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The French Family
Colonel Joseph French (July 28, 1713 - March 21, 1776) was prominent in civil and military affairs. He was a town officer and colonel in the militia. He came from a prominent family. He is buried in the Old South Burial Ground. (stone, right above).
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Samuel French, grandfather of Colonel Joseph French, was born about 1660 in Billerica and moved to Dunstable about 1680. He died in 1757. He was one of the seven foundation members who formed the first church, and also was a selectman and an honored citizen. Town of Dunstable awarded him funds for having dined the selectmen and for rhum (rum) and cydei (cider). In 1725 the selectmen asked him to “preambulate” the line between the north town and Dunstable.
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Capt. Joseph French, father of Col. Joseph French, was born in 1687 and died in 1735. Although it is believed that Capt. Joseph French is buried in this cemetery, there is no stone. On March 31, 1819, he was “Chosen to make coffins where there be need for the year ensuing.” Lived in the first house on the main road “northerly of the state line.” “8 rods north of the state line.” He was asked to “entertain the new minister,” who followed the ministry of Mr. Weld.
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Col. Joseph French's brother, Benjamin French (grave pictured above, left):In1782 he was chosen to go to Concord to explain a vote, “not to receive the Bill of Rights and Plan of Government” as adopted and to state the reasons for rejection. He was one of the founders of the Nashua Manufacturing Company - 30 shares in 1823.