The cross of the French Huguenot Society of America is based upon the cross of Languedoc. The cross is a 4-petaled lily, for the Lily of France, which symbolizes loyalty. The petals form a Maltese cross. Each petal represents the Four Gospels, and they come to two points apiece: eight total for the 8 Beautitudes. Between each petal is a Fleur-de-Lis. The Fleur-de-Lis have 3 points, 12 total points on the cross are the 12 Apostles. Linked to the cross is a descending dove which is the Holy Spirit, the guide and counselor of the church. We use symbols today, but I can't think of anything so detailed, so layered that has been created in the modern world.
The shared ancestor of both my father and mother's families is Pierre de St. Julien de Malacare (1669-?), who was born in Vitre en Bretagne in the Languedoc. Vitre seems frozen in the middle ages, so beautiful. Why would anyone leave? I've just begun reading about the corruption of the Catholic Church, and the writings of the Protestant leader, a Frenchman named John Calvin. Doesn't look good. I would love to visit this place.
Pierre de St.Julien de Malacare died in Dublin Ireland in 1705. His son, Pierre the second inherited his tracts in the Province of Carolina: Wantoot, Hanover (see Clemson) and Pooshee. His sister Charlotte married Rene Ravenel - Rene immigrated from France with Pierre. You have MANY relatives that fought in both the Revolutionary War and Civil War and some of the most successful plantation owners in the South.
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