John Jay French Jr. II and his wife Francis are buried here, along with a number of their children who died young. Many illnesses that are now easily cured were fatal in the 1800s, especially to small children.
It wasn’t unusual for a family to name a baby after a deceased older child, especially if that name was important to the family. John Jr.’s oldest and youngest sons are buried here and share the same name - David H. French. The story goes that the first David was ill and, knowing he was going to die, asked his mother to name her newborn baby for him. Only a month or so after the baby was born, the older brother died. Sadly, the second David H. French, much beloved by his older siblings, also died young due to illness.
John Jay French Museum Tour
Cemetery
John Jay French Jr. II and his wife Francis are buried here, along with a number of their children who died young. Many illnesses that are now easily cured were fatal in the 1800s, especially to small children.
It wasn’t unusual for a family to name a baby after a deceased older child, especially if that name was important to the family. John Jr.’s oldest and youngest sons are buried here and share the same name - David H. French. The story goes that the first David was ill and, knowing he was going to die, asked his mother to name her newborn baby for him. Only a month or so after the baby was born, the older brother died. Sadly, the second David H. French, much beloved by his older siblings, also died young due to illness.
Cemetery Entrance
Home Feature
John Jay French Jr. II and his family are the only members of the French family buried on the grounds. John Jay and Sally French are both buried in Merkel, where they moved in their old age to start a boarding house. David and his family are buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont. Nancy is likely buried on the land she settled with her husband.
Headstones
Artifact (Personal)
John Jay French Jr. and his wife, Frances, are both buried in this family cemetery alongside some of their fourteen children. Their headstones have been replaced.
Large French Stone
Artifact (Personal)
This family headstone would have been a marker for the French family cemetery.
The column represents a person's life. If columns were broken, it could mean that someone's life was cut short. Anchors typically represented hope and steadfastness. Crosses represented a person or family's faith, and their hope of a new life in Heaven.
Cemetery
