516 HISTORY OF 



the Reformed party increased in numbers and displayed additional zeal an^ 

 activity in a!! their movements much to the annoyance of the Guises and 

 their adherents." 



It is (Hily at this period of history in France tlicn tliat we find the profes* 

 sors of tlie Reformed religion first designated by tlie term Huguenots. 'J'hey 

 were identified in faith with the Reformed of 'Geneva, and like them, upon 

 the discovery of the conspiracy referred to, were called Eidgtnossm, tliat is 

 in the Papis^t sense, rebels and apostates. From this, owing to their igno- 

 rance of the orthography of the Gciman word, and their inability to pro- 

 nounce it correctly ; but yet well knowing its import, it is easy to conceive 

 that Frenchmen would readily corrupt it inio I lug uc not. 'J"he analogy is 

 striking, the facts undoubted, and the reasons given, to our mind, atleast 

 satisfactory. 



With this brief enquiry into the origin of the term Eidgenossen, i. e. 

 Huguenot, we might rest, but as there are many descendants of this brave, 

 monil, religious and much jiersecutcd people, residing in Lancaster county, 

 and in some instances still living upon the farms origiiially patented by their 

 refugee ancestors, we feel bound to say a word concerning them. Alter the 

 Huguenot colonics at New Rochelle,' West Chester county, EsopUs, Ulster 

 county, New York, had been formed, some of their number at an early day, 

 as has been shown (pages 1 01, 107, 11 1.) emigrated to this county and com- 

 menced settlements. This soon opened the way for a direct emigration of 

 their persecuted brethren still remaining in France, and of othcrsvvho had 

 sought protection of the protestaiit powers of Switzerland, Germany, Hol- 

 land and England. Among the most prominent of these early Huguenot 

 settlers in this county, we give the names of several heads of famUes, as 

 follows: Eg Fevre, Firrc, or Fuehre, now corrupted into Ferree, Brinton, Lc 

 Mont, now v.Titten Leaman, Eushong, Deshong, Ee Roy, anglilied into 

 King, Ec Eazure, now corrupted into Cezoar, or Ecsorc, Ea Rue, Dubois, 

 Ea Pierre, unglified into Stein, Goshen, Barre Do Normandic, Meessakop, 

 now spelt Messenkop, Bucher, Verdre.De Hoof, now spelt Eehufi", Ee Chaar, 

 now written Ecsrher, ('hcrrard, and others. 



These pious and persecuted men with their fellow refugees and families 

 passed "thmiigh ir.uch tribulation,'' until at length they secured lo4- them- 

 selves and posterity an assylum where they could "worship God according 

 to the dictates of their own consL-icnces." Although they succeeded far bi° 

 yond their most sanguine expectations, still they looked back with regret, 

 and in many instances with home-sick iiearts, u])on the vinc-elad hills lind 

 Bunny fields of their own much loved France. 'J'hev Vv-ere exiles from the 

 land of their nativity, the broad billows of Iha Atlantic rolled between thcni 

 and the graves of their fathers. Separated from friends and kindred, who in 

 turn were driven to seek the protection of foreign potentates or restrained by 

 the policy of the government, after the revocation of the edict of JVanles, 

 from emigrating and firced into an abjuration of tiicir fath— how harrass- 

 ing must have been their feelings and' how s.)re tlieir trials ! ! But, "He 

 Vvho tenijiers the wind to the thorn lamb,'' was still gracious unto them ; lie 

 who ha<i prolcctcd and defended them from dangers imminent and terrible, 

 was still "their strength and abiding place." Time blunted the kceness oJ 

 their sorrows, and as the forest began to bloom beneath their labors, they 

 pat down in contentment, and in daily ])raycr returned lha;iksgiving unto 

 Him, who i.< the Aut!;or of every good and perfect gift. 



