The Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin In the Colony of Virginia

History: Huguenots began coming to Virginia as early as 1620. In 1700, four ships arrived at the mouth of the James River and the Rappahannock, east of present-day Richmond, Virginia. French Huguenots, having fled religious persecution, had lived in England and done services for the king. They were granted lands in the New World for a permanent home where they had the freedom to worship as they pleased. West of Richmond, many founded a colony on the site of a village deserted by the Monacan Indians. This is a society of the descendants of that colony and French Protestants who came to Virginia before 1786 [see history of the society].
The society headquarters and library are located beside the Manakin Episcopal Church on the original glebe lands in Manakintown.

Our 2010 National Assembly will be June 11-12 in San Antonio, Texas. Details will be posted in the spring.

The next meeting of the Virginia branch will be on Saturday, March 27, 2010. For meetings of other branches, contact the branch president or registrar.You may get the phone number or e-mail address from Sarah at 804 794-5702.

Entrance and Old Church

What's New on the Site

Winner of the 2009 National Scholarship is Cailin Meyer, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN.

We now have a full index to The Huguenot magazine on our site.

Just Posted: Huguenot listings in French Place Names in Virginia

Jack Gibson has established awards for high school student essays about the Huguenots in honor of his late wife, Diane. The 2009 announcements for these awards and for the national scholarship are posted on the left. Other branches, such as Virginia, also sponsor scholarships for college students. We encourage entries!

Planning a trip to Williamsburg and curious about the role of the Huguenots there? This is a "hidden" history, now visible in Carol Cason and Ann Woodlief's A Guide to Huguenot Williamsburg, an illustrated booklet now available for sale from our library.

Planning a trip to France? Or would you like to search Huguenot resources there? Check out this listing of Protestant Museums and their websites.

We also have the Huguenot méreau or token available in pewter finishfor $10. Call 804-794-5702 or e-mail (manakintown AT yahoo.com) for details.

Recipe for Huguenot Torte

French Origins of Virginia/Manakin Huguenots

Who Are We? Article by "Jack" Gibson , Fall 2005.

The original 1704 land grant for ten thousand acres

James L. Bugg, Jr., "The French Huguenot Frontier Settlement of Manakin Town"

Presentation of the lineages of society members (the first three generations), 11/04

The Society has a Library Assistant and the library will be open regularly for research (appointments preferred).

Now available again: Elterich, Allison Wehr. The Diligence and the Disappearance of Manakintowne's Huguenots. 1999. See gift shop. This is the most comprehensive modern history of the Huguenots at Manakin.

Photo Album of Huguenot Church and Monument

Check out the state sites for Virginia, Oklahoma, and Tennessee

Reviews of books on the Huguenots

A tour of Huguenot houses in Chesterfield and Powhatan counties, VA. Lucille Moseley, Virginia Branch Historian

Engravings of Huguenot Flights from France