Thomas and Susan French of Ipswich, and their Sons and Daughters

Thomas French, son of Jacob French and Susan French, was born October 1584 in Assington, Suffolk, England, and married Susan Riddlesdale French, daughter of John Riddlesdale and Dorcas Riddlesdale, also of Assington, on September 5, 1608. Both were born in 1584.

The largest contingent to arrive in Ipswich from the same village was 15 men and women from Assington, where the Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, who would become a minister in Ipswich, had been the minister just prior to his emigration to the New World. This group included Thomas French Jr. and his father, Thomas French. Sr., John Proctor, Mark Quilter, and John Wyatt. Susan, the wife of Thomas French Sr., was the sister-in-law of John Wyatt’s wife. Luke Heard and his wife Sarah Riddlesdale (the step-daughter of John Wyatt) also came to Ipswich after first settling in Salisbury.

Thomas and Susan French immigrated in 1635, five years after their son, Thomas Jr. Thomas French Sr., a tailor, took the freeman’s oath at Boston and relocated to Ipswich, where he was admitted to the Church on January 27, 1639. Thomas French Sr. was granted a house lot on today’s Washington St. between Thomas Scott and Robert Mussey.

Thomas French was among the signers in 1637 of a petition of remonstrance against the departure of John Winthrop Jr. He subscribed to Gen. Daniel Denison’s compensation in 1638, and died Nov. 5, 1639, in Ipswich. His wife, Susan, died Aug. 1658, also in Ipswich. Administration of her estate was granted to her son John.

The home of Thomas French Sr. was inherited by his son Thomas, the Constable of the Town, who expanded the property to the intersection with Market St. John Stiles and Mary, and Esther French, seamstress, heirs of Thomas French Jr., all of Boxford, sold Dr. Samuel Wallis “the homestead of our father French, two acres” on Aug. 1, 1718 (34: 198).

The widow Sarah Rust, daughter and heir of Samuel Wallis, sold this lot to Nathaniel Rust, bounded west by Nathaniel Farley, Jan. 4, 1794 (158: 219). Rust sold to Aaron Kimball, and he conveyed to Robert Kimball, and Ebenezer 3d, on March 1, 1814 (203: 32). Ebenezer conveyed his interest to Robert, Sept. 29, 1836 (295: 68). It was called the “Rust lot” in a conveyance (291: 289). Captain Robert Kimball included this entire corner lot in the sale to the Eastern Railroad Co. on Oct. 21, 1836 (295:116), which is where the former Ipswich Depot was located.

Thomas French’s Planting Lot at Reedy Marsh

Thomas French Jr. was a commoner, but owned a small planting lot near his home. An April 1647 deed of conveyance reads, “This witnesseth that I, Thomas French, of Ipswich, tailor, for and in consideration of £5 by me received have sould unto George Varnham ten acres of upland ground at Reedy Marsh lying between the land of Mr. John Whittingham, Robert Day and Goodman Pearley. The location of those lots is shown in Diagram 2 of the land grants to the early settlers, about where Mineral Street is today. The commuter rail lines run through part of this property. It is also said that he sold a farm to George Davision in the same year, 1647.

Reedy Marsh was a swampy area that crosses High Street and continues north, west of the railroad tracks along Muddy Brook. Certain planting lots in the commons were sometimes referred to as the “Pequit Lots”, possibly referring to an Algonquin word for a watery place. Thomas Scott, whose house lot abutted that of Thomas French, was also given privileges in the Pequit Lots. From the Records of the Ipswich Quarterly Court: “Deed May 25, 1654: Thomas Scott, his house and barn and six acres of land about it, also two acres in the swamp on the other side of the way, also 15 acres in the common field commonly called the Pequit Lots.”

The Family of Thomas French Sr. and his wife, Susan Riddlesdale

Thomas French Sr. died November 05, 1639, in Ipswich, and his wife, Susan, died August 10, 1658. The children of Thomas and Susan French were:

Thomas French Jr. married Mary Scudmore in Gloucester, England. He inherited his father’s house at the intersection of today’s Market St. and Depot Square.

Alice French was born on Apr. 9, 1610, in Assington and immigrated in 1630 with her brother, Thomas. She married Sgt. Thomas Howlett whose first lot was on Agawam Ave. by the Town Wharf. They relocated to Topsfield, where she died on June 26, 1666. Howlett St. in Topsfield is named for the family, and is also the location of a house constructed for John French about 1675.

Ann French was baptised on 15 Mar 1617/18 in Assington and immigrated in 1637. She married Thomas Hardy, who was one of the dozen men who arrived in Agawam to create the town of Ipswich in 1633. Hardy was indentured to John Winthrop Jr., and had a house lot at the end of today’s Agawam Ave., with Thomas Howlett’s lot north. The couple moved to a remote area of Rowley that became the town of Bradford, which was later incorporated into Haverhill.

Amee French married Sgt. John Gage, and died in Ipswich. John Gage was on the first board of government in Ipswich, along with Mr. John Winthrop Jr., Mr. Bradstreet, Mr. Denison, Goodman Perkins, Goodman Scott, John Gage, and Mr. Wade, chosen to order business for three months. John Gage was granted a lot near Thomas French, about where the train tracks cross at the beginning of Washington Street, but was also granted, or acquired a six-acre lot, as did Thomas Howlett, at Mannings Neck, which is today’s Newmarch St. He also received a lot on Water Street where the Reginald Foster House stands.

Dorcas French was born on July 9, 1614, in Assington. For three or four years, she worked as a servant in the family of John Winthrop. A letter written by Thomas Gostlin to John Winthrop, Jr., from Groton on Jun. 11, 1633, refers to both Dorcas and Susan: “She is one of the goodman French’s daughters of Assington. I have sent two of them, one for your father and the other for you. Your father must take his choice. The eldest must serve for 3 years, and the youngest for 4. Pray let them be dealt as well with all as any of the same quality.” She married first, Christopher Peake of Roxbury, MA. She married second, Griffin Craft, of Roxbury. Dorcas French died Dec. 30, 1697, or in October 1694 in Roxbury. It is unclear if she ever lived in Ipswich.

Susan French was born in Apr 1616 in Assington, and immigrated in 1633. She married Henry Kingsbury, Jr. in Ipswich. The long house at 52-54 High St. is on the lot granted to Henry Kingsbury and is referred to as the Kingsbury-Lord House, although its oldest section was constructed in the early 18th century.

Margaret French died young and was the only child of Thomas French, who was not listed on the immigration records.

John French, born on May 26, 1622, in Assington, Suffolk, England, and immigrated in 1635. His occupation was weaver, and like his father, was a tailor. He married Freedom Kingsley, in 1654, a servant of William Lane in Dorchester. He was living in Ipswich in 1677 when his occupation was listed as a tailor, and sold all several properties, indicating that he probably moved from Ipswich in 1677 to Northampton. Ipswich Deed IV:99: “I John French of Ipswich, Tayler for forty five pounds payd unto me by Thomas Lull of the same Towne weaver, sell my now dwelling house and land with barne, out houses, yards, orchyards, Gardens, fences, with all apptenances, containing by estimation two acres scituate in Ipswich, Having the land of Thomas Mattcalfe (Metcalf) toward the south, the land of Joseph Quilter toward the west, John Pindar’s land toward the north, the street or way toward the east. To have and to hold . . . and peaceably to possess, from the first day of June next coming which will be in the yeare 1678″ signed by John French and Ffreedom French, Recorded June 22th, 1677. This deed indicates that the home of John French was in the vicinity of the intersection of Central and High Streets. John French died in Northampton in 1697 at the age of 74, where he is buried at the Bridge Street Cemetery.

Mary French was born January 26, 1625, in Assington, Suffolk, England. She married George Smith of Ipswich, whose home was at the north end of the Burying Ground on High Street. She died February 1, 1696, in Deerfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts.

Thomas French Jr.

Thomas French, the eldest son of Thomas French Sr., was born Nov. 27, 1608, in Assington. He immigrated in 1630 in the Winthrop Fleet of eleven ships with about 700 colonists. first arriving in Boston, then moved to Ipswich, where he died on August 8, 1680. He married Mary Scudamore, ca. 1631, who died May 6, 1681. In the next few years, three of his sisters, Alice, Dorcas and Susan, also immigrated to New England.

In late 1636, Reverend Nathaniel Rogers, the Vicar of Assington, immigrated from England to Ipswich, where he became the pastor until his death in 1665. Four additional Assington families also came with Rev. Rogers. Over the next year, Thomas French (the father), his wife, Susan, and the remaining children also crossed the Atlantic to settle in Ipswich, where he first appears on record in 1638 with a grant of land.

The Revolt Against Gov. Andros

Thomas French ² was a leader in the revolt against Governor Andros, for which Ipswich is known as the “Birthplace of American Independence.” Warrants for the arrest of the leaders were issued, and the first was against the Constable Thomas French, John Appleton Moderator and town clerk John Andrews, the “Disaffected & evil Disposed persons within ye said Town as yet unknown on ye 23rd day of August last past, being met & assembled together at Ipswich aforesaid; who Did in a most factious & Seditious & Contemptuous manner then & there vote & agree that they were not willing nor would not Choose a Commissioner as by a Warrant From his Majesty’s Treasurer & Receiver General in pursuance of ye laws of this his Majesty’s Dominion to ye Constable & Selectmen of ye said Town.”

Warrants were soon issued for Samuel Appleton, William Goodhue, Robert Kinsman, the Rev. John Wise of Chebacco, Clerk, and William Hewlett of Ipswich, Husbandman. From the deposition of Thomas French, he and his associates were taken to Boston when arrested, examined by the Governor, and then committed to the stone jail in Boston, where they were kept until their examination before the Council, and then returned to it, awaiting their trial. Thomas French was sentenced not to bear office: fined £15 and released on £500 bail subject to good behavior for one year.

The Ipswich Town meeting was held on August 23, 1687. But on the night before, there was a meeting of the Selectmen and other leading citizens at the house of Mr. John Appleton, Junior, the Town Clerk, to determine the course of action that they would advise the Town to adopt regarding Gov. Andros’ order that every town appoint a tax collector.

The Selectmen were Lieut. John Andrews, Moderator, Lieut. Thomas Burnam, Mr. John Whipple, Quartermaster Robert Kinsman, Sergeant Thomas Harte, Mr. John Appleton, Jun., and Nathathaniel Treadwell. Meeting with them were John Wise, Pastor of the church at Chebacco, now Essex, Constable Thomas French, Nehemiah Jewett, Wilham Goodhue, Jun., William Howlett, Simon Stace, and others, numbering about a dozen in all.

Upon receiving news of the Ipswich town meeting, Sir Edmund Andros issued a warrant, “Whereas I have received Information that Thomas French Constable of Ipswich in ye County of Essex, John Andrews of ye same place & John Appleton of ye same place, clerk with divers other Disaffected & evil Desposed persons within ye sd Town as yett unknown on ye 23^rd day of August last past being met & assembled together at Ipswich aforesaid Did in a most factious & Seditious & Contemptuous manner then & there vote & agree that they were not willing nor would not Choose a Commissioner as by a Warrant from John Usher Esq., his Majesties Treasurer & Receiver General, in pursuance of ye laws of this his Majesty’s Dominion.”

Thomas French and the others listed in the warrant were arrested and taken to Boston, examined by the Governor, and then committed to the stone jail in Boston, where they were kept until their examination before the Council, and then were returned to the jail, awaiting their trial.

Thomas French would later bring suit against the colony’s government, testifying that he “received injuries from under Sir Edmond Andros who sent for me by one Joseph Smith, baliff, with a warant under Sir Edmon Andros’ hand who brought me to Boston to the Governor’s house some time in September, 1687, who examined me of many things and if I was not at Mr. Appleton’s & the meeting, which I owned… then he sent for two files of red coats and committed me to the stone house for eleven days. In the meanwhile we were examined by the Council and after that I was sent to prison with a Commitment for high misdemeanors before the Council; there I remained till a court of oyer and terminer was held where I was tried upon life and death for high treason against the King and nothing proved of that nature. And then I was fined sixteen pounds, and the Court charge came to sixteen more with other charges, which amounted to forty pounds besides twenty weeks’ imprisonment. I was then Constable, and had to borrow the money and pay interest on the same. I hope it will be considered.”

The French-Andrews House, Topsfield

John French, son of Thomas French Jr., was born in Ipswich in 1635. He married Phoebe, daughter of Robert and Sarah Keyes of Watertown. He was a tailor and moved to Topsfield, MA, about 1664, the year their daughter was born. John French and his wife were both members of the Topsfield church, where an entry dated May 13, 1701, stated, “John French, his wife, drowned.”

The one-story home of John and Phoebe French was located on Howlett St. and in 1718 was sold to Joseph Andrews. In the late 18th century, it was raised to two stories, and the easterly end was added. About the time of World War I, it was purchased by Thomas E. Proctor and was greatly renovated, and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The house was for sale in 2006 and was again renovated. The House sold again in 2019.

John French’s son John Edward French was born in Topsfield in 1671 and moved to Norwich, Connecticut, in about 1718. His son Abner French was born in Topsfield in 1699 and died in New London, CT, in 1788.

Children of John and Phoebe French:

• Mary French married on Nov. 11, 1684, Stephen Pearson, son of Deacon John and Dorcas Pearson, of Rowley.
• Sarah French, born March 1, 1664/5, married March 17, 1684/5. Thomas Towne of Topsfield.
• Phebe French, born May 8, 1677, married Nov. 10, 1684, John Gould, son of Zaccheus Gould.
• John French Jr. was born in Topsfield, Aug. 26, 1671, called yeoman and planter in deeds. He was chosen surveyor of highways twice, fence viewer twice, juryman, constable, and tythingman, once each. He received the homestead from his father by deed in 1701 and sold it for £400, June 16, 1718, to Joseph Andrews of Boxford, the deed conveying ” about forty-seven acres “. John French Jr. removed to Norwich, Connecticut, about 1718.
• Richard French, born in Topsfield, Aug. 18, 1676, called husbandman and yeoman in deeds, removed to Enfield, Connecticut, as early as 1699.
• Hephzibah French, born in Topsfield, Feb. 2, 1678/9, married, Nov. 13, 1704, David Shapley, or Shepley, of Marblehead.
• Patience French, born in Topsfield, Aug. 23, 1681, married in Enfield, Conn., Aug. 3, 1711, James, son of John and Elizabeth Ferman, or Fairman.
• Ephraim French, born in Enfield, May 15, 1708, was on the lists of proprietors for lots on Feb. 6, 1729.
• Richard French, born in Enfield, Sept. 18, 1712.
• John French, born in Enfield, March 30, 1716.

Sources and Further Reading:

• Ipswich in the Massachusetts Bay Colony by Thomas Franklin Waters
• Hammatt Papers: Early inhabitants of Ipswich, Mass. 1633-1700 by Abraham Hammatt
• Geni: Thomas French
• Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts; 1635 – 1681
• Waters: Thomas French lot
• Arrival of the English, excerpts from Crotchets of Division by Alison Vannah
• Gapinski Ancestry
• Ancestral Lines
• Ancestors.org
• Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts; 1635 – 1681: Inventory of the Estate of Susan French
• Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts; 1635 – 1681: Estate of Thomas French Sr.
• Wikitree: John French
• Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society: “John French and Some of His Descendants”
• Specific Ancestral Lines: John French of Topsfield
• Miner Descent: John French of Ipswich and Northampton
• WikiTree: Thomas French (1657 – 1733) of Northampton (son of John French)