To most people, the name of Marion suggests one person only,--General Francis Marion of Revolutionary fame; yet it was the grandfather of the General, Benjamin Marion, of La Rochelle, who was the first of the name to settle in this country, coming hither when the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes drove the Huguenots into exile. Brigadier-General Peter Horry,[3] friend and biographer of General Marion, quotes the letter which told Benjamin of his banishment:-- Your damnable heresy well deserves, even in this life, that purgation by fire which awfully awaits it in the next. But in consideration of your youth and worthy connections, our mercy has condescended to commute your punishment to perpetual exile. You will, therefore, instantly prepare to quit your country forever, for, if after ten days from the date hereof, you should be found in any part of the kingdom, your miserable body shall be consumed by fire and your impious ashes scattered on the winds of heaven. (Signed) PÈRE ROCHELLE. [3] See Horry and Weems, _Life of Marion_. General Horry was a most zealous and devoted friend; as a biographer his accuracy is questionable, his picturesqueness never. Within the ten days Benjamin Marion had wound up his affairs, married his betrothed, Judith Baluet, and was on his way to America to seek his fortune. He bought a plantation on Goose Creek, near Charleston, South Carolina, and here he and his Judith lived for many peaceful years in content and prosperity, seeing their children grow up around them.[4] [4] We have not found the date of his death, but Horry gives the principal features of his will as he got them from the family. He calls Judith Marion "Louisa," but that is his picturesque way. She may have been "Judith Louisa"! Women's names were not of much consequence in those days. "After having, in the good old way, bequeathed 'his soul to God who gave it,' and 'his body to the earth out of which it was taken,' he proceeds:-- "'In the first place, as to debts, thank God, I owe none, and therefore shall give my executors but little trouble on that score. "'Secondly,--As to the poor, I have always treated them as my brethren. My dear family will, I know, follow my example. "'Thirdly,--As to the wealth with which God has been pleased to bless me and my dear Louisa and children, lovingly have we labored together for it--lovingly we have enjoyed it--and now, with a glad and grateful heart do I leave it among them. "'I give my beloved Louisa all my ready money--that she may never be alarmed at a sudden call. "'I give her all my fat calves and lambs, my pigs and poultry--that she may always keep a good table. "'I give her my new carriage and horses--that she may visit her friends in comfort. "'I give her my family Bible--that she may live above the ill-tempers and sorrows of life. "'I give my son Peter a hornbook--for I am afraid he will always be a dunce.'"