1. John French
1Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Manuscript, Book 1, p. 137, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, FHL microfilm 234,543.
"March 2, 1795. John French Died Aged 41 Years."2Cooke, Rollin H., Pittsfield, Massachusetts Church and Other Records from Manuscripts, Microfilm of trypescript in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, p. 302, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 234,571.
"1795. Deaths. Jan. 10. Mr. John French."
Records of First Church, Pittsfield.3Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Book 1, p. 137.
"March 2, 1795. John French Died Aged 41 Years."4International Genealogical Index, www.familysearch.com, FHL film 177,891, p. 606, ref. no. 24,770.
Is this John French of Pittsfield, Mass.?.5Smith, J. E. A., The History of Pittsfield, (Berkshire County,) Massachusetts, From the Year 1734 to the Year 1800, Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1869., pp. 393-394, Ancestry.com Family and Local Histories.
"But if, by chance, the poor man escaped a prison, and, despairing of a livelihood in his native place, sought it elsewhere, he was pretty sure to be met at the threshold of his land of promise by some such welcome as the following warrant, which we copy from the Pittsfield town-records, where the like are thickly scattered:--
Berkshire, ss.
to the Constables of the Town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire, or either of them, greeting.
Whereas it has been represented to use that Elisha Eggleston, his wife and family; John French, his wife and family; Calvin Dunham, his wife and family, -- are likely to become burdensome and chargeable to the town if they continue their residence in it, these are therefore to authorize, and require you forthwith to warn and notify the above-named persons that they, with their families, immediately depart and remove out of the town, and not to return again, without giving security to the town,
Given under our hands this 22d day of May, Anno Domini 1782.
Woodbridge Little, David Bush,, Stephen Crofoot, James Dn. Colt, Selectmen of Pittsfield.
Constable Stephen Fowler returned service of this warning upon John and Calvin on the 7th of June; and doubtless they, their wives and little ones, thereupon resumed their weary pilgrimage; for, in default of obedience to the warning, the hard law required that the delinquents should be passed from constable to constable through the intervening towns, until they reached that of their proper settlement.
Eggleston appears to have obtained a respite; but in the more dreary month of February, 1784, he received a similar warning out..."6Cooke, Rollin H., Pittsfield, Massachusetts Church and Other Records from Manuscripts, p. 377.
"John French 1 house - 2 married persons - 1 family - 1 male & 1 female under 5 - 1 female under 30 1 male under 40."
1786 Census.7Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, deeds, vol. 30, pp. 431-432, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 872,090.
"Daniel Davids of Pittsfield to John French... the following tract of Land in Pittsfield Namely part of square No. 15 ... containing fifty seven acres... Signed by Daniel David and Hannah David with her mark."81790 U.S. Census, Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, p. 32, Ancestry.com, Images Online, www.ancestry.com.
John French. 1 white male 16 or older, 1 white male under 16, 3 white females.9Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, FHL film 876,259, vol. 11, p. 507, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilms 876,259-876,261.
Rick Crume's files H 966, H 1089.
"No. 93. David vs. French. Daniel David Ptff against John French Defendant. See the records of the last session of this Court. The Ptff appears in Court (by his Att.y John C. Williams Gent.n) and the said John comes also (by his Attorney Thomas Gold Gentn) and defends the wrong & injury when (Df.t?) says that he is not guilty of the wrong and (__?__) complained of by the said Demandant in his declaration against s.d John, and thereof puts himself on the Country -- and the Ptff (by his said Attorney likewise. After a full hearing of this Can the evidence therein having been produced the same case is committed to the Jury Ezra Crippin foreman & his fellows, who have been duly sworn return their verdict that they find the Defendant is not Guilty of the wrong and (__?__) alledged against him.. It is therefore considered by the Court that the said John do recover against the said Daniel the costs of Suit [Fared?] at thirty two shillings. And hereof the Defendant may have his Execution."10Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas. Index, 1761-1854. Vol. 1 (A-H)., Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 1,764,691.
Rick Crume's file H 579, H 959.
King Strong et al vs. John French, 1786, bk. 9, p. 164.
Daniel David vs. John French, 1792, bk. 11, pp. 463, 507.
Aaron Wood vs. John French, 1794, bk. 13, p. 116.
Aaron Wood vs. John French, 1795, bk. 13, p. 214.
Aaron Wood vs. John French, 1795, bk. 13, p. 308.
Josiah Wright vs. John French, 1796, bk. 15, p. 59. Petition for sale of land.11Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Grantee index, 1761-1830, p. 256, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 872,067.
Rick Crume's file H 958.
John French from Daniel David. Location: Pittsfield. Character: W[arranty deed?]. Book 30, page 431.12Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, FHL film 876,259, vol. 11, p. 463.
"David vs. French. Daniel David of Salisbury in the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut yeoman Ptff against John French of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire yeoman Defend.t. In a plea of ejectment wherein the said Daniel demands against the said John fifty seven acres of land lying in said Pittsfield, described as follows (towit) begining at the North East corner of lott number fifteen, thence running West nineteen degrees North one hundred rods to a stake & stones, thence South nineteen degrees West thirty five rods to the Pond & birch Tree, thence by the side of the Pond Eastwardly to a large pine Tree marked by the said of the Pond, thence runing East nineteen degrees South sixty five rods to a stake & stones, thence runing North nineteen degrees East seventy rods to the first mentioned bounds with the appurtences, and the said Daniel says that he within thirty years last past in a time of peace was seized & possessed of the said land with the appurtences in his (__?__) and right taking the profits thereof to the value thereof five pounds by the year, since which the said John hath illegally & without Judgment entered thereto & disseized the said David thereof & still unjustly holds him out. To the damage of the said Daniel (as he saith) the sum of twenty pounds. The Ptff appears in Court (by his Attorney John G. Williams Gent.n) and demands as on file. This Case is continued by order of Court to the next Term."13Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, FHL film 876,260, vol. 13, p. 116.
And this case is Continued under the Same Rule to the next Term."
"Aaron Wood of Onondaga, NY, yeoman, demandant, against John French of Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., yeoman, defendant, in a plea whereas the said Aaron demands against the said John fifty seven acres of land with the appurtenances, lying in Pittsfield, aforesaid, being part of square number fifteen..., as his the said Aaron's right of inheritance and into which the said John hath not entry but by [dissision?] by him unjustly committed within thirty years now last past, and whereupon the said Aaron complains, that within the said thirty years in a probable time he was seized of the said demanded premises, as of for and Right, taking the Profits thereof to the value of three pounds by the year, and ought still to hold the farm, nevertheless the said John within the said thirty years unjustly and without Judgment, hath entered into the said demanded premisis, [disseized?] the said Aaron thereof, and still unjustly holds him out, to the damage of the said Aaron as he saith the sum of thirty Pounds. The Parties appear in Court and agree to Refer this case to the Judgment and determination of William Williams Esq., Simon Larned & Joshua Danforth Esqrs. (together with all Demands between the Parties) who are approved of by the Court for that purpose they are to hear the Parties (_?_) and make Report as soon as may be, & to [proceed __?__) after due notice to the Parties.14Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, vol. 13, p. 308.
"Aaron Wood Ptff against John French Defendant. See the Records of the last Session of the Court. The Ptff is now three times publickly called to come into Court, but comes not, and the said John being also called comes not, but makes default of appearance here. It is therefore considered by the Court that in this Case neither Ptff nor Defend.t have any further Day in said Court."15Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, vol. 13, pp. 214-215.
"Aaron Wood Demandant against John French Defendant. See the Records of the last session of this Court. The Pltff. appears in Court (by his attorneys Sedgwick & Williams). And the Award of the ( _?_ ) in this Case is now made as follows.. that having heard the Parties &c. We found that the said John French was not, and is not Guilty in manner & form as the said Aaron Wood against him in his declaration hath supposed & alleged, & that by his plea in his said writ ( _?_ ) & W. therefore award that the said Aaron by his Plea aforesaid have nothing. We also found that the said Aaron had other demands against the said John which together with the Costs of Court & of [Reforms?] amounted to forty three Pounds & three shillings: This sum the Parties agreed should be satisfied in Land at our apprisal, and we accordingly on the twenty fifth of December last set out by Marks & Bounds, seventeen Acres & thirty Rods of land on the West side of the farm described in the said Aaron's Writ, which Charles Goodrich Esqr. Atty for said Aaron, [ _?_ ) in full satisfaction of the said [ _ ? _ ]. We therefore award further that the said Aaron have & hold the said seventeen Acres & thirty Rods of Land in full satisfaction of all Demands against the said John to this day of this Submission and of all Costs of Court & of [Reforms?] in this Case & that it put a final end to the same. It is therefore Cosidered by the Court, the said Aaron do Recover against the said John [Seizure?] & Possession of the said seventeen acres & thirty Rods of Land, agreeable to the foregoing award."16Probate Court, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, probate records, vol. 8, pp. 530, 531, 595, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 873,484.
And Simon Larned, Ashbel Strong and Joshua Danforth Esquire, all of said Pittsfield, [are] appointed to appraise ... all the Estate whereof the said John French died seised and possessed in the county of Berkshire. At the same Court it is duly represented, by Josiah Wright Administrator on the Estate of John French late of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire deceased, that the whole of the said Estate ... is insufficient to discharge his just Debts: and Simon Larned, Ashbel Strong and Joshua Danforth Esquire, [are] appointed and impowered to ... examine the claims to said Estate, and Six Months [are] allowed for that purpose. John French. Warrant to set off Widow's Dower. Simon Larned, Ashbel Strong & Joshua Danforth Esquire, [are] appointed and impowered to Distribute and set of[f] to Ann French, Widow of John French, late of Pittsfield in said County of Berkshire, deceased, her Dower or thirds in the Real Estate of the said deceased."
Rick Crume's file H 965.
"John French. Admr & Bond. Repd insolvent. Appraisal & Commission. Power of administration on the Estate of John French, late of Pittsfield in the county of Berkshire, deceased, is given to Josiah Wright of said Pittsfield, Gentn, and a bond taken of the said Josiah for the faithful performance of his Administration, as on file.17Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, vol. 15, p. 59.
"Josiah Wright of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire Adminstrator of all ... the ... Estate of John French late of Pittsfield in said County Yeoman deceased Intestate, shows that the debts due from said Estate amount to the sum of $117.30, that the sums allowed to Administrator on s.d Estate and to the Widow of said deceased amount to $59.25. That the Personal estate of said deceased amounts to the sum of $38.45... It is certified by the said Judge [of Probate], that in his opinion it is necessary that a part of the Real estate of the said deceased, to the amount of $138.10 should be sold for the payment of the said debts. The said Josiah therefore prays this Court to authorize and impower him to sell and convey by deed so much of the real estate of the said deceased, as will enable him to discharge the debts due from the said Estate..."18Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Register of Deeds, Deed of Sale: Josiah Wright to Zadock Hubbard, Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971, vol. 42, p. 490, Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA, FHL film 872,098.
"I, Josiah Wright of Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA, Gentleman, administrator on the estate of John French late of Pittsfield, yeoman, deceased, by virtue of dower and authority vested in me by an order of the court of common Pleas for s.d County, ... in consideration of ... $149 paid to me by Zadock Hubbard of Lenox, Berkshire Co., MA, yeoman, have ... sold ... unto him ... 16 acres & 87 rods of land being part of square #15 ... in Pittsfield ... being part of the real estate of the said John French ... [dated] 11 Dec. 1797 ... in presence of William Pomeroy, Ashbel Strong. Recorded 16 Jan. 1807."
Rick Crume's file H 1093.19Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Register of Deeds, Deed of Sale: Josiah Wright to Abraham C. Brown, Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971, vol. 46, p. 318, Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA, FHL film 872,100.
"I, Josiah Wright of Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA, Gentleman, Administrator on the Estate of John French late of Pittsfield, yeoman, deceased, by virtue of an order of the Court of Common Pleas for said County ... for ... $29 to me paid by Abraham Church Brown of Pittsfield ... Have ... sold ... and confirm unto him the said Abraham Church Brown ... land ... in Pittsfield ... part of square #15 ... containing 8 acres & 57 rods being the same land which was lately set off to Anna French the Widow of the said deceased and the same is now sold and conveyed subject to ... her Dower during the Term of her natural life. ... [dated] 30 Nov. 1798, witnessed by Ashbel Strong and Wm. [Rittredge?], recorded 25 Mar. 1799."
Rick Crume's file H 1093.20Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, grantor index, 1761-1830, p. 275, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, microfilm 872,066.
Rick Crume's file H 957.
John French, by administrator Josiah Wright, to Zadock Hubbard. Pittsfield. Deed 42:490.21Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, grantor index, 1761-1830, p. 275.
John French, by administrator Josiah Wright, to Abraham C. Brown. Pittsfield. Deed 46:318.
1Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Manuscript, Book 1, p. 137, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, FHL microfilm 234,543.
"March 6, 1833. Mrs. Anna French Died 70 Yrs."2Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Register of Deeds, Deed of Sale: Josiah Wright to Abraham C. Brown, Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971, vol. 46, p. 318, Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA, FHL film 872,100.
"I, Josiah Wright of Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA, Gentleman, Administrator on the Estate of John French late of Pittsfield, yeoman, deceased, by virtue of an order of the Court of Common Pleas for said County ... for ... $29 to me paid by Abraham Church Brown of Pittsfield ... Have ... sold ... and confirm unto him the said Abraham Church Brown ... land ... in Pittsfield ... part of square #15 ... containing 8 acres & 57 rods being the same land which was lately set off to Anna French the Widow of the said deceased and the same is now sold and conveyed subject to ... her Dower during the Term of her natural life. ... [dated] 30 Nov. 1798, witnessed by Ashbel Strong and Wm. [Rittredge?], recorded 25 Mar. 1799."
Rick Crume's file H 1093.3Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Book 1, p. 137.
"March 6, 1833. Mrs. Anna French Died 70 Yrs."
1Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Manuscript, Book 1, p. 137, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, FHL microfilm 234,543.
2Cooke, Rollin H., Pittsfield, Massachusetts Church and Other Records from Manuscripts, Microfilm of trypescript in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, p. 300, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 234,571.
"1788. Deaths. Oct. 30. Son of John French. Aged 3 years. Burnt to death, cloaths caught fire."
Records of First Church, Pittsfield. The French child died 30 Oct. 1788.3Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Book 1, pp. 28, 137.
Page 28: "1788 Oct. 30. Died Son of John French aged 3 years burnt to death by his clothes taking fire.
Page 137: Nathan French died 30 Oct. 1789.4Berkshire Chronicle, Early American Newspapers.
"Early American Newspapers, Series I, is part of the Readex Digital Collection from NewsBank, Inc." Newspapers from the collection of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. Online access through the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society <www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org>.
"Pittsfield, January 2 [1789]. List of Burials in the Town of Pittsfield, in the Year 1788... October 30. Child of John French."
4. Anna French
1Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Manuscript, Book 1, p. 137, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, FHL microfilm 234,543.
11830 U.S. Census, Big Flats, Tioga Co., New York, Ancestry.com, M19-109, p. 302, image 616.
Rick Crume's file H 1086.
John M. French. Males: (1) 15-20, (1) 30-40.2Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Manuscript, Book 1, p. 137, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, FHL microfilm 234,543.
3Pittsfield, Massachusetts birth records, 1761-1888, Book 1, p. 137.
"Jany. 1856. John M. French De'cd."4Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, NewEnglandAncestors.org.
"Deaths registered in the town of Pittsfield for the year 1856. Page 44. No. 2. Date of death: January 5, 1856. Name: John M. French. Age: 66. Place of death: Pittsfield. Disease or cause of death: Suicide. Sex and condition: Single. Occupation: Laborer. Place of birth: Pittsfield. Names of parents: John & Ann French."5"Suicide", The Pittsfield Sun, Pittsfield, Mass., 10 Jan. 1856, vol. LVI, issue 2886, page 2.
NewsBank, accessed through NewEnglandAncestors.org, 6 Apr. 2008.
"Suicide.--An old resident of this town named John French, was found dead in his bed on Saturday afternoon. He put an end to his life by taking a dose of arsenic. He is said to have meditated the act for some time. He resided in the North Woods."6Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Grantee index, 1761-1830, p. 256, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 872,067.
Rick Crume's file H 958.
John M. French from Seth Hooper. Pittsfield. W[arranty deed?]. Vol. 52, pp. 548, 550.7Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Grantee index, 1761-1830, p. 256.
John M. French from Sarah Clark Jr. Pittsfield. Character: U. Vol. 54, p. 168.8Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas. Index, 1761-1854. Vol. 1 (A-H)., Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilm 1,764,691.
Rick Crume's file H 579, H 959.
John M. French vs. Daniel Warren, 1815, bk. 34, p. 193.9Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, FHL film 876,716, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Microfilms 876,259-876,261.
Rick Crume's files H 966, H 1089.
"John M. French of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire Yeoman Plff against Daniel Warren of Lanesboro in s.d County Yeoman. In a plea of trespass on the case for that the s.d Daniel at s.d Lanesboro on the 25 Nov. 1813 by his note under his hand of that date for value rec.d promised the Plff to pay him $30.96 in one year from the date of s.d note with interest. Also [ _?_ ] that the s.d Daniel afterwards on the 25 Apr. 1813 at s.d Lanesboro being indebted to the Plff in one other sum of $30.96 for money before that time had & rec.d to the Plffs use in consideration thereof he then & there promised the Plff to pay him the same sum of money on due and yet the s.d Daniel altho often requested has not paid s.d sums of money or in any part performed his s.d promises but to do it [neglects?] to the damage of the s.d John as he saith the sum of $50 the Plff appears in Court by Gold & Gold his atty & enters his action & the Deft alike solemnly called to come into court comes not but makes default of appearance here. It is therefore [ _?_ ] by the Court here that the s.d John M. do recover against the s.d Daniel the sum of $34.41 damages & the costs of suit taxed at $6.53..."10Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas. Index, 1761-1854. Vol. 1 (A-H).
John M. French vs. Lodowick Stanton and Tr. Joseph Cheesbrough, 1816, bk. 35, p. 486.11Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas, FHL film 876,716, vol. 35, pp. 486-487.
It is therefore considered by the court here that the s.d John M. do recover ag.t the s.d Ladowich the sum of $32.87 damages & the costs of suit taxed $9.94 & that execution issue for those sums ag.t the goods effects & credits of the s.d Ladowick in the hand & possession of the s.d Joseph if so much there be."
"John M. French of Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Yeoman, Ptff ag.t Ladowich Stanton lately of Pittsfield, yeoman, and otherwise called Ladowich Stanton of Nassau [Rensselaer Co.], NY, yeoman Deft. & Joseph Cheesbrough of Pittsfield, Yeoman summoned in this case as the Trustee of the s.d Ladowich In a plea of the case for that the s.d Ladowick of s.d Pittsfield on the 15 Feb.1815 by his note under his hand of that date for value re.d promised the Ptff to pay him or his order $30 ... on the 12 Mar. ... being indebted to the Ptff in one other sum of $40 for money before that time had & rec.d to the Ptffs use in consideration thereof he then & there promised the Ptff to pay him therefor the same sum of money on demand yet the sd. Stanton altho often requested has not paid the sd. sums of money or any part of them... and whereas the sd. John saith that the s.d Ladowich has not in his own hands & possession goods & estate to the value of $80 afors.d ... but has entrusted to & deposited in the hands & possession of the s.d Joseph Trustee of the s.d Ladowich goods, effects & credits to s.d value. This action was entered at April Term last at which Time the Ptff appeared in Court by Gold & for his Atty & the s.d Joseph the Trustee although solemnly called to come into court and answer to the s.d John M. as he is the Trustee of the s.d Ladowick came not but made defl.t and thereupon He was adjudged by the Court that he is the Trustee of the s.d Ladowich & the Def.t came also by Henry W. Taylor Gent. his Atty. & it was agreed that the Deft. be defaulted & this action be continued for Judg.t And thereupon the Deft. altho solemnly called to come into court came not but made default of appearances and this action was from thence cont.d to this Time for Judg.t And now in this Term before the court here comes the Ptff by his s.d Atty & prays for Judg.t.12Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, grantor index, 1761-1830, p. 275, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, microfilm 872,066.
Rick Crume's file H 957.
John M. French to Sarah Clark Jr. Pittsfield. W[arranty deed?]. Vol. 57, p. 672.13Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Court of Common Pleas. Index, 1761-1854. Vol. 1 (A-H).
James Picket(t) vs. John French, 1820, bk. 41, p. 20.14History of the Seven Counties Presented by the Elmira Weekly Gazette, Elmira, N.Y.: Gazette Co., 1885, pp. 134-135, RootsWeb, www.rootsweb.com/~nychemun/history/bigflout.htm.
Rick Crume's file H 1087.
"The town of Big Flats was formed from the town of Elmira, ..., April 16, 1822... Early settlers were ... John M. French..."15Middle District, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, grantor index, 1761-1830, p. 275.
John M. French to Ezekiel R. Colt and James Buel. Pittsfield. Character: U. Vol. 74, p. 163.161830 U.S. Census, Big Flats, Tioga Co., New York, M19-109, p. 302, image 616.
John M. French. Males: (1) 15-20, (1) 30-40. Big Flats is now in Chemung County, NY.17Addison Mercantile and Lumbering, from the History of Steuben County, New York, by Clayton, (1879)., <freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/freepages.genealogy.r~kissinkuzzin/steuben/addison/addlumbering/addlumbering2.htm>.
"The next firm established here was Thompson & French, about 1834. They built their store on the site now occupied by Smith's block, corner of Wall and Railroad Streets. John Thompson, the head of the firm, resided in Addison; John M. French, the other partner, lived at Big Flats. They did a prosperous business for a few years, and in 1838 sold out to William J. Smith and Ai Fitch."181840 U.S. Census, Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, Ancestry.com, Images Online.
Jonas French, 1 male, age 50-60 (born 1780-1790).191850 U.S. Census, Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, p. 265, Ancestry.com, Images Online.
"Dwelling 1214, family 1359. John French, 60, M[ale], Farmer, Value of Real Estate: $500, Born in Mass. Living alone."