Albert Pendleton French

A. P. French is on p. 430 of vol. 18 of the manuscript Confederate records in the Archives Division, Virginia State Library. His Rank: Private, Unit: Jackson's Company, Virginia Horse Artillery, His Captain was Thomas E. Jackson, He enlisted: February 6, 1865. He was wounded in at the Battle of Saltville in the right side or leg while shoeing a horse. He is listed on the Roster of Ex-Confederate Soldiers and Sailors, County of Tazewell, Virginia

Transcript of A. P. French's first marriage to Susan Fulton Clear is on file with the Bureau of Vital Statistics, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia. Parents listed as Julia French

John C. French, son of George Augustus and Margorie Lawrence French says of A. P. French, "He was not afraid of anything on this earth."

Clinch Valley News, January 14, 1910:

Mr A. P. French, one of the best known citizens of the Poor Valley community, is in critical condition at his home at Asbury, on account of a fall he had on Christmas day. He was carrying a back log into his house, when he slipped and the log fell on him, and injured his hip, and has since been confined to his bed. Mr. French is 74 years.

Vol. 1. No. 16, July 15, 1910, Clinch Valley News

  A. P. French departed this life July 5, 1910, aged 74 years.  He was twice married.  His first wife was Susan Clear.  Two children were the fruits of the first marriage: a son and daughter.  His second wife was Louisa Neal, sister of J. A. Neal.  Seven children blessed this union, two sons and five daughters.  The children, grandchildren and great grandchildren live to mourn their lose,  the mother having preceded him some ten years to that better country.  He was on a visit at the home of J. A. Neal and apparently in his usual health.  He death was due to heart failure, and he was not complaining more than twenty minutes.  He was for many years a consistent member of the Methodist church.  He had the misfortune to fall and break his thigh last winter, but had sufficiently recovered to be able to get around with the aid of a crutch and cane but he did not mention it or complain of it.

  His mind was unusually bright for one of his age and had a great capacity for enjoyment, he had not grown old in spirit.  He said a day or so before his death he always loved to be in a crowd and see people enjoy themselves.  He was born and reared in the community where he was buried and was honored and respected by all who knew him, and will be greatly missed in the home and the community in which he lived.  A grandmother or grandfather in a home is better than much riches.  They will tell us what kind of riches to lay up though they never preach.

  I would say to the children, grandchildren and friends, we mourn not as those who have not hope.  He has come in and gone out for the last time but his influence will live on forever.  May the God of all grace bind up the broken hearts, and may He grant as one by one we shall pass out to the great Beyond we may find him no longer fettered with that which is mortal, but clothed with the beautiful garments of immortality.

"We'll meet again" how sweet the word,

How soothing is the sound:

Like strains of far off music heard

On some enchanted ground.

"We'll meet again' the true heart speaks,

When dearest ones depart;

And in the pleasing prospect seeks

Balm for the bleeding heart.

In Heaven's serene and endless rest,

Secure from care and pain,

There, in the mansions of the blest

We'll sure meet again.

                                   A Friend.

On the 1880 census of Tazewell Co., Virginia, Elizabeth French age 77 in Albert P. French's household

More About ALBERT PENDLETON FRENCH:

Burial: Crabtree Cemetery, Tannersville, Tazewell Co., Virginia