Mary Mouzon Darby
Undergraduate Scholarship
The Mary Mouzon Darby Undergraduate Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the late Miss Betty-Ann Darby, in honor of her mother Mary Mouzon Darby. Mary Mouzon Darby was born April 3, 1896, in Georgetown, SC, the eldest of the four daughters of Laurens and Esther Gordon Mouzon. Through her paternal grandfather she was a direct descendant of Henry Mouzon and through her paternal grandmother was a descendant of his brother Louis Mouzon II. They came to America with their father, Louis Mouzon, from Ville de Mouzon in France in the early 1700s. Although she was not fortunate enough to have a college education, Mary Mouzon Darby was extremely well read and expressed herself beautifully in both oral and written language. She was the devoted wife of William Henry (Will) Darby, Jr. and mother of Lydia Gordon, who died at 19 months, and Betty-Ann. Like her father before her and her daughter after her, she was a long-time member of the Huguenot Society and was the family’s unofficial genealogist. She died in 1984, ten years after the death of her husband. Mary Mouzon Darby treasured her Huguenot lineage and would be pleased that, through a scholarship in her name, a Huguenot descendant will receive help in obtaining a college education which circumstances denied her.
2024 Scholarship Recipients
James Herink
Occidental College, CA
James stated in his essay his feelings were "forged by the fire of conviction and the unyielding pursuit of freedom" of his ancestors. He presented an essay on his ancestor, Jean Francois Gignilliat. As James so well stated, "our ancestor’s stories are our inheritances."
Upon receiving his award, James wrote: "Receiving the Mary Mouzon Darby Scholarship helps me to pursue my dream of working in the aerospace industry, where I aspire to innovate and contribute to advancements in commercial aviation. This scholarship is not only financial support, but also a moral encouragement that fuels my passion and dedication to achieving my career goals.”
Gray Bobo
Mississippi State University, MS
Gray will be majoring in data science. In his essay submission, Gray recalled family vacations being learning trips as well as pleasure. He expressed his gratitude that his parents planted the "seeds of American history" in his childhood. Gray remembered his ancestor, Peter Dutoit, very well with his essay.
Upon receiving his award, Gray wrote: “While in college, I plan to work.with the university's baseball team as part of their statistics and data team. I plan to use this degree and experience to obtain a job as a baseball data analyst. This scholarship is a wonderful opportunity to help me financially with college and focus more on my academics.”
2023 Scholarship Recipient
Amanda Blake Alford
College of Charleston, SC
Amanda is a student at the College of Charleston. In her essay on her DuBose ancestry, Amanda wrote “I wish for others to learn of the Huguenots and their sacrifice so their story never dies out. I’m proud to be a part of the Huguenot family and their story will always be with me from now on.”
WHO MAY APPLY
The applicant must be of Huguenot descent and either a member of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina or the child, grandchild, niece or nephew of a current member of the Society.
The applicant must be enrolled or accepted at an accredited institute of higher learning. The award will be sent directly to the institution.
Preference will be given to those qualified applicants entering their first year of college.