About the middle of the sixteenth century the French Protestants were nicknamed Huguenots by the Roman Catholics.  In 1562 a struggle began between the Huguenots and the government, for religious freedom.  This was the beginning of the eight religious wars which covered more than thirty years.
     On Sunday, August 24, 1572, when a large number of Huguenots had gathered in Paris for the wedding of one of their chiefs, the Roman Catholics made an attack and killed several thousand.  This was known as the Massacre of St. Bartholomew.  Massacres were ordered in other parts of France, and all together seventy thousand perished.  The Pope sent congratulations to Catherine de Medici, the queen regent, and both felt that they were finished with the Huguenots.  But the Huguenots rallied and fought on.   (From "The Growth of the Christian Church" by Nichols.)
     Catherine de Medici ruled her son, Charles IX, with an iron hand.  He became very discouraged and despondent, and died in 1574, being only twenty-four years of age.  His brother Henry III then ascended the throne, but disaster befell him in 1589 when he was stabbed by a monk.  Being childless, he called for Henry, King of Navarre, and declared him as his successor to the throne of France.
     This man was crowned as Henry IV.  Being a friend of the Huguenots he did much to aid them and to lessen their persecution.  In April of 1598 he issued the famous Edict of Nantes, which put an end to the religious wars for a short time.
     Henry IV met his death at the hand of an assassin on May 14, 1610.  His son Prince Louis being only a child, Henry's wife Maria de Medici, was regent queen.  She became interested in Cardinal Richelieu and they governed young Louis until he took the throne as Louis XIII in 1617.
     Persecutions gradually began again, and many Huguenots endeavoring to flee were pursued and killed.  Cardinal Richelieu was made prime minister of France and became very powerful.  He expressed his desire to break the Huguenot party that was opposing the Pope, and to completely wipe out the new Reformed religion.
     Louis XIII died in 1643, and the throne passed to his son Louis XIV, who turned out to be one of the most cruel rulers of recent times.

     In 1666 a new set of Regulations, comprising Fifty-nine Articles, was issued, the provisions of which so invaded all the rights of humanity that they evoked a remonstrance from several Protestant Sovereigns in whose continued friendship Louis XIV was interested.  This had some effect, and in 1669 several of the most inhuman Articles were revoked and others were modified. (Stapleton, p.15.)
     The Regulations of 1666 was the occasion of the first emigration of the Huguenots, and in a short time thousands of the better class had sought refuge in foreign lands.  Louis XIV, whose immoralities had greatly scandalized his court, professed in 1676 to have reformed, and in order to signalize his devotion to the Roman Catholic church undertook anew the complete destruction of Protestant Christianity.  This was the beginning of the end.
     On October 18, 1685, Louis XIV signed the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.  The Huguenots were not allowed to hold public offices any longer.  Protestant marriages were declared illegal. Pastors were ordered to leave the country in fifteen days.  Parents could no longer instruct their children in the Reformed faith, but were compelled, under heavy penalty, to have them baptized and instructed by the priests.  They were forbidden to emigrate, and those who had done so must return in four months or suffer the confiscation of their property.  Churches and records were destroyed.  Notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts to prevent it, there was a stampede of the Protestants to leave the kingdom, and we are told that about 400,000 of them left France.
     Many of the refugees settled in England, and their descendants have been an honor to the land of their adoption.  Among them was a LeFevre, speaker of the House of Commons, who was elevated to the peerage as Lord Eversly.
     In October, 1685, after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the parents of our ancestor, Isaac of 1669, and his three brothers and three sisters were murdered by the Roman Catholics, he alone escaping.  But Isaac, then a boy of sixteen, took with him his father's Bible, which his mother had concealed by baking it in a loaf of bread.  This Bible he clung to and cherished during all his journeyings and hardships for sixty-six years.
     Our French ancestors, beginning with Mengen LeFevre of 1510, are then:  His son John of 1540; Philip of 1574, son of John; Andrew of 1604, son of Philip; Abraham of 1632, son of Andrew; and Isaac of 1669, son of Abraham, who is our American ancestor.
     The record of our French ancestry is based in part on circumstantial evidence.  We must remember that the Roman Catholics besides killing the Protestants, also wrecked their churches and destroyed all Huguenot records they could lay their hands on, as I found out when I was in Strasburg, France, in 1929.  I tried to get records of Protestants in the Strasburg Cathedral, and in the Strasburg City Archives.

     Another Huguenot family known as LeFerree, Ferree, Ferrie, Fuehre, Fierre, Firre, Ferie, were of the nobility of France, and originally seated at Forchamps, in Lower Normandy.  The founder of the family was Robert Ferree, who in A.D. 1265 was confirmed to an extensive estate.   (See "Nobility of Normandy," Vol. 11, p.357. Stapleton, p. 10O-108.)
     A descendant of this family was Daniel Ferree, born about 1650.  In 1675 he married Marie de la Warembur (Warembuer or Warrembere).  He was a Huguenot, and a wealthy silk manufacturer.  They lived in Landau, France, along the Rhine River, and to this union were born six children:  Daniel, Catherine, Mary, Jane, Philip, and John.  France then controlled this territory east as far as the Rhine.
     After the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, in 1685 the family fled to Strasburg.  While here they were joined by the previously mentioned Isaac LeFevre, a lad of sixteen, who also had fled his home when the other members of his family were killed.  They later fled on into Bavaria in Germany, taking with them Isaac, and while living there Isaac and Catherine were married.  Later they moved to Steinweiler near the Rhine River where the senior Daniel died.  At this time his widow assumed her maiden name as an additional means of safety.
     Some time before this (1707) Queen Anne of England had issued a proclamation inviting the suffering Huguenots to come to England.  However, the Ferrees had heard of Pennsylvania in America, and desiring to go there began to make plans to cross the Atlantic.  Consent for them to leave the country was granted by the following paper:

     "Whereas Marie, Daniel Ferree's widow, and her son Daniel Ferree with his wife, and other single children, in view of improving their condition and in furtherance of their prosperity, propose to emigrate from Steinweiler in the Mayoralty of Bittingheim, High Bailiwick, Gersheim, via Holland and England, to the island of Pennsylvania to reside there, they have requested an accredited certificate that they left the town of Steinweiler with the knowledge of the proper authorities and have deported themselves peaceably and without cause for censure, and are indebted to no one, and not subject to vassalage, being duly solicited, it has been thought proper to grant their petition declaring that the above named persons are not moving away clandestinely, that during the time their father, the widow and children resided in this place, they behaved themselves piously and honestly, that it would have been highly gratifying to us to see them remain among us, that they are not subject to bodily bondage, the mayoralty not being subject to vassalage--they have also paid for their permission to emigrate; Mr. Fischer, the Mayor of Steinweiler being expressly interrogated, it has been ascertained that they are not liable for any debts.
     In witness thereof, I have, in the absence of the counsellor of the Palatinate, etc., signed these presents, gave the same to the persons who intended to emigrate.  Dated Bittingheim, March 10, 1708."   (L.S.) J. P. Dietrich, "Court Clerk."

     After leaving the town of Steinweiler, the Daniel Ferree and Isaac LeFevre families went on to London.  We assume Madame Ferree and her four single children remained in Holland at this time.  Daniel and Isaac joined a group of refugees led by the Rev. Joshua Kocherthal whose expenses were paid by Queen Anne.  According to the Reformed Church Messenger dated March 13, 1872, they set sail October 15, 1708, on the transport "Globe."
     This fleet of ships encountered some very bad weather.  Lord Lovelace, the new Governor of New York, was on one of them.  He wrote London immediately, advising them not to send any more ships after August.  He said the "Globe" was in need of water but they were unable to help because of the stormy weather.
     After eleven weeks on the water, the "Globe" arrived at New York January 1, 1709.  The Colonists were taken to the area now known as Newburgh on the Hudson River.  Each family was given tools and 50 acres of land.  Newburgh history tells of short supplies, different religious views, and their dislike of the land.  A number of them left the area and settled elsewhere.   ("THE HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK" by Ruttenbur and Clark.)
     Daniel and Isaac took their families to New Paltz, about 15 miles north of Newburgh, where four of Isaac's cousins were living.  They were the children of his uncle Simon LeFevre who, with his unmarried brother Andrew, had come to America in the 1660's. Simon's descendants are The New York State LeFevres.
     From a lecture given 1917 in Paradise, Pa. by Judge Charles Landis, we learn that Madame Ferree and her children were in London by May 6, 1709.  Here she met Wm. Penn who introduced her to the Queen.  Penn promised her a tract of land in Pennsylvania and the Queen agreed to give additional aid.  The Rev. Kocherthal returned to England and arranged to take another group to the New World.  They sailed on the ship "Lyon" and arrived the middle of June, 1710.  The Ferree's may have sailed at this time but the ship's list has never been found.  Upon their arrival they joined Daniel and Isaac at New Paltz.
     Madame Ferree and her children remained here until the spring of 1712.  In the meantime, March 16, 1710, a second son named Philip was born to Isaac and Catherine.  According to a letter written by Solomon LeFevre, one of the New York State LeFevres, the Kingston Church records give Catherine's maiden name as "Fire" and states that Philip was baptized Apr. 1, 1711.
     In the spring of 1712 they left New Paltz and traveled south to Philadelphia, where Madame Ferree presented her letters of introduction and recommendation from William Penn to his agents.
     Madame Ferree's tract consisting of 2000 acres was located along Pequea creek about fifty-five miles west of Philadelphia.  It was a part of the ten thousand acres granted by William Penn to a Martin Kendig and other agents of the Mennonite colony.  This land had been surveyed in October 1710 and was subdivided in April 1711. ("Memorials of the Huguenots" by Stapleton.)

     The above mentioned Tawana was one of the Chiefs who signed the famous treaty made by William Penn at Shackamaxon on Nov. 4, 1682.  His remains rest in the burying ground used by the Episcopal Church in Paradise, Pa.
     Four years after their arrival, in 1716, after she had through much hardship and trouble established a home for each of her children in the New World, Madame Ferree passed from the scenes of this life.  Her body was laid to rest in what is now known as Carpenter's Cemetery, a plot one mile south of Paradise, which she herself had selected before her death.
     The 2000 acre tract was later found to contain 2300 acres.  Its western boundary was near to where U.S. 30 crosses the Pequea Creek and included the area now known as Gordonville, Paradise and Leaman Place, and extended southward to the Strasburg-Gap Road.  It was about 1 1/3 miles wide, its northern and southern boundaries running east and west; and almost 3 miles long, its eastern and western boundaries running slightly north-west and south-east.  The tract was divided among the Ferree Children. Isaac LeFevre's share was 383 1/3 acres near the center and extended the entire width of the tract.
     Isaac later purchased three additional tracts thus having one for each of his four boys.  Abraham's 300 acres lay north of Strasburg and east of Hartman Bridge Road.  (See deed on opposite page -- also house and cemetery on page 14)  Philip got 350 acres northeast of Willow Street, Pa.  It extended north from the intersection of Route 222 and Gypsy Hill Road.  Daniel's 300 acres lay north of Abraham's tract and Samuel inherited his father's Paradise ground.

     A few of our family who have achieved distinction in life are the following:
     George LeFevre born 1739, a grandson of Isaac, was an Ensign (or First Lieutenant) in the Revolutionary War.
     Daniel LeFevre born 1788, youngest son of the above George, was a Colonel in the War of 1812.
     Hon. Joseph LeFevre born 1760, of near Paradise, Pa., was a member of Congress from 1811 to 1813.
     Major General John Fulton Reynolds, born 1820 in Lancaster County. Graduated at West Point 1841.  Served in the Mexican War. Killed in the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863.  His grandparents were William and Catherine LeFevre Reynolds, Catherine, being a granddaughter of Isaac of 1669.  Their remains lie with those of Madame Ferree in Carpenter Cemetery, near Paradise, Pa.
     Benjamin LeFevre born 1838.  A Brigadier General in the Civil War.  He was a member of the Ohio Legislature, and served three terms in Congress.  Later appointed U. S. Consul at Mecklenburg, Germany.
     Judge Owen Edgar LeFevre born 1848.  Served on both the County and District benches in Denver, Colorado.
     It may be of interest to the reader to know that Commodore Winfield Scott Schley was also a distant relative, being a descendant of Philip Ferree, Isaac LeFevre's brother-in-law.  He was born near Frederick, Md., in 1839.  During the war with Spain, he was in command when the Spanish fleet was destroyed off Santiago, Cuba, July 3, 1898.  One month later he was promoted to Rear Admiral.
     In the "Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Penna.," published in 1903, we read (Page 450), "Among the records of Lancaster County, Pa., the name of LeFevre will be found as one representing for many years the best interests of the County, publicly, privately, educationally, and religiously.  It is one of the oldest and most honorable."
     As this book goes to press, time and space will not permit the enumeration of those who now serve in honorable positions.  We find them associated with and in the management of the various fields of business.  They are serving their country at home and abroad.  There are among them lawyers, publishers, professors, farmers, doctors, teachers, ministers, missionaries, bankers, bookkeepers, authors, soldiers, merchants, and so on.

     Here are listed the names of several LeFevres of historical interest in the early centuries, but whose names do not appear in the Record.  This is due to the fact that no additional information was available regarding their family connections.
     Claude, d 1633.  A French portrait painter and engraver.
     Francois Joseph.  Born in Alsace, France, Oct. 25, 1755, one of the Catholic branch of LeFevres.  At eighteen he enlisted in the army as a private; at thirty-seven he was a Captain; at thirty-eight he rose to Adjutant General, then to Brigadier General, and then to General.  He was one of Napoleon's greatest leaders, and in 1804, at the age of forty-nine, he was made a Marshal of the Empire.
     Guy, b 1541.  An able French Orientalist.  He translated the Syriac Bible.
     Jacques, b 1654 (or earlier).  A French army officer who being a Huguenot fled from persecution in France and settled in Delaware.
     James (or Jacques), b 1455.  A reformer in France as Luther was in Germany.  He made the first French translation of the Bible.  Died a martyr.
     John, b 1282.  An eminent French jurist born at Angouleme.
     John, b 1394.  A learned French chronicler born at Abbeville.
     John, b 1478.  Bishop of Vienna.  He favored and defended Luther.
     John, b 1732.  A French Philologist and master of many ancient and modern languages.
     John.  A French astronomer and member of the Academy of Science.
     Louis Urbain, b 1653.  A French Statesman.
     Nicholas, b 1544.  An eminent French scholar highly commended as a critic.
     Nicholas, b 1620.  An able French chemist. He wrote the work, "Theoretical and Practical Chemistry."
     Robert, b 1756.  A French portrait painter. He acquired a high reputation, and in 1815 received the title, "First Painter to the King."
     Roland, b 1605.  A French portrait painter, who also did fine work in England.

     According to Ralph LeFevre, the New York State LeFevre Historian, there were six different LeFevre families who settled in America, as follows:
     The first of whom we have any record is Peter, who was in New Amsterdam in 1653.  His name appears on the record at subsequent dates during the next few years in New York and Brooklyn as an owner of real estate.
     As already stated, Andrew and Simon arrived at Esopus (Kingston) N. Y. about 1660.  They were two of the twelve Huguenot Patentees who purchased 36,000 acres from the Indians in 1677, known as the New Paltz tract.
     Hippolytus LeFevre settled at Salem, N. J., and was one of John Fenwick's Council in 1676.  He became a large landholder, and his descendants are believed to have engaged in navigation, as nearly fifty years afterward vessels bearing the names of members of the LeFevre family were running from this part of New Jersey to the New England coast.  In the Biographical History of Delaware we read that among the first settlers on the Delaware River were the three refugee brothers, Jacques, Hypolite, and Jean LeFevre.  The first named had been an officer in the French Army.
     In 1683 another LeFevre, Isaac by name, settled in New Jersey.  His son Myndert in 1731 advertised his father's farm for sale, between Perth Amboy and New Brunswick.  These New Jersey LeFevres have moved to other states or become extinct in the male line, as the name has been lost for a long time in that part of the country.  (The Compiler of this book had also gathered together some records of the descendants of this Isaac, whom he stated was born about 1660. F. D. L.)
     Then we have Isaac, born 1669, our American ancestor, who landed in New York January, 1709 and settled in Lancaster County in 1712.
     At some later date a John LeFevre born 1752 emigrated to New Rochelle, N. Y.  His father was also John, who lived at Havre de Grace in France.  The junior John died in 1837 leaving a family of seven children, the eldest being Peter, Captain of one of the Atlantic steamers sailing from New York.
     George Newton LeFevre had a record of another Isaac born 1667, the descendants of whom he labeled as the Virginia LeFevres. (F. D. L.)