A Probable History of the Golden Family
of Newberry, South Carolina Since 1761
Updated 2025.12.25
Introduction
Relationship of the French (Hugenot?) line Varnado & Varnadeau exists from mid-1700s in Orangeburg, South Carolina. This line moved from South Carolina to Louisiana and to Mississippi in the early 1800s.
Other versions of the family name that are in use: Varnadoe, Varnadore, Varnadeo, Warnador, Warnedow.
KINSHIP Assessment: No logical kinship that is pre-1770 can be found. No explanatory intermarriages. As of December 2025, it is somewhat more likely that later Varnador descendants shared DNA via intermarriage with other southern marriages in Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Will continue to track out Varnador DNA matches in the future.
~~~ An alternative hypthothesis since these are French Hugenots: our Goldens have numerous probable Hugenot kin from South Carolina, Virginia and across the South which can not be explained. Our DNA connection could indeed be pre-1770 but was actually from the late 1600s, explaining why the Varnador DNA is strong in some Golden lines and not apparent in more recent descendants.
~~~ EXAMPLE: Varnador DNA matches with the MHG line are quite common. Can find none in the CAG lineage which is a generation younger (c1945).
The Samuel Golden line (AXG) and NGG-Sosebee line (MHG) has direct DNA matches Varnado-surnamed individuals.
~~~ Direct matches with Vanardo: AXG (b1770 SC), MHG (NGG b1812 SC-Sosebee)
~~~ Indirect surname matches with Vanardo: WDG (NGG b1812 SC-Moore)
~~~ No direct or indirect matches with Vanardo: CAG, SGS, TXY
The individuals below may appear in your DNA matches.
~~~~~~
TIMELINE
1717: Leonard Henri Vernadeau believed to be born at Limoges, Seine-et-Marne, Ile-de-France, France.
1742: Leonard Henri Vernadeau living in South Carolina. Arrival date is unknown but believed to be living in South Carolina since late 1730s. Marries 25 May 1742 at Orangeburg County, South Carolina to Sirrah Hottow, aka Sarah Hutto / Hotto and several similar surname spellings.
1754: Samuel “Sam” Varnado / Vernadeau Sr born 15 FEB 1754 at Orangeburg, Orangeburg, South Carolina, and passed 13 SEP 1837 at Darlington, St Helena Parish, Louisiana. Married to Sarah Newsom, born 15 MAR 1752 at Orangeburg, South Carolina, and passed about 1800 at Orangeburg, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
++++++++++
©2025 William Golden, Norfolk1956@gmail.com // Material may be shared without requesting permission and with appropriate attribution: A Probable History of the Golden Family of Newberry, South Carolina Since 1761, by William Golden