516 HISTORY OF 



the Reformed party increased in numbers and displayed additional zeal and 

 activity in all their movements much to the annoyance of tlie Guises and 

 their adherents." 



It is only at this period of history in France then that wc find the profes- 

 sors of the Reformed religion first designated by the term Huguenots. They 

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

 the discovery of the conspiracy referred to, were called Eidgcnossm, that is 

 in the Papist sense, rebels and apostates. From this, owing to their igno- 

 rance of the orthography of the Geiman 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 into Huguenot. The analogy ig 

 striking, the facts undoubted, and the reasons given, to our mind, at least 

 satisfactory. 



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

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

 moral, religious and much persecuted people, residing in Lancaster county, 

 and in some instances still living upon the farms originally 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 101, 107, 1 11.) emigrated to this county and com- 

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

 their persecuted brethren still remaining in France, and of others who had 

 sought [;rotection of the protcstant 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 familes, as 

 follows: Ije Fevre, Firre, or Fuehre, now corrupted into Ferree, Brinton, Le 

 Mont, now written Leaman, Bushong, Deahong, Le Roy, anglilicd into 

 King, Le Ba/ure, now corrupted into Bezoar, or Besorc, La Rue, Dubois, 

 La rierre, anglified into Stein, Goshen, Barre De Normandie, Meessakop, 

 now spelt Messenkop, Bucher, Verdre,De Hoof, now spelt Dehulf, l^e Chaar, 

 now written Lcscher, Cherrard, and others. 



These pious aiid persecuted men with their fellow refugees and families 

 passed " through much tribulation," until at length they secured lor them- 

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

 to the dictates of their own consciences." Although tlicy succeeded far be- 

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

 and in many instances with home-sick hearts, ujmn the vine-clad hills and 

 sunny fields of their own much loved France. 'i^hey were exiles from the 

 land of their nativity, the broad billows of the Atlantic rolled between them 

 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 tlie revocation of the edict of Nantes, 

 from emigrating and forced into an abjuration of their fa th — how harrass- 

 ing must have hcen their feelings and how sore their trials !! But, "He 

 who tempers the wind to the shorn lamii," was still gracious unto them ; he 

 who had protected and defended them from dangers imminent and terrible, 

 was still "their strcriglli and aliidin'g place." Time blunted the keencss ol 

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

 sat down in contentment, and in daily prayer returned thanksgiving unto 

 Him, who is the Author of every good and perfect gift. 



