Moise Lillard (son of Jasper Lillard and Isaacs) was born Abt. 1650 in France, died in France. He married Lilli Balssa on Abt. 1667.
Notes for Moise Lillard: Moise Lillard Est., 1650 - ?
Moise Lillard is the third son of Jasper Lillard and a wife only identified as Miss Isaacs. [1[ This Jasper was a vine grower and also owned/operated a line of boats on the Loire River, from Angers to Nantes, and from Angers to Tours. Jasper prospered and married a Miss Isaacs in about 1645. From this marriage was born at least five sons:
-Jean Lillard -Benjamin Lillard -Moise Lillard [b. Abt. 1650]- - this given name is the equivalent of Moses. -Joseph Lillard -David Lillard -others who are unknown??
Moise Lillard remained with his parents, assisting in the cultivation of the vineyards/making of wine, as well as being in the boat line business. He was a Huguenot, as was his father. [1]
It is reported by Old Squire Lillard that Captain Benjamin [1739-~1828] "re-commenced communications" and that these letters...."were in the possession of the descendants of Mildred Leighton (Layton) in Ohio". [1]
Moise I also prospered and bought a small vineyard near his parents. He then married (Abt. 1667) Lilli Balssa/Balsa/Balsas (b. Abt. 1650); she was the great aunt of Honore de Balzac, the French novelist. Children issued from this marriage were:
-Moise Lillard II b. Abt. 1667 -Jean (John) b. Abt. 1668 -Benjamin b. Abt. 1670 -others ??
At the death of father Jasper Lillard, Moise 1 succeeded his father in the ownership of the boat line, which he later passed on to his eldest son, Moise II. The boat line had been in business for over 100 years when all communication between this family and the Virginia family broke off in 1759, as a result of Virginia troops fighting Wolfe at Quebec, against the French. [1]
A historical perspective now is desirable, to help understand the events leading to the emigration of sons Jean and Benjamin.
In 1598, King Henry IV of France issued an edict at Nantes, which secured to the Huguenots the freedom of conscience as well as equal rights with the Roman Catholics. There were many later acts pertaining to these rights, but finally there appeared in 1685 the Edict of Nantes, which rescinded the privileges of Huguenots. Some examples of this were: public worship was forbidden, ministers had to leave, lay Protestants were forbidden to follow them, marriages were null, churches were burned, children might be taken from parents, etc. It was no longer safe for Huguenots to live in France. In spite of strict enforcement against it, half a million Huguenots left the country carrying their wealth and their art, skills, and manufacturing secrets. The hotbed of all this activity was the area in which the Lillards lived. [1]
Moise had sold out his vineyards near Angers and moved his family to Nantes. Here he again owned a vineyard, in addition to operating the boat line. In view of the political climate, apparently it was decided that the oldest son Moise II would stay with parents and the youngest two sons (Jean and Benjamin Lillard), who were still minors and in grave personal danger, would be better off going to America; secretly, this is what they did, emigrating and settling in Virginia. With the exception of the reported French Lillard family, all of the Lillards across America are descendants of this late 17th century emigration.
[1] "Lillard, A Family of Colonial VA" by Jacques Ephraim Stout Lillard, published in 1928
More About Moise Lillard: Burial: France.
More About Moise Lillard and Lilli Balssa: Marriage: Abt. 1667
Moise Lillard (b. Abt. 1650)
Notes for Moise Lillard: