The Societé Française
Was organized June 17, 1816 by men who came from France to aid America in the Revolution and by refugees from the French Revolution and uprisings in Santo Domingo. The Societé was founded in the “long room” of the Chevalier Pierre de Fayolles, soldier of France, and friend and companion of the Marquis de Lafayette, in a building which stood on this site designed to “give succor to those in misfortune.” The Societé has functioned in this capacity ever since.
Erected 1955 by The Historical Commission of Charleston, S.C.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Immigration. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1816.
Location. 32° 46.53′ N, 79° 55.953′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in South of Broad. It is on King Street just south of Broad Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 98 King Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston and in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lewis Timothy Print Shop (a few steps from this marker); William Elliott House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Major Peter Bocquet's House (about 300 feet away); Home of Doctor John Lining (about 300 feet away); William Harvey House (about 400 feet away); The Samuel Wainwright House (about 400 feet away); Dewar-Lee-Pringle House (about 400 feet away); David Ramsay House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
Also see . . . The French Society - Charleston (facebook).
Excerpt: We are a charitable and benevolent society honoring our French heritage in Charleston,(Submitted on January 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)SC.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 2, 20192. The Societé Française MarkerThe marker is mounted at eye-level on the building at this site today, facing King Street.Charleston opened its arms to a new wave of French immigrants during the late 18th and early 19th century. These were refugees from the French colony of Saint Domingue (Haiti), who found a vibrant French heritage in the city from previous migrations of French Huguenots and French Acadians. Although many of the new arrivals quickly adapted to their adopted city, there were some inherent difficulties. Some of the refugees escaped war-torn Saint Domingue with little more than the clothes on their backs, and there was reluctance and suspicion among some Charlestonians over the fact that most of the newcomers were Catholics, spoke little English, and were technically still the royalist subjects of Napoleon. A comité de bienfaisance (Committee of Benevolence) was created in 1804 by a Charleston priest at St. Mary’s Catholic Church named Angadreme LeMercier , to assist with clothing and monetary donations, and the charitable concept continued with the creation of La société de bienfaisance française (The French Charity Society) in 1816. For more than two hundred years, our benevolent society has provided for those in need, as well as honoring the considerable contributions of those with French heritage in Charleston.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 500 times since then and 121 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
