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1. John French1, 6G Grandfather. Born in 1710 in Ireland.2 John died in Giles Co, VA in 1750, he was 40.

The ancestors of the French family lived in Scotland for a time before moving on the Wales. Long before the American Revolution, John French came to America and settled in the northern neck of Virginia of Westmoreland Co. Not much is known of his life. In 1749 John received a grant of land from Lord Fairfax. He moved with his family across the Blue Ridge, made his way up the Rappahannock on to the south branch of the Potomac River. John lived only a short time after moving to his new home. According to "The Compendium of American Geneology" John French was born in 1710 and died in 1750. He married a lady of Welsh extraction named Martha. in 1735. Together they had six children. Matthew French William French Joseph French James French Ann French Esther French

In 1735 when John was 25, he married Martha Upshur, 6G Grandmother. Born in 1715.2 They had the following children:

i. Joseph, 6G Uncle.

2 ii. Matthew H (1736-1814)

iii. William, 6G Uncle. Born about 1739.

iv. James, 6G Uncle. Born in 1741.

3 v. Esther (1743-)

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2. Matthew H French, 5G Grandfather. Born on 2 FEB 1736/37 in Westmoreland Co VA.3 Matthew H died in Giles Co VA in 1814, he was 77.4 Occupation: Farmer.

Matthew was the eldest of John & Martha's children. After John's death, Matthew's mother remarried a Captain Cresap. Matthew and his step-father did not get along so he sold his portion of his father's estate to the Captain and went back over the Blue Ridge to Culpepper Co. He went alone, still a very young man.

In 1753 Matthew was appointed guardianship of his younger brothers and sisters. The appointment was made at court held on August 9th and is recorded in Order Book 5, Winchester, Frederick Co Virginia.

There is some disagreement as to when Matthew was born. Some documents state he was born in 1732, but the Daughters of The American Revolution claim he was born in 1737. When Matthew left his mother and step-father in 1750 he moved to Culpeper Co where he met and married Sarah (Sally) Payne who was from Ireland.

They moved from Culpeper Co in 1775 crossed the Alleghanies into the New River Valley. They settled on Wolf Creek, Giles County near the present town of Narrows Virginia. Matthew and Sarah had seven children.

In May 1778, a band of raiding Indians attacked families that settled along Wolf Creek, among them Matthew French and his family. When the Indians reached the French house they found it deserted. Matthew had discovered that Indians were in the vicinity so he took his family and fled to Fort Branch. The French's left behind all their household goods, horses, cattle, and other stock. The Indians carried away tableware, killed one of his horses and ripped open the feather beds. They did not set fire to the house for fear that soldiers would see the smoke and attack them.

After Matthew received the grant of land for his partipation in the war, he settled back intothe everyday life of farming. He still had a considerable family to care for, as well as a slave and her young child. His holdings amounted to a considerable share as far as the value of land was concerned. Much of the original land is still in the French family, scattered among his descendants.

Below are just a few examples of the formation and unification of the state of Virginia, and how it affected the French family.........

The General Assembly of Virginia in October 1789 created the county of Wythe within the following boundaries: All that part of Montgomery lies south and west of a line beginning at the the head of Big Reedy Island, to Wagon ford on Peek Creek to the Clover bottom on the Bluestone, to the Kanawha... Prior to the formation of Giles County in 1806, the people inhabiting the New River Settlements and westward beyond in Montgomery County, when having to attend court, had to travel many miles through wilderness to reach their county courthouse at Christiansburg. By the creation of Giles County, out of the counties off Montgomery, Monroe, and Tazewell, the people along the lower New River , the Bluestone, Guyandotte, and the head waters of the Coal Rivers were brought nearer to their courthouse.

On January 10, 1758 when Matthew H was 21, he married Sarah Payne, 5G Grandmother, daughter of John Payne & Sallie Unknown, in Giles Co VA. Born on 9 FEB 1739/40 in Goochland Co, Va.1 Sarah died in Giles Co VA after 1814, she was 74.

They had the following children:

4 i. John (1759-1832)

5 ii. Issac (1770-1848)

3. Esther French, 6G Aunt. Born in 1743 in Westmoreland Co Va.

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4. John French5,6,1, GGGG Grandfather. Born in 1759 in Culpeper Co VA.7 John died in Giles Co VA in 1832, he was 73. Occupation: Farmer.

John was the eldest of Matthew's children, so I'm sure it fell to him to administer his father's last wishes. By the time of Matthew's death, John had already built a considerable life for himself and his own family. For his service in the fight against the British he was granted land on the Wolf Creek bottom not far from his father's property. On January 8th 1787 John married Obedience Clay, daughter of Mitchell and Phoebe (Belcher) Clay of Clovers Bottom. The Clay's are known today as being the first white settlers in Mercer County Va-WV. A statue of Mitchell and Phoebe Clay stands in front of the County Court House in Princeton.

John and Obedience were married in Giles County on Wolf Creek, where they lived and raised thirteen children. He built a considerable plantation of his own and was held in high regard for his community status and social standing. Below are some records taken from Giles County Court regarding John and his property and community status.

1782- One horse. No land

1792- Both sides of Wolf Creek from mouth of Dry Fork and East River. Survey Book 1 pg 40 Wolf Creek

adjacent to Edward Hale and John French.

1814- John French to son William French 50 acres for $50.00.

11/11/1806- Elected to the Grand Jury.

08/30/1814- Codicil to the will of Matthew was produced in court and on the motion of John French by counsel, refused to have will proven.

John French died in 1832 following after his wife Obedience who died in the spring of 1830. He left his property and his heritage to all of his children.

On January 8, 1787 when John was 28, he married Obedience Clay, GGGG Grandmother, daughter of Mitchell Clay & Phoebe Belcher, in Giles Co VA.8 Born about 1769 in Bedford Co, Va.7 Obedience died in Giles Co VA in 1830, she was 61. They had the following children:

i. St. Clair, GGGG Uncle. Born in Giles Co, Va.

6 ii. William (~1789-1816)

iii. Charles Clay, GGGG Uncle. Born in 1790 in Giles Co, Va. Charles Clay died after 1860, he was 70.

iv. Ezekiel, GGGG Uncle. Born in 1795 in Giles Co, Va.

7 v. Hugh (1797-)

vi. George P., GGGG Uncle. Born in 1801 in Giles Co, Va.

vii. John Jr., GGGG Uncle. Born in 1803 in Giles Co, Va.

viii. Austin, GGGG Uncle. Born in 1809 in Giles Co, Va.

ix. Annie, GGGG Aunt. Born in 1811 in Giles Co, Va.

x. Sallie, GGGG Aunt. Born in 1813 in Giles Co, Va.

5. Issac French, GGGG Grandfather. Born on December 20, 1770 in Giles Co Va.9 Issac died in Giles Co, Va on December 15, 1848, he was 77.10

On June 14, 1791 when Issac was 20, he married Elizabeth Stowers, GGGG Grandmother, daughter of William Stowers & Mary Jane Sims, in Montgomery Co, Va. Born on December 18, 1774 in Giles Co, Va. Elizabeth died in Giles Co, Va in 1839, she was 64.

They had the following children:

i. Sallie, GGGG Aunt.

ii. Docia, GGGG Aunt.

8 iii. Elizabeth (1792-1847)

9 iv. Issac (1803-)

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6. William French, GGG Grandfather. Born about 1789 in Giles Co, Va.11,12 William died in Giles Co, Va in July 1816, he was 27.13,12

Not much is known about William. Apparently he died when William Madison was still a young child.. A record in Giles Co Court reveals the estate sale of William's land in 1816.

Giles County Minute Book #3

pg 268: 7-22-1816--A court of oyer and terminer was held on this date to try Cloe, a Negro woman slave, property of the late William French, charged with murdering said William French. Trial was held and Cloe was acquitted.

On March 10, 1809 when William was 20, he married Elizabeth French (8) , GGG Grandmother, daughter of Issac French (5) & Elizabeth Stowers, in Giles Co, Va.14 Born on April 28, 1792 in Giles Co, Va.11,15 Elizabeth died in Mt Hope, Mercer Co, VA on July 4, 1847, she was 55.15 They had one child:

10 i. William Madison (1814-1900)

7. Hugh French, GGGG Uncle. Born in 1797 in Giles Co Va. Hugh died in Giles Co Va.

8. Elizabeth French, GGG Grandmother. Born on April 28, 1792 in Giles Co, Va.11,15 Elizabeth died in Mt Hope, Mercer Co, VA on July 4, 1847, she was 55.15

On March 10, 1809 when Elizabeth was 16, she married William French (6) , GGG Grandfather, son of John French (4) & Obedience Clay, in Giles Co, Va.14 Born about 1789 in Giles Co, Va.11,12 William died in Giles Co, Va in July 1816, he was 27.13,12 They had one child:

10 i. William Madison (1814-1900)

9. Issac French , Jr., GGGG Uncle. Born in 1803 in Giles Co Va.

In 1824 when Issac was 21, he married Rhonda Day. Born in 1806.

They had one child:

i. William Henderson, 1C4R. Born in 1828 in Giles Co Va.

In 1847 when William Henderson was 19, he married Martha Ann Burton. Born in 1830.

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10. William Madison French, GG Grandfather. Born on October 20, 1814 in Giles Co VA.16 William Madison died in Jackson Co, WV in 1900, he was 85.

On January 2, 1839 when William Madison was 24, he married Rhoda Caperton17, GG Grandmother, daughter of John Stodgill Caperton & Margaret Shumate, in Mercer Co WV.17 Born on January 17, 1817 in Greenbrier Co VA.17 Rhoda died in Jackson Co WV on December 13, 1882, she was 65.18 They had one child:

11 i. Andrew Jackson (1846-1934)

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11. Andrew Jackson French19,6,5, G Grandfather. Born on October 20, 1846 in Mercer Co WV. Andrew Jackson died in Jackson Co WV on July 4, 1934, he was 87.19

Andrew Jackson French was born 10/20/1846 in Mercer County Virginia. He married Nancy M. Miller on 04/25/1867 in Mercer County. I don't know much about his life but he did fight for the Confederacy in the Civil War.

On April 25, 1867 when Andrew Jackson was 20, he first married Nancy M Miller, G Grandmother, daughter of Floyd Miller & Elphirecy Pettry, in Mercer Co WV. Born in 1847 in Mercer Co WV.20 Nancy M died in Jackson Co WV on September 23, 1881, she was 34.21 They had the following children:

i. Lewis, G Uncle.

12 ii. William Asbury (1874-1946)

On January 31, 1882 when Andrew Jackson was 35, he second married Ruth Jane Hill, in Jackson Co WV. Born on May 8, 1864 in Jackson Co WV. Ruth Jane died in Jackson Co WV on August 26, 1935, she was 71.

They had the following children:

13 i. John Matison (1884-1957)

ii. Albert Watson, Half G Uncle. Born on March 24, 1886 in Jackson Co WV. Albert Watson died in Jackson Co WV on February 4, 1972, he was 85.

On December 30, 1911 when Albert Watson was 25, he married Mamie Erlie Unrue, in Jackson Co WV. Born on February 3, 1891. Mamie Erlie died in Jackson Co WV on February 2, 1986, she was 94.

iii. Lydia B, Half G Aunt. Born on March 25, 1889 in Jackson Co WV. Lydia B died in Ohio on November 17, 1980, she was 91.

iv. Della Burke, Half G Aunt. Born on September 14, 1892 in Jackson Co WV. Della Burke died in Jackson Co WV on September 10, 1957, she was 64.

v. Septemeus Andrew, Half G Uncle. Born on April 2, 1894 in Jackson Co WV.22 Septemeus Andrew died in Los Angeles CA on February 14, 1972, he was 77.23 

vi. Mark Fitsue, Half G Uncle. Born on July 8, 1898 in Jackson Co WV. Mark Fitsue died in Jackson Co WV on June 10, 1966, he was 67.

On February 14, 1925 when Mark Fitsue was 26, he married Lotus Gay Lee, in Jackson Co WV. Born on June 30, 1902. Lotus Gay died in Jackson Co WV on June 9, 1988, she was 85.

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12. William Asbury French, Grandfather. Born on January 2, 1874 in Jackson Co WV.24 William Asbury died in Raleigh Co WV on April 11, 1946, he was 72.25 Occupation: Coal Miner; Music Teacher; Postmaster. Education: Teacher of Music Degree; Concord College, Athens, WV.

William Asbury French was born 1/02/1874 in Rockcastle, Jackson Co WV. He was the eldest son of Andrew Jackson French and his first wife Nancy Miller. I don't know much about his early life except that he went to college at the newly established teachers college ouside of Princeton WV. Colonel William Henderson French was one of William Asbury's great uncles. the Colonel, who owned a lot of property, donated land hear the north parking lot of the present day Bank of Athens for a jail and a court house hoping to obtain the county seat for their small town of Concord Church. The jail had been built before word came that Princeton was elected the county seat. Concord Church was left with an abandoned jail and an unfinished courthouse. The people of this small town heard of the movement to establish normal schools in the state. The residents worked up a petition requesting that a branch of the State Normal School be established at Concord Church. The land containing the jail and the courthouse was again donated by Colonel French for the Normal School, but he died before the title could be transferred to the state. The towns people really got busy finding new land for the School. William Henderson Martin donated six acres of land and they deeded the property to the state for the School on May 29th 1874. The Board of Regents of Normal Schools ordered the school to be opened May 10th 1875. The board holding its session in Charleston, appointed James Havey French, brother of Colonel William Henderson French, and an ex-confederate soldier, as principal with a salary of seven hundred dollars a year. This was the beginning of the Concord Church Normal School, which was later changed to the name of Concord College when the town was renamed Athens. Soon after changing to the name of Concord College, it became a state acredited teachers college. As a young man William Asbury French went to Concord College and took courses to major in music. After graduating from the teachers college he taught students for a time but decided that teaching didin't make much money. He moved on into Raleigh County where there were coal mines that needed workers. While making his living in the coal mines of Raleigh Co, William met and married Nannie Aliff who was born in 1880. They were married on 10/24/1899 in Raleigh Co WV. William Asbury and Nannie Aliff French had five children..... Kenna French- 01/12/1901 Wade French- Azel French- Canna Bell French- Myrtle French- Nannie French died when Kenna was 10 years old. William married Augusta (Gussie) Sauls on March 8th 1918. He was 43 years old, she was 25. Augusta was the grandmother that my mother often talked about. I have very little information on Augusta other than from my mom. William Asbury French died on 4/11/1946 in Raleigh Co WV where he lived most of his life.

On October 24, 1899 when William Asbury was 25, he married Nannie Aliff, Grandmother, daughter of James T Jr Aliff & Mary Caroline Clay, in Raleigh Co WV.26 Born on December 23, 1880 in Raleigh Co WV.27 Nannie died in Page, Fayette Co, WV in July 1913, she was 32. They had one child:

14 i. Kenna (1901-1988)

13. John Matison French, Half G Uncle. Born on August 16, 1884 in Jackson Co WV.6 John Matison died in Charleston, Wv on June 18, 1957, he was 72.6

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14. Kenna French, Father. Born on January 12, 1901 in Dameron, Raleigh Co, WV.28 Kenna died in Raleigh Co WV on August 22, 1988, he was 87.29 Occupation: Coal Miner, Freewill Baptist Minister. Religion: Freewill Baptist.

Kenna French was born in Raleigh County WV on 1-12-1901. At the age of twelve he began working along side his father in the coal mines. As a young man he enlisted in service to his country in the Marines and was stationed on a ship (name unknown at this time). When I was young, I remember my grandfather telling me the story of how he happened to be on guard duty one evening when the President of the United States was on board. I don't remember which President it was. Kenna was ordered not to let anyone past his station, perhaps as a security measure. When a gentleman and his friends approached Kenna's post, he turned them away, stating he was following orders not to let anyone pass. Unfortunately, his superiors neglected to inform him that should the President pass by his station, he was to let him enter. Kenna didn't realize at the time that the gentleman was the President, who later commented to Kenna's superiors that he admired anyone who followed orders regardless of rank or superiority. Afther his tour of duty in the Marines Kenna returned to Raleigh County and the coal mines. Opal French died at her home on January 22 1978. Kenna remarried Margaret Aliff in 1979. He died of colon cancer on August 22 1988. 

On December 16, 1926 when Kenna was 25, he married Lula Opal Clinton30, Mother, daughter of Robert Melton Clinton & Julia A Burdette, in Kanawha Co WV.31 Born on January 15, 1910 in Pocataligo, Kanawha Co, WV.32 Lula Opal died in Jerrolds Valley, Raleigh Co, WV on January 22, 1978, she was 68.33 They had the following children:

16 i. Gene T (1928-)

17 ii. Drema Lee (1930-)

iii. William Robert, Brother. Born on July 1, 1932 in Raleigh Co, WV. William Robert died in Charleston, WV on August 9, 1997, he was 65.

iv. Rush Delano, Brother. Born on July 27, 1934 in Raleigh Co WV.

One day, in the spring of 1926 while walking by one of his neighbors, he saw a pretty young woman at the gate of the house, talking to a few other girls. He commented to the young man he was walking with, that someday he would marry that young woman. It must have been love at first sight! Her name was Lula Opal Clinton, and they were married on December 16th 1926.

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16. Gene T French, Brother. Born on August 19, 1928 in Raleigh Co WV.

Gene T married Lola Hampton.

They had the following children:

i. Gene T. French, Nephew. Born on July 17, 1952.

ii. Deborah Jane.

iii. Michelle.

17. Drema Lee French, Source. Born on November 19, 1930 in Montcoal, WV. Occupation: Retired Secretary Whitesville Jr High School, Whitesville, WV. Education: Marsh Fork High School, Montcoal, WV. Religion: Baptist.

On June 16, 1951 when Drema Lee was 20, she married Willard Franklin Blanton, son of Litchfield B Blanton & Vertie Marie Brown, in Packsville, WV.34 Born on April 17, 1929 in Charleston, WV. Willard Franklin died in Whitesville, WV on May 12, 1979, he was 50.

They had the following children:

21 i. Sherry

22 ii. Gina Sue (Twin)

iii. Tina Lou (Twin).

Bob and Drema met at a party that they went to separately, but probably left there together. She was still in High School because she sent a graduation announcement to the Blanton family. Vertie kept it, and is being loaned to me for a time.

During the wedding, being warm outside in June, the door to the church was left open. As Bob and Drema knelt at the alter, an unexpected guest strolled through the door. A large burly dog walked down the aisle, and decided to make his presence known. He barked several times at people sitting in the church, and getting no attention from them, he walked back down the aisle and went outside. After a few snickers from the congregation, the wedding continued uninterrupted.

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Sherry married Michael Steven Gwinn.

They had the following children:

i. Michael Steven Gwinn II.

ii. Lana Marie.

Gina Sue married Dennis Warren Dye.

They had the following children:

i. Stephen Matthew.

ii. Brittany Paige.

1. "History of Middle New River Settlements," David E. Johnston, Commonwealth Press Inc., 1st & Berkley St, Radford, Va, @NS105973@ 76-99218 Book.

2. Ibid. pages: 402-405.

3. Ibid. pages: 54;65-66;82-83;88;158;402-405.

4. "Will-Matthew French," Irene French Braswell, DAR Lineage Book; vol 77, page 360, @NS122433@ Book.

5. "French Family Group Sheets," Marieda Edens, 656 Gordon Dr, Charleston, WV 25314, @NS107853@ Letter.

6. "Larry P French," PO Box 181, Liberty, WV 25124, Letter.

@NS115631@

7. "History of Middle New River Settlements," David E. Johnston, Commonwealth Press Inc., 1st & Berkley St, Radford, Va, @NS105973@ 76-99218 Book, pages:54;65-66;82-83;88;158;402-405.

8. "A New River Heritage," William Sanders, Vol 1, McClain Printing Co., Parsons, WV; @@ 1991, @NS106663@ 91-61807 Book, Chapter 2; Early Giles Co Marriages.

9. LDS Ancestral File # AFN:4662-H1

10. LDS Ancestral File # AFN:4662-H1

11. "Jackie Masters," French, Smith, Dingess families, Website: www.halcyon.com/datamine/legacies, @NS105353@ Other.

@NS105351@

12. "Family History Center," LDS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Branch:Chapel Hill, NC, @NS106553@ Microfiche, PAF file# 4662-DH.

13. "Giles County Court Records," Giles Co, Va, Minute Book # 3, page 268, @NS106453@ Microfilm.

14. "A New River Heritage," William Sanders, Vol 1, McClain Printing Co., Parsons, WV; @@ 1991, @NS106663@ 91-61807 Book, Chapter 2, "Early Marriages" page 19.

15. "Family History Center," LDS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Branch:Chapel Hill, NC, @NS106553@ Microfiche, PAF file# 4662-FN.

16. Ibid. IGI: Batch#7915602, Sheet 37.

17. "Caperton Family," Bernard Caperton, Charlottesville, Va, @NS106913@ 93-88728 Book.

18. "Jackson County WV Death Records," 1853-1949; page 50, Surname of French, @NS106993@ Microfilm, item# 15.

19. "Andrew J French/Death," Putnam Co Death Certificates; vol 20; # 9813, @NS108223@ Microfilm.

20. "1850 Mercer Co, WV Census," Miller Family, family # 103, @NS717533@ Book.

@NS717531@

21. "Jackson County WV Death Records," 1853-1949; page 50, Surname of French, @NS106993@ Microfilm.

22. Br²derbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 1, Ed. 3, Social Security Records: U.S., SS Death Benefit Records, Surnames Beginning with F, Date of Import: Jul 28, 1997, Internal Ref. #1.111.3.72953.24

23. Br²derbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 1, Ed. 3, Social Security Records: U.S., SS Death Benefit Records, Surnames Beginning with F, Date of Import: Jul 28, 1997, Internal Ref. #1.111.3.72953.24

24. 1880 Jackson Co WV Census; District# 43 pg 46 item: 600-601, Head of Household- Andrew Jackson French

25. Photo of Tombstone at Miller Cemetery

26. Raleigh Co. WV Marriages vol 1, page 81

27. Raleigh Co. WV Births, 1853-1883 vol 1

28. "Birth-Kenna French," @NS102633@ Microfilm, Raleigh Co. WV Births, vol 2 page 92.

29. Br²derbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 1, Ed. 3, Social Security Records: U.S., SS Death Benefit Records, Surnames Beginning with F, Date of Import: Jul 28, 1997, Internal Ref. #1.111.3.72931.164

30. "Bible-Clinton," Robert & Julianna Clinton, Entry in Family Bible, @NS102923@ Book.

31. Kanawha Co. WV Marriages vol 10, pg 36,#1490

32. Clinton Family Bible-owned by Julia Clinton Craft

33. Death Certificate