The Huguenots were French Protestants of the 16th–17th centuries. Largely Calvinists, the Huguenots suffered severe persecution at the hands of the Catholic majority, and many thousands fled France.
The French Huguenot Church of Charleston, which remains independent, is the oldest continuously active Huguenot congregation in the United States.
According to family lore, Huguenot Benjamin Marion (Abt. 1670-1735) had received the following letter (Source, Cheryl Hudson Passey):
"Your damnable heresy will deserve more in this life than purgation by fire which awfully awaits you in the next-But in consideration of your youth and worthy connections, our mercy has condescended to commute your punishment to perpetual exile. You will, therefore, instantly prepare to quite your country forever, for if after 10 days from the date hereof, should you be found in any part of the Kingdom, your miserable body shall be consumed by fire, and your impious ashes scattered on the winds of Heaven.
(Signed) Pere Rochelle"
Benjamin and wife Judeth Baluet lived in Chaume, Poitou, France and were members of the French Protestant Church, known also as Huguenots. In 1685 Louis XIV declared Protestantism illegal and renounced the Edict of Nantes which had protected non-Catholics for many years. Intense persecution began. It is said that over 400,000 French Protestants fled the country. After the death of his fist wife, Benjamin married Marie (maiden name unknown).
The Marions were among those who fled for their lives and their religion making their way from France to South Carolina. Records show that they arrived in [America] about 1690 and the first record of Benjamin's many land purchases was in Goose Creek, South Carolina in 1704. Benjamin did well in his new country. By the time of his death in 1735 his estate including over 1,000 acres of land was worth 6,851.75 pounds.
Not only did Benjamin Marion find a way to escape from persecution and make a new life of freedom for himself and his family, he paved the way for generations that followed him. Grandson, Francis Marion (1732-1795), better known as the "Swamp Fox" was a powerful leader in the Revolutionary War and helped pave the way for American Independence.
The French Huguenot Church of Charleston, which remains independent, is the oldest continuously active Huguenot congregation in the United States.
According to family lore, Huguenot Benjamin Marion (Abt. 1670-1735) had received the following letter (Source, Cheryl Hudson Passey):
"Your damnable heresy will deserve more in this life than purgation by fire which awfully awaits you in the next-But in consideration of your youth and worthy connections, our mercy has condescended to commute your punishment to perpetual exile. You will, therefore, instantly prepare to quite your country forever, for if after 10 days from the date hereof, should you be found in any part of the Kingdom, your miserable body shall be consumed by fire, and your impious ashes scattered on the winds of Heaven.
(Signed) Pere Rochelle"
Benjamin and wife Judeth Baluet lived in Chaume, Poitou, France and were members of the French Protestant Church, known also as Huguenots. In 1685 Louis XIV declared Protestantism illegal and renounced the Edict of Nantes which had protected non-Catholics for many years. Intense persecution began. It is said that over 400,000 French Protestants fled the country. After the death of his fist wife, Benjamin married Marie (maiden name unknown).
The Marions were among those who fled for their lives and their religion making their way from France to South Carolina. Records show that they arrived in [America] about 1690 and the first record of Benjamin's many land purchases was in Goose Creek, South Carolina in 1704. Benjamin did well in his new country. By the time of his death in 1735 his estate including over 1,000 acres of land was worth 6,851.75 pounds.
Not only did Benjamin Marion find a way to escape from persecution and make a new life of freedom for himself and his family, he paved the way for generations that followed him. Grandson, Francis Marion (1732-1795), better known as the "Swamp Fox" was a powerful leader in the Revolutionary War and helped pave the way for American Independence.
The Huguenots were French Protestants of the 16th–17th centuries. Largely Calvinists, the Huguenots suffered severe persecution at the hands of the Catholic majority, and many thousands fled France.
The French Huguenot Church of Charleston, which remains independent, is the oldest continuously active Huguenot congregation in the United States.
According to family lore, Huguenot Benjamin Marion (Abt. 1670-1735) had received the following letter (Source, Cheryl Hudson Passey):
"Your damnable heresy will deserve more in this life than purgation by fire which awfully awaits you in the next-But in consideration of your youth and worthy connections, our mercy has condescended to commute your punishment to perpetual exile. You will, therefore, instantly prepare to quite your country forever, for if after 10 days from the date hereof, should you be found in any part of the Kingdom, your miserable body shall be consumed by fire, and your impious ashes scattered on the winds of Heaven.
(Signed) Pere Rochelle"
Benjamin and wife Judeth Baluet lived in Chaume, Poitou, France and were members of the French Protestant Church, known also as Huguenots. In 1685 Louis XIV declared Protestantism illegal and renounced the Edict of Nantes which had protected non-Catholics for many years. Intense persecution began. It is said that over 400,000 French Protestants fled the country. After the death of his fist wife, Benjamin married Marie (maiden name unknown).
The Marions were among those who fled for their lives and their religion making their way from France to South Carolina. Records show that they arrived in [America] about 1690 and the first record of Benjamin's many land purchases was in Goose Creek, South Carolina in 1704. Benjamin did well in his new country. By the time of his death in 1735 his estate including over 1,000 acres of land was worth 6,851.75 pounds.
Not only did Benjamin Marion find a way to escape from persecution and make a new life of freedom for himself and his family, he paved the way for generations that followed him. Grandson, Francis Marion (1732-1795), better known as the "Swamp Fox" was a powerful leader in the Revolutionary War and helped pave the way for American Independence.
The French Huguenot Church of Charleston, which remains independent, is the oldest continuously active Huguenot congregation in the United States.
According to family lore, Huguenot Benjamin Marion (Abt. 1670-1735) had received the following letter (Source, Cheryl Hudson Passey):
"Your damnable heresy will deserve more in this life than purgation by fire which awfully awaits you in the next-But in consideration of your youth and worthy connections, our mercy has condescended to commute your punishment to perpetual exile. You will, therefore, instantly prepare to quite your country forever, for if after 10 days from the date hereof, should you be found in any part of the Kingdom, your miserable body shall be consumed by fire, and your impious ashes scattered on the winds of Heaven.
(Signed) Pere Rochelle"
Benjamin and wife Judeth Baluet lived in Chaume, Poitou, France and were members of the French Protestant Church, known also as Huguenots. In 1685 Louis XIV declared Protestantism illegal and renounced the Edict of Nantes which had protected non-Catholics for many years. Intense persecution began. It is said that over 400,000 French Protestants fled the country. After the death of his fist wife, Benjamin married Marie (maiden name unknown).
The Marions were among those who fled for their lives and their religion making their way from France to South Carolina. Records show that they arrived in [America] about 1690 and the first record of Benjamin's many land purchases was in Goose Creek, South Carolina in 1704. Benjamin did well in his new country. By the time of his death in 1735 his estate including over 1,000 acres of land was worth 6,851.75 pounds.
Not only did Benjamin Marion find a way to escape from persecution and make a new life of freedom for himself and his family, he paved the way for generations that followed him. Grandson, Francis Marion (1732-1795), better known as the "Swamp Fox" was a powerful leader in the Revolutionary War and helped pave the way for American Independence.
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