Le Jau, Francis

(1665-Sept. 10, 1717). Colonial rector and missionary. He was born in Algiers, France, of Huguenot parents. Le Jau fled France when the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685. The Edict of Nantes had given freedom to the French Huguenots. He went to England. At some time before 1700 he was a Canon in St. Paul's Cathedral, London. Le Jau was sent to the colony of South Carolina in 1706 by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. He remained there until his death. Le Jau spent much of his time working as a missionary among the Indians and African Americans at Goose Creek, South Carolina, about 18 miles from Charles Town (Charleston). He taught them the Catechism and prepared them for baptism. When Commissary William Bull was absent, Le Jau served St. Philip's Church, Charles Town. On July 31, 1717, the Bishop of London appointed him rector of St. Philip's Church, but Le Jau died before he could assume the position. He died in Goose Creek.