Carolina Huguenot Families - Steven J. Coker
Subject: Carolina Huguenot Families
From: Steven J. Coker
Date: September 15, 1998

The Huguenots of Colonial South Carolina 
By Arthur Henry Hirsch, Ph.D.
1928, Duke University Press
reprinted 1962 by Archon Books
(pp 218-225)

   EMINENT AND THRIFTY HUGUENOT FAMILIES

   That the original Huguenots and their French Protestant descendants were
aggressive and thrifty industrial leaders can not be disputed. Enough has been
said to substantiate this, but a number of other examples claim fuller attention
in this connection. In some cases it is difficult to classify their activities,
since they frequently made ventures in several directions as did Gabriel
Manigault, who was a merchant, a trader, a broker, a brewer, a mechanic, and a
factor.
   Posterity need not deceive itself concerning the greatness of such a name as
Hector Bérénger de Beaufain. He went to South Carolina probably with the Purry
group, but settled in Charles Town after a few years' residence in Granville
County. He was born in Orange, France, in 1697 and arrived in South Carolina in
1733. There he lived until his death in 1766.[1] For twenty-four years he was
Collector of Customs in South Carolina, to which office he was commissioned in
1742.[2] In 1747 he was appointed to membership in the Governor's Council, but
resigned in the thick of the political disturbances of 1756.[3] He was a Fellow
of the Royal Society of London, and though a foreigner, was "master of learned
languages" and a profound critic of the English language, a man of unshaken
integrity and of benevolent disposition.[4 ] In 1740 he was admitted to
membership in St. Andrew's Society of Charles Town, a fraternal, mutual
organization, founded by the Huguenots and others to relieve the suffering and
distress of the poor.[5] In 1753 he advanced £2,500 for the relief of poor
Protestants then arriving in South Carolina in large numbers.[6] His public
spirit and his interest in religious education are manifest in patronage by
subscription of the two-volume set of published sermons by the Rev. Richard
Clark.[7] He was an honored member and patron of the Charles Town Library
Society until his death.[8] His will bequeaths the income from his pew in St.
Michael's to the use of the poor. To the poor he also left £500 currency,
together with his house and its furnishings. How extensive his wealth was, is
not known, but his will disposes of £2,600, a library, a home and its
furnishings, unspecified amounts of land, an annuity of £50 to the mother of his
nephew, [-] de Beaufain, and an annuity to his sister, Clodre de Beaufain, also
possessions in England and in South Carolina.[9]
   George Baudoin was an example of thrifty Huguenot blood. He died shortly
after reaching Carolina, but left property in England and in America.[10]
   Arnaud Bruneau Escuyer Sieur de la Chabocière was one of the early settlers
at Wanthee, near Jamestown, on the Santee. At the time of his death, in 1694, he
owned more than 3,000 acres of land in addition to large quantities of personal
property. There, with his son, Paul Bruneau Sieur de Revedoux and his grandson,
Henry Bruneau, he had settled in 1690. These were persons "of quality" who were
driven from their rich estates ten miles from Poitiers, in France, probably
carrying with them some wealth.[11] The 3,000 acres mentioned in his will were
granted to Arnau Bruneau in recognition of services rendered to the proprietors
and for recognized merits.[12] But other property was also owned by the father.
Like others of his associates at this early period he expressed in his will the
hope of a restoration of the Reformed religion in France.[13]
   Another family, in interest similar to the St. Julien's,[14] deserves
attention here. It is the family of de Chastaigner Seigneurs de Cramahé (or
Cramahais) and de Lisle, also of the nobility. Their prominence in the Huguenot
colony in Dublin is shown in nearly fifty entries in the nonconformist registers
of that place.[15] In the register of the Peter Street Church, Mademoiselle
Charlotte Chastaigner de Cramahé is noted as godmother to a child of M. Daniel
Belrieu, Baron de Virazel. Three brothers, Cramahé De L'Isle, and Des Roches,
arranged to escape from France at the repeal of the Nantes Edict. The two former
succeeded and settled in England, but Des Roches was detected, seized, flogged,
mistreated, plundered, and cast into prison. After twenty-seven months of
confinement he was banished. Two other brothers, Henry Augustus Sieur de Cramahé
and Alexandre Thésée, Sieur de Lisle, went to South Carolina. They were the sons
of Roche Chastaigner de Cramahé of the ancestral chateau, five miles from La
Rochelle.[16] Henry Augustus was denizened in London, April 9, 1767, and is
listed as Henry Augustus Chastaigne de Cramahé.[17] Alexander Thésée Sieur de
Lisle (alias Thésée Castaigner) was denizened March 5, 1685-6.[18] He is found
in London as early as 1681.[19] In South Carolina these gentlemen immediately
took conspicuous positions in provincial business affairs and politics.
Alexander is found in the Assembly[20] as early as 1693 and Henry Augustus
appears on the Governor's Council.[21] The name of an elder brother, Hector, was
in 1698 on the list of applications for naturalization in Dublin.[22]
   It is proper that special mention be made of Benjamin d'Harriette, a French
Protestant merchant, and his relation to South Carolina history.[23] The editor
of the South Carolina Gazette styled him "an eminent merchant". The home of his
widow in 1760 was one of the most elaborately furnished houses in South
Carolina.[24] Benjamin d'Harriette was one of the refugees who went to South
Carolina from New York early in the eighteenth century. The will of Mrs. Phoebe
Outman shows that her daughter Ann was then (1732) the wife of Benjamin
d'Harriette, of Charles Town, formerly of New York.[25] The will of Benjamin
d'Harriette, Sr., a New York merchant, shows him to have been a man of wealth
and refinement. Much of the large estate in the possession of Benjamin
d'Harriette, Jr., while resident in Charles Town, was inherited from his
father.[26] His former wife, Ann Smith, died on July 12, 1754.[27] On October
16, of the same year, he was married to Mrs. Martha Fowler, the widow of James
Fowler.[28] Mr. d'Harriette was probably in Charles Town as early as 1726, at
least a bill of sale to him of a negro boy is recorded March 1, 1726.[29] In
1736 an advertisement appears in the Gazette stating that he desires an overseer
for his plantation on John's Island.[30] The will of his father mentions him as
being in Charles Town then, that is, in 1741.[31] His advertisements in the
Gazette in 1739 show that he was then a merchant on Union Street.[32] In 1752 he
was in partnership with John McCall, engaged in the business of importing white
servants and slaves of all sorts.[33] Benjamin d'Harriette died in February,
1756.[34] On February 26, 1756, his executors, Gabriel Manigault,[35] Alexander
Broughton, and Peter Manigault, advertised for sale at auction part of the
estate of the deceased, including 1,070 acres of land on John's Island, twelve
miles from Charles Town, hogs, cattle, tools, etc. On March 31 were sold a lot
in Charles Town, on the corner of Meeting and Queen Streets, 200 x 150 feet,
with two houses on it, a lot on the Bay, 25 x 25 feet, and a lot on Union
Street, 44 x 205 feet.[36] Mr. d'Harriette left a considerable estate of
personal property.[37] His codicil provides that his wife Martha, be given the
household furniture, a suit of mourning, seven negroes, and £10,000 currency in
addition to undivided portions of the estate. Among the French Protestants of
South Carolina he was one of the most generous contributors to benevolent
causes. The following amounts are bequeathed in his will: £1,000 to the French
Protestant Church of Charles Town; £500 to the "Brick Meeting House"; £500 to
the Baptist Society of Protestant Dissenters; £3,000 to the South Carolina
Society; £1,000 to the Church Wardens and Vestry of St. Philip's; £1,000 to the
French Protestant Society of New York City. To friends and relatives he
bequeathed no less than £24,000. Among them he remembered his friend Gabriel
Manigault with £100; and the Rev. Richard Clarke, Rector of St. Philip's, and
the Rev. John Tetard, Minister of the French Protestant Church, of Charles Town,
with £100 each. To Thomas Grimball he bequeathed his wearing apparel, gold
watch, silver-hilted sword, his gun, and all of his French books. His humane
sympathies are evidenced in the fact that he also made provision for the freedom
of four of his faithful slaves and the care of a number of others. Though a
public spirited man, aggressive and able, he was apparently not a money hoarder
nor a grasping money maker. The South Carolina Gazette was in its obituary
comments usually conservative and not given to flattery. As a rule it selected a
leading trait of the deceased and commented briefly on it. With reference to
Benjamin d'Harriette its brief though striking comment is included in these few
lines: "On Sunday died Suddenly Mr. Benjamin d'Harriette, formerly an eminent
Merchant of this Town, but had retired from Business some years - Knowing when
he had enough".
   The De Saussure family in South Carolina dates from about 1730, when Henri
arrived in Charles Town from Lausanne, Switzerland and settled in the Beaufort
district.[38] A grant of land to Henry De Saussure is dated March 6, 1732-3. The
land was located in Purryburg, Granville County, on the Savannah River and
contained 690 acres.[39] In Europe the family history dates back several
centuries in Switzerland and France, where the name is prominent in Metz,
Strassburg, Geneva, and Neufchatel.[40] The name is intimately bound up with the
experiences of the Huguenots on both sides of the sea. Antoine de Saussure took
bold and active part in the Reformation at these places. From Neufchatel the
Charles Town French Church received its liturgical service. In South Carolina
those bearing the name remained faithful to the doctrines and polity of the
Reformed religion.
   Henry De Saussure died in 1761, highly esteemed and respected. His four sons
and a grandson took active part in the Revolutionary War. Louis and Thomas died
on battlefields, Henry from disease. Daniel was a member of the Provincial
Congress in 1775.[41] He was captured in 1778, but was exchanged. He served in
the defense of Charles Town in April and May, 1780 and on the capture of the
city was exiled with the St. Augustine expedition, and released in 1781. After
the war, he became president of the Charles Town Insurance Company and was a
member of the Committee of Safety.[42] He served also on a commission to repair
Fort Littleton.[43] He served as senator in the new government and in 1789-1790
was president of the senate.[44]
   Daniel De Saussure, born April 10, 1736, at Purryburg, was one of the
original trustees of Charleston College and was present at the first meeting of
the Board in August, 1785.[45] He was a member of the Privy Council before the
Revolution.[46] In commercial activities he was engaged forty-two years. He was
respected for his industry, talents and moral integrity.[47]
   Philip Gendron, though he went to South Carolina an unnaturalized alien, was
popular enough there to be listed, together with two other Huguenots,[48] John
A. Motte and René Ravenel, among the commissioners of the Church Act of 1706.
Philip Gendron came to his new home from Marans near Rochelle, in France, about
1690, but must have been naturalized soon after reaching America. His wealth lay
in fine stock, profits from which he reinvested in local commercial
ventures.[49] Like many of his nationality, he was an inveterate money
lender.[50] His will disposes of no land, but in it he bequeaths £10,700 to his
near relatives. He left £10 to the poor of the French Church of Santee and the
same amount to the poor of the French Church of Charles Town. The latter bequest
was made on condition that the church remain true to the Reformed faith.[51]
   Gabriel Guignard, the first of the name in Carolina, was born on the Isle of
Oléron, France, in 1708. He is found in the South Carolina Assembly in 1737.[52]
He must have accumulated considerable property, for, in accordance with a time
honored custom, in recognition of those who had large accumulations of property,
a street in Charles Town was named for him. In 1740 he married Frances de
Liesseline. Their son, John Gabriel, was State Treasurer from 1790 to 1799. He
also held the office of State Surveyor.[53]
   Daniel Huger, the son of the emigrant by the same name, added to the land
wealth of his father by the purchase of 4,5641/2 acres in several tracts, paying
for them £4,693.[54] According to the inventory of his property made in 1754, he
takes rank among the richest in the province, having a large estate in land,
slaves, tools, etc. But his five sons were the best legacy he left. Daniel
Huger, the third of the name, served as delegate to the Continental Congress,
1786-88, and was a representative at the Federal Congress, 1789-93. He died in
1761, leaving an estate of £119,501.[55] There were 452 slaves, all named in the
lists. Isaac was a lieutenant in the Cherokee War and a lieutenant-colonel in
1776. In 1779 he was made a brigadier-general.[56] John, prior to the
Declaration of Independence, was a member of the Assembly and after the war,
Secretary of State in South Carolina. Benjamin was major of the First Regiment
of riflemen and a member of the Provincial Congress. Francis was a captain in
Moultrie's regiment and later a quartermaster general in the continental army.

[to be continued ...]
____________________________

1 S. C. Gaz., Oct. 31, 1766.

2 Commission, MS Council Jrnl., 1741-9, 19

3 MS Col. Doc. S. C., XXVII. 151; XXII. 250.

4 S. C. Gaz., Dec. 13, 1773.

5 List of members, MS Records, St. Andrew's Society.

6 Cooper, Statutes, IV. 5.

7 List of subscribers at 12-3-0 per set, in S. C. Gaz, Dec. 8, 1759

8 S. C. Gaz., Apr. 23, 1750, passim.

9 Will, "Gleanings from England", S. C. H. & C. Mag., XI. 132. Grants of land to
him total 2,800 acres in Granville County alone. See MS Grants, II. 41, 42, 213,
252.

10 MS Pr. Ct. Rcd., 1671-1727, 49.

11 MS Pr. Ct. Rcd., 1671-1727.

12 MS Col. Doc. S. C., II. 120. Ms Sec'y. Rcds., 1685-1712, 13 and 18.

13 Will, MS Pr. Ct. Rcd., 1671-1727, 275. MS Pr. Ct. Rcd., 1692-3, 172.

14 See Index.

15 Pub. H. S. London.

16 T. H. S. S. C., XII. 29.

17 Pub. H. S. London, XVIII. 177 and 184. Alexander Thésée de Chastaigner, Sieur
de Lisle and his wife, Elizabeth Buretel, went to Carolina in 1685. He was
denizened in March of the same year and must have been naturalized in Carolina,
for in 1693 he was a member of the Assembly. He died in 1707. See Coll. S. C.
Hist. Soc., I. 114-9. MS Assembly Jrnl., 1693; Archives, Colonial Dames, nos. 62
and 114.

18 Ibid., XVIII. 184.

19 Ibid., XVIII. 177.

20 Cooper, List of French Protestants in England, 40.

21 MS Assembly Jrnl., 1692, 3.

22 Pub. H. S. London, XVIII. 350.

23 Coll. N. Y. Hist. Soc., (Wills) 1. 346.

24 MS Pr. Ct. Red., 1758-61, 314.

25 Coll. N. Y. Hist. Soc., (Wills) 111. 55 and 331.

26 Ibid., 111.   331.

27 Tomb Stone, St. Philip's Church-Yard, Charleston.

28 S. C. Gaz., Oct. 23, 1755.

29 MS Pr. Ct. Rcd., 1726-7, 240.

30 S. C. Gaz., Dec. 18, 1736. 

31 Coll. N. Y. Hist. Soc., (Wills) III.

32 S. C. Gaz., May 26, 1739.

33 S. C. Gaz., Oct. 3, 1752.

34 His tomb-stone has Feb. 17. The S. C. Gaz., Feb 19, 1756, has Feb. 15.

35 S. C. Gaz., Feb. 26, 1756.

36 Ibid.

37 MS Pr. Ct. Rcd., 1753-56. S. C. Gaz., Feb 19, 1756.

38 MS Hist. De Saussure Family, by Wilmot G. De Saussure and Henry A. De
Saussure, joint authors. MS in possession of Mrs. Martha De Saussure,
Charleston.

39 See MS Public Records, I. 279.

40 Ibid., Hist. De Saussure Family; Harper, Memoirs of Henry W. De Saussure. The
name De Saussure is said to have been derived from the Duchy Saussure, formerly
in possession of the family.

41 MS Hist. De Saussure Family.

42 Drayton, Memoirs, 75 and 86.

43 Coll. S. C. Hist. Soc., III. 61.

44 MS Hist. De Saussure Family.

45 Catalogue of Charleston College, 1900-1901, Historical Sketch, 13-14.

46 S. C. Almanac, 1785.

47 MS Hist. De Saussure Family.

48 Cooper, Statutes, II. 282 f.

49 MS Pr. Ct. Rcd., 1722-24, 301.

50 T. H. S. S. C., XVI. 20.

51 Ibid.

52 T. H. S. S. C., IV. 46.

53 Ibid.

54 S. C. H. & G. Mag., XII. 6 f.

55 MS Pr. Ct. Rcd., 1758-61, 598.

56 MS Pr. Ct. Rcd., 1752-56, 282; S. C. G. & H. Mag., XII. 7; Archives, Colonial
Dames.

57 T. H. S. S. C., IV. 7.

58 MS Pr. Doc. Mass., quoted in Baird, Hug. in Am., II. 112.

[Portrait shown in book is omitted here, caption shown below.]
HENRY DE SAUSSRE
1763-1839
Director of the Mint, appointed by President George Washington. (Penned from a
miniature by Fraser, in possession of Dr. Henry W. De Saussure, Charleston, S.
C.)

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