That's Paul Henri Mallet-Prevost, the guy who fled France to escape the guillotine in 1794 and came here and bought 968 acres comprising what is now Frenchtown.
His wife Jeanne and their three sons joined him here in 1795.
At first they lived in the brick house at the intersection of the creek and the state hiking/biking trail – Fred Lowe's house. But in a few years they let Paul's brother Frances live there and they moved into the big house (at 12 Front Street) shown here. That was circa 1800.
In those days it was an elegant place with a front-yard vineyard that extended almost to the river.
The hamlet became known as Frenchown because of Prevost and his posse of French speakers who joined him here bearing names like Femere, Carpentier and LaRoche.
* * *
An article in the Hunterdon Republican in 1870 gives a “strictly true” account of Prevost's history. It is described as a synthesis of stories told by Prevost and his secretary Nicolas Defresnoyee to Capt. J. Ronsavell and John Duckworth.
The article, tentatively attributed to John Lequear, said that when the French Revolution broke out, Mallet-Prevost was in the Royal Army, involved in procuring food for the troops. “Prevost held some funds belonging to the government. To pay them over to the revolutionary party would subject him to the penalties of treason. To retain them and remain in France would expose him to the fury of the mob. He decided to do neither.” He escaped with the money.
This account, essentially charging Prevost with stealing France's lunch money, brought a rebuttal from Prevost's son Lewis. He said Dad bought the acreage with Mom's money.
By the way, Americans rejected the hyphenated Mallet-Prevost name, and Paul Henri was eager to Americanize, so he quickly became Paul H.M. Prevost. But he would unleash his full fancy-pants name on official documents.
From “Rick's Frenchtown Encyclopedia” (a work in progress)
Thanks Rick, have you seen any early photos or renderings of this property. The small section with the large fireplace seems to be older than the larger part. That house has always been a mystery.
Thanks Rick, have you seen any early photos or renderings of this property. The small section with the large fireplace seems to be older than the larger part. That house has always been a mystery.
Thanks Rick, have you seen any early photos or renderings of this property. The small section with the large fireplace seems to be older than the larger part. That house has always been a mystery.
Thank you, Rick.