B. 8 Aug 1687 in Billerica, Massachusetts
M. about 1712 in (probably) Billerica, Massachusetts
Wife: Mehitable Patten
D. 28 Feb 1746 in Billerica, Massachusetts
Like many men in 18th century Massachusetts, William French served in his town’s militia. He was born on August 8, 1687 in Billerica, a place where he would spend his entire life. His parents were John French and Mary Littlefield, both of whom had been married before. His father had three daughters from previous marriages, and his mother had five sons. Together they had six more children, with William as the youngest (John French was 52-years-old when William was born).
William married Mehitable Patten in about 1712, and the following year they had their first child. By 1730, they had seven more children, with one dying young. William was primarily a farmer, but also held the office of selectman in Billerica during 1633 and 1634.
In town histories, William was described as a sergeant of the militia, but details of his service are scarce. His name was on a muster roll dated July to November 1722; the men on the list were thought to have served as scouts or performed guard duty as part of the ongoing “Indian Wars.” William was about 35-years-old, so he probably had previous military experience.
The conflict William was likely involved in was known as Dummer’s War, fought between English colonists and the tribes near Acadia who were allied with the French. Action took place in the area between Acadia and New England, and also along the western border with the French colony that is now Quebec. The war spanned the years 1722 to 1725, with New England winning some territory in what is now Maine.
William’s wife Mehitable died in 1743, and he only lived three years beyond that, dying in Billerica on February 28, 1746. His probate record showed a list of his debts, including payments to his doctor and to a “French doctor” for medicine, so he was probably sick for some time before his death. The inventory of William’s possessions listed an “old gun and sword,” wearing apparel worth £16, old furniture, various household items, 40 bushels of corn, 14 bushels of rye, 3 bushels of beans, one barrel of pork and seven barrels of cider.
The military legacy of William was continued in his descendants. His grandson, also named William French, was said to be the first “martyr” of the American Revolution. At age 22, he was shot by a sheriff’s posse at the “Westminster Massacre” on March 13, 1775. The event actually preceded the revolution, but the dispute was between the two sides who would soon become opponents in the revolution.
Children:
1. William French – B. 25 Jan 1713, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. Tabitha Pierce (1715-?), 22 Apr 1736, Chelmsford, Massachusetts; about 1793
2. Elizabeth French – B. 3 Apr 1716, Billerica, Massachusetts; 30 Nov 1755; M. Ephraim Kidder (1710-1756)
3. Mehitable French – B. 29 Aug 1718, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. John White
4. Nathaniel French — B. 2 Feb 1721, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 8 Jun 1801, Brattleboro, Vermont; M. (1) Elizabeth Frost (1723-1777); (2) Joanna Kingsley (1729-1800), about 1780
5. David French – B. 28 May 1724, Billerica, Massachusetts
6. Jonathan French – B. 28 May 1724, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 20 Jun 1724, Billerica, Massachusetts
7. Sarah French – B. 28 Apr 1728, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 1793; M. Daniel Kittredge (1726-?), 17 Mar 1746, Billerica, Massachusetts
8. John French – B. 27 May 1730, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 15 May 1815, Jaffrey, New Hampshire; M. (1) Mary French (1731-?), 9 May 1754; (2) Priscilla Mace (1738-?), 6 Jan 1763, Billerica, Massachusetts
Sources:
The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 44, 1890
Dummer’s War (Wikipedia article)
Westminster massacre (Wikipedia article)
Find A Grave
WikiTree
