A genealogical history of the French and allied families

Front matter

Do Not Circulate

A Genealogical History of the French and Allied Families

Rev. Atchison Queal

Foreword

The study of genealogy has been for some years on the increase. Many causes have contributed to this. Among them are the patriotic societies whose membership in part at least depends on descent from revolutionary stock. The increasing tendency to reach for baubles in American society causes many a quest for proof of kinship with those in England who have the right to use insignia by heraldic authority. Not a few engage in the search of family history believing that somewhere in the East or in Europe is a fortune lying unclaimed awaiting its rightful heir. And then there are those whose traits of mind and special tastes lead to this kind of writing for the mere love of the semimysterious, ever elusive information, lying just beyond reach, the attainment of which is the goal of an aspiration smaller, though no less sincere, than is that of him who explores uncharted seas and sciences.

This beautiful book is due neither to a need for proof of patriot or Pilgrim lineage, to a desire of display, nor to the hope of fame or fortune.

Mary Queal Beyer has deeply loved her immediate ancestry. She has even deeper love for her living kin by blood and marriage. She has put her thought in printed fact rather than adulation. In the form of a book she has recited a family record, and challenged her descendants to measure up to a standard high and firm and fixed in the affairs of home and country.

It is my pleasure as the chief administrative officer of the State Historical Department of Iowa at Des Moines, to have witnessed the faithful labors of Mrs. Beyer amongst the books and references in our collections. I have observed the really wonderful collection of fam-

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ily data she has gathered into her hands, and I may say into her mind, and the fidelity, patience, and industry she has given to the preparation of these for publication.

The family and friends of Mrs. Beyer may assure themselves she has prepared for them a work no one else could have done. They are the beneficiaries of a lavish hand and loving heart. They have had made for them a lasting memorial such as is not within the power of painter or of sculptor to conceive, and thus she has classed herself with genius.

This beautiful book will be held and prized generations after its author has laid it down forever. Its spirit speaks of her in eloquence she has devoted in words to others alone. This word of her I feel is due.

Edgar R. Harlan,

Curator State Historical Department of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa

Author's Preface

When I began this work, my only thought was to leave to my children the results of my research. Family records preserved in letters or in the pages of diaries kept by those who have long since been crowned, have yielded much of interest to the people of the present day, and have created a desire to put these records in some tangible form for the use of future generations.

Much time has been spent in research with the hope of adding to the stock of information already possessed, and while the energy thus expended has been rewarded beyond all expectation, yet the work is far from complete, and many errors have doubtless crept into these pages.

It is to be hoped that the future generations of these families will make as enviable a record as have those who silently follow each other through these pages. While none have climbed to dizzy heights of fame, yet none have brought shame or disgrace for a heritage to the generations unborn, so this history will stand as the life record of plain, honest common people.

I wish at this time to make acknowledgement to Mrs. Lucy French Stoner of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. S. H. French of Amsterdam, New York, and Seward H. French of Binghamton, New York, for the very efficient help rendered in verifying statements and copying court records; to Mrs. Nellie Pendell of Binghamton, New York, for the loan of the account book kept by Samson French ; and to Mrs. Jennie McElyea Beyer of Ames, Iowa, who has been my invaluable assistant in the compilation of this history.

I wish to make special mention of the Iowa Historical and Geneali4 AUTHOR'S PREFACE

ogical Library which I consider one of the best that any seeker of information along these lines of research can visit; and lastly of my husband, Jackson Beyer, who has rendered the publication of this volume possible.

Mary Queal Beyer