William FRENCH
1603 - 1681 (78 years)-
Name William FRENCH Birth 15 Mar 1603 Halstead, Essex, England 
Gender Male Death 20 Nov 1681 Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts Person ID I21693 kirkpatrick Last Modified 4 Jul 2006
Father Thomas Edward FRENCH, b. 1562, Wethersfield, Essex, England d. 27 Jan 1613, Halstead, Essex, England (Age 51 years) Mother Anne Agnes OLMSTEAD, b. 1566, Halstead, Essex, England d. 11 Feb 1624, Halstead, Essex, England (Age 58 years) Marriage 1587 Farnham, England Family ID F7188 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family Mary LOTHROP, b. 4 Oct 1640, Barnstable, Barnstable, Massachusetts d. 3 Feb 1680, Watertown, Middlesex, Massachsuetts (Age 39 years) Marriage 6 May 1669 Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts Children 1. Sarah FRENCH, b. 29 Oct 1671, Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts d. Yes, date unknownFamily ID F7186 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 8 Apr 2007
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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 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.