Martha French

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 Martha _____ about 1653. Martha was born before 1640; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Martha French