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Sarah Elizabeth FRENCH (b 1871)

Sarah Elizabeth French was the daughter of George William French and Louisa Rebecca Atkins. Her parents were both born in Ireland and Sarah was born in New York City, NY. Her birth registration reports she was her mother's fourth child, born on 05 Nov 1871. That her mother had three children prior to her birth is affirmed by the 1870 US Census, when George and Louisa are listed along with three children, Elizabeth (age 9), George (age 1) and James (age 2 mos). By the time of the census in 1880, both sons have apparently died, but there are two young daughters in the household, Louisa (age 8) and Sarah (age 7). Given Sarah's birth registration, it would seem that she should have been placed before Louisa in the record. But that is not what we see in the 1880 census. Fortunately, the 1900 US Census provides the opportunity for the census enumerator to record both month and year of a person's birth. In 1900, Louisa (by then married to Albert Stuart) gave her month and year of birth as November 1871. Sarah, on the other hand, (then married to Alfred Stuart) gave her month and year of birth as March 1873. It certainly appears that the sisters were sometimes confused about their birth dates and perhaps even thought their birth dates to be the birth date of the other!

Although age reporting in census documents is notoriously unreliable, the record for these two sisters is at best mixed. For Louisa: In the 1905 New Jersey Census, In April 1910, Louisa gave her age as 38, an age consistent with birth in November 1871. But in January 1920, she gave her age as 46, an age consistent with neither date. In April 1930, Louisa gave her age as 55, again inconsistent with either date, but it looks like the ages of 65 and 55 are just good round numbers that year. In April 1940, as a widow, Louisa gave her age as 67, which is consistent with a birth date of March 1873. For Sarah: In July 1920, Sarah gave her age as 47, which would again place her birth year in 1873. In April 1930, she gave her age as 57, which is consistent with a March 1873 birth. The ages recorded in 1910, 45 for Alfred and 40 for Sarah appear to be simply round numbers and are of no help. And in 1940, it appears that the ages were recorded at a later time and both ages as recorded (Alfred at 60 and Louisa at 59) are wildly inaccurate.

Louisa, at her marriage to Albert Stuart in July 1895 stated that she was age 23, an age that would be consistent with a November 1871 birth. Sarah, at her marriage to Alfred Stuart in June 1896 stated that she was age 23. That report would be consistent with a birth of March 1873 but not with a birth date of November 1871. Yet, even if the 1900 Census data is reliable with its two birth dates for the French sisters of (a) November 1871 for Louisa and (b) March 1873 for Sarah, there is still that troubling New York birth certificate for Sarah that says she was born in November 1871 and the generally inconsistent report of their ages to census takers.

Sarah married Alfred Stuart (b 1864) on 17 Jun 1896 in New York City. The person performing the ceremony was Thomas Henry Sill, the vicar of St Chrysostom's Chapel, an Episcopal mission church in New York's infamous Hell's Kitchen at the corner of 7th Avenue and 39th Street in Manhattan. Sarah gave her age as 23 years. Alfred was age 32. Alfred's older brother Albert Stuart (b 1859) was married to Sarah's sister Louisa less than a year earlier in July 1895. I do not know which of the brothers arrived in New York first, but they obviously met Sarah and Louisa once they were settled there. At Louisa's marriage, both Louisa and Albert were living in Manhattan, Albert at 302 West 32nd Street, Louisa at 306 West 21st Street. The marriage certificate for Louisa and Albert in 1895 gives the address of Sarah and Alfred as the very same as their siblings. When Sarah and Alfred were married in 1896, each had apparently moved from Manhattan and gave their address simply as Jersey City, New Jersey.

Sarah and Alfred had three daughters in the following six years, Mary Isabella Stuart, born 29 Mar 1897, Sarah Little Stuart, born 23 Jan 1899, and Gladys Marie Stuart, born 05 October 1902. Gladys was both baptised and married from Grace Church in Jersey City. The couple lived at various addresses in Jersey City over the years.

Sarah's husband Alfred died on 20 March 1946. Sarah herself died less than a month later on 13 Apr 1946. No cause of her death was given in the burial record of St John's Episcopal Church. She was buried in Crest Haven Memorial Park in Clifton, NJ two days later.

Sources:

1870 US Census, Household of William French (b c1841): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Content: The 1870 US Census of the 14th Election District, 18th Ward in the County of New York, State of New York on 25 July 1870 lists dwelling 45, family 588, composed of (1) William French, age 28, male, white, machinist, born Ireland, parents foreign born, citizen, (2) Luisa (sic) French, age 29, female, white, house keeping, born Ireland, parents foreign born, (3) Elizabeth French, age 9, female, white, born New York, (4) George French, age 1, male, white, born New York, and (5) James French, 2 [months], male, white, born New York, month of birth: May.

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 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 Marriage Registration for Alfred Stuart (b 1864) and Sarah Elizabeth French: Citation: 1896 State of New York, City of New York, Marriage Certificate #10107. Transcribed from microfilm by the author. Content: I hereby certify that Alfred Stuart and Sarah Elizabeth French were joined in marriage by me in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, in the city of New York this Seventeenth day of June, 1896. Witness to this marriage: James Laverton Blair, Mary Elizabeth Duff. Signature of the person performing ceremony: Thos [Henry Sill] (the image is very faint). Date of marriage: June 17, 1896. Groom's full name; Alfred Stuart, Residence: Jersey City, NJ, Age: ?32? yrs, Color: White, Single or widowed: Single, Birthplace: Scotland, Father's naem: William Stuart. Mother's maiden name: Little. Number of groom's marriage: First, Bride's full name: Sarah Elizabeth French, Residence: Jersey City, NJ, Age: 23, Color: White, Single or widowed: Single, Birthplace: New York City, Father's name; George Wm French, Mother's maiden name: Atkins, Number of bride's marriage: First, Name of person performing ceremony: Thos ?Henry Sill?. Official station: [illegible], Residence: [illegible]. Date of record; Jul 24 [illegible].

1897 New Jersey Birth Registration for Mary Isabella Stuart (b 1897): Citation: State of New Jersey, Births, 1897, Reel 153, Certificate #216-47-5300. Transcribed from microfilm by the author. Content: Full name of child: Mary Isabella Stuart, Color: White, Date of birth: March 29th 1897, Sex; Female, Place of birth: ?710 Ocean Ave?, Jersey City, Name of father: Alfred Stuart, Maiden name of mother: Sarah E French, Country of father's birth: Scotland, Age: 34, Occupation: Mechanic, Country of mother's birth: U.S., Mother's age: 24, Number of children in all by this marriage: 1, How many living: 1, Name and P. O. address of medical attendant: [illegible].

1899 New Jersey Birth Registration for Sarah Little Stuart (b 1899) : Citation: 1899 State of New Jersey, Births, Reel 171, Certificate #242-47-5294. Transcribed from microfilm by the author. Content: Full name of child: Sarah Little Stuart, Color: White, Date of birth: January 22nd 1899, Sex; Female, Place of birth: 710 Ocean Ave, Jersey City, Name of father: Alfred Stuart, Maiden name of mother: Sarah French, Country of father's birth: Scotland, Age: 34, Occupation: Forman (Trolly) (sic), Country of mother's birth: U.S., Mother's age: 26, Number of children in all by this marriage: 2, How many living: 2, Name and P. O. address of medical attendant: C A Limeburner, 61 Danforth Ave, Jersey City.

1900 US Census, Household of Alfred Stuart (b 1864): Citation: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Year: 1900; Census Place: Jersey City Ward 7, Hudson, New Jersey; Roll: 978; Page: 19; Enumeration District: 0127; FHL microfilm: 1240978. Content: The 1900 US Census of Jersey City (Hudson) New Jersey on 13 Jun 1900 shows home (300/400), rented, at 132 Linden Avenue with a household composed of (1) Alfred Stuart, head, male, born Apr 1864, age 36, married (4 yrs), born Scotland, parents born Scotland, immigrated in 1880, in US 20 years, naturalized, electrician, (2) Sarah Stuart, wife, female, born May 1873, age 27, married (4 years), 2 children, both living, born NY, parents born Ireland, no occupation, (3) Mary Stuart, daughter, female, born Mar 1897, age 3, single, born NJ, (4) Isabella Stuart, daughter, female, born Jun 1878, age 1, single, born NJ.

1902 New Jersey Birth Registration for Gladys Marie Stuart (b 1902): Citation: State of New Jersey. Births. 1902. Reel 207. Certificate #23276. Transcribed from microfilm by the author. Content: Full name of child: Gladys Marie Stuart, Color: White, Date of birth: October 5th, 1902, Sex; Female, Place of birth: 132 Linden Av, Jersey City, NJ, Name of father: Alfred Stuart, Maiden name of mother: Sarah French, Country of father's birth: Scotland, Age: 39, Occupation: Machinist, Country of mother's birth: U.S., Mother's age 28: Number of children in all by this marriage: 3, How many living: 3, Name and P. O. address of medical attendant: C. A. Limeburner, 79 Danforth A JC.

1905 New Jersey State Census, Household of Alfred Stuart (b 1864): Citation: Ancestry.com. New Jersey, U.S., State Census, 1905 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017. New Jersey State Archive; Trenton, NJ, USA; State Census of New Jersey, 1905; Reference Number: L-05; Film Number: 23. Content: The 1905 New Jersey State Census of Jersey City (Hudson) NJ on 19 Jun 1905, 48 Ege Street shows household of (1) Alfred Stuart, male, born May 1861, age 44, married born Scotland/Scotland/Scotland, 10 years in US, naturalized, electrician, can read/write, (2) Sarah Stuart, female, born Jul 1872, age 32, married, born New York/Ireland/Ireland, can read/write, (3) Mary Stuart, female, born Jan 1897, age 8, born NJ/Ireland/Ireland (sic), (4) Sarah Stuart, female, born Mch 1899, age 6, born NJ/Ireland/Ireland (sic), and (5) Gladdis Stuart, female, born Oct 1902, age 2, born NJ/Ireland/Ireland (sic). [Note: the month of birth for Mary and Sarah have been reversed. The years, however, are correct. Both month and year of birth for the parents are incorrect.]

1910 US Census, Household of Alfred Stuart (b 1864): 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 7, Hudson, New Jersey; Roll: T624_890; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0144; FHL microfilm: 1374903. Content: The 1910 US Census of Jersey City (Hudson) NJ on 19 Apr 1910 shows home (67/170) at 90 Armstrong Avenue, rented, with household composed of (1) Alfred Stewart, head, male, age 40, married 15 years, born NY (sic), parents born Scotland, immigration in 1890, naturalized, boiler maker in shop, (2) Sarah Stewart, wife, female, age 40, married (15 years), born NY, parents born Scotland (sic), no occupation, (3) ?May? Stewart, daughter, age 13, single, in shool, born NJ, (4) Sarah Stewart, daughter, female, age 11, single, in school, born NJ, (5) ?Grader? Stewart, daughter, female, age 7, single, in school, born NJ.

1920 US Census, Household of Alfred Stuart (b 1864): 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 7, Hudson, New Jersey; Roll: T625_1045; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 179. Content: The 1920 US Census of Jersey City (Hudson) NJ on 03 Jan 1920 shows home (49/128) at 174 Jackson Avenue, rented, shows household composed of (1) Alfred Stewart, head, male, age 57, married, immigration data marked unknown, born Scotland, parents born Scotland, boiler erector in boiler company, (2) Sarah Stewart, wife, female, age 47, married, born NY, father born England, mother born Ireland, no occupation, (3) May Stewart, daughter, female, age 22, single, born NJ, packing in candy factory, (4) Sarah Stewart, daughter, female, age 20, single, born NJ, packing in factory, (5) Gladys Stewart, daughter, female, age 17, single, born NJ, clerk in factory.

1925 Jersey City, New Jersey City Directory Listing for Alfred and Sarah 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: Stuart Alfred (Sarah) blrmkr [boilermaker] h[ome] 342 Forrest.

1930 US Census, Household of Alfred Stuart (b 1864): 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: 18A; Enumeration District: 0078; FHL microfilm: 2341087. Content: The 1930 Census of Jersey City (Hudson) NJ on 13 Apr 1930 shows home (293/491), rented for $45/mo, at 2 Vreeland Place with a household composed of (1) Alfred Stuart, head, male, age 67, married (at age 33), born Scotland, parents born Scotland, immigration in 1895, naturalized, erector in boiler company, not a veteran, (2) Sarah Stuart, wife, female, age 57, married (at age 23) born NY, father born England, mother born Ireland, no occupation, (3) Sarah Stuart, daughter, female, age 31, single, born NJ, bench worker in a perfume company.

1940 US Census, Household of Alfred Stuart (b 1864): 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-t0627-02404; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 24-130. Content: A 1940 US Census record of 203 Armstrong Avenue, Jersey City (Hudson) NJ on 04 Apr 1940 shows the HH of (1) Alfred Stuart, head, age 60, grade 8 education, born Scotland, naturalized, living same place in 1935, laborer in an oil company, renting at $25, making $6400/yr, worked 52 weeks, (2) Sarah Stuart, wife, age 59, grade 8 education, born New York, and (3) Sara Stuart. daughter, age 41, single, 2nd yr HS education, born New Jersey, no occupation listed. NOTE: It looks to me that most of the information about Albert and Sarah including their ages and Albert's occupation have been entered at a different time. The ages for the parents incorrect. Alfred should be 75 (to be 76 in a matter of days). His wife Sarah should be 68.

1946 New Jersey Episcopal Diocese Burial Record for Alfred Stuart (b 1864): 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. Content: A burial record from St John's Church in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark shows that Alfred Stuart, age 82, 203 Armstrong Ave, Jersey City, NJ was buried on Saturday, 23 Mar 1946. He died on 20 Mar 1946 of carincoma of bladder and was buried at Crest Haven Memorial Park in Clifton, NJ.

1946 New Jersey Episcopal Diocese Burial Record for Sarah E Stuart (b 1871): 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 1946 burial record from St John's Church in the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey shows that Sarah E Stuart, age 71, 203 Armstrong Ave, Jersey City, NJ was buried on Monday 15 Apr 1946. Date of death: 13 Apr 1946. No cause of death recorded. Burial in Crest Haven Memorial Park, Clifton, NJ. Officiating Clergyman: C E Brown.