Buckingham Huguenots: Bondurant Clan
Variety Shade, Courtesy Historic Buckingham
Summertime means family reunions and Buckingham County is no exception. Occasionally, news of reunions in Buckingham made the Richmond papers. On 16 August 1936, the Richmond Times-Dispatch ran the following:
Bondurant Clan Holds Buckingham Reunion
BUCKINGHAM Aug. 14 – (Special)
Descendants of the late Alexander J. and Mrs. Emily Morrison Bondurant held a family reunion at their ancestral home, Variety Shades (sic), last week. Present were Professor Alexander L. and Mrs. Bondurant of the University of Mississippi, George P. Bondurant, an attorney-at-law, and his family from Birmingham. Mr. and Mr. Samuel R. Bondurant of Buckingham, Miss Fannie Bondurant of Buckingham and Dr. Gros Harrison and Mrs. Loula Bondurant Harrison and their children and grandchildren.
Variety Shade was founded by the late Colonel Thomas Lee Bondurant, a prominent farmer and political leader of his day. It is said that the name Variety Shades (sic) was given [to] the place because of the variety of shade trees that grew on the lawn of several acres. Colonel Bondurant represented his district in the State Senate, having been elected over the late Thomas S. Bocock of Appomattox.
Learn more about this widespread family with deep Buckingham roots:
slate river ramblings . . . . 
Deb,
It is good to have another Bondurant cousin join the conversation at Slate River Ramblings.
Joanne
Thank you, Joanne – I have been also trying to research if my Duncans came with the Huguenots to VA, but the only Duncan listed on any of the ships is an Ester Duncan. Is there anyone on here who knows anything more about the Duncans in VA? I am also researching the Duncans who were sent from England to the Colonies who were prisoners after the Battle of Culloden. Again, not making any assumptions, but there were at least 2 John Duncans listed in the historical records.
Deb,
Hopefully, a Duncan researcher will see your comment and respond. Keep digging!
Joanne
I likely share an early Ancestor, John Duncan of Buckingham County, with those who are related through the Jacob Duncan born around 1750 in Buckingham County. Jacob’s son married Ann Bondurant, born 1777 in Buckingham County.