Henry Flagg French (August 14, 1813 – November 29, 1885) was an American

agriculturalist An agriculturist, agriculturalist, agrologist, or agronomist (abbreviated as agr.), is a professional in the science, practice, and management of agriculture and agribusiness. It is a regulated profession in Canada, India, the Philippines, the U ...

inventor An invention is a unique or novel device, method, composition, idea or process. An invention may be an improvement upon a machine, product, or process for increasing efficiency or lowering cost. It may also be an entirely new concept. If an ...

lawyer A lawyer is a person who practices law. The role of a lawyer varies greatly across different legal jurisdictions. A lawyer can be classified as an advocate, attorney, barrister, canon lawyer, civil law notary, counsel, counselor, solic ...

judge A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges. A judge hears all the witnesses and any other evidence presented by the barristers or solicitors of the case, assesses the credibility an ...

postmaster A postmaster is the head of an individual post office, responsible for all postal activities in a specific post office. When a postmaster is responsible for an entire mail distribution organization (usually sponsored by a national government), ...

writer A writer is a person who uses written words in different writing styles and techniques to communicate ideas. Writers produce different forms of literary art and creative writing such as novels, short stories, books, poetry, travelogues, p ...

assistant secretary of the treasury A United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury is one of several positions in the United States Department of the Treasury, serving under the United States Secretary of the Treasury. History According to U.S. statute, there are eight Assista ...

, and the first president of the

Massachusetts Agricultural College The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst, UMass) is a public research university in Amherst, Massachusetts and the sole public land-grant university in Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Founded in 1863 as an agricultural college, it ...

(now the

University of Massachusetts Amherst The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst, UMass) is a public research university in Amherst, Massachusetts and the sole public land-grant university in Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Founded in 1863 as an agricultural college, it ...

). He was also a prominent figure in many agricultural societies, a vice president of the

United States Agricultural Society United States Agricultural Society (USAS) was founded in 1852. Background The United States Agricultural Society was founded during a convention. Twelve different states in the country had agricultural societies. They decided to become one unit, ...

, and a patent holder. He is perhaps best known for his development and popularization of the French drain, as well as being the father of renowned sculptor

Daniel Chester French Daniel Chester French (April 20, 1850 – October 7, 1931) was an American sculptor of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, best known for his 1874 sculpture ''The Minute Man'' in Concord, Massachusetts, and his 1920 monume ...

, who created the iconic statue of

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...

central to the

Lincoln Memorial The Lincoln Memorial is a U.S. national memorial built to honor the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., across from the Washington Monument, and is in the ...

Early life

Henry Flagg French was born in Chester,

Rockingham County, New Hampshire Rockingham County is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. At the 2020 census, the population was 314,176, making it New Hampshire's second-most populous county. The county seat is Brentwood. Rockingham County is part of the Boston-Cam ...

, on August 14, 1813, to the Honorable Daniel French (1769–1840), who was attorney general of New Hampshire and Sarah Wingate Flagg Bell French (1782–1878). He died November 20, 1885, in Middlesex County, Concord, Massachusetts. He is buried at

Exeter Exeter () is a city in Devon, South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately northeast of Plymouth and southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter was established as the base of Legio II Augusta under the personal comm ...

Cemetery, in Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

Education

He received his general education at

Pinkerton Academy Pinkerton Academy is a secondary school in Derry, New Hampshire, United States. It serves roughly 3,269 students, making it by far the largest high school in New Hampshire, more than 1,300 students greater than the next largest high school. Pi ...

Derry Derry, officially Londonderry (), is the second-largest city in Northern Ireland and the fifth-largest city on the island of Ireland. The name ''Derry'' is an anglicisation of the Old Irish name (modern Irish: ) meaning 'oak grove'. The ...

and then at Pembroke, and after that at

Hingham, Massachusetts Hingham ( ) is a town in metropolitan Greater Boston on the South Shore of the U.S. state of Massachusetts in northern Plymouth County. At the 2020 census, the population was 24,284. Hingham is known for its colonial history and location on B ...

. He first studied law at the law office of his father Daniel French, and attended

Harvard Law School Harvard Law School (Harvard Law or HLS) is the law school of Harvard University, a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest continuously operating law school in the United States. Each class ...

Marriages

On October 9, 1838, he married Anne Richardson (1811–1856), daughter of

William Merchant Richardson William Merchant Richardson (January 4, 1774 – March 15, 1838) was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts and chief justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Biography He was born in Pelham in the Province of New ...

(1774–1838), chief justice of New Hampshire. They had four children: Henriette Van Mater French Hollis (1839–1911), William Merchant Richardson French (1843–1914), Sarah Flagg French Bartlett (1846–1883), and

(1850–1931). Three years after Anne Richardson's death, on September 29, 1859, he married Pamela Mellen Prentice, (1821–1895). They had no children.

Career

He was admitted to the bar on August 14, 1834 (his 21st birthday). He practiced law in Chester for five years, until his father's death in 1840. In 1839 he succeeded his father as postmaster in Chester. He then moved to Portsmouth, where he lived for one year, and then in 1842 he moved to Exeter and continued to practice law there until August 1855. He was a county solicitor from 1838 to 1848 and a bank commissioner from 1848 to 1852. He was justice of the court of common appeals from 1855 to 1859. He was district attorney for Suffolk County from 1862 to 1865. From 1852 to 1859 he was president of the Rockingham Agricultural Society. From 1865 to 1866 he was president of the

. In 1852 he received honorary Master of Arts degree from Dartmouth College. On August 15, 1855, he was appointed justice of the court of common appeals. He held that office until August 1, 1859. In September 1859 he opened a law office in Boston. In 1860 he moved his family to Cambridge, where he continued to live for some years. On November 19, 1862, he was appointed assistant district attorney and held that position until July 1865. In September 1865 he moved to Amherst. In 1867 he resumed his law practice in Boston. In 1876 he was appointed by President Grant as 2nd assistant secretary of the United States Treasury, where he served until 1885. Rootsweb Ancestry
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Selected works

Though he only published one full book, French was a very prolific writer and wrote hundreds of articles for a number of agricultural journals.
Farm Drainage; the Principles, Processes, and Effects of Draining Land
French's treatise giving full details on tile drainage and the use of the French drain.
English Plows and Plowing
''Report of the Commissioner of Patents for the Year 1859, Agriculture ''. p. 139-160. Advances in plowing methods and technologies such as the steam plow.
Observations on English Husbandry.
'Report of the Commissioner of Patents for the Year 1860, Agriculture ''. p. 140-165.
Agricultural Colleges
''Report of the Secretary of Agriculture for the Year 1865''. p. 137-186. A thorough history of agricultural colleges in the United States and Europe, along with their academic curricula. NewEnglandFarmerInsignia1

In the span of nearly 20 years Henry F. French wrote over 120 articles for the ''New England Farmer'', a paper operated by his brother-in-law, Simon Brown, which circulated around New England and much of the Northeast United States, with letters from readers as far away as Maryland. The subjects of these articles were diverse, with many having strictly practical advice, while others being more humanitarian and philosophical in nature. Topics covered include French's travels to Europe farm maintenance, drainage, orcharding, dairy farming, women's rights, the advantages of an education, and various thoughts on establishing a more agrarian, egalitarian American society.
The New England Farmer
Vol. 5, 1853
"Peculiar Difficulties of New England Farming."
extract from address before the York County Agric. Soc., Maine
"Farm Work for the Century."

"Cutting Fodder for Stock."

"New England Housewives."
criticism of a southern agricultural writer's views on women
"How Can Chemistry Benefit the Farmer?"

"Plan and Description of a Primary School in Exeter, N.H."
involvement in planning
"Composting."

"Laying Lands to Grass–Stones–Turnips."

"A New Enemy in the Field."
cankerworm infestion in Southeastern New Hampshire
"Mowing Machines."

"Turnips and Grass Seed."

"Plowing."
brief history and role in agriculture
"Pigs and Turnips."

The New England Farmer
Vol. 6, 1854
"Farm Accounts–Reclaiming Swamps

"City Railroads–A Model Staple."

"Make Your Girls Independent."
article advocating education for women
"Sewing Machine."
an article targeted at women, discusses the advantages of technology
"Guano–Private Correspondence."
response to a letter
"What Kind of Farming?"
response to a letter
"Hay-cutters–How to Save Children's Fingers."

The New England Farmer
Vol. 7, 1855
"Talk About Guano."

"Other Peoples' Business."

"Letter from Mr. French."
"A Glance at Washington City Market."
"Letter from Mr. French."
"A Yankee Farm near Washington."
"Guano and Superphosphate Once More."

"Thoughts on Climate."
discusses New England's colder climate and its inhabitants' tolerance of it
"Thoughts Upon Soil Analysis and Specific Manures."

"Double Plow."

"Letter from Mr. French."
"Washington City in Spring-time."
"Of the Practical Value of Analysis of Soil."

"Letter from the Homestead."

"Letter from the Homestead."
"What kind of Farm to choose", use of stones in walls and drainage
"A Glance at a New Hampshire Fruit Garden."

The New England Farmer
Vol. 8, 1856
"How to Keep Your House Warm in the Country."
discusses use of Franklin stoves rather than open fireplaces, principles of ventilation
"How to Keep Your House Warm in the Country."
continues previous article, mentions use of back plastering, double windows, compares furnaces and stoves
"Circumstances Alter Cases."
the resistance of some in the farming community to new agricultural methods, the use of mathematics in agriculture
"Circumstances Alter Cases."
how to apply manure, compost and other fertilizers, seeding plowing, "Distinction between Rules and Principles"
"Letter from Mr. French."
"Drawing Water–Hybrid Plants–Breeding Livestock."
"Cheap Luxuries–Lawns."

"Fancy Farming."
"Hay Caps–Mowing Machines–Root Crops–Wheel Hoes–The Double Plow–Boxes and Bugs."
"Bog Meadows."
response to a letter
"Too Many Shade Trees."

"Draining With Tiles."
discusses French's experiences with drainage, early development of the French drain which would be explained in further detail a few years later with the release of his widely-used book on the subject
"Thorough Draining."

The New England Farmer
Vol. 9, 1857, during this year French was on tour in Europe doing research on tile drainage. It was from this experience that he developed the French drain
"Letter from Mr. French."
meeting of the United States Agricultural Society in Washington D.C., commendation given to French for his trip abroad.
"Letter from Mr. French."
description of Washington D.C. prior to the inauguration for President-elect Buchanan, its climate, produce, hotels, and infrastructure
"Letter from Mr. French."
French writes of the inauguration ceremonies, the weather, and the disinterest in agriculture in Washington.
"Letter from Mr. French."
description of French's farm on the homestead, his agricultural techniques, and his hopes for learning more about European soil draining. Written from Exeter, NH.
"Plowing the Deep."
journey aboard the Steamship Khersonese, thorough details of its modern construction and day to day operations.
"First Week in England."
written from London.
"Letter from Mr. French."
attentive details on a flower shop and the landscapes of the English countryside.
"Letter from Mr. French."

"Mr. French in England."
speech by French at the Suffolk Agricultural Association, originally published in the "Mark Lane Express" of London.
"Letter from Mr. French."
arrives in Paris, writes of the French culture, farming and weather.
"An English Cattle Show."
hosted by the Suffolk Agricultural Association; cattle and farming implements.
"Letter from Mr. French."
exhibition of the Royal Agricultural Society; tile machines and steam plows
"Letter from Mr. French."
exhibition of the Royal Agricultural Society; livestock breeds
"Letter from England."
mentions draining tile technology
"Letter from Mr. French."

"Letter from Mr. French."
arrival in Germany, travelling on the Rhine
"Letter from Mr. French."

"The Rhine."

The New England Farmer
Vol 10, 1858
"Switzerland."
"Letter from Mr. French."
"Switzerland."
"Letter from Mr. French."
"Switzerland."
"Letter from Mr. French."
"Letter from Mr. French."
Lyons, France.
"Letter from Mr. French."
Lyons, France.
"Culture of the Mangold Wurtzel."

"Flax--Potatoes and Peas."

"Steam Plows--[

"Tales of a Traveller"

"Letter from Mr. French."
"The Alps and Glaciers."
"Letter from an English Farmer."

"Letter from Mr. French."
Waterford, Ireland, 1857.
"Letter from Mr. French."
return to America, written on Steamship Europa. Appears to have been written a year prior to publishing.
"Glasnevin Model Farm, Ireland"

"Letter from a Traveller
from a "B.B. French", lists conversation with Henry French. Relation unknown.
"Wire Fences."
response to a letter.
"Wire Fences Once More."

"About Mr. Mechi's Farming."

"Letter from Judge French."
written from Exeter, NH.
"Letter from Judge French."
"A Look at the Cattle Show, and at Agriculture in Cheshire County, New Hampshire."
"Advantages of Education to Farmers."
discusses soil fertility, composition and analysis.
"Willis's Patent Stump Puller."

The New England Farmer
Vol 11, 1859
"Letter from Judge French."
agriculture in Coos County, NH.
"River Cottage"

"Legislation–Land Drainage Companies."

"Legislation–Land Drainage Companies."
continued.
"Legislation–Land Drainage Companies."
continued.
"High Farming–Prof. Mapes's Farm–Superphosphate."

"Drainage–Power of Soils to Retain Manure."
similar principles discussed to those in French's treatise on drainage.
"A New Work on Draining."
release of French's book
"Farm Drainage."
excerpt from French's book on the same subject.
"Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture."

"The Little Subsoiler."

"The Progression of Primaries."
"Analysis of Soil and Fertilizers."
"Influence of Drainage on Health."
omitted chapter from French's "Treatise on Farm Drainage".
"Surface Manuring."

The New England Farmer
Vol. 12, 1860
"A Little More About Drainage."

"The Wild Lands of Long Island."

"Liquid Manures."

"Schools of Agriculture."

"What Makes the Water Bad?"

"What We Find in an English Newspaper."

The New England Farmer
Vol. 13, 1861
"The Long Island Lands; What John Johnston Thinks of Them."

"City and Country."

"Drainage."
response to a letter
"Principles of Breeding."

"Does Drainage Injure Land by Leaching?"

"A Pleasant Home."

"Letter from the Homestead."
repairing old buildings, shingling and timber
"Corn and Cotton–Which is King?"

"Letter from the Homestead."
fruit production, grey squirrels
The New England Farmer
Vol. 14, 1862
"Small and Large Farms."

"Jefferson at Monticello."

"How is the World to be Fed?"

"Insects Injurious to Vegetation."

"Observations on Drainage."

"The Patent Office Report."

The New England Farmer
Vol. 15, 1863, The January issue is the last with French listed as an "Associate Editor" as his duties as "Assistant District Attorney" of Suffolk County proved too time consuming.
"The War and the Farmer"

"Judge French."
explanation for French's resignation as an editor
"Letter from Mr. French."
the welfare of the soldiers
"A Rat in a Tile Drain."
explains methods and advantages of using tile to prevent pests from clogging drains
"Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture."

Announcement of Suspension
due to rising costs in material and labor due to the war, the periodical's publication was suspended from August until January of the following year.
The New England Farmer
Vol. 16, 1864.
"Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture."

"War and Agriculture."
"Retrospect of the Year 1863."
The New England Farmer
Vol. 1, 1867, the magazine was relaunched following a period of absence from 1865 to 1866.
"Product of Cows."
reprint from ''The Country Gentleman''
The New England Farmer
Vol. 3, 1869.
"A Little Drainage Operation"

The New England Farmer
Vol. 4, 1870.
"French's Patent Cultivator."
includes illustration and testimony
"Massachusetts State Board of Health."
"Look out for Poison–Poison in the Air–Poison in the Water."
The Country Gentleman
Vol. 1, 1853
"Position of Woman."
address given before the York County Agricultural Society at

Saco, Maine Saco is a city in York County, Maine, York County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,381 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General ...

, describing the conditions with which woman were treated in New England and many parts of the country at the time.
"How I Bought a Horse that had the Heaves."

The Country Gentleman
Vol 2, 1853
"New Hampshire Agriculture."
from ''Transactions of the New Hampshire Agricultural Society''
"Fruit Growing in New Hampshire"
from ''Transactions of the New Hampshire Agricultural Society''
The Country Gentleman
Vol. 3, 1854
"Winter Killing of Fruit Trees and Fruit Buds."

"Stick to the Farm."

The Country Gentleman
Vol. 4, 1854
"Make Your Girls Independent."

The Country Gentleman
Vol. 5, 1855 :*"Advantages of Education to Farmers.–I", page 28. Listed in index, page missing.
"Advantages of Education to Farmers.–II."

"Advantages of Education to Farmers.–III."

"Advantages of Education to Farmers.–III."

"Advantages of Education to Farmers.–III."
(IV?)
"Advantages of Education to Farmers.–V."

"Advantages of Education to Farmers.–VI."

"Northern Farmers in Virginia."

"Fruit Culture near Washington."

The Country Gentleman
Vol. 6, 1855
"Planting Tree."
reprint from ''New England Farmer'' of "Letters from the Homestead." (I) in Vol. 7.
The Country Gentleman
Vol. 8, 1856.
"Reclaiming Bogs and Swamps."
reprint from ''New England Farmer'' of "Bog Meadows." in Vol. 8.
"Experiment with Underdraining."
reprint from ''New England Farmer'' of "Draining with Tiles." in Vol. 8.
The Country Gentleman
Vol. 20, 1862
"Letter from Hon. Henry F. French."
to Luther H. Tucker, Esq., publisher of the magazine.
The Country Gentleman
Vol. 21, 1863
"Wayside Notes."
drainage, sheep, agricultural colleges.
The Country Gentleman
Vol. 23, 1864.
"War and Agriculture."
partial reprint of same title from ''New England Farmer'', Vol. 16.
"War and Agriculture."
continued.
"Letter from Judge French."
English farming
"An Agricultural College."
an account of agricultural colleges around the country and French's own views on the function of such institutions. At this time he was unaware that he would be chosen as the first president of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. Extracted paragraphs from his piece, "English Husbandry" and (later published) department of agriculture report, "Agricultural Colleges".
"An Agricultural College."
continued.
"An Agricultural College."
continued.
The Country Gentleman
Vol. 24, 1864.
"Letter from the Homestead."

"Notes on Recent Numbers."
apple orchards, winter killing of fruit buds
"Massachusetts Agricultural College."
executive committee of the college trustees (French, Colt & Davis) announce the choice of Amherst for the location of the new campus.
"Morality of Tobacco Raising."
French expresses his anti-tobacco sentiment. Also notes some controversy that arose in choosing Amherst as the town for the new college, with some members of the board having concern for tobacco crops being grown on campus, and others with shares in the tobacco industry having a conflict of interest.
"Management of Orchards."

"Massachusetts Agricultural College."
announcing French's appointment as president of the college.
"A Glance at Irish Agriculture."

"A Glance at Irish Agriculture."
continued.
The Country Gentleman
Vol. 25, 1865.
"Drainage in England."

"Drainage in England."
continued.
"Letter from Judge French."
concerning visit to Albany, accounts of New York agriculture.
The Country Gentleman
Vol. 26, 1865.
"The Game Laws of England."

"The Game Laws of England."
continued.
The Cultivator & Country Gentleman
Vol. 28, 1866.
"Agricultural Statistics."
rebuttal, citing error in criticism of French's tobacco article
The Cultivator & Country Gentleman
Vol. 29, 1867.
"Massachusetts Agricultural College"
French's resignation
The Cultivator & Country Gentleman
Vol. 30, 1867.
"Letter from Judge French."

The Cultivator & Country Gentleman
Vol. 33, 1869.
"Soiling Cows for Milk."
grazing practices, fertilizing fields
"Farmers' Convention in New-Hampshire."

"Talk About Cows."

"A Herd of Jerseys."

"Letter from Mr. French."
discusses improvements to stables, agriculture as seen in his travels in Maine, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.
The Cultivator & Country Gentleman
Vol. 34, 1869.
"Propagation of Shad in Massachusetts"
early raising of fish in Massachusetts.
"How to Manure Our Farms."

"Drainage About Our Houses."

The Cultivator & Country Gentleman
Vol. 40, 1875.
"Capital in Agriculture."

Notes

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:French, Henry Flagg 1813 births 1885 deaths Leaders of the University of Massachusetts Amherst 19th-century American inventors Harvard Law School alumni Pinkerton Academy alumni