Richard Givan

• General Notes
  • This French Faily name, originally spelled and pronounced GI VAN,through imperfect pronounciation mostly, is now spelled GIVAN, GIVEN and GIVENS by lineal descendants, but the kinship  of the branches herein represented is clearly established.
    
    The origin of the family is unknown, but back in the dark ages, pursuant to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, and the subsequent bnishment of the protestants from Scotland, Ireland and England in 1688, we find Rev. Richard Given, prominent in public affairs with Prince William of Orange, and others, in the advocacy of free parliament, the right to choose one's own religion, freedom of conscience and of conduct.
    
    For this he was again, and previously had been done while he was in France, notified that he must renounce his Protestant infidelity and confess the Catholic faith in order ot escape imprisonment or death.
    
    Learning of an opportunity to take passagge on a vessel ound for America with friends and relatives from France, he hurriodly made ready with his wife, 5 sons, 2 daughters and a daughter-in-law and left Scotland for American in 1688.  They settled near Wicomico Church, Northumberland County, VA. (Two of his son's, Calibe and Samuel came later in 1738)
    
    Richard's brothers, James and Thomas Given, remained for the steadfast support of Prince William until he and Mary became King and Queen of England.( About the time Richard reached American, his brother, Thomas, arrived at the battle from in Torbuy.)
    
    From The Givans family in America, a private edition by Peter Givens.