Person Page 255

• Relationship: 8th great-grandmother of Debra Sue Loghry

Experience Foster¹

• References: Ancestors of Debra S. Loghry (#1)
  Ancestors of Debra S. Loghry (#2)

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Experience Foster was born on 22 June 1646 in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.¹
• Marriage: She and Joseph French were married on 4 November 1663 in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^2,3,4
• Death: She died on 10 May 1720, at age 73, in Taunton, Bristo, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colonial AmericaBGO.¹

• Last Edited: 4 February 2020 10:41:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Ebenezer French, person ID L41T-CM5.
2. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.
3. [S508] Henry Allen Hazen, History of Billerica, Massachusetts: With a Genealogical Register, p. 56.
4. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 5.

Elisabeth Orcutt¹

Biography

• Marriage: Elisabeth Orcutt and Ebenezer French were married on 31 January 1716 in Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United StatesBGO.^1,2
• Death: She died after 1725 in Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United StatesBGO.¹

• Last Edited: 31 January 2020 15:31:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Ebenezer French, person ID L41T-CM5.
2. [S174] Ancestry.com, "Massachusetts, Compiled Marriages, 1633-1850," database, Ancestry.com Operations Inc., accessed 31 Jan 2020), entry for marriage of Ebenezer French and Elisabeth Orcut on 31 Jan 1716; citing Dodd, Jordan, Liahona Research, comp. Massachusetts, Marriages, 1633-1850.

• Relationship: 6th great-grandaunt of Debra Sue Loghry

Jane French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Jane French was born in 1716 in Taunton, Bristo, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colonial AmericaBGO.¹

• Last Edited: 2 January 2020 17:29:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Ebenezer French, person ID L41T-CM5.

• Relationship: 6th great-grandaunt of Debra Sue Loghry

Elisabeth French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Elisabeth French was born in 1720 in Taunton, Bristo, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colonial AmericaBGO.¹
• Death: She died on 21 December 1794, at age ~74.¹

• Last Edited: 17 February 2021 10:06:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Ebenezer French, person ID L41T-CM5.

• Relationship: 6th great-granduncle of Debra Sue Loghry

French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: French was born in 1725 in Taunton, Bristo, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colonial AmericaBGO.¹

• Last Edited: 31 January 2020 15:42:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Ebenezer French, person ID L41T-CM5.

• Relationship: 6th great-granduncle of Debra Sue Loghry

Jacob Berkeley French, Sr.¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Jacob Berkeley French, Sr., was born on 16 May 1712 in Berkley, Bristol, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.¹
• Death: He died on 11 February 1800, at age 87, in Berkley, Bristol, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.¹

• Last Edited: 6 February 2020 13:38:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Ebenezer French, person ID L41T-CM5.

• Relationship: 6th great-grandaunt of Debra Sue Loghry

Mehitable French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Mehitable French was born in 1715 in Taunton, Bristo, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colonial AmericaBGO.¹

• Last Edited: 2 January 2020 17:29:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Ebenezer French, person ID L41T-CM5.

• Relationship: 9th great-grandfather of Debra Sue Loghry

John French¹

• References: Ancestors of Debra S. Loghry

Parents

Biography

• Birth: John French was born on 7 May 1598 in Faulkbourne, Essex, EnglandBG.¹
• Marriage: He and Sarah Simms were married about 1620.²
• Marriage: He and Joanna Syday Gage were married on 19 August 1631 in Great Tey, Essex, EnglandBGO, Joanna French, the mother, died in January 1645-6, and John French, the father, died within a month. The children were brought up in the family of their uncle William, first in Cambridge and later in Billerica. June 9, 1652, the church of Cambridge granted 30 acres of land in Billerica to "John French's children." In 1657, the John French homestead in Cambridge was sold by William French, administrator, to Robert Browne, "John French, son & heir of said John French" joining in the sale.^2,3,4
• Death: He died on 16 February 1646, at age 47, in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United StatesBGO.¹

• LifeSketch: LifeSketch. From the book on John French Jr by Henry B Wright, 1914, "Between the years of 1635 and 1637, two brothers, William (9J9L-88G) and John French, crossed from Europe to America and settled in Cambridge, Mass. They may have come from Halsted, Essex Co., England. (But were NOT the sons of Thomas French of Stanstead Hall) William arrived in 1635, with Harlakenden and Shepard, on the ship, Defence. How or when John came is not known, but his name doesn't occur on the list orf proprietors of Cambridge in 1635 with his brother William (William is one of the founders of Billerica). Two years later, however, in 1637, his name appears in the Cambridge town records. Both William and John were tailors by trade and practised in Cambridge for a number of years. John and his wife died within a month of each other, in 1646, at Cambridge, leaving four--possibly five--orphan children, whom were brought up under the guardianship of their father's brother, William. When William and family went to the settlement of Billerica, about 1654, he took with him the orphan children of his brother, John. To these children the church in Cambridge had previosly granted, on June 9, 1652, thirty acres of land in the new settlement."
  Also from this book, "John French crossed to America and settled in Cambridge, Mass., as early as 1637, when he was granted a house lot between the highway and Mr. Dampford's. He was a tailor, and resided at what is now the SE corner of Holyoke and Mt. Auburn. Two wives are mentioned: Sarah and Joanna."
  
  Paragraphs talking about the parents of William French from roots.web:
  
  William was supposed descended from Thomas FRENCH of Halstead. However, William FRENCH the son of Thomas died in England a bachelor. There was another FRENCH in Halstead to which belonged a William born in 1606.William with his wife Elizabeth aged 30, and children Francis aged 10,Elizabeth aged 6, Marie aged 2 1/2, and John aged 5 months arrived aboard the ship DEFENCE in July 1635. They came with a party from Halstead with the Reverend Thomas SHEPHERD and his brother Samuel, Roger HARLAKENDEN,and Joseph and George COOKE. Roger HARLAKENDEN is called "cousin" .Roger's first wife, Emlyn SCROGGS, was a first cousin of Elizabeth SYMMES. Sara SYMMES, sister of Elizabeth, came with William and Elizabeth FRENCH to Cambridge. She never married and in her will mentioned "brother William French. " HARLAKENDEN's near relative, who came in the same shipwas from Earl's Colne, Essex.
  
  William French: Lieutenant William French was the first of this line to come to America. He came in the ship Defense in the summer of 1635.[1] The ship, being old and unseaworthy, sprung a leak in a storm but arrived safely after a 34-day journey.[2] It has been stated that William was baptized in 1603 in Halstead, England, the son of Thomas French, but this was refuted in a 1911article in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register.
  
  Some sources give William's father as Thomas French of Halstead, Essex, England. He married a Wood and is reported to have had William, born March 15, 1602-3; Frances, bap. June 29, 1606; and Jerrymya, bap. Nov. 21, 1607[6]. Other sources give William's father as Thomas also but give a much larger set of Thomas' children. However these claims would seem to be incorrect. Thomas was buried in Halstead Nov. 20,1613, and his will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury Jan. 27, 1613-4. He left 400 pounds each to his sons John, Edward, William, Robert, and Francis. His son William, who was baptized at Halstead March 15, 1603 was of St. Dunstans in the west of London when he made his will May 14, 1621. In it are mentioned his brothers and sisters John, Edward, Robert, Francis, Ann, Elianor, Elizabeth, Margaret, Jemima, and Dorothy French. He also mentioned the 400 pounds given him by his father. This will was proved in the Commissary Court of London Nov. 27, 1637 making it impossible that this William was the William French of Billerica, MA. There was, however, another family of French in Halstead to which belonged a William, born in 1606. There is very little information in the church registers regarding this family however.²
• Christening: John French was christened on 24 June 1599 in Saint Andrew's Church, Halstead, Essex, EnglandBG.¹
• Alt. Birth: He has conflicting birth information of 24 June 1599 and Halstead, Essex, EnglandBGO.⁵
• Emigration: He emigrated about 1637 from Middlesex, EnglandBGO. John French, brother of William of Billerica, crossed to America and settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as early as 1637, when he was granted a house lot between the highway and Mr. Dampford's, is mentioned on the church records in 1638-9 and 1640, and is on the list of proprietors in Cambridge in 1642. He was a tailor by occupation and resided at what is now the southeast corner of Holyoke and Mt. Auburn streets.⁴

• Last Edited: 17 March 2020 16:33:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.
2. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for John French, person ID LKVV-G1L.
3. [S510] "Essex, England, Church of England baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812," database on-line, Ancestry.com, accessed 9 Feb 2020), Joan Syday; citing Essex Church of England Parish Registers, Essex County Council, Chelmsford, Essex, England.
4. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 5.
5. [S523] Wikipedia Contributors, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia., accessed 9 Feb 2020), John French b. before 24 June 1599 in Halstead, Essex, England

• Relationship: 9th great-grandmother of Debra Sue Loghry

Joanna Syday Gage¹

• References: Ancestors of Debra S. Loghry

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Joanna Syday Gage was born between 1600 and 1615 in Great Tey, Essex, EnglandBGO.¹
• Marriage: She and John French were married on 19 August 1631 in Great Tey, Essex, EnglandBGO, Joanna French, the mother, died in January 1645-6, and John French, the father, died within a month. The children were brought up in the family of their uncle William, first in Cambridge and later in Billerica. June 9, 1652, the church of Cambridge granted 30 acres of land in Billerica to "John French's children." In 1657, the John French homestead in Cambridge was sold by William French, administrator, to Robert Browne, "John French, son & heir of said John French" joining in the sale.^2,3,4
• Death: She died in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United StatesBGO.¹

• Last Edited: 9 February 2020 09:40:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.
2. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for John French, person ID LKVV-G1L.
3. [S510] "Essex, England, Church of England baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812," database on-line, Ancestry.com, accessed 9 Feb 2020), Joan Syday; citing Essex Church of England Parish Registers, Essex County Council, Chelmsford, Essex, England.
4. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 5.

• Relationship: 7th great-granduncle of Debra Sue Loghry

Joseph French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Joseph French was born on 25 March 1667 in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^1,2,3
• Death: He died on 25 April 1667, at age 0, in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^1,2,3

• Last Edited: 4 February 2020 10:43:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.
2. [S508] Henry Allen Hazen, History of Billerica, Massachusetts: With a Genealogical Register, p. 56.
3. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 6.

• Relationship: 7th great-grandmother of Debra Sue Loghry

Elizabeth French^1,2

• References: Ancestors of Debra S. Loghry

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Elizabeth French was born on 16 July 1668 in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^1,3,4
• Marriage: She and James Phillips were married on 7 May 1690 in Taunton, Bristo, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colonial AmericaBGO.⁵
• Death: She died in 1732, at age ~64, in Taunton, Bristo, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colonial AmericaBGO.¹

• Alt. Marriage: She has conflicting marriage information of 7 May 1691 and Taunton, Bristo, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colonial AmericaBGO.^4,2,6

• Last Edited: 12 February 2020 12:11:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.
2. [S205] Clarence A. Torry, New England Marriages Prior to 1700, p. 577.
3. [S508] Henry Allen Hazen, History of Billerica, Massachusetts: With a Genealogical Register, p. 56.
4. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 6.
5. [S519] New England Historic Genealogical Society, "Massachusetts, Town Marriage Records, 1620-1850," database on-line, Ancestry.com, accessed 12 Feb 2020), entry for James Phillips-French 7 May 1690 marriage; citing Vital Records of Taunton.
6. [S54] Ancestry Family Trees, Ancestry.com., accessed 11 Feb 2020), James Phillips (1668-1733) in the combined Ancestry Family Tees

• Relationship: 7th great-granduncle of Debra Sue Loghry

John French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: John French was born on 30 January 1672 in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^2,3,3
• Marriage: He and Elizabeth were married about 1698.³
• Marriage: He and Hannah were married after 1707.
• Death: He died on 6 September 1760, at age 88, in Berkley, Bristol, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.³

• Occupation: He worked as a farmer.³
• Alt. Birth: He has conflicting birth information of 26 August 1671 and Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts, United StatesBGO.¹
• Military: He served in King William's War in 1692 from Taunton.³
• Alt. Death: He has conflicting death information of 20 April 1730 and Norwichtown, New London, Connecticut Colony, Colonial AmericaBG.¹
• Religious Affiliation: He assisted in the formation of the Congregational Church at Berkley, Bristol, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America, on 2 November 1737³

• Last Edited: 17 March 2020 16:32:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.
2. [S508] Henry Allen Hazen, History of Billerica, Massachusetts: With a Genealogical Register, p. 56.
3. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 6.

• Relationship: 8th great-grandaunt of Debra Sue Loghry

Sarah French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Sarah French was born in October 1637 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United StatesBGO.¹

• Last Edited: 9 February 2020 11:04:00

Citations

1. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 5.

• Relationship: 7th great-granduncle of Debra Sue Loghry

Nathaniel French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Nathaniel French was born on 6 May 1674 in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^2,2
• Death: He died in 1734, at age ~60, in Plainfield, Windham, Colony of Connecticut, Colonial AmericaBG.¹

• Alt. Birth: He has conflicting birth information of 6 March 1674 and Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^1,3

• Last Edited: 11 February 2020 11:35:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.
2. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 6.
3. [S508] Henry Allen Hazen, History of Billerica, Massachusetts: With a Genealogical Register, p. 56.

• Relationship: 7th great-granduncle of Debra Sue Loghry

Thomas French^1,2

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Thomas French was born on 29 February 1676.^3,2,2
• Death: He died on 7 March 1676, at age 0, in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^1,2,2

• Alt. Birth: He has conflicting birth information of between 1676 and 1677 and Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^1,2

• Last Edited: 17 March 2020 16:40:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.
2. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 6.
3. [S508] Henry Allen Hazen, History of Billerica, Massachusetts: With a Genealogical Register, p. 56.

• Relationship: 8th great-granduncle of Debra Sue Loghry

Nathaniel French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Nathaniel French was born on 7 June 1643 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United StatesBGO.^1,2

• Last Edited: 9 February 2020 09:48:00

Citations

1. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 5.
2. [S200] "Massachusetts, Compiled Birth,Marriage, and Death Records, 1700-1850." Database and images., (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Feb 2020); entry for Nathanael French's birth.

• Relationship: 7th great-grandaunt of Debra Sue Loghry

Sarah French^1,2

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Sarah French was born on 6 April 1677 in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^1,3,2,2
• Death: She died on 14 April 1677, at age 0, in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^1,3,2,2

• Last Edited: 11 February 2020 11:36:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.
2. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 6.
3. [S508] Henry Allen Hazen, History of Billerica, Massachusetts: With a Genealogical Register, p. 56.

• Relationship: 7th great-granduncle of Debra Sue Loghry

Jacob French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Jacob French was born on 26 April 1678 in Billerica, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial AmericaBGO.^1,2,3,3
• Death: He died in 1694, at age ~16.¹

• Last Edited: 11 February 2020 11:37:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.
2. [S508] Henry Allen Hazen, History of Billerica, Massachusetts: With a Genealogical Register, p. 56.
3. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 6.

• Relationship: 9th great-grandmother of Debra Sue Loghry

Elizabeth¹

• References: Ancestors of Debra S. Loghry

Biography

• Marriage: Elizabeth and Sergt. Thomas Foster were married.

• Last Edited: 27 April 2020 09:36:00

Citations

1. [S509] Henry B. Wright, John French, Jr. of Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, and Oakham, Massachusetts, and His Descendants, p. 5.

• Relationship: 7th great-granduncle of Debra Sue Loghry

Thomas French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Thomas French was born on 12 December 1680 in Taunton, Bristo, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colonial AmericaBGO.¹
• Death: He died in December 1680, at age ~0, in Taunton, Bristo, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colonial AmericaBGO.¹

• Last Edited: 10 November 2019 11:07:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.

• Relationship: 7th great-grandaunt of Debra Sue Loghry

Jemima French¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Jemima French was born about 1681 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United StatesBGO.¹

• Last Edited: 2 January 2020 17:29:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for Joseph French, person ID LH5P-XG7.

• Relationship: 10th great-grandfather of Debra Sue Loghry

Sir John Gage¹

• References: Ancestors of Debra S. Loghry

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Sir John Gage was born in 1570 in Middlesex, EnglandBGO.¹
• Marriage: He and Jane Lufkine were married on 24 July 1600.²
• Marriage: He and Lady Penelope Darcy were married about 28 June 1611 in Middlesex, EnglandBGO.¹
• Death: He died on 3 October 1633, at age ~63, in Firle, Sussex, EnglandBGO.^1,2

• Story:
  As John died without a direct heir, Firle was next inherited in 1598 by his nephew, John (d. 1633) (JG4), the second husband of Lady Penelope Darcy of Hengrave Hall in Suffolk, the daughter of Thomas, Earl Rivers and Mary, heiress of the Kytsons of Hengrave. Firle remained a Catholic enclave and a branch of the Gage family was established at Hengrave Hall, which was inherited by their third son, Sir Edward Gage. He was created a baronet in 1622 and Hengrave too became a Catholic stronghold for generations in Suffolk.
  
  The family continued to experience difficulties due to their strong adherence to the papacy. Firle was searched for arms in 1619, between 1624 and 1627 John was fined £20 for non-attendance at church, and was imprisoned in 1628 for recusancy. Despite such hardships, on 26 March 1622 John was created a baronet by James I for maintaining 30 men in a foot regiment. John died in 1633, is buried at West Firle, and an inventory taken in 1634 attached to his will provides us with another indication of the size of household at Firle. Furthermore, in his will he desired that not less than 120 deer should be kept in his park at Plashett.
  
  Firle was inherited by their eldest son and second baronet Sir Thomas (1619-1654), who married Mary, co-heiress of John Chamberlain of Shirburn Castle, Oxfordshire. Their sons Sir Thomas (1640-1660) the third baronet, and Sir John (1642-1699) (JG5) the fourth baronet succeeded in turn to Firle. Sir John briefly served in Parliament and as Sheriff of Sussex under James II, only to be imprisoned following the king's flight in 1689. He married twice, first Mary Middlemore, and secondly Mary Stanley. His three sons succeeded one after the other – the eldest Sir John (1691-1699) (JG6) who became the fifth baronet, his brother Sir Thomas (1693-1713) the sixth baronet, and finally Sir William Gage (1695-1744) the seventh baronet, who inherited aged 19.
  
  While the Gage family had been able, on the whole, to continue their squirarchical way of life at Firle for over 150 years, times were very trying. The Gages had sold off estates across the country, which had come through various marriages, and a vast and complex vellum manuscript among the muniments dated 1753 details how it had been necessary generation after generation to roll one mortgage into another, finally totalling £23,000. The debt was subsequently re-assigned in 1757 to Sampson Gideon (1699-1762), future father-in-law of the 2nd Viscount Gage, and thus a more sympathetic lender. Apart from fines and imprisonment for non-attendance at church, there were many restrictions imposed upon recusants; they were not allowed to own or ride a horse, nor could they maintain a bank account. Being Catholics, the Gages were natural Tories, after the failure of the Jacobite rebellion it was clear the game was up, that England was going to be a Protestant country, and the family had an urgent need to restore their position and fortunes. Access to the powerful local magnate the lst Duke of Newcastle, Thomas Pelham-Holles (1693-1768), the King's Lord Chamberlain and Secretary of State and his brother, Henry Pelham (1695-1754), who also became Prime Minister, clearly influenced Sir William's decision to conform to the Church of England, probably in the mid-1720s , thereby aligning the family to Whig politics. Subsequently Sir William was elected MP for Seaford in 1727, a Newcastle 'pocket borough', and kept his seat until his death. He was installed a Knight of Bath on 17 July 1726, probably in recognition of his staunch support of the Pelhams. This gesture brought about a very different atmosphere at Firle and the family returned to public life and service. Firle appears to have been re-modelled during two stages in the eighteenth century, in part because no doubt large areas of the Tudor building had fallen into decay, and also because through the centuries the emphasis and way of life had changed, so that by the Georgian period, a very different layout of rooms was required. The Caen stones from the Tudor house were re-cycled, providing us with today's Georgian façade. William Gage appears to have been cultivated and a patron of Italian musicians – Handel's long-time concertmaster, Pietro Castrucci, dedicated some of his concerti grossi to Sir William. William has one further claim to fame – he has been referred to as 'The Father of Sussex Cricket'. In 1728 he organised at match in the Dripping Pan in Lewes between the Duke of Richmond's and his own eleven. He was also a regular frequenter of the races.
  
  Upon William's death, Firle was inherited by his cousin, Thomas Gage (c.1695-1754), the eldest son of Joseph Gage of Shirburn Castle, Oxfordshire and his wife Elizabeth Pendruddock. Joseph was the youngest son of the second baronet and had inherited Shirburn from his mother, the Chamberlain heiress. In 1717 Thomas was elected MP for Minehead and in 1721 for the borough of Tewksbury, a position he continued to hold until a few months before his death. He was created Viscount Gage of Ireland, and Baron Gage of Castlebar, by privy seal, dated at St James's on 12 June and letters patent of 14 September 1720, with the creation fee of 20 marks [£13 6s 8d]. Thomas owned land in Ireland, including Castle Island in Co. Kerry. By his first marriage in 1717 to Benedicta, the only daughter and heiress of Benedict Hall of High Meadow in Gloucestershire, he acquired wealthy estates in Gloucestershire and the sinecure of Verderer of the Forest of Dean. Their marriage, though unhappy, produced two sons, William Hall Gage (1718-1791) second viscount, and Thomas, later to become General Gage. Benedicta died in 1749, having long been separated from Thomas, who married Jane Bond within a year of Benedicta's death. It is interesting to note that a large estate was left to Thomas by Mrs Wilson of Drayton, near Winslow in lieu of a £1,000 mortgage she had on Sir Francis Fortescue's estate through Benedicta, an illustration how many loans were interwoven among Catholic families, due to banking restrictions imposed earlier on recusants.³
  
• Note: Sir John (1st Baronet Of Firle) Gage.

• Last Edited: 9 February 2020 11:24:00

Citations

1. [S109] MyHeritage.com [online database]. Lehi, UT, USA: MyHeritage (USA) Inc., MyHeritage Family Trees., accessed 6 Feb 2020), Prickett Web Site, managed by Donald Prickett
2. [S93] Find A Grave, database and images, accessed 9 Feb 2020, ohn Gage (unknown–3 Oct 1633), 87534766, citing St. Peter's Churchyard, West Firle, Lewes District, East Sussex, England; Maintained by Todd Whitesides (contributor 47553735).
3. [S1968] Branding and Marketing by Kingsland Linassi, The Firle Estate 2020., accessed 6 Feb 2020), John Gage (d. 1633)

• Relationship: 10th great-grandmother of Debra Sue Loghry

Lady Penelope Darcy¹

• References: Ancestors of Debra S. Loghry

Biography

• Birth: Lady Penelope Darcy was born in 1593 in Saint Osyth, Essex, EnglandBGO.¹
• Marriage: She and Sir John Gage were married about 28 June 1611 in Middlesex, EnglandBGO.²
• Death: She died on 2 July 1661, at age ~68, in Firle, Sussex, EnglandBG.¹

• Last Edited: 9 February 2020 11:26:00

Citations

1. [S93] Find A Grave, database and images, accessed 9 Feb 2020, ohn Gage (unknown–3 Oct 1633), 87534766, citing St. Peter's Churchyard, West Firle, Lewes District, East Sussex, England; Maintained by Todd Whitesides (contributor 47553735).
2. [S109] MyHeritage.com [online database]. Lehi, UT, USA: MyHeritage (USA) Inc., MyHeritage Family Trees., accessed 6 Feb 2020), Prickett Web Site, managed by Donald Prickett

• Relationship: 1st cousin 11 times removed of Debra Sue Loghry

Sarah Simms¹

Parents

Biography

• Birth: Sarah Simms was born in 1600.¹
• Marriage: She and John French were married about 1620.¹

• Note: Elizabeth Symmes, step-mother to John French, was the daughter of Randall Symmes. Elizabeth's sister was Dorothy Symmes and her brother was named after their father, Randall. Randall Symmes had 11 children. His son Richard Symmes had daughter Sara Simms, proving that Sara Simms and Elizabeth Symmes were in two different generations.²

• Last Edited: 16 February 2020 10:05:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for John French, person ID LKVV-G1L.
2. [S518] French, Mara, French Family Association, The Official Website of the Surname Frech., accessed 16 Feb 2020), Williiam French, 1606

• Relationship: 8th great-grandaunt of Debra Sue Loghry

Margaret French¹

Parents

Biography

• Christening: Margaret French was christened on 21 April 1621.¹

• Last Edited: 10 November 2019 11:00:00

Citations

1. [S39] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch, accessed 10 Nov 2019), entry for John French, person ID LKVV-G1L.