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| Misc. Notes | ||||||||||||||
| There are several IGI marriage records, only 2 are noted. These, like the FRENCH IGI records conflict as to place and date but put it at 1630-1631 in Massachusetts. The parentage of Mary Scudamore is in question. A birth date of 1612 is obviously impossible based on the death date of her father. IGI Film 2034596 shows a Mary Scudamore, christened in 1612 in Gloucester, Essex, MA with parents William Scudamore and Elizabeth Clarvo. Unfortunately, IGI records also show the marriage to be about 1614 or 1615 in either Gloucester MA or Gloucester, England (which of course conflicts with a 1612 birth date for Mary). Ancestral file showing Mary's parents to be William Scudamore, b. 1564(AF 8MGZ-3J) and Frances Lechmere, b.1568 ( AF 8MGZ-4P) appears to be in error. Mary. She married _______ French "of Boston in New England", according to Mayes Visitation. She and her children are remembered in the will of their uncle William Scudamore in 1636. [She is frequently said to have married Thomas French (born 1608, died 1680) of Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, and to have died his widow on 8 May 1681 at Ipswich. If this should be so she would have been several years older than her husband and approaching 90 years of age at her death. This identification, for which no proof has yet been found, is to be received with considerable caution. [Warren Skidmore]613 | ||||||||||||||
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| Misc. Notes | ||||||||||||||
| "Thomas French, Jr., b. Nov. 27, 1608, and his sister Alice, boarded the Arabella with the Winthrop Fleet and sailed to Massachusetts. They were joined about three years later by their sisters Dorcas and Susan, who were servants for the Winthrop family, like Alice. Thomas was a humble tailor when he married Mary Scudamore, who was a member of the prominent family. Thomas, Jr. and Mary lived a long life together in Ipswich. Thomas fought in the Pequot war, for which he obtained some land. He left a will and we have the inventory of his property. At the time of his death he owned five sheep, three lambs, four cows and eight swine. Settlement to the west was hindered by Indians, who killed some Frenches and drove others back from the frontier." [FFA Chart 1] On April 8, 1630 The Arbella departed Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, and arrived at Salem, Massachusetts, June 13 and following days. Flagship of the "Winthrop Fleet" Sources: J. B. Threlfall, "Thomas French of Assington..." NE1-1GR 1988, 250-252. [Edith Lillie Bartley listing], Robert Charles Anderson, "The Great Migration Begins" Vol 1, Ipswich Vital Records, Possibly from "Fifty Families from Essex County, England", sent by Mara French, book by John Threlfall: "Thomas was baptized 27 Nov. 1608 at Assington, Sufrolk, England. He came to New England with the Winthrop Fleet of eleven ships carrying about 700 colonists, which sailed from Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, in April and May, 1630, and which arrived in June and July following. The first of these ships landed at Salem on 13 June. Thomas French first settled in Boston and presumably was married there about the next year, 1631. His wife is identified only as Mary. Thomas French was made a freeman of the colony on 6 Nov 1632. About 1634 he moved to Ipswich and appears there on record first in 1635 in the following land records. 20 April 1635-There was Granted to Thomas Scott ... Likewise an hous lott in Mill Streete havinge Thomas French on the Southeast. 20 April 1635-There was Granted to Robert Mussey ... likewise an hous lott in Mill Streete lyinge betweene Thomas French and Richard Jacob. 20 Feb. 1636/7-There was granted to Serg. French ten acres of upland at the hither end of a Neck lying beyond Reedy marsh, to be laid out by the lott layers. Granted to Sedent French, a parcell of upland and medow containing about three acres on the South side of th River, adjoyning his planting lott. From these we know that his house was on Bridge Street just off Mill Street. About 1637 his parents and his younger brother and sisters joined him at Ipswich. Three sisters had crossed over to New England earlier. Thomas French fought in the Pequot War in 1637, for in 1672, he petitioned the colonial government for a grant of land northeast of Salisbury in behalf of himself and eight other Ipswich men who had been of service in that campaign." Brian Berry: " His name [Thomas French, Jr.] appears on the list of original members of the First Church of Boston between those of John Winthrop, Jr. and his wife." Thomas took the Freeman's Oath in Boston 6 Nov. 1632. He was in Boston when, "this 17th of the first month Called March, 1634" John Stratton wrote to John Winthrop, Jr. "in Aggawaam per Jno. Gallopps boate" that "I have putt my sister a suite of Moyheare to making att Goom. Frenches, she were best gett the taylor to take her Measure and send per Jno. Gallop."(Winthrop Papers, Vol. III, pp. 156-7). Agawam, later Ipswich, had been planted by John Winthrop Jr. and twelve others in 1633). From this, and from a 1647 deed, we know he was a tailor. His will, dated Aug. 3, 1680, was proved 28 Sept. 1680; inv. 25 Aug.1680. There is no record of Thomas and Mary's marriage, but seven children are known, the conception of the first is consistent with a marriage in MA in1631. ---------------------------- England in the 17th century was a land beset by religious strife. Unlike our country today, this strife was intertwined with the politics of the day and led to a rebellion and the beheading of a King. It led to a country led by Oliver Cromwell. The Puritans who landed in America were able to keep out of this strife. They were not involved with the "Separatists" who wished to break from the Church of England. They wished to reform the church from within, but found that the conservative elements were too entrenched and they were unable to make any significant changes. Realizing this they looked around for an alternative which would allow them to worship the way they would like to. One alternative was the Massachusetts Bay Company. This company was one of many formed, and approved by the King, to settle and exploit the New World. While looking into this company, the Puritans found one significant item in the companies charter, which was invaluable to their aims. The Charter for the Massachusetts Bay Company did not specify where the Board of Directors would meet. Most, if not all other, companies charters called for their Board of Director meetings to be held in London where they would be underthe direct influence of Parliament and the King. The Puritans realized that if they gained control of the Massachusetts Bay Company they would be able to use it to settle in the New World where, because of this omission, they would be able to effectively control their own destiny. They would in effect be able to rule the colony from the New World rather then from England with all of its politics and external influences. The Puritans bought control of the Massachusetts Bay Company and began toplan for their religious colony in the New World. One thing they had to do was weed out any individuals wanting to go to the New World in a quest for financial gain rather then as a Puritan. John Winthrop was selected as the leader for this settlement. On April 7, 1630 the first four ships left London for the New World.These ships were followed by a number of others over the next few months. These ships included the flagship "Arbella",the "Ambrose", the "Talbot", the "Jewel", the "Charles", the "Mayflower", the "William and Francis", the"Hopewell", the "Whale", the "John and Dorothy", the "Rose" and the "Success and Trial". About one thousand settlers left England for the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The first winter proved to be exceedingly harsh as about two hundred persons died. It had been so bad that another two hundred opted to return to England in the following spring. The colony only survived due to the leadership of John Winthrop. Not only did he prove to be an inspired leader but he helped stave off starvation by buying supplies with his own money. This venture proved costly to John Winthrop both financially and personally. Three of his children died in the New World. Despite these early problems the colony prospered and thousands followed the initial fleet to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Puritans were able to rule this colony themselves according to their religious tenants. While the Puritans eventually lost power, their influence has continued to affect not only New England but also the entire country. Data taken from the Internet. Sources; The Planters of the Commonwealthby Charles Banks (Riverside Press, Boston, 1930), The Winthrop Fleet by Charles Banks (Riverside Press, Boston 1930). ---------------------- [all the above information from the French Family Association Chart 1]613 | ||||||||||||||
| Will | ||||||||||||||
| Will of Thomas French, Sr. In the name of God, Amen. I Thomas French Senior of Ipswich being weak of body yet of perfect understanding and memory doe in case of death make this my last Will and Testament. In the first place I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who hath redeemed it by the precious blood of his Son; and 1 commit my body to the Earth, whence it was taken, to be buried in a Christian decent manner by my friends in hope of a blessed resurrection to eternal life. And as for my outward Estate which God hath graciously given me in this world I doe thus dispose of it: Inprimis, I give and bequeath to Mary my beloved wife the Bed whereon I use to ly, with all the appurtenances and furniture belonging there to. Moreover, I give to my son Thomas French my cloak and close-coat. Also I give to my son John French one Cow, which is to make up the full summe of thirty pounds which I formerly promised him for his Portion. Also I give to my daughter Mary Smith, one Cow. And to my son Samuel French, I give and bequeath ye bed where he usually lieth, together with the Bedding and Bedstead belonging to the same. Further, as concerning my lands at the Pequod lots, and my division lot of marsh at Plum Island, my will is that my sons Thomas and Samuel French for and in consideration of twenty pounds by them engaged according to order unto my son Ephraim French as the remaining part of this portion (which summe of twenty pounds is almost all paid, and the remainder due upon demand), I say my Will is that those my two sons Thomas and Samuel shall possess and enjoy the said Pequod lands, and division-lot of marsh to themselves and to their heirs forever, to be equally divided betwixt them. Furthermore, I give and bequeath to my sonn Thomas French my dwelling house and homested with all the appurtenances and priviledges thereof and belonging thereto, and also by Lot lying in Labour-in-vain fields containing twelve acres more or less; with all the rest of my cattell, stocke of all sorts and moveable goods (not disposed of by this my will and testament) and to my son Samuel I give and bequeath two acres of upland joyning to Joseph Quilter's and two acres of meadow-ground at Reedy marsh; to be possessed by them respectively after my decease, provided always and my will is that my son Thomas French doe give full and free libertie to Mary my wife his mother to abide ad dwell in the said house and to make use of any room or rooms thereof for her convenient accommodation the rein; as likewise to make use of all or any such moveable as I doe now leave in the hands of my son Thomas (not disposed of) as my be necessary ad convenient for her use and occasions from time to time; and all these during the term of her natural life, and after her decease my son Thomas shall deliver to my three children John, Samuell and Mary three of the biggest pewter dishes which shall then be left and remain that is to say, to each of them, one. Provided also, and my will is that my two son Thomas and Samuel doe carefully provide for their mothers comfortable maintenance and livelyhood and what is requisit thereto during her natural life; each of them allowing thereto proportionally to that part of my Estate which shall be by them received by vertue of this my testamt. And if through any neglect of failure, this may. of maintenance should not be to their mother's satisfactin and content, my Will is, that those my two sons Thomas and Samuel shall allow to their mother ten pounds yeerly; nine pounds thereof to be paid by Thomas and twenty shillings by Samuel, in such pay as shall be suitable and necessary for her comfortable maintenance and livelyhood. And further, if it shall pleas God to exercise her with much prevailing weakness or continuing sickness that the aforesaid then pounds should not suffice to defray the charges of her expenses, my Will is that (over and above the ten pounds, and according to the like rate of proportion) those my two sons Thomas and Samuel shal lsupply her with necessaries suitable as her condition may require, that she be not exposed to suftlering for want of what ought and might be procured for her. Also my Will is that my Lot in Labour-in-vain fields, and the two acres of meadow at Reedy Marsh shall stand bound respectively to my said wife during her natural like as securitie for the true performance of this my Will as respecting her maintenance by my two Sonns; and after he decease, the said lands (except what shall bee alienated (if any so be) by means of the securitie aforesaid) to remain to each of those my Sonns and to their heirs forever as is before mentioned and declared. And lastly, I doe name, appoint and constitute my son Thomas French to be the sole Executor of this my last will & testament. August 3 1680 Witness: (no signatures) Proved in Ipswich Court 28 Sep 1680, by Mary French and Samuel French. | ||||||||||||||
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| Last Modified 11 Apr 2001 | Created 26 Jun 2001 by Reunion for Macintosh |