Stephen French

Stephen French

• Gender: Male
• Birth: December 1601 - Misterton, Somerset, England
• Death: March 17, 1679 (77) - Weymouth, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America
• Place of Burial: Weymouth Cemetery, Weymouth, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America
• Parents: Richard French and Lucy Adams
• Spouse: Mary Heardman (1598 – 6 April 1655)

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Biography

Extracted from Chart #7, Stephen French, born 1601, Misterton, Somerset, England
Dorcester and Weymouth, MA < link > page last updated 28 July 2018

Stephen French was born on 26 Dec 1600/01 in Misterton, Somerset County, England, the son of Richard French, b. 1575 in England, m. ____ Adams. Richard had probably four children: John b. ca. 1599, Stephen, b. 1601, Mary [sic: Margery] b. 1603 ... Jphn Adams was of Barton St. David, England, and made his will three days before his burial on 22 Mar 1603/4. Three [grand] children mentioned in will of John Adams: John, Stephen, and Mary. Richard most likely had other children after 1603 when John Adams died.

There is now proof that Stephen French (1600-1679 of Weymouth, MA), was the brother of Judith French (wife of John Rogers) & Mary French (wife of Robert Randall, all of whom came to New England.

Stephen French may have arrived in Boston Bay on the "Mary and John" ship on 30 May 1630 from England, afterwhich he resided in Weymouth, MA, the first immigrant of this line in America, and the first one of the surname French to arrive in America. The Winthrop Fleet, in which Thomas French (FFA Chart #1) arrived from Assington, Suffolk Co., England, arrived two weeks after the Mary and John. The Mary and John Passenger List does not name Stephen; however, his name is listed on the Mary & John Clearing House List B of those who were probable passengers aboard the ship in 1630. He is listed there as 29 years old and from Misterton, Somerset Co., England. Also shown is his wife, Mary, age 27, along with their daughter, Sara French, age 7. Sarah would have been born in 1623, but this child is not listed in Dorchester. These three are the only ones listed from Misterton. According to Judy Bajorek, Sarah d. 14 Jan 1642/43 in Weymouth, MA.

Stephen had a lot of 16 acres granted to him in Dorchester towards “Naponsett,” 16 Jan 1632-33, and another of 8 acres granted 1 Dec 1634. (Dorchester Town Records; Register, 21: 166, 276.) He was made a freeman to Wessagusset. He had ten acres granted to him in the “East field” and fourteen acres in the “greate lotes” bounded on the east with Hingham line. (Weymouth Land Grants, 276.) Lot No. 15 or 21 acres was granted to him in 1636. He also had lots in the First Division and in the Second Division granted to him, 14 Dec 1663. He was a Deputy from Weymouth, 12 Mar. 1637-38, 6 Sep 1638, Weymouth 6 Sept. 1638, and a member of the Dorchester council in Feb. 1638-39. His wife was Mary ____, who died at Weymouth, 6 Apr. 1655. He died at Weymouth between 17 Mar and 29 Jul, 1679. They had at least two children, Stephen b. ca. 1640, and Josiah, died young.

Will

Stephen French’s Will in Abstract

Stephen French of Weymouth, "being weake of body", made his will as follows: To the Church in Weymouth 4 Pounds. To his sister May Randall 3 Pounds. Unto his two grandsons Stephen and Samuel his land in Hingham, and land in Weymouth "neere Hockley," at 21 years. To his three granddaughters Mary, Hannah and Elizabeth 10 Pounds apiece at 18 years. The residue of his estate he gave to his son Stephen whom he appointed executor. The deed lately made to his Brother Searle of a part of the Spring lot in Weymouth he confirmed, 17 Mar. 1678-79. William Torrey and John Whitman witnesses; proved 29 Jul, 1679. Further explanation of his will was made by the testator, 18 Mar. 1678-79. (Suffolk Probate Records, 6:302.)

• I Stephen ffrench of Waymouth being weake of body but of a disposing minde do make this my last will & Testament as it followeth that is.
• All my Just debts being first duly paid & my funerall Expenses discharged I do give unto the Church of Waymouth foure pounds.
• I do give three pounds unto my Sister Mary Randell.
• I do give unto my two grandsons Stephen & Samuel all my Land which lyeth in the Township of Hingham not yet encloased, togeather with a parcell of upland which I have in the towne of Waymouth lying neere Hockley as also one third part of all my timber or woodlands, lying in the woods within the towne of Waymouth to be equally divided betwene them when they shall attaine to the the age of Twenty & one yeares.
• I do give to my three granddaughters Mary, Hannah & Elizabeth Tenn pounds apeice to be paid as they shall Successively attaine to the age of Eightene yeares.
• All the test of my estate I give unto my Sonne Stephen whome I do Constitute my Executor to this my last will. * Also my will is that the deede which I lately made to my Brother Searle (of a parcell of land lying Waymouth being a part of a lott Comonly Called the Spring Lott) shall be acknowledged & confirmed.
• This writing I declare to be my last will. In Witness whereof I have hereunto my hand & Seale this 17th March 1678/9.
• The marke of Stephen French & a Seale
• Signed Sealed & declared in the presence of us
• William Torrey
• John Whitman
• Capt Wm Torrey & John Whitman made Oath in Court 29th July 1679 that they saw & heard Stephen ffrench Signe Seale & publish this his last will and that he was then of disposing minde.
• Isa. Addington Cler.
• — As an Explanation of the Testators minde & meaning by that expression in the 8th & 9th Line. Vizt. all the Land which lyeth in the Township of Hingham, he indendeth all his Lands lying on Hingham side of the river not already incloased both in Hingham & Waymouth. Furthermore it is his will that the one third part of all his timber or woods given in the Tenth Line should be laid out unto them or on their behalfe by a Just division according to valluation by quantity & quality when his Son Stephen shall see Cause, provided my Grandsons Choose guardians to act with my Son in the division on their behalfe this explanation was Subjoyned to this will by him the said Stephen ffrench's Expresss will & desire who is the Testator this 18th of March 1678/79 he being of perfect memory & disposing minde in presence of us.
• John Whitman
• John Hunt
• John Whitman & John Hunt made Oath in Court 29 July 1879 that they heard Stephen ffrench publish this Coddicell or addition to be an explanation of his abovewritten will, and that he was then of disposing minde.
• attest Isa. Addington Cler.
• Examined pr. Isa. Addington Cler.

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Origins

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/French-41
French-41 created 27 Jul 2010 | Last modified 29 May 2024

Children of Richard French, baptisms recorded at Misterton, the first four by Lucy Adams, the last four by Alice Tomsin:

1. John Frenche, bp. 07 Jun 1595;[9] named in father's will 1638.
2. Margery Frenche, bp. 28 July 1600;[10] prob. d. bef. 1603.
3. Stephen French), bp. 26 Dec 1600;[11] d. bef. 29 July 1679 Weymouth, Massachusetts Bay Colony.
4. Margerie Frenche, bp. 1? May 1603;[12] bur. 22 Jun 1623 Crewkerne.

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References

1. "England, Somerset, Church Records, 1501-1999", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6D9F-SB9B : 25 February 2022), Frenche, 1600.
2. Will of John Adams (1555-1604) (document attached) "To John, Stephen & Mary French, children of Richard French [son-in-law] of Misterton, 20sh eually divided." Note: Mary corrected to Margery (b. 1603)
3. Harrison Black, The Ancestry of Frances Maria Goodman 1829- 1912, Wife of Learner Blackman Harrison (Boston: Newbury Press, 2001). p 14. < Archive.Org > (free ID needed to borrow). Children of JohnA and Agnes (?Stone) Adams all proably born at Barton St. David. iii. Daughter1. Est. 1581. Married c. 1599 Richard FRENCH of Misterton. Issue: two sons and one daughter.
4. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LZDS-SKX
   1. from book "The Great Migration Begins" page 701 and 702 "In his will, written 17 March 1678/9 and proved 29 July 1679 "Stephen French of Weymouth... weak of body" bequeathed to the church of Weymouth £4, to "my sister Mary Randal" £3, to "my two grandsons, Stephen and Samuel," all the land in Hingham, "not yet enclosed" , also a parcel of upland, also one third part of all my timber or woodlands in Weymouth to be equally divided between them when twenty-one years to "my three granddaughters Mary, Hannah, & Elizabeth" £10 each at eighteen; residue to "my son Stephen", "Also my will is that the deed which I lately made to my brother Searle (of a parcel of land, lying (in) Waymouth being a part of a lot commonly called the Spring (blot) (lot) shall be acknowledged & confirmed." {sic this is where the assumptions have lead people of} Stephen birth Possibly the Stephen French baptized at Misterton, Somersetshire 26 December 1600." He also married a Mary no last name known. Another statement in Book "Associations: On 29 Jul 1669 Administration on the estate of Jacob French when to Stephen French Sr., "on behalf of himself and his sisters" (SPR Case #500). This Jacob French of Weymouth, who died 12 April 1669 and whose inventory showed four lots, miscellaneous items and a Bible, was certainly a brother to Stephen French Sr. Stephen mentioned "my sister Mary Randol" in his will, and "my brother Searle" as well. Mary was likely the second wife of Robert Randall of Weymouth. "Brother Searle" was almost certainly Edward Sales of Weymouth. The deed mentioned in Stephen's will unfortunately was not recorded. Edward Sales's wife was Margaret__. This family strongly resembles that of Richard French of Misterton, Somersetshire, who had (among others) Steven and Margerie with his first wife, and Mary and Joseph with his second. None of these children is mentioned in the 1638 will of their father. (Abstract of Taunton Archdeaconry Court of Wills by H.R. Phipps, 1937). Listed also is Stephen French first record in America land in Dorchester, MA January 1632/3.
5. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/GWVG-RSZ
   1. SOURCE: Pope p176; French Family Association, sent by Roland Rhoades jr 40 Jackson St, Sanford, ME 04073-3131; Chart #7 of the French Family Assoc. Search for the Passengers of the Mary and John 1630 West Country Ancestries 1620-1643 Part 1 p5 & vol 18 part 2, p162...compiled by Burton W Spear 5602-305th Street, Toledo, Ohio 43611; and v25 p32 first #3 of Searching for the passengers of the "Mary and John"; History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield, CT p210, this is Ruth Rosencrans book;
   2. Stephen French came to America on the "Mary & John" leaving Dorchester, County Dorset, Eng, or Plymouth, county Dorset, Eng 30 March 1630 and landing at Nantasket, MA., He is believed to be the first "French" in America. He came to Dorchester, MA. & settled in Weymouth, MA. John French of Braintree (French Family Association chart #5) also first came to Dorchester, in 1637, and then to Weymouth before moving to Braintree, and there are intermarriages and both families lived in some of the same towns, but there is nothing as yet proving a connection. Stephen French has a "brother Searles, who is a mystery. He may be a real brother, a church brother, or possibly a brother-in-law making his wife's maiden name Searle. Stephen md Mary....... Savage's genealogical Dictionary of New England mentions many Searles, but none far enough back to tie into thispossiblitity. Mara French's English research has suggested further possible ties and connections in England. While researching French Family Assoc. chart #11 Samuel French the Joiner of Ct., Mara came across the English origins in South Perrott, County Dorset, Eng. with a reference to the neighboring town of Misterton, County Somersetshire, Eng., so, our future research may find a relationship between chart #7 and chart #11. At this time according to Roland Rhodes and Mara French there is no proven link between Stephen and the other French immigrants. Sep 1994...I have just found "Search for the Passengers of the Mary and John" v 16 p38, v 17 part 1 p5 & v18 part 2 p162 from the Mary and John Clearing House compiled by Burton W spear 5602-305th street, Toledo, Ohio 43611..each of these volumns have articles about Stephen, his parents & his grandparents.
6. French Family Association - The Official Website of the Surname French Chart #7, Stephen French, born 1601, Misterton, Somerset, England Dorcester and Weymouth, MA http://www.frenchfamilyassoc.com/FFA/CHARTS/Chart007/Bibliography.htm Bibliography and Records Numbers in square brackets [ ] are bibliography notations. FFA stands for French Family Association Library Number.
   1. [1] Robert (Bob) French, Robert D. French, 34 Blueberry Road, Marblehead, MA 01945, rdexfr @ msn.com.
   2. [2] Judy Katrein Bajorek, ezperel@roadrunner.com, or judybajorek@yahoo.com, 1704 Ruie Road, North Tonawanda, NY 14120. Website: http://www.katrein.us.
   3. [3] Research by Harry Dana French prior to his death in 1960, 87 handwritten pages from these sources: History of Weymouth, MA; Warner Genealogy; Whitman Genealogy; Virkus 7/308; Abington, MA Vital Records; History of Hingham, MA; History of Ashburnham, MA; Hardwick MA Vital Records; Marsh Genealogy; Hubbardston MA Vital Records; Coventry, Conn. Vital Records; SAR yr book for 1918; Hingham Vital Records; Reputable Men and Old Families of South East MA by Beers; Reed Genealogy; Abington Vital Records; Scituate MA Vital Records; Westborough MA Vital Records; Lineage of Rev. Richard Mather; Annual Cyclopedia, pg. 602, 1899; Hardwick VT Vital Records to 1860; Civil List, State of NY; Biographical Review, Norfolk Co MA; Kingman's History of North Bridgewater, MA; Cohasset MA Vital Records; Gorham Genealogy; White Genealogy; Harvard Univerisity Directory; Reed Genealogy; Who's Who in New England, p. 386, 1909; Concord NH Directory 1936; New Hampshire Vital Records.
   4. [4] Ancestors and Descendants of Frank Lusk Babbott, Jr., M.D. and his wife Elizabeth Bassett French, Compiled by Harriet M. Stryker-Rodda, Certified Genealogist, Polyanthos Princeton, 1974, French line, pages 236-255, copied by the FFA from the Richard Virginia State Archives and Library. The library has a large collection of work by Elizabeth B. French, similar to the Harry Dana French collection.
   5. [5] F335 WHITMAN. The Descendants of John Whitman of Weymouth, by Charles H. Farnam, 1889, 3 pages, p. 25-8, Stephen French (Chart #7). Stephen and Hannah Whitman French of Weymouth; Mary French m. William Badlam; Stephen French m. Abigail Beal of Hingham, MA; Samuel French m. Silence Torrey; David French m. Mary Carver in Abington; Elizabeth French m. Edward Blake; Jonathan French m. Elizabeth Ward; Mary French m. Joseph Dunbar; Daniel French m. Mary Lane; Mary French m. Reuben Hersey; Stephen French m. Ruth Petty Jones; Joel French m. Elizabeth Hobart; Betty French m. Ichabod Pratt.
   6. [6] F246 HINGHAM. History of Hingham, MA, Vol. 2, surname French, 7 pages, by Lincoln, Vol. 2, p. 235-241, Stephen French (Chart #7). Lineage from 1630 to 1881.
   7. [7] Genealogies of the Early Families of Weymouth, MA, by George Walter Chamberlain, Baltimore 1984, 10 pages.
   8. [8] French ancestry from Chuckie Blaney, Marguerite B. Schneider, Raeola Cooke, Stuart R. Johnson, Sherry S. Marshall, Penny Baldauff, and Dorothy Pearson.
   9. [9] Bible Records found at Turnpike Road Family Farmstead, Searsport, ME, from Donna M. Cator and Jane Mercier.
   10. [10] F463 FRENCH. Genealogical Dictionary of Settlers of New England, by James Savage, 1860. Dependence French (Chart #5) of Braintree, Edward French (Chart #4) of Salisbury, Ephraim French (Chart #1) of Windsor, Francis French (Chart #8) of Derby, CT; Jacob French (Chart #7) of Weymouth; Jacob French (Chart #2) of Billerica; John French (Chart #3) of Cambridge; John French (Chart #5) of Braintree; Richard French (Chart #6) of Cambridge; Joseph French (Chart #4) of Salisbury; Nathaniel French (Chart #3) of Taunton; Samuel French (Chart #4) of Salisbury; Samuel French (Chart #2) of Billerica; Simon French (Chart #4) of Salisbury; Stephen French (Chart #7) of Dorchester; Thomas French (Chart #1) of Boston; Thomas French (Chart #9) of Charlestown; Thomas French (Chart #5) of Braintree; Thomas French (Chart #1) of Northampton; William French (Chart #2) of Cambridge; William French (Chart #5) of Braintree.
   11. [11] F398 STEPHEN FRENCH. Data from the New Hampshire Historical Society, compiled by Harry Dana French, Concord, NH. Box #4 (3), of Weymouth, MA, 1630-1924. Stephen French (Chart #7).
   12. [12] F320 THOMAS FRENCH. The Descendants of Thomas French of Ipswich, MA, five generations (Chart #1) by Robert L. French, RDBox 139, Chatham, NŸ 12037. Contributed by the author. Stephen French of Dorchester and Weymouth, MA (Chart #7). John French of Dorchester and Braintree, MA (Chart #5). William French of Billerica, MA (Chart #2). Richard French of Billerica, MA (Chart #6).Thomas French of Charlestown, MA (Chart #9), Edmund French and others of Coddenham and Edwardstone, England. Regarding Chart #1, other surnames: Howlett, Cummings, Peake, Stebbins, Kingsley, Keyes, Carpenter, Read, Stiles, Pearson, Towne, Gould, Perkins, Crocker, Pease, Meacham, Read, Brown, Field, Rice, Catlin, Severance, Hyde, White, Waterman, Cushing, Mason, Kent, Draper, Sweet, Tyler. Homesteads: Topsfield, MA; Rehoboth, MA; Deerfield, MA; Quebec line, p. 20-21; Enfield, CT; Attleborough, MA; Norwich, CT; Montpelier, VT.
   13. [13] Stephen French of Dorchester and Weymouth, MA by Robert L. French, R. D. Box 139, Chatham, NY 12037. Stephen French immigrated 1630 to Dorchester, MA, sailed from Plymouth, England on the May and John. Stephen moved to Weymouth sometime after 1639. Stephen may have been a nephew of Henry Adams and have accompanied or followed him to Dorchester. Henry Adams had a nephew, Stephen French, born about 1601 in Misterton, Somersetshire, England. He was the son of Richard French whose wife was a sister of Henry Adams.
   14. [14] F231 STOCKTON SPRINGS. The Story of Stockton Springs, ME, by Alice V. Ellis, p. 17, 19, perhaps Stephen French (Chart #7), Zetham French. Contributed by Marguerite B. Schneider.
   15. [15] F248 NORTH BRIDGEWATER. History of North Bridgewater, MA, by Bradford Kingman, 1866, p. 504-7. John French (Chart #5) and Stephen French (Chart #7).
   16. [16] F253 WEYMOUTH. Genealogy of the Early Families of Weymouth, MA, by George Walter Chamberlain, 1984, p. 234-243, 474-5. John French (Chart #5) and Stephen French (Chart #7), Rogers family, p. 605. Deacon John Rogers settled in Weymouth, MA, before 1643. He is probably the John Rogers who was made a freeman of the Massachusetts Bay Colony on 17 may 1637. He was deacon of the First church and a townsman (selectman) in 1645, 1646, 1652, 1654, 1655, 1657 and 1659. He was elected “town recorder” in 1651. He died at Weymouth, 11 Feb 1660-61. He had his will 8 Feb 1660 and it was proved 13 Apr 1661. To his wife Judith French he gave the new end of his dwelling house with one-third of his estate for life. To his son John Rogers he gave care of his estate. To his daughter Mary Rane and his son-in-law John Rane, his great lot of 12 acres and 40 schillings and 10 pounds. To his daughter Lydia White six acres of 5 pounds. To his daughter Hannah Pratt 5 pounds. To his daughter Sarah 15 pounds after marriage or at 18. Refers to his son-in-law joseph White, his son-in-law John Rane, and Samuel Pratt, and to his apprentice William Richards. Overseers, Thomas White, John Holbrook and Thomas Dyer. Inventory taken 20 Feb 1660-61. (Register, 10: 265, 266). All children (5) born in Massachusetts.
   17. [17] F365 Abington, MA b. m. d. vital records. to 1849, Stephen French (Chart #7).
   18. [18] F141 ALTON. History of Alton, NH, 1965, by Barton McLain Griffin, p. 147-8. Farmington, NH; Woburn, MA. Possibly Stephen French (Chart #7).
   19. [19] F118 Immigrants to America contributed by Bill Sopher. Edward French (Chart #4), Jacob French of Weymouth (Chart #7), John French of Cambridge (Chart #3), John French of Dorchester (Chart #5), John French of Ipswich (Chart #1), Stephen French of Weymouth (Chart #7), Thomas French of Boston (Chart #1), Thomas French of Guilford (Chart #9), William French of Cambridge (Chart #2).
   20. [20] More Passengers for New England, p. 77-78. Weymouth, 20th of March 1635: Judeth French, (servant of Joseph Hall of Somerset aged 40 years), aged 20 years. John Rogers, her husband, was not on same ship. On this same ship was John Holbrooke, age 11 years, who later married Sarah French.
   21. [21] Research by Susan Johanson, scjohanson5@comcast.net.
   22. [22] Vol. 58, p. 471, Des. of John Whitman of Weymouth, Mass. by C.H. Farnham of New Haven, Conn. 1889.
   23. [23] “American Genealogist” Periodical, Vol. 25, #1 (Jan. 1949).