Thomas French, (III)

1. THOMAS3 FFRENCH (THOMAS2, THOMAS1) was born October 1639 in Nether Heyford, England, and died 1699 in Rancocas, Burlington, New Jersey. He married (1) JANE ATKINS June 12, 1660 in Parish Church of Wilton, England. She was born Abt. 1640 in England, and died August 05, 1692 in Rancocas, Burlington Co, NJ. He married (2) ELIZABETH STANTON July 25, 1696 in Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. She was born Abt. 1680.

Notes for THOMAS FFRENCH: Thomas Ffrench (old English spelling, unknown when changed to the modern French) founder of the New Jersey branch of the French family emigrated to America from England. He landed with Jane, his wife, and their children at what is now Burlington, NJ on the 23rd day of July 1680. Family documents indicate Thomas was buried on the family homestead but the exact location is not known.

Thomas Ffrench was married twice. He married in England at age 21. His first wife and he lived together for 32 years until Jane's death. Thomas remarried at age 57 to Elizabeth Stanton and died 3 years later at age 60. He had 15 children, 9 girls and 6 boys.

The family tree was first researched and published by Howard Barclay French of the seventh generation. The genealogy is a two volume privately published book. It's title: "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French, Vol I 1639-1785, Howard B. French" & "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French Vol II 1785-1913, Howard B. French." On the inside cover : "Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Library." Gift of Mr. Howard B. French, President

Thomas Ffrench was a fervent Quaker and was imprisoned on three different occasions for his beliefs and his internments were recorded in a book written by a Quaker minister, Joseph Besse, published in 1753, entitled "The Sufferings of the Peoples called Quakers."

He was baptized as were most of his children in the protestant Episcopal Church of S.S. Peter and Paul in Nether Heyford, England. The Quakers broke from the established church but still baptized their children within the church. They married within their meetings but recorded the marriages with the Church. They also refused to bury their dead in the Church yard. Therefore, most dates of death are unknown unless someone recorded the death in a family bible.

Thomas was baptized on 11/13/1639 in the Protestant Episcopal Church of S S Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford.

Thomas was a member of the Society of Friends. He came to America in 1677 with William Penn, Thomas Ollive and many other of the original signers of the Concessions and Agreements. Thomas Ffrench was one of 150 men who signed this agreement for the purchase of East Jersey. He came in 1677 just long enough to stake out his claim. He then returned to England in the same ship, "the Kent" which had brought him and the others. He returned to America in 1680 with his wife and nine children. 4 boys and 5 girls, the eldest 16 and the youngest 4. The ship was the "Kent," the master, Gregory Marlowe.

Thomas Ffrench settled a tract of 600 acres located on the banks of the Rancocas about 4 miles from Burlington. He was Commissioner of Highways from 1684-1685. Thomas Ffrench was an active member of his church and prosperous businessman.

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ID: I4 Name: Thomas FRENCH (Jr) Surname: French Given Name: Thomas Suffix: (Jr) Sex: M Birth: 29 Oct 1639 in Nether Heyford, Northampton, England 1 Christening: 3 Nov 1639 Nether Heyford, Northampton, England Death: 3 May 1699 in Rancocas, Burlington, New Jersey Ancestral File #: GK6J-1M _UID: 4627229F17F3D411A8020080AE000001F685 Note:

Copy of writings from Thomas French Family Bible: Thomas ffrench and Jane his wife, and Jane and Rachel his children. Jane was born about a fornight before Saint James [in the Church Calendar July 25th] 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 abounds 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 county and landed at Burlington, the 23 of the 7 month 1680. Thomas ffrench. I Thomas ffrench was married to my wife Jane, June 13, 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. My wife Jane deceased this life the fifth day of the 8 month 1692. My youngest child died the 12 of the same.

Individual Record AFN: GK6J-1M lists Thomas as Thomas French III

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Original Message ----- From: To: Jeff L. French <mailto:jlfrench1@attbi.com> Sent: Friday, May 30, 2003 4:55 PM Subject: Page 1 of 4 Thomas French (II) Thomas (2), son of Thomas (1) and Sara ffrench, the progenitor of the French family of New Jersey, was born in 1639 and baptized the same year in the parish church of SS. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford. When the religious society of Friends arose, he with other members of his family became actively identified therewith, and at different times suffered for his faith. Upon one occasion he was sentenced to imprisonment for forty-two months for refusal to pay tithes to the amount of eleven shillings. At this time he was a resident of Upper Norton, Oxfordshire. An account of this and of other sufferings of his to be found in Besse's remarkable book, "Sufferings of Friends," in which also the names of five other members of his family appear. In all he was sentenced five times and altogether he served several years in prison. That Thomas French was a man of great force of character, intense religious conviction, and earnest, consistent life is abundantly evident. He shared with his associates trials and hardships and always resented everyghing bearing the slightest resemblance to injustice and oppression. He was consequenty among the first to take a practical interest in the colonization of Friends in America. With William Penn, Gauen Laurie, and the hundred and fifty others he was one of the signers of the famous Concessions and Agreements at London in 1676, which provided for the settlement of New Jersey. First of all he made a preliminary prospecting visit to his country to locate his land and to select his home, then three years after the arrival of the pioneer colonists according to his own account which is still preserved 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 August 1, 1680, with his wife and nine children, four sons and five daughters, the eldest being sixteen, the youngest not yet four years of age. He settled upon a tract of six hundred acres, along the banks of the Rancocas, about four miles from Burlington, and throughout the remainder of his life he held an influential place in the colony and prospered in business. During 1684-85 he was the commissioner of highways. At his death in 1699, he was possessed of one thousand two hundred acres of improved land and also his proprietory share of the unsurveyed lands, approximately two thousand acres. During nearly twent years residence as a leading citizen of Burlington county, Thomas ffrench trained all of his children in ways of sobriety, industry and religion, they in turn founding families in whom traits of strong character were noted. It is an interesting fact that part of the original plantation of Thomas ffrench is today owned and occupied by his descendants. An interesting relic of Thomas ffrench is his family Bible which he brought with him from England and which is still in existence and in a fair state of preservation although showing the effects of time. The record transcribed in it is in his own hand and covers entries made during a period of over thirty years. In maintaining his rights as a citizen and property holder Thomas ffrench felt himself called upon almost at the beginning to take action which seems to have excited comment, but he was firm in declaring the justice of his case although duly regretful that his course had given occasion for criticism. The most striking instance of his thus braving public opinion was a remarkable letter to ex-Governor Thomas Olive, in some respects the leading and most influential man in the colony. June 12, 1660, Thomas ffrench was married (first) in the parish church of Whilton, by the Rev. Richard Morris. Children: 1. Sara, baptized, as were the first twelve children at SS. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford, March 17, 1661, buried April 10, 1661. 2. Jane, born about June 11, 1662, baptized August 8, 1662, buried April 30, 1671. 3. Rachel, born March 24, 1664, baptized April 3, 1664: married (first) Mathew Allen, and (second) Hugh Sharp. 4. Richard, 1665. 5. Thomas, baptized October 31, 1667: married (first) Mary Allen, and (second) Mary (Pearce) Cattell [edit: shown in Thomas(1667)'s profile to be only one spouse Mary] ; died in 1746. 6. Hannah, baptized September 5, 1669, died 7th month, 1747: married Richard Buzby, of Pennsylvania. 7. Charles, born March 20, baptized April 2, 1671: married it is supposed twice, the name of his first wife being Elinor. 8. John, baptized January 2, 1673, died 1729: married (first) in 1701, Ann ____, and (second) Sarah (Mason) Wickward. 9. Sarah, baptized February 23, 1674: married Isaac Wood, of Woodbury Creek. 10. Mary, baptized August 8, 1675, died 1728; married Nicholas Buzby, of Burlington county. 11. Jane, baptized November 19, 1676; married Daniel Hall. 12. Lydia, born probably 1682; married probably, 1708, David Arnold. 13. An infant, died 8th month 12, 1692. Jane (Atkins) French died at Rancocas, 8th month 5. 1692, and Thomas French married (second) 7th month 25, 1696, Elizabeth Stanton, of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. to this marriage therer was issue one child, 14. Rebecca, born 6th month 8, 1697, died 1753; married Robert Murfin. "The Colonial Society of Pennsylvania 1908 THOMAS FRENCH = JANE ATKINS. In N. J., 1680. The family tree was first researched and published by Howard Barclay French of the seventh generation. I believe that he branches from another line of the family because their are no Howards in this/my direct line. The genealogy was a two volume privately published book. It's title: "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French, Vol I 1639-1785, Howard B. French" & "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French Vol II 1785-1913, Howard B. French." "Compiled & Published by Howard Barclay French of the seventh generation. Vol I Philadelphia, Privately Printed 1909. Copyright (Vol I) 90 65, 1909; Copyright Volume II 90 66, 1909. Thomas Ffrench was a fervent Quaker and was imprisoned on three different occasions for his beliefs. His internments are recorded in a book written by a great Quaker minister, Joseph Besse and published in 1753, entitled "The Sufferings of the Peoples called Quakers." Thomas was baptized on 11/13/1639 in the Protestant Episcopal Church of S S Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford. Thomas was a member of the Religious Society of Friends, founded by George Fox in northwest England approximatley 1652. Members of the society became know as "Quakers" because some of them trembled during religious services. He came to America in 1677 with William Penn, Thomas Ollive and many other of the original signers of the Concessions and Agreements. Thomas Ffrench was one of 150 men who signed this agreement for the purchase of of Burlington County, NJ. He came in 1677 just long enough to stake out his claim. He then returned to England in the same ship, "the Kent" which had brought him and the others. He returned to America in 1680 with his wife and nine children. 4 boys and 5 girls, the eldest 16 and the youngest 4. The ship was the "Kent," the master, Gregory Marlowe. Thomas Ffrench settled a tract of 600 acres located on the banks of the Rancocas about 4 miles from Burlington. He was Commissioner of Highways from 1684-1685. Thomas Ffrench was an active member of his church and prosperous businessman. Page: 174 Name: Thomas French Date: 03 Jun Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I 1670-1730. Part I Calendar of New Jersey Wills. copy of will of, dated 03 May 1699. Testator about to sail for England, leaves to wife Elizabeth house and plantation of 420 acres below John Test's, to son Charles 200 a. near John Hudson's with reversion of the plantation after wife's death, and land at Neather Heyford, England, to daughters Rachell Allen, Hannah Busby, Sarah Wood, Mary Busby, Jane Hall, Lydia, Rebecca; sons Thomas, Richard legacies, payable by son Charles. Witnesses--John Paine, Tho: Eves, John Hollinshead, junior. Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I 1670-1730. Part I Calendar of New Jersey Wills. 21 Apr 1699 Inventory of the estate (personal £68.5.7, the plantation of 400 a. £200); made by John Paine, Thomas Harding, John Hudson and Thomas Eves. Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I 1670-1730. Part I Calendar of New Jersey Wills. 03 May 1699 Bond of Charles French, of Wellingborrow, yeoman, as executor. Matthew Allen and Henry Grubb fellow bondsmen. Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I 1670-1730. Part I Calendar of New Jersey Wills. Burlington Wills Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I 1670-1730. Part I Calendar of New Jersey Wills. 03 May 1699 Will proved by and administration granted to his son Charles French. Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I 1670-1730. Part I Calendar of New Jersey Wills. Burlington Records, p. 29 Page: 189 Name: Thomas French Date: 29 Aug 1732 Location: Northampton, Burlington Co. Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. II 1730-1750 Calendar of New Jersey Wills Account of Thomas French and James Wills executors, showing payments to William Collum, Jno. Briggs, Ann Lamb, Daniel Wills, Wm. Murrell, Rich'd Smith, Dorothy Large, Wm. Allcott, Wm. Cramer, Joseph Hilliard, Thomas Bishop, Edward Shippin, Richard Jones, Jonathan Wright, John Briggs, Thos. Griffith, William Bishop, John Anderson, Samuel Woolston, John Budd, Titan Leeds, John Brown, Michael Woolston, Joseph Stephen, Jacob Lamb, Isaac DeCow, Mary Wood, Thomas Bryan, James Wills, Charles French (in full of his legacy), Enoch Fenton (in full of his wife's legacy), Joshua Woolston (in full of his wife's legacy), Thomas French (one of the sons, his legacy), Sarah French, Charles French, Ju'r. In accomptants hands £12 to be paid Samuel and Rachel Wickward, two of the legatees at 21 years. Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. II 1730-1750 Calendar of New Jersey Wills Burlington Wills; (reference not found). Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. II 1730-1750 Calendar of New Jersey Wills Following from Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, Calendar of New Jersey Wills Vol 1 - 1670 - 1730. p. 173-174. ________June 3. French, Thomas; copy of will of, dated May 3 1699. Testator about to sail for England, leaves to wife Elizabeth house and plantation of 420 acres below John Test's. To son, Charles, 200 acres near John Hudson's with reversion of the plantation after wife's death, and land at Neather Heyford, England, to daughters Rachell Allen, Hannah Busby, Sarah Wood, Mary Busby, Jane Hall, Lydia, Rebecca; sons Thomas, Richard legacies, payable by son Charles. Witnessess - John Paine, Thomas Eves, John Hollingshead, Jr. 1699, Ajpril 21. Inventory of the estate (personal 68.5.7 pound, the plantation of 400 acres 200 pound); 1699, May 3. Bond of Charles French, of Wellingborrow, yeoman, as executor, Matthew Allen and Henry Grubb fellow bondsmen. Burling Wills. 1699, May 3. Will proved by and administration granted to his son Charles French. Burlington Records, p. 29. Following from Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Administrations, etc. Vol II - 1730-1750. Pg. 188 - 1732, Aug 29. French, Thomas of Northampton, Burlington Co., Account of Thomas French and James Wills executors, showing payments to William Collum, Jno. Briggs, Ann Lamb, Daniel Wills, William Murrell, Richard Smith, Dorothy Large, William Allcott, William Cramer, Joseph Hillard, Thomas Bishop, Edward Shippin, Richard Jones, Jonathan Wright, John Briggs, Thomas Griffith, William Biship, John Anderson, Samuel Woolston, John Budd, Titan Leeds, John Brown, Michael Woolston, Joseph Stephen, Jacob Lamb, Isaac DeCow, Mary Wood, Thomas Bryan, James Wills, Charles French (in full of his legacy), Enoch French (in full of his wife's legacy), Joshua Woolston (in full of his wife's legacy), Thomas French (one of the sons his legacy), Sarah French, Charles French, Jr. In accomptants hands 12 pounds to be paid Samuel and Rachel Wickward, two of the legatees at 21 years. *Burlington Wills; (reference not found). Thomas Ffrench (old English spelling, unknown when changed to modern French) founder of the New Jersey branch of the French family emigrated to America from England. He landed with wife, Jane and the children who decided to come with him, at Burlington, NJ on the 23rd day of July 1680. He was born in England and died in New Jersey. Although it is known that he was buried on the family homestead, the exact location is not known. Thomas Ffrench was married twice. He married in England at age 21. His first wife and he lived together for 32 years when Jane died. Thomas remarried at age 57 to Elizabeth Stanton. Thomas died 3 years later at age 60. He had 15 children, 9 girls and 6 boys. The family tree was first researched and published by Howard Barclay French of the seventh generation. I believe that he branches from another line of the family because their are no Howards in this/my direct line. The genealogy was a two volume privately published book. It's title: "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French, Vol I 1639-1785, Howard B. French" & "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French Vol II 1785-1913, Howard B. French." On the inside cover : "Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Library" Gift of Mr. Howard B. French, President Stamped twice across the label reads "Withdrawn from P.C.P. & S. Library" On another page is written: "Compiled & Published by Howard Barclay French of the seventh generation. Vol I Philadelphia, Privately Printed 1909. Copyright (Vol I) 90 65, 1909; Copyright Volume II 90 66, 1909. Review of the books show that Thomas Ffrench was a fervent Quaker and was imprisoned on three different occasions for his beliefs. His internments are recorded in a book written by a great Quaker minister, Joseph Besse and published in 1753, entitled "The Sufferings of the Peoples called Quakers." He was baptized as were all his children in the protestant Episcopal Church of S.S. Peter and Paul in Nether Heyford, England. The Quakers broke from the established church but baptized their children within the church. The Quakers married within their meetings but recorded the marriages with the Church but refused to bury their dead in the Church yard. Therefore, most dates of death are unknown unless someone recorded the death in the family bible. Thomas was baptized on 11/13/1639 in the Protestant Episcopal Church of S S Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford. Thomas was a member of the Society of Friends. He came to America in 1677 with William Penn, Thomas Ollive and many other of the original signers of the Concessions and Agreements. Thomas Ffrench was one of 150 men who signed this agreement for the purchase of of Burlington County, NJ. He came in 1677 just long enough to stake out his claim. He then returned to England in the same ship, "the Kent" which had brought him and the others. He returned to America in 1680 with his wife and nine children. 4 boys and 5 girls, the eldest 16 and the youngest 4. The ship was the "Kent," the master, Gregory Marlowe. Thomas Ffrench settled a tract of 600 acres located on the banks of the Rancocas about 4 miles from Burlington. He was Commissioner of Highways from 1684-1685. Thomas Ffrench was an active member of his church and prosperous businessman. Thomas ffrench, founder of the New Jersey branch of the French family, resided, in 1680, the year of his migration to American, 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 os 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.

Link sent by Mara French http://www.frenchfamilyassoc.com/FFA/CHARTS/Chart%20020/Chart020.htm 2

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Entered 12 April 2010:

Thomas French, Jr., was a qualifying Pilgrim ancestor for the National Society for the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims. Born on October 29, 1639, at Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England, he was the son of Thomas French, Sr., and Sara (?). He was christened on 3 November 1639 at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England; Registry begins 1558. French family registered from 1560. He married Jane Atkins, daughter of Jonas Cattell, on 12 June 1660 at St. Andrew's Church, Whilton Parish, Nobottle Grove Hundred, Northamptonshire, England.

Thomas French, Jr., was a Proprietor in 1664 at New Jersey. He was a signer of the Concessions and Agreements of West New Jersey on 3 March 1676. He married Elizabeth Stanton "7, 25, 1696" at Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His will was proved on 3 May 1699: "Testator about to sail for England, leaves to wife Elizabeth house and plantation of 420 acres below John Test's, to son Charles 200 a. near John Hudson's with reversion of the plantation after wife's death, and land at Neather Heyford, England, to daughters Rachell Allen, Hannah Busby, Sarah Wood, Mary Busby, Jane Hall, Lydia, Rebecca; sons Thomas, Richard legacies, payable by son Charles. Witnesses--John Paine, Tho: Eves, John Hollinshead, junior.

Source for above information (with documentation):

http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cousin/html/p2.htm#i350

Thomas French, Jr., was born 29 Oct 1639 in Nether Heyford, Northhamptonshire, England, and died 03 May 1699 in Rancocas, Burlington Co., NJ. He married (1) Jane Atkins5 12 Jun 1660 in Parish Church of Whilton, Wiltshire, England, daughter of John Atkins and Briggette -----. She was born Abt. 1639 in Whilton, England, and died 05 Oct 1692 in Rancocas, Burlington Co., NJ. He married (2) Elizabeth Stanton 25 Sep 1696. She was born in Philadelphia, PA.

From the "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French", compiled and Published by Howard Barclay French, Philadelphia 1909: Thomas French, 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 Northhampton, seven miles south by west from the city of Northhampton, England." He was the son of Thomas French, b. 1611 and his first wife, Sara Wood. He was baptized in 1639 in the Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Nether Heyford, England. He later became a member of the Society of Friends (Quaker). Because of his strong commitment to the Quakers he was imprisoned at least three times, in 1637 for a period of 42 months, again in 1662 and also in 1666 for his religious beliefs and refusal to pay tithes to the Episcopal Church. Thomas 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 Byllynge 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.

He sailed from London about the 1st of August, 1680 with his wife and nine children, 4 sons and 5 daughters, the oldest being 16, the youngest not yet 4 years of age, on the ship "Kent", Gregory Marlowe the master. He settled on a tract of 600 acres of desirable land, located along the banks of the Rancocas, about four miles from Burlington in New Jersey. He held an influential place in the colony and prospered. At the time of his death in 1699, he possessed 1200 acres of improved land and his proprietary share of unsurveyed lands, approximately 2000 acres.

During the nearly 20 years residence as a leading citizen of Burlington Co., Thomas French trained his children in ways of sobriety, industry and religion. They founded families in whom traits of strong character were noted." Even though Thomas had an early sympathy and unity with the Society of Friends, his children were baptized in the Church of England in accordance with the custom of his family for generations. They were baptized at the Church of St. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford, England. Thomas and Jane were buried in a private burial lot, sixteen and one half feet square, on the homestead plantation, Rancocas, NJ, and this reservation was mentioned in deeds and observed for many years although its exact location in now unknown....

Thomas was baptized on 11/13/1639 in the Protestant Episcopal Church of S S Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford. Thomas was a member of the Religious Society of Friends, founded by George Fox in northwest England approximately 1652. Members of the society became know as "Quakers" because some of them trembled during religious services. He came to America in 1677 with William Penn, Tho mas Ollive and many other of the original signers of the Concessions and Agreements. Thomas French was one of 150 men who signed this agreement for the purchase of of Burlington County, NJ. He came in 1677 just long enough to stake out his claim. He then returned to England in the same ship, "the Kent" which had brought him and the others. He returned to America in 1680 with his wife and nine children. 4 boys and 5 girls, the eldest 16 and the youngest 4. The ship was the "Kent," the master, Gregory Marlowe. Thomas French settled a tract of 600 acres located on the banks of the Rancocas about 4 miles from Burlington. He was Commissioner of Highways from 1684-1685. Thomas French was an active member of his church and prosperous businessman.

Source for above information (with documentation):

http://family.gradeless.com/marlin.htm#edward1546

Also:

The Thomas French House Thomas French Jr. House, 512 Camden Avenue, 
Moorestown, Burlington Co., NJ, SR 01/19/76, NR 01/09/78.

Now located in a relatively urban setting, this building was once the centerpiece of a large farm. It is believed to incorporate the oldest house in Moorestown, built by Thomas French, Jr. in the early 18th century. Although at first glance this appears to be a 5-bay, 2 1/2-story house with a conventional Georgian center-hall plan, closer inspection reveals that it was constructed in at least three sections. This is suggested on the exterior by the placement of the front door slightly off-center, and evidence, revealed in the brickwork, of the relocation of a window to make the facade appear more symmetrical.

The oldest section consisted of a 1-room structure, now encompassed in the southeast corner of the building. As occurred frequently in central New Jersey, this was then enlarged to a 3-bay, side hall plan, two rooms deep, and then to a full central hall, 5-bay plan.

Some fine woodwork survives on the interior. The east parlor retains chair rails, a molded cornice, and a round-arched corner cupboard with carved pilasters and keystone. In the living room is a corner fireplace, with a Federal-style mantel with delicate free-standing columns and bulls' eyes in the end panels.

Thomas French, Jr. was locally prominent in Moorestown in the early 18th century. He served in several church and township offices, and eventually was elected to the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The property descended in his family until 1837. During the Revolutionary War, the farm was probably occupied by troops from both sides. Certainly both sides raided it. Continental troops appropriated cedar rails, hay, and grain in February 1777. In June 1778, British troops, retreating from Philadelphia, slaughtered cattle and made off with timber and clothing.

For a time in the 19th century, a girls' school operated on the property. Elwood Hollinshead acquired the farm in 1858. It remained in possession of his descendants until 1965, although the family began to subdivide the property for development in 1914.

Source for above information:

http://www.frenchfamilyassoc.com/FFA/CHARTS/Chart020/

Also:

The following material is from pages 39 to 42 of the Book Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French who came to America from Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England … compiled, written and published by Howard Barclay French, and printed privately in 1909. This book is available as a free full download From Google Books

THOMAS FRENCH, PROGENITOR As will be observed, Thomas French, the progenitor, was the son of Thomas and Sara French. 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 earnest, consistent life, is abundantly evident. He shared with his associates trials and hardships and always resented everything bearing the slightest resemblance to injustice or oppression. A glance at the situation in England during the period of persecution will be timely. 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 death. The sad and shameful story of this era of martyrdom would be quite incredible if the unquestioned record had not been preserved, in a book the like of which the world will never again see. Joseph Besse, the famous English Quaker controversialist, was born about 1683 and died 1757. He was educated for the Episcopalian ministry, but becoming a convert to the teachings of Fox, refused a church living of four hundred pounds a year and became a vigorous defender of Quakerism. He wrote many religious tracts and books and edited various important works. He completed, in 17 53, his great work, " The Sufferings of the People Called Quakers," from which quotations herewith given are taken. This comprises one of the most remarkable records ever compiled, being faithful transcripts, from original sources, found in the minutes of meetings, court records, petitions, personal letters, memoirs, etc. Its accuracy cannot be questioned and a testimonial to its fidelity to the truth is found in the fact that a century and a half ago the records were destroyed by the British government.

P 44, PRISONERS FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE, 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 honse of Elizabeth White, at Coggs, near Whitney, committed to House of Correction for one month." Vol. I. p. 571. Two pages of this extraordinary book are reproduced, one reciting instances of persecution, including imprisonment of Thomas French, and the other a most impressive petition to King Charles II, 1680. Some four score prisoners for conscience sake in Northampton jail, " who patiently suffer for worshipping the Living God in Spirit and Truth," in mid-summer, 1666, issued a warning and appeal, referring to the ravages of the plague and their view of the cause thereof. From this curious paper, headed " Truth the strongest habitation for all the People of God," we quote : "There is some of thy Rulers so desperately wicked in this County of Northampton, that commit sin even with greediness at this time, as tho there were no other way to stay God's Judgments, but by provoking him more and more with their sins in persecuting, sentencing and imprisoning of the Lord's People, having lately imprisoned fifty-eight persons called Quakers, both men and women, some of the latter with little infants and shutting them all up together in the common Goal in close roomes, in the very heat of the last month, and still they continue, the number of 82 altogether. We who at« sufferers in this Goal of Northampton, for the truth of the Lord, do spread these lines before the Nation, that so, if it be not too late, the Nation may see what is the cause of God's Judgments, lying so heavy upon this land and people, and may see who hath been the Troublers of England." From a lecture on " The Baptists and Quakers in Northamptonshire, 1650- 1700," by the Rev. J. Jackson Goadby, delivered in College Street Chapel, Northampton, Oct. 24, 1882, we quote the following remarkable statement P 45 SIXTY THOUSAND VICTIMS OF PERSECUTION “Quakers were put in the stocks for the crime of preaching ; seized by soldiers as they were quietly going to their meetings; committed for blasphemy; or when in the open fields where they had met for worship; or as vagrants; as Sabbath breakers; as men who refused to take an oath; and as seditions men. They were pounced upon suddenly when assembled for worship, and carried off to prison ; crammed into crowded and reeking holes, the doors being fastened down for twelve hours every night, and refused all intercourse with their friends; and in some cases they were brutally treated both by jailors, by the jailors' wives, and by the prisoners. Men and women were seized at their meetings, carried off in carts to some ale-house, locked up in a room all night, whilst their captors indulged in ribald songs and tippling, and then hurried off the next morning to prison. " “Numbers of the imprisoned Friends, like their leaders in this county, Whitehead and Dewsbury, sent oat epistles from the Northampton jail, detailing their own suffering*. Whitehead was the Quaker minister who always took his night cap with him when he went to meeting, because it was almost certain he would have to spend that night in prison. Some of the Quakers, it must be confessed, carried plain-speaking to the verge of rudeness. But this free speech is, after all, no justification of the brutal treatment received by the Friends at the hands of magistrates, and is, least of all, any palliation of the horrible fact that many hundreds of Quakers died of their harsh usage in the jails of England, and some scores in the common jail of Northampton. The Friends preserved their hold on the nation until the beginning of the eighteenth century, when they numbered 70,000.” " If the record of other religious bodies is not so full of faithful martyrs to the truth and conscience as that of the Quakers, it is not because they were any the less brutally treated, or any the less numerous. Jeremy White made a careful collection of the names of persons who suffered for their nonconformity during the reign of Charles II. Sixty thousand persons were included in this terrible list, and five thousand died of their sufferings. When James II. wished to gain possession of this dark calendar, that he might use it in his quarrel with the English State Church, and even offered 5,000 guineas for it, Jeremy White chose rather to burn the list than see it turned to such a purpose. Many of these sixty thousand brave men and women are unknown to fame, like the poor Hollanders of the days of Henry VIII.; but their deeds and their heroism have not perished. We see it to-day in the larger and more settled liberty which every Englishman possesses. They also paid part of that great sum by which our forefathers bought our freedom." Page 48

THE COMING OF THOMAS FRENCH Thomas French was among the first to take a practical interest in the colonization of Friends in America. With William Penn, Gauen Laurie, Thomas Ollive, Daniel Wills, Edward Byllynge 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 Rent, 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 an influential place in the colony and prospered in business. He was commissioner 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, 2,000 acres. During nearly twenty years residence as a leading citizen of Burlington County, Thomas French trained all his children in ways of sobriety, industry, and religion, they in turn founding families in whom traits of strong character were noted. Each performed his and her share in the prosperous and happy development of colonial life.

THE PIONEER HOMESTEAD The section of New Jersey in which Thomas French located was a notable place in pioneer days. An old map, reproduced, shows the names of early settlers, two of the most conspicuous being Thomas Ollive, who served as proprietary Governor and member of the Council and who was eminent also as a Quaker preacher, and Dr. Daniel Wills, whose land joined that upon which the Friends' meeting house was built. Many fine old mansions marked the neighborhood, and some of these, over one hundred years old, remain. It is an interesting fact that part of the original plantation of Thomas French is to-day owned and occupied by his descendants. Large tracts were [P 49] sold early in the eighteenth century by Charles French, his son, to whom the homestead lands were willed by his father. In 1714, Charles French conveyed 250 acres to his brother-in-law, Nicholas Buzby, part of this descending to the latter's son, John Buzby, who devised the same, in 1754, to his son John, who, in 1763, sold it to John Smith, of Burlington. .The deed stated that the estate was thereafter to be known as " Strawberry Hill." It is supposed the great mansion, still standing, in an excellent state of preservation, was built by John Smith, about 1765 (see illustration). The place was leased soon after to Gov. William Franklin, as a summer home and purchased by him in 1770 for two thousand pounds. It then became known as " Franklin Park," containing a fine collection of deer and other high-class game. A great moat was constructed, the remains of which are still visible, to keep off poachers.

AGAIN A FAMILY -POSSESSION The Governor was removed from office, on account of his loyalty to the King, in 1776, and taken prisoner to Connecticut. Later he returned to New York, where his wife had died meanwhile, being buried under the chancel of St. Paul's historic church, Broadway. A beautiful tablet was erected by her husband, some years later. Gov. Franklin retained ownership of the Rancocas estate, without confiscation, until 1785, when he sold it to his son, William Temple Franklin, then living in Paris and who later became noted as the literary legatee of his grandfather, Benjamin Franklin. He sold the property, in 1790, to Robert Morris, the patriot financier of the Revolution, who held it until 1794, when William Bell, a rich Philadelphia merchant, became the purchaser, with a great amount of other land in West Jersey owned by Morris. Soon after Bell's death, in 1816, the property was sold to Joseph Churchman, who in 1822, conveyed "Franklin Park" to Mayberry McVaugh. A two-story brick dormitory was built adjoining the mansion, and a boarding school for boys set up, which became quite a famous institution of its kind. In March, 1843, Hudson Buzby [410] bought this historic property; and in 1862, his son Richard Buzby [894] became the owner through purchase. In 1889, Richard Buzby's son, Thomas T. Buzby [1689] bought the farm, about 100 acres of choice land, and the mansion, being the present occupant. Thus an important part of the original tract, cut out of the wilderness two hundred and twenty-eight years ago, and having a most interesting history, is again in possession of worthy descendants of the pioneer, Thomas French.

Page 52 The family Bible of Thomas French, printed in 1630, and brought by him to this country in 1680, is still in existence and in a fair state of preservation, although showing the effects of time. It has always remained within the family. Accompanying illustrations are almost full size. 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. The most striking characteristic to be noted is the ever present spirit of humility, gratitude for manifold mercies and earnest desire for continued Divine guidance and protection. 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 25th] 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 onto 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. I Thomas ffrench was married to my wife Jane, Jane 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. —
The Lord be gracious and merciful unto me which way to ever I go whether it be out of the land or in the land or on the sea, the Lord be merciful unto me. This was wrote in the year 1664. —
My wife Jane deceased this life the fifth day of the 8 month 1692. My youngest child died the 12 of the same [month and year]. end of Bible Record.

P 64 The children of Thomas French

1— THOMAS FRENCH b. October, 1639. Baptized November 3rd, 1639, at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford, England, d. 1699, at Rancocas, N. J. Married, First, June 12th, 1660, at "Parish Church of Whilton," England, Jane Atkins. She d. 8th mo. 5th, 1692, at Rancocas, N. J. Married. Second, 7th mo. 25th, 1696, Elizabeth Stanton of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.

2— SARA FRENCH — Baptized March 17th, 1661, at Church S. S. Peter and Paul. Nether Heyford. Buried April 10th. 1661

3— JANE FRENCH — b. about July llth, 1662. Baptized August 8th, 1662, at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford. Buried April 30th, 1671.

4— RACHEL FRENCH —. b. March 24th, 1664. Baptized April 3rd. 1664. at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford. married First, 1687, Mathew Allen, [whose first wife, the Widow Conrow is the mother of Isaac Conrow] Rachel married Second, 12th mo. 9th, 1702, Hugh Sharp

5— RICHARD FFRENCH. — b. December Ut. 1665. Baptized December 15th, 1666, at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford. married, First. 7th mo. llth, 1693, Sarah Scattergood. Married, Second, llth mo. 13th, 1701, Mary King.

6— THOMAS FRENCH, JR. — . b. 1667 . Baptized October 31st. 1667, at Church S. S. Peter and Paul. Nether Heyford. m. First, 10th mo. 3rd. 1696, Mary Allen. m. Second, 8th mo. 9th, 1732, Mary (Pearce) CattelL

7— HANNAH FRENCH — Baptized September 5th, 1669, at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford. m. 8th mo. 30th, 1695. Richard Buzby.

8—CHARLES FRENCH — Born March 20th 1671; Baptized april 2nd, 1671, at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford; Married First (sup.) 1708, Elinor ____; Married second, ___ ___.

9— JOHN FRENCH — Baptized Januray 2nd, 1673, at , at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford; Married first 1701, Ann ___; Married second, 6th month 10th, 1724, Sarah (Mason) Wickward.

10— SARAH FRENCH — Baptized February 23rd, 1674, at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford; Married 2nd mo. 1st, 1695. Isaac Wood.

11—MARY FRENCH — Baptized February 23rd, 1674, at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford; Married 2nd mo. 1st, 1695. Isaac Wood.

12—JANE FRENCH — Baptized November 19th, 1676, at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford; married 1st mo. 1st, 1697, Daniel Hall.

13— LYDIA FRENCH —born (sp) 1682, Married (sup) .1708, David Arold.

14— An Infant —died 8th month 12th, 1692

Jane Atkins wife of Thomas French died 8th month 5th , 1692. [So the infant who died young, died 7 days after the Mother died.]

Thomas French Married second 7th mo. 25th, 1696, Elizabeth Stanton.

15—Rebecca French — born 6th mo. 8th, 1697, Married 2nd mo. 3rd, 1729, Robert Murfin.

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, notwithstanding his early sympathy and unity with the Society of Friends. The obligation thus assumed, as to religious 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 French 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 parish Testifying that they the said Thomas & Jane were married in the p’ish Church of Whilton June 12 1660 by M' Richard Morris then Minister there : Returning her Certificate of marriage backe again into her own custody, I thus entered the Record of the said marriage at her request, into this my Heiford parish Register." ... Thomas French 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.

WILL OF THOMAS FFRENCH, 1698 I Being intended if the Lord will to goe for Old England not knowing whether I shell ever returne sgaine to my ffamily doe make. & ordaine this my last will & Testamt Revokeing all other Wills and promises whatsoever In manner & forme following. I give onto 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 пи of all my Stock & Household goods with the Corne growing upon the ground To have & to hold the same dnreing her natural! 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 his Heirs forever allowing my wife Elizabeth Egresse & Regresse to Trancport any goods or Hay : I live onto my Sonne Châties ffrench after the Decease of me & my wife to him & his Heires forever Provided that hee pay that which I shall appoint 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 Hannah Busby 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 Shillings. I give unto ' my Sonne Richard French Six Shillings. I give unto my sonne Richard French all the Reversion of my Eighth part of a Propriety and that Lott at Burlington upon which Richard Bassnett hath built 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 (p 77) 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 onto & 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 mentioned 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] Seal Sealed & delivered in ye p'sence of John Paine, Tho : Eves, John Hollinshead junr The above written is a true Coppy of the Originall will or Codecill of Thomas ffrench abovenamed, being with the same Originall Examined this Third Day of May Anno Dom 1699 As witnefse hereunto my hand & seale of Office Tho: Revell, Secry & Reg'red August 8th ,1675, , at Church S. S. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford; Married 8th mo. 30th , 1695, Nicholas Busby.

Source for above information:

http://thomasfrench.blogspot.com/2008/10/thomas-french-early-settle...

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came to New World ~1677 to scout for land; returned to England for family; lived permanently New Jersey beginning in 1680

1639 Thomas French, the eldest son of Thomas and Sarah French (ffrench), was born in Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England, Oct and was baptized on 3 Nov in the Episcopal Church of Saints Peter and Paul, in that parish. "I Thomas ffrench was baptized November the 3, 1639. " (bible of Thomas French) Thomas 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. 1657 Thomas was imprisoned for refusing to pay the tithes to the Church of England. As a Quaker he suffered many persecutions and trials for his beliefs and spent many months in prison. 1657 "Thomas French of Upper Norton, was imprisoned in 1657, at the suit of William Thomas, a lawyer and renter of Tithes, and for a demand of but 11 shillings for Tithes suffered two and forty months imprisonment." Sufferings of the People called Quakers, Vol 1, page 465 by Joseph Besse. (bible of Thomas French) 1660 Thomas met and fell in love with Jane Atkins, of Nether Heyford, 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. "I Thomas ffrench was married to my wife Jane, June 12 1660. " (see also Howard Barclay French, page 65). (bible of Thomas French) Thomas and Jane had children Sara (died an infant), Jane, Rachel, Richard, Thomas, Hannah, Charles, John, Sarah, Mary, Jane, Lydia, an infant. 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, notwithstanding his early sympathy and unity with the Society of Friends. The obligation thus assumed, as to the religious care and training of his children, was faithfully kept, the family Bible being an impressive witness in this respect. 1662 Thomas French was taken from meeting at Banbury, in 1662, and committed to prison." Sufferings of the People called Quakers, Vol 1, page 468 by Joseph Besse. 1665 "December the first about 10 at night my son Richard was born. The Lord give him grace that he may continually walk before him." (bible of Thomas French) Over the next few years England was too warm for Thomas French. The authorities were continually annoying him 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". 1666 " Thomas French, 1666, taken at a meeting at the house of Elizabeth White, at Coggs, near Whitney, committed to house of corrections for one month." Sufferings of the People called Quakers, Vol 1, page 571 by Joseph Besse. 1667 "My son Thomas was born ... between 8 and 9 o'clock at night." (bible of Thomas French) 1671 "my son Charles was born, the 20 day of March between 11 and 12 at night." (bible of Thomas French) 1673 "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." (Thomas did not like the weather in England. Howard Barclay French, page 56) 1676 In Mar, 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 priciples of equality and righteousness which were afterwards incorporated into the Constitution of the United States. It not only established the Government of the colony, but also provided for fair dealings with the aborigines 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. (Howard Barclay French, page 76a has signature) 1677 The 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 the land and make plans for his home. 1680 Thomas returned to England for his family, and on 1 Aug 1680, he and his family came to New Jersey on the "Kent's" second voyage. 1680 "I and my wife and nine children through the mercy of God came into this country and landed at Burlington, the 23 of the 7 month 1680." Note written by Thomas French in his bible upon his arrival in America. (bible of Thomas French). Thomas and Jane Atkins French arrived from England in 1680. 1682 Thomas French has differences with the town officers of Burlington and with governor Olive. Thomas was called before the council several times regarding these matters until after the death of Governor Olive in 1994. The anture of the dusppute is not clarified in the town meeting minutes. (Howard Barclay French, page 66-70 has transcriptions). 1684 Thomas located a 600 acre tract on the northern side of Rancocas Creek between the Rancocas and Mill Creeks, about two miles below the forks, that he purchased from John Woolston, about four miles from the newly founded city of Burlington. 1688 Thomas French is named as one of the proprietors of Burlington who agree on several issues of self-government, during the course of resolving a dispute about the survey lines in New Jersey (Smith History, page 201). 1689 Thomas purchased 621 acres on “Pomsocking” Creek next to Thomas Wallis and southward to a corner of Thomas Rodman’s tract. This plantation lay to the north and west of Moorestown.(Howard Barclay French, pages 70-72 has the deed transctiptions John Woolston and from Anthony Morris to Thomas French). A line drawn from the public school buildings at the corner of Church and Second Streets to the bridge over Pensauken Creek on the Haddonfield Road marks the approximate southern boundary of the French tract. Thomas French, Sr., apparently never settled on this plantation. 1692 on 8 May, his wife, Jane, died at their home at Rancocas, NJ. 1690 The 600 acre land that Thomas French purchased from the Indians is shown on a map of Willingborough Township. (Woodward, page 510 and Barclay French, page 50). This land is described in surveys of Thomas Revell dated 1695 and 1698. (Howard Barclay French, page 73). 1692 Thomas wrote in his bible: "My wife Jane deceased this life the fifth day of the 8 month 1692. My youngest child died the 12 of the same." (Howard Barclay French, page 56-58). 1694 While his grief was no doubt great at the loss of this staunch companion who had been by his side through his troubled years, on 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. 1694 Thomas deeded 300 acres of this tract to his son, Thomas, “in consideration of the naturall affection, goodwill and kindness which he hath and beareth to his beloved son.” Thomas and Jane French had four sons, Richard, Thomas, Charles and John. Richard settled on a 460 acre tract in Mansfield Township and Thomas on the 300 acre plantation given to him by his father. The homestead was located on King’s Highway in the neighborhood of Camden Pike and Pleasant Valley Avenue. Charles settled on the original tract on Rancocas Creek and John in Northampton Township. Charles French had a son Charles, who settled on a large farm near Fellowship, afterwards removing to Moorestown. 1694 Thomas ffrench deeded 300 acres to his son Thomas. (Howard Barclay French, page 74). 1695 On 25 July, Thomas married Miss Elizabeth Stanton, a member of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, where the ceremony was performed. (Ref: Hinshaw, p. 528) 1695 On eighth month 30, Mary and Hannah French, daughters of Thomas and Jane of Willingboro Township of Burlington Co, married Nicholas and Richard Buzby in the Burlington Meeting House. Thomas and Elizabeth had a daughter, Rebecca. 1699 Thomas French survived this marriage only a few years; he died in 1699 at Rancocas, Burlington Co., NJ, 1699 Thomas's will was proved: 3 May. The inventory of items from his estate is valued at 68 pounds and the house and land are valued at 200 pounds. (Howard Barclay French, page 76-80). He owned over 2,000 acres of land. (Utah Genealogical Magazine 1931, page 155). 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. 1699 Thomas ffrench and his wife Jane were buried in a private lot, 16 1/2 feet square, on the homestead plantation, Rancocas, N.J. (Howard Barclay French, page 65) 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.

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/12123833/person/-270556540

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/12123833/person/-270556540/story/3

Children of THOMAS FFRENCH and JANE ATKINS are:

 	i. 	  	SARA4 FFRENCH, b. February 1660/61, Nether Heyford, Endland; d. April 10, 1661, Nether Heyford, Endland.

ii. JANE FFRENCH, b. July 11, 1662, Nether Heyford, Endland; d. April 30, 1671, Nether Heyford, Endland.
2. iii. RACHEL FFRENCH, b. March 24, 1663/64, Nether Heyford, Endland; d. 1742.

3. iv. RICHARD FFRENCH, b. December 01, 1665, Nether Heyford, England; d. 1745, Burlington Co., New Jersey.

4. v. THOMAS FFRENCH, JR, b. September 1667, Nether Heyford, England; d. 1745, Friends Buriel Ground, Chester Mtg, Moorestown, NJ.

5. vi. HANNAH FFRENCH, b. August 1669, Nether Heyford, Endland; d. 1758, Friends Burial Ground, Oxford, Pa.

6. vii. CHARLES FFRENCH, b. March 20, 1670/71, Nether Heyford, Endland.

7. viii. JOHN FFRENCH, b. December 1672, Nether Heyford, Endland; d. 1729, Moorestown, New Jersey, Family homestea.

8. ix. SARAH FFRENCH, b. February 23, 1673/74, Nether Heyford, England; d. Moorestown, New Jersey, Family homestea.

9. x. MARY FFRENCH, b. August 08, 1675, Nether Heyford, England; d. 1728, Burlington County, NJ.

 	xi. 	  	JANE FFRENCH, b. November 19, 1676, Nether Heyford, England; m. DANIEL HALL, January 01, 1696/97; b. Abt. 1672; d. 1709, Burlington, NJ..

xii. LYDIA FRENCH, b. 1682, Rancocas, NJ; m. DAVID ARNOLD, 1708; b. Abt. 1675.
Notes for LYDIA FRENCH:
Lydia was the first French born in America in 1682. She was daughter of Jane Atkins. There is mention in the Meeting minutes that Lydia was admonished in 1703 for "keeping company with one that was not her friend."

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Source: http://www.westjerseyhistory.org/books/decou1/index.shtml Chapter 2 Pioneer Settlers

Immigrated from England in 1680. In 1684 he built a home on a 600 acre tract of land on the northern side of Rancocas Creek.

Source: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/i/l/Ann-L-Wilson/WEBSI...

Was a Quaker and member of the Society of Friends. Was imprisoned in England several times for his beliefs. Was a signer of the "Concessions and Agreements" at London that provided for the colonization of NJ. Came over with his wife and children on the ship, "Kent." William Penn was among its passengers.

"From the "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French", compiled and Published by Howard Barclay French, Philadelphia 1909: Thomas French, 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 Northhampton, seven miles south by west from the city of Northhampton, England." He was the son of Thomas French, b. 1611 and his first wife, Sara Wood. He was baptized in 1639 in the Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Nether Heyford, England. He later became a member of the Society of Friends (Quaker). Because of his strong commitment to the Quakers he was imprisoned at least three times, in 1637 for a period of 42 months, again in 1662 and also in 1666 for his religious beliefs and refusal to pay tithes to the Episcopal Church. Thomas 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 Byllynge 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.

"He sailed from London about the 1st of August, 1680 with his wife and nine children, 4 sons and 5 daughters, the oldest being 16, the youngest not yet 4 years of age, on the ship "Kent", Gregory Marlowe the master. He settled on a tract of 600 acres of desirable land, located along the banks of the Rancocas, about four miles from Burlington in New Jersey. He held an influential place in the colony and prospered. At the time of his death in 1699, he possessed 1200 acres of improved land and his proprietary share of unsurveyed lands, approximately 2000 acres.

"During the nearly 20 years residence as a leading citizen of Burlington Co., Thomas French trained his children in ways of sobriety, industry and religion. They founded families in whom traits of strong character were noted." Even though Thomas had an early sympathy and unity with the Society of Friends, his children were baptized in the Church of England in accordance with the custom of his family for generations. They were baptized at the Church of St. Peter and Paul, Nether Heyford, England. Thomas and Jane were buried in a private burial lot, sixteen and one half feet square, on the homestead plantation, Rancocas, NJ and this reservation was mentioned in deeds and observed for many years although its exact location in now unknown.

"The Colonial Society of Pennsylvania 1908 Thomas French = Jane Atkins. In N. J., 1680. The family tree was first researched and published by Howard Barclay French of the seventh Generation. I believe that he branches from another line of the family because their are no Howards in this/my direct line. The genealogy was a two volume privately published book. It's title: "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French, Vol I 1639-1785, Howard B. French " & "Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French Vol II 1785-1913, Howard B. French.""

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A book was written about Thomas French and his descendants. " Genealogy of the descendants of Thomas French : who came to America from Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England and settled in Berlinton, Burlington, in the province and country of West New Jersey, of which he was one of the original proprietors, together with William Penn, Edward Byllynge, Thomas Olive, Gauen Laurie and others ... (1909)"

You can read it online or download it to your computer for free.

Here is a link to the online version:

http://www.archive.org/stream/genealogyofdesce01fren#page/n5/mode/2up

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GEDCOM Source

@R553149358@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=152892095&pi...

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@R1250717649@ Web: Netherlands, GenealogieOnline Trees Index, 1000-2015 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 1,9289::0

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@R1250717649@ South Jersey : a history, 1664-1924. Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,13894::0

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1,13894::1113

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@R1250717649@ Genealogy of the descendants of Thomas French : who came to America from Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England and settled Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,10266::0

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@R1250717649@ Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1813 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 1,4732::0

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Gloucestershire Archives; Gloucestershire, England; Gloucestershire Anglican Parish Registers; Reference Number: GDR/V1/114 1,4732::164472920

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@R1250717649@ Millennium File Heritage Consulting Ancestry.com Operations Inc Heritage Consulting. <i>The Millennium File</i>. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Heritage Consulting. 1,7249::0

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@R1250717649@ U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc 1,7486::0

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@R1250717649@ Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1813 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 1,4732::0

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Gloucestershire Archives; Gloucestershire, England; Gloucestershire Anglican Parish Registers; Reference Number: GDR/V1/114 1,4732::164472920

GEDCOM Source

@R1250717649@ Millennium File Heritage Consulting Ancestry.com Operations Inc Heritage Consulting. <i>The Millennium File</i>. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Heritage Consulting. 1,7249::0

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1,7249::10556021

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@R1250717649@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

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Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=113544691&pi...