Person Info
- Name: Thomas FRENCH
- Sex: M
- Birth: 27 Nov 1608 in Assington, Suffolk, England b
- Baptism: 27 Nov 1608 in Assingtin, Suffolk, England c
- Death: 8 Aug 1680 in Ipswich, Massachusetts d
Parents:
- Father:
- Thomas Sr FRENCH
Birth: Abt 11 Oct 1584 in Assington, Suffolk, England
Death: Before 5 Nov 1639 in Ipswich, Massachusetts
Mother:
- Susan RIDDLESDALE
Birth: Abt 20 Apr 1584 in Boxford, Suffolk, England
Death: Aug 1658 in Ipswich, Massachusetts
Family:
Marriage:
Children:
- Mary FRENCH Birth: 23 Sep 1632 in Boston, Massachusetts
Death: 1633 in Boston, Massachusetts
- Mary FRENCH Birth: 2 Mar 1633/4 in Boston, Massachusetts
Death: 1719
- John FRENCH Birth: Abt 1635 in Boston, Massachusetts
Death: 25 Jan 1706
- Thomas FRENCH Birth: Abt 1636 in Ipswich, Massachusetts
Death: 1680
- Sarah FRENCH Birth: Abt 1638 in Ipswich, Massachusetts
Death: Before 1680
- Samuel FRENCH Birth: Abt 1641 in Ipswich, Massachusetts
Death: 1688 in Ipswich, Massachusetts
- Ephraim FRENCH Birth: Abt 1643
Death: Sep 1716 in Enfield, Connecticut
Bibliography
-
Anderson, Robert Charles, The Great Migration Begins, Immigrants to New England 1620-1633. Boston, New England Historical Genealogical Society, 1995. Available at http://www.americanancestors.org/databases/great-migration-begins-immigrants-to-ne-1620-1633-vols-i-iii/image Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p[0-9]*].
-
Banks, Charles Edward, The Planters of the Commonwealth: A Study of the Emigrants and Emigration in Colonial Times to which are added Lists of Passengers to Boston and to the Bay Colony; the Ships which brought them; their English Homes, and the Places of their Settlement in Massachusetts. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1930. Reprinted Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1967. LDS Fiche #6046840. Available at https://familysearch.org/search/film/007827816, images 193-318 Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Banks Planters p[0-9]*].
-
Banks, Charles Edward, Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English Emigrants to New England 1620-1650, Philadelphia, PA: Elijah Ellsworth Brownell, 1937. LDS Film#0874196#1. Available at https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/283805. Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Banks Topo p[0-9]*].
-
Banks, Charles E, The Winthrop Fleet of 1630: An account of the Vessels, the Voyage, the Passengers, and their English Homes from Original Authorities. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1983. Available at https://familysearch.org/search/film/007831475?cat=132944, images 475-543. Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Banks Winthrop p[0-9]*].
-
Davis, Walter Goodwin, Ancestry of Lieut Amos Towne, 1737-1793, of Arundel (Kennebunkport), Maine, 1927. Portland, Maine: The Southworth Press, 1927. Available at https://archive.org/details/ancestryoflieuta00davi. Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Davis TOWNE p[0-9]*].
-
Davis, Walter Goodwin, Ancestry of Dudley Wildes, 1759-1820, of Topsfield, Massachusetts, Portland, Maine: Anthoensen Press, 1959. Available at https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/33853 Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Davis WILDES p[0-9]*].
-
French, A. D. Weld, Frenches of Ipswich, NEHGR 47 (July 1893) p362. Available at http://americanancestors.org/databases/new-england-historical-and-genealogical-register/image Information from this source tagged as [Ref: FrenchAD FRENCH p362].
-
French, Mara T, The Frenchline Newsletter. San Jose, CA: 1984. LDS Fiche#605537. Information from this source tagged as [Ref: FrenchMT Frenchline v[0-9]*#[0-9]*].
-
French, Robert L, Descendants of Thomas French of Ipswich, Massachusetts, in Five Generations. Chatham, NY: author, 1990. NEHGS CS71/F876/1990. Information from this source tagged as [Ref: FrenchRL FRENCH p[0-9]*].
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Hammatt, Abraham, The Hammatt Papers, Early Inhabitants of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Ipswich: Antiquarian Papers, 1880. Available at https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/253245. Also available at http://archive.org/details/earlyinhabitants13hamm. Reprinted Baltimore: Gen Pub Co, 1980. Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Hammatt Ipswich p[0-9]*].
-
Hoyt, David W, The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts. Baltimore: Gen Pub Co, 1982. Available at http://archive.org/details/oldfamiliesofsal01hoyt, http://archive.org/details/oldfamiliesofsal02hoyt, and http://archive.org/details/oldfamiliesofsal03hoyt. Volume 1 also available at http://archive.org/details/cu31924025963772. Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Hoyt S&A p[0-9]*].
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Linzee, John William, The History of Peter Parker and Sarah Ruggles of Roxbury, Mass. Boston: author, 1913. G1638. Available at http://archive.org/details/historyofpeterpa00linz Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Linzee PARKER-RUGGLES p[0-9]*].
-
Pope, Charles Henry, The Pioneers of Massachusetts, a Descriptive List, Drawn from Records of the Colonies, Towns, and Churches, and other Contemporaneous Documents. Boston, MA: author, 1900. Available at https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/1400537. Reprinted Baltimore: Genealogical Pub Co, 1986. Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Pope PioneersMA p[0-9][0-9a]*].
-
Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, showing three generations of those who came before May 1692, on the basis of Farmer's Register. Boston, MA: Little Brown & Co, 1860. Available at http://archive.org/details/genealogicaldic01savarich. Reprinted Baltimore, MD, Genealogical Published Co, 1965. Scanned and corrected by Robert Kraft, 1994, and available at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/newengland/savage/. Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Sav-age [A-Z][A-Z]* [A-Z][a-z]*].
-
Threlfall, John B, Fifty Great Migration Colonists to New England, Madison, WI: author, 1990. NEHGS F3/T58/1990. Available at https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/405085. Information from this source tagged as [Ref: Threlfall 50GMCol p[0-9]*].
Sources for birth and parent Information
- date:
- [Ref: FrenchMT Frenchline v1#2, FrenchRL FRENCH p8, Linzee
PARKER-RUGGLES p412]
- 1608 [Ref: Banks Winthrop p71]
- bp 27 Nov [Ref: Threlfall 50GMCol p155]
- possibly d 1637 age abt 40 [Ref: FrenchAD FRENCH p362],
- place:
- [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703, Banks Planters p173, Banks Topo
p149, Banks Winthrop p71, Davis WILDES p64, FrenchMT Frenchline v1#2, FrenchRL
FRENCH p8, Linzee PARKER-RUGGLES p412, Threlfall 50GMCol p155],
- parents:
- [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p704, Banks Planters p173, Banks
Winthrop p71, Davis WILDES p63, Davis WILDES p64, FrenchMT Frenchline v1#2,
FrenchRL FRENCH p8, Linzee PARKER-RUGGLES p412]
Sources for baptism Information
- date:
- [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p704, Davis WILDES p64, FrenchRL FRENCH
p8, Threlfall 50GMCol p155],
- place:
- [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p704, Davis WILDES p64, FrenchRL FRENCH
p8, Threlfall 50GMCol p155]
Sources for death Information
- date:
- [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p705, Davis TOWNE p45, Davis WILDES p64,
FrenchRL FRENCH p13, Hammatt Ipswich p111, Linzee PARKER-RUGGLES p419,
Threlfall 50GMCol p156],
- place:
- [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p705, Davis TOWNE p45, Davis WILDES p64,
FrenchAD FRENCH p362, FrenchRL FRENCH p13, Hammatt Ipswich p111, Linzee
PARKER-RUGGLES p419, Threlfall 50GMCol p156]
Sources with Inaccurate death Information
- date:
- after 27 Jan 1638/9 and before 5 Nov [Ref: Hoyt S&A p1070]
- before 5 Nov 1639 when administration of estate committed to his wife,
1637 according to Visitation Pedigree of Scudamore [Ref: FrenchAD FRENCH p362]
Sources with Information about marriage to Mary SCUDMORE
- date:
- [Ref: FrenchMT Frenchline v1#2]
- abt 1630-1 [Ref: Linzee PARKER-RUGGLES p419]
- abt 1631 [Ref: Davis WILDES p64, Threlfall 50GMCol p155]
- by 1632 [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p705]
- c1630 [Ref: FrenchRL FRENCH p13],
- place:
- [Ref: FrenchMT Frenchline v1#2]
- presumably Boston [Ref: Davis WILDES p64]
- prob Boston [Ref: Threlfall 50GMCol p155],
- names:
- Thomas FRENCH & Mary ___ [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p705, Davis
TOWNE p45, Davis TOWNE p48, Davis TOWNE p49, Davis TOWNE p50, Davis WILDES
p64, FrenchAD FRENCH p362]
- Thomas FRENCH & Mary ___ possibly Mary MORTON [Ref: Threlfall 50GMCol
p155, Threlfall 50GMCol p158]
- Thomas FRENCH & Mary ___ possibly SCUDAMORE [Ref: FrenchRL FRENCH p13,
FrenchRL FRENCH p3],
- child:
- [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p705, Davis TOWNE p48, Davis TOWNE p49,
Davis TOWNE p50, FrenchAD FRENCH p362, FrenchMT Frenchline v1#2, FrenchRL
FRENCH p13, FrenchRL FRENCH p3, Linzee PARKER-RUGGLES p419, Linzee
PARKER-RUGGLES p423, Threlfall 50GMCol p158]
Sources with Inaccurate marriage information
- date:
- first marriage of Alice [Ref: Pope PioneersMA p244],
- names:
- Thomas FRENCH & (I think) Alice ___ [Ref: Sav-age FRENCH Thomas]
- Thomas FRENCH & Alice ___ [Ref: Pope PioneersMA p244]
Research Notes:
came to New England with the Winthrop Fleet of 11 ships; sailed from Yarmouth,
Isle of Wight, in April and May 1630, and arrived in June and July following
[Ref: Threlfall 50GMCol p155]
probably came to New England on the Arabella, with John Winthrop [Ref:
FrenchRL FRENCH p2]
presumably came to New England in the fleet with Winthrop in 1630 [Ref: Davis
WILDES p64, Davis WILDES p64]
1632: emigrated, first residence in Boston, occupation: tailer [Ref: Anderson
GreatMigrationI p703]
1631: member of the Boston church [Ref: Davis WILDES p64, Davis WILDES p64]
one of the earliest members of the Boston Church [Ref: Davis WILDES p63, Hoyt
S&A p1070]
Boston Church member#128, which would be no later than mid-1632 [Ref: Anderson
GreatMigrationI p703]
Nov 6 1632: freeman [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703, FrenchAD FRENCH p362,
FrenchRL FRENCH p13, Hammatt Ipswich p110, Linzee PARKER-RUGGLES p423,
Threlfall 50GMCol p155]
1632: freeman [Ref: Davis WILDES p64, Davis WILDES p64]
Mar 4 1632/3: John Bluette, in a letter to Governor Winthrop, sent his
regards to "my scholar Thomas French" [Ref: Threlfall 50GMCol p156]
mentioned in letter of John Bluette of Groton as 'my scholar' [Ref: Anderson
GreatMigrationI p705, Banks Winthrop p71]
1634: removed to Ipswich [Ref: FrenchAD FRENCH p362, Hoyt S&A p1070, Threlfall
50GMCol p155]
Several reasons can be given why he moved. He was a contemporary and
acquaintance of John Winthrop the younger. He had two sisters in the new
settlement. Also, Muriel Gurdon, a half sister to the landlord of Assington
had married Richard Saltonstall and had come to Ipswich in 1635. Except for
Dorcas who stayed in Boston and was married there in 1636 and for Susan and
Anne who are not mentioned further, the whole Frenh famiy was soon to be
reunited at Ipswiah [Ref: FrenchRL FRENCH p13]
1635: first appearance in Ipswich records [Ref: FrenchRL FRENCH p13, Linzee
PARKER-RUGGLES p417]
Apr 20 1635: Granted to Thomas Scott ... house lott in Mill Streete havinge
Thomas French on the Southeast. ... Granted to Tovert Mussey ... house lott in
Mill streete, lying betweene Thomas French and Richard Jocob. [Ref: Linzee
PARKER-RUGGLES p417, Threlfall 50GMCol p155]
Feb 20 1636/7: received a grant of ten acres in Ipswich [Ref: FrenchRL FRENCH
p13]
Feb 20 1636: granted to Serjent French ten acres of upland at the hither
end of a neck lying beyond Reedy marsh, to be laid out by the lott layers
[Ref: Linzee PARKER-RUGGLES p418]
Jun 21 1637: signed the petition to keep Mr John Winthrop jr in town [Ref:
Anderson GreatMigrationI p706]
1637: in New England; was a soldier in the Pequot War [Ref: Davis TOWNE p45]
1637: soldier in the Pequot expedition [Ref: Davis WILDES p64]
1637: fought in the Pequot War [Ref: Threlfall 50GMCol p155]
1638: first mentioned in Ipswich records [Ref: Davis TOWNE p45]
Jan 27 1638/9: dismissed from the church at Boston to the church at Ipswich
[Ref: FrenchRL FRENCH p13, Threlfall 50GMCol p155]
Jan 27 1638/9: dismissed from Boston Church [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI
p703, Hoyt S&A p1070, Linzee PARKER-RUGGLES p423]
1638: dismissed from Boston Church [Ref: FrenchAD FRENCH p362]
1638: dismissed to the Ipswich church [Ref: Davis WILDES p64]
Jan 27 1639: dismissed from Boston to Ipswich [Ref: Hammatt Ipswich p110]
Mar 25 1639: proposed for Lieutenant, in Pequod War, but apparently not
confirmed [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
1641: commoner of Ipswich [Ref: Hammatt Ipswich p110]
Apr 1 1647: called a tailor in a deed [Ref: Threlfall 50GMCol p156]
Apr 1 1647: This wittnesseth that I Thomas French of Ipswich tailor, for five
pounds, have sould unto George Varnham ten acres of upland ground at Reedy
marsh lying between the land of Mr. John Whittingham, Robert Day & Goodman
Perley. Witnessed: Samuel Appleton, Edward Waldron [Ref: Linzee
PARKER-RUGGLES p423]
1648: subscriber to Major Dennison's compensation [Ref: Davis TOWNE p45,
Hammatt Ipswich p111, Threlfall 50GMCol p156]
Sep 30 1651: petit jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
Sep 28 1652: Essex Grand Jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
1655: had title of Sergeant [Ref: Hammatt Ipswich p111]
Mar 31 1657: petit jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
Sep 28 1657: petit jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
Mar 29 1659: petit jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
Jan 31 1660/1: at a selectman's meeting, granted liberty to "clear and
break up a parcel of land at Scott's hill to have two acres each for six years
upon condition that they sow four bushels of good hay seed on every acre, to
keep up the fence a year so that the English grass should get head, the hay
seed to be sown with the last crop" [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p704]
Mar 25 1662: petit jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
1664: had a share of Plum Island [Ref: Hammatt Ipswich p111, Linzee
PARKER-RUGGLES p423]
1664: called Sergeant French until 1664, and Ensign French thereafter [Ref:
Davis WILDES p64, Threlfall 50GMCol p156]
May 18 1664: being ordered by Major Genll. Denison to carry two soldiers who
were stubborn off the field to prison, he went and persuaded them to submit
themselves, promising to mediate for them [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
May 18 1664: appointed ensign at Ipswich [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
1664: testified to the mutinous behavior of Samuel Hunt and others during
the training of the Ipswich troop on Wolfpen plain [Ref: Davis TOWNE p45,
Threlfall 50GMCol p156]
Sep 27 1664: petit jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
Sep 26 1665: petit jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
Mar 26 1667: surety on the bond of Samuel French when young Samuel was
charged with a misdemeanor with Lydia Browne [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI
p706]
1672: petitioned the colonial government for a grant of land northwest of
Salisbury in behalf of himself and eight other Ipswich men who had seen
service in the Pequot War [Ref: Threlfall 50GMCol p155]
Sep 24 1672: petit jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
Mar 30 1675: petit jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
Sep 30 1676: coroner's jury on Samuel Adams Jr [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI
p703]
Sep 24 1678: petit jury [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p703]
1678: commoner of Ipswich [Ref: Davis TOWNE p45, Linzee PARKER-RUGGLES p423,
Threlfall 50GMCol p156]
1679: voter in Ipswich [Ref: Davis TOWNE p45, Hammatt Ipswich p111, Linzee
PARKER-RUGGLES p423, Threlfall 50GMCol p156]
will dated Aug 3 1680, proved Sep 28 1680, mentions wife Mary, sons
Thomas and John, daughter Mary Smith, sons Samuel and Thomas, son Ephraim
[Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p704, Hammatt Ipswich p111]
enventory of estate taken Aug 25 1680, #217 15s6d, including #150 in real
estate [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI p704]
estate included eleven yards of homemade cloth [Ref: Anderson GreatMigrationI
p703]
----------
Will of Thomas French:
In the name of God Amen. I Thomas ffrench senior, of Ipswich being weak of
body yet of perfect understanding and memory doe in case of death make this my
last Will and Testament. In the first place I commend my Soul into the hands
of Almighty God who hath redeemed it by the precious blood of his Son; and I
commit my body to the Earth, whence it was taken, to be buried in a Christian
decent manner by my friends in hope of a blessed resurrection to eternal
life. And as for my outward Estate which God hath graciously given me in this
world I doe thus dispose of it: inprimis, I give and bequeath to Mary my
beloved wife the Bed whereon I use to ly, with all the appurtenances and
furniture belonging thereto. Moreover I give to my son Thomas ffrench my
cloak and cose-coat. Also I give to my son John French one Cow, which is to
make up the full summe of thirty pounds which I formerly promised him for his
Portion. Also I give to my daughter Mary Smith, one Cow. And to my son
Samuel ffrench I give and bequeath the bed whereon he usually lieth, together
with the Bedding and Bed-stead belonging to the same. ffurther, as concerning
my lands at the Pequod lots, and my division Lot of marsh at plum-Island my
Will is, that my sons Thomas and Samuel French for and in consideration of
twenty pounds by them engaged according to my order unto my son Ephraim French
as he remaining part of his portion (which summe of twenty pounds is almost
all paid, and the remainder due upon demand), I say my Will is that those my
two sonns Thomas and Samuel shall possesse and enjoy the said Pequod lands,
and division-lot of marsh to themselves and to their heirs forever, to be
equally divided betwixt them.
ffurthermore, I give and bequeath to my sonn Thomas French my dwelling house
and homested with all the appurtenances and priviledges thereof and belonging
thereto, and also my Lot lying in labour-in-vain fields containing twelve
acres more or less; with all the rest of my cattell, stocke of all sorts and
moveable goods (not disposed of my this my Will and testament:) and to my son
Samuel I give and bequeath two acres of upland joyning to Joseph Quilter's and
two acres of meadow-graound at Reedy marsh; to be possessed by them
respectively after my decease; Provided always and my Will is, that my son
Thomas French doe give full and free libertie to Mary my wife his mother to
abide and dwell in the said house and to make use of any room or rooms thereof
for her convenient accommodation therein; as likewise to make use of all or
any such moveables as I doe now leave in the hands of my son Thomas (not
disposed of:) as may be necessary and convenient for her use and occasions
from time to time and all these during the term of her natural life; and that
after her decease my son Thomas shall deliver to my three children John,
Samil, and Mary three of the biggest pewter dishes which shall then be left
and remain, that is to say, to each of them, one. Provided also, and my will
is, that my two sons Thomas and Samuel doe carefully provide for their mothers
comforatable maintenance and livelyhood and what is requisit thereto during
her natural life; each of them allowing thereto proportionally to that part of
my Estate which shall be by them received by vertue of this my testament. And
if through any neglect or failure, this way of maintenance should not be to
their mother's satisfaction and content, my Will is, yet those my two sonns
Thomas and Samuel shall allow to their mother ten poinds yeerly; nine pounds
thereof to be paid by Thomas and twenty shillings by Samuel, in such pay as
shall be suitable and necessary for her confortable maintenance and
livelyhood; And further, if it shall please God to exercise her with much
prevailing weakness or continuing sickness that the aforesaid ten pounds
should not sufice to defray the charges of her expences; my Will is, that
(over and above ye ten pounds, and according to the like rate of proportion)
those my two sons Thomas and Samuel shall supply her with necessaries suitable
as her condition may required, yet she be not exposed to suffering for want of
what ought and might be procured for her. Also my Will is, that my Lot in
labour-in-vain fields, and the two acres of meadow at Reedy Marsh shall stand
bound respectively to my said wife during her natural life at securitie for
the true pformance of this my Wil as respecting her maintenance by my two
Sons; and after her decease the said lands (except what shall bee alienated
(if any so be) by means of the securities aforesaid) to main to each of those
my Sonns, and to their heirs for ever as is before mentioned and declared.
And lastly, I doe name, appoint, and constitute my son Thomas French to be
sole Executor of this my last will & tesatment. August 3, 1680. Thomas
ffrench, Senior. [Ref: Davis TOWNE p47]
Pedigree of Thomas FRENCH
/-----
Stephen FRENCH
/-----
Jacob FRENCH
| \-----
Mary (FRENCH)
/-----
Thomas Sr FRENCH
| | /-----
William WARREN
| \-----
Susan WARREN
| \-----
Katherine (WARREN)
Thomas FRENCH
| /-----
Jasper RIDDLESDALE
| /-----
Henry RIDDLESDALE
| | \-----
Elizabeth (RIDDLESDALE)
| /-----
John RIDDLESDALE
| | \-----
Joan (RIDDLESDALE)
\-----
Susan RIDDLESDALE
\-----
Dorcas (RIDDLESDALE)
Descendants of Thomas FRENCH
2nd generation
3rd generation
4th generation
5th generation