New Berlin and Tuscarawas County, Ohio: Joseph France and Fanny Widener

The first appearance of Joseph France (or Frantz, etc.) and Fanny Widener (or Weidner, etc.) comes with their marriage in New Berlin (renamed North Canton in 1918) on May 3, 1838 by Rev. John Jacob Fast of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  This suggests they were of German ancestry. From census records, we know they both came from Pennsylvania, and that their parents were born in Pennsylvania. So for more answers, we need to dig around Pennsylvania records from 1838 backwards. New Berlin had only about 200 people around that time. It was originally organized into lots by Samuel Bechtel.

Did they come to Ohio with friends and family?

In the 1840 census, their last name is still rendered France, under Joseph. There are three people in the household: one male 20-30, one female 20-30, one male under five. Residence: Town of Dover (also known as Canal Dover), Dover Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio (about 30 miles SSW of New Berlin). These would be:  Joseph (born between 1810 and 1820), Fanny (born between 1810 and 1820), and Samuel, who was born about 1839.

The 1850 census lists the growing family under the name Frantz. They were enumerated on October 17, 1850, Dover Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, dwelling-house #1393. Others on the page mostly born in Ohio (from 1838), Pennsylvania and Germany. Elizabeth and Sarah are common girl names. Other families on the page: surnames Bippus, Blubaugh, Keplinger, Sink, Harmon.

Joseph age 42 (born circa 1808) carpenter (a “do” or ditto. below James W. Keplinger, the man listed above him). No $ is given for value of the estate (Keplinger’s is given as $400). Place of birth, Pennsylvania. Can read and write.

Fanny age 34 (born circa 1816). Place of birth, Pennsylvania. Can read and write.

Samuel age 12 (born circa late 1838 or early 1839). Place of birth, Ohio. Attended school within the year.

Jeremiah age 10 (born circa 1840). Place of birth, Ohio.

Sarah A. age 8 (born circa 1842). Place of birth, Ohio.

Elizabeth age 6 (born circa 1844). Place of birth, Ohio.

Joseph age 5 (born circa 1845).  Place of birth, Ohio.

Franey (or Fanny or Franny) age 2 (born circa 1848). Place of birth, Ohio.

Franner  age 5/12 (born circa May 1850). Place of birth, Ohio.