Very condensed from chapter V!!! -"The thrilling experiences of an exiled
family" from book "French Blood in America" by Lucian F. fosdick (for those of
you who requested it). Also mentions a book "Memoirs of a Huguenot Family" by
Ann Maury but I've never been able to find a copy of that one.
Quotes head of Fontaine family James Fontaine's writings of 26 March 1722 at
age 64 yrs. De la Fontaine was the original name, on record in Rochelle,
where Jaques de la Fontaine, grandfather of James (above) held some command in
the tower. James cut off De la, indication of ancient nobility, for motives
of humility.
John de la Fontaine, great grandfather of James was b. 1500 in Province of
Maine, near borders of Normandy, converted to Protestantism about 1535,
against Catholic King of France. In 1563 his house was attacked at night, he
was surprised, dragged outdoors and his throat cut. His wife rushing out to
help him was also murdered. The lives of his three youngest sons, James
(grandfather of writer) was abt. 14 yrs. old, Abraham age 12, and youngest was
9, were spared but the oldest abt. age 18 was also murdered. The three fled
to Rochelle, the stronghold of Protestantism in France, where a shoemaker took
James in and taught him the trade. James had 3 children, 2 daus. and 1 son b.
1603.
This son, James (father of writer) m. English lady named Thompson in 1628 and
had 5 children, 2 of whom became Protestant pastors of Vaux and Royan. By a
2nd wife he had five more children, 2 sons, both ministers. James (the
writer) was the youngest of all 10 children, b. 4/7/1685, a nurses
carelessness lamed him for life.
James' (the writer) brother Peter, a minister, was seized and confined to
prison while his church was razed. James became the preacher for neighbors
with no church privileges. In 1684 open attacks on Protestants began and
James was arrested, but acquitted. In 1685 James left France with 500 francs,
2 good horses, and 1 well armed valet, riding at night and hiding by day, he
traveled to England. He went to Ireland in 1694, becoming pastor of a church
in Cork for French refugees. He had 6 children (5 sons, 1 dau.) and finally
settled in Dublin.
In 1714 his sons visited Virginia and became owners of a plantation. The
daughter married a Frenchman named Matthew Maury. John, son of James, was a
soldier and saw service in Spain. John sailed from Cork to VA on 12/3/1714,
entering the Potomac River on 5/26/1715. He "took up" 3000 acres of land in
VA. Peter, brother of John, arrived from England in 1717 and established a
plantation in King William co., VA. Peter was a preacher and was soon
presented to Roanoke parish. Another brother James arrived also in 1717 with
Matthew Maury and his family.
A distinguished son of the Maury side of the family was Matthew Fontaine
Maury, b. Spottsylvania Co., VA in 1806, was called "pathfinder of the seas"
because he was founder of modern science of hydrography (mapping the oceans).
The plagues in the French Huguenot church in Charleston, SC read:
Rev. Peter Fontaine, Westover Parish, VA 1691 -1757
Matthew Fontaine Maury, Virginia. Tennessee. 1806 - 1873
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