Abraham French (1815-1884) was born in Chelmsford, Massachusetts on February 13, 1815; he was the son of Ephraim and Rebecca Abrams French, and a descendant of William Abrams of Boston. He clerked for crockery merchant Samuel B. Pierce on Broad Street in Boston, beginning in 1831, and was later associated with the firm of Andrew T. Hall.
Around 1841 French sold "China, Glass and Earthen Ware" from his own shop on Milk Street, near Batterymarch Street. He later formed a partnership with John T. Wells as French, Wells & Co. (ca.1850 - ca.1858) on Milk Street, along with Josiah B. Kilbourn (ca.1850) and Robert E. Newman (ca.1858-1861). With George W. Bassett, French formed the firm of Bassett, French & Co. (ca.1868), also on Milk Street. Junior partners included John T. Wells, Lemuel E. Caswell and Lewis G. Coburn. Then beginning in 1869, French re-formed his business as Abram French & Co., and remained as main partner until his death in 1884. Among his junior partners were John T. Wells, Lemuel E. Caswell, Lewis G. Coburn, S. Waldo French. His son, William Abram French (1843–1909), joined the firm in 1867. The firm billed itself as "Importers of Crockery, China and Glass Ware, French and Bohemian Fancy Goods, Silver Plated Ware and Cutlery, Paper Hangings."
Furthermore, in 1853, French served as a judge in the exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, held at Faneuil and Quincy Halls. This was an event that Chelsea, Massachusetts stoneware potter Amos Seavey (1818-1879) was also previously involved with so they likely knew of each other: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/10/chelsea-mass-crock-ends-oct-3.html
In 1874, French's business expanded to Chicago. After the old Milk Street shop burned in the fire of 1872, Abram French & Co. moved in 1879 to a new building on Franklin Street at the corner of Devonshire Street. By all accounts the new shop presented merchandise in a tasteful and remarkably luxurious setting. The firm also exhibited specimens in the 1874 and 1881 exhibitions of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association.
French died after a sudden illness on January 13, 1884, at his home in Jamaica Plain, and was buried in Forest Hills Cemetery. He had been married, with seven children. His son William A. French continued the crockery business in his name; as did his grandson, H.C. French (who also dealt chinaware in Chicago in the 1880s with French, Thomas & Co.).
Interestingly, French is probably most known today for various circa 1879-1884 trade cards that advertised his Franklin Street business in Boston, such as some examples that are owned by Historic New England. However, I recently learned about a small nineteenth century advertising transfer decorated plate that resembles these trade cards, which a friend recently acquired from a private collection in New England. The plate reads, "Abraham French & Co. / Boston;" it is the only plate that I have seen like this from any of French's companies.
Link to trade card No. 1: https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/269896
Link to trade card No. 2: https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/265682
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