According to Charleston deeds, James and John LaRoche (de la Roche) arrived in Charleston before 1694. They were French Hugenots who fled France with their father shortly before the Edict of Nantes was revoked by Louis XIV in 1665. This Edict outlawed Protestantism in France. The names never appeared on the rolls of the French Huguenot church that I could find. Jean (John) de la Roche first went to Holland from France. He was commissioned by King William to lead about 300 English and French Huguenots to America to establish a colony first in Virginia, then in Jamestown, South Carolina.
James LaRoche was born ca 1640/1650 in France and immigrated first to Great Britain before settling in Charleston, South Carolina where he died in 1721. He was first married in England to Mary and second on 2 April 1712 to Christian Woodrow of Charleston. There were probably no children by the second wife. After James died, Christain lived with her stepson, James II, at Quiet Corner, Wadmalaw until she married again, to Oliver Ditmer. On 19 June 1694 James LaRoche purchased the south east corner of Legare and Tradd (lot 264 on the Grand Modell of Charleston; today 32 Legare). This home was later known as the Simonton house and is the location of the Sword Gates. James also owned two other town houses on lots 195 (southwest corner of King and Tradd) and 278 (on the west side of Meeting St. south of Water Street). He purchased three (150) acre sections of land form the Lords Proprietor in 1694, 1696 and again in 1697). In 1701, he purchased 240 acres from Richard and Rebecca Wakefield, a plantation located on the Stono River. He also owned 500 acres on Wadmalaw Island along Bohicket Creek known as Quiet Corner. James is listed in public records (26 Oct 1700) as one of five men directed to make an inventory of the estate of Isaac emick. His descendants inhabited the Sea Islands of South Carolina and later located in Florida, Georgia, Maryland and other states. James LaRoche named his children as James, John (Mary under 21). These children were bequeathed lots 195 and 278 in Charleston where LaRoche resided. Witness: William Elliott. Issue:
James LaRoche, born ca 1670, his last will and testament dated 18 Jul 1723 in Charleston.
John LaRoche, born ca 1670, buried 12 August 1723, he last will and testament proven on 1 Jul 1724 in Charleston. He married first, Mary Tauvron or Jaurson of the Isle of Re in the Bay of Biscayne near Rochelle France, and married second to Mary Horry on 28 August 1714 in Craven County, South Carolina. Mary died 1759, her last will and testament proved on 3 Dec 1759. He bequeathed property in Great Britain from his father's estate along with town lotts in Charleston, No. 278 and No. 195. John was an importer on East Bay (Lot 9) in Charles Town. He purchased several lots and built fine homes on them which he leased to others. He is listed on a petition to the British government which protested inflating the Carolina currency (Hirsch, 141). Heowned 1,070 acres of land nigh Mr. St. Julien's and 1500 acres at Winyaw. After his death, the family sold much of that property and his widow and children removed to Georgetown. John is buried in the Huguenot churchyard in Charleston.
Mary LaRoche married on 23 December 1723 in St. Phillips Parish, Joseph Butler of Charleston(ca 1700-1775). They first resided on Wadamalaw Island near Charleston, South Carolina, then Georgia.
