The Huguenots: Refugees in the Hudson River Valley

What is a Huguenot? A Huguenot is a French Protestant of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Few in number, these Protestants suffered persecution from the French government and the French Catholic church. After religious struggles in France, the Huguenots fled their native land and scattered over Europe and North America.
The origin of the name Huguenot is uncertain. Some historians say the word is derived from the German term, Eidgenossen, meaning "confederates". (Colliers Encyclopedia) Others say the term is an extension of the name of Bezanson Hugues, a leader of the Geneva confederates, or Eidgenossen. (Encyclopedia Americana) The word could also refer to Hugues Capet, founder of the French royal house. (Encyclopedia Americana) However, legend states that the word Huguenot came from the legendary King Hugon or Huguet, whose spirit was thought to haunt a part of Tours where Huguenots met secretly each night. (Colliers Encyclopedia).…