Huguenot Cemetery Discovery
Before and after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, thousands of French Protestants (Huguenots) fled France in search of a safe place to practice their religious beliefs freely. Ireland was one of many places of refuge and about 5,000 Huguenot refugees ended up settling there. Huguenot immigrants began settlements in Dublin, Cork, Portarlington and other areas. Many of them were highly successful in their new home, using their skills as merchants, textile workers, jewelers and watchmakers, as well as those of farmers and sailors.
Senior researcher Cheves Leland (In 2019) and Society President Hagood Morrison (in 2022) have both visited the Huguenot Cemetery in Dublin. Dating from 1693, this burial ground for Huguenot settlers has survived centuries of development and industrialization. It is located between two office buildings Merion Row across the street from St. Stephen’s Green. The burial ground was restored in the 1980s. Although only a few burial sites are extant, there is a memorial tablet on one wall which records the names of the Huguenot refugees and their descendants who were buried in it.
Today, the site is usually kept locked and is maintained by the Dublin City Council. There are several other burial grounds in Dublin containing the remains of Huguenots and many were buried at the French Church in Portarlington, Ireland.
A new wave of talent visits the French Protestant (Huguenot) Church!
The College of Charleston’s French Department is offering a unique First Year Experience (FYE) this semester. The course discusses the presence and history of the French culture in Charleston. This is the second time the course is offered, and it hasn’t disappointed! Taught by Dr. Margaret Keneman, the students have been delving deep into Charleston’s past and present discovering who we are as a city.
This semester, the students are conducting a solo research project on the individual Huguenot of their choosing. They will be visiting the society following Thanksgiving to explore our library and archives for genealogical material relevant to their figure. Using French Santee as their guide for their journey, the list of Huguenots of choice range from Jean Boyd to the Mazyck family.
In October 2022, the students visited the church with Renee Marshall, who gave them a brief history of the site and answered questions. The students had time to explore the sanctuary and study the plaques on the walls. Many took photos and continued to ask questions.
Their projects will be presented to the class to show how their research has developed. This is a wonderful, intelligent cohort of students, and we cannot wait to see where their studies take them. The society is honored to be a part of their research and genealogical journey!
Annual Fall Service, 2022
On Sunday, October 23, 2022, the French Protestant (Huguenot) Church conducted its annual fall service in French. The service was to remember the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes that sparked the fleeing of several Huguenot Families, leading them to establish settlements all over the world, including South Carolina.
Pictured to the left is the society’s president, Hagood Morrison, and his wife, Mary at the collation that followed the service.
On October 22, 2022, scholar Dr. Tessa Murdoch traveled all the way from England to give a lecture on her latest book, Europe Divided. This discussion included some interesting pieces of art and objects such as portraits, goldsmith work, and turtle shell bowls! To honor her dedication and study of the French Protestants, she was officially welcomed as an Honorary Member of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina.
To learn more about the art and culture of the Huguenots, check out her book!
Dr. Tessa Murdoch Elected as an Honorary Member!
Conference May 2022
In May 2022, the Huguenot Society of South Carolina co-sponsored the French Colonial Historic Society’s (FCHS) 46th Annual Meeting in Charleston. This event was organized with College of Charleston's Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World Program (CLAW). The conference invited members to come and participate in paneled discussions with scholars and researchers.
Society President, Hagood Morrison chaired a discussion on the Flers that included a valuable Charleston connection. Morrison was joined by journalist Fritz Hamer, Alain Yvette Lerichomme of the City of Flers, and CEO of Charleston Sister Sites International, Neita Weiss.
Bertrand Van Ruymbeke and Dr. Owen Stanwood were also among some of the scholars who shared their research.
During the conference, the Society held our 136th Annual Meeting, which featured keynote speaker, Robert Nash. During his lecture, he gave a presentation titled “What is a Huguenot and What is a Huguenot Descendant?” This was the first annual meeting to be held at the College of Charleston’s Stern Student Center.
2022 Annual Meeting
Mazyck Family Bibles
In the Fall 2022 Newsletter, we announced that a member donated a 1712 Mazyck Family Bible. This joined the 1693 Mazyck Family Bible that was already in our collection. Through the generosity of a member, both Bibles are being conserved.
Recently, another member read about the Bibles in the newsletter, and kindly donated her 1849 copy of a Mazyck Family Bible, too. Now we are the proud owners of a 1600s, 1700s, and 1800s Bible for the family!
Stay tuned for when we share the inscriptions.
NEW
PUBLICATIONS!
Authors Tessa Murdoch, PhD., and Harriott Cheves Leland and Susan Baldwin Bates have been hard at work.
Murdoch’s book Europe Divided explores Huguenot history through their art and culture. This book is for sale in our online shop for $55.
Leland and Bates recently republished French Santee, which is a close study of the French settlement on the Santee River. This book is for sale in our online shop for $65.
Click the button below to access our shop
French Santee Book Signing
Board member Rick Wilson kindly hosted the first of many book signings of French Santee. HSSC members and guests were able to meet author Cheves Leland. Special thanks to The Mercury for aiding this event.
