According to Rev. Samuel Niles' journal, now in the local historical society, Thomas French is buried in what became the Elm Street Cemetery. It was then the brand-new burying ground of the second precinct inside old Braintree, across from the town's second town-authorized church, not tax-subsidized like the first church to the north, but financed "by subscription". Rev. Niles' journal shows Thomas among the very first burials there.
Local historian and biographer Sprague, writing over a century later, knew of Thomas French, giving his location. He had lived nearby, not far to the southwest of the church, with his much younger wife and the many survivors of their ten children.
Thomas' brother, Dependence French, lived a bit northeast, at the homestead of their immigrant parents, John and Grace. That homestead was just above where the east end of Elm Street abuts on to modern Commercial Street, the old "highway" (wide cart trail) going down to the Plymouth colony.
Cow kicks, not vandalisms, destroyed many of the old stones according to a cemetery archeologist hired short-term, circa 2010-2011, by the modern town of Braintree.
Thomas' brother, Dependence French, as part of a committee, purchased the ground, maybe not getting the best terms, as the prior owner's livestock retained a right to continue grazing there. They would have been desperate, people were dying so fast, with Dependence the only one of their siblings still alive at the end of the mystery sickness that began by taking Thomas and perhaps ended with the death of their sister Temperance French, married to John Bowditch.
Dependence's eldest son, John, like Dependence, would survive the sickness. He was reported to be a trapper and hunter, not just a farmer/miller.
The above is from information provided by Find A Grave contributor, JBrown, IA, MN, Calif, Austin TX – many thanks!
Thomas2 (John1) French, born Mar.10,1657/8 says Thayer Memorial (no date now on town records)
died Sep.22,1717
married about 1695-6, Elizabeth Belcher, born Jun.22,1677, died Dec.23,1718, dau. of Samuel & Mary (Billings) Belcher.
He was elected surveyor of highways for Monatiquot 1694, Constable 1698, fenceviewer 1706,1714. He probably built the homestead at corner of Washington & Union Sts. still occupied (1955) by the family in 1700, says S.A. Bates.
Children of Thomas & Elizabeth born at Braintree
Elizabeth b Dec.16,1696, m. Jan.24,1722/3, Seth Chapin Jr. of Mendon as 2nd wife.
+ Thomas b Aug.5,1698
+ Moses b Feb.16,1699/1700
+ Jonathan b Jun.20,1702
Rachel b Mar.26,1704, m. Apr.28,1730 Eleazer4Thayer (Cornelius3Richard2-1)
Samuel b Sep.-,1706 (bapt. Sep.8) died Jul.29,1724;- a. about 17- Diary of Rev. S. Niles.
Abijah b May 25,1709. Removed to Mendon & m. "Habijah" of Mendon Oct.30,1735 at Bellingham, Joanna Holbrook.
Ebenezer b Sep.9,1711, m. May 25,1736 at Milton, Mary Fuller. Resided in Milton.
Sarah b Feb.16,1714 (sic) bapt. Jan.24,1713/14, m. Feb.27,1733 at Mendon, Benjamin Chapin.
+ Seth Oct.25,1716
(Genealogies of the Families of Braintree, MA by Waldo C. Sprague, Card 1768R)
N.S.10-80: Thomas & Moses French were bonded with Ephraim Thayer & Alexander French as administrators of estate of their father & mother.
S.P.21-431: Thomas & Moses made administrators of father & mother, Thomas & Elizabeth French, Jul.6,1719.
21-603, Inventory of Thomas French Aug.2,1719, taken by Ephraim Thayer, Ephraim Jones & Gregory Belcher: Dwelling house, barn & 12 a. adjoining £85. 6 a. on E. side of road £30. Meadow & swamp joining to Monatagood River by estimation 22 a. £80. 30 a. upland & meadow in Aldridge farm £60. 2 a. lying within the Hubarts land £4. 1/5 of a sawmill & 2 shares cedar swamp & all the shares in land called the Purchase land £25. 1 a. salt marsh in Milton £10.
Total £554/15/
25-317: Account
(Genealogies of the Families of Braintree, MA by Waldo Chamberlain Sprague, Card 1768)
Local historian and biographer Sprague, writing over a century later, knew of Thomas French, giving his location. He had lived nearby, not far to the southwest of the church, with his much younger wife and the many survivors of their ten children.
Thomas' brother, Dependence French, lived a bit northeast, at the homestead of their immigrant parents, John and Grace. That homestead was just above where the east end of Elm Street abuts on to modern Commercial Street, the old "highway" (wide cart trail) going down to the Plymouth colony.
Cow kicks, not vandalisms, destroyed many of the old stones according to a cemetery archeologist hired short-term, circa 2010-2011, by the modern town of Braintree.
Thomas' brother, Dependence French, as part of a committee, purchased the ground, maybe not getting the best terms, as the prior owner's livestock retained a right to continue grazing there. They would have been desperate, people were dying so fast, with Dependence the only one of their siblings still alive at the end of the mystery sickness that began by taking Thomas and perhaps ended with the death of their sister Temperance French, married to John Bowditch.
Dependence's eldest son, John, like Dependence, would survive the sickness. He was reported to be a trapper and hunter, not just a farmer/miller.
The above is from information provided by Find A Grave contributor, JBrown, IA, MN, Calif, Austin TX – many thanks!
Thomas2 (John1) French, born Mar.10,1657/8 says Thayer Memorial (no date now on town records)
died Sep.22,1717
married about 1695-6, Elizabeth Belcher, born Jun.22,1677, died Dec.23,1718, dau. of Samuel & Mary (Billings) Belcher.
He was elected surveyor of highways for Monatiquot 1694, Constable 1698, fenceviewer 1706,1714. He probably built the homestead at corner of Washington & Union Sts. still occupied (1955) by the family in 1700, says S.A. Bates.
Children of Thomas & Elizabeth born at Braintree
Elizabeth b Dec.16,1696, m. Jan.24,1722/3, Seth Chapin Jr. of Mendon as 2nd wife.
+ Thomas b Aug.5,1698
+ Moses b Feb.16,1699/1700
+ Jonathan b Jun.20,1702
Rachel b Mar.26,1704, m. Apr.28,1730 Eleazer4Thayer (Cornelius3Richard2-1)
Samuel b Sep.-,1706 (bapt. Sep.8) died Jul.29,1724;- a. about 17- Diary of Rev. S. Niles.
Abijah b May 25,1709. Removed to Mendon & m. "Habijah" of Mendon Oct.30,1735 at Bellingham, Joanna Holbrook.
Ebenezer b Sep.9,1711, m. May 25,1736 at Milton, Mary Fuller. Resided in Milton.
Sarah b Feb.16,1714 (sic) bapt. Jan.24,1713/14, m. Feb.27,1733 at Mendon, Benjamin Chapin.
+ Seth Oct.25,1716
(Genealogies of the Families of Braintree, MA by Waldo C. Sprague, Card 1768R)
N.S.10-80: Thomas & Moses French were bonded with Ephraim Thayer & Alexander French as administrators of estate of their father & mother.
S.P.21-431: Thomas & Moses made administrators of father & mother, Thomas & Elizabeth French, Jul.6,1719.
21-603, Inventory of Thomas French Aug.2,1719, taken by Ephraim Thayer, Ephraim Jones & Gregory Belcher: Dwelling house, barn & 12 a. adjoining £85. 6 a. on E. side of road £30. Meadow & swamp joining to Monatagood River by estimation 22 a. £80. 30 a. upland & meadow in Aldridge farm £60. 2 a. lying within the Hubarts land £4. 1/5 of a sawmill & 2 shares cedar swamp & all the shares in land called the Purchase land £25. 1 a. salt marsh in Milton £10.
Total £554/15/
25-317: Account
(Genealogies of the Families of Braintree, MA by Waldo Chamberlain Sprague, Card 1768)
According to Rev. Samuel Niles' journal, now in the local historical society, Thomas French is buried in what became the Elm Street Cemetery. It was then the brand-new burying ground of the second precinct inside old Braintree, across from the town's second town-authorized church, not tax-subsidized like the first church to the north, but financed "by subscription". Rev. Niles' journal shows Thomas among the very first burials there.
Local historian and biographer Sprague, writing over a century later, knew of Thomas French, giving his location. He had lived nearby, not far to the southwest of the church, with his much younger wife and the many survivors of their ten children.
Thomas' brother, Dependence French, lived a bit northeast, at the homestead of their immigrant parents, John and Grace. That homestead was just above where the east end of Elm Street abuts on to modern Commercial Street, the old "highway" (wide cart trail) going down to the Plymouth colony.
Cow kicks, not vandalisms, destroyed many of the old stones according to a cemetery archeologist hired short-term, circa 2010-2011, by the modern town of Braintree.
Thomas' brother, Dependence French, as part of a committee, purchased the ground, maybe not getting the best terms, as the prior owner's livestock retained a right to continue grazing there. They would have been desperate, people were dying so fast, with Dependence the only one of their siblings still alive at the end of the mystery sickness that began by taking Thomas and perhaps ended with the death of their sister Temperance French, married to John Bowditch.
Dependence's eldest son, John, like Dependence, would survive the sickness. He was reported to be a trapper and hunter, not just a farmer/miller.
The above is from information provided by Find A Grave contributor, JBrown, IA, MN, Calif, Austin TX – many thanks!
Thomas2 (John1) French, born Mar.10,1657/8 says Thayer Memorial (no date now on town records)
died Sep.22,1717
married about 1695-6, Elizabeth Belcher, born Jun.22,1677, died Dec.23,1718, dau. of Samuel & Mary (Billings) Belcher.
He was elected surveyor of highways for Monatiquot 1694, Constable 1698, fenceviewer 1706,1714. He probably built the homestead at corner of Washington & Union Sts. still occupied (1955) by the family in 1700, says S.A. Bates.
Children of Thomas & Elizabeth born at Braintree
Elizabeth b Dec.16,1696, m. Jan.24,1722/3, Seth Chapin Jr. of Mendon as 2nd wife.
+ Thomas b Aug.5,1698
+ Moses b Feb.16,1699/1700
+ Jonathan b Jun.20,1702
Rachel b Mar.26,1704, m. Apr.28,1730 Eleazer4Thayer (Cornelius3Richard2-1)
Samuel b Sep.-,1706 (bapt. Sep.8) died Jul.29,1724;- a. about 17- Diary of Rev. S. Niles.
Abijah b May 25,1709. Removed to Mendon & m. "Habijah" of Mendon Oct.30,1735 at Bellingham, Joanna Holbrook.
Ebenezer b Sep.9,1711, m. May 25,1736 at Milton, Mary Fuller. Resided in Milton.
Sarah b Feb.16,1714 (sic) bapt. Jan.24,1713/14, m. Feb.27,1733 at Mendon, Benjamin Chapin.
+ Seth Oct.25,1716
(Genealogies of the Families of Braintree, MA by Waldo C. Sprague, Card 1768R)
N.S.10-80: Thomas & Moses French were bonded with Ephraim Thayer & Alexander French as administrators of estate of their father & mother.
S.P.21-431: Thomas & Moses made administrators of father & mother, Thomas & Elizabeth French, Jul.6,1719.
21-603, Inventory of Thomas French Aug.2,1719, taken by Ephraim Thayer, Ephraim Jones & Gregory Belcher: Dwelling house, barn & 12 a. adjoining £85. 6 a. on E. side of road £30. Meadow & swamp joining to Monatagood River by estimation 22 a. £80. 30 a. upland & meadow in Aldridge farm £60. 2 a. lying within the Hubarts land £4. 1/5 of a sawmill & 2 shares cedar swamp & all the shares in land called the Purchase land £25. 1 a. salt marsh in Milton £10.
Total £554/15/
25-317: Account
(Genealogies of the Families of Braintree, MA by Waldo Chamberlain Sprague, Card 1768)
Local historian and biographer Sprague, writing over a century later, knew of Thomas French, giving his location. He had lived nearby, not far to the southwest of the church, with his much younger wife and the many survivors of their ten children.
Thomas' brother, Dependence French, lived a bit northeast, at the homestead of their immigrant parents, John and Grace. That homestead was just above where the east end of Elm Street abuts on to modern Commercial Street, the old "highway" (wide cart trail) going down to the Plymouth colony.
Cow kicks, not vandalisms, destroyed many of the old stones according to a cemetery archeologist hired short-term, circa 2010-2011, by the modern town of Braintree.
Thomas' brother, Dependence French, as part of a committee, purchased the ground, maybe not getting the best terms, as the prior owner's livestock retained a right to continue grazing there. They would have been desperate, people were dying so fast, with Dependence the only one of their siblings still alive at the end of the mystery sickness that began by taking Thomas and perhaps ended with the death of their sister Temperance French, married to John Bowditch.
Dependence's eldest son, John, like Dependence, would survive the sickness. He was reported to be a trapper and hunter, not just a farmer/miller.
The above is from information provided by Find A Grave contributor, JBrown, IA, MN, Calif, Austin TX – many thanks!
Thomas2 (John1) French, born Mar.10,1657/8 says Thayer Memorial (no date now on town records)
died Sep.22,1717
married about 1695-6, Elizabeth Belcher, born Jun.22,1677, died Dec.23,1718, dau. of Samuel & Mary (Billings) Belcher.
He was elected surveyor of highways for Monatiquot 1694, Constable 1698, fenceviewer 1706,1714. He probably built the homestead at corner of Washington & Union Sts. still occupied (1955) by the family in 1700, says S.A. Bates.
Children of Thomas & Elizabeth born at Braintree
Elizabeth b Dec.16,1696, m. Jan.24,1722/3, Seth Chapin Jr. of Mendon as 2nd wife.
+ Thomas b Aug.5,1698
+ Moses b Feb.16,1699/1700
+ Jonathan b Jun.20,1702
Rachel b Mar.26,1704, m. Apr.28,1730 Eleazer4Thayer (Cornelius3Richard2-1)
Samuel b Sep.-,1706 (bapt. Sep.8) died Jul.29,1724;- a. about 17- Diary of Rev. S. Niles.
Abijah b May 25,1709. Removed to Mendon & m. "Habijah" of Mendon Oct.30,1735 at Bellingham, Joanna Holbrook.
Ebenezer b Sep.9,1711, m. May 25,1736 at Milton, Mary Fuller. Resided in Milton.
Sarah b Feb.16,1714 (sic) bapt. Jan.24,1713/14, m. Feb.27,1733 at Mendon, Benjamin Chapin.
+ Seth Oct.25,1716
(Genealogies of the Families of Braintree, MA by Waldo C. Sprague, Card 1768R)
N.S.10-80: Thomas & Moses French were bonded with Ephraim Thayer & Alexander French as administrators of estate of their father & mother.
S.P.21-431: Thomas & Moses made administrators of father & mother, Thomas & Elizabeth French, Jul.6,1719.
21-603, Inventory of Thomas French Aug.2,1719, taken by Ephraim Thayer, Ephraim Jones & Gregory Belcher: Dwelling house, barn & 12 a. adjoining £85. 6 a. on E. side of road £30. Meadow & swamp joining to Monatagood River by estimation 22 a. £80. 30 a. upland & meadow in Aldridge farm £60. 2 a. lying within the Hubarts land £4. 1/5 of a sawmill & 2 shares cedar swamp & all the shares in land called the Purchase land £25. 1 a. salt marsh in Milton £10.
Total £554/15/
25-317: Account
(Genealogies of the Families of Braintree, MA by Waldo Chamberlain Sprague, Card 1768)
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