - Robert French agnst Samuel French and others. Object of bill is to obtain decree for sale of lot westward of Fort Cumberland of which Joseph French, of Allegany Co. died, seized or possessed, intestate, leaving children: Robert French, Samuel French, Phebius French, Daniel French, David French, Mary French, Joseph French, and Anna French, and a widow Annah French. Phebius m David Ruttan of Allegany co who died leaving two children her heirs, Peter and Daniel Ruttun under the age of 21 and who now res in Allegany co. Mary French m Matthew Molar who lives in Fayette Co. Pa. Anna French m Benjamin Johnson, live in Ohio. Anna French m Ephram Vansicke, lives in Pa. Samuel French, Daniel French, David French, Joseph French do not res. in State of Md.”

Joseph’s children were:
Robert J. French, b. 1787
Samuel French, b. 1788
Phebe French, b. 1789
Daniel French, b. 1791
Elizabeth French, b. 1793
David French, b. 1793
Mary Jane French, b. 1795
Joseph French, b. 1797
Anna Annie French, b. 1799

4.24 Philemon Elias French, b. Oct 1773 in Springfield, Essex, NJ. He m. Temperance Blair, b. Apr 1776 in NJ, d. 11 Jul 1856. Philemon d. in 1860 and is buried in the Wayne Village Cemetery in Wayne Village, Schuler County, NY. The inscription on his gravestone stays he was aged 86 years & 9 months, Beloved Father thou art great, To enjoy thy promised rest, In heaven before thy Saviour, To be forever blessed. He had children Maria (1805-1882) and Joanna (1807-1892), both whom married Swarthout men. Temperance was b. 1776 and d. in 1856. He was buried along the road, near 2 daughters who married Swarthout men and his mother, Joanna French. Temperance Blair French was buried in Buck Settlement Cemetery outside of Bath, NY, with her son Elias French (1799-1882) who m. Abigail, and her grandson Henry Spence French who d. 21 Aug 1871.

4.25 John J. French, b. 18 Sep 1778 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, m. Rebecca Enslee on 8 Sep 1800 in Morristown, Morris, NJ, and had 9 children born in NJ and NY. None were born in Ohio and none were named John.

Fifth Generation

Children of Robert French “the Scout” and Rachel Drew Osborne, 4.20

5.1 Isaac French, b. 19 Jan 1787 in Springfield, Essex, NJ, d. 7 May 1872 in Westfield, Union, NJ, and was buried at the Presbyterian Church Burial Grounds in Westfield, Union, NJ. He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church in Westfield, NJ, in 1848. He was an older brother of Jacob, born in Frenchtown, NJ, but moved to Westfield shortly after his marriage. He was the father of Robert French III, who is buried at the French-Richards Burying Ground, who died in 1813. Nearby stones are R.E.F. 1793 and R.H.F 1794, who are suspected of being Robert’s grandchildren who may have died as infants.

Isaac m. Mary L. Davis in 1812, the daughter of Elder Jacob Davis and granddaughter of John Davis, a pioneer of Westfield. Mary Davis was b. 4 Apr 1796, d. 1879 [22]. Isaac’s son was Robert III, b. 14 Sep 1814, d. 1901, and lived on Clark Street in Westfield, NJ. This house was then inherited by his son James. Isaac is in the 1860 census of Westfield, Union, NJ, age 73. For continuation, see FFA Chart #188 and FFA Chart #21.

From “Commemorative History of Presbyterian Church in Westfield, New Jersey, 1728-1928”, pages 206, 347 [31].

Children of Isaac and Mary (Davis) French [22]:

Robert, b. 24 Sep 1814, m. Phebe Mooney and had children Mary Elizabeth, Isaac Halsey, Richard, James, Phebe [22]. He was Robert III and lived on Clark Street in Westfield, NJ. This house was then inherited by his son James. 

Catherine French b. 7 Dec 1817, m. William Woodruff.

Mary D. French, b. 23 Dec 1822, m. Benjamin Woodruff Jr. in 1845.

Jacob Davis French, m. Lydia Pierson of Westfield. Jacob French Jr. m. Lydia S. Pierson on 4 Oct 1848 according to the Westfield Presbyterian Church Records in Westfield, NJ. Jacob was a trustee of this church between 1859-1879 [31].

From “Commemorative History of Presbyterian Church in Westfield, New Jersey, 1728-1928”, pages 219, 230, 232, and 233 [31].

5.2 Abigail French, b. 6 Jan 1788 in Springfield, Essex, NJ.

5.3 Charlotte French, b. 11 Aug 1792 in Springfield, Essex, NJ.

5.4 Abraham French, b. 24 Jul 1793 in Springfield, Union Co., NJ, and buried 14 Oct 1826 in Springfield, buried with 38 family members in the French-Richards Burying Ground in Springfield. He was only 34 years old.

Abraham m. Catherine Baldwin who was b. 27 Feb 1802 in Cheapside, Essex, NJ, the daughter of David Baldwin and Elizabeth Reeve of Essex County, NJ. She d. 3 Feb 1885. Abraham and Catherine had son Abraham Morris French, b. 2 Oct 1826 in Springfield, Union, NJ, who d. 10 Sep 1908 in Brooklyn, Kings County, NY. Abraham, the father, died only 12 days after his son was born. Abraham Morris French lived most of his life in Chatham, Morris County, NJ. He m. Abby B. Morehouse and had children David B. French, 1852-1920; Antoinette M. French, 1853; and Abram Morris French Jr. 1858.

Catherine Baldwin French m2. Andrew Miller Camp, and had a dau. Harriet Elizabeth Camp who died at age 4.

The surnames Drew and Baldwin are also found in FFA Chart #203, Abraham French and his son Barney Ballard French, but the connection cannot yet be found [22].

5.x R.I.F. and P.H.F. (Robert and Philip?) Most likely 2 infants were born and died at birth, R. I. F., died 1793, P. H. F. died 1794 as seen by 2 gravestones beside their grandfather’s gravestone. See French-Richards Burying Ground in Springfield, NJ.

5.5 Jacob French, b. 17 Sep 1796, d. 13 Oct 1879 and is buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, Union, NJ. He m. Sarah Clark who was b. 9 Feb 1802 and d. 2 Feb 1881. Jacob French m. Sarah Clark 17 Sep 1822 according to the Westfield Presbyterian Church Records in Westfield, NJ. See his burial. See more burials in Westfield. For continuation, see FFA Chart #188 and FFA Chart #21.

Jacob was baptized at the age of 43 on Jun 7, 1840 [31].

See Ref. [4], page 10, in Bibliography and Records. An early Colonial settler in Westfield, NJ, was Jacob French. See Ref. [4], page 10, in Bibliography and Records. See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GSln=French&GSiman=1&GScnty=1926&GSsr=41&

5.6 Mary French, b. 1801 in NJ, d. 25 Apr 1877 in NJ and is buried at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Newark, Essex County, NJ. She m. Abner Ball Burnett and had 2 daughters.

French Charts of DNA Group 1

First see Cross-Reference Page.

Chart # Name
#16 Joseph P. French, b. 1812, SC, AL, TX – check #184
#19 Noah French, b. 1796, NY – links to Chart #188
#21 Aaron French, b. 1767, NJ, son of Moses French following, d. Sheshequin, PA.
#22 Moses French, b. 1735 in Sussex County, NJ.
#28 John Morgan French, b. 1811, SC, TN, MS
#36 Hugh French, b. 1636, lived in Northern VA.
#41 Otho French, b. 1707, and William Morgan French, b. 1807, Baltimore, MD
#112 Richard French, b. 1775 in Springfield, Middlesex, NJ
#131 Philip French, b. 1640, lived in NY and NJ
#179 Jeremiah French, b. 1759, lived in Morris, NJ, and Middlebury, Tioga, PA.
#183 Robert French, b. 1766 in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ
#184 Samuel French Sr., b. ca. 1725, lived in Anson County, NC
#187 John French, b. 1812 in Ohio
#188 John French, b. 1647 in England, immigrated to NJ
#189 William M. French, b. 1806, connected to Chart #41.
#191 Jeremiah French, b. 1752 in Amwell, Hunterdon, NJ

Bibliography and Records

[1] New Jersey Colonial Documents, Calendar of Records in the Office of the Secretary of State, 1664-1703, edited by William Nelson, in Paterson, NJ, 1890. Website:

https://archive.org/stream/calendarofrecord21newj/calendarofrecord21newj_djvu.txt

East Jersey Records, p. 1-338, where Woodbridge is located.
West Jersey Records, p. 339-540
Surveys, mostly Salem, 1676-1706, p. 541-end

French. John. 15, 28. 205, 222. 283 = all in East Jersey
Richard. 361, 444. 504. 509. 513 = all in West Jersey
Sarah, wife of Richard. 513 = West Jersey
Susannah, wife of John, 205, 222 = East Jersey
Thomas. 353. 362, 364-6, 369, 374. 380, 397. 444, 452, 468 = West Jersey
Thomas. senior. 455 = West Jersey

Note: No early Susanna is mentioned in these records; therefore, her surname remains unknown.

[2] John settled near Springfield, Essex (now Union) Co.; Elston (or Alden?) Marsh French, Plainfield, N. J., and others of that vicinity, are desc. of Richard.

[3] Thomas the Quaker, and John the Brickmason and Presbyterian, lived quite a distance from each other in NJ; therefore, the John French who was related to Thomas French is not the same line. The Quaker lived in Burlington and the Brickmason lived in Middlesex. In fact, in Middlesex, John lived in the most northern town; namely Woodbridge, quite close to Staten Island.

The relationship between the counties of Middlesex and Burlington can be seen below. Different French lines lived in these 2 counties.

[4] The Olde Towne, 1700-1894, a brochure of Westfield, NJ, by Robert V. Hoffman, 1937. Website: http://interactive.ancestry.com/11213/dvm_LocHist002362-00006-0/9?backurl=http://person.ancestry.com/tree/7301770/person/6132988301/facts/citation/105243824140/edit/record#?imageId=dvm_LocHist002362-00004-0

[5] Richard French, email: dickfrench37@gmail.com descends from Richard’s son Moses. Per DNA tests, this line is closely related to Aaron French, Chart #21. Richard’s website: http://dickfrench.tripod.com/. Richard has long been baffled as to the father of "my" earliest known predecessor- Richard, b. 1775, first found at Walpack, Sussex NJ. in 1793 on the Militia eligible list. I think I have -at long last- reached a theory that withstands objective analysis. I'd appreciate your thoughts. My Y DNA has proven to be identical- 37/37 - to Philemon French b. 1774, son of Robert French and Joanna Osborne. Richard b. 1775 is not a known son of Robert. The Y-DNA is a paternal trait, So Philemon and Richard need to be from the same family. Richard b. 1775 left possible clues as to his heritage in naming his children. In the Dutch communities, it is common to name for the grandparents. Richards first wife is Easter Scrossman according to the DRC records. She died ~1794. His second wife is Elizabeth Van - Auken or Vlerah or Vlerah, depending on looking at State/Van Auken family? DRC records. However; The girls in "my" Richard family are Seletie, Caty, Susana, Mary and Sarah. Selitie- I think for his step-mother, married to Richard French at New Germantown, now Oldwick. Dick French in Carson City, NV. 1108 W. Washington St. Carson City, NV 89703. 775-883-0215.

[6] History of Morris County, New Jersey, website: http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924028828386/cu31924028828386_djvu.txt.

[7] A History of Thomas and Anne Billopp Farmar, and some of their descendants in America, by Charles Farmar Billopp, MCMVII, New York. Website: http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofthomasa00lcbill/historyofthomasa00lcbill_djvu.txt.

Note that FFA Chart #131 has descendants of the Farmar, French, and Billopp families.

[8] The History of Middlesex County, NJ, 1664-1920, under the associate editorship of John P. Wall and Harold E. Pickersgill.

[9] The History of Elizabeth, New Jersey, including the Early History of Union County, by Rev. Edwin F. Hatfield, D. D., 1868. Website: http://interactive.ancestry.com/11290/dvm_LocHist002304-00032-0/58?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fgst%3d-6&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults&rc=1423,3069,1748,3138;1746,3059,2027,3124#?imageId=dvm_LocHist002304-00001-1.

[10] The History of Union County, New Jersey, 1664-1923, by A. Van-Doren Honeyman, 1923. Website: http://interactive.ancestry.com/11426/dvm_LocHist002457-00015-1/26?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fgst%3d-6&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults&rc=802,1394,1149,1449#?imageId=dvm_LocHist002457-00501-1

This book is “full” of information on this line, but it does indicate on the right-hand side of p. 178, that Richard French was from Leicestershire.

Robert Merton French, b. 1853, d. May 1919.

[11] History of the town of Westfield, Union County, NJ, by Charles a. Philhower, 1923.

[12] John’s father might have also been named John French -- he began his apprenticeship on 14 Aug 1634. This record is from the London Apprenticeship Abstracts, 1442-1850, and found on www.findmypast.com. No relationship to the brick mason can be found.

A total of 63 inhabitants with the surname French are listed in Leicestershire on www.findmypast.com between 1600-1680. Perhaps noteworthy to this line, considering the names John and Richard, “a” John French m. Agnes Paybody on 22 Oct 1607 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Another John French was an apprentice in 1652 as a Pewterer in a Livery Company. Kinge Daniel, son of William, in Witherley, Leicestershire, gave to John French on 26 Feb 1651/2, a Pewterers’ Company. This record is from the London Apprenticeship Abstracts, 1442-1850, and found on www.findmypast.com.

“A” Samuel Richards was born on 24 Apr 1683 in Leicester to John and Mary.
“A” Samuel Richards was born 16 Jan 1713 in Leicester, a Presbyterian.
“A” Samuel Richards married 22 May 1713 in Leicester to Ann Elliot.
“A” Samuel Richards died 29 Sep 1714 in Leicester.
“A” Samuel Richards died 17 Jul 1721 in Leicester.
“A” Samuel Richards married on 7 Oct 1754 to Elizabeth Winfield in Lockington, Leicestershire, England.

Records jump to the year 1822, showing that part of the family may have immigrated to the New World.

[13] Jeanette S. French, fjrench1@earthlink.net, who researched and submitted her dedicated husband’s ancestry of John French, the brick mason, website: FFA Charts #188.

[14] Regarding the Farmar family who appear with the French family in FFA Charts #188, FFA Chart #131 and #183. It seems quite evident that FFA Chart #131 and #183 are connected.
Phillipus French, b. 1697 in NYC, who married 2^nd, Anna Farmar - only their first child, Phillipus, was baptised in the New York Dutch Reformed Church. Their other children are documented in the New Brunswick Dutch Reformed Church and include 2 additional sons, one of whom is also documented in the records of the Rev War. Anne Billopp Farmar was the 11^th child of Col. Thomas Farmar and Anne Billop. All children of Col. Thomas and Anna Billop Farmar are as follows per Ref. [7]. They had 9 sons consecutively, followed by 3 daughters.

Jasper Farmar, lived in NY
Christopher Farmar
Thomas Billopp Farmar, b. 1711 in Perth Amboy, NJ, lived on Staten Island
Brooke Samuel Farmar
Edward Farmar
Robert Adolphus Farmar, b. 1717
Samuel Farmar, m. Christina Peck of NYC
William Penn Farmar, unmarried
John Farmar, born after 1702, unmarried
Mary Brooke Farmar, m. Paul Miller
Anne Billopp Farmar, b. 1723, m. Philip French, issue 1 son and 1 daughter
Elizabeth Farmar, m. Dr. William Farquar of New Brunswick, NJ.

[15] Julia French Wood, Email: JULIAFWOOD@aol.com.

[16] A query from Dierck Beardsley, 4 Mar 2014, on the Leicestershirevillages.com website, http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/leicester/history-forum.html?topic=471740. The Will of Susanna Bent who died in 1747, wrote "ffirst I give and devise all that my one quarter of land with the appurtenants lying and being dispersedly in the common and open ffields or Arnesby in the county of Leicester now in the occupation of richard ffren (at the end of the name ffren there is a small line/squiggle which was often used to indicate missing letters) (also note the use of the ff instead of F). It was only when I deciphered the word occupation that it then came clear that what followed was a persons name and not a place. I googled the name Richard fren-Arnesby and came up with your query. I am fairly sure now that your forebear once rented land owned by my forebears. If you are interested you can find a copy of the will in Ancestry but if you are unable to find it I can send you by email a blown up copy of the particular page. It doesn't add anything else but it is always interesting to find links as to what our forebears did. I note that the Richard French you are interested in went to America earlier that 1747 but Arnesby was very small so i am sure he was a relative. Susanna Bent was b. ca. 1663 and d. 1 Jul 1747 in Gilmorton, Leicestershire, England.

[17] General Lassie, aka Hutchy, generalassie@aol.com, website in Dec 2008:
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=laffordfrench&id=I12921

GeneraLassie’s website on Lafford French – NJ to TX, generalassie@aol.com (no longer good), new email: Hutchy, tutorsontap@yahoo.com. website: (note that there are many errors in this genealogy)
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=laffordfrench&id=I12921.

[18] Janet French Crisp, cdaero@theofficenet.com.

[19] Another descendant of this line was Aaron French, b. 1739, d. 1805, and was buried in the Amity Presbyterian Cemetery in Amity, Washington County, PA. His son was Ezekiel French, born 17 Jun 1775 in Essex County, NJ, and d. 1 Jan 1861 in Miami County, OH, at age 85 ½. A synopsis of his life, 3 wives, 8 children, and a photo of his gravestone in Amity are at www.findagrave.com, or see http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13773374.

[20] Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, Volume XXIII, Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I., 1670-1730, by William Nelson, 1901.

[21] Zion Lutheran Church Records, Oldwick, NJ. Website:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~smokey/kjjkk/g0000092.html

1753  Samuel French marries Helena Rosenkrans @ Port Jervis, Sussex Co.

1771 Joseph and Elenora French christen Elenora @ Oldwick Zion Church, Sussex NJ. (now tied to FFA Chart #112)

1774  Sandyston Twp. Sussex NJ. Moses Frensh, listed on taxpayer list.

1774 Newton Twp. Henry Frensh, Taxpayer list

1778 Jeremiah French Resides in Sandyston w/ Margarite Van Gorder ( per communication w/ Marion Sherer)

1782/3 Richard French (b. +/- 1775) and Selletje christen Anna and William. Oldwick Zion Church (now tied to FFA Chart #112)

1797 Ye widow Selletje marries Wm. Louis @ Zion Church,  Oldwick NJ. (now tied to FFA Chart #112)

1798 Johanna French born to Noah French  (b. Feb. 1754) & Johanna Campbell (m. 1786);  Newton Twp., Sussex NJ. (Noah's first wife was Mary Rolfe. He moved to Essex Cty New York,  in 1801?; died 14 NOV. 1843 Johanna apparently d. Aug.6 1846) ( Think he's b. in east Jersey.

Anna French, birth 2 Jul 1783, baptism 9 Aug 1783 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Oldwick, NJ, dau. of Richard French and Selletje.

[22] Woodbridge and Vicinity. The Story of a New Jersey Township, by Rev. Joseph W. Dally, New Brunswick, NJ, A. E. Gordon, 1873.

[23] A digitized book of New York which was hard to decipher and had almost no birthdates shows Catherine Baldwin, m1. Abraham French, son of Robert French, and m2. Andrew Miller Camp, all born before 1811 which is the first date I can read. This book also mentions the Morehouse family. It shows that Catherine Baldwin and Abraham French had son Abraham Morris French, no date. See website: http://www.archive.org/stream/familyrecords00litt/familyrecords00litt_djvu.txt. Further searching says that Catherine Baldwin was b. 27 Feb 1802. It indicates that her parents were David Baldwin b. 27 Mar 1765 and Elizabeth Reeve b. 19 May 1769, both in Essex Co., NJ. Because there is another family named Baldwin in the Second Generation of Abraham French’s line, this might be a connection; however, Abraham is the only French listed in this documentation above. The Baldwin family is listed as relatives of Abraham French’s son, Barney and his wife Mary Drew who was the daughter of Rufus Baldwin Drew. But this might indicate that all these families were originally from New Jersey [8] [9]. Another website shows that Abraham French was b. 24 Jul 1793 and died 4 Oct 1826, the son of Robert French, the husband of Catharine Baldwin, and the father of Abraham French. This Abraham French is therefore ruled out because he did not marry a Susan, and because he died before his children were born of this line.

[24] Staten Island and its People: a History, 1609-1929, by Charles W. Leng and William T. Davis, 1930.

[25] JQMagie@aol.com (email good in 2006) and allisons@brightok.net from NJESSEX-L@rootsweb.com

[26] Ye Olde Middlesex Courts: The Establishment of an Early Court System in one of the Original Counties of New Jersey, by George J. Miller, Perth Amboy, N.J., 1932.

[27] Counterfeiting in Morris County, NJ, by Robert J. Pipes, 2002, website:
http://www.pipesfamily.com/cfiet.htm, Email: pipesb@pipesfamily.com

[28] Counterfeiting in Colonial America, by Kenneth Scott, website:
http://books.google.com/books?id=HweK4Om1xNsC&pg=PA144&lpg=PA144&dq=%22Zorobabel+North%22&source=bl&ots=32fiPzMJta&sig=nJ2Sv7iWQCbmmDEVTP_z_GUtUZc&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPP1,M1

[29] Michael Frost, email: frostinaz@cox.net. Website: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=frostinaz01&id=I8873

[30] New Jersey Marriage Records, 1683-1802, Volume XXII.

[31] “Commemorative History of Presbyterian Church in Westfield, New Jersey, 1728-1928” by the Presbyterian Church and William K. McKinney, Chas. A. Philhower, and Harry A. Kniffin, 1929. Website: http://interactive.ancestry.com/11470/dvm_LocHist002443-00003-0/3?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3dGenealogy-glh11462858%26gss%3dsfs28_ms_r_db%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26_F00032DB%3d6%26MSAV%3d1%26uidh%3dnye&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults#?imageId=dvm_LocHist002443-00001-1.

Many later generation French members of this church are listed in Ref. [31]: Robert French, James French, J.M. French, Miss Bessie French, Sarah French wife of Jacob, Mary French wife of Isaac, Phebe French wife of Robert, Lydia S. French wife of J.D., Richard N. French, James M. French, Robert M. French, William W. French, George W. French, Charles M. French, Winfield S. French, Louisa C. French wife of W. S., Pauline French, Clarence E. French, Anna Bell French, Elizabeth French, Fredrick O. French, Victor D. French, Mrs. M. Grace French, Mary W. French wife of F. O., Anna Elisabeth French, Catherine D. French, Sarah Crane French child of Jacob and Sally, George Willis French, Winfield Scot French, Mary Elizabeth French child of Robert and Phebe, Mary Davis French, Jacob David French, Richard Newton French child of Robert and Phebe, Josephine French, Rebecca French, Abigail French, William and Isaac Wilber, and Mary D. all children of Jacob and Lydia French, Robert French and his wife Phebe Mooney who m. 2 Nov 1836, Catharine D. French and her husband William S. Woodruff who m. 15 Nov 1837, .

[32] Bryant Family History: Ancestry and Descendants of David Bryant (1756) of Springfield, N.J. Priscilla D. McVay, b. 8 Dec 1871, married John Calvin French.

[33] The Westfield Presbyterian Church, organized ca. 1727, searchable index of vital records, website: http://westfieldnjhistory.com/files/lr12.htm.

[34] French Family living in New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ: Catharine 1758, Philip 1782 and 1787, John 1787, Ann 1795, Syche (Susie?) 1796, William 1796.

[35] Theories by Jan McCabe:

One theory that has been developed is that Noah French (1754) is the son of John French, who inherited the "plantation at Turkey Road" in Essex/Union County, New Jersey.  This would make Noah the grandson of Richard French and great grandson of John French (the brickmason) and his wife, Susannah, of Woodbridge. 

Another theory that Denise and I have developed is based on information that one of Noah's grandsons, Zerah French (1827 - 1890), provides.  In a journal written in 1867, Zerah identifies Noah's father as William French.  This theory proposes that perhaps the John listed in Noah's military records was an older brother and not his father.  Noah was only 16 when he enlisted, so I would assume that someone had to sign for him.  If his father wasn't there (or wouldn't sign), then an older brother could have.  We know that there was a John French who was a wagonmaster in the same area and at the same time that Noah was an express rider.  We haven't figured out how he (John) fits in.  John and Noah could both be sons of William.  (See below)

I have another theory that Lafford (1753-1835) is actually the son of William French and Antie Sebring who were married in Middlesex County, NJ on 28 Dec 1742 1742 because Antie Sebring had a brother Leffert, who posted the marriage bond with William French when the marriage license was obtained.  I believe this William is descended from John (the brickmason) and Susannah French, who were in Middlesex County as early as 1680.   As this isn't my family, I only came up with it because it could link to the theory above.

[36] French - Richards Burying Ground, Town of Springfield, Union County, New Jersey

French-Richards Burying Ground is located near the Westfield Township line, on the farm owned by Leon Girard in the Town of Springfield, Union County, New Jersey.

The persons mentioned in the following gravestone records are grouped into families so far as the information on the stones themselves will permit, and arranged alphabetically according to heads of families when practicable. The asterisk (*) indicates that no stone was found for the individual so designated, his name and relationship appearing on the stone of a member of his family.

The earliest gravestones are of 2 French infants (not proven), who d. in 1793 and 1794. Considering the fact that Abraham French was born in 1792, these infants might have been his siblings.

French - Richards Burying Ground Burials

ABELL*, Sarah*, wife of ----.

ABELL, Sarah W., dau. of Sarah, died Dec. 19, 1830, age 3 yrs. 6 mos. 14 days.

DENMAN, Aaron B.*

DENMAN, Mary E. Richards, wife of Aaron B. and widow of James B. Howell, born Dec. 30, 1823, died Dec. 25, 1884.

FOSTER, ----.

FOSTER, Jane T., wife of ----, died Feb. 8, 1865, age 67 yrs.

(FRENCH?), P. H. F., died 1794.

(FRENCH?), R. I. F., died 1793.

FRENCH, Abraham, died Oct. 14, 1826, age 34 yrs.

FRENCH, Robert, died Mar. 15, 1813, age 89 yrs. [born 1724]

FRENCH, Robert, died Feb. 28, 1830, age 78 yrs.

FRENCH, Rachel, wife of Robert, died July 8, 1827, age 75 yrs.

HAND, William*.

HAND, Elizabeth, wife of William, died Feb. 9, 1847, age 60 yrs.

HOWELL, James B., born Oct. 10, 1819, died Sept. 16, 1855.

HOWELL, Mary E. Richards, wife of James B., (See Aaron B. Denman).

HOYT, Henry*.

HOYT, Julia*, wife of Henry.

HOYT, George, son of Henry and Julia, died Aug. 17, 1827, age 5 yrs. 6 mos. 3 days.

LANSKEY, Marcus, born 1834, died 1915.

LANSKEY, Sarah T., wife of Marcus, born 1842, died 1897.

LANSKEY, Ada, dau. of Marcus and Sarah T., died Feb. 14, 1867, age 4 mos. 14 days.

PARSELL, Abraham, died Feb. 10, 1856, age 65 yrs.

PARSELL, Mary, wife of Abraham, died July 11, 1873, age 82 yrs.

PARSELL, William G., son of Abraham and Mary, died July 27, 1826, age 3 yrs. 9 mos.

PARSELL, Mary Elizabeth, dau. of Abraham and Mary, died Jan. 18, 1836, age 7 yrs. 10 mos.

QUICK, Captain John, died Apr. 10, 1877, age 80 yrs.

QUICK, Sarah, 1st wife of Capt. John, died Apr. 11, 1867, age 57 yrs.

QUICK, Alexander, son of Capt. John and Sarah, died Jan. 20, 1851, age 5 mos. 15 days.

QUICK, Ira Bliss, son of Capt. John and Sarah, died Apr. 27, 1853, age 1 yr. 1 mo. 17 days.

QUICK, Susan R. S.*, 2nd wife of Capt. John.

RICHARDS, Augustus, died Jan. 3, 1850, age 54 yrs. 4 mos.

RICHARDS, Henry H., born Jan. 9, 1842, died Nov. 4, 1911.

RICHARDS, John, died July 1, 1874, age 73 yrs. 7 mos. 25 days.

RICHARDS, Mary, wife of John, died July 1, 1888, age 83 yrs.

RICHARDS, Ella, dau. of John and Mary, age 2 yrs. 2 mos. 13 days, (no date).

RICHARDS, Mary, died May 15, 1835, age 69 yrs.

RICHARDS, Samuel, of Lockington, Leicestershire, England, died Mar. 11, 1838, age 82 yrs. 15 days. [born 1756; his birth place of Lockington is engraved on his gravestone]

RICHARDS, Samuel, died Aug. 28, 1887, age 56 yrs.

RICHARDS, Margaret, wife of Samuel, died Jan. 22, 1905, age 66 yrs.

RICHARDS, Samuel, Jr., died Jan. 13, 1856, age 67 yrs.

RICHARDS, Lucy, wife of Samuel, Jr., died Dec. 7, 1834, age 46 yrs.

RICHARDS, William, died Aug. 16, 1872, age 69 yrs.

RICHARDS, Catherine A. Clark, wife of William, died Nov. 20, 1875, age 62 yrs.

RICHARDS, William P., Sergt. Co. H., 30th N. J. Vol., died June 6, 1893, age 65 yrs.

[37] French family of Kibworth Beauchamp.
John French was baptized 24 Sep 1673 in Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicester, England, the son of John French.

Alice French was baptized 4 Aug 1675 in Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicester, England, dau. of John French.

Jonathan and Richard French were baptized 19 Dec 1677 in Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicester, England, the sons of John French.

Sara French was baptized 7 Mar 1679 in Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicester, England, the dau. of John French.

[38] Westfield Presbyterian Church Records in Westfield, NJ:

Robert French m. Phebe Mooney 2 Nov 1836 according to the Westfield Presbyterian Church Records in Westfield, NJ.

Catherine D. French m. William S. Woodruff on 16 Nov 1837 according to the Westfield Presbyterian Church Records in Westfield, NJ.

Mary D. French m. Benjamin Woodruff, Jr. on 12 Nov 1845 according to the Westfield Presbyterian Church Records in Westfield, NJ.

Jacob French Jr. m. Lydia S. Pierson on 4 Oct 1848 according to the Westfield Presbyterian Church Records in Westfield, NJ.

[39] The Presbyterian Church in Westfield, Middlesex, NJ: http://www.westfieldpc.org

[40] Richard Skinner and Sussana Poulain had three known children:

1. Dea. Richard Skinner, b. abt. 1667 Elizabethtown, Union Co, NJ, d. 12 May 1727 Woodbridge, Middlesex Co, NJ, m. bef. 1699 to Frances Wright.

2. John Skinner, b. abt. 1669 Elizabethtown, Union Co, NJ, d. 14 Feb 1725, Woodbridge, Middlesex Co, NJ, m. Ann unk (not the fictious Wright). 

3. Lewis C. Skinner, b. 1681, d. 20 Jan 1697.  (Monnette, p1523).

The supposed children Francis Skinner, and Ann Skinner (are based on one misinterpretation by Monnette of one entry in the First Church of Woodbridge in 1708 about Richard Skinner's wife Frances).

Note: Charlotte Dolan wrote: I (and others) have contacted the appropriate authorities on the Isle of Jersey.  We were all told that (1) no Richard Skinner ever lived on the Isle of Jersey or any of the Channel Islands, and that (2) no Skinners at all ever lived on the Isle of Jersey during the relevant time period.  It was an expensive research effort with totally negative results. 

Nor is there any evidence Richard was the s/o Richard Skinner and Julian Whithotne, which is just more internet garbage being perpetuated by Ancestry.com.  His parents simply remain unknown. 

On immigration, there are East Jersey deeds, etc., to support his immigration on the ship Philip, as a servant of Sir. Philip Carteret, but these records are not found on Ancestry.com.