Page:Protestant Exiles from France Agnew vol 2.djvu/386

 

He was born at Tours in France, the 27th of March 1650, n.s. And came into England in January 1677/8, and by coming over avoided the Persecution carryed on for many Years by Subtile Popish Devices, against the Protestant Subjects of that Kingdom, and which at last openly broke out in the reign of King Lewis the 14th. Who in October 1685, repealed the Edict of Nants, and caused his Protestant Subjects to be cruelly persecuted for their Religion, many whereof fled into foreign parts, and the greatest numbers into this Kingdom of England, where they were received with a true Christian love and charity; to the immortal praise of this nation, which God for ever preserve.

In the Huguenot Cemetery at Wandsworth (says Sunday at Home, No. 1295), “a tomb, shaded by a tree which grows within and has twisted itself about the rails, bears this inscription:” —

, Esq., born at Nismes in France, but in the year 1685 fled from France to avoid Tyranny and Persecution, and enjoyed a Protestant Liberty of Conscience, which he sought, and happily found, and was gratefully sensible of, in the Communion of the Church of England. He constantly answered this pious resolution in his life, and went to enjoy the blessed fruits of it by his death, the 2nd day of February 1738-9, aged ninety-one.

11. In the end of February 1744 (new style) the merchants of the City of London presented a loyal address to the king in consequence of his majesty’s message to the Houses of Parliament regarding designs “in favour of a Popish pretender to disturb the peace and quiet of these your majesty’s kingdoms,” and declaring themselves resolved to hazard their lives and fortunes “in defence of your majesty’s sacred person and government, and for the security of the Protestant succession in your royal family.” Among the 542 signatures, the following French names, chiefly Huguenot, occur:—

Jacob Albert, Gilbert Allix, William Alvauder, George Amyand, Francis Arbovin, Claude Aubert, George Aufrere, J. Auriol, Nathaniel Bassnet, Allard Belin, Claude Bennet, James Lewis Berchere, Herman Berens, John David Billon, John Blaquiere, John Peter Blaquiere, Henry Blommart, John Boittier, Samuel Bosanquet, John Boucher, James Bourdieu, Stephen Cabibel, Peter Callifies, James Caulet, James Chalie, Honorius Combauld, Peter Coussirat, Daniel Crespin, Abraham Dafoncell, Peter Davisme, Gabriel De Limage, Joseph De Ponthieu, Peter Des Champs, C. Desmaretz, Andrew Devesme, Philip Devesme, Isaac Fiput De Gabay, Ph. Jacob De Neufvrille, John Dorrien, Libert Dorrien, Peter Du Cane, Samuel Dufresnay, J. Dulamont, Henry Durell, Charles Duroure, Alexander Eynard, William Fauquier, An. Faure, Abel Fonnereau, Zac. Phil. Fonnereau, John Furly, Peter Gaussen, Francis Gaussen, James Gaultier, J. Gignoux, James Godins, Benjamin Gualtier, G. T. Guigner, Joseph Guinand, Henry Guinand, Stephen Guion, William Hollier, Isaac Jalabert, John Jamineau, Stephen Theodore Janssen, John Lagiere Lamotte, P. Lefebure, Thomas Le Blanc, Charles Le Blon, Gideon Leglize, Ctesar Le Maistre, David Le Quesne, Benjamin Longuet, Samuel Longuet, John Lewis Loubier, Henry Loubier, Charles Loubier, Jo. L. Loubier, J. Ant. Loubier, Peter Luard, William Minet, William Morin, Fulcrand Mourgrue, Francis Noguier, Peter Nouaille, Francis Perier, Pearson Pettitt, John Pettit, Joseph Pouchon, Philip Rigail, Hugh Rou, Cypre Rondeau, Stephen Teissier, Matth. Testas, Peter Thomas, Thomas Thomas, Ant. Vazeille, Dan. Vernezobre, Dan, Vialers, Thomas Vigne, William Vigor, Peter Waldo.

The first in the above list, Jacob Albert, was born in 1700, son of Pierre Albert, merchant of Swithin’s Lane, and Marianne, his wife; he was baptized in Threadneedle Street Church on 6th November, his parents being the registered witnesses. He was elected a Director of the French Hospital on 6th October 1756, and became the Deputy-Governor on 4th August 1779. We may say that he died in his eighty-fifth year, as Francis Duroure was appointed on 11th May 1785 to the vacant Deputy-Governorship.

James Bourdieu may have been the youngest son of John Du Bourdieu (Naturalization List x.). He was an influential insurer, and named as such in 1746 along with Jasper Mauduit.

Eynard was the name of a family in Dauphiny, allied to the house of Monteynard. Jacques Eynard, Chatelain (i.e., Lord of the Manor) of La Baume-Cornillaine, had, for becoming a Protestant, been disinherited by his father, and seems to have earned his new position for himself. He was very zealous in founding and 