1Susan Woodruff Abbott; Edited and Prepared for Publication by Jacquelyn L. Ricker, Families of Early Milford, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1979, 580, Ancestry.com.
2Jacobus, Daniel Lines, Families of Ancient New Haven, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD 1974 (1931), vol. II p. 442, Newtown Library-Genealogy Dept, Main Street, Newtown, CT.
3Jacobus, Daniel Lines, Families of Ancient New Haven, vol. III p. 707.
4Julie Barrows.
Ancestry World Tree <http://awt.ancestry.com>. Black/NobleCT tree downloaded on 21 July 2010.5Cheshire, Connecticut, Congregational Church records, vol. 2, Family History Library, 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, FHL film 3998.
Rick Crume's file H 1395.
"Deaths. 1787. #505 Joseph Hall May ye 6."6Jacobus, Daniel Lines, Families of Ancient New Haven, vol. 707.
"Wallingford vital records."7Jacobus, Daniel Lines, Families of Ancient New Haven, vol. III p. 707.
17. Rebekah Atkins
1Susan Woodruff Abbott; Edited and Prepared for Publication by Jacquelyn L. Ricker, Families of Early Milford, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1979, 580, Ancestry.com.
p. 580, Abbott says she was Rebecca Plumb, dau of Joseph and Rebecca Thomas Plumb.2Jacobus, Daniel Lines, Families of Ancient New Haven, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD 1974 (1931), vol. III p. 707, Newtown Library-Genealogy Dept, Main Street, Newtown, CT.
p. 707, Jacobus says she was Rebecca Atkins widow of Benoni Plumb of Middletown.3Julie Barrows.
Ancestry World Tree <http://awt.ancestry.com>. Black/NobleCT tree downloaded on 21 July 2010.4Susan Woodruff Abbott; Edited and Prepared for Publication by Jacquelyn L. Ricker, Families of Early Milford, 580.
p. 580, Abbott does not give a place for this baptism.
18. Nathan Gaylord
1Nellie H. Cowdell, Hotchkiss Family Association, The Hotchkiss Family: Descendants of Samuel Hotchkiss (ca. 1622-1663) of New Haven, Connecticut, Baltimore, Md.: Gateway Press, ca. 1985-2003, vol. 2, pg. 39, Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA.
Rick Crume's file H 1404.
"Thankful Brooks (Martha-3 Hotchkiss, Joshua-2, Samuel-1) was born 19 December 1725 in Wallingford, CT, v. (Cheshire), and died 18 April 1795 in Cheshire, CT; Congregational Church record; bur. Hillside Cemetery. She married Nathan Gaylord 30 May 1745 in Wallingford, CT, v. (Cheshire). He was born abt. 1724, and died 2 July 1802 in Cheshire, CT; Congregational Church record; bur. Hillside Cemetery."
Pages 39-41 have information on the children of Thankful Brooks and Nathan Gaylord.2Cheshire, Connecticut, Congregational Church records, vol. 2, Family History Library, 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, FHL film 3998.
Rick Crume's file H 1395.
"Deaths. 1802. #870. Nathan Gailord July 2 [age] 78."
19. Thankful Brooks
1Nellie H. Cowdell, Hotchkiss Family Association, The Hotchkiss Family: Descendants of Samuel Hotchkiss (ca. 1622-1663) of New Haven, Connecticut, Baltimore, Md.: Gateway Press, ca. 1985-2003, vol. 2, pg. 39, Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA.
Rick Crume's file H 1404.
"Thankful Brooks (Martha-3 Hotchkiss, Joshua-2, Samuel-1) was born 19 December 1725 in Wallingford, CT, v. (Cheshire), and died 18 April 1795 in Cheshire, CT; Congregational Church record; bur. Hillside Cemetery. She married Nathan Gaylord 30 May 1745 in Wallingford, CT, v. (Cheshire). He was born abt. 1724, and died 2 July 1802 in Cheshire, CT; Congregational Church record; bur. Hillside Cemetery."
Pages 39-41 have information on the children of Thankful Brooks and Nathan Gaylord.2Cheshire, Connecticut, Congregational Church records, vol. 2, Family History Library, 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, FHL film 3998.
Rick Crume's file H 1395.
"Deaths. 1796. #730. wife of Nathan Gaylord April 17 [age] 71."
28. Nathaniel Hooper
1Vital Records of the Town of Middleborough, page 105, Ancestry.com.
"Plimouth Ss: March 31st 1763 this Certifies that Nathaniel Hooper Jr of Bridgewater and Elisabeth Bryant of middleborough were this Day joynd in marriage by me Joseph Tinkham Justice peace."2Vital Records of the Town of Middleborough, page 105.
"Plimouth Ss: March 31st 1763 this Certifies that Nathaniel Hooper Jr of Bridgewater and Elisabeth Bryant of middleborough were this Day joynd in marriage by me Joseph Tinkham Justice peace."31790 U.S. Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, page 72, Ancestry.com.
"Nathl Hooper. 1 white male 16 and over. 4 white females."
Is this Nathaniel Hooper, born in 1734?.
29. Elizabeth Bryant
1Vital Records of the Town of Middleborough, page 105, Ancestry.com.
"Plimouth Ss: March 31st 1763 this Certifies that Nathaniel Hooper Jr of Bridgewater and Elisabeth Bryant of middleborough were this Day joynd in marriage by me Joseph Tinkham Justice peace."
30. John French
1Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Manuscript, Book 1, p. 137, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, FHL microfilm 234,543.
"March 2, 1795. John French Died Aged 41 Years."2Cooke, Rollin H., Pittsfield, Massachusetts Church and Other Records from Manuscripts, Microfilm of trypescript in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, p. 302, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 234,571.
"1795. Deaths. Jan. 10. Mr. John French."
Records of First Church, Pittsfield.3Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Book 1, p. 137.
"March 2, 1795. John French Died Aged 41 Years."4International Genealogical Index, www.familysearch.com, FHL film 177,891, p. 606, ref. no. 24,770.
Is this John French of Pittsfield, Mass.?.5Smith, J. E. A., The History of Pittsfield, (Berkshire County,) Massachusetts, From the Year 1734 to the Year 1800, Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1869., pp. 393-394, Ancestry.com Family and Local Histories.
"But if, by chance, the poor man escaped a prison, and, despairing of a livelihood in his native place, sought it elsewhere, he was pretty sure to be met at the threshold of his land of promise by some such welcome as the following warrant, which we copy from the Pittsfield town-records, where the like are thickly scattered:--
Berkshire, ss.
to the Constables of the Town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire, or either of them, greeting.
Whereas it has been represented to use that Elisha Eggleston, his wife and family; John French, his wife and family; Calvin Dunham, his wife and family, -- are likely to become burdensome and chargeable to the town if they continue their residence in it, these are therefore to authorize, and require you forthwith to warn and notify the above-named persons that they, with their families, immediately depart and remove out of the town, and not to return again, without giving security to the town,
Given under our hands this 22d day of May, Anno Domini 1782.
Woodbridge Little, David Bush,, Stephen Crofoot, James Dn. Colt, Selectmen of Pittsfield.
Constable Stephen Fowler returned service of this warning upon John and Calvin on the 7th of June; and doubtless they, their wives and little ones, thereupon resumed their weary pilgrimage; for, in default of obedience to the warning, the hard law required that the delinquents should be passed from constable to constable through the intervening towns, until they reached that of their proper settlement.
Eggleston appears to have obtained a respite; but in the more dreary month of February, 1784, he received a similar warning out..."6Cooke, Rollin H., Pittsfield, Massachusetts Church and Other Records from Manuscripts, p. 377.
"John French 1 house - 2 married persons - 1 family - 1 male & 1 female under 5 - 1 female under 30 1 male under 40."
1786 Census.7Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, deeds, vol. 30, pp. 431-432, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 872,090.
"Daniel Davids of Pittsfield to John French... the following tract of Land in Pittsfield Namely part of square No. 15 ... containing fifty seven acres... Signed by Daniel David and Hannah David with her mark."81790 U.S. Census, Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, p. 32, Ancestry.com, Images Online, www.ancestry.com.
John French. 1 white male 16 or older, 1 white male under 16, 3 white females.9Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, FHL film 876,259, vol. 11, p. 507, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilms 876,259-876,261.
Rick Crume's files H 966, H 1089.
"No. 93. David vs. French. Daniel David Ptff against John French Defendant. See the records of the last session of this Court. The Ptff appears in Court (by his Att.y John C. Williams Gent.n) and the said John comes also (by his Attorney Thomas Gold Gentn) and defends the wrong & injury when (Df.t?) says that he is not guilty of the wrong and (__?__) complained of by the said Demandant in his declaration against s.d John, and thereof puts himself on the Country -- and the Ptff (by his said Attorney likewise. After a full hearing of this Can the evidence therein having been produced the same case is committed to the Jury Ezra Crippin foreman & his fellows, who have been duly sworn return their verdict that they find the Defendant is not Guilty of the wrong and (__?__) alledged against him.. It is therefore considered by the Court that the said John do recover against the said Daniel the costs of Suit [Fared?] at thirty two shillings. And hereof the Defendant may have his Execution."10Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas. Index, 1761-1854. Vol. 1 (A-H)., Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 1,764,691.
Rick Crume's file H 579, H 959.
King Strong et al vs. John French, 1786, bk. 9, p. 164.
Daniel David vs. John French, 1792, bk. 11, pp. 463, 507.
Aaron Wood vs. John French, 1794, bk. 13, p. 116.
Aaron Wood vs. John French, 1795, bk. 13, p. 214.
Aaron Wood vs. John French, 1795, bk. 13, p. 308.
Josiah Wright vs. John French, 1796, bk. 15, p. 59. Petition for sale of land.11Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Grantee index, 1761-1830, p. 256, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 872,067.
Rick Crume's file H 958.
John French from Daniel David. Location: Pittsfield. Character: W[arranty deed?]. Book 30, page 431.12Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, FHL film 876,259, vol. 11, p. 463.
"David vs. French. Daniel David of Salisbury in the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut yeoman Ptff against John French of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire yeoman Defend.t. In a plea of ejectment wherein the said Daniel demands against the said John fifty seven acres of land lying in said Pittsfield, described as follows (towit) begining at the North East corner of lott number fifteen, thence running West nineteen degrees North one hundred rods to a stake & stones, thence South nineteen degrees West thirty five rods to the Pond & birch Tree, thence by the side of the Pond Eastwardly to a large pine Tree marked by the said of the Pond, thence runing East nineteen degrees South sixty five rods to a stake & stones, thence runing North nineteen degrees East seventy rods to the first mentioned bounds with the appurtences, and the said Daniel says that he within thirty years last past in a time of peace was seized & possessed of the said land with the appurtences in his (__?__) and right taking the profits thereof to the value thereof five pounds by the year, since which the said John hath illegally & without Judgment entered thereto & disseized the said David thereof & still unjustly holds him out. To the damage of the said Daniel (as he saith) the sum of twenty pounds. The Ptff appears in Court (by his Attorney John G. Williams Gent.n) and demands as on file. This Case is continued by order of Court to the next Term."13Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, FHL film 876,260, vol. 13, p. 116.
And this case is Continued under the Same Rule to the next Term."
"Aaron Wood of Onondaga, NY, yeoman, demandant, against John French of Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., yeoman, defendant, in a plea whereas the said Aaron demands against the said John fifty seven acres of land with the appurtenances, lying in Pittsfield, aforesaid, being part of square number fifteen..., as his the said Aaron's right of inheritance and into which the said John hath not entry but by [dissision?] by him unjustly committed within thirty years now last past, and whereupon the said Aaron complains, that within the said thirty years in a probable time he was seized of the said demanded premises, as of for and Right, taking the Profits thereof to the value of three pounds by the year, and ought still to hold the farm, nevertheless the said John within the said thirty years unjustly and without Judgment, hath entered into the said demanded premisis, [disseized?] the said Aaron thereof, and still unjustly holds him out, to the damage of the said Aaron as he saith the sum of thirty Pounds. The Parties appear in Court and agree to Refer this case to the Judgment and determination of William Williams Esq., Simon Larned & Joshua Danforth Esqrs. (together with all Demands between the Parties) who are approved of by the Court for that purpose they are to hear the Parties (_?_) and make Report as soon as may be, & to [proceed __?__) after due notice to the Parties.14Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, vol. 13, p. 308.
"Aaron Wood Ptff against John French Defendant. See the Records of the last Session of the Court. The Ptff is now three times publickly called to come into Court, but comes not, and the said John being also called comes not, but makes default of appearance here. It is therefore considered by the Court that in this Case neither Ptff nor Defend.t have any further Day in said Court."15Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, vol. 13, pp. 214-215.
"Aaron Wood Demandant against John French Defendant. See the Records of the last session of this Court. The Pltff. appears in Court (by his attorneys Sedgwick & Williams). And the Award of the ( _?_ ) in this Case is now made as follows.. that having heard the Parties &c. We found that the said John French was not, and is not Guilty in manner & form as the said Aaron Wood against him in his declaration hath supposed & alleged, & that by his plea in his said writ ( _?_ ) & W. therefore award that the said Aaron by his Plea aforesaid have nothing. We also found that the said Aaron had other demands against the said John which together with the Costs of Court & of [Reforms?] amounted to forty three Pounds & three shillings: This sum the Parties agreed should be satisfied in Land at our apprisal, and we accordingly on the twenty fifth of December last set out by Marks & Bounds, seventeen Acres & thirty Rods of land on the West side of the farm described in the said Aaron's Writ, which Charles Goodrich Esqr. Atty for said Aaron, [ _?_ ) in full satisfaction of the said [ _ ? _ ]. We therefore award further that the said Aaron have & hold the said seventeen Acres & thirty Rods of Land in full satisfaction of all Demands against the said John to this day of this Submission and of all Costs of Court & of [Reforms?] in this Case & that it put a final end to the same. It is therefore Cosidered by the Court, the said Aaron do Recover against the said John [Seizure?] & Possession of the said seventeen acres & thirty Rods of Land, agreeable to the foregoing award."16Probate Court, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, probate records, vol. 8, pp. 530, 531, 595, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 873,484.
And Simon Larned, Ashbel Strong and Joshua Danforth Esquire, all of said Pittsfield, [are] appointed to appraise ... all the Estate whereof the said John French died seised and possessed in the county of Berkshire. At the same Court it is duly represented, by Josiah Wright Administrator on the Estate of John French late of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire deceased, that the whole of the said Estate ... is insufficient to discharge his just Debts: and Simon Larned, Ashbel Strong and Joshua Danforth Esquire, [are] appointed and impowered to ... examine the claims to said Estate, and Six Months [are] allowed for that purpose. John French. Warrant to set off Widow's Dower. Simon Larned, Ashbel Strong & Joshua Danforth Esquire, [are] appointed and impowered to Distribute and set of[f] to Ann French, Widow of John French, late of Pittsfield in said County of Berkshire, deceased, her Dower or thirds in the Real Estate of the said deceased."
Rick Crume's file H 965.
"John French. Admr & Bond. Repd insolvent. Appraisal & Commission. Power of administration on the Estate of John French, late of Pittsfield in the county of Berkshire, deceased, is given to Josiah Wright of said Pittsfield, Gentn, and a bond taken of the said Josiah for the faithful performance of his Administration, as on file.17Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, vol. 15, p. 59.
"Josiah Wright of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire Adminstrator of all ... the ... Estate of John French late of Pittsfield in said County Yeoman deceased Intestate, shows that the debts due from said Estate amount to the sum of $117.30, that the sums allowed to Administrator on s.d Estate and to the Widow of said deceased amount to $59.25. That the Personal estate of said deceased amounts to the sum of $38.45... It is certified by the said Judge [of Probate], that in his opinion it is necessary that a part of the Real estate of the said deceased, to the amount of $138.10 should be sold for the payment of the said debts. The said Josiah therefore prays this Court to authorize and impower him to sell and convey by deed so much of the real estate of the said deceased, as will enable him to discharge the debts due from the said Estate..."18Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Register of Deeds, Deed of Sale: Josiah Wright to Zadock Hubbard, Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971, vol. 42, p. 490, Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA, FHL film 872,098.
"I, Josiah Wright of Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA, Gentleman, administrator on the estate of John French late of Pittsfield, yeoman, deceased, by virtue of dower and authority vested in me by an order of the court of common Pleas for s.d County, ... in consideration of ... $149 paid to me by Zadock Hubbard of Lenox, Berkshire Co., MA, yeoman, have ... sold ... unto him ... 16 acres & 87 rods of land being part of square #15 ... in Pittsfield ... being part of the real estate of the said John French ... [dated] 11 Dec. 1797 ... in presence of William Pomeroy, Ashbel Strong. Recorded 16 Jan. 1807."
Rick Crume's file H 1093.19Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Register of Deeds, Deed of Sale: Josiah Wright to Abraham C. Brown, Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971, vol. 46, p. 318, Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA, FHL film 872,100.
"I, Josiah Wright of Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA, Gentleman, Administrator on the Estate of John French late of Pittsfield, yeoman, deceased, by virtue of an order of the Court of Common Pleas for said County ... for ... $29 to me paid by Abraham Church Brown of Pittsfield ... Have ... sold ... and confirm unto him the said Abraham Church Brown ... land ... in Pittsfield ... part of square #15 ... containing 8 acres & 57 rods being the same land which was lately set off to Anna French the Widow of the said deceased and the same is now sold and conveyed subject to ... her Dower during the Term of her natural life. ... [dated] 30 Nov. 1798, witnessed by Ashbel Strong and Wm. [Rittredge?], recorded 25 Mar. 1799."
Rick Crume's file H 1093.20Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, grantor index, 1761-1830, p. 275, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, microfilm 872,066.
Rick Crume's file H 957.
John French, by administrator Josiah Wright, to Zadock Hubbard. Pittsfield. Deed 42:490.21Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, grantor index, 1761-1830, p. 275.
John French, by administrator Josiah Wright, to Abraham C. Brown. Pittsfield. Deed 46:318.
31. Anna
1Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Manuscript, Book 1, p. 137, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, FHL microfilm 234,543.
"March 6, 1833. Mrs. Anna French Died 70 Yrs."2Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Register of Deeds, Deed of Sale: Josiah Wright to Abraham C. Brown, Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971, vol. 46, p. 318, Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA, FHL film 872,100.
"I, Josiah Wright of Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA, Gentleman, Administrator on the Estate of John French late of Pittsfield, yeoman, deceased, by virtue of an order of the Court of Common Pleas for said County ... for ... $29 to me paid by Abraham Church Brown of Pittsfield ... Have ... sold ... and confirm unto him the said Abraham Church Brown ... land ... in Pittsfield ... part of square #15 ... containing 8 acres & 57 rods being the same land which was lately set off to Anna French the Widow of the said deceased and the same is now sold and conveyed subject to ... her Dower during the Term of her natural life. ... [dated] 30 Nov. 1798, witnessed by Ashbel Strong and Wm. [Rittredge?], recorded 25 Mar. 1799."
Rick Crume's file H 1093.3Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Book 1, p. 137.
"March 6, 1833. Mrs. Anna French Died 70 Yrs."