The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-02-24
IN MEM0RIAM
The Late Major Seth Barton French


ana best families are called TO the great
beyond; one by one some old ex-Con
federate veteran answers the last rol
call. Thus it was in the death Of Maio,
Seth Barton French.
Though for a number of wears Se,t
French, as he was aifectionatelv ano
familiarly called by his many friend.
and Old sehoolmates and comrades. lived
IN the city of New York. he never
ceased TO be a Virginian, and always
lovingly and loyalty remembered. with
pleasure and pride. the home of his
Major French was born in Spotsvl-
rents. DIR. William French and Fl; 20
beth Barton French, when he was a
small boy. moved TO Sunnyside. in the
same county, in which Old Virginia
nome he spent his maturing manhood
ms father was an old fashioned country
DOCTOR whose like will rarely be seen
again. lie was closely related To the
Chew family, who also were the old
time clerks of courts. Virginians will
ever stand with uncovered heads in tine
presence Of the memory of her
Old country doctors and her old.
time clerks of courts; they have
made an lmperishable record for them
selves. His mother was a sister of our
commonwealth attorney. Thomas r
Barton, who was the father Of JUDGE
william Stone Barton, a courtly Chris
tan gentleman. and one of the most
impartial and ablest judges that ever
dlgnlhed and adorned the bench of this
old Commonwealth.
| In orfior g. -.
schools, Mr.. French, when a small bov
made his home with his relative IoSr,
james Chew. Twas here that he went
to school to Mr.. Thomas Hanson. whose
school was the alma mater of so many
OF our people. The financial condition
OF his then widowed mother
required him to embark early in bust
ness: This he did as a clerk with Mr.
hugh Scott, and his faithfulness and
efhciency as clerk was. after a few
years, rewarded by Mr.. Scott in taking
hlm as partner. The firm of Scott (
French was known for its reliability
trustworthiness and business methods
IN all of Piedmont and Tidewater Vir.
gina. Mr.. Scott, being disabled bv
bad health, this firm was dissolved
Then our late treasurer and beloved cit.
zen, X. w. Adams. Esq, became as.
ISOLATED with him. and the firm OF
Adams & French won a very large pa
tronage and great success, which was
rudely dissipated by the war.
AS soon as Virginia severed her rela-
lions with the Federal Government and
war declared, Mr.. French enlisted as q
private soldier in the Confederate
army. The Confederate authorities
soon recognizing and approaching his
marked ability in the line Of business
detailed him to its Quartermaster de-
partment. Here he did valuable and
important service for the soldiers in the
held, and so efficient was he that he
won, by his own merits. rapid promo
ton, until at the fall Of the ConfederacI
he held the rank of major.
/ After the war he engaged in variou.
business ventures in Richmond anc
New Orleans and New York. twas il
the latter city that he made his preaf
impress as one of its captains Of indus
try in the field Of finance. as well a,
winning for himself a very large for
/ tune.
| For the last two years advancing 40,
and physical infirmity rendered il i'm
possible for him TO continue longer il
active business. A few weeks ago +
was thought by his physicians an,
friends that the climate of Florid,
would be beneficial to him. and for tina
purpose he was taken 20 Palm Beacl
IN that State. where he died on Thurs
DAY, February 18th, at p. m. AL
that the the very best medical science
kind and loving attention. and tende
and skillful nursing could do. was done
but failed 10 bring restored health. n,
who rules with unerring wisdom an,
unfaltering mercy sent his messenger
and Seth Barton French fell asleep.
sleep that knows no Weakening. an,
shall be undisturbed by the flight O.
years.
Seth French was a warm-hearted
generous, courteous son of our South
t1astntdt1,'>MapyX- a hong has been mad
;.'.r'-- - ..-----iu Ne t''e57s9>ak.oer /
happy by his benefactions.- al ~ I
buruened heart has been made 0iad n,
ms acts OF charity, in church and Stat
he was always found ready and will;nc
10 respond 70 appeals made 10 him fo5
and and relief. In this city in the earIv
struggles of our Library Associatio1
he gave generously, cheerfuIlv and
llberally through his old friend tbe
hev. James p. Smith. He was friend
indeed to our Confederate Association
and to our much cherished Mary Wash
ington Hospital, being the donor of its
operating room.
these are some of his benefactions of
which the public know, but there were
so many, so many acts of private char
ny OF winch the world will never know.
1enel rendered, assistance given, dona-
,,ohs mace TO the sick, poor and needy.
those who were the recipients Of ~
bounty IN some cases did not knov
themselves who their generous milan.
thropist was. Major French was twice
married his first wife, whom he mar
RED In 1856, was Ellen Mercer Hern-
1on, daughter of the late Judge John
M. Herndon. Mrs. Herndon, ike Mrs
Johh James Chew, was a grand daupb-
Ter OF zen. Hugh Mercer, the hero of
the battle of Princeton. From This
union there were born four children
Margaretta Patton, who died ON the
theshold of a beautiful womanbood
twas 10 her memory that the snIendid
French Memorial chapel was erected
by Major French, and she was worthy
Oh inns tribute; in that chapel beautiful
and artistic stained glass memorial
windows bear full testimony TO the
leep affection in which he held the
memories of his lovable and loving
laughter and his wife, Mrs. Ellen Mers
;er French, and Judge Herndon besides
ms daughter from this marriage there |
survive him, DIR. John b. French of |
New York; Geo. b. French, ESQ. of Port |
and, Oregon, and daughter, Mamie.
who is the wife of Charles Steele. Esq.
Of New York, a member of the Rank,
.ng House Of J. Pierpont Morgan & Co.
Mrs. Ellen Mercer French died some |
years ago. She was as pure and beau |
tiful IN character as she was handsome !
N person, her friends were many. she
had no foes. She made life more bean
Llfui that she lived and heaven brighter
mat she died. Some years ago Major |
French married Mary Walker Fearn.
me very fascinating daughter of the