I am providing the following information copied from the James GYLES journal which is published in the "Giles Memorial Genealogical Memoirs" to help explain the movement of people from Maine & Mass into the NY and NJ areas during the 1675 - 1700 timeframe. It is possible some of our East Jersey FRENCH lines were part of this exodus. James Gyles, according to his journal moved east from Boston/Braintree, Mass. area to Maine, where he had settled and bought land. The following is a quote from his journal describing the flight of his family and other residence of that area during the Indian attacks associated with 'Phillips War.' "We and the rest of Kennebec neighbours, whom God had preserved from the cruelty of the Indians, got to Damoras Cove, a fishing island about two miles from the main land, where we met the people of Shipscut, Pemaquid, and all other places thereabout, who fled thither to save their lives. We staid there a week, in which time we made several attempts into the river to see if we could get off any thing that was left behind; but all in vain, for the Indians lay in ambush and beat us off, so as we could get nothing from the main land but blows, and saw all our houses burnt and our cattle killed, and every thing ruined and destroyed, and no help like to come to us from the Bay; and we being about three hundred souls on a little island, and no meat, drink, or any thing else to relieve us, and being in a poor condition, we thought good to call a council to consult what course to take for relief; and first to consider what vessels and boats there were in the harbour, and finding there was enough to carry all the people away, the 16th day of August [1676] at night we set sail and left not one man, woman, or child behind; some for Piscataway, Salem, Boston, and other towns in the Bay, according as they had friends and relations."

Don't know how or if this Simon HORN is related to the Piscataway Simon HORN. Remember, we also found a Joseph FRENCH living in this area prior to the Rev War -- who lost his property due to his loyalty to the crown. Morris County, database page 1052 Simon Horn 274 N. B. K, p 281 W. 1770, INV 1771 1770, Sept. 2. HORN, Simon, of Rocksbury Twsp., Morris Co., farmer; will of. To John Horn, my brother, William Horn's, eldest son, 40 shillings. My brother, Samuel, my apparel; my gun, to his eldest son, Andrew; my smooth gun to his second son, William. Youngest sister, Charity, a cow; to her daughter Ester, a mare. Remainder to my brother, Samuel's two eldest sons, Andrew and William, and to my two sisters, Rachel and Charity. Executors - Aaron Stark and Miller Blatchly. Witnesses - William Throckmorton, Charity Hough, Daniel Jones. Proved Sept. 22, 1770. 1770, Sept. 19. Inventory, made by William Salmon and William Throckmorton. (Lib. K, p. 281)

Page: 237 Name: Simon Horn Date: 22 Feb 1725-6 Location: Piscataway Township, Middlesex Co. Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I 1670-1730. Part I Calendar of New Jersey Wills. joiner; will of. Wife Sarah. Children--Simon, William, Elisabeth, Hanah and Sarah, all under age. Real and personal estate. Executors--the wife, brother William Horn and brother in the law William Olden. Witnesses--William Harris, Benjamin Bond, Rob't Richardson. Proved 31 Mar 1726 Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I 1670-1730. Part I Calendar of New Jersey Wills. Lib. A, p. 355 Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Vol. I 1670-1730. Part I Calendar of New Jersey Wills.

In a query in the National Gen Soc. of Mar/Apr. 1994, there was this: FRENCH/WILLIAMS. Seek anc/desc Jeremiah French B. 12 June 1762, Hunterdon Co, NJ; m Hannah Williams 1787 NJ. Hannah d. Dover Co, NY. Submitted by Gaylene Damrow, Rt 2, Box 110-K, Bertram, TX 78605-9512. from Jenny LaMore ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 12:28 PM Subject: Re: [FRENCH-L] Fauquier CO VA > So, do you know who the Jeremiah French is on this tax roll? >

1681, January 6, a patent for 180 acres to James Giles, Piscataway, (referred to in 1693 deed of sale.) 1688 April 25. DO. to James Gyles of Piscataway, for 100 acres in Middlesex Co., N. Mathew Gyles, W. grantee, S. Benjamin Clark, E. unappropriated land. [Liber B, Page 118, Patents and Deeds of New Jersey, 1664-1703, East Jersey Deeds] -- [referred to in 1693 deed as a Side patent - Liber B, p.375, supra.] 1688 June 17: Will of James Gyles of Piscataway. Wife Elizabeth, son Matthew, daughters Eliza Olden, Anne Gyles, Mary Booth. Real and Personal estate. Executors the wife and son (in-law) William Olden with Edward Slater as overseer. Witnesses Edward Slater and William Sharpe proved 3d Tuesday of March 1690. [Liber D, Page 177, Patents and Deeds of New Jersey, 1664-1703, East Jersey Deeds] 1689 Dec 21. Do. Matthew Giles of Piscataway to his brother-in-law William OLDEN and sister Elizabeth Giles OLDEN of Middlesex Co., for 120 acres in Piscataway, N.W. the Bound Brook, S.E. Ambrose Brook and grantee's father, N.E. unsurveyed land, part of the estate of their father, Major James Giles. [Liber F, Page 293, Patents and Deeds of New Jersey, 1664-1703, East Jersey Deeds] 1690 July 24: Declaration of William Olden of Raraton R., surviving executor of Major James Gyles, refusing to act as executor and asking that Matthew, the son of James Gyles, be made executor., [Liber D, Page 178, Patents and Deeds of New Jersey, 1664-1703, East Jersey Deeds] [NOTE: 'Surviving executor' indicates that James Gyles' wife, Elizabeth, has died.] 1690 July 25: Letters of administration on the estate of Major James Gyles of Raraton R., granted to Mathew Gyles, the executors named having refused to act. [Liber D, Page 177, Patents and Deeds of New Jersey, 1664-1703, East Jersey Deeds] 1693 April 12. Deed. Matthew Giles of Piscatuay as administrator of the estate of Major James Giles of the same place, to John Peterson Melot of Perth Amboy, blacksmith, for all the real property of said James Giles in Piscatway, 180 acres, as per patent of January 6, 1681; and 100 a there, N. Mathew Giles, S. Benjamin Clerk, E. Unappropriated land. (Side patent of April 25, 1688, Liber B, p. 375, supra.) "Colonial New Jersey Source Records, 1600-1800s" listed in patents and Deeds of New Jersey, 1664-1703.

Has anyone on this list reviewed the LDS films for Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ and/or Somerset & Morris Co.? Has anyone ordered copies of any of the Wills listed in the Middlesex, NJ Index of wills? I am not sure we will find much information in Mrs. Clark's submittal to the Colonial Dames of America that will help us. We would probably have more success reviewing the existing records. At this time we appear to be lacking documentation that 1) Sarah OLDEN married Simon HORN; 2) Sarah OLDEN and Simon HORN had daughter Hannah HORN; and 3)Hannah HORN and Joseph FRENCH had son Lafford FRENCH. Some of this documentation may well be in the Wills listed for Simon HORN. Index of Wills -- New Jersey -- Middlesex Co. Vol II Simon Horn 3523-3524 L. B G p218 W. 1760, INV 1760 Simon Horn Sr., 445-450 L. B A p355 W. 1726 I'm not sure how to go about getting copies of these wills. [NOTE: Simon Horn on list of families resident in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., before 1700] The connection from 1668 immigrant James Gyles (or Giles)to William Olden and wife Elizabeth Gyles, d/o James, and the birth of their daughter, Sarah, can be documented by the Journal of James Gyles, the early records of Piscataway, NJ (includes James Gyles will,land transactions & importation of servants from Scotland etc.)and the LDS film, records of Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey which should show Sarah OLDEN born 28 Jun 1697, to William OLDEN and wife, Elizabeth (information was shown in an abstraction from the film in batch #C505961 and the original record may contain more information). It also will include info on Giles and Olden births and may contain info on FRENCH (see what I found at the end of this long email). But found nothing for HORNE, HORN, ORN. Perhaps they registered at a different church. Since the earlier information I have seen is in the LDS IGI, submitted by individual researchers, I'm tempted to think that some of the documentation we are lacking may be on LDS films of the area records. However, because of the changed county boundaries, it might be found in several Counties. The individually submitted information shows Lafford's birth in Raritan Landing and then indicates he was born in Morris County, NJ, which has me confused. The other individual submittal identifies the county as Somerset. [NOTE: Simon Horn on list of families resident in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., before 1700] There also seems to be a good relationship between James Gyles (info in journal) and Sir Edmond Andross, then governor of New York. I think Andross's roots were from Isle of Guernsey although James Gyles journal indicates his documented journey was "from the PARK to Feversham, and so to London, where we staid some days, till the ship was ready, and then fell down to the Downs. . ." ------------- batch #C505961 LDS abstraction from filmed records. [Remember the difficulty reading the film of the old records could lead the abstractor to misspell surnames, which were already written phonetically in the original record. Will need to review the actual film to determine if these could be FRENCH] 111. DANIEL FITCH - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 07 NOV 1713 Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey 112. JAMES FITCH - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 27 MAR 1717 Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey 113. JOSEPH FITCH - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 06 APR 1715 Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey 114. SAMUEL FITCH - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: 16 JAN 1719 Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey 51. JOHN DUFAVRE - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Birth: DEC 1677 Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey -----Original Message----- She said that I couldn't order a copy of the chart without written permission from one of Mable Clark's descendants, assuming that Mable is no longer alive, and the cost for the copy would be $50.00. I am not sure that this is worth pursuing although I would love to see what is on that chart. What do you think? If we could find an Obit for Mable Berry Clark in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX, it might give us her descendants. Julia French Wood

On same CD it states: 1711 July 28. Gilles, Giels, Giles, Mathew, of Stony Brook, Sumer Set Co.; will of. Wife Phebe. Children - James, Mathew, Mary. "Worldly estate." The wife sole executrix. Witnesses - William Hixson, John Field, John Oldden. Proved May 5, 1712. Lib. I, p. 356

On one of my CD's on NJ Wills it states: 1725-6 Feb. 22. Horn, Simon, of Piscataway Township, Middlesex Co., joiner; will of. Wife Sarah. Children - Simon, William, Elisabeth, Hanah and Sarah, all under age. Real and personal estate. Executors - the wife, brother William Horn and brother in the law William Olden. Witnesses - William Harris, Benjamin Bond, Rob't Richardson, Proved March 31, 1726. Lib. A, p. 355

No, I do not know who Jeremiah was.

Does this info help anybody? From the James French Bible, p 35, V. XXXVI, No. 1, "National Gen. Soc. Quarterly" in the "NC and SC Bible Records" by Austin-- James French b. 6/19/1788 m. 8/1813 Eleanor Shanks b. 6/22/1794 Births of their Children Lewis P. French 8/30/1814-1876 Sallie French 4/29/1817-2/3/1919 Moses T. French 5/29/1819 Love Ann French 4/14/1821-10/1881 Ashahel J. (Zale) French 2/14/1824-1912 Eleanor Jane French 11/24/1825 Lafford Berry French11/20/1827 Elizabeth R. French 1/6/1830 William Doss French 3/15/1832 Joseph Taylor French 1/23/1834 Ruth Sylvania French 3/15/1837-3/28/1859 from Jenny LaMore

Are you'all aware of a book, "The French Golden Chain of Time" by Wilma French Berry? Contains: Thomas French escaped religious persecution in Eng. and came to NJ in 1680 with his wife Sara and ninteen children. It is his descendants that form the "chain" of the title and then eventually began moving down the eastern United States coast to the Carolinas and Tennessee to Jefferson County. Many photographs of the French family included. This work is primarily on the French family lines. While there is no index, the book has been divided into chronological sections. Order from the author, 3005 Barnard Rd., Knoxville, TN 37921. Published in 1990, price about $30. From "Tenn. Ancestors, Vol 7" 1991. Jenny LaMore

As you can see, Fran, I haven't had time to read the book. I will send a note to Wilna and it would be great if you attend the reunion and get some information. If there should happen to be a descendant of Melvin there, or Melvin himself, you could get permission for us to order the copy or get an address to contact them later. Julia In a message dated 9/20/2004 12:44:55 PM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: Julia, see page 89 of Wilna Sawyer's book - it states she and Balfour H. Clark had one son, Melvin Lynn Clark. There is no further information on him. I checked the white pages on the internet and found several Melvin Clarks in Texas. You have Wilna's address-perhaps she knows more now. If I make that French reunion in Corsicana on November 13, perhaps I can find out then if he is still alive or has descendents. Fran Shurtleff

Don't know if this is what you are looking for but I have a DAR record from the Texas Society, "Roster of Rev. Ancestors, Vol II D-H" re: the submission of Mable Berry Clark # 337354. FRENCH, Lafford, b. 1753 at Raritan Landing, NJ; died Sept. 11, 1834 in Rutherford Co, NC. Married (2) Elizabeth Gregory in January, 1806 at Spartanburg, SC. She died in Spartanburg on Aapril 11, 1834. SERVICE: Private, Militia, SC CHILDREN: By first wife: 1. Lafford, b. 1775 2. Joseph 3. James, boron June 19, 1788, married Eleanor Shanks 4. Sarah, married William Berry, lived in Blount Co, AL By second wife: 5. Jane, born 1807, married James Swain 6. John 7. Margaret, married Robert Ballard 8. Thomas 9. Berry From the same book is info submitted by Hattie Lipps Wilkes # 267990 on Mathew French,b. Westmoreland, VA, 1737, pvt from Montgomery Co, VA and who died in 1814 in Giles Co, VA; m to Sallie Payne. Also, same book contains info on Nathaniel French, b. 1755 in MA, married to a Bethiah, and d 1818 in MA. The submitters were Linda Douglas Hughes, # 531964 and Gayle A. Bunnell Douglas Smith, # 430209. Hope this helps someone! Jenny LaMore

So, do you know who the Jeremiah French is on this tax roll?

Hello all Lafford French descendants, This investigation has taken a while because we were busy dodging the Hurricanes. But I finally heard from my friend and it turns out that she belongs to the National Society Colonial Dames of American and the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, but the one of interest to us is the Colonial Dames of America, Headquartered in New York. I was preparing a letter to them when I found their phone number and decided to give them a call. At first, my reception was a bit cool, but then the lady warmed up and while I was on the phone, went to the file to see if they, indeed, had the application of Mrs. Clark. They have it on file as Mrs. Balfour? Clark (I couldn't remember her husband's name and can't find it). Now for the bad news. She said that they do not have a library, and do not keep the documents of proof, although the application may cite the sources. She continually called it Mrs. Clark's "Chart" not application and I don't know what that means. She said that I couldn't order a copy of the chart without written permission from one of Mable Clark's descendants, assuming that Mable is no longer alive, and the cost for the copy would be $50.00. I am not sure that this is worth pursuing although I would love to see what is on that chart. What do you think? If we could find an Obit for Mable Berry Clark in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX, it might give us her descendants. Julia French Wood

Julia, see page 89 of Wilna Sawyer's book - it states she and Balfour H. Clark had one son, Melvin Lynn Clark. There is no further information on him. I checked the white pages on the internet and found several Melvin Clarks in Texas. You have Wilna's address-perhaps she knows more now. If I make that French reunion in Corsicana on November 13, perhaps I can find out then if he is still alive or has descendents. Fran Shurtleff ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 12:24 PM Subject: [FRENCH-L] Report on James Gyles Colonial Dames Application > Hello all Lafford French descendants, > This investigation has taken a while because we were busy dodging the > Hurricanes. But I finally heard from my friend and it turns out that she belongs to > the National Society Colonial Dames of American and the Colonial Dames of the > XVII Century, but the one of interest to us is the Colonial Dames of > America, Headquartered in New York. I was preparing a letter to them when I found > their phone number and decided to give them a call. At first, my reception > was a bit cool, but then the lady warmed up and while I was on the phone, went > to the file to see if they, indeed, had the application of Mrs. Clark. They > have it on file as Mrs. Balfour? Clark (I couldn't remember her husband's name > and can't find it). > > Now for the bad news. She said that they do not have a library, and do not > keep the documents of proof, although the application may cite the sources. She > continually called it Mrs. Clark's "Chart" not application and I don't know > what that means. She said that I couldn't order a copy of the chart without > written permission from one of Mable Clark's descendants, assuming that Mable > is no longer alive, and the cost for the copy would be $50.00. > > I am not sure that this is worth pursuing although I would love to see what > is on that chart. What do you think? If we could find an Obit for Mable > Berry Clark in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX, it might give us her descendants. > > Julia French Wood > >

George, Reubin [sic], JohnJr., Burgess were the sons of John Sr. who died in 1806 testate. George and Reubin never married and left estates in the 1820s and 30s. John, Jr. moved to Mason Co. KY. I have not traced Burgess successfully. There were also sons, Mason, and Daniel and daughters Margaret Burgess and Sarah and Elizabeth.

More info in case it helps any one out there. Jenny LaMore ----- Original Message ----- From: "Freda Godsoe" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 12:01 PM Subject: Fwd: French ancestors > > > Begin forwarded message: > >> From: Freda Godsoe <[email protected]> >> Date: Sat Jul 31, 2004 1:01:16 PM America/Denver >> To: Billie Funderburke <[email protected]> >> Subject: French ancestors >> >> hello billie, i hope you are feeling good these past july days. it was >> great seeing all of you in tulsa over the 4th at linda and pats'. > >> we have met a dentist here that has some ancestors married to French >> back in 1659. just wondering how far back you all have gone with the >> French family tree? i have been interested in a family side of >> mother's, that came over in 1635 and 1639 into Newbury, Mass (founding >> father's there---several direct g.grandfathers). don and i went there >> last fall to visit the area and cemetery. have quite a bit of >> information on them from my mother's cousin who did all the research >> ........this dentist also has direct ancestors that came over from >> england at same time to same place ,listed together on (First Settlers >> Monument there). he has lots of information as well. his ancestor is >> named (Noyes)......... around 1641 (Mary Noyes ,his direct aunt, >> married a John French), and her sister, (Abigail, married in 1707 a >> Simeon French)........ since this was some of first people to come >> over 20 some odd years after the Mayflower and just thought that not >> many Frenchs in that time period were coming from England........ one >> of the first boats into Newbury,Mass that my direct ancestor was on >> was called the James in 1635 and another boat, the Jonathan came with >> another direct ancesto,both from mother's side, in 1638 ......... the >> dentist family ancestor's knew these people as well and were on the >> same boats,,,,,,,.but not seeing much of them marrying each other( >> some indirect,possibly), except i see the French name connected to >> the Noyes. Wondering if this French comes down to us in some way?? >> just curious, as is the dentist here, Clay Noyes Coleman.(who is a >> golf buddy of don's) >> >> hello to betty and marian from me too. >> love >> freda >> > >

1800 Fauquier CO VA tax list: printed in the Virginia Genealogist Vol 19 and 20 (First number = number of free males over 16; second number = number of horses owned; third number = number of tithable slaves age over 16 and fourth number = number of slabes between 12 and 16. FRENCH, Jeremiah 1 - 2 French, George 1-2 French, Reubin 1-1 French, John Jr 1-3 French, John Sr. 1-6-4-1 French, Burgess 1-2

Not sure if the following information will help, but thought I'd send it to the list. This appears to be someone's collection of information--and does not necessarily show a relationship among the mentioned FRENCH's. Genealogical Records: Early Tennessee Settlers, 1700s-1900s Listed in: Red River Settlers Page number: 86 "Wilcox - Wilcocks The Wilcoxes were among the first families to settle on the Red River. . . .they founded the Red River Baptist Church. . . . Red River Church was located at Adams when it was organized in 1791. . . . "The Wilcox lands extended into both Tennessee and Kentucky. "Samuel Wilcox deeded a negro girl slave to Thomas French as a gift for 'affection.' The Frenches were also members of Red River Church. In 1808, the French house was in Montgomery County, near or on the Great Road leading to Clarksille on Brushy fork. "The court of June 1808 for Montgomery appointed John French overseer of the road from the West fork Road to Brushy Fork of the Piney Fork and Robert Searcy's to the State line. "The first John French who came to Red River appears to have died in 1796-7, as there is mention of the estate of John French, deceased, wherein Keziah and Joseph French had an interest. The exact relationship of Keziah and Joseph is not shown. "On 25 June 1796. . . .and Mary French. . . received.[into Red River Church] On 8 April 1798, Moses French, Black London, and Rebeckah French were received at Eddy Grove by letter. The July 1803 membership list of Red River shows the name of Moses French."