# Rodney French

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{{Short description|American politician (1802–1882)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image         = Rodney French - New Bedford, Massachusetts; its history, industries, institutions and attractions (1889) (14590904828) (cropped).jpg
| image_size    =
| name          = Rodney French
| birth_date    = May 2, 1802
| birth_place   = [Berkley, Massachusetts](/source/Berkley%2C_Massachusetts)
| death_date    = April 30, 1882 (aged 80)
| death_place   = 
| resting_place = 
| occupation    = Merchant<br>Trader
| party         = [Whig](/source/Whig_Party_(United_States)) (until 1848)<br>[Free Soil Party](/source/Free_Soil_Party) (1848–1854)<br>[Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) (1854–1878)<br>[Prohibition Party](/source/Prohibition_Party) (1878–1882)
| spouse        = 
| alma_mater    = 
| title         = Member of the [Massachusetts House of Representatives](/source/Massachusetts_House_of_Representatives) from the 12th Bristol district
| term_start    = 1869
| term_end      = 1870
| predecessor   = 
| successor     = 
| title2        = Mayor of [New Bedford, Massachusetts](/source/New_Bedford%2C_Massachusetts)
| term_start2   = 1853
| term_end2     = 1854
| predecessor2  = William J. Rotch
| successor2    = George Howland Jr.
| title3        = Collector of Customs for the [Port of New Bedford](/source/United_States_Customs_District_of_New_Bedford)
| term_start3   = 1843
| term_end3     = 1843
| predecessor3  = William H. Allen
| successor3    = Joseph T. Adams 
}}

'''Rodney French''' (1802–1882) was an American abolitionist, politician, and merchant who served as Mayor of [New Bedford, Massachusetts](/source/New_Bedford%2C_Massachusetts).

==Early life==
French was born on May 2, 1802, in [Berkley, Massachusetts](/source/Berkley%2C_Massachusetts) to Samuel and Celia (Crane) French.<ref name="House Journal" /> Samuel French held a number of political offices in Berkley. He served as Berkley's Town Clerk for four years, was a member of the board of selectmen for six years and the School Committee for nine years, and represented the town in the [Massachusetts House of Representatives](/source/Massachusetts_House_of_Representatives) for four years and the [Massachusetts Senate](/source/Massachusetts_Senate) for three years. He was also delegate to the [Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1853](/source/Massachusetts_Constitutional_Convention_of_1853).<ref name="The Society">{{cite book|title=The New England Historical & Genealogical Register: Volume XXII|date=1868|publisher=The New England Historical & Genealogical Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zrs-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA306|accessdate=May 29, 2015}}</ref>

==Politics and abolitionism==
In 1836, French helped form and was elected president of the New Bedford Young Men's Anti-Slavery Society.<ref name=Grover /><ref>{{cite book|title=The New-Bedford Directory|date=1836|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qrI3AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA27|accessdate=May 28, 2015}}</ref> In 1838, he hired [Frederick Douglass](/source/Frederick_Douglass) to work as a caulker on one of his ships. Douglass, however, was unable to take the job because he was informed that every white man on the ship would leave if he "struck a blow upon her".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Finkelman|first1=Paul|title=Encyclopedia of African American History, 1619-1895: From the Colonial Period to the Age of Frederick Douglass|date=2006|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=New York|isbn=9780195167771|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cCMbE4KKlX4C&pg=RA1-PA54|accessdate=May 28, 2015}}</ref> At an 1841 meeting of the [New England Anti-Slavery Society](/source/Massachusetts_Anti-Slavery_Society), French, along with fellow radical abolitionists [Nathaniel Peabody Rogers](/source/Nathaniel_Peabody_Rogers) and [Stephen Symonds Foster](/source/Stephen_Symonds_Foster), asked the convention to declare "that the church and clergy of the United States, as a whole, constitute a great brotherhood of thieves, inasmuch, as they countenance and support the highest kind of theft - manstealing" and to "renounce them as Christian Church and clergy." This amendment was opposed by [William Lloyd Garrison](/source/William_Lloyd_Garrison) and defeated.<ref name=Grover />

In 1841, French served on New Bedford's board of selectmen.<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Pease|editor1-first=Zephaniah W.|title=History of New Bedford, Volume 3|date=1918|publisher=The Lewis Historical Publishing Company|location=New York|pages=267–270|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=44olAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA270|accessdate=May 28, 2015|chapter=XXVI}}</ref>

In September 1843, President [John Tyler](/source/John_Tyler) appointed French Collector of Customs for the [Port of New Bedford](/source/United_States_Customs_District_of_New_Bedford). However, once Tyler found out that he was a vocal opponent of slavery, he gave up on French's nomination and the [Senate](/source/United_States_Senate) refused to confirm him.<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Pease|editor1-first=Zephaniah W.|title=History of New Bedford, Volume 3|date=1918|publisher=The Lewis Historical Publishing Company|location=New York|page=188|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=44olAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA188|accessdate=May 28, 2015|chapter=XXXV}}</ref>

French was a member of the [Whig Party](/source/Whig_Party_(United_States)), but was not liked by the party establishment.<ref name=Grover /> He later became a member of the [Free Soil Party](/source/Free_Soil_Party) and supported [Martin Van Buren](/source/Martin_Van_Buren) in the [presidential election of 1848](/source/1848_United_States_presidential_election).<ref name=Grover />

Following the passage of the [Fugitive Slave Act of 1850](/source/Fugitive_Slave_Act_of_1850), French proposed an amendment at a meeting of the city's abolitionists and freed Blacks that included language that supported using physical force against [slave catcher](/source/slave_catcher)s. His amendments were opposed by moderate abolitionists, but passed by a majority vote.<ref name=Grover /> French also forwarded a petition demanding the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Act to U.S. Representative [Horace Mann](/source/Horace_Mann). The petition, which had been gathered by women from New Bedford, contained 1,729 signatures.<ref name=Mulderink /> In 1852, merchants in [New Bern, North Carolina](/source/New_Bern%2C_North_Carolina) boycotted a ship partially owned by French because they considered him to be a leading opponent of the Fugitive Slave Act.<ref name=Grover>{{cite book|last1=Grover|first1=Kathryn|title=The Fugitive's Gibraltar: Escaping Slaves and Abolitionism in New Bedford, Massachusetts|date=2001|publisher=University of Massachusetts Press|location=Amherst|isbn=9781558492714|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YpbkfRdFAAAC&pg=PA14|accessdate=May 28, 2015}}</ref>

In March 1851, French learned that a [United States Marshal](/source/United_States_Marshal) planned to raid the town for fugitive slaves. After he observed an unfamiliar ship approaching the harbor, French rang a bell in Liberty Hall to warn local African-Americans.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Snodgrass|first1=Mary Ellen|title=The Underground Railroad: An Encyclopedia of People, Places, and Operations|date=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317454168}}</ref>

In addition to his work with the abolition movement, French was also active with the [temperance movement](/source/temperance_movement) and at town meetings. His involvement with the temperance movement was criticized by Samuel Rodman, who believed that French's commitment to temperance was secondary to his commitment "to the ascendency of his political friends".<ref name=Grover /> In 1841, Rodman reported on French's disruptive effect on local temperance and town meetings. Charles W. Morgan described French as "verbose & violent" and possessing "the faculty and talent to outrun and distract every meeting he attends & he generally is successful".<ref name=Grover /> French was considered ''persona non grata'' in the city's aristocratic circles.<ref name="History of New Bedford2" />

French ran for Mayor of New Bedford six times. In 1852, he lost to William J. Rotch 875 votes to 357. The following year, he defeated Rotch by 30 votes. He was reelected in 1854, but lost his bid for a third term to George Howland Jr. 1,836 to 715. He challenged Howland the following year, but lost by 30 votes. French and Howland faced off again in 1864, with Howland winning 1,349 to 867.<ref name="History of New Bedford">{{cite book|editor1-last=Pease|editor1-first=Zephaniah W.|title=History of New Bedford, Volume 3|date=1918|publisher=The Lewis Historical Publishing Company|location=New York|page=276|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=44olAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA276|accessdate=May 28, 2015|chapter=XXXVI}}</ref>

In 1852, French was the Free Soil candidate for the [United States House of Representatives](/source/United_States_House_of_Representatives) in [Massachusetts's 1st congressional district](/source/Massachusetts's_1st_congressional_district).<ref name=Dublin>{{cite book | first=Michael J. |last=Dubin | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9ElyQgAACAAJ&q=United+States+Congressional+Elections,+1788-1997:+The+Official+Results | title=United States Congressional Elections, 1788-1997: The Official Results of the Elections of the 1st Through 105th Congresses | publisher=McFarland and Company | date=March 1, 1998 |isbn=978-0786402830}}</ref>

French was a delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1853.<ref name="The Society" />

In 1869 and 1870, French represented the 9th Bristol District in the [Massachusetts House of Representatives](/source/Massachusetts_House_of_Representatives). He served on the Committee on Roads and Bridges.<ref name="House Journal">{{cite book|title=Journal of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts|date=1870|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-mgzAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA709|accessdate=May 28, 2015}}</ref>

In 1878 and 1880, French ran for the U.S. House of Representatives as a member of the [Prohibition Party](/source/Prohibition_Party). He finished third in 1878 and fourth in 1880.<ref name=Dublin />

He is reputed to have killed 40 to 50 [pirates](/source/Piracy) singlehandedly.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Druett|first=Joan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lwfRQFIeBYMC&dq=rodney+french+pirates&pg=PA7|title=Petticoat Whalers: Whaling Wives at Sea, 1820-1920|date=2001|publisher=UPNE|isbn=978-1-58465-159-8|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Boss|first1=Judith A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U4MlAQAAMAAJ&q=rodney+french+pirates|title=New Bedford, a Pictorial History|last2=Thomas|first2=Joseph D.|date=1983|publisher=Donning Company|language=en}}</ref>

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{{hidden begin|titlestyle=background-color: #CCFFFF|title=Rodney French electoral history|contentstyle=border: solid 1px silver; padding: 8px; background-color: white;}}
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'''1852 General Election for the United House of Representatives, Massachusetts's 1st congressional district'''<ref name=Dublin />
*[Zeno Scudder](/source/Zeno_Scudder) (W) – 5,095 (49.7%)
*John Pierce (D) – 1,905 (28.6%)
*Rodney French (FS) – 1,801 (21.7%)

'''1852 New Bedford Mayoral Election'''<ref name="History of New Bedford" />
*William J. Rotch – 875 (71.0%)
*Rodney French – 357 (29.0%)

'''1853 New Bedford Mayoral Election'''<ref name="History of New Bedford" />
*Rodney French – 1,052 (50.7%)
*William J. Rotch – 1,022 (49.3%)

'''1854 New Bedford Mayoral Election'''<ref name="History of New Bedford" />
*Rodney French – 1,581 (54.1%)
*Willard Nye – 1,340 (45.0%)

'''1855 New Bedford Mayoral Election'''<ref name="History of New Bedford" />
*George Howland Jr. – 1,836 (72.0%)
*Rodney French – 715 (28.0%)

'''1856 New Bedford Mayoral Election'''<ref name="History of New Bedford" />
*George Howland Jr. – 1,382 (50.5%)
*Rodney French – 1,352 (49.5%)

'''1864 New Bedford Mayoral Election'''<ref name="History of New Bedford" />
*George Howland Jr. – 1,349 (60.9%)
*Rodney French – 867 (39.1%)

'''1878 General Election for the United House of Representatives, Massachusetts's 1st congressional district'''<ref name=Dublin />
*[William W. Crapo](/source/William_W._Crapo) (R) – 12,575 (62.3%)
*Matthias Ellis (D) – 7,383 (36.6%)
*Rodney French (P) – 219 (1.1%)

'''1880 General Election for the United House of Representatives, Massachusetts's 1st congressional district'''<ref name=Dublin />
*[William W. Crapo](/source/William_W._Crapo) (R) – 16,384 (69.9%)
*Charles G. Davis (D) – 6,669 (28.4%)
*Whitman Chace ([G](/source/Greenback_Party)) – 150 (0.6%)
*Rodney French (P) – 126 (0.5%)
*Henry B. Maglathhia (I) – 117 (0.5%)

{{hidden end}}

==Commodore of the Stone Fleet==
In November 1861, French was the leader of the "[Stone Fleet](/source/Stone_Fleet)", a volunteer squadron of twelve ships that sailed from New Bedford to the [Charleston Harbor](/source/Charleston_Harbor) with the intent on sinking their ships there to form a blockade. French was elected leader by his fellow captains and took the title of "Commodore of the Stone Fleet".<ref name=Mulderink /> French's ship, the ''Garland'', was the last to arrive because French took a coastal route while the other ships sailed offshore and held a good wind. The ships were sunk on December 19 and 20, 1861.<ref name=Mulderink>{{cite book|last1=Mulderink III|first1=Earl F.|title=New Bedford's Civil War|date=2012|publisher=Fordham University Press|isbn=9780823243341|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JQrGmRYne74C&pg=PA141|accessdate=May 28, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Spears|first1=John R.|title=The Story of the New England Whalers|date=1908|publisher=The MacMillan Company|location=New York|url=https://archive.org/details/storynewengland01speagoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/storynewengland01speagoog/page/n421 392]|accessdate=May 28, 2015}}</ref> Upon his return, French showed off a number of "relics" he had retrieved from the South, including shells, shots, and pieces of a palmetto tree.<ref name=Mulderink />

==Business career==
A merchant and trader, French, along with Charles D. Burt, owned New Bedford's only [chandlery](/source/chandlery) store.<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Pease|editor1-first=Zephaniah W.|title=History of New Bedford, Volume 3|date=1918|publisher=The Lewis Historical Publishing Company|location=New York|page=352|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=44olAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA352|accessdate=May 28, 2015|chapter=XLIV}}</ref> He also owned a successful gold mine near [Black Hawk, Colorado](/source/Black_Hawk%2C_Colorado). French ran the mine himself for some time before leasing it out.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fossett|first1=Frank|title=Colorado: A Historical, Descriptive and Statistical Work on the Rocky Mountain Gold and Silver Mining Region|date=1876|publisher=Daily Tribune Steam Printing House|location=1876|url=https://archive.org/details/coloradohistorical00foss|page=[https://archive.org/details/coloradohistorical00foss/page/239 239]|accessdate=May 28, 2015}}</ref>

In 1853, a [R. G. Dun & Company](/source/Dun_%26_Bradstreet) credit report described French as a "ranting politician" who "owes everybody".<ref name=Mulderink />

==Death==
French died on April 30, 1882.<ref>{{cite book|title=Reunion of the Free Soilers of 1848|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yrc0fFWbb5cC&pg=RA1-PA78|accessdate=May 29, 2015|year = 1877 |publisher=Free Soil Party (Mass) }}</ref> Point Road, which opened to the public during French's tenure as mayor, was renamed French Avenue and later Rodney French Boulevard. Ironically, the road that now bears French's name was conceived and advocated by Andrew Robeson, the son-in-law of Samuel Rodman and a member of the city's wealthy merchant class that disliked French.<ref name="History of New Bedford2">{{cite book|editor1-last=Pease|editor1-first=Zephaniah W.|title=History of New Bedford, Volume 3|date=1918|publisher=The Lewis Historical Publishing Company|location=New York|page=192|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=44olAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA192|accessdate=May 28, 2015|chapter=XXVII}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Pease|editor1-first=Zephaniah W.|title=History of New Bedford, Volume 3|date=1918|publisher=The Lewis Historical Publishing Company|location=New York|page=241|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=44olAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA241|accessdate=May 28, 2015|chapter=XXXI}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:French, Rodney}}
Category:1802 births
Category:1882 deaths
Category:Massachusetts Free Soilers
Category:Massachusetts Republicans
Category:Massachusetts Whigs
Category:Mayors of New Bedford, Massachusetts
Category:Members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Category:People from Berkley, Massachusetts
Category:Massachusetts Prohibitionists
Category:Collectors of the Port of New Bedford
Category:Abolitionists from New Bedford, Massachusetts
Category:19th-century American merchants
Category:19th-century members of the Massachusetts General Court
Category:Merchants from Massachusetts

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rodney French](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_French) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_French?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.