Notes:

William French was born in Halstead, Essex County, England March 15,1603. He was a tailor and came to America with the Rev. Thomas Shepard inthe "Defence" in 1635, bringing his wife Elizabeth and four children. Hesettled at Cambridge and in 1652 was one of 13 petitioners for theseparation of Billerica, formerly Shawshin, from Cambridge.

In 1647 he was Lieutenant and afterward Captain of Militia. In 1659 hewas authorized to soleminize marriages within Billerica and Chelmsford.

He served as selectman 1660-4 and 1670-3, and was the author of thefamous tract entitled "Strength out of weakness" published in London andreprinted by the Boston Historical Society. His wife died March 31, 1668,and he remarried on May 6, 1669, to Mary Lathrop of Barnstable, dau. ofThomas Lathrop and widow of John Stearns of Billerica. He died Nov. 20,1681.

Note: Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, Vice President DickCheney, Walt Disney and inventor Eli Whitney are all descendants ofWilliam French.

William married Mary LOTHROP on 6 May 1669 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of Thomas LOTHROP and Sarah LEARNED) was born on 4 Oct 1640 in Barnstable, Barnstable, Massachusetts; died on 3 Feb 1680 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachsuetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sarah FRENCH was born on 29 Oct 1671 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts; and died.

Thomas married Anne Agnes OLMSTEAD in 1587 in Farnham, England. Anne (daughter of John HOLMSTEAD and Palladia UNKNOWN) was born in 1566 in Halstead, Essex, England; died on 11 Feb 1624 in Halstead, Essex, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

FRENCH, THOMAS, the elder of Wethersfield, Essex, gentleman, 23 July,1599.
To poor of Halstead 40/- Ditto of West Wratting Cambridge 20/- Ditto ofSnettisham Norfolk Ð3. Ditto of Much Bardfield 40/- Ditto of LittleBardfield 20/- Ditto of Whethersfield 40/- Ditto of Arkesden 20/-.
To my daughter Mary now the wife of John Collin Ð20, and to her childrenJohn, William, Mary and Elizabeth Collin Ð20 each to be paid them "in theSouth Porch of the Parish Church of Much Bardfield."
To my daughter Elizabeth now the wife of John Meade Ð20 and to herchildren Edward, Elizabeth, John and Agnes Meade Ð20 each to be paid asbefor
To the children of my son Thomas French (not named) Ð10 each.
To Thomas Girton one of the servants of my said son 10/-
To John French son of my son Thomas a silver bowl.
To my wife Bridgit Ð5 and such goods as I had with her and possessed atthe time of our marriage. Res. & Ex. son Thomas. Wit: Thomas Reynoldes,William Younge, William Purcas. Proved 31 Oct., 1599 by the Executornamed. (P.C.C. Kidd, 73.)

Thomas married Bridget Elizabeth UNKNOWN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Palladia UNKNOWN in 1565 in Halstead, Essex, England. Palladia was born in 1542 in Halstead, Essex, England; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]