French, Thomas

Thomas FRENCH (1584 - 1639) and Susan RIDDLESDALE (1584 - 1658)

my 11g-grandparents

Thomas FRENCH was born in England about 1580 according to [AGBI], or 1584 according to [FG] and the marriage record in [IMR]. He was baptized on 11 Oct 1584 in Bures St. Mary, Essex, England, son of Jacob FRENCH and Susan WARREN.

He died about 1639 according to [NEM], and [FG] says he died 5 Nov 1639, probably in Ipswich, Essex, MA.

Thomas and Susan's daughter Alice FRENCH and her husband, Thomas HOWLETT, my 10g-grandparents, both immigrated about 1630, probably both in the Winthrop Fleet. They are my earliest known direct ancestors in America.

Thomas married Susan RIDDLESDALE on 5 Sep 1608 in Assington, a small village in County Suffolk, England. Their 8 children were baptized at St. Edmund's church in Assington. [DW, p. 63] Although [NEM] says the marriage was in Hasington, England. Susan was born about 1584 [IMR], and from [FG], "Susan was b. 20 Apr 1584 at Boxford, Suffolk Co., England, daughter of John Riddlesdale and his wife, Dorcas." Susan died about 1658 [NEM] and [DW, p. 63] says she died before 10 Mar 1658. However, [MTV] says she died in Aug 1658.

There has been some conflation between Thomas Sr and Jr. Davis [LAT], writing in 1927, was unaware of the records from Assington.

Thus [LAT] has Thomas Sr married to Alice, and claims he was in Boston by 1631, and it was he who was dismissed to the church of Ipswich in 1638. Later records indicate that his wife was Susan RIDDLESDALE, and Alice FRENCH, who married Thomas HOWLETT, was their daughter. It seems likely that both Thomas Sr and Jr, and the rest of the family, removed from Boston to Ipswich around 1635.

This extended family made frequent use of the names Thomas and John. For this reason, there has been much confusion regarding records for Thomas FRENCH Sr, sons Thomas FRENCH Jr and John FRENCH, and several grandsons named Thomas or John. Records in New England colonies are often much more complete than in the other colonies, but there are gaps. Another difficulty is that the word FRENCH occurs in many places, not as a surname. Also, there were other, apparently unrelated FRENCH families in Essex County, having come from Essex and Suffolk in England, and I'm related to most of them!

Assington, England

Assington today is a village of about 450 people, in the southern part of Suffolk County, in eastern England. Bures St Mary, where Thomas FRENCH was baptized, about 3 miles southwest of Assington, is partly in Suffolk, partly in Essex county. Boxford, where Susan RIDDLESDALE was born, is about 3 miles northeast of Assington.

Many of the Puritans who settled in Essex County, MA in the 1630s came from Essex and Suffolk counties in England, and used many of the same place names.

James I was King of England and Scotland from 1603 until his death in 1625. As head of the Church of England, he tolerated Catholics and reformers to some degree, and tried to avoid religious conflicts. He authorized a translation of the Bible, which came to be known as the King James version. His son Charles I reigned from 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles I was more severe in persecution of religious groups that wanted to reform the Church of England, especially the Puritans, who held many seats in Parliament. The persecution was at its worst in the period 1629-40, when Charles refused to consult with Parliament. This period saw a great migration of Puritans, away from eastern and central England, and often to the American colonies. The English Civil War (1642–1651) slowed the rate of migration.

The Puritans in England were divided among Reformers, who wanted to reform the Church of England, and Separatists, who wanted start their own church. The latter group was more anxious to emigrate.

Immigration

The FRENCH family immigrated to New England in the 1630s. They were thought to have been part of the Winthrop Fleet, a group of 11 ships that brought 700 Puritans to New England in 1630. They were led by John WINTHROP, who became Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Later research suggests that the family did not all travel at the same time. First, Thomas Jr and his sister Alice came in 1630, probably with the Winthrop fleet. [GMB. pp. 703-6] They first lived in Boston, and by 1635 settled in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony, The sisters Dorcas and Susan came in 1633, as maids or servants in the John WINTHROP family. Between 1633 and 1638, Thomas Sr and his wife Susan immigrated with their 4 younger children.[DW, pp. 63-4]

Boston and Ipswich

After a brief initial stay in Boston, most of the family removed to Ispwich by 1635. Thomas died on 5 Nov 1639 in Ipswich, according to [FG]. I have not seen evidence to prove this, but Ipswich town records indicate that Thomas died about 1639.

Susan died in Aug 1658, according to Ipswich town records. Her will was probated on 29 Mar 1659. I have not seen the will or the estate inventory.

The Town of Ipswich was first settled by the English in 1633, and incorporated as a town in 1634, so the FRENCH family were among the early settlers. The population of Ipswich in 1650 was about 140 families, or about 700 inhabitants. In 1680 Ipswich listed 126 voters, which represented about 825 people. [HEC, Vol. I, p. 576]

Descendants

1 Susan RIDDLESDALE b: 20 Apr 1584 in Boxford, Suffolk, England, d: Bef. 10 Mar 1658
+ Thomas FRENCH b: 1584 in England, m: 05 Sep 1608 in Assington, d: 05 Nov 1639 in Ipswich, Essex, MA
......2 Thomas FRENCH bapt: 27 Nov 1608 in Assington, d: 08 Aug 1680 in Ipswich, Essex, MA
...... + Mary SCUDAMORE b: 1612 in England, m: Abt. 1630, d: 06 May 1681
......2 Alice FRENCH bapt: 09 Apr 1610 in Assington, d: 26 Jun 1666 in Ipswich, Essex, MA
...... + Thomas HOWLETT b: 1606 in England, m: Abt. 1634, d: 1678 in Ipswich, Essex, MA
......2 Dorcas FRENCH bapt: 31 Jul 1614 in Assington, d: 30 Dec 1697 in Roxbury, Norfolk, MA
...... + Christopher PEAKE m: 03 Jan 1636
...... + Griffin CRAFT
......2 Susan FRENCH bapt: 22 Apr 1616 in Assington
......2 Anne FRENCH bapt: 15 Mar 1617 in Assington
......2 Margaret FRENCH bapt: 12 Mar 1619 in Assington
......2 John FRENCH bapt: 26 May 1622 in Assington, d: 01 Feb 1697 in Northampton, Hampden, MA
...... + Freedom KINGSLEY m: Abt. 1654
......2 Mary FRENCH bapt: 06 Jan 1624 in Assington
...... + George SMITH m: 1644 in Ipswich, Essex, MA

1. Thomas FRENCH Jr was baptized 27 Nov 1608 in Assington, probably a few days old, died 8 Aug 1680 in Ipswich, Essex, MA.

Thomas and his sister Alice, both single, came to Boston in 1630, with the Winthrop Fleet. Also about 1630, Thomas married Mary SCUDAMORE, who was born about 1612 in England, and died 6 May 1681 in Ipswich.

He was made Member #128 in the Boston church, which must have been no later than mid 1632. He was made Freeman on 6 Nov 1632. The family removed to Ipswich about 1635, and Thomas was dismissed to the church of Ipswich on 27 Jan 1638/39. He owned a house lot in Ipswich, lying in Mill street, between Thomas SCOTT and Robert MUSSEY. It's not clear whether this lot was first owned by Thomas FRENCH Sr.

Thomas FRENCH was a was a tailor, and served in the Pequot War (1636-38). In 1648 he was one of 150 subscribers who contributed money to support the military effort led by Major Denison. He was entitled to a share in Plum Island, 1664. He was a Sergeant in 1655, and an Ensign by 1664. [AH, p. 110]

His will is dated 3 Aug 1680 and proved Sept 28, 1680. He named his wife Mary, and sons Thomas, John, Samuel, Ephraim and daughter Mary SMITH.

1 Thomas FRENCH bapt. 27 Nov 1608 in Assington, Suffolk, England, d: 08 Aug 1680 in Ipswich, Essex, MA, age 71
+ Mary SCUDAMORE b: 1612 in England, m: Abt. 1630, d: 06 May 1681 in Ipswich, Essex, MA, age 68-9
......2 Mary FRENCH bapt. 23 Sep 1632 in Boston, MA, died young
......2 Mary FRENCH bapt. 02 Mar 1633/34 in Boston, MA, d: 1720, age 86
...... + Robert SMITH b: 1626, m: 1659 in Topsfield, Essex, MA, d: 1693 in Boxfield, MA, age 67
......2 John FRENCH b: Abt. 1635
...... + Phebe KEYES m: Bef. 1658
......2 Thomas FRENCH b: 1636 in Ipswich, Essex, MA, d: Aft. 1688
...... + Mary ADAMS m: 28 Feb 1659 in Ipswich, Essex, MA
......2 Samuel FRENCH b: Abt. 1641, d: 1688, age 47
......2 Ephraim FRENCH b: Abt. 1643, d: Sep 1716 in Enfield, Hartford, CT, age 73

Thomas FRENCH (1636 - aft. 1688) was a signer of a protest against Gov. Andros in 1688. The protest was against taxation without representation, so it was a precursor of the American Revolution. This event was less successful, and the signers ended up making humble apologies.

2. Alice FRENCH was baptized 09 Apr 1610 in Assington, and died 26 Jun 1666 in Ipswich, Essex, MA. She married Thomas HOWLETT born about 1606 in England, married about 1634, died about 1678 in Ipswich, Essex, MA.

Alice and Thomas were my 10g-grandparents. See the Thomas HOWLETT page.

3. Dorcas FRENCH was baptized 31 Jul 1614 in Assington, and died 30 Dec 1697 in Roxbury, Norfolk, MA. She married (1) on 3 Jan 1836 to Christopher PEAKE, and (2) Griffin CRAFT. It looks like Dorcas lived most of her life in Roxbury. I've only found one child of Dorcas: Jonathan PEAKE. Griffin CRAFT had 4 children from a previous marriage.

1 Dorcas FRENCH b: Bef. 31 Jul 1614 in Assington, Suffolk, England, d: 30 Dec 1697 in Roxbury, Norfolk, MA
+ Christopher PEAKE b: Apr 1607 in Achurch, Northamptonshire, England, m: 03 Jan 1636 in Roxbury, Suffolk, MA., d: 22 May 1666 in Roxbury, Litchfield, CT
......2 Jonathan PEAKE b: 17 Dec 1637 in Roxbury, Suffolk, MA., d: 02 Jun 1700 in Roxbury, Suffolk, MA
+ Griffin CRAFT b: 1596 in England, d: 04 Oct 1689 in Roxbury, Suffolk, MA

4. Susan FRENCH was baptized 22 Apr 1616 in Assington.

5. Anne FRENCH was baptized 15 Mar 1617 in Assington.

6. Margaret FRENCH was baptized 12 Mar 1619 in Assington.

7. John FRENCH was baptized 26 May 1622 in Assington, and died 01 Feb 1697 in Northampton, Hampden, MA. He married about 1654 to Freedom Mary KINGSLEY, daughter of John and Alice KINGSLEY.

John and Freedom had at least 5 children, in Ipswich. They moved about 100 miles WSW to Northampton, Hampshire County, MA between 1664 and 1678.

John FRENCH was a was a weaver. [TFW, p. 83] In 1648 he was one of 150 subscribers who contributed money to support the military effort led by Major Denison. He was entitled to a share in Plum Island, 1664. [AH, p. 110]

1 John FRENCH b: Bef. 26 May 1622 in Assington, Suffolk, England, d: 01 Feb 1697 in Northampton, Hampshire, MA
+ Freedom Mary KINGSLEY b: 1637 in Dorchester, Suffolk, MA, m: Abt. 1654, d: 26 Jul 1689 in Northampton, Hampshire, MA
......2 John FRENCH b: 1655 in Ipswich, Essex, MA, d: 25 Feb 1724 in Rehoboth, Bristol, MA
...... + Hannah PALMER b: 08 Nov 1657 in Rehoboth, Bristol, MA, m: 27 Nov 1678 in Rehoboth, d: 28 Mar 1736 in Rehoboth
......2 Thomas FRENCH b: 25 May 1657 in Ipswich, Essex, MA, d: 05 Apr 1733 in Deerfield, Franklin, M
...... + Mary CATLIN b: 10 Jul 1666 in Wethersfield, CT, m: 18 Oct 1683 in Deerfield, Franklin, MA, d: 09 Mar 1704 in Deerfield
...... + Hannah EDWARDS m: 16 Feb 1709 in Deerfield, Franklin, MA (widow of Benoni STEBBINS), d: 05 Apr 1733 in Deerfield
......2 Mary FRENCH b: 27 Feb 1659 in Ipswich, Essex, MA, d: 26 Jan 1696 in Northampton, Hampshire, MA
...... + Samuel STEBBINS b: 21 Jan 1658 in Northampton, Hampden, MA, m: 14 Mar 1678 in Northampton, div. 27 Dec 1692, d: 03 Sep 1732 in Coldspring, MA
......2 Samuel FRENCH b: 26 Feb 1661 in Ipswich, Essex, MA
......2 Hannah FRENCH b: 08 Mar 1664 in Ipswich, Essex, MA

Thomas FRENCH (1657 - 1733), son of John and Freedom, married Mary CATLIN (1666 - 1704) on 18 Oct 1683 in Deerfield, which was then part of Hampshire County. They lived in Deerfield, where they had 7 children, the first child dying in infancy.

On 29 Feb 1704, Deerfield, then a village of 291 people, was attacked by a coalition of French soldiers and a variety of about 300 Indian warriors, in what has become known as the Deerfield Massacre. A total of 47 settlers were killed, the infant son of Thomas and Mary, and Mary's father and brothers. Mary and her sister and their remaining children were among 112 captives who were forced to march to the Indian camp, near Montreal, to be held for ransom. Mary and her sister both died on the journey.

Many of my relatives, in separate parts of my tree, were involved in the Deerfield Massacre. I will make a page for this sorrowful event, at some time.

8. Mary FRENCH was baptized 06 Jan 1624 in Assington, and died 6 Feb 1697 in Ipswich. She married about 1644 in Ipswich, Essex, MA to George SMITH.

Sources

[AGBI] Thomas French in the American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI)

[AH] Early inhabitants of Ipswich, Mass. 1633-1700 (1880) by Abraham Hammatt

[CB] The Winthrop Fleet of 1630 by Charles Edward Banks (1930)

[CEB] 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. 1620-1640 by Charles Edward Banks (1930)

[DW] The ancestry of Dudley Wildes : 1759-1820, of Topsfield, Massachusetts (1959) by Walter Goodwin Davis

[FFA] French Family Association

[FG] Thomas French on Findagrave, posted by Nancy Steklenburg Faas

[GMB] The Great Migration Begins (2013)

[HEC] History of Essex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men (1888) by D. Hamilton Hurd

[IMR] Thomas French in the U.S. and International Marriage Records

[LAT] The ancestry of Lieut Amos Towne, 1737-1793, of Arundel (Kennebunkport), Maine (1927) by Walter Goodwin Davis

[MTV] Massachusetts Town and Vital Records, Ipswich Deaths

[NEM] U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 for Thomas French

[NSE] Maps of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex counties, England, from The Foxearth and District Local History Society

[TFS] Thomas French Sr in Familysearch

[TFW] Ipswich in the Massachusetts Bay Colony (1905) by Thomas Franklin Waters

[WWP] Johnson's Wonder-working providence, 1628-1651; by Edward Johnson and J. Franklin Jameson (1910)

Updated 3 Jun 2021 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.