LINDSLEY, D.D.

The settlement of the Huguenots at New Rochellc is believed to have been begun as early as the year 1686-87, by certain refugees from the town of La llochelle, France. This was the year following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, by which unjust and impolitic act fifty thousand French families were driven from their homes to other countries. Many of them rted first to England, but subsequently found their way to America. Those who came first to New Rochelle were landed, it is thought, by an English vessel at Bonnefoy's Point, now Davenport's Neck. Their exact number is uncertain, but the names of some of the early settlers are found upon the town records, between the years U'}% and 1710, and are as follows :

Allaire.

Goiiqeon.

Angevin.

(iiierin.

Jouneau.

Boni'cpaA.

Lambent.

Boiigraiid.

Le Ronx.

Bonnefoy,

Lespinard.

Beigiior.

Le Villain.

Besly.

Landrin.

Bolts.

Lavinge.

Boiinett.

Le Conut.

Huniard.

Maclict.

Bouteillier.

Mastier,

Clupp.

Mercier.

Clttik.

Naudin.

Oothomieau.

Nentiiille.

Caillurd.

Palcot.

Coutaiit (i),

Penieau.

Das.

I*inckney.

Devean.

Raynean.

Funnel.

Scurnian.

Flundreau.

Sycard.

Fonrrestier.

Thevoulde.

Ganyaril.

Tiiaunet.j

Giiion.

Tliauver.

Oirand.

V el lean.

In the year 1710 the population of New Rochelle amounted to two hundred and sixty-one persons, including fifty-seven slaves. This enumeration is from a census of the town supposed to have been taken in that year. The Rev. L. J. Coutant, however, in his sketches of Huguenot New Rochelle, a.sserts that the total number of inhabitants at this time was three hundred and twenty-five.

The same gentleman, who, in all that relates to the early liistory of this town is peculiarly well-informed, observes that " the two oldest individuals living in the town at that date, Mary Badeau and Frederick Schureman, were each eighty years old. The family name having the greatest number of representatives (sixteen) was that of Schureman.