hivalric
daring, and perseverance under difficulties seldom surpassed in the
annals of any people. The preceding sketch and genealogy will serve to
perpetuate the name and indicate the relationship of different
branches of the family. It should awaken in every descendant emotions
of veneration for the memory of a common patriarchal ancestor, who was
one of the earliest and most unwavering patriots of the Revolutionary
struggle for independence; contributed largely in council and in the
field to its success, and whose mortal remains, with others of the
family, now repose in the private cemetery of the "Oak Grove" farm, in
Gaston county, N.C.

JACOB FORNEY, SR.

(Condensed from Wheeler's "Historical Sketches.")

Among the early settlers of Lincoln county (formerly Tryon) was Jacob
Forney, Sr. He was the son of a Huguenot, and born about the year
1721. His life was checkered with a vicissitude of fortunes bordering
on romance. At the revocation of the edict of Nantes, in 1685, his
father fled from France, preferring self-expatriation to the
renunciation of his religious belief, and settled in Alsace, on the
Rhine where, under the enlightening influences of the reformation,
freedom of opinion in matters of conscience was tolerated. The family
name was originally spelt _Farney_, but afterwards, in Alsace, where
the German language is generally spoken, was changed to _Forney_. Here
his father died, leaving him an orphan when four years old. At the age
of fourteen he left Alsace and went to Amsterdam in Holland. Becoming
delighted whilst there with the glowing accounts which crossed the
Atlantic respecting the New World, and allured with the prospect of
improving his condition and enjoying still greater political and
religious privileges, he came to America by the first vessel having
that destination, and settled in Pennsylvania. Here he remained
industriously employed until his maturity, when he returned to Germany
to procure a small legacy. Having adjusted his affairs there he again
embarked for America on board of a vessel bringing over many emigrants
from the Canton of Berne in Switzerland. Among the number was a
blithesome, rosy-cheeked damsel, buoyant with the chains of youth, who
particularly attracted young Forney's attention. His acquaintance was
soon made, and, as might be expected, a mutual attachment was silently
but surely formed between two youthful hearts so congenial in feeling,
and similarly filled with th