Person:George French (2)

Military Service

George French's service during the War of 1812 is described in a biographical sketch of his son, Ersom French, in the Portrait and biographical album of Vermilion County, Illinois, pages 735-736: "At the beginning of the War of 1812 the father took his family back to Kentucky, left them with his parents and returned to Indiana, where he became wagoner for the soldiers. The road on which he traveled was that extending between Forts Knox and Harrison. On two occasions his wagons loaded with provisions were captured by Indians. They burned the wagons, took possession of the eatables, and had it not been for the fleetness of his horse, George French would not have escaped as he did without injury. He drove a team of five horses, the leader of which was a remarkably swift mare."

Migration Pattern

The biographical sketch of George's son, Ersom, continues on to say that "After the close of the war, Mr. French brought his family back to Indiana and settled northeast of Vincennes. After a few years, being dissatisfied with his residence, he removed to a place near Terre Haute on the prairie, where he spent his last days, leaving eleven children, whose names were as follows: Umphery, Henry, John, Ersom, Mary, Erastus, Thomas, Elizabeth, George, Washington, and Mary J."

Notes on the Name

George French's middle name may have been "Washington".