* Note: Henry Clay French is not related to this line.

Charles H. French is the uncle of Henry French [Find A Grave Memorial# 130740505].

alternate birth date: November 1840. In 1902 said he was 65 and therefore born about 1837.

place of birth is either Village of Chittenango or Town of Sullivan in Madison County New York. I am certain Charles was born before 1839 as he is older than his brother Henry also the fact is that the family moved from Chittenango, Madison County to Onondaga County about 1840.

Tuesday, June 12th, 1906 - Syracuse Herald: "French was about 50 years old." so maybe born 1845/46. Another obit dated June 17, 1906, says he was 70 yrs old.

parents are presumed to be James and Theodora French.

Spouses: Helen b. about 1853 per 1880 census and Mary per 1900 census b. about 1851.

Newspaper article mention that his wife committed suicide several years ago. Uncertain which spouse the newspaper refers to as no name was given. The 1860 U.S. Census listed Eveline as his wife, then for 1875 and 1880 was Helen, and not sure if there was a Mary.

Siblings: mentioned he has several but only knows of Henry and Charlotte.

Charles and Evaline Haskell French married July 6, 1860, had a son, Cyrus Alfred French born on Sept. 5, 1867 and died on January 26, 1871.

As it was a presumption that Theodora was Charles's mother, by coincidence that Theodora is also buried in Myrtle Hill cemetery shedding new light along with her being listed on the 1880 U.S. Census at #24 Jefferson St. Syracuse with Charles and his wife Helen. The Syracuse, City Directory of 1891 lists Chas. H. French at 105 Otisco St. as it is evidence he must be related to Theodorcia French as the same address was given in her obit/ life sketch.

Three occurrences to point out, 1- Theodora French life sketch, 2 - their place of burial and 3 - the 1880 U.S. census. The information above provides enough relevant evidence or actual facts that Charles was indeed Theodora's son. Deafy's obituary given below will confirm everything.

Even though the Theodora French life sketch story says her husband died in Geddes does not necessarily mean his name was Henry. Shown below I have discovered in the newspaper archives the name of Henry French who died in 1873 and Sarah, wife of Henry French who died in 1872. See Find A Grave MEMORIAL ID 194458185 regarding Sarah J (nee Lincoln) French.

According to what has been found in the census that Theodora's husband's name was James.

^^ although not relevant, Henry and Sarah may be of some distant relation ^^

I have found a Henry French who died in the town of Geddes. He died on Nov. 5, 1873, and the other for Sarah French wife of Henry French was not very readable but clear enough it was December 14/15, 1872.//

"THE SYRACUSE DAILY JOURNAL, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1872

Deaths: FRENCH - December 14, 1872. Sarah ?, (one of these letters B,D,E,F,K,L,N,P,R), the wife of Henry French, aged ?7 (17,27,77, 87), 3 months and 13 days.

Funeral at the M.E. Church at Geddes on Wednesday at 10 o'clock A.M. The remains will be taken to Fayetteville for interment."

The Syracuse Daily Journal, Tuesday Evening Sept. 15, 1874. Necrology:

GEDDES - Henry French, died Nov. 5, 1873, aged 84 years.

Syracuse Daily Journal Thursday, November 6, 1873

FRENCH- at Geddes, November 5, James French aged 84 years. Funeral services at the house, November 7th at 2 o'clock P.M. and at the Methodist Church at 2:30 P.M. Friends and acquaintances are invited to attend.

* obit list James French, not sure why later given as Henry.

The Daily Courier, Syracuse, NY. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1874 - necrological listing:

GEDDES - Henry French, died Nov. 5, 1873, aged 84.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charles's brother, Henry, and his wife Sarah had 4 sons, Daniel, Henry, William, and James; 2 daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. His nephews were mentioned in his obit. Also, we know of his niece, Elizabeth, from articles regarding his time spent in prison and she was responsible for his holding his money and property in Jefferson, Walton, and Gifford St. - When arrested on April 2, 1898, was at his home 218 W. Jefferson St. Also he lived at 700 Avery Ave. On Nov. 19, 1902, for the defense French denied the charge. Louis Demett, Elizabeth Roberts and Myron Roberts were other witnesses. Henry's family resided near Fayetteville, Onondaga, NY. Charles H. French received a Pardon in May 1905 and was released from the Auburn Prison. When he died there was no will which resulted in a debate between his brother, Henry, and his niece, Elizabeth French Roberts. Deafy died in poverty since his reputation diminished and his niece, Elizabeth, withheld returning his money and property.

His nephew James Edward French abandon 1st wife Nina Smith and daughter Helen and moved to California where he remarried to Mildred.

+ THE FAYETTEVILLE BULLETIN, Fayetteville, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 26, 1913. +

The remains of Henry French, 65, were brought to this village Monday from the State hospital at Ogdensburg and the funeral was held Tuesday afternoon from the undertaking rooms of C.R. Eaton. Mr. French is survived by a wife who resides at Elkhorn and four sons James, William, Daniel, and Henry.

Charles's sister, Charlotte Mahala married Thomas E. Arnold and she had one known daughter, Julia Robinson as listed in the 1892 NY Census, then in 1900 US Census was listed as Julia Arnold. They resided in Ellenburg, Clinton, NY. Charlotte died in 1920 and was buried at Riverside cemetery in Ellenburg, NY.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is said that his mother was Theodora French aged 105 and died in 1891 in Syracuse, NY. His mother had lived with him.

Her life transcript - obit gives the names of her children as Charles H. French, Charlotte Mahala French and Sidney Henry French who resides in Elkhorn. (a former hamlet located between Fayetteville and Manlius, NY. which no longer exist since 1933). From Charles "Deafy's" obit it is not known that his brother Henry's first name was actually Sidney and I have not been able to confirm any such person named Sidney Henry French. However, Henry did have 4 sons which are an exact match to those named in his obit as nephews.

In Charles obit list his brother as Henry F. French, could it be misunderstood and should have been "S" for Sidney ??

Please consider that my Great Aunt Shirley B. (nee French) Randall of Manlius told me that her father, Henry French, son of Henry French had no Middle Name and not aware that he was ever a Junior. In his Military draft registration, young Henry had wrote "none" for his middle name.

We know that Charles niece, Elizabeth French Roberts, a daughter of his brother Henry's filed a lawsuit/ case against Elizabeth to retrieve his rightful belonging.. The trial was delayed for several months and Charles had died in 1906. Henry was designated as administrator of Charles estate took his daughter Elizabeth to court but it was settled outside of court prior to going to trial. The French family is of moderate size and may be confused with other French families within central New York. They mostly resided in the Fayetteville/Manlius area (aka Elkhorn and High Bridge were once hamlets of Onondaga county located in Fayetteville and Manlius vicinity).

* Note: Henry Clay French is not related to this line.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charles niece, Elizabeth Roberts,[Find A Grave Memorial# 64242403] was in charge of his estate while he served prison time from Nov. 1902 to May 1905. Also that when he had died his brother Henry was the executive of his estate. Charles was known as "Deafy French" and worked primarily as a Cartman in central New York. Possible as a carpenter but unlikely to have been a contractor.

Obituary info says Charles was a cartman, guess that pertains to riding around with a cart full of stuff. I suppose if he did construction or carpentry work this was how he managed to get around. Then again could be something entirely different such as providing a transportation taxi service, delivery of goods, or selling and bargaining items he collected.

3 homes he lived in were at 105 Otisco St., 700 Avery Ave., and 24 W. Jefferson St.

Other: 218 W. Jefferson St. and 143 Dickerson.

The Belle Isle that the life sketch refers to was located near Town of Camillus and the Erie Canal system (Lot 68). It is not the private island located in Alexandria Bay/ Thousand Islands. Also from Theodora's life sketch that prior to moving to Onondaga County the French family had lived in Chittenango, Madison county where most likely where Charles was born.

----------OBITUARY ---INFO-----OBITUARY----INFO-------------------

THE POST-STANDARD, SYRACUSE, N.Y., WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE 13, 1906.

Relatives of Charles H. French, or "Deafy" French, were located yesterday near Fayetteville by Undertaker W. P. Hart, and the dead man's niece, Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, whom French had sued to recover property valued at more than $22,000 will bury him. French is also survived by a brother, Henry F. French, and four nephews, William, Daniel, James and Henry French. All residing near Fayetteville, and one sister, Mrs. Mahala Arnold of Ellenburg, Clinton county. Funeral services will be held at Hart's undertaking rooms at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, and interment made at Myrtle Hill Cemetery.

[only twice in newspaper archives has the name, Henry F. French, been found. In our family history it is not known that Henry had a middle name. The article of Mrs. Theodore French acclaimed to be 105 years old mentions 3 of her children: Charles H. , Sidney Henry, and Charlotte Mahala French.]

The Post Standard, Syracuse, NY Saturday Morning July 20, 1907.

The estate of Charles H. French, who was commonly called "Deafy" French is appraised at $7,000. He died June 11 1906, leaving no will. The estate goes to a brother, Henry French of Manlius, and a sister, Mrs. Mahala Arnold of Ellenburg.

The Post Standard, Syracuse, NY, Friday Morning, June 15, 1906.

The funeral of Charles H. French was held yesterday afternoon at Hart's undertaking rooms and Interment made at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. George A. Frank officiated. Four nephews acted as bearers.

THE SYRACUSE HERALD: SUNDAY MORNINGJ JUNE 17, 1906.

FRENCH CHARLES H. — Suddenly. June 11th, Charles H. French, aged 70 years.

THE SYRACUSE HERALD: WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 13, 1906.

The funeral of Charles French will be held from Hart's undertaking rooms at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. The burial will be at Myrtle Hill cemetery.

THE FAYETTEVILLE BULLETIN (local newspaper archive via website www.FultonHistory.com) has been rather consistent in mentioning the hamlet "ELKHORN" in several articles from 1890's to 1922 when researching the French family. The Census has listed their residence on High Bridge which coincides with Henry French dealings or incidents with neighboring SNOOKS family over the pond. I am not able to list everything about the French family here but they were close friends with the GOODFELLOWS and EVERINGHAMS of the Fayetteville/Manilus area. Henry's oldest daughter, Mary French, had married George Leroy Goodfellow. Also that Chester Parker had bought Henry French former residence and stayed there. Jennie Mae Parker, daughter of Chester had married Henry French's son Henry.

In the 1892 U.S. Census there is a George French aged 2.

*The Fayetteville Recorder, Fayetteville, *Onondaga Co. NY. August 24, 1893.

FRENCH – At Elkhorn Aug. 17, George French age 4 years, son of Henry French. Funeral was held on Sunday and interment was made in the Fayetteville cemetery.

A later cousin of George's had died as a toddler Mariam Eunice French (1909-1911) - Find A Grave Memorial# 92015403.

_____________________________________

partial deafness (appears to be hereditary) which occurs in adult life runs in the French family as Charles H. French had hearing problems, his nephew Henry French (1887-1957), and Henry's daughter, Evelyn L. French Smith (1908-1999), her daughter Janet and son Richard.

R. Scott (aka ScottishPiper) unable to locate burial marker on June 4, 2021. I had searched area for better than 1 hour. Mr. Papworth, a keeper of the cemetery, provided me with general location utilizing the layout / map. Either the markers have been removed or that they have become so deteriorated leaving no visible engraving to be read. There is no French monument. It is rare to find a flat horizontal stone marker as not many. Overall condition of the cemetery is poor and not much upkeep other than mowing, seen more than 100 tombstones laying on the ground. Less than 4,000 people buried here and it is hilly. Vehicle can be driven around the cemetery but road is narrow. The entrance is closed after November 1 and reopened in the spring each year. It appears the closest I've come to where Theodora and her son Henry H. said to be buried is near the W. H. Chase and Orville Chase (Chase Monument) Block 2, Section 35. I assume that a Section is equivalent to 18 to 20 feet. Plot, lot, and section is all the same. Grave plot is 2.5 by 8 feet. Wanted to take a photo to my dismay. Went back on June 16, 2021. No grave markers as either been removed or destroyed over the years. As mentioned there is very little maintenance done here. On July 5 & 7, 2022 or 1 year later made more attempts to locate their gravesite. It is terrible or horrific to see more grave markers and more monuments knocked over and damaged. Apparently, this cemetery is not carefully watched or observed nor any attempt in putting graves headstones back in place. What a terrible disaster. Mr. Papworth and the Sexton who is Annie Papworth Blakely (guess it is his sister) are elderly people as believe they only manage the place because they have several Papworth ancestors buried here. I realize many cemeteries lack funding for upkeep but this is ridiculous at the rate it is going in 10 years you won't recognize anything and take caution not to trip over the stones or dead trees.

THE SYRACUSE HERALD, MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 8, 1906.

AUCTION-THURSDAY MORNING AT 10 o'clock at the late residence of Charles H. French,

700 Avery Ave. the whole contents of said house will be sold, consisting of a piano, one organ and lot of old mahogany furniture, stoves, chairs, tables, pictures, rugs, carpet, looking glasses, etc. Henry French administrator. W. W. Rainey, auctioneer.

^ Charles's home at 218 W. Jefferson was vandalized, broken into and items stolen while he was in prison. His brother Henry had new door locks installed and various window entrances bordered closed. Syracuse Police had investigated and kept watch of the home until repairs and new locks were in place.

When admitted to Auburn Prison on 21 Apr. 1903 it states Charles's age as 64 and born in Madison County. He was paroled on 28 Apr. 1905. Eventually, his conviction was overturned as his accusers admitted they had lied but Charles would never recover the time he lost or his reputation. His niece, Elizabeth Roberts, withheld from returning his possessions and Charles lived the last year of his life in poverty.

*** Evaline French - Charles 1st wife had consumed corrosive sublimate and committed suicide. Daily Courier, Syracuse, NY, March 10, 1869. Evaline died Sunday morning March 7, 1869. Eveline Haskell and Charles French were married on 6 July 1860 or for 9 years. They had one child nineteen months old as of March 1869 (probably Alfred French, as no other information about him has been found other than from the U.S. 1870 Census). Evaline's brother was John H. Haskell who happen to be married to Charles French sister, Mrs. Charlotte Haskell. Alice Grant was hired to care of the baby as marital problems preceded Evaline's death. It was insinuated or thought - rumored by Evaline that Charles and Alice were having an affair for at least a year or more. Evaline was told to divorce Charles but she never took action other than threatening Charles she would take her own life. Evaline was forced to move out and stayed else where as a boarder. She would constantly pester Charles for money, most of the time he said he had none. Charles had given her $100 several times in hopes that she would permanently leave.