Family/Spouse: Thomas FRENCH. Thomas was born about 1530 in Wethersfield, Essex, England; died on 23 Jul 1599 in Wethersfield, Essex, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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:

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]

Sarah married Joseph CROSBY on 6 May 1691. Joseph (son of Simon CROSBY and Rachel BRACKETT) was born on 5 Jul 1669 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]