Refer to The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England 1634-1635, Volume II, by Robert Charles Anderson, George F. Sanborn Jr., and Melinde Lutz Sanborn (2001, Boston), pages 588-93, for information concerning the immigrant family. John FRENCH, who was at Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA in 1637, is identified as a brother of Lt. William FRENCH by a court record of Apr. 2, 1650 granting "William French right and power of administration upon the estate of his brother John French deceased, and do confirm and allow of his disposal of the children." One child of John FRENCH was Sarah FRENCH, who was married on Oct. 11, 1657 at Billerica, MA to John TRULL. Lt. William FRENCH was probably a close relative of Richard FRENCH, who was in Cambridge by 1647. More information about Richard's son Samuel FRENCH is in the following narrative.

William FRENCH - b. about 1605, England; d. Nov. 20, 1681, Billerica, Middlesex Co., MA. His will was made Jun. 5, 1679, and proved Dec. 20, 1681. William came to New England in 1635 aboard the 'Defence', landing at Boston Oct. 3, 1635 and settling at Cambridge. Master of the 'Defence' on the voyage departing England on Aug. 10, 1635 was Edward BOSTOCK, and William FRENCH was enrolled at London as one of the servants to Roger HARLAKENDEN. William's home in Cambridge was on the westerly side of Dunster Street, between Harvard Square and Mt. Auburn Street, purchased in 1639 and sold Jun. 19, 1659. Removed to Billerica, Middlesex Co., MA in 1652. Freeman Mar. 3, 1635/6; Sergeant 1642, nominated Lt. 1645 and confirmed 1647; and representative of Billerica 1660, 1663 and 1664. There seems to be no support in the colonial records for a title of Captain, and his estate inventory and settlement papers consistently name his as Lt. William FRENCH. A tailor by trade, he had two 'families', with 8 children born by 1646, and 4 more born 1670-1676 when he was age 67-73. Married first by 1628 in England; and second on May 6, 1669 at Billerica, MA to Mary LOTHROP (b. Oct. 4, 1640), widow of John STEARNS of Billerica, Middlesex Co., MA, and daughter of Thomas LOTHROP and Mary (LEARNED) EWER. Mary had 6 children by her first marriage (John, Isaac, Samuel, Isaac, Nathaniel, and Thomas), and married third 1684 Isaac MIXER, Jr.

Elizabeth GODFREY - b. about 1605, England; d. Mar. 31, 1668, Billerica, Middlesex Co., MA. Another source gives her surname as SYMMES. Arrived aboard the 'Defence' with husband and four children, who were not specifically identified as children of William and Elizabeth. The passenger list gives ages as follows: William, 30; Elizabeth, 30; Francis, 10; Elizabeth, 6; Mary (or Marie), 2 1/2; and John, 5 months. Note that Francis was not a son of William and Elizabeth - see information that follows.

See Notable Cousins for line to: George Herbert Walker BUSH, George Walker BUSH, Richard Bruce CHENEY, Charles GOODYEAR, and Eli WHITNEY

Children of William and Elizabeth French

Mary (or Marie) - b. 1633, England; d. May 27, 1672. Married Jonathan HYDE (b. 1626, England; d. Oct. 5, 1711)

http://kinnexions.com/smlawson/french.htm#WFrench