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French Family Association The Official Website of the Surname French Famous Frenches Jesse French, 1845-1927 Stockland and Dalwood, Fordington Liberty, Nashville, TN; St. Louis, MO; New Castle, IN
Jesse French in 1896 Original research by Mara French. Revision 1 in 2009, Revision 2 on 8/15/12. Last updated on 6/9/19. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Square brackets [ ] indicate reference to the Bibliography. Genealogical research is always a “work-in-progress” and can be improved by your corrections or additions to Mara French. |
Contents
Jesse French & Sons
Piano Company
Men Who Have Made Piano History
Jesse French’s Wife, Callie Lumsden
Jesse French’s Passport Application for Business
Homeland in England
The earliest records of this family are from Stockland, Fordington Liberty, Dorset, England, in 1834 even though Jacob French, Jesse’s father, was born in ca. 1807 but not in Dorset. A Liberty was an administrative unit of local government in England from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, co-existing with the then operative system of Hundreds and Boroughs but independent of both, generally for reasons of tenure. Refer to List of Liberties in Dorset. The St. Peter’s Church Dalwood Records of Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials start in the year 1568 and continue to the present day. Unfortunately, the second Register Book from 1655 to 1713 is missing. Jacob French lived later on in Dorset, but he was not born there.
Note: From an earlier revision of this line, Jesse French was reported as living in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, England. This research has been found to be totally incorrect; “a” Jesse French was born in that town in 1846, but he was still living in that city in the 1851 England Census when in reality, the Jesse French of the ancestry presented here is listed in the 1850 Census of New York, age 3, living with his father Jacob. Another unrelated misconception is that Jacob married Mary Ann Ansell which surname was from a hard-to-read document and is not part of this family whatsoever.
Jesse French Museum
The Henry County Historical Society Museum is today probably the closest place to call a
museum of Jesse French’s pianos and paraphernalia. It is located at 606
S. 14th St., New Castle, IN 47362, phone: 765-529-4028, Email: henrycountyhistoricalsociety@gmail.com,
website: http://www.henrycountyhs.org.
Also see http://www.henrycountyhs.org//?s=French&x=10&y=1. They may not have room to display a piano, but artifacts or
paraphernalia are always
welcomed.
Lineage List
1.1 Unknown French, b. ca. 1780, m. ca. 1805 in order
to have son Jacob in 1806. Jacob was not born in Dorset.
2.1 Jacob French, b. ca. 1804 in England, d. 8 Aug
1871 in Nashville, TN, m. Mary Ann French, b. 1814, d. before 1910.
3.1 Samuel James French, b. 1839 in Poole, Dorset, England, first child.
3.2 Julia French, 30 May 1841 in England, d. 1927, m. John Cassell Houck.
3.3 Henrietta French, b. 9 Jun 1844 in England, d. 1913.
3.4 Jesse French, b. 18 or 23 Jul 1846 in England, d. 1927, m. Callie French, 1851-1919.
4.1 John Lumsden French, b. 10 Nov 1872 in TN, d. 23 May 1902 in MO, unmarried, buried in Bellfountain Cemetery, St. Louis.
4.2 Horace Edgar French Sr., b. 3 Apr 1877 in TN, d.
15 Jun 1968 in FL, m. Nellie M. Fuller.
5.1 Horace Edgar French Jr., b. 16 Dec 1907 IN, d.
1986, m1. Suanne Nettles, m2. Mary Josephine Perdue.
6.1 Horace Edgar French III, b. 1942, New Castle, IN,
m. Patricia Lilliott.
7.1 Kevin Edgar French, b. 24 Nov 1968, Montgomery,
AL, m. Laura Jones.
8.1 William Jesse French, b. 2004.
7.2 Patrick Nettles French, b. 1975, m. Tara Culberson.
8.2 Beckett Nettles French.
8.3 Jensen Edgar French.
6.2 Elizabeth A. French, b. 31 Jan 1934, d. 2017, m.
Gene Youmans.
5.2 Elizabeth French, b. 1911
4.3 Jesse Lumsden French, Jr., b. 29 Jan 1879 in TN,
d. 5 Aug 1958, m. Edith Helen Kennedy.
5.3 Caroline French, b. 8 Feb 1904 in MO, d. 1967, m.
Richard Elwell Banta.
5.4 Jesse
French III, b. 28 Jul 1906 in IN, d. 12 Mar 1994
in FL, m. Helen.
5.5 Walter Kennedy French, Sr., b. 2 Feb 1908 in IN, d. 1960, m1. Rene, m2. Margarette Ellen Ayres.
6.3 Arthur Benton French, b. 1927, d. 2018.
6.4 Walter
Kennedy French, Jr., b. 1928, d. 2016.
5.6 John Hickland French,
b. 19 Oct 1916
6.5 John J. French Jr.
6.6 Marvin J. French.
6.7 Oats M. French.
3.5 Mary French, b. 1848 in England, died as infant of
10 months on ship while immigrating in 1849.
3.6 Henry
Angel French, Sr., b. 21 Dec 1857 in Nashville,
TN, m. Helen Lees.
4.4 Henry Angel French Jr., b. 21 Oct 1891 in TN, d.
1951, m. Julia H. Mizelle.
5.7 Henry Angel French, III, b. 20 Dec 1918 in GA, d.
31 Dec 2000 in VA, m. Maxine Brown, they had 5 children to be added when I get
the information.
4.5 Jessie Lee French, b. 1895, d. 1976 in TN.
4.6 Robert Kershner French,
b. 20 Oct 1896, d. 28 Apr 1962 in TX.
4.7 Helen Elizabeth French, b. 21 Apr 1898 in TN, d. 25
Dec 1947.
First Generation
1.1* ______ French, b. ca. 1780, m. ca. 1803 in order to have son Jacob in 1804. Jacob was not born in Dorset. The names Henry French, Samuel French, and Jesse French as possible candidates for Jacob’s father need further research. Those were the names of Jacob’s 3 sons.
Second Generation
Children of_________French, 1.1
2.1* Jacob French, born 1804-07 in England, but not in Dorset. He died on 8 Aug 1871 in Nashville, TN. He emigrated to New York for the first time in about 1820 as a young lad of about 15 with his father. After about 14 years, he became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. in the County of New York on 24 Mar 1834. He resided in New York the entire time, but then returned to Dorset about 1835 and later married his sweetheart in 1836. The entire family immigrated to New York in 1849, where they stayed until the rest of their lives.
Jacob married Mary Ann French in Dorset in 1836 (earliest known date and place for Jacob) who had the same surname, but was unrelated. Her parents were Samuel French and Mary Palmer. Jacob’s parents are yet unknown, but the following documentation gives a few possible answers.
Jacob appears in the 1841 Census in England (first census in England) after he had returned to England in 1832. He then appears in the 1850 census of New York where he was an apprentice to a printing establishment. Jacob was an accomplished singer, and therefore it is easy to envision that his son Jesse would inherit a love of music. Throughout Jacob’s career, he was always a printer, mostly of books and Bibles.
Jacob’s father presumedly lived with Jacob in New York and would appear in the 1820 or 1830 census. Researching these documents one by one, 12 families with the surname French appear in the 1820 Census of New York, New York, but none of them have names given to Jacob’s family in later generations. Plus, Jacob may have immigrated shortly after the 1820 census was taken and his name would have not been included. The heads of households of those families in 1820 are:
Mrs. French lived with a family of 5
including a male of Jacob’s age. She was a foreigner, not naturalized.
Bengt French lived with a family of 7 including a male of Jacob’s age.
Rhodes French lived alone in 1815 in a boarding house.
Jno C. French lived with a family of 5
including a male younger than Jacob.
Catharine French lived with a family of 7 including a male younger than
Jacob.
Wheeler French had no young males living with him.
Jno French lived with a family of 4
including a male of Jacob’s age.
Isaac French is too young to be Jacob’s father.
Mrs. Reed French lived without children.
Wm French lived without children.
Peter French lived had no male of Jacob’s age.
William French lived with a family of 5 including a male of Jacob’s age.
In the 1830 census of New York County, 14 head of households with the surname French appear, most of the names are the same as in 1820, but an additional name of interest is a “Mr. French”, edited to be Frederick French, he is age 70-79 and his wife is 60-69, no others listed.
Then in the 1840 census of New York County, Ward 7, is a “Jacob French”, perhaps Jacob’s father, age 50-59 (b. 1881-1890) and a female age 40-49 (1891-1800). If the female were born in 1891, she could have conceivably had a son by 1806, who had returned to England and is in the 1841 census there, the first census of England. In the 1850 census of New York County, Jacob and his family lived in Ward 21 of New York County as well as in the 1855 census.
Jacob’s father may appear in the 1840 census of the County of New York where Jacob became a naturalized citizen of the U.S., or he might have returned to England with his son in 1832, or he might have died either in New York or England.
Presumedly, his father also returned to England in 1832, and would therefore appear in the 1840 U.S. census or in the 1841 Census in England. “A” Jacob appears in the 1841 Census of Somerset, England, age 80, born in 1761, a grocer, living with Ann French, age 60, born in 1781, and Hannah Palmer age 20, born in 1821 also in Somerset. They lived on High Street, Milborne Port, Wincanton, Somerset, England. This Jacob French was also born in Somerset County. The surname Palmer is the surname of Jacob’s wife’s mother’s maiden name of the family presented on this website. Furthermore, “a” Jacob French was baptized on 13 May 1804 in Merriott, Somerset, England, son of Mary French, father unnamed; however, the record states that he was born quite a bit earlier in 1796. “A” Jacob and John French are listed in the 1822 Pigot’s Directory of Somerset and Bristol. “A” Jacob French is listed in the 1830 City and County Directory of Somerset, England, living in Milborne Port (very close to Dorset) as a shopkeeper. “A” Jacob French is listed in the City and County Directory in 1839 in Parkston, Dorset, England, as a Shopkeeper, along with Robert French, a Blacksmith. “A” Jacob French is listed as a Shopkeeper in the 1839 City and County Directory of Somerset.
Jacob’s Sister
Jacob “supposedly” had a sister who was quite a literary genius and had the proud distinction of being the first woman in England to petition Parliament to grant woman’s suffrage, a movement to fight for women’s right to vote. Charlotte French was a suffragette in England and originally from Kent, and before that, her family was from Ireland. Age-wise, she does not appear to be of Jacob’s generation, but from the generation of his son, Jesse. This information is presented in a section of the book “Men Who Have Made Piano History” written by Alfred Dolge, Volume I, 1911, as seen on books.google.com. At this time, Jesse French was 65 years of age. Volume II was written by the same author in 1913. This information might lead to Jacob’s father as the rest of this article is quite accurate.
With the scenario above in focus, Charlotte French, b. in 1844 in Ripple, Kent, England, d. 1939, m. French businessman Maximilian Carden Despard in 1870, and had no children. By the age of ten in 1855, her father had died and her mother was committed to an insane asylum and she was sent to London to live with relatives. Her father was John Tracy William French of Ripple Vale in Kent, England, b. 1808, d. 10 Feb 1855, Commander RN, m. 10 May 1842 to Margaret Eccles, dau.of William Eccles of Glasgow. John Tracy William French’s father was Charles French, 3rd Baron de Freyne (1790-1868) of Coolavin in Ireland on 22 Aug 1863, b. 22 Oct 1790, d. 28 Oct 1868 at age 78, was the 3rd Baron de Freyne. He m. a local girl from Fairymount named Catharine Maree, daughter of Mr. Luke Maree [2] [7]. They were married in the Roman Catholic faith on 13 Feb 1851 and in the Church of Ireland faith on 17 May 1854; therefore, their first three sons were regarded as illegitimate and unable to inherit the title [7]. She d. 13 Nov 1900.
Charlotte was a founding member of the Women's Freedom League, Women's Peace Crusade, and the Irish Women's Franchise League, and an activist in a wide range of political
organizations over the course of her life, including among others the Women's Social and Political Union, Labour Party, Cumann na mBan, and the Communist Party of Great Britain.
The dates and locations point to Jacob possibly point
to the same generation as John Tracy William French, living in Kent, England.
No Jacob has been found in Kent. Nearby in London is the birth of “a” Jacob,
son of Jacob and Sarah French, born 31 Jan 1812, baptized 23 Feb 1812; but this
date is too late for the Jacob French of this ancestry. This would suggest that
Jacob’s father Jacob would be listed in the New York census of 1820 or 1830. In
the 1820 census, a male head of household with a male child under age 15 would
be listed; very difficult to determine, and likewise for 1830.
Chronology
1804-07 – Jacob French was born in England, but not in Dorset. Later he was of Lytchett Minster, Dorset, England. No document for him exists until 1834; his whereabout before 1834 are unknown.
[Several records
show “a” James French in Dorset who married Mary Anne French on 20 May 1830 in Lytchett Minster. It lists his parish as Honiton in Devon, and that he was a miller. “A” Henry
Barnes French was baptized 25 Mar 1806 in Poole, Dorset, England, the son of
James and Mary French at St. James Church – perhaps a relative of Jacob’s wife
Mary French, but more research is required; this is only mentioned because
Jacob named his last son Henry. James may be the person who was born in 1773,
died 18 Jan 1826 at age 53 in Poole, Dorset, England.]
1813 Feb 20 – Jacob’s future wife, Mary Ann, was born in England, the daughter of Mary (Polly) Palmer. The surname Palmer appears alongside the surname French in several documents.
1820 – Jacob immigrated to New York with his father in 1820 (no record found, but this is from “Men Who Have Made Piano History”. While in America and in 1834, he took the Oath of Allegiance as a citizen of the United States.
1834 – Another record shows that “a” Jacob immigrated to New York while he was still single from Port of Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.
1834 Mar 25 – Jacob French’s naturalization papers by the Recorder of the City of New York.
1834 Mar 26 – From New York, Alien Depositions of Intent to Become U.S. Citizens,
1825-1871, for Jacob French.
1834 Apr 21 – From www.newspapers.com, a list of letters remaining at the New York Post Office list Jacob French and John M. French as the only 2 people with the surname French. This might indicate that he returned to England, or that John M. French may be a relative.
1836 – Jacob was an impropriator who was granted a benefice as his property in Dalwood, Dorset, England. A benefice is a permanent Church appointment, typically that of a rector or vicar, for which property and income are provided in respect of pastoral duties.
1836 Apr 13 – Jacob French and Mary Ann French (same surname but unrelated) were married at St. Peter’s Church in Dalwood, Devonshire, England. Biological relationship is unknown. She was born ca. 1815 in Dalwood, Devon, England. Her parents were Samuel French, 1780-1840, and Mary Palmer, 1785-1860, both of whom remained in England after Jacob and Mary Ann immigrated to New York. Refer to her ancestry in the Bibliography, Ref. [23-24]. Mary Ann French is listed on this website: http://www.dalwoodhistory.co.uk/resources/Marriages+1716-1912.pdf, married 13 Apr 1836, living in Lytchett Minster. Mary Ann French was a spinster of Dalwood, married by Thomas F. Dymock (Curator) by license not by banns, solemnized between Jacob French and Mary Ann French, in presence of witnesses James French and Mary Ann French (could there have been two women named Mary Ann French?) James French was either Mary Ann French’s brother or a mistake for Jacob which I’ve seen several times. Descendant Laura French who is part of this family on Ancestry.com discovered the marriage record of Jacob and Mary Ann in Dalwood, Devonshire, England [1]. The population of Dalwood in 1811 was 463, in 1821 was 522, and in 1831 was 434. See Early Maps of Dalwood, Dorset, England. Contact DalwoodHistory@gmail.com.
1839 – Jacob and Mary Ann’s son, Samuel James
French, was born in Poole, Dorset, England. The Sup. Registrar’s Districts
listed are from all over England. Samuel James was named after Mary’s father
Samuel.
1841 England Census – Jacob and his wife Mary Ann and their son Samuel James French appear in this census of Stockland, Fordington Liberty, Dorset, England. Jacob is listed as age 35, born ca. 1806, later from Hawley, Stockland, Fordington Liberty, Dorset, England but not born in Dorset according to many records, and his wife Mary Ann as age 25, born ca. 1816 but not in Dorset according to one record, and first son Samuel James, age 2, born in 1839. Jacob was a farmer. This Enumerator’s Schedule includes England and Wales. Looking through the 7 pages of Dorset-Stockland-District 9, Jacob appears in Hawley on page 1. Mary French, age 55, appears on page 3 living with Henry French age 20 and George French age 15 in Lea. No other French is listed. The relationship of these individuals is unknown.
The name Sarah G. R. French, age 30, school proprietress, not born in Dorset, appears in the 1841 census of Lytchett Minster; therefore she was born in 1811 and could be a sister of Jacob (needs more research – see https://www.opcdorset.org/LytchettMinsterFiles/1841LytchettMinster.htm). Sarah French may be the one listed as daughter of Henry French; she married John Aplin on 24 May 1851 in Wimborne Minster, Dorset. No French was christened in Lytchett Minster between 1813-1847. Dalwood is near Lytchett Minster, Dorset, England, which is only 4 miles from Poole where other members of this family resided.
1841 – “A” Jacob French appears on the New York Passenger and Immigration List as arriving in New York on 29 Nov 1841 from London on the ship Westminster, age 35; however, there is no proof that he is of this family as he was living in England the following year.
1842 – Julia French, daughter of Jacob and Mary, was born in England and died in Nashville, TN.
1842 July/Aug/Sep – Samuel French, is listed as having died in July/Aug/Sep 1842 in Poole, Dorset. He is not Samuel James French, the son of Jacob, as that Samuel is listed on the immigration records of 1849 to NY. He may have been the father of Mary Ann French.
1844 – Henrietta, daughter of Jacob and Mary, was born in England and died in Nashville, TN.
1845 – Jacob owned property in Dalwood, Devon, England. Dalwood belonged to Dorset County until 1845, then Devon County owned that land.
1845 – Dalwood, Dorset, Tithe records for French family farms. James owned Dennishill, Mary co-owned Lea Farm, and Jacob owned Mount Pleasant (may have not had a house as only land is listed and perhaps that is why he didn’t live there) [26]. James was b. 27 Apr 1808 in Shute, Devon, England, d. 13 Aug 1882 in Dalwood, Devon, England – he was the brother of Jacob’s wife Mary Anne.
The following page was copied from “Alienated Tithes in Appropriated and Impropriated Parishes”, commuted or merged under local statutes and the Tithe acts, together with all crown grants of tithes, from Henry VIII to William III, dated 1896, 673 pages, and digitized by Google on 14 Jun 2007. Web page: http://books.google.com/books?id=vEQ3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA149&lpg=PA149&dq=dalwood+devon+%2B%22Jacob+French%22&source=bl&ots=2vvu7dpDvg&sig=0bcuI01EWduk3YmBsgT0wcri0zc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pUYzUsf1A4PmqQGF1YGgBQ&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=dalwood%20devon%20%2B%22Jacob%20French%22&f=false. Ten results appear in this book regarding French: George, Edward, Robert, Philip Matthew, John, Jacob, Robert, William, George, and P.M. French. Jacob French appears on p. 149 in Dalwood, Dorset, England. An impropriator is a person to whom a benefice is granted as their property. There is no date given for the Tithe Rent Charges in Dorset, yet a note at the bottom states that Dalwood is partly in Devon and was united to Stockland which happened in 1844. Furthermore, Henry VIII (1491-1547) was King of England from 1509-1547; William III (1650-1702) reigned from 1689-1702. Therefore, it is assumed the Tithe Rent Charges in Dorset are from 1509-1702 which is before the era of Jacob French. However, page (2) of the Introduction states “It was not till 1836 that any reliable record, which embodied the two-fold alienation of tithes to appropriators and impropriators, appeared” in which case, this is precisely the time Jacob French lived in Dalwood.
1846 – Jesse, son of Jacob and Mary, was born in England and died in New Castle, IN.
1848 Sep 18 – Lease to Jacob French. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette concerning Dalwood, Devon. Mount Pleasant Estate, in the occupation of
John French, a tenant to Jacob French of Birmingham leased 46 acres.
Application to James French, Kilmington, occupation
Baker. John French was a brother of Jacob’s wife Mary French; he was born ca.
1812 in Shute, Devon, England, and his parents were Samuel French and Mary
Palmer. He married Jane Kinsey and had children Walter, Horatio, Herbert, Mary
Sarah, Samuel, Jane Kinsey, Henry, Kate, Anna Maria, Emelie, and Frederick C.
W. French. John French’s family remained in England.
Merely to separate the names of Jacob’s wife, Mary French, and her ancestors from Jacob’s ancestors, her parents were Samuel French b. 22 Sep 1780 in Colyton, Devon, England, d. Jan 1840 in Axminster, Devon. Samuel’s wife was Mary Palmer and together they had children Bartholomew, James, Samuel, George, John, Thomas, Mary Anne, Henry, Francis, and George French. Mary Anne French married Jacob French of this website’s ancestry and immigrated to New York. The grandparents of Mary Anne French were Samuel French, b. 1750 in Kilmington, Devon, England, and Catherine Clapp, 1750-1783 also in Kilmington. Their four children were born in Colyton, Devon, England – Samuel 1778-1778, John 1779-1779, Samuel 1780-1840, John 1781-1781; therefore, Mary Anne’s father was the only child who survived beyond infancy. No Jacob was in this family, plus her entire family remained in England.
1849 Apr 19 – The New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, list Jacob French arriving on 19 Apr 1849 in New York, departing from Liverpool, England, on the ship “China”. It shows Jacob French (age 42, therefore born in 1807) on board with Mary Ann showing “do” short for “ditto” after her name (age 32) and their children: Samuel (age 9, b. 1839), Julia (age 7, b. 1842), Henrietta (age 5, b. 1844), and Jessy - Jesse (age 3, b. 1846). John Atteridge was shipmaster. Mary’s name (the infant daughter) was first added to the list, later crossed out as she died at 10 months. Samuel must have died very shortly thereafter, as he is not listed in the 1850 census. The name of Jacob’s wife which appears to be her surname, but in reality, is “Ann” her middle name with “do” after it standing for ditto for French. The surnames thereafter also say “do”, meaning they ditto Mary’s surname of French. They had one more child born in TN. Jacob was a printer most of his life, first in New York and then in Nashville, TN.
The book “The Famine Immigrants: Lists of Irish Immigrants Arriving at the Port of New York, 1846-1951, Vol. IV (April 1849-September 1849) by Glazier, Ira A. and Michel Tepper, 1984, lists Jacob French, age 42, birth year abt 1807, arrival year 1849, arrival place New York, New York, child Henrietta 5; child Jessy 3; child Julia; relative Mary Anne 32, child Samuel 9. This book indicates that Jacob was Irish; also, an indication that he was Irish from “Men Who Have Made Piano History”.
Kevin French (email: french0626@gmail.com) on Ancestry.com lists Jacob French as born 1804 in England, died 1880, and his wife Mary Ann French as born 1814, died 1910. Jacob and Mary Ann French had four living children in TN: Julia French Houck (30 May 1841 Wales, England – 29 Mar 1927 Memphis, Shelby, TN), Henrietta French (1844 England - ), Jesse French (1846 England -1927), and Henry Angel Sr. French (1857 Tennessee - ). Their children Samuel and Mary died young. Jacob French was a Printer according to the 1850 census of New York. By the 1860 census, Henry was born and they lived in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. In 1870 they were still living in Nashville.
1849 – Jacob’s son Samuel most likely died as he is listed on the ship record above in 1849 to New York, but not listed in the 1850 census of New York when he would have been 11 years old.
1850 census -- of New York shows Jesse French’s father, Jacob (age 46), living in New York Ward 10, New York, NY. Jacob is accompanied by his wife Mary A. (age 36) and children Julia (age 8, b. 1842), Henrietta (age 6, born 1844) and Jesse (age 4, born 1846), all born in England. It does not list son Samuel who is on the ship passenger list. He was born in 1839, is listed in the 1841 census, but probably had died before 1850.
1851 census of England
-- Jacob does not appear in
the 1851 census in England because he had immigrated to New York in 1849. This
is only a check for accuracy.
1849-1859 -- Jacob occupied 10 years of the sheet
department of the American Bible House at New York. There he
printed Bibles for various churches and organizations in various languages.
1855 --New York, New York City, Ward 21, E.D. 2, Census, shows the family from England. Jacob was resident in New York City for 40 years, and the rest of the family for 6 years. This indicates that Jacob first immigrated in 1815, but records show it was 1820. The 6 years shows that the entire family immigrated in 1849. This census indicates that Jacob was born in 1802 and Mary Ann in 1809, Julia in 1843, Henrietta in 1845, and Jesse in 1846.
1857 – New York City Directory shows how many people lived in New York City in 1857 named French. Jacob is listed as a “printer” and the only adult French living on Eighth Avenue. The family must have moved in this year as youngest son Henry was born in 1857 in Nashville, TN.
1860 census -- of Nashville, Davidson Co., TN, Jacob’s son Jesse’s future wife Caroline “Callie” was 9, living with her parents John (31) and Lucetta (28), and her sisters Maria (4) and Alice (1). Her father was a farmer, born in NY ca. 1829. 12 Frenches are listed in the 1860 census of Nashville. Jesse French is listed as age 14, b. ca. 1846 in England, living with his parents (both born in England), Jacob (age 57) and Mary Ann French (age 46) and his siblings (all born in England, except Henry): Julia (age 18), Henrietta (age 16), Jepe / Jesse (age 14), and Henry A. French (age 2). Jacob was a printer. This definitely shows that the family immigrated between 1846 when Jesse was born in England and 1858 when Henry A. was born in TN.
1861-1865 – When the Civil War broke out, Jacob’s son Jesse took a position in the United States post office at his home town, Nashville, TN. Jacob and Mary Ann were compelled to go to England to settle an inheritance, and left Jesse in charge of the home and family. Jesse was about 15 years old. The only person who died in Devon (that part of Jacob’s homeland in Dorset had become Devon) was James French who died in 1864 in Axminster, Devon. Research is needed to discover his relationship, if any.
1868 – U.S. City Directory, Nashville. Jacob was a printer at S.M. Publishing House. James French worked in a lab for N. &. C. R. R. depot, bds 329 Cedar. Miss Julia French was a teacher at Howard School, lived next door to Jacob at 393 S. College, Jesse French was a clerk in the office of Secretary of State.
1868-1871 – Jacob and his son Jesse lived at the Methodist Public House, 391 S. College in Nashville according to the U.S. City Directories.
1870 census -- Jacob was 66 and living in Nashville Ward 8, Davidson Co., TN with his wife Mary A. French (age 56), and children Julia (age 28), Henrietta (age 26), Jesse (age 24), and Henry (age 12), and Hannah Angell (age 70, born in England). She was Mary Ann French’s mother. At this time Jacob was a printer, and Jesse was a clerk. Again, it clearly states that all children, except Henry, were born in England. Henry was born in TN.
1871 Aug 5 – Jacob French died. From The
Tennessean in Nashville, TN.
1871 Aug 8 – The funeral of Jacob French took place at
the Central Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. He was about age 65. From the
Tennessean on 9 Aug 1871.
1871 Nov 30 – The will of Jacob French was admitted to probate. The following newspaper article is from The Tennessean in Nashville, TN:
1871 Dec 3 – Mrs. Mary A. French was qualified as executrix of the estate of Jacob French.
1871 Dec 30 – Hannah Angell died in Nashville, TN, at the home of Mary Ann French, 391 South College St. She was born ca. 1799 perhaps in England. Many descendants of Mary Ann French used the middle name “Angel”. Hannah Angel is listed in the 1870 Census of Nashville, TN, as born ca. 1800 in England, married to William Ansell, 1800-1870, and they had daughter Mary Ann Ansell, 1813-1910. Could she be the one who married Jacob French instead of the one listed as Mary Ann French, daughter of Samuel?
1879 U. S. Directory of Nashville, TN.
1880 census -- Mary Ann, Jacob’s widow, was living in Nashville, Davidson Co., TN. Son Jesse is listed as age 40 in Nashville, living with his wife Callie, age 28, at 206 Mark St. Jesse was a music dealer. They had children John age 7, Horace age 3, and Jessie (dau) age 2.
1886 – U. S. Directory of Nashville, TN.
1891 – U.S. City Directory of Nashville, TN, shows Mary A. French, widow of Jacob, residence at 219 Vance St. Also listed is Jesse French, Piano & Organ Co., A. O. Field, sec; O. K. Houck, mngr, 362 Main St.
1903 Sep 16 – Mary Ann French, Jacob’s wife, died in Memphis, Shelby County, TN, age 90.
Third Generation
Children of Jacob French and Mary Ann French, 2.1
3.1 Samuel James French, born in 1839 in Poole, Dorset, England. He was on the ship China in 1849 with his parents. The 1841 England Census shows his father Jacob, age 35, living in Stockland, Fordington Liberty, Dorset, England with his mother, Mary Ann, age 25. Samuel James French was age 2. He appears in the 1850 census of NY at age 10. He probably died shortly thereafter. The following website presents a different scenario of Samuel James’ life (you need to be a member of ancestry.com): https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/17776352/person/400071464315/facts.
The Sup. Registrar’s Districts listed are from all
over England. Samuel James was named after Mary’s father Samuel. See Samuel
James French listed below, 4th entry from the last.
3.2 Julia C. French, born 30 May 1841 in Wales, Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England, married John Cassell Houck in 1872 at age 30. In 1860, 1870, 1880 she lived in Nashville, TN, in 1900, 1910, 1920 she lived in Memphis, Shelby Co., TN. In 1920 she was living at 774 Tate Street, Memphis Ward 11, Shelby, TN. She died at age 86 on 29 Mar 1927, the daughter of Jacob and Mary French, both born in England. She was on the ship China in 1849 with her parents immigrating to NY.
1868 – U.S. City Directory, Nashville. Jacob was a printer at S.M. Publishing House. James French worked in a lab for N. &. C. R. R. depot, bds 329 Cedar. Miss Julia French was a teacher at Howard School, lived next door to Jacob at 393 S. College, Jesse French was a clerk in the office of Secretary of State.
1880 Census – Julia is living with her mother as her father had died, and with her sister Henrietta.
1900 Census – Julia Houck was living in Memphis Ward 4, Shelby, TN, at 352 Main St., married to J. C. Houck in 1872, stating that both her parents were born in England.
1910 Census – Julia Houck was living in Memphis Ward 11, Shelby, TN, naturalized, living with her husband and son, and with her sister Henrietta.
1927 Mar 29 – Julia died in Memphis at age 85 and was buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown.
3.3 Henrietta French, born 9 Jun 1844 in England, never married, living with John C. and Julia C. Houck in 1910 when she was 66. She was on the ship China in 1849 with her parents immigrating to NY. She died 27 Mar 1913 at age 68. From the Tennessean of Nashville, TN, 28 Mar 1913:
3.4* Jesse French, b. 23 Jul 1846 in Devon, England. He died 7 May 1927, age 80, in New Castle, IN, and was buried in the South Mound Cemetery, New Castle, Henry County, IN. Jesse and his wife Caroline “Callie” Lumsden married in St. Louis, MO, and had 3 children. He was on the ship China in 1849 with his parents immigrating to NY
Men Who
Have Made Piano History
From the extract of the book “Men Who Have Made
Music History”, second paragraph on page 89, it describes Jesse French’s
father, Jacob, and Jacob’s sister who was “quite a literary genius and had the
proud distinction of being the first woman in England to petition Parliament to
grant woman’s suffrage”. Jacob was born ca. 1804-6, but not in Dorset where his
son Jesse lived as a youngster. Jacob’s sister was probably born ca. 1800-1810
or thereabouts. The dates do not line up for the writeup to be precise;
however, perhaps Jacob’s brother’s daughter is the person they are referring
to. Jacob’s brother could have been John Tracy
William French who was born in 1808 (generation same as Jacob) in Ripple,
Kent, England (died in 1854), and who married Margaret Eccles and had daughter
Charlotte who was born in 1844 in Ripple, Kent, England. She was the suffragette and Sinn Féin member, Ireland’s oldest political movement who were Irish Republicans and worked for lasting peace and justice in Ireland with
sustainable social and economic development. She remained highly critical of
her brother throughout his career. By the age of ten in 1854, her father had
died and her mother was committed to an insane asylum and Charlotte was sent to London to live with relatives. She expressed regret of her lack of
education, although she attended a finishing school in London. Charlotte’s
family originally came from Roscommon County, Ireland, and therefore perhaps
Jesse French’s ancestry is from that line, which is FFA Chart #IREF and includes several photographs of Charlotte. The women’s
suffrage movement in Britain began in 1866 and ended in 1928. Because the rest
of this rather long article below is quite accurate, I would assume the
statement about Jacob’s parents is also quite accurate.
Jacob may have been born in Ripple, Kent, England – further research is required. After a quick search on www.findmypast.co.uk, I could not find anyone named Jacob. However, I did find John Tracey William French who died in 1855 in Ripple, Kent, and who was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, on 8 Sep 1809, the son of John Denton Pinksten and Charlotte French. The Portsmouth location is very close to Dorset and Devon where Jacob had lived, and it is close to the date when Jacob was born. In a Portsmouth search, I found a newspaper article in 14 May 1885 of “a” Jacob French without any details, but Jacob had died just before the 1880 census in the U.S. I also found “a” Jacob French who was baptized in 1804 in Merriot, Somerset, England, which is also very close to Dorset and Devon; it states his mother was Mary. He was baptized at 8 years of age indicating that he was born in 1796. Searching further on this connection, I learned that this Jacob died in 1855 and all other information was incorrect, so this Jacob French can be eliminated as a possible candidate. Yet another Charlotte French was born on 30 Jun 1844 in Deddington, Oxfordshire, England, in the parish of Adderbury, daughter of John and Hannah French, both born in 1812; Charlotte’s siblings were Sarah, William, and John. “A” Jacob French was baptized on 30 Mar 1713 in Oxfordshire, son of Jacob and Mary French, but this in no way relates him to the family in question.
The following book “Men Who Have Made Piano History” was written by Alfred Dolge, 1911, as seen on books.google.com. At this time, Jesse French was 65 years of age. Volume II was written by the same author in 1913. Most of this writeup is very accurate. However, because Jesse’s father, Jacob, was born ca. 1807 and Charlotte French Despard was born in 1844, she was probably not Jacob’s sister. Jesse could have meant another more distant relative.
Jesse French was b. 23 Jul 1846 in Devonshire, England, and d. 7 May 1927 in New Castle, Henry Co., IN. Nashville was founded in 1779 and incorporated in 1806. Jesse French immigrated to New York City in 1849 when he was only 4.
By 1857 his family was living in Nashville, TN, when son Henry A. French was born. By 1900 they lived in St. Louis, MO., and by 1920 in H, Henry Co., IN. He was educated in public schools of Nashville, TN, and graduated from commercial college in Peoria, IL. He began his business career as a clerk in the office of Secretary of State, Nashville, TN. He then became assistant Secretary of State of Tennessee for 7 years; commenced mercantile pursuits as a dealer in sheet music and small musical merchandise at Nashville TN in 1872. In 1875 he became partner in the firm of Dorman, French & Smith.
1861-1865 – When the Civil War broke out, Jesse took a position in the United States post office at his home town, Nashville, TN. His father and mother were compelled to go to England to settle an inheritance, and left Jesse in charge of the home and family. Jesse was about 15 years old.
1868 – U.S. City Directory, Nashville. Jacob was a printer at S.M. Publishing House. James French worked in a lab for N. &. C. R. R. depot, bds 329 Cedar. Miss Julia French was a teacher at Howard School, lived next door to Jacob at 393 S. College, Jesse French was a clerk in the office of Secretary of State. Not listed in the 1870 U.S. City Directory, Nashville, but listed in 1972, same profession, same address.
1870 census – Jesse French was 24 living in
Nashville Ward 8, Davidson, TN, a clerk, born 1846 in England, living with his
father Jacob 66, his mother Mary Ann 56, his sister Julia 28, his sister
Henrietta 26, and his brother Henry 12.
1872 Jan 2 -- Jesse French m. Caroline “Callie” Lumsden on 2 Jan 1872 in Nashville, TN. She was b. 22 May 1851 in Ohio (as census records show). She d. 10 Feb 1919 at age 67 in New Castle, Henry Co., IN, and was buried in the South Mound Cemetery. Her parents are buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in Saint Louis, St. Louis City, MO: John Lunsden (1824-1898) and Lucetta Cristman Lumsden (1828-1905.
1873 – He bought out the sheet-music and small goods department of Dorman and Holmes of Nashville.
1876 – He took over one-third interest in the new firm of Dorman, French, and and Dorman who sold mainly the Bradbury piano.
1880 census -- Jesse was 40 years old living with his wife Callie, age 28, and their 3 children John, age 7; Horace, age 3; and Jessie, age 2 on Marks St., Nashville, Davidson, TN. They were married in 1872, just 8 years prior to this census. The census record indicates that Jesse and both his parents were born in Tennessee. Perhaps at age 40, Jesse wasn’t sure if he was born in TN or England, but 20 years later he indicates he was born in England, as evidenced below. Jesse’s father, Jacob had died by 1880 and his mother, Mary A. (age 68) is living with her daughter, Henrietta French (age 35), widowed, and working as a housekeeper in Nashville, Davidson Co., TN. Also living with her is her son, Henry A. French (age 22), and members of the Houck family: Julia C., J. C., A. K., and Jesse.
1885 – He organized the Jesse French Piano and Organ Company in Nashville.
1896 – Jesse and his family moved to St. Louis.
1897 – Jesse spent time in Europe and returned to New York in September 1897 according to the Tennessean of Nashville, TN, dated 26 Aug 1897. For further research, the website www.newspapers.com has over 4,000 newspaper articles about Jesse French.
1900 census -- Jesse was living at 4133 Morgan St., St. Louis Ward 25, St. Louis, Independent City, Missouri. His office was at 1211 Vandeventer Ave. In this census, it states that Jesse was born in England and Callie was born in Ohio. It also states that Jesse was born in July 1846, and Callie in May 1851. It states that both of Jesse’s parents were born in England. Jesse’s brother, Henry A. French, remained in Nashville, age 42, born Dec 1857 in TN, married to Helen in 1886 (she was age 43, born Dec 1856), and their children: Henry A. (age 8, born Oct 1891), Jesse L. (age 5, daughter, born May 1895), Robert K. (age 3, born Oct 1896), and Helen E. (age 2, born Apr 1898). Helen, Henry’s wife, was born in NY, and all the Frenches were born in TN. They were living next to George Lumsden and his sister, Edith Lumsden. Henry was a musical instructor.
1900 census – Callie French, age 87, with her daughter Henrietta, age 55, next door to John C. and Oliver K. Houck, family connected with the Jesse French & Sons Piano Company, in specific, the parents of their daughter Julia’s husband.
1902 – The Krell-French Piano Company was incorporated.
1905 – Jesse French accepted the duties of the entire management as President of Krell-French Piano Company.
1910 census -- Jesse was 63, living with Callie L. in St. Louis Ward 23, St. Louis (Independent City), MO, without his children. Jesse’s brother, Henry A., was 53, still living in Nashville with his wife Helen L. (age 53) and their 4 children: Henry A. Jr. (age 18), Jessie L. (age 15), Robert K. (age 13), and Helen E. (age 11). Henry A. Sr. was a merchant in a music store, whereas Henry A. Jr. was a salesman in a music store, both working for someone else.
1919 Feb 10 – Callie d. 10 Feb 1919 at age 67 in New Castle, Henry Co., IN, and was buried in the South Mound Cemetery.
MRS. JESSE FRENCH
Callie Lumsden French, wife of Jesse French,
died at an early hour this morning at her home, 634 South Fourteenth street,
after a long period of ill health. She is survived by her husband, two sons:
Horace Edgar and Jesse Jr of Newcastle and two sisters: Mrs. O. A. Field of St.
Louis, Mo. and Mrs. Henry Gennett of Richmond,
Indiana.
Mrs. Jessie French was born in Germantown,
Ohio, May 22, 1851. She was united in marriage forty-seven years ago to Jesse
French and their married life was spent in Nashville, Tennessee, and St. Louis,
Mo. removing to Newcastle about three years ago. Since coming here she has endeared herself to a large circle of friends,
whose sympathy goes out to the bereaved family.
The funeral services will be held Tuesday
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. W. W. Wiant in
charge. Friends desiring to view the remains may do so this evening or Tuesday
morning until 11:30 o'clock. Friends will please omit flowers. Interment will
be private.
*Published Feb. 11, 1919 - New Castle Daily
Courier, New Castle, IN
The funeral of Mrs. Jesse French, who died
early Monday morning, was held this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home at
634 South Fourteenth street with Rev. W. W. Wiant in
charge. Interment at Southmound was private.
Callie’s father was John Lumsden, b. 23 Jul 1824 in Southampton, Hampshire, England, died 30 Apr 1898 in St. Louis, MO. In 1860-1880, he was living in Nashville, Davidson Co., TN, probably where the two families met each other. John Lumsden was a tanner before he founded the Starr Piano Company.
John Lumsden, married Lucetta Cristman in 1848
Her father, John Lumsden, had a large holding and was one of the founders of the Jesse French Piano Company. He is listed in the 1895 St. Louis City Directory: John Lumsden, Vice-President of Jesse French Piano and Organ Company, 922 Olive, res. 4038 Westbelle Pl. Jesse French, res. Nashville, TN, was listed as President, and Oscar Field, res 3301 Morgan was secretary.
Census: 1860, in Nashville, Davidson Co., TN. Census: 1870, in Nashville, Davidson Co., TN, 1880. Census: 1900, in St. Louis, MO. They lived in Nashville during the Civil War. Little did Jesse know that in 1925, with the advent of the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville would become “Music City USA”. Jesse and Callie had 3 sons, John Lumsden French, Horace Edgar French, and Jesse Lumsden French Jr., all born in TN. The photo below on the right is from the Music Trade Review, 19 Dec 1903, when Jesse was 58 years old.
1920 census -- Jesse was living in New Castle Ward 5, Henry Co., IN, age 73, born 1846, a widow, living with 2 unrelated servants. He is listed as the President of a Piano Factory. Meanwhile, his brother, Henry A. is 62, born 1856, living in Civil District 11, Davidson Co., TN, a widow, living with his daughters Jessie (age 24) and Helen (age 21). Henry A. French Sr.’s son, Henry A. French Jr., had moved to Atlanta, De Kalb Co., Georgia, age 29, b. ca. 1891 in TN, m. Julia M. and had a young son, Henry A. French III, age 1, born in 1919 in Georgia. Henry Jr. was a manager of a music store.
Jesse was working in manufacturing in New Castle, IN, and that his last passport was obtained from Nashville, TN, ca. 1895. He was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in St. Louis in 1897. He began in the piano business in 1873 in Nashville, TN. He was the president of the Krell-French piano company, which came to New Castle after its factory was destroyed by fire in Springfield, OH.
Jesse’s mother, Mary Ann French, died before 1910. When referring to his mother, Jesse writes the following: “Words would fail me to write a eulogy of mother, as I think she was one of the grandest characters I ever know, of fine physique, ever bright and cheerful, kind and generous to a fault, much of her life was given to helping the poor and afflicted. Very fond of poetry, she was never at a loss to recite some beautiful lines to comfort and cheer the sorrowing. An accomplished singer (just as father was). I cannot forget the hallowed influence upon us children of the songs they had so often sung together at the close of day.” With all this family musical talent, it is no wonder that Jesse was quite a clever rhymester and loved music.
1927 May 7 – Jesse died and was buried at the South Mound Cemetery in New Castle, Henry, IN.
Memorial on http://www.findagrave.com. Jesse French was born in Devonshire, England, the
son of Jacob French. He came to the U.S. and lived at Nashville, TN, and St.
Louis, MO, before coming to New Castle, IN. He was naturalized as a U.S. citizen
in St. Louis in 1897. He began in the piano business in 1873 in Nashville, TN.
He was the president of the Krell-French piano company, which came to New
Castle after its factory was destroyed by fire in Springfield, OH.
Jesse died in New Castle, IN. He died 8 years after his wife Callie died. Their son H. Edgar French states on Jesse’s death certificate that his father had married sometime after 1919 to Elizabeth and that Jesse was married at his death. Jesse died at 80 years, 9 months, 14 days. He was buried at the south Mound Cemetery in New Castle, IN.
Jesse French’s Occupations
After leaving school, intending to follow the calling of his father, he started as a printer’s devil, and worked himself up to the position of chief clerk in a printing office. Between times he served as route carrier and mail clerk. When the Civil War broke out, young Jesse took a position in the United States Post Office at his hometown, Nashville, TN. His father and mother being compelled to go to England to settle an inheritance left young Jesse in charge of the home and family. The hard times brought upon the country by the Civil War and especially upon the Southern States, forced Jesse often times to most heroic efforts to keep the wolf from the door and care for his two sisters and younger brother. Afterwards, in went to Peoria, IL, and took a business and law course at the college. Upon his return to Nashville, he was appointed Assistant Secretary of State of TN. He served in that capacity for five years. His faithful serves and the ability displayed in his work in the State Department, prompted his friends to urge him to become a candidate for the office of Secretary of State, rather a bold undertaking at that time for a Union man in a southern community. Jesse lost the election by just one vote, which fact demonstrated his great popularity and the faith which his fellow citizens had in him. Although momentarily chagrined over the defeat, he was thankful for this apparent setback.
Jesse then struck out for himself as a businessman. His first venture was to buy out the sheet music and small goods department of Dorman and Holmes of Nashville in 1873, the year after he married. Three years later he was persuaded to take a one-third interest in the new firm of Dorman, French, and Smith, who sold mainly the Bradbury piano, made by their partner, F. G. Smith. Buying out Smith’s interest after a short while, the firm was changed to Dorman and French, and Dorman retired a year later. Jesse started chains of stores directed from his headquarters in Nashville. In 1885, the Jesse French Piano and Organ Company had a capital of $500,000; quite good for a man who had started twelve years ago with a capital of hardly $3,000. He then drifted into piano manufacturing. In 1902 the Krell-French Piano Company was incorporated with a capital of $550,000. Krell was President until 1905 when Jesse assumed the entire management as President when Krell left the company.
He transferred his headquarters to St. Louis, MO. He was organized or took part in the Union Trust Company, the Liberty Mills, the Missouri-Lincoln Trust Company (having a capital and surplus of over $13,000,000), the Lincoln Trust and Title Company, and the Mercantile Metal Milling Company.
In St. Louis, Jesse drove a gasoline delivery truck of the St. Louis Motor Carriage Company, which was online in a 1901 issue of an early trade magazine for “autobolilists” [20].
Link to “The Horseless Age”, The Automobile Trade Magazine, Volume, Volume 8:
Jesse French’s Wife, Callie Lumsden
Callie French was born 22 May 1851 in Ohio and died 10 Feb 1919 in New Castle, Henry, IN, the daughter of John Lumsden and Lucreta Christman, and the spouse of Jesse French. She had been living at 634 S. 14th St. in New Castle, IN, very near the Jesse French Piano Warehouse.
Callie French, above left 1870, right two photos undated. All photos taken in Nashville, TN.
Callie French, 1896 (above), taken in Nashville, TN.
Callie French in 1897 (above).
Indiana Wills and Probate Record of Callie French, 20 Jul 1918, above. Callie died 10 Feb 1919 in New Castle, Henry, IN.
Jesse French’s Passport Application for Business
1920 May 6 -- The U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925, say that Jesse French was b. 23 Jul 1846 in Devonshire, England and a U.S. passport was issued to him on 6 May 1920, and that his father Jacob French was a naturalized citizen of the U.S. It states his father, Jacob French, immigrated from the Port of Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, in 1834 and that he resided about 12 or 14 years, uninterruptedly, in the United States from 1834 to 1848 in New York, and that he was a naturalized citizen of the United States. Jesse French had obtained his previous passport in Nashville, TN, ca. 1895. Jessie was obtaining a new passport at age 74 to visit France, Italy, and Belgium on business. He intended to leave from the port of Montreal, Canada, and sail on the Scotian steamer on the 18th of Jun 1920. Jesse states that his father, Jacob, came to the United States as a mere lad with his father who was a printer for an establishment perhaps called Bradshaw. In 1834 Jacob would have been 30 years old, not really a mere lad. Passport initiated on 5/12/1920.
From Steve Kawaler, Ames, IA, steve@iowayank.com, 26 Jan 2013 [21]. I found some Stereo Realist 3-D slides of the Jesse French factory in Newcastle, IN, packaged with a 3-D slide viewer that I bought at a tag sale today. They are color 3-D slide pairs, probably from the 50s or perhaps earlier. I'm attaching scans of two of them - one an aerial view of the factory, and a second one of the machines with two technicians (and a view out the window). There are 8 more of the production process. They are professionally done (it looks like) though labeled by hand.
In addition, there are a few slides of piano models (again professionally done) on a showroom floor.
In researching the slides below, I stumbled across your web pages on the Jesse French section of the French Family Association, but what allowed me to make the connection was a post to a piano forum by Horace Edgar French III that gave the location of the factory (and a short account of his visit to the abandoned building in 1993). It looks like it is mostly still there (at least via Google Maps/Google Earth) though there may be some construction going on. I’ve attached a screen shot from Google Maps of the area.
Anyway, I thought you might enjoy hearing that someone, somehow, had 3-D color slides from the factory, hidden in a box, for decades, that then (upon his passing, I suppose) made their way into a photo-hobbiest's hands who had way too much free time on a Saturday and thought it would be fun to do some sleuthing that eventually connected the images to your family.
Cheers,
Steve Kawaler
Ames, IA
https://www.flickr.com/photos/iowayank/8421512495/in/album-72157632629947694/
The latest satellite images show that the factory has been leveled. you can see the outline of where the main buildings were by clicking on the “Map” tab in the link above.
Steve has scanned more on Flicker, but system down:
I've scanned in the rest and uploaded them to Flickr:
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjDMiCx1 or https://www.flickr.com/photos/iowayank/8421512495/in/album-72157632629947694/
from
the 1940s or 1950s, 13 photos and 8 views by Steve Kawaler.
Overhead view of the piano factory in New Castle, Indiana.
3.5 Mary French, born 1848 in England, died 1849 aboard ship China while immigrating to NY with her parents.
3.6* Henry Angel French, Sr., born 21 Dec 1857 in Davidson County, Tennessee (only other living male in this family). He m. Helen Lees ca. 1886; she was b. ca. 1856 and died in 1919, the daughter of Daul C. “D C” Lees who was born about 1815 in Scotland, and Joan (Dixon) Lees (1822-1900), also born in Scotland. Henry Sr. lived his entire life in Nashville, TN. He was a merchant in a music store as per the 1910 census in Nashville when he was 53 years old. They had 4 children. He died at age 82 on 2 May 1940 in Nashville, and is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.
The proprietor of
French Music Store and living at 1715 Eastland Avenue, Nashville, TN. Henry was
82 years old and a widower when he suddenly died at home, cause unknown, on May
2, 1940. Burial was two days later in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville. Most of the above is from his Death Certificate,
with Mrs J L French of 1715 Eastland Avenue as the
informant on www.findagrave.com.
In the 1920 census, Henry A. is 62, living in Civil District 11, Davidson Co., TN, a widow, living with his daughters Jessie (age 24) and Helen (age 21). Henry A. French Sr.’s son, Henry A. French Jr., had moved to Atlanta, De Kalb Co., Georgia, age 29, b. ca. 1891 in TN, m. Julia M. and had a young son, Henry A. French III, age 1, born in 1919 in Georgia. Henry Jr. was a manager of a music store.
From The Tennassean of Nashville, TN, 3
May 1940.
Fourth Generation
Children of Jesse French and Callie Lumsden, 3.4
Left to Right: Jesse French Jr., Horace Edgar French, and John L. French, photo dated pre-1896
Photo taken in 1897. Brothers John Lumsden French, Jesse Lumsden French Jr., and Horace Edgar French.
4.1 John Lumsden French, b. 10 Nov 1872 in TN, age 27 in the 1900 census of St. Louis Ward 25, St. Louis (Independent City), MO, his father born in England and his mother in Ohio. John Lumsden French formed the St. Louis Motor Carriage Company in 1900 with George P. Dorriss. They produced 85 automobiles. Ironically, Mr. French died as a result of an automobile accident in Pittsburgh. He was on a business trip and took a trial spin in a new car and collided with another car. He suffered severe head injuries when he was thrown from his vehicle. He is living with Lucetta Lumsden (his grandmother), age 71, b. Nov 1828 in Ohio, her father was born in Switzerland and her mother in Pennsylvania. Lucetta Lumsden was the wife of John Lumsden who was the father of John’s mother, Callie. She was living off the estate of her husband. John m. Elizabeth P. but died young without heirs on 23 May 1902 at age 29 and is buried at the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Independent Cities, MO. Bio by: Connie Nisinger, Plot: Block 4, Lot 4077.
John Lumsden French, left 1897, right undated, but taken in Nashville, TN
From website http://www.findagrave.com/. French formed the St. Louis Motor Carriage Company in 1900 with George P. Dorriss. They produced 85 automobles. Ironically, Mr. French died as a result of an automobile accident in Pittsburgh. He was on a business trip & took a trial spin in a new car & collided with another car. He suffered severe head injuries when he was thrown from his vehicle.
In 1900, John French drove to St. Louis on the first automobile trip between St. Louis and Chicago. In 1901 he was one of only three drivers to finish in a New York-to-Buffalo race driving the car pictured below. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Motor_Company and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorris_Motors_Corporation and http://www.mohistory.org/exhibits/ShiftingGears/exhibition/gearheads/rigs.html.
Owners of St. Louis Motor Carriage Company, George Dorris (front) and Jesse French Jr. and Sr., in a company racing and touring car built in 1902 or 1903 in front of Frank P. Blair Statue at northeast corner of Forest Park on Lindell. Photograph, ca. 1903. Missouri History Museum Photographs and Prints Collections.
4.2* Horace Edgar French, Sr., b. 3 Apr 1877 in TN, d. 15 Jun 1968 in Winter Park, Orange Co., FL, m. Ellen (Nellie) May Fuller in New Castle, IN. She was b. 12 Oct 1875, d. 14 Oct 1949. In 1900, Horace E. French was 23, living in St. Louis Ward 25, St. Louis (Independent City), MO, with his parents, Jesse and Callie. By 1910, Horace is listed as H. Edgar French, living with his wife Nellie F. in New Castle Ward 5, Henry Co., IN, and their son H. Edgar G. French (age 2). He worked as a salesman in a piano factory, most likely that of his father. In 1920 H. Edgar was living in Boerne, Kendall Co., TX, age 42, with his wife Nellie (age 44) and their children: Horace E. (age 12), and Elizabeth (age 9). By 1930, Horace was 53 and living with his wife Nellie, age 54, and their children Horace (age 22, b. 1908) and Elizabeth (age 19, b. 1911) in New Castle, Henry Co., IN. This census states that Horace’s father was born in England. In 1930, Horace was the President of a piano company and his son, Horace, worked with him. The photo below on the right is from the Music Trade Review, 19 Dec 1903, when Horace was 23 years old and the Treasurer of the Krell-French Piano Company.
(above) Henry Gennett and H. Edgar French in 1897, taken at Murillo Photography, 1314 Olive St., St. Louis, MO.
Horace filed a Patent Number 905304 on 12 Aug 1907 which was issued on 1 Dec 1908, for a key for combination instruments. It relates to a method of connecting piano keys with the actions or the abstracts thereof. See http://www.google.com/patents?id=g-E_AAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false.
Horace died on 15 Jun 1968 and is buried at the South Mound Cemetery in New Castle, Henry Co., IN. After Horace’s wife Nellie died in 1949, he married Mabelle E., b. 14 Sep 1877, d. 28 Jul 1970, as she is buried in the same cemetery and the stone looks identical to the ones shown below.
Horace had a connection to Sydney, Australia, and that was to F. Owen French of 94 and 92B Pitt Street. In 1919 when H. Edgar French was 42 years old, he lived at 603 S. 14th Street in New Castle, IN. See http://www.auspostalhistory.com/articles/248.shtml. Please contact Maurice about Australian Postal History and Social Philately at maurice@auspostalhistory.com.
Notice the “Jesse French & Sons” written below the diagram of a piano. The reverse, shown partially, has a drawing of a large industrial plant (assumed to be that of the parent USA piano company) as well as 3 postmarks, an originating Registered Sydney, as on the front, plus 2 copies of a double ringed CHICAGO, ILL./ AUG/ 1/ 1924/ REG. DIV.
The following photo (left) is of Rufus Owen French of Sydney, Australia, and his wife Clara French Wallace, 1892-1969. See website http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3400312/person/-1739389882 (need to be a member of ancestry.com) as we are unsure how this line ties in. The son or grandson of Rufus was James Augustus French (right photo), b. May 1936 in Orange, NSW Australia; he died in Sydney, NSW, Australia. In the 1930 Australian Electoral Rolls of Parramatta, Castle Hill, NSW, Australia, both Clara and Rufus Own French lived on Lonhawn Avenue, Model Farms; she was a housewife and he tended the orchard and poultry.
Apparently the “F” in F. Owen French stands for Frederick Owen French who was living in 1936 in Gordon, Parramatta, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, see Australian Electoral Rolls of 1936 below:
From this list you can detect that Frederick’s wife was Ethel Gertrude French. Frederick and Ethel are also listed in the 1930 Australian Electoral Rolls without any other French listed, living at Lagonda, 52 St. John’s Rd., Gordon, Australia. Frederick Owen French is listed in the following rolls: 1930, 1936, 1937, 1943, 1949, 1954, 1958, 1963, and 1968. Ancestry.com has all the details as many other Frenches are listed, including Bruce Owen, Edith May, Elizabeth Owen, Enid Isabelle, Ethel Gertrude, Eva Grace, Florence, Frederick Noel, Frederick Owen, Harold, Horace Edward, John Alston, Lorna May, Phyllis Ruth, Rita Maria, and Richard Oxley French, all in 1943 alone. Some of the later Frenches that show up after 1977 to 1980 are Owen Kenneth French, Julie Owen French, Mark Owen French, Owen John French, Owen Kevin French, Ross Owen French, Bruce Owen French. Of special note are Rufus Owen French who married Mary Ann Jones in 1882 in Bathurst, NSW, and Bruce Owen French d. 7 Dec 1995 and is buried at the Outside Riverina Cemetery in Outside Riverina, NSW.
4.3* Jesse Lumsden French, Jr., b. 29 Jan 1879 in TN, d. 5 Aug 1958 in Canada, m. Edith Kennedy, known as Helen “Nellie” Kennedy, or just simply “Nell”. They lived in Ocala. In 1900, Jesse L. French was 21, living in St. Louis Ward 25, St. Louis (Independent City), MO, with his parents, Jesse and Callie. In 1910 Jesse was 31, living with his wife Helen in New Castle Ward 5, Henry Co., IN, and their children: Caroline (age 6, born in MO), Jesse III (age 3, born in IL), Waller (age 2, born in IN). In 1920 Jessie was 40, living in New Castle Ward 5, Henry Co., IN, with his wife Helen, and their children Carolina (15), Jesse III (13), Walter (11), and John (3, born in IN). In 1930, Jesse Jr. is 51, living with his wife Helen (age 47, born in IL) and their son John (age 13, born in IN). Jesse Jr. was the V. P. of a Piano Factory. John, who was b. 19 Oct 1916 in New Castle, Indiana, d. in 1962 in Tallahassee, FL.
Jesse French Jr. (above left), Ocala Star-Banner Newspaper from Sunday, September 26, 1965 (above right), and Obituary from the Ocala Star Banner, dated 22 Jan 1962 (below).
From Donna Kennedy Nichols (see 4. in Bibliography): Helen Kennedy, born in IL in 1880's, married Jesse French Jr., probably from New Castle, IN. They owned Jesse French and Sons Piano Factory. One of Uncle Jesse's brothers was Horace French who lived in New Castle. Uncle Jesse and Aunt Nell had at least 2 children: John French who did live in Tallahassee, FL and Caroline who married Richard Banta of Crawfordsville, IN. Jesse and Nell French lived in Ocala, Florida for many years. I have recently found some things belonging to my cousin Betty French Kelly, daughter of Horace, that I would like to give to a member of her family. It is a lace handkerchief she carried at her wedding in 1934. Her oldest son was Arthur French Kelly, born abt. 1940. Arthur French Kelly stated: “My grandfather was Horace E. French and my great grandfather was Jesse French. As a child I visited the French piano factory in Newcastle (sic), Indiana, a number of times. Several of my family continue to own French baby grand pianos. My mother Elizabeth French, recalls a cousin by the name of Bruce French who moved to Australia in the 1950s, from whom she lost contact.”
Children of Henry Angel French, Sr. and Helen Lees, 3.6
4.4* Henry Angel French
Jr. was b. 21 Oct 1891 in TN, m. Julia H. Mizelle
who was b. 1899, and had son Henry A. French, b. 1919 in Atlanta, DeKalb Co.,
GA. Henry Jr. registered for the draft for WWI in Atlanta, Fulton Co., GA. In
the 1940 census of Nashville, Davidson Co., TN, Henry was 48, living with his
father Henry A. French who was 82, and Henry’s wife Julia age 41, and
their son Henry A. French, age 21. Henry died in
1951. A stock clerk for an
aircraft manufacturer and living at 1715 Eastland Avenue in Nashville, he was
59 years old and married when he died of a cerebral thrombosis at home on
August 28, 1951. Burial was the next day in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville.
Henry A. French Sr.’s son, Henry A. French Jr., had moved to Atlanta, De Kalb Co., Georgia, age 29, b. ca. 1891 in TN, m. Julia M. and had a young son, Henry A. French III, age 1, born in 1919 in Georgia. Henry Jr. was a manager of a music store.
4.5 Jessie Lee French (dau.), b. 1895, no known spouse or children, d. 1976. At the time of the 1920 census she was a self-employed candy maker; by 1930 she was a teacher at Belmont College; and in 1940 she was an interviewer for Tennessee Employment.
4.6 Robert Kershner French, b. 20 Oct 1896 in Nashville, Davidson, TN, lived at 1715 Eastland Ave., Nashville, TN. In 1930 lived in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., TX, m. Ray – she was b. in 1905. In the 1910 census, Robert was 13, living with his parents Henry A. French 53 and Helen L. French 53, and his siblings Henry A. French Jr. 18, Jessie L. French 15, and Helen E. French 11. Robert died 28 Apr 1962 in Dallas, Dallas, TX, age 65, and is buried in Restland Memorial Park in Dallas. His wife’s name was M. Ray W. French (she was known as Ray), b. ca. 1905. They had a daughter named Marian M. French, named perhaps after her mother; she was b. ca. 1933 in TX, and lived in 1940 at 2412 Vincent St., Wellington, Collingsworth, TX, age 7, with her parents.
4.7 Helen Elizabeth French, b. 21 Apr 1898 in Nashville, TN. She lived all her life in Nashville. At one time living at 1715 Eastland Avenue, she was 49 years old and an invalid at the Tennessee Home for the Feeble-Minded in Donelson - later known as Cloverbottom Developmental Center - when she passed away on December 25, 1947. Burial was two days later in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville.
Fifth Generation
Children of Horace Edgar French Sr. and Ellen Fuller, 4.2
5.1* Horace Edgar French, Jr., b. 16 Dec 1907 in New Castle, Henry Co., IN. He m1. Suanne Nettles ca. 1931 or 32 and had two children: The following information was provided by his son Horace Edgar French III on 25 Apr 2019 from Cumming, GA, email: epb5151@att.net. Horace III also had a sister, Elizabeth French. Elizabeth married Gene Youmans around 1954. She and Gene had two children, spent most of their life in Pensacola FL. Horace and Suanne remained married until her death (automobile accident in Montgomery, AL – 19 Oct 1961). Horace later married Mary Josephine Perdue on 20 Jul 1968 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL. She had been a partner in the retail business in Montgomery. After only a year of marriage, Mary passed away of a heart attack. Horace moved to Pensacola, Escambia County, FL and lived in an assisted living/nursing facility near Gene and Elizabeth. He passed away on 15 Apr 1987. Elizabeth passed away in 2017 in Charleston SC, in an assisted living facility near her daughter Debbie. Elizabeth’s brother, Horace Edgar French III, married Patricia Lilliott in 1965. They have two sons - Kevin and Patrick. Kevin is married to Laura Jones and they have one son, Will French. Patrick is married to Tara Culberson and they have two sons, Beckett and Jensen. Kevin and Laura live in Bogart, GA and Patrick and Tara live in Cumming, GA. Patricia Lilliott French was born about 1948 [1].
From Edgar French, 25 Apr 2019, epb5151@att.net: Horace Edgar French (1907) was my father. The was no initial “G" in his name - he was Horace Edgar French, Jr. He married Suanne Nettles around 1931 or 32 and had two children; Horace Edgar French III (me) and Elizabeth French (my sister). Elizabeth married Gene Youmans around 1954. She and Gene had two children, spent most of their life in Pensacola FL. Horace and Suanne remained married until her death (automobile accident in Montgomery, AL - 1961). Horace later married Mary Perdue (around 1971) who had been a partner in the retail business in Montgomery. After only a year of marriage, Mary passed a way of a heart attack. Horace moved to Pensacola FL and lived in an assisted living/nursing facility near Gene and Elizabeth. He passed away in 1987. Elizabeth passed away in 2017 in Charleston SC, in an assisted living facility near her daughter Debbie. I, Horace Edgar French III, married Patricia Lilliott in 1965. We have two sons - Kevin and Patrick. Kevin is married to Laura Jones and they have one son, Will French. Patrick is married to Tara Culberson and they have two sons, Beckett and Jensen. Kevin and Laura live in Bogart, GA and Patrick and Tara live in Cumming, GA. Patricia and I also live in Cumming GA. My age as of this writing is 77 years and Patricia’s age is 71. I thought it would be good to clarify and update the records [1].
5.2 Elizabeth (Betty)
French, b. 1911 in Boerne, Kendall Co., TX. She married in 1934 to a man
named Kelly and had son Arthur French Kelly, b. ca. 1940. Betty died in 2017 in
Charleston SC, in an assisted living facility near her daughter Debbie. Arthur
had children Brian Arthur Kelly and Risa Kelly Beck. Elizabeth married Gene
Youmans around 1954. She and Gene had two children, spent most of their life in
Pensacola FL.
Children of Jesse Lumsden French Jr. and Helen “Nellie” Kennedy, 4.3
5.3 Caroline French, b. 8 Feb 1904 in St. Louis, MO, living in New Castle, Henry Co., IN, in 1920. She m. Richard Elwell Banta of Crawfordsville, Montgomery Co., IN. They had daughter Kathleen Banta, b. ca. 1928. Her birth record states that her parents were Jessie Jr. and Hester R. She died in 1967 [28].
5.4 Jesse French III, b. 28 Jul 1906 in IN, living in New Castle, Henry Co., IN, in 1920. Resided later in life in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. By the 1940 census of New Castle, Jesse was living at 615 Bundy Court with his wife Helen J., same age, and their daughter Diane, age 6, b. 1934 in Alabama. Jesse d. 12 Mar 1994 in Fort Lauderdale, Broward Co., Florida [28].
5.5* Walter Kennedy French, Sr., b. 2 Feb 1908 in IN, living in New Castle Co., Henry Co., IN. He m1. Rene, m2. Margarette Ellen Ayres. They have children Arthur Benton French, 1927-2018, and Walter Kennedy French Jr., 1928-2016. Members of this family were also buried in New Castle. He died in 1960 [18].
5.6* John Hickland French, b. 19 Oct 1916 in New Castle, Henry Co., IN, was a veteran of WWII and a member of the Trinity Methodist Church. He died at age 45. He was associated with Radio Station WRMC for a number of years. He m. Sarah T. and had 2 sons, John J. Jr., and Marvin French, both of Tallahassee. In the 1940 census of New Castle, John was living at 710 South Main St., New Castle, living with his parents Jesse and Helen, likewise in the 1930 census and the 1920 census. John enlisted in WWII on 17 Oct 1940 in Jacksonville, FL in the medical department as a Private in the Army. He had 3 years of college, was single. He died in 1961 [28].
Children of Henry Angel French Jr. and Julia H. Mizelle, 4.4
5.7 Henry Angel French III, b. 20 Dec 1918 in Atlanta, Georgia, d. 31 Dec 2000 in Alexandria, VA. By the 1930 census of DeKalb Co., Georgia, Henry was age 11 living with his parents and no other siblings are listed. By the 1940 census of Nashville, Davidson Co., TN, he is listed as age 21, living with his parents and his grandfather, and no other siblings are listed. Henry married Maxine Brown (1921-2015), and they had 5 children, one of whom was Stephen Alan French, b. 7 Jun 1947 in TN who m. Linda Diane Osburn on 31 Aug 1968 at the Crossman United Methodist Church in Falls Church, VA. The other children will be added when I get the information.
1930 census -- Henry A. French III was 11, was living in Militia District 531, DeKalb Co., Georgia, with H. A. (age 25, born in TN) and Julia French (age 31, born in TX). H. A. French (Henry Angel French) was b. 19 Oct 1906, d. 5 Oct 1996, and last lived in Beverly Hills, Citrus Co., Florida. Henry A. French III was b. 20 Dec 1918, d. 31 Dec 2000, last lived in McLean, Fairfax Co., VA.
Sixth Generation
Children of Horace Edgar F. French Jr. and Suanne Nettles, 5.1
6.1* Horace Edgar French III, in AL, b. ca. 1942, m. Patricia Lilliott in 1965. She was born about 1948. He provided the following information on 25 Apr 2019 from Cumming, GA, email: epb5151@att.net. They have two sons: Kevin and Patrick. Kevin is married to Laura Jones and they have one son, Will French. Patrick is married to Tara Culberson and they have two sons, Beckett and Jensen. Kevin and Laura live in Bogart, GA and Patrick and Tara live in Cumming, GA [1].
6.2 Elizabeth A. French, b. 31 Jan 1934 in AL, resides in Pensacola, FL. The 1940 census shows she was born in Alabama and lived in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL in 1940. Elizabeth married Gene Youmans around 1954. She and Gene had two children, spent most of their lives in Pensacola FL. Elizabeth passed away in 2017 in Charleston SC, in an assisted living facility near her daughter Debbie.
Children of Walter Kennedy French and Margarette Ellen Ayres, 5.5
6.3 Arthur Benton French, b. 1927, d. 2018.
6.4 Walter
Kennedy French, Jr., b. 1928, d. 2016.
Children of John Hickland French and Sarah T., 5.6
6.5 John J. French Jr. of Tallahassee, Leon Co., FL. He lives at 1531 Live Oak Dr., in Tallahassee, phone 850-224-2549, aged 60-64 in 2012.
6.6 Marvin J. French of Tallahassee, Leon Co., FL. He lives at 1531 Live Oak Dr., in Tallahassee, phone 850-224-2549, aged 60-64 in 2012.
6.7 Oats M. French of Tallahassee, Leon Co., FL. He lives at 1531 Live Oak Dr., in Tallahassee, phone 850-224-2549, aged 60-64 in 2012.
Seventh Generation
Children of Horace Edgar French III and Patricia Lilliott, 6.1
7.1* Kevin Edgar French, b. 24 Nov 1968, lived in Atlanta, GA in 1995, m. Laura Jones and they have one son, Will French. Kevin and Laura live in Bogart, GA [1].
7.2* Patrick Nettles French, b. 1975, m. Tara Genice Culberson and they have two sons, Beckett and Jensen. Patrick and Tara live in Cumming, GA. DDS Patrick French is a Dentist at 2176 Oak Rd. Ste A, in Snellville, GA, 770-985-9559, email: info@oakroaddentistry.com, website: http://oakroaddentistry.com [25].
Patrick went to South Gwinnett High School in Snellville and received his undergraduate degree from Auburn University in 1998. Following Auburn, he attended the Medical College of Georgia to attain his degree in Dental Medicine.
Eighth Generation
Children of Kevin Edgar French and Laura Jones, 7.1
8.1 William Jesse French [1].
Children of Patrick Nettles French and Tara Genice Culberson, 7.2
8.2 Beckett Nettles French [25].
8.3 Jensen Edgar French [25].
Bibliography and Records
The following list of people are not all descendants, but also include people interested in Jesse French ancestry. They are referenced using square brackets [ ] after the text for which they researched on this website.
1. Kevin Edgar French and his wife Laura, and their son William Jesse French are direct descendants of Jesse French. Email: french0626@gmail.com. Laura French, email: french0626@gmail.com. From Donna Kennedy Nichols (see 4. in Bibliography): Helen Kennedy, born in IL in 1880's, married Jesse French Jr., probably from New Castle, IN. They owned Jesse French and Sons Piano Factory. One of Uncle Jesse's brothers was Horace French who lived in New Castle. Uncle Jesse and Aunt Nell had at least 2 children: John French who did live in Tallahassee, FL and Caroline who married Richard Banta of Crawfordsville, IN. Jesse and Nell French lived in Ocala, Florida for many years. I have recently found some things belonging to my cousin Betty French Kelly, daughter of Horace, that I would like to give to a member of her family. It is a lace handkerchief she carried at her wedding in 1934. Her oldest son was Arthur French Kelly, born abt. 1940.
Hi Mara. I was looking at the updated Jesse French page today and saw this reference at the bottom of the page. I could not quite figure out who Donna Kennedy Nichols is or how to contact her. Betty French Kelly is my husband's great aunt. She passed away a few years ago. I know how to get in touch with Arthur and others in the Kelly family. My husband's grandfather was Horace French, Jr., Betty French's brother.
Our lineage: Jesse French, then Horace Edgar French, then Horace Edgar French, Jr., then Horace Edgar French, III (my father-in-law), then Kevin Edgar French (my husband) and our son, William Jesse French.
2. Joan and Tom Smith, JoanTomSmith@hotmail.com. I'm looking for living LUMSDEN descendants, including ALICE (LUMSDEN) GENNETT (b. 5-5-1859 TN; d. 1-28-1952 CA). In 1876 she married HENRY GENNETT (b. 9-13-1852, d.6-3-1922 OH?; 8th of 9 children). [I once contacted Judith GENNETT, whose husband I believe is from Alice/Henry's son CLARENCE's line, but she hasn't filled me in on who came directly after them or explained yet her(husband's) connection.] If you are related to Lumsden-Gennett offspring (including those from Clarence/Harry/Frederick/...GENNETT) -or- know any more about the GENNETT connection to LUMSDEN brothers [JAMES/GEORGE/JOHN, who partnered with John L.'s 3 daughters' husbands (...Jesse French + CAROLINE LUMSDEN; Wm. Payne + AMELIA LUMSDEN; Henry GENNETT +ALICE LUMSDEN) in that family business selling/mfg Pianos in IND, TENN, elsewhere U.S...], kindly let me know! I'd especially love Any/All *Photos* of these distant cousins!!! PLEASE contact me: < JoanTomSmith AT hotmail DOT com >. Also see Joan Smith’s Genealogy.
3. Judith Gennett, www.columbiagypsy.net or Gennett@gorge.net. website: http://www.waynet.org/nonprofit/gennett.htm and http://www.columbiagypsy.net/lucris.htm.
4. Donna Kennedy Nichols, email: 3dknichols8@tampabay.rr.com or grannygrey50@hotmail.com or 3dnichols8@earthlink.net. I know Jesse French of Jesse French and Sons Pianos. His son, Jesse French Jr, married my grandfather's sister, Edith Kennedy (she was known as Nell). My Aunt Nell and Uncle Jesse lived in Ocala and I spent much time with them when I was a child, and knew their grandchildren. Part of the year they were in New Castle, IN, and were either with Horace and Mable French or at our house. My grandfather, Aunt Nellie's brother, was Dr. Walter Urban Kennedy. They were born in Murrayville, IL. They also had a brother, John, who lived in California. In fact, he was in CA when their mother Kathleen Steuart died in Winchester. Helen Kennedy, born in IL in 1880's, married Jesse French, probably from New Castle, IN. They owned Jesse French and Sons Piano Factory. One of Uncle Jesse's brothers was Horace French who lived in New Castle. Uncle Jesse and Aunt Nell had at least 2 children - John French who did live in Tallahassee, FL and Caroline who married Richard Banta of Crawfordsville, IN. Jesse and Nell French lived in Ocala, Florida for many years. I have recently found some things belonging to my cousin Betty French Kelly, daughter of Horace, that I would like to give to a member of her family. It is a lace handkerchief she carried at her wedding in 1934. Her oldest son was Arthur French Kelly, born abt. 1940. My Uncle Jesse and Aunt Nelle lived in Ocala for their permanent home, but he was the son of Jesse French Sr. who began the company. Am trying to locate family members of Jesse French family. Uncle Jesse was of the Jesse French and Son's Piano Company. He lived part of the year in Ocala, FL with my aunt, Helen Kennedy French. Rest of the year they traveled. He died in Canada before 1952. Aunt Nellie (Helen's nickname) carried his ashes back to New Castle, IN in her purse in an urn. where he is buried in a family plot. One son was John who lived in Tallahassee, FL. He had 2 sons. They also had a daughter, Caroline, who married Richard Banta, author of The Ohio, in the River’s of America series. They lived in Crawfordsville, IN. Uncle Jesse also had brothers Horace and Edgar French who lived in New Castle, IN, and also a sister. I moved in 2001 and lost one contact of someone who sent me information on Jesse French and Son’s Pianos which was founded in either Birmingham or Nashville.
From Aug 13, 2012: I was just checking out some things on Uncle Jesse and Aunt Nell’s house in Ocala, where I lived with them for almost a year in 1942. I live about 25 miles away now in Inverness, FL. And, I noticed on Uncle Jesse’s death date, it was way off. I was at Uncle Jesse’s funeral in New Castle. Aunt Nellie was very much alive at the time! She carried Uncle Jesse’s ashes back from Canada in her big black bag. Both the Canadian and US officials told her cremation would be the easiest way to get his body back to the States. The service was held at the cemetery, and Aunt Nellie had to ‘rescue us kids’ from parental and grandparental wrath! The boys and I had been wandering around the cemetery and I was showing them places. Spending as much time in NC as I did, I played in the cemetery a lot. Aunt Nell was my grandfather’s kid sister... and I also knew my Uncle John. I also spent a lot of time at Uncle Horace and Aunt Mabel’s house down the street from my grandparent’s house in New Castle, and my friends and I spent a lot of time up in the stamp shop downtown next to my grandfather’s medical office. They were on the same floor, the second floor, of the New Castle Courier Times paper. Uncle Edgar was also usually around, and when I went to school in New Castle, I would sometimes go down to their house to eat lunch if I didn’t go to my grandparent’s house for lunch. I lived with my grandparents in New Castle in the 4th grade.
5. Deborah Young. (Cannot locate her email) I would like very much to talk with you about this French line. I have been searching for information on this piano and organ company that had an office in Birmingham, Alabama and in the early 1900's opened a branch office in Pensacola, Florida. My ggrandfather was the manager for this company in Pensacola. Appreciate any help that you can give.
6. Lumsden Genealogy:
http://www.columbiagypsy.net/jonlum.htm.
7. Marvin C. French, 6349 Jess Ct., Saint Cloud, FL 34771-9482, 407-892-6003, Fremav@yahoo.com.
8. Henry, Maxine, William, Bill, and Don French, 1907 Sawyer Place, McLean, VA 22101-5524, 703-893-8524, email: hfrench@aol.com.
9. Laurel Martin (do not have email). She is a widow and owns the original of the multi-family photo on this website. Her mother-in-law was Rose Gennett, the little girl sitting on a lap in front row of that photo, mailed it to me out of her family album, so I could make quality reprints. I sent an enlargement to the Starr-Gennett Foundation, who had never seen it, either. – Joan Smith [2].
10. Horace Edgar French, mail: epb5151@att.net, (email good in 2019), he sent most of the photos on this page in a zip file. It was the photo album of Callie French, inherited by Edgar French. His grandfather was Horace Edgar French who lived in New Castle, IN, and operated the French piano factory until around the late fifties or early sixties. On 25 Apr 2019 from Cumming, GA.
11. Many records on this line are from www.findmypast.co.uk.
12. mcfly_davis, related through O. K. Houck. Her mom is a Houck from Bardstown, KY.
13. Marianne Hughes, email: hchisoc@kiva.net.
14. Brian Arthur Kelly, email: thekellyclan@comcast.net.
15. Risa Kelly Beck,
email: atrkb4dogs@cox.net or
akb4dogs@cox.net (email no longer valid). My cousin Alison Kelly sent
me the link to the French website. Would you please add me and my
brother, Brian Arthur Kelly? My name is Risa Kelly Beck, atrkb4dogs@cox.net and Brian Kelly at thekellyclan@comcast.net. We are some of Betty Kelly’s grandchildren.
16. Steve Kelly, email: SKELLY@depaul.edu.
17. Steve Kawaler, Ames, IA, steve@iowayank.com, 26 Jan 2013.
18. I'm the daughter of Owen S. Parrish who was the general manager of the piano factory in New Castle from the early 1940s to 1952. I was born in New Castle in 1945. I own one of the Jesse French pianos made at the factory. It is about 75 years old, maybe older. I would love to connect with you and get more information about the time that my father was with the company. I believe he worked for Selmer but then you know that Selmer bought the piano company (I think). Please let me know if you got this email and I hope to hear back from you soon! Patrice Parrish Miller, 729 S. Beverly Lane, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, cell: 847-902-1502, 27 Aug 2016.
19. Laura French, J.D., LL.M. in Taxation, FRENCH LAW GROUP, LLC, The Mom Lawyer (R), 921 Commercial Street, NE, Conyers, Georgia 30012, 770-648-6239, email: lfrench@frenchlawgroup.com, Registered Neutral (Mediator), Admitted in Georgia and Alabama. Our family doesn't go to England until Christmas. I hope our travel plans will allow us to visit Dalwood. Thanks for the information you attached. I'll keep you posted on my research. Laura is the wife of Ref. [1]. Address on 26 Jan 2013 is 1892 Ga. Hwy 138, SE, Conyers, GA 30013, 770-483-1431, french0626@gmail.com. Twitter: TheMomLawyer and FrenchLawLLM. See Ref. [1].
20. Email: occam24@aol.com, 16 Feb 2013.
22. Henry County Historical Society Museum, 606 S. 14th St., New Castle, IN 47362, phone: 765-529-4028, Email: henrycountyhistoricalsociety@gmail.com, website: http://www.henrycountyhs.org. Also see http://www.henrycountyhs.org//?s=French&x=10&y=1
Krell-French Pianos: A
noteworthy legacy
Posted by HCHS on Oct 26, 2013 in Historically Speaking |
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Historically Speaking |
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“Oh look. There’s a Krell-French piano.” The words were said not by a music teacher or an antique dealer. They were said on the big screen, by legendary actor Paul Newman in one of his films with Joanne Woodward. In the early 1900s everyone had heard of a Krell-French piano. A 1910 publication of the Industrial Edition said the piano company had become one of the largest distributors of pianos and organs, “covering an area twice as large the German empire.” The story of the piano factory in New Castle plays like a Beethoven number, a stirring rendition of community spirit and successful risk-taking, one that served as a prelude to an industrial prowess that helped make New Castle the place to be at the turn of the 20th century. Interestingly, like the Hoosier Kitchen Cabinet factory that would come later, it all started with a fire. When a fire destroyed the Krell-French Piano Factory in Springfield, Tenn., New Castle city leaders – led by Charles Hernly, a true economic developer long before the term ever came into existence – decided to lure the company here. But it took $60,000 in cash and another $125,000 for preferred stock. As well as an equally large leap in faith. “The directors were neither stampeded nor frightened at the size of the deal,” an article in the 1903 New Castle Democrat reported. “Calling in a few good citizens, they arranged to meet the piano company directors at Indianapolis on a certain day. Before that meeting was over, these eight or 10 men had signed a contract making themselves individually responsible for payment of the money.” It might have been perceived as a gamble at the time. But the end result produced a veritable symphony of noteworthy benefits for the town. The Krell-French Piano Company would become one of the four largest in the United States. The plant itself contained over five acres of floor space and employed more than 400 skilled workers. Thousands of pianos were kept moving through the factory at all times in various stages of construction. An average weekly payroll of $4,500 was realized here, translating to an annual payroll of $250,000. To say the piano factory success was one of the keys to New Castle’s early growth is an understatement. The population increased by as many as 3,000 people – more than had come to town in the previous half-century. The ripple effects of the piano factory led to other monumental events in New Castle’s history. Jesse French Sr., who bought out his partner and made it the Jesse French Piano Factory, contributed $45,000 to construction of a new YMCA on Church Street, a facility that served New Castle for more than 70 years. In 1989, the Henry County Historical Society museum had a unique visitor. Elizabeth French Kelly, the daughter of Jesse French Jr. and granddaughter of company co-founder Jesse French Sr., visited the facility and spent some time around the vintage Jesse French piano featured in the museum’s main room. Her son, Dr. Steve Kelly, had arranged the trip. Dr. Kelly said then that even though the pianos aren’t made anymore, they live on like a classic song. He told the story of a patient who, in casual conversation, talked about buying an old piano on the eBay website. When asked where the piano originated, the patient said, “You wouldn’t know, some little town in Indiana.” Even more interested now, Kelly persisted, asking what brand it was. “A Jesse French piano,” was the reply. “Why, that’s my grandfather,” Kelly said. You can see an original Jesse French piano and learn more about its history at the Henry County Historical Society Museum, 606 S. 14th St. It’s open from 1 to 4:30 Wednesdays through Saturdays or by appointment, 765-529-4028. 23. Jacob French’s wife, Mary Ann French, who had the same surname as Jacob, was the daughter of Samuel French, b. ca. 1780 in England, who married Mary Palmer on 11 Mar 1806 at St. Peter’s Church in Dalwood, Dorset, England. Mary was born in 1786. See website http://www.dalwoodhistory.co.uk/resources/Marriages+1716-1912.pdf. Samuel and Mary French’s children: James, Samuel,
John, Mary Ann, Thomas, George, Henry, Francis. St. Peter’s Church is from the 15th century and was restored in 1881, long after the French family lived there. Map of St. Peter’s Church.
The 1841 England Census shows “a” Samuel French, age 65, living in Honiton, Axminster, Devon, England, with many unrelated people. Honiton is a mere 3 miles from Dalwood. Samuel French married Mary Palmer in Dalwood, Dorset, England on 11 Mar 1806. 24. Ancestry of Mary Anne French, wife of Jacob French. Siblings of Mary Anne French. Her parents were Samuel French, 1780-1840, and Mary Palmer, 1785-1860. James French, born 26 Jun 1808 in Shute, Devon, England, son of Samuel and Mary French. He remained in England the rest of his life and lived in Lea, Dalwood Hill, Dalwood, Axminster, Dorset & Devon, Gland in the 1861 census, age 53, a farmer on 86 acres. He married Mary Ann who was born in Dorset in 1807. Their daughters Mary Ann, b. 1832 and Eusebia, b. 1847, remained in England. James also appears in the 1851, 1871, and 1881 census records in Devon, England. Samuel French, born 29 Oct 1809, baptized 15 Sep 1811, son of Samuel and Mary French, abode in Shute, Devon, England. John French, baptized 4 Apr 1813, son of Samuel and Mary French, baptized at 1 ½ year old; born ca. Nov 1811. Mary Ann French (twin), baptized 20 Aug 1815, daughter of Samuel and Mary French, abode Widworthy, farmer. Mary Ann French was born in Dorset, England, in Dalwood, residence Widworthy, to Mary and Samuel French. She was a twin to Thomas French. She was Jacob’s wife. Considering the date and the surname French and the location of St. Peter’s church in Dalwood, England, Mary’s father was Samuel French who married Mary Palmer on 11 Mar 1806, as per the website http://www.dalwoodhistory.co.uk/resources/Marriages+1716-1912.pdf. Jacob and Mary Ann named their first-born son, Samuel, after Mary’s father.
Thomas French (twin), baptized 20 Aug 1815, son of Samuel and Mary French, abode Widworthy, farmer. George French, born 26 Jan 1819, baptized 1 Apr 1821 (with next child), son of Samuel and Mary French, abode Dalwood, farmer. George is listed in the 1841 England Census as age 15, living with his brother Henry, age 20, and his mother Mary, age 55. Therefore, George was born in 1826. Mary was born in 1786. Henry French, baptized 1 Apr 1821, son of Samuel and Mary French, abode Dalwood, farmer. Henry is listed in the 1841 England Census as age 20, living with his brother George, age 15, and his mother Mary, age 55. Therefore, Henry was born in 1821. Mary was born in 1786. Francis French, baptized 28 Mar 1823, son of Samuel and Mary French, abode Honiton, yeoman. ???? No further French births in Dalwood until 1885. None of the above-listed children have a death record in Dalwood. [25] DDS Patrick French is a Dentist at 2176 Oak Rd. Ste A, in Snellville, GA, 770-985-9559, email: info@oakroaddentistry.com, website: http://oakroaddentistry.com. [26] Kathy Collins, kathycdesigns on Ancestry.com. Kathy has researched mostly the French family in England and we want to thank her for her tremendous information. Her research includes the ancestry of Jacob French’s wife Mary Anne French; although they have the same surname, they are unrelated. See https://www.ancestry.ca/connect/profile/011f14ed-0001-0000-0000-000000000000. kathyc@cakewebification.com in San Diego, CA. [27] St. Peter’s Church Dalwood Records: http://www.dalwoodhistory.co.uk. Available here are some Records for the Parish of Dalwood in the County of Dorset until 1844 and then
transferred with the neighbouring Parish of
Stockland to the County of Devon. The St. Peter’s Church Dalwood
Records of Baptisms Marriages and Burials start in the year 1568 and continue
to the present day. Unfortunately, the Second Register Book from
1655 to 1713 is missing. Census Returns for the Parish of Dalwood start in 1841 and continue every ten years. The 1911 Census Returns are the last made public. [28] Scott Chartoff French, chipscott2 on Ancestry.com, New York City, NY. See: https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/51078783/person/13181567809/facts [29] Andrew Barrett, ragtime player, lives in Costa Mesa, CA, https://www.facebook.com/andrew.e.barrett. |
