Athens in Mercer County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

William French Home

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

1. William French Home Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

One mile east is the former home of Colonel William Henderson French, (1812-1872), local legislator, land dealer and soldier. Elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1842, 1843 and 1845, French later became a Captain in the Confederate cavalry in 1861 and was promoted to colonel in 1863. He was a large land holder in the region and once owned the entire site of the town of Athens.

Erected 1980 by West Virginia Division of Archives and History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 37° 25.381′ N, 81° 0.619′ W. Marker is in Athens, West Virginia, in Mercer County. Marker is at the intersection of Vermillion Street and Weaver Street, on the right when traveling east on Vermillion Street. Located in Athens Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Athens WV 24712, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Concord University (approx. 0.2 miles away); Capt. J.H. French (approx. 0.2 miles away); Virginia / West Virginia Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 4½ miles

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

2. William French Home Marker

Click or scan to see
this page online

away); In Memory of Cornelius H. Charlton (approx. 5.3 miles away); Mercer County / Summers County (approx. 6 miles away); Neely "Plantation" (approx. 6.3 miles away); McNutt House (approx. 6.4 miles away); To The Memory of Gen. Hugh Mercer (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Also see . . . Colonel William Henderson French at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on November 30, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.