The Huguenots of Colonial South Carolina 
By Arthur Henry Hirsch, Ph.D.
1928, Duke University Press, 1962 by Archon Books

   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]
____________________________

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.

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