Hannah French

Other Events:

• Baptism: 5 Sep 1669, Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England

Other Events:

• Baptism: 3 Nov 1639, Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England; Church of St. Peter and St. Paul

Notes:

Thomas ffrench, founder of the New Jersey branch of the French family, resided, in 1680, the year of his migration to America, in Nether Heyford, a parish in the hundred of Newbottle Grove, county of Northampton, seven miles south by west from the city of Northampton, England. This parish is very ancient, the church of S. S. Peter and Paul having been erected in the early part of the thirteenth century. the first patron was Roger de Heyford, in 1216. The register that has been preserved begins in 1558, showing the French family parishioners as far back as 1560. The church is a splendidly preserved specimen of Norman architecture. (Source: Compiled and Published by Howard Barclay French, Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French - Volume I: With some account of Colonial Manners and Doings (Philadelphia: Privately Printed, 1909), pg. 40.)

...As will be observed, Thomas ffrench, the progenitor, was the son of Thomas and Sara ffrench. His baptism, in childhood, in 1639, in the Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Nether Heyford, England is recorded, but when the religious Society of Friends arose he with other members of the family became actively identified therewith, suffering for his faith at different times. Upon one occasion he was sentenced to imprisonment for forty-two months for refusal to pay tithes to the amount of eleven shillings, he being at the time a resident of Upper Norton, Oxfordshire. Five other names of this family appear in Beese's remarkable book, namely, George, Robert, John, William and Moses. Penalty was inflicted upon the latter five times. He served altogether several years in prison.
...That Thomas ffrench was a man of great force of character, intense religious conviction and earnestm, consistent life, is abundantly evident. he shared with his associates trials and hardships and always resented everything bearing the slightest resemblance to injustice or oppresion. A glance a the most vigorous efforts were made to suppress the Society of Friends. Their meetings were outlawed, their property unjustly taken, through fines and the imposition of tithes, and great numbers were thrown into prison, where they were cruelly treated, hundreds suffering unto deathl.
...Following is a literal copy of references to Thomas ffrench in "Sufferings of the People Called Quakers":
..."Thomas French, of Upper Norton, was imprisoned, in 1657, at suit of William Thomas, a lawyer and renter of Tithes, and for a demand of but eleven shillings for Tithes suffered two and forty months imprisonment." Vol. I, p. 564.
..."Thomas French was taken from meeting at Banbury, in 1662, and committed to prison." Vol.I, p. 568.
..."Thomas French, 1666, taken at meeting at house of Elizabeth White, at Coggs, near Whitney, committed to House of Correction for one month." Vol. I, p. 571.

Thomas ffrench was among the first to take a practical interest in the colonization of Friends in America. With William Penn, Gauen Laurie, Thomas Olive, Daniel Wills, Edward Byllnge and about one hundred and fifty others, he signed the famous "Concessions and Agreements,: at London in 1676, which provided for the settlement of New Jersey, It is evident from records that he made a preliminary prospecting visit to this country, to locate his land and select a home site. He has left an account of the coming of himself and family, three years after the arrival of the pioneer colonists. He sailed from London, in the ship Kent, Gregory Marlowe, master---the same vessel which brought the first company of settlers in 1677 to Burlington---about the 1st of August, 1680, with his wife and nine children, four sons and five daughters, the oldest child being sixteen, while the youngest was not yet four years of age. He settled upon a tract of 600 acres of desirable land located along the banks of the Rancocas, about four miles from Burlington. Throughout the remainder of his life he held and influential place in the colony and prospered in business. He was commisioner of highways 1684-5. At his death, in 1699, he was possessed of some 1,200 acres of improved land and also his proprietary share of unsurveyed lands, approximately, 2000 acres. During nearly twenty years residence as a leading citizen of Burlington County, Thomas ffrench trained all his children in ways of sobriety, industry, and religion, they in turn founding families in whom traits of stron characher were noted. Each performed his and her share in the prosperous and happy development of colonial life. (Source: Compiled and Published by Howard Barclay French, Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French - Volume I: With some account of Colonial Manners and Doings(Philadelphia: Privately Printed, 1909), pg. 43-48.)

THOMAS FFRENCH'S FAMILY BIBLE
The family Bible of Thomas ffrench, printed in 1630 and brought by him to this country in 1680. The record presented and transcribed is in the handwriting of the progenitor, evidently having been set down at different times, under varying circumstances and influences, throughout a period covering over thirty years, the last entry being made a little while after the death of the long-time companion who had borne him thirteen children. Some of the lines have faded and a few words are quite illegible.
Copy of the writing.
Thomas ffrench and Jane his wife, and Jane and Rachel his children.
Jane was born about a fortnight before Saint James (in the Church Calendar July 25) in the year 1662.
Rachel was born March the 24, 1663
Rachel was born March the 24, 1664. She alone was ris.

...In the year 1673 was a very stormy year for the waters did sore break out of their bounds and was a very wet season, such wet May day, after which floods that flooded the meadows when they were ready to mow and drove away in many stacks and bindings of hay, and we had a summer like unto winter for cold and wet for the general year.
...I and my wife and nine children through the great mercy of God came into this country and landed at Burlington, the 23 of the 7 month 1680. Thomas ffrench.
...The Lord in heaven have mercy upon me.
...Thomas ffrench his book. God give him grace in ____ Then was I in great sorrow and tribulation. The Lord deliver me out of them all.
...Tho. French his book. God give him grace in Jesus Lord and when the bell for me doth toll, good Lord in heaven do rest my soul.
...The Lord deliver me out of all my troubles and pardon my sins. Lord bless all that (He) hath given in hand.
...The Lord deliver me in time of trouble and in time of adversity, and Lord deliver me from all my enemies.
...I Thomas ffrench was married to my wife Jane, June 12, 1660. December the first about ten at night my son Richard was born, 1665. The Lord give him grace that he may continually walk before Him.
...I Thomas ffrench was baptized November the 3, 1639. My son Thomas was born ____ in 1667 between 8 and nine o’clock at night. 1671 my son Charles was born, the 20 day of March between 11 and 12 at night.
...In the year 1673 was a very strange ___.
...The Lord be gracious and merciful unto me which way so ever I go whether it be out of the land or in the land or on the sea, the Lord be merciful unto. This was wrote in the year 1664.
...My wife Jane deceased this life fifth day of the 8 month 1692.
...My youngest child died the 12 of the same.
...William French the son of Richard ffrench and Mary was born April the 7 in the year 1712.
...Sarah French the daughter of Richard French and Mary was born the 20th day of the 7th month 1715.
...All prophesies were given by inspiration and written for Learning upon whom the ends of the world are come.
...Rachel French the daughter of Richard Jun. And Rachel was born the 12th day of the 11th month 1722.
...Benjamin French 1737
...William French his book May 10th 17__ Thomas ffrench
(Reference: Compiled and Published by Howard Barclay French, Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French - Volume I: With some account of Colonial Manners and Doings(Philadelphia: Privately Printed, 1909), pg. 52-63.)

...Thomas ffrench, in accordance with the custom of his family for generations, and that of nearly all Prostestant Englishmen of his time, had his children baptized in the Church of England, notwithstanding his early sympathy and unity with the Society of Friends. The obligation thus assumed, as to religioius care and training of his children, was faithfully kept, the family Bible being an impressive witness in this respect.
...The following is taken from the parish records of the Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford, England, concerning the marriage of Thomas ffrench and Jane Atkins.
..."Note. March 8 1663 The said Jane ffrench prsenting unto me John Bedford parson Heiford A Consigned Certificate of the said
...Thomas ffrench jun and Jane Atkins both of Heiford pish Testifying that they the said Thomas & Jane wr marryed in the pish Church of Whilton June 12 1660 by mr Richard Morris then Minister there: Returning her Certificate of marriage backe againe into her owne custody, I thus entred the Record of ye said marriage at her request, into this my Heiford pish Register."
...Thomas ffrench and Jane his wife were buried in a private burial lot, sixteen and one half feet square, on the homestead plantation. Rancocas, N. J., and this reservation was mentioned in deeds and observed for many years. Its exact location is now unknown. (Source: Compiled and Published by Howard Barclay French, Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French - Volume I: With some account of Colonial Manners and Doings (Philadelphia: Privately Printed, 1909), .pg. 65.)

WILL OF THOMAS FFRENCH, 1698
I Being intended if the Lord will goe for Old England not knowing whether I shall ever returne againe to my ffamily doe make & ordaine this my last will & Testamt Revokeing all other Wills and promises whatsoever In manner & forme following. I give unto my wife Elizabeth after my decease if shee be the longer liver the House & Plantation where now I live with four Hundred Acres of Land belonging to it with Twenty Acres of Meadow as it is surveyed and Recorded In the place next below the Land of John Test Together with the Use of all my Stock & Household goods with the Corne growing upon the ground To have & to hold the same dureing her naturall life without Impeachment of Wast. I give unto my Sonne Charles ffrench Two hundred Acres of land lyeing next John Hudsons with the ffour or ffive Acres of Clear land at Creek with ye Little Meadow lyeing by it to him and Heirs forever allowing my wife Elizabeth Egresse & Regresse to Transport any goods or Hay: I give unto my Sonne Charles ffrench after the Decease of my & my wife to him & his Heires forever Provided that hee pay that which I shall appint him to pay all the Plantation where now I live together with the dwelling house Barnes & other Outhouses Gardens Orchards Arrable Land & Clear land Together with four Hundred Acres of Land belonging to the Plantation aforesaid also Twenty Acres of Meadow Together with two hundred Acres of land belonging to the Meadow Also Six Hundred Acres of Land more which shall or may fall to me In my Third takeing up my Will is that my sonne Charles ffrench shall pay out of the Lands and Plantation aforesaid unto the rest of his Brothers & Sisters as followeth, I give unto my Daughter Rachell Allen to her & her Heires Twenty pounds. I give unto my Daughter Sarah Wood to her & herselfe alone as she shall have need of it her Husband shall not have noe part or share in it to her & her Heires Twenty Pounds. I give unto my Daughter Mary Busby to her & her Heirs twenty Pounds. I give unto my Daughter Jane Hall to her & her Heires Twenty pounds. I give unto my Daughter Lydia French Twenty pounds. I give unto my sonne Thomas ffrench Six Shillings. I give unto my sonne John French Six Shilligs. I give unto my Sonne Richard French Six Shillings. I give unto my sonne Richard French all the Reversion of my Eighth par of a Propriety and that Lott at Burlington upon which Richard Bassnett hath buildt Houses upon to him & his Heires forever. I give unto my Sonne Charles ffrench all my Yard land in the ppish of neather Heyford to him & his Heires forever In old England. My Will is that my Sonne Charles ffrench shall pay all my Debts and Thirty pounds to my youngest Daughter Rebecca ffrench out of the Yard Land aforesaid if Rebecca shall live to the Age of Eighteen yeares and if Rebecca shall happen to die before shee come to the Age of Eighteen yeares then the Thirty pounds shall be paid unto & amongst my Five younger Daughters to Hannah Busby & Sarah Wood Mary Busby Jane Hall & Lydia ffrench my Will is that after the decease of me & my Wife that my Goods shall be divided amongst all my Daughters mention in my Will. And also my Will is that if I & my Wife Elizabeth shall happen to die before my youngest Daughter Rebecca is brought up that then my Sonne Charles ffrench shall bring her up or else to allow her Five pounds a year untill shee come to the Age of Ten yeares for & towards the bringing of her up. In Witness hereof I have hereunto sett my hand & seale the Third day of the fourth month called June (1698)
Thomas ffrench (seal)

Sealed & delivered in ye presence of John Paine Tho: Eves John Hollinshed junr
The above written is a true Coppy of the Originall will or Codecill of Thomas ffrench above named, being with the same Originall Examined this Third Day of May Anno Dom 1699 as witnefse hereunto my and & seale of Office
Tho: Revell Secry & Regr
(Reference: Compiled and Published by Howard Barclay French, Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French - Volume I: With some account of Colonial Manners and Doings (Philadelphia: Privately Printed, 1909). pg. 76-77.)

...Thomas French, the eldest son of Thomas and Sarah French (Ffrench), was born in Nether Heyford, England, Oct 1639, and on 3 Nov 1639, was baptized in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, in that parish. He was reared in the faith of the Church of England, but as a young man was attracted to the doctrine preached by the Society of Friends (Quakers), and was one of the most enthusiastic followers of George Fox. As a Quaker he suffered many persecutions and trials (documentation on record) for his beliefs and spent many months in prison.
...He had met and fallen in love with Jane Atkins, of Nether Heyford, at this time and on 12 Jun 1660, they were married in the parish church at Whilton, Northamptonshire, England by the Rev. Richard Morris. Why they were not married in their own parish is not clear, but on 8 Mar 1663, at the request of Jane (Atkins) French, the Rev. John Bedford, of Nether Heyford, entered the marriage in his records.

...Over the next few years England was too warm for Thomas French. The authorities were continually annoying himn because of his Quaker principles. It is no wonder that he took keen interest in the plans of William Penn and other leading Friends to found a religious asylum in the "New World". In Mar 1676, the "Concessions and Agreements of the Proprietors, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Province of West New Jersey, in America", were published. This is one of the great historic documents in America, for it formulated the principles of equality and righteousness which were afterwards incorporated the Government of the colony, but also provided for fair dealings with the abrigines of New Jersey. It was signed by 150 prominent Quakers, headed by William Penn, and among the signatures on that immortal Constitution the name of Thomas French was conspicuous.

...In 1677 the famous ship, "Kent", under the command of Gregory Marlowe, sailed from England, conveying the first English families to colonize West New Jersey. It is not known whether Thomas French was on this vessel, but it is a known fact that he came alone to America to look over tha land and make plans for his home. Then he returned to England for his family, and on 1 Aug 1680, he and his family came to New Jersey on teh "Kents's" second voyage. In due time they arrived in Burlington County, and settled on a tract of 600 acres on the banks of the Rancocas Creek, about four miles from the newly founded city of Burlington. 8 May 1692, his wife, Jane, died at their home at Rancocas, New Jersey. While his grief was no doubt great at the loss of this staunch companion who had been by his side through his troubled years, 6 Jun 1694, he announced his intention to go to England, and asked two close Friends to inquire into his "Clearness upon the Account of Marriage" and by their report as also several other neighbors the meeting was satisfied to give him a "Certificate from the Meeting" which was accordingly done. This procedure meant that the Meeting was requested to issue to Thomas French a certificate showing that he had not entangled himself with other women - that he might freely wed the lady of his choice. 25 Jul 1695, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Stanton, a member of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, where the ceremony was performed.
...Thomas French was destined to survive this marriage only a few years; he died in 1699 at Rancocas, Burlington County, New Jersey, and was buried beside his first wife in the fas burial plot, on his plantation in Rancocas. From his will, it would appear that in his last years he had contemplated returning to England - as he had planned in 1694 - but death evidently altered his intention. At his death he was one of the largest landowners in the Province, possessing 1200 acres of improved land, and in addition to this domain, his proprietary shares of unsurveyed land gave him approximately 2000 acres.
...Thomas French was a man of strong and forceful character, and was blunt and outspoken in his comments. He frequently had cause to regret his hasty remarks and actions, and seldom hesitated to apologize, if he believed he was in the wrong. Nor would he refuse to retract his statements if, in his opinion, he had justice on his side. He was a deeply religious man, and performed his tasks as a member of the Society of Friends with conscientiousness and devotion.
...Thomas French, in accordance with the custom of his family for generations, and that of nearly all Protestant Englishmen of his time, had his children baptized in the Church of England, notwithstandinghis early sympathy and unity with the Society of Friends. The obligation thus assumed, as to the reliqious care and training of his children, was faithfully kept, the family Bible being an impressive witness in this respect. He had issued, by his first wife, Jane: Sara (died and infant), Jane, Rachel, Richard, Thomas, Hannah, Charles, John, Sarah, Mary, Jane, Lydia, an infant; by his second wife, Elizabeth; a daughter, Rebecca.

Will proved: 3 May 1699

25 Jul 1696, Thomas French letter to marry Elizabeth Stanton. (Reference: Hinshaw, pg. 528)

Thomas married Jane Atkins on 12 Jun 1660 in Whilton, Northamptonshire, England. Jane was born about 1639 in Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England; died on 5 Oct 1692 in Rancocas, Burlington County, New Jersey, British Colonial America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The following is taken from the parish records of the Church S, S, Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford, England, concerning the marriage of Thomas ffrench and Jane Atkins.

"Note. March 8 1663 The said Jane ffrench p'senting unto me John Bedford parson of Heiford A Consigned Certificate of the said Thomas ffrench jun & Jane Atkins both of Heiford pish Testifying that they the said Thomas & Jane w' marryed in the pish Church of Whilton June 12 1660 by M' Richard Morris then Minister there: Returning her Certificate of marriage backe againe into her owne custody, I thus entred the Record of ye said marriage at her request, into this my Heiford pish Register."

(Source: Howard Barclay French, "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French", (Philadelphia, Privately Printed, 1909), pg. 64.)

Notes:

...Thomas ffrench, father of Thomas ffrench, the progenitor of the New Jersey branch of the French family, like his ancestors of many generations, lived at Nether Heyford, where he was known as an influential and useful citizen. Thomas ffrench, senior, was buried May 5 1673. Sara ffrench, his wife, was buried Feb. 9th 1653.
...The will of Thomas ffrench, is a quaint and characteristic document of the times. It shows the thoughtful regard of a loving parent in distributing his estate carefully and making special provision for those of tender years.

WILL OF THOMAS FFRENCH, 1673
In the name of God amen, the nine and twentyth day Aprill in the five and twentyth yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles tha second of England, Scotland, Ffrance, and Ireland, King Defender of the faith Anno Dom 1673; I Thomas ffrench, the Elder, of Nether Heyford in the county of Northton, being weak in body but of good and perfect memory thanks be to Almightie God. And knowing the uncertaintie of this life on earth do make this my last Will and testaA in manner and forme ffolowing and first being penitent and sorry for my sins past, most humbly desireing forgiveness for the same I give and Comitt my soule to Almightie God my Saviour and Redeemer in whom and by the merits of Jesus Christ I trust and believe assuredly to be saved and to have full remission and foregivenesse of all my sins And my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be buryed in such decent and Christian manner as to my Executors hereafter named shal be thought meet and convenient revoking and annulling by these prsents all and every Will and Wills testam and testaments heretofore by me made and declared and this to be taken for my last will and testaments and none other I will that all those and duties wch in right or conscience I owe to any manner of person or persons whatsoever shalbe well and truely contented and paid or ordained to be paid within convenient time after my decease by my Executors hereafter named. Item I give and bequeath to Thomas ffrench, my eldest sone, the sume of twleve pence I give and bequeath to John ffrench, my second sone, two shillings and six pence I give and bequeath to Patience ffrench, my eldest daughter two shillings and six pence I give and bequeath to Elisabeth ffrench, my second daughter two shillings and six pence; I give and bequeath to Mary ffrench my third daughter two shillings and six pence all wch said legacies I will shalbe payd by my Executors within six months after my decease. All the rest of my goods cattell and chattels whatsoever I give and bequeath to Martha my loveing wife and to my sone Robert ffrench and my daughter Martha ffrench whom I make joint Executors of this my last Will and Testam I do nominate and appoint my welbeloved ffriends Thomas Kirton and William Steffe both of Hayford aforesaid overseers of this my last Will and Testam and do give them twelvepence apeece In witness whereof I the said Thomas ffrench have hereunto sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written.

Thomas ffrench (Seal)

Published signed and sealed in the presence of:
William Stif
Thomas (his mark) Kirton
Alice (her mark) Kirton
John Darby

Proved 16th August 1673
(Source: Compiled and Published by Howard Barclay French, Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French - Volume I: With some account of Colonial Manners and Doings (Philadelphia: Privately Printed, 1909). pg. 41, 42)

Thomas married Sarah _____ about 1636 in Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England. Sarah was born about 1615 in England; died about Feb 1653 in Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England; was buried on 9 Feb 1653. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Sarah French