Elizabeth French

Thomas French's first wife, and mother of his children.

Married 1587.

Entered 12 April 2010: The date of Elizabeth's marriage to Thomas French is documented at this site: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bobwolfe/gene/Web2Ged/GoodWolfe/pers...

Thomas French II, of Wethersfield, Essex, England was born ca. 1530 in Arkesden. (note: No parish registers for Arkesden survive before 1690.) He died on 23 Jul 1599 in Wethersfield, Essex, England and his will was probated 31 Oct 1599 [1]. Parents: Thomas French (b. ca. 1504-July 1551) and Elizabeth (d. 21 Sep 1556). Married: ca. 1557 Elizabeth and had at least 3 children on 2 Dec 1597 to Bridget Burrough, the widow of Thomas Burrough of Wickhambrook, Suffolk, as his second wife. Bridget was b. ca. 1542 in Higham, Suffolk, England , the dau. of Thomas Higham and Phyllis Waldergrave; she died on 19 Jun 1597. It was through this very short second marriage of 6 months that the French family inherited quite a large wealth from the Burrough family. [2] 3 children of Thomas French of Wethersfield and Elizabeth, mentioned in his will, include: Mary chr. ca. 1558 most likely in Wethersfield, m. ca. 1578 John Collyn (Collin) Elizabeth chr. ca. 1560 most likely in Wethersfield, mentioned in father’s will of 1599, m. John Meade Thomas French III, of Halstead, born ca. 1565 in Wethersfield, Essex, England and christened 13 Aug 1598, m. Anne (Agnes) Olmstead, buried 20 Nov 1613 in Halstead, Essex, England. Citations See his will on the National Archives website: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk, will of Thomas French or Frenche, Gentleman of Wethersfield, Essex, 31 Oct 1599 PROB 11/94. This will includes the 3 children of Thomas plus his wife Elizabeth, and no other children. Bridget Burrough m2. Thomas French of Wethersfield, Essex, England on 2 Dec 1597 in Wickhambrook, Suffolk, England, just 6 months after her first husband died. Bridget inherited Manor of Pitley from her father [16]. She also inherited Shepecoote [1]. See Note [17]. Bridget was from Wickhambrook, Suffolk County [3]. Purchased land in Great Parndon, Essex County [17] (near London) with brother-in-law Henre Gryffen [42] [44]. May have had a brother Richard of Saffron Walden [40]. (see FFA site in the link for citations)