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John French |
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Phoebe Keyes |
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John French (Thomas, Mary) was born circa 1635 AN3 or 1637 LI3, BE6 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts BE7 and married Phoebe Keyes circa 1660 DA12, 1662 BE7, or 1664 AN4. Like his father, John was a tailor DA12, DO14. Robert Charles Anderson stated that he was the father of Thomas French, who was born in Ipswich on May 25, 1657 AN3, MA26, but there were other men named John French in the area at that time. At a court held at Salem, Massachusetts in June 1682, a man named John French, Sr. was deposed and stated that he was forty-eight years of age DO19. It is unclear if this was the John French who was the son of Thomas and Mary French.
His uncle, John French, the younger brother of his father, was baptized on May 26, 1622 in Assington, Suffolk, England, and settled in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, where he lived in 1648, probably until the summer of 1677 when he and his wife, Freedom, sold several parcels of land which were in Ipswich LI3. This uncle with the same name was also a tailor, and he removed to Northampton, Hampton County, Massachusetts, where he died in 1697 LI3. In 1667, a man named John French was the constable of Salisbury DO14, and because Salisbury is about sixteen miles away from Topsfield, this particular John French was probably not the John French who married Phoebe Keyes. Further proof that the John French of Salisbury could not have also been the John French who married Phoebe Keyes was documented in 1679, for at a court session on November 11, 1679, “Jno. French of Salisbury was freed from training”, but in April 1679, John French lived in Topsfield DO18. A man named John French resided in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, about sixty-eight miles southwest of Topsfield, who was the father of at least two children born in Rehoboth: Hannah, born in October 1679, and John, born in April 1681 SH16. There was also a Native American man named John French who was mentioned at the Salisbury Court in April 1677: “Upon motion of Capt. John Gillman of Exiter concerning an Indian servant called John French…” DO17. Because multiple men who were named John French lived in the same region, certain early events of the life of John French, the subject of this biographical sketch, are difficult to definitively affix to one particular man, that is, until he moved to Topsfield.
A record of a list of fines issued by Major Hathorne included a fine dated March 25, 1660 to John French, for stealing from the wife of John Gardner DO13. John, the subject of this biographical sketch, may have been this John who stole from Mrs. Gardner, and perhaps he was the John French who was made a freeman at the Ipswich Quarterly Court on March 27, 1660, and the “Jo. French” who was a juror at the Ipswich Court on September 25, 1660 DO13. He was called a tailor DA12 in 1661 DO14. At the Ipswich Court on March 25, 1662, John French was found guilty for withholding some cloth from Ossmond Dutch and for damaging Ossmond’s coat and a suit which belonged to Ossmond’s son DO13.
He relocated from Ipswich to Topsfield in approximately the year 1664 DA12. He owed four shillings and two pence in a rate to settle the debt incurred by the town of Topsfield, which was dated on February 10, 1664, but entered into the Salem Quarterly Court record book on November 27, 1666 DO13. He may have been the John French who was granted a single share, which was three acres, of Plum Island on April 10, 1665 WA20. He was probably the John French who took the oath of fidelity on May 5, 1664 at the Ipswich Quarterly Court, and he served as a juror at the Hampton Court on October 10, 1665 DO14.
He was mentioned on December 31, 1667 and January 15, 1668 as owning land in Topsfield near the common area, adjacent to land owned by John How, William Smith, and Samuel Howlett DO20. On January 15, 1668, Thomas Perkins, John “ffranch”, and John Redington were selected to lay out four acres of land to Samuel Howlett DO20. He was a juror at the Ipswich Quarterly Court on September 24, 1667 DO14. His portion for the country rate for Topsfield, issued on November 18, 1668, was eight shillings and six pence DO15. John was sworn as the constable for Topsfield on March 29, 1670 DO15, and he served on the Grand Jury at the Ipswich Court on September 27, 1670, March 28, 1671 DO15, and September 24, 1672 DO16.
John had a right to the common land of Topsfield on March 7, 1675/6 DO20, DA12, and he and John Robeson were appointed as highway surveyors on March 2, 1676/7 DO20. On that date, the record of the town meeting stated, “the seruares [surveyors] haue powr and here by ar impoured to tak or destrane there fines for not atending the mending hiwaes after legall warning two shillings six penc for eueri dayes neglact thay hauing two dayes warning” DO20. He was a juror at the Salisbury Court on November 14, 1676 DO17. On August 26, 1677, John was selected to serve as a juror at the next court held at Ipswich DO20. He and John Robeson were elected as highway surveyors again on March 4, 1677/8, and the following year, he shared that position with Joseph Towne, but they had an added duty of inspecting the fences DO20. He took the oath of fidelity in 1678 DA12, and he was a juror at the Salisbury Court on April 8, 1679 DO18.
He pledged to donate one pound on April 29, 1679, which was to help pay a Topsfield town debt of sixty pounds to Jerimie Hobart (also called Jeremiah Houbard), a minister who was to come to Topsfield, probably from Amesbury, Massachusetts DO18. At the Ipswich Court on March 30, 1680, “John Franch and Pheby Franch” stated in a deposition that they had been at Jeremiah Houbard’s home, and the conversation revolved around the synod meeting and affairs of the church DO18. John testified that he said to the minister that if Jeremiah “had been of that mind before he was ordained, he would never have been ordained in Topsfield” DO18. John testified that Jeremiah replied by curses and that he “wished the pox had you and all that were of your mind” DO18.
He and John How were chosen on March 2, 1679/80 as the highway surveyors for 1680 DO20. On February 11, 1680, the Topsfield selectmen chose Danell Clark, Isack Comines, Sr., John French, and John Cortes as tithing men “for the yeare insuing”, and on March 22, 1680/1, he and John How were elected as highway surveyors and fence viewers DO20. The Topsfield town meeting on March 7, 1681/2 decided that “John ffranch is Chosen Juereyman for trialls for this naxt Court hild at Ipswich” DO20 (he served as a juror there on March 28, 1682 DO19) and “John ffranch & John Townes are Chosen to be siruiouers for ffences and hie wayes & bridges for this yeare insuing” DO20. John’s portion of a rate for the minister for 1681 was one pound, one shilling, and eleven pence DO20. He was chosen as a commissioner to join with the selectmen of Topsfield, and he was to enumerate all the men “and other estates” and carry that list “to ye shere Towne” on August 22, 1683 DO20.
He was called “Corpll John french” on September 21, 1691, when he was chosen to be a juror at the next court session at Ipswich, and when “Corpll french” and John Robinson, Sr. were chosen as a highway surveyors again on March 1 1961/2, they had some assistance from the younger generation, as Joseph Towne, Jr. and Isaac Easty, Jr. were also selected to that position DO20. At that same town meeting on March 1, John asked to exchange a small parcel of land “only for the straightiening of his fence”, and his request was granted, provided that he “lays doune that which is as conuenient and for quantyty and quality” DO20. He was still a Corporal when he was appointed to carry nominations “to the sheare Towne” on March 14, 1691/2, and on September 20, 1692, March 7, 1692/3, and March 5, 1694/5, when on those dates he was selected to serve on the Grand Jury at the next County Court held at Ipswich DO20. Although Ensign Ephraim Dorman was elected as the Town Clerk on March 2, 1696/7, as usual, John French was also called a clerk in an entry that same day, which stated DO20:
Sargt Thomas Dorman and Phillip Knite and John french Clarke are Chosen tithing men for ye yere ensewing…
upon ye petistion of Clarke French for ye exchange of four of fiue akers of land he request yt land: part of ye land as was Sargt Houlets land and to lay doune land as is on ye hill called mr Pimbletons hill as hath bene improued: prouided quantity and quallity be consedered and alowance answerable with straight lines in ye exchang of both ye Towne grants his request prouided Clarke French be at all charge.
At a town meeting on March 2, 1696/7, he was chosen as a tithingman and was summoned to Salem six days later to be sworn into this duty by John Hathron, Justice of the Peace, but he did not appear DO20. John granted his house and property to his son, John French, Jr., on December 2, 1701 in a deed which was witnessed by Thomas Dow and Elizabeth Appleton ES9:
Know all men by these presents that I John French of Topsfield In ye County of Essex In NewEng. Taylor for Divers good Causes me Therunto moving Especially for ye naturall affection I Bare to my son John French Jun.r & for his Encouragem:t and advancem.t have given Granted and Do by these presents Give grant Enfeoffe & Confirm unto my son John French of Topsfeild aforses.d all yt part of my upland & meadow as hereafter mentioned with ye Bounds & having all my upland & meadow y.t I Bought of John Wile of Topsfeild in ye aforesaid Countey & an orchard upon ye Said Land Bounded as followeth The Planting Land & pasture Land Lyeth on ye North side of ye highway yt Runneth Down before ye Door Bounded on ye North with a walnut Tree Laid out by Cap.t John How & Serjeant Samuel Howlett from ye Walnut Tree to a heap of stones Running South Leaving Samuel Howlett orchard on ye west & to ye highway as ye fence now stands along by the highway to ye Corner The Road Turning to ye East & from Thence Running East NorthEast by ye fence to M.r Bakers Line on the North Till you Come to a heap of stones on the South Corner of M.r Bakers Land as ye fence standeth till you come to a walnut Tree on ye north with a Certain percell of Land Lyeth on ye south Bounded on ye Com[m]on on the Northwest from a heap of stones on the North to a fence of m.r William Perkins widow and so Running South to a heap of stones & a stake meeting with Ephraim Wilds & from thence to a white oak at ye East Corner by the highway side ye orchard Lyeth Before ye Door Bounded from a heap of stones at ye west Corner as the fence Now Runs to the East Corner And by ye fence To ye west To Have & To Hold the abovs.d Premises with appurtenances Comon Rights whatsoever To him ye Said John French Jun.r my son his heirs & assignes for Ever and the said John French Sen.r doth hereby Covenant and Promise that his son John afores.d is the True owner & stand now seized & possessed of the said premises provided he & his heirs perform ye Conditions hereafter mentioned viz ye said John French Jun.r is to Improve all my Tillage Land and meadow Ground and orchard and to give his father John French me one half of the Produce of what is Raised upon the Land meadow and orchard the said John French sen.r to pay all Taxes for the Land & what Cattle properly Belongs to him & his son John to pay for his Cattle During His father John French Naturall Life & at the Decease of his said father To pay all his Debts and funerall Charges and if his mother should survive & out Live his father then the said John is to take Care of his Said mother & Provide for her & to keep for her one Cow four sheep and Provide meat for them Winter & summer & his Said mother to have one Room In my Dwelling house with halfe the Cellar & half the Chamber of the said house and to Till one acre & half of Land yearly During his mothers Life & to give her ye produce of it and To Dress ye Land with Dung as then is occasion and to find her w.th firewood & to Cut it such a Length y.t Be fit to Lay In ye Chimny and to find her Twelve Bushells of good apples on Barrell of Cydar & Two Bushells of malt which is yearly to be paid & to pay all Rates & Taxes During his said mothers Life & at her death to give her an honourable Buriall: A percell of meadow omitted four acres Lying on y.e [illegible] meadow Bounded Joseph Andrew on ye South widow Perkins on the North and about Three acres Lying upon the Brook Called mile Brook with half a Rodd of upland as it Lyes abo.t for Carting ye hay of To Have & To Hold ye Said Premises with all the priveledges wtsoever to him the Said John French Jun.r my Son to him & his heirs for Ever In witness therof ye aboves.d parties have set to thier hands & seales 2d December 1701
John died without a will in about 1706 DA12, 1707 BE7, or perhaps on January 25, 1706 BE6 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts BE7. He probably died between March 8, 1705/6, when his son was called “John French Junr” when he was elected as a highway surveyor, and March 4, 1706/7, when his son was simply called “John French” DO20. The inventory of his estate was not dated, but included AM1:
An acount of What the seuerall things were prised atte
one horse… a browne cowe… towe pied cowes… one heffer coming towe yers olld… one black stere… one oxe… sex sheep… one swine… a parsel of flex… foder for cattel… bens… twelve bushells of corne… wering cloths… books… for arms… eleven yards of new cloth… for shets… for pillebers… for nabkns… tablel cloths… one cart whell… money [fifteen shillings]… Iran were… one hetchett… apece of all woll cloth… apece of lincy wolsy cloth… rye about a bushell… sickle… a sarten parsel of upland meddow a theplains… the bedbe [the previous word is uncertain because there is a smudge in the center of it] in the Loer roome with all the furnetur exsept shets… the trundel bede… the best bede in the chmbr [chamber]… the bede at the este end of the chamber… tow wolen whelles and a linen whell [these were spinning wheels]… tow melle sacks… sadell and pillion… a mell trofe [probably “meal trough”]… sheps wolle… puter [pewter]… bras [brass]… tow tramells… box iren goos frien pan… pote and cetell [pot and kettle] and flesh fork… tongs and slise… wooden were… cobard [cupboard] chests bede and tabels… cerdes seve and looking glas… five chers… barilles and tubes in the seler [barrels and tubs in the cellar]
A bond of administration was granted to John French of Topsfield, his son, on August 25, 1707 AM1. An agreement regarding the division of his estate was made that same day, which mentioned his children and their spouses, who were the widowed Mary Pearson, Thomas and Sarah Town, John and Pheebe Gold, Martha French, John French, Lydia French, Richard French, David and Hepsibae Shaplin, and Patience French AM1. The division of his estate stated AM1:
This Agreement made & Concluded upon this twenty fifth Day of Aug.st 1707. between John French: admr Richard French & John French Attorney to ye Widow Mary Pearson Thomes Town & Sarah his Wife John Gould & Phebee his Wife Martha French Lydia French David Shaplin & Hepsibae his Wife Patience French all Children of Mr John French Late of Topsfei[l]d in ye County of Essex in N England Decd Intestate with Respect to ye Estate of ye said Decd Which he Left undisposed of is as followeth
1. Wee Do Agree yt. our said Bro[ther] John French shall quietly & peasably Injoy all yt Estate of houseing & Land give[n] him by o[u]r said Father by Deed of gift & also one half A[c]re of Meadow Lyeing on ye norwardly side of a Brook Called Mile Brook below ye Bridge to have & to hold ye sd. Lands & Meadow to him & his heirs for ever Wee Renounceing any Claim or Title...
2. Wee Agree yt our Bror Richard French shall have all ye Land upon ye plaine being about 40 acres Excepting one Rod for a high Way to ye sd Jno to his Meadow as aforesd Which shall be to ye said Richard his heires & Assignes for ever as his part of said Estate
3. Wee ye said above named Jno French in Right of Mary Thomas Town in Right of Sarah & John Gould in Right of Pheebe Martha French Lydia French David Shaplin in Right of Hapsibae & Patience French haveing Each of us Received ye sum of fifteen pounds in Moveable Estate which is ye whole of sd Decd: Moveables or p[e]rsonall Estate which we accept of In full of o[u]r Right Title Interest & Demand…
In Testimony hereof Wee ye parties abovenamed have hereunto sett our hand & Seals ye Day & Date above written
John Gould
Phebee Gold
Martha French
Lydia French
John French
Richrd French
Jn French p Mary
Thomas towne
Signed Sealed & D[elivere]d
In pr[e]sence of us
Henery Crumpton [this surname is uncertain]
Daniel Rogers
Augt 25 1707 Then the with in mentiond: John French Rich French: John French Atturney Mary Person Widdow Thoma[s] Towne: for him selfe & in behalf of his Wife John Gold & Phebe hi[s] Wife Martha French Lydia French Daved Chaplin & Hepba [her name was cut off on the right side but the last two letters were carried over to the left side of the document] his Wife & Patience French: all appeard & acknowledg[ed] the with in mentiond Instrumt to be theire free act & Do [the previous word, like all of the other words on the right side of this document, were cut off; the common phrase that appears frequently in petitions or requests is “do ever pray”] pray that it might be acceptd. & allowd accordingly…
Phoebe Keyes (Robert, Sarah) was called “Phebe”, and she was born in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts WA21 on June 17, 1639 WA21, BE7, AN4. She was the mother of Mary, Sarah, Phebe, Martha, John, Lidiah, Richard, Phebea (Hepsibah), and Patience French.
Mary French married Steven Pearson, the son of Deacon John and Dorcas Pearson of Rowley, on November 11, 1684 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts VI9, ED9. Mary and Steven (or Stephen) Pearson were the parents of eight children whose births were recorded in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts VI9. These were Elizabeth, born on August 25, 1685, Steven, born on June 9, 1687, Martha, born on July 6, 1689, Mary, born on January 7, 1690/91, Jonathan, born on October 9, 1693, Patience, born on July 26, 1697, and Hepsibah, born on January 20, 1698/9 VI9. Steven died on January 5 or 25, 1705/6 ED9 and Mary Pearson, a widow, was named in the division of her father’s estate on August 25, 1707 AM1. Mary Pearson died on September 27, 1730 ED9.
Sarah French, the daughter of John, was born on March 1, 1664 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts MA20, VI10. Sarah French married Thomas Towne on March 17, 1684/5 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. Sarah and Thomas Town were named in the division of John French’s estate on August 25, 1707 AM1. Thomas and Sarah Towne were the parents of seven children whose births or baptisms were recorded in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. These were Edmond, born on January 28, 1685/6, Experience, baptized on June 24, 1688, Thomas, baptized on October 18, 1691, Sarah, born on May 8, 1694, Edna, born on December 23, 1696, Richard, born on July 16, 1700, and Marcy, born on July 7, 1703 VI10. She may have been the Sarah Towne who was described as “an aged woman” in her death record dated November 1, 1761 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10.
Phebe French, the daughter of John, was born on May 8, 1667 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts MA20, VI10. Phebe French married John Gould on November 10, 1684 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. John and Pheebe Gold were named in the division of John French’s estate on August 25, 1707 AM1. Phebe and John Gould were the parents of ten children whose births were recorded in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. These were Phebe, born on July 7, 1685, John, born on August 25, 1687, Mary, baptized on November 3, 1689, Nathaniell, baptized on October 25, 1691, Sarah, born on September 8, 1694, Hannah, born on June 19, 1697, Daniell, bon on November 8, 1699, David, born on December 25, 1701, Solomon, born on March 19, 1703/4, and Lydia, born on May 3, 1707 VI10. The Topsfield records began to refer to John as Corporal John Gould in 1694 with the birth of his daughter, Sarah VI10. Phebe Gould was said to have died on April 25, 1718 and John Gould was said to have died on November 5, 1724 ED9.
Martha French, the daughter of John, was born on August 9, 1669 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts MA20, VI10. Martha French was named in the division of her father’s estate on August 25, 1707 AM1.
John French, the son of John, was born on August 26, 1671 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts MA20, VI10, DO16. John French married Elizabeth ED9. John and Elesabeth French were the parents of eight children whose births were recorded in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. These were Elesabeth, born on April 6, 1696, Jemimah, born on January 31, 1697/8, Abner, born on November 17, 1699, Kezia, born on July 6, 1702, John, born on November 22, 1704, Mary, baptized on October 27, 1706, Joseph, born on August 10, 1709, and Samuel, born on January 29, 1710/11 VI10. John was named in the division of his father’s estate on August 25, 1707 AM1. John French, a husbandman of Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, wrote his will on February 26, 1728/9 in which he named his wife, Elisabeth, as his sole executrix, his eldest son, Abner French, his other sons, John, Joseph, and Samuell French, and his three daughters, Elisabeth, Jemima, and Keziah CO31. John French died on April 20, 1730 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut ED9 and his will was proved on April 28, 1735 CO31.
Lidiah French, the daughter of John, was born on May 17, 1674 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts MA20, VI10. Lydia French was named in the division of her father’s estate on August 25, 1707 AM1. She may have been the Lydia French who married Nathaniel Averill on June 17, 1730 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10. Lydia Averell, the wife of Nathaniel, died on May 31, 1746, and Nathaniel Averell died on April 3, 1751, both in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10.
Richard French, the son of John, was born on August 18, 1676 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts MA20, VI10. Richard French married Elizabeth, who was born about 1680 according to a copy of the inscription on her gravestone taken prior to 1908 (which at that time stated that she died at age seventy-three on April 30, 1752) ED9. Richard and Elizabeth French were the parents of ten children whose births were recorded in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut EN11. Ammee Frenc, the daughter of Richard and Elizebeth Frence, was born on May 6, 1700 EN11. Elizobeth Frence, the daughter of Richard and Elizobeth Frence, was born on August 3, 1702 EN11. Phebee Frenc, the daughter of Richard and Elezobath French, was born on December 20, 1704 EN11. Feebee Frence, the daughter of Richard and Elezebath Frence, was born on March 16, 1706/7 EN11. Ephraim Frence, the son of Richard and Elezebeth Frence, was born on May 15, 1708 EN11. Exsperienc (Experience) Frence, the daughter of Richard and Elezobath Frenc, was born on August 3, 1710 EN11. Richard Frenc, the son of Richard and Elizabath Frenc, was born on September 18, 1712 EN11. Hepzibath French, the daughter of Richard and Elisabeth French, was born on December 9, 1714 EN11. John French, the son of Richard and Elisabeth French, was born on March 30, 1716 EN11. Aliss French, the daughter of Richard and Elisabeth French, was born on April 30, 1720 EN11. Richard was named in the division of his father’s estate on August 25, 1707 AM1. He wrote his will on May 24, 1745 which was presented in court on July 5, 1757 ED9. While a photo of Elizabeth’s gravestone can be located on the Find a Grave website, the stone is currently half-buried; she is buried at the Enfield Street Cemetery in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut. Richard French is buried at the same cemetery and a copy of his gravestone inscription taken prior to 1908 stated that he died at age eighty-two on March 13, 1757; a photo of his broken gravestone can also be located on the Find a Grave website.
Phebea French, the daughter of John, was born on February 2, 1678 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts MA20, VI10.
Patience French, the daughter of John, was born on August 23, 1681 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts MA20, VI10. Patience French was named in the division of her father’s estate on August 25, 1707 AM1. The marriage record for “paciance fren…” and “Jams forman” indicated they were married on August 3, 1711 in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut EN11. James and Patience were the parents of five children whose births were recorded in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut EN11. James and “Pacence” Forman were the parents of James, born on May 7, 1713 EN11. James and Patiance Ferman were the parents of John, born on March 31, 1714 EN11. James and Patiance Ferman were the parents of twins Joseph and Benjamin, born on May 16, 1717 EN11. James and Patience Ferman were the parents of Richard, born on September 21, 1719 EN11. James Ferman, husbandman of “Enfield Inthecounty of hampshear In newingland”, wrote his will on Febrauary 10, 1720/21 in which he named and appointed “pachance my well beloved wife” as his sole executrix and stated that he had seven minor sons, naming his eldest as James AM1. This will was presented to the probate court on May 16, 1721 AM1, indicating that James died in 1721 ED9. Richard French had a bond of guardianship for Richard Ferman on May 16, 1738; Richard Ferman was called “a minor of above fourteen Years of age & one of the Heirs of James Ferman late of Enfield in the County of Hampshire, deceased” AM1. Patience Forman and Ebenezer Spencer married March 8, 1726 in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut EN11. Ebenezer Spencer died before April 12, 1741 ED9, and Patiance Spencer was called a widow when she and Ephraim Colman of Coventry declared their intent to marry on September 2, 1747 in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut EN11.
Phoebe was said to have committed suicide by drowning on May 13, 1701 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts VI10, BE7, DA12. One Topsfield church record stated that Phebe French died on May 14, 1701, and another stated that the wife of John French “drownd herself” on May 13, 1701 VI10, but she was alive on December 2, 1701 when John made a deed to their son, John French, Jr., which specifically mentioned the various duties that John French, Jr. must perform for his mother ES9.
These photographs of John and Phoebe French’s house, allegedly built in about 1675 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts BE6, DA12, were kindly provided by Mara French. According to the National Register of Historic Places database, a part of the National Park Service website, this house is located at 86 Howlett Road in Topsfield, but the database indicated that it was built in 1718, after the deaths of both John and Phoebe.