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Louisa Rebecca FRENCH (b 1871)

Louisa Rebecca French was surely born in New York City, the daughter of George William French and Louisa Atkins, both born in Ireland. I do not believe that her birth was recorded in the records of New York City but I am inclined to believe that she was her parents fifth child, born in March 1873. There is abundant uncertainty about the birth date of Louisa and her sister Sarah. (See the fact sheet for Sarah Elizabeth French for a discussion of that confusion.) Louisa appeared in the 1880 US Census with her parents and two sisters, Lizzie and Sarah, at 232 West 19th Street in Manhattan.

Louisa married Albert Stuart in New York City on 13 Jul 1895. The ceremony was performed by the vicar of St Chrysostom's Chapel, an Episcopal mission church in New York's infamous Hell's Kitchen. It was a first marriage for each of them. Their first child, a son named Albert, was born the following year on 09 May 1896, but died of cholera on 19 Aug 1897. By the time of the 1900 US Census, the couple had two daughters, Isabella Louisa, born on 28 Dec 1897, and Alice French, born on 27 Apr 1898. A third daughter, Jessie, was born on 09 Mar 1901 and a fourth, Mildred, born on 12 Feb 1903. All four daughters were at home at the time of the 1905 New Jersey Census and at the time of the 1910 US Census.

Albert died in 1939. Louisa was found by the 1940 US Census at 62 Newkirk Street in Jersey City. A widow, she was living in a rented apartment with her daughter Isabella, single at age 42, a machine operator in a soap factory who made $1040 in the year 1939. Louise reported that she had only five years of elementary education. Daughter Isabella reported only four years of education. I have not been able to find a record of either Louisa or Isabella in the 1950 US Census, but I believe both to have been alive and living on Jackson Avenue in Jersey City.

The records of St John's Episcopal Church in Jersey City, New Jersey show that Louisa died on 20 Jul 1957 and was buried in New York Bay Cemetery on 23 Jul 1957.

Sources:

1871 New York Birth Registration for Sarah French (b 1871): Citation: 1871 New York Return of a Birth, Bureau of Records of Vital Statistics, Health Department, 301 Mott Street, New York, certificate 78411. The author possesses a facsimile copy of this document. Content: 1. Full Name of Child: Sarah French. 2. Sex: Female, No of Child of Mother: Fourth. 3 Race or Color: White. (4) Date of Birth: November 5th 1871. 5: Place of Birth: 418 East 15th Street. 6. Full Name of Mother: Louisa Rebecca French, Maiden Name; Atkins. 7. Mother's Birthplace and Age: Ireland, Thirty-seven (sic). 8. Mother's Residence: 418 East 15th Street. 9. Full Name of Father: George William French. 10. Father's Occupation: Trunk Maker. 11: Father's Birthplace and Age: Ireland, Twenty-four (sic). Sinature and Address of Medical Attendant: K B Martin, 413 E 9th Street. The Return is undated, though it is stamped Received Nov 9 1871. [Note: the ages reported for both mother and father are both improbable and almost certainly incorrect.]

1880 US Census, Household of George French (b c1840): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Year: 1880; Census Place: New York City, New York, New York; Roll: 882; Page: 485C; Enumeration District: 334. Content: The 1880 US Census of New York City (New York) NY shows the household of George French at 232 W Nineteenth St: (1) George French, age 40, husband, trunk maker, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, (2) Louisa French, age 39, wife, own house keeper, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, (3) Lizzie French, age 18, daughter, single, [works] in chocolate factory, born NY, (4) Lousia (sic) French, age 8, daughter, in school, born NY, and (5) Sarah French, age 7, single, in school, born NY. [Note: Sarah would have been 8 on this day, but turning 9 in November of 1880. I am not certain that the order of the girls by age is correct. Without a birth record for Louisa, I do not know how to evaluate what has been recorded here for the two youngest girls ages.]

1895 New York Marriage Record for Albert Stuart (b 1859) and Louisa R French (b 1871): Citation: State of New York, City of New York, [Marrige] Certificate 10402, Rec'd 06 Jul 1895. The author transcribed the record from microfilm. Content: The record certifies that Albert Stuart and Louisa R French were joined in marriage by me in accordance with the laws of the State of NewYork ... this third day of July 1895. Signed: Thomas Henry Sill, Witness: Alfred Stuart, Sarah E French. Date of Marriage: July 13, 1895. Groom's full name: Albert Stuart. Residence: 302 W 32. Age 34 yrs. Color: White. Single or Widowed: Single. Birthplace: Scotland. Father's name: William Stuart. Mother's maiden name: Little. Number of groom's marriage; First. Bride's full name: Louisa R French. Residence 306 W 21. Age 23 yrs. Color: White. Single or WIdowed: Single. Birthplace New York City. Father's name: George W French. Mother's maiden name: Atkins. Number of bride's marriage: First. ... Date of Record: 06 Jul 1895.

1895 Certificate of Marriage for Albert Stuart (b 1859) and Louisa R French: Citation: A facsimile of the certificate is in the possesion of the author. Content: A Certificate of Marriage from Trinity Parish, New York, certifies that on Wednesay the third day of July, 1895 in St Chrysostom's Chapel in the City of New York, Albert Stuart and Louisa R French were joined together in Holy Matrimony, by me, the undersigned, according to the Rites and Cermonies of the Protestant Episcopal Church: that the residence of the said Albert Stuart was 302 W 32 St, NY City, and the residence of the said Louisa R Frnch was 306 W 32 St, NY City amd that afater due inquiry made, there appeared no lawful impediment to the marriage. [signed] Thos. Henry Sill, Vicar of St Chrysostom's Chapel.

1896 New York Birth Registration for Albert Stuart (b 1896): Citation: State of New York, Certificate and Record of Birth, Certificate Number 26237, Date of Report: 18 Jun 1896. Record transcribed by the author from microfilm. Content: A birth registration for the State of New York filed on 18 Jun 1896 shows the following: Name: Albert Stuart, Sex: Male, Color: White, Date of Birth: 09 May 1896, Place of Birth: 207 W 40. Father's Name: Albert Stuart, Residence: 207 W 40, Birthplace: Scotland, Age: 36, Occupation: Umbrellas, Mother's Name: Louisa Stuart, Name before Marriage: Louisa French, Residence: 207 W 40, Birthplace: US, Age: 24, Number of previous children: None, How many now living (in all): One, Date of Record: 18 Jun 1896.

1897 New York Death Registration for Albert Stuart (b 1896): Citation: State of New York, City of New York, Certificate and Record of Death, Certificate Number 25762. Record transcribed by the author from microfilm. Content: An 1897 New York Death Registration reads: I hereby certify that I attended the deceased from 17 Aug 1897 to 19 Aug 1897, that I last saw him alive on the 19th day of August 1897, that he died on the 19th day of August 1897 about 7 o'clock [neither am nor pm is marked] and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the cause of his death was as hereunder written: Chief cause: cholera ?infantile?, Contributing cause: Pulmonary Oedema Exhaustion. Sanitary Observation: [blank]. Place of Burial: Bayview Cemetery. Date of Burial: 21 Aug 1897. Undertaker: A Eickelberg, Residence 934 8th Ave. Signature: Wm S McMurdy, MD, Residence: 332 West 51st St. Date of Death: 19 Aug 1897. Full Name: Albert ?G? Stuart. Age: 1 yr 3 mos 10 days. Color: White. Single, married or widowed: Single. Occupation: [blank].

1898 New York Birth Registration for Isabella Louisa Stuart (b 1897): Citation: State of New York, Certificate and Record of Birth, Certificate Number 714, Date of Report: 04 Jan 1898. Record transcribed by the author from microfilm. Content: A birth registration for the State of New York filed on 04 Jan 1898 shows the following: Name: Albert Stuart, Sex: Female, Color: White, Date of Birth: 28 Dec 1897, Place of Birth: 207 W 27. Father's Name: Albert Stuart, Residence: 207 W 27, Birthplace: Scotland, Age: 37, Occupation: Express, Mother's Name: Louisa Stuart, Name before Marriage: Louisa French, Residence: 207 W 27, Birthplace: US, Age: 26, Number of previous children: One, How many now living (in all): One, Date of Record: 04 Jan 1898.

1899 New York Birth Registration for Alice French Stuart (b 1899): Citation: State of New York, Certificate and Record of Birth, Certificate Number 18342, Date of Report: 13 May 1899. Record transcribed by the author from microfilm. Content: A birth registration for the State of New York filed on 13 May 1899 shows the following: Name: Alice French Stuart, Sex: Female, Color: White, Date of Birth: 27 April 1899, Place of Birth: 207 W 27. Father's Name: Albert Stuart, Residence: 207 W 27, Birthplace: Scotland, Age: 39, Occupation: Express, Mother's Name: Louise Stuart, Name before Marriage: Louise French, Residence: 207 W 27, Birthplace: US, Age: 27, Number of previous children: Two, How many now living (in all): Two, Date of Record: 13 May 1899.

1900 US Census, Household of Albert Stuart (b 1859).: Citation: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Year: 1900; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Roll: 1090; Page: 1; Enumeration District: 0219; FHL microfilm: 1241090. Content: The 1900 US Census of the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, New York on 01 Jun 1900 of 211 [West] 29th Street lists a household composed of (1) Albert Stuart, head, white, male, born Aug ?1860?, age 39, married 5 yrs, born Scotland, year of immigration: 1885, years in the US: 15, citizenship status: first papers, express clerk, can read/write, rents, (2) Louisa Stuart, wife, white, female, born Nov 1871, age 28, married 5 yrs, 3 children, 2 living, born New York, parents born Ireland, can read/write, (3) Isabella Stuart, daughter, white, female, born Dec 1897, age 2 (sic), single, born New York, (4) Alice Stuart, daughter, white, female, born Apr 1898, age 2, single, born New York.

1901 New York Birth Registration for Jessie Stuart (b 1901): Citation: State of New York, Certificate and Record of Birth, Certificate Number 11518, Date of Report: 12 March 1901. Record transcribed by the author from microfilm. Content: A birth registration for the State of New York filed on 12 March 1901 shows the following: Name: Jessie Stuart, Sex: Female, Color: White, Date of Birth: 09 March 1901, Place of Birth: 211 W 29. Father's Name: Albert Stuart, Residence: 211 W 29, Birthplace: Scotland, Age: 40, Occupation: Express, Mother's Name: Louisa Stuart, Name before Marriage: Louisa French, Residence: 211 W 29, Birthplace: US, Age: 29, Number of previous children: 3, How many now living (in all): 3, Date of Record: 12 March 1901.

1911 Episcopal Church Burial Record for Jessie Stuart (b 1901): Citation: Ancestry.com. New Jersey, Episcopal Diocese of Newark Church Records, 1809-1816, 1825-1970 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Episcopal Diocese of Newark; 808 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08618; New Jersey, Episcopal Diocese of Newark Church Records, 1800 - 1970; Reference Number: 4. Content: A church burial record for Jessie Stuart, age 10, address: 13 Westervelt, shows that she died of diptheria on 19 Jun 1911 and was buried on Tuesday 20 Jun 1911 in New York Bay Cemetery. Officiating clergy was George Daniel Hadley.

1903 New Jersey Birth Registration for Mildred Stuart (b 1903): Citation: State of New Jersey, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Certificate and Record of Birth, Certificate Number 49732, 1903/Reel 22. Record transcribed by the author from microfilm. Content: A 1903 birth registration for the State of New Jerseyshows the following: Name: Mildred Stuart, Sex: Female, Color: White, Date of Birth: 12 Feb 1903, Place of Birth: 13a Westervelt Ave, Jersey City. Father's Name: Albert Stuart, Mother's Name: Louisa French, Father's Birthplace: Scotland, Age: 40, Occupation: [illegible], Mother's Birthplace: US, Age: 31, Occupation: Housewife, Number of previous children: 5 (sic), How many now living: 3.

1905 New Jersey Census, Household of Albert Stuart (b 1859): Citation: Ancestry.com. New Jersey, U.S., State Census, 1905 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017. Original data:New Jersey State Archive, Trenton, NJ, USA. New Jersey State Archive; Trenton, NJ, USA; State Census of New Jersey, 1905; Reference Number: NA; Film Number: 22. Content: The 1905 New Jersey Census of Jersey City (Hudson) New Jersey on 12 Jun 1905 lists a residence at 12 Westervelt Street with a household composed of (1) Albert Stuart, white, male, born Aug 1859, age 45, married, born Scotland, driver, can read/write, renting, (2) Louise Stuart, white, female, born Nov 1873, age 31, married, born New York, housework, can read/write, (3) Isabelle Stuart, white, female, born Dec 1897, age 7, born New York, (4) Alice Stuart, white, female, born apr 1898, age 6, born New York, (5) Jessie Stuart, white, female, born Mar 1901, age 4, born New York, and (6) Mildred Stuart, white, female, born Feb 1903, age 2, born New Jersey.

1910 US Census, Household of Albert Steuart (b 1859): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Year: 1910; Census Place: Jersey City Ward 6, Hudson, New Jersey; Roll: T624_890; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0124; FHL microfilm: 1374903. Content: The 1910 US Census of Jersey City (Hudson) New Jersey on 15 Apr 1910 of 13 Westervelt Street lists a household composed of (1) Albert Steuart, head, male, white, age 47, married 14 yrs, born Scotland, year of immigration: 1880, naturalized citizen, laborer for car company, can read/write, rents, (2) Louise Steuart, wife, female, white, age 38, married 14 years, 5 children, 4 living, born New York, parents born Ireland, (3) Isabella Steuart, daughter, female, white, age 12, single, born New York, can read/write, (4) Alice Steuart, daughter, female, white, age 11, single, bon New York, can read/write, (5) Jessie Steuart, daughter, female, white, age 9, single, born New York, can read/write, and (6) Mildred ?S? Steuart, daughter, female, white, age 7, single, born New York, can read/write.

1920 US Census, Household of Albert Stuart (b 1859): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Year: 1920; Census Place: Jersey City Ward 8, Hudson, New Jersey; Roll: T625_1046; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 196. Content: The 1920 US Census of Jersey City (Hudson) New Jersey on 05 Jan 1920 lists household 55 (rented) at 568 Jackson Avenue composed of (1) Albert Stuart, head, male, white, age 57, married, year of immigration; 1882, naturalized citizen, 1889, can read/write, born Scotland, boiler maker in factory, (2) Louse Stuart, wife, female, white, age 46, married, can read/write, born New York, parents born Ireland, (3) Isabelle Stuart, relationship to head is blank, female, white, age 22, single, can read/write is blank, born New York, assorter in pencil factory, (4) Mildred Stuart, relationship to head is blank, female, age 17 single, can read/write is blank, born New Jersey, labeler in soap factory, (5) Raymond Stuart, relationship to head is blank, male, age 2 yrs, 8 months, single, can read/write is yes (sic), born New Jersey.

1925 Jersey City, New Jersey City Directory with Listing for Albert and Louise Stuart: Citation: Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Title: Jersey City, New Jersey, City Directory, 1925. Content: A 1925 Jersey City, New Jersey city directory lists Albert Stuart (Louise) lab h581 Communipaw av.

1930 US Census, Household of Albert Stuart (b 1859): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Year: 1930; Census Place: Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 0104; FHL microfilm: 2341088. Content: The 1930 US Census of Jersey City (Hudson) New Jersey on 19 Apr 1930 lists household 403 at 14 Egel Avenue, rented for $35), no radio, composed of (1) Albert Stuart, head, male, whie, age 65, married 22 years, can read/write, born Scotland, date of immigration: 1919 (sic), naturalized citizen, operator in boiler factory, not a veteran, (2) Louise Stuart, wife, female, white, age 55, married 22 yrs, can read/write, born New York, parents born Ireland, (3) Isabella Stuart, daughter, female, white, age 30, single, can read/write, born New York, operator in tooth paste [factory], and (4) Raymond, son (sic), male, white, age 13, single, in school, can read/write, born New Jersey.

1939 New Jersey Death Registration for Albert Stuart (b 1859): Citation: 1939 New Jersey Death Registration, Reel 347, Reg No ?12227?. The author transcribed the record from microfilm. Content: A 1939 Death Registration from Jersey City (Hudson) New Jersey for Albert Stuart, residence: 206 Monticello Ave, Jersey City, length of residence in city: 37 years. Sex: Male, Color: White, Marital Status: Married, Wife; Louise French, DOB: 08 Aug 1860 (sic), Age: 78 yrs, Occup: Retired Crane Operator, last worked 1930, total time in occupation 22 years. Birthplace: Scotland, Father: William Stuart, born Scotland. Mother: Isabella Little, born Scotland. Informant: Louise Stuart, Jersey City, Place of Burial: New York Bay Cemetery, date: 15 Feb 1939, undertaker: W Howard Steever, 37 Clinton Ave, Jersey City. Received: 15 Feb 1939. Date of Death: 11 Feb 1939. Caue: Coma following cardio-renal disease.

1939 Episcopal Church Burial Record for Albert Stuart (b 1859): Citation: Ancestry.com. New Jersey, Episcopal Diocese of Newark Church Records, 1809-1816, 1825-1970 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Episcopal Diocese of Newark; 808 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08618; New Jersey, Episcopal Diocese of Newark Church Records, 1800 - 1970. Content: An Episcopal Diocese of Newark burial record dated 15 Feb 1939 shows that Albert Stuart, age 78, 206 Monticello Ave, Jersey City, NJ died on 11 Feb 1939 of Heart Disease and was buried in New York Bay Cemetery.

1940 US Census, Household of Louisa Stuart (b 1873): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Year: 1940; Census Place: Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey; Roll: m-t0627-02409; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 24-294. Content: The 1940 US Census of Jersey City (Hudson) New Jersey on 02 April 1940 lists a residence at 62 Newkirk Street with a household composed of (1) Louise Stuart, head, female, white, age 67, widow, completed 5 years of elementary education, born in New York, lived in the same location in 1935, was not working and had no income but did have other resources, (2) Isabella Stuart, daughter, female, white, age 42, single, completed four years of elementary education, born in New York, living at the same location in 1935, employed as a machine operator in a soap factory with an income of $1040 in 1939.

1957 Burial Record for Louise French Stuart (b 1873): Citation: Ancestry.com. New Jersey, U.S., Episcopal Diocese of Newark Church Records, 1809-1816, 1825-1970 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data:Church Records. Episcopal Diocese of Newark, Newark, New Jersey. Content: A 1957 record of St John's Church in the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey shows that Louise French Stuart, age 85, 64 Jackson Ave, Jersey City, New Jersey was buried on Tuesday 23 Jul 1957 in New York Bay Cemetery. She died on 20 Jul 1957. The officiant at burial was Alfred L McWilliams.

1957 New Jersey Death Index Record for Louise French Stuart (b 1873): Citation: Ancestry.com. New Jersey, U.S., Death Index, 1848-1878, 1901-2017 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data:Death Indexes. New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, New Jersey. New Jersey State Archives; Trenton, New Jersey; New Jersey, Death Indexes, 1904-2000. Content: A 1957 New Jersey death index record shows that Louise French died in July 1957 in Jersey City (Hudson) New Jersey. (State File No 29958).