| Notes |
- After living in Sedan biefly, Jesse moved to Montcornet in 1609, and
later moved to Leyden, Holland where he made his home on the
Breedestraet. Jesse served with Prince Maurice of Nassau, as a
Lieutenant and Captain.
In 1621, the Walloons and Huguenots of Leyden, Holland planned to
follow the Puritans to America (then called the West Indies). Jesse de
Forest was acclaimed the leader and spokesman for the band when the
exiles approached the British Ambassador at The Hague regarding their
settling in Virginia. The English turned down his petition to
establish a colony in Virginia. It was Jesse's desire to establish a
Colony in the New World, so that the Walloons could practice their
Reformed Religion without persecution. He then sought permission from
the Dutch to establish a colony in what is now New York City. He was
granted permission. He assembled approximately 60 families of French
Speaking Walloons and Dutch for the settlement in New Amsterdam, New
Netherland. The first permanent settlers arrived in New Amsterdam May
1624. Today, there is a Monument in Battery Park, New York City called
the Walloon Settlers Memorial. That monument was given to the City of
New York by the people of France in honor of Jesse's inspiration in
founding New York City. There is also a monument in Jesse's honor in
Avesnes, France, the College Jesse de Forest and Jesse de Forest
Avenue.
---
DeFOREST (DeFrees), Jesse (ca. 1575-1624), Walloon leader of the
Juguenots, from France, recruited the first band of colonists for New
Amsterdam; led another expdn. to South America, 1623; m. 1601, Marie
du Cloux.
His whereabouts was unknown from 1608-1615 - Sedan to Holland. In 1615
he was a resident of Leyden, Netherlands "having license to dye serges
and camlets in colors". Leader of Walloons emigrating to America. In
July 21, 1621, he petitioned King James to settle VA. Denied group,
but as individual he could.
Reformation was spreading through Europe. Calvin's idea suited French
and Dutch better than Martin Luther. Sympathizers became Huguenots.
Jesse was leader of group of immigrants from Holland and French
Flanders, who settled along Hudson River in 1624, contributing to the
founding of New Amsterdam (N.Y.) in 1626.
In 1924, monument was unveiled at Avesnes in honor of Jesse Forest.
In 1621 Dutch West Indies Co. to trade a west coast of Africa. Jesse
joined. In 1622 he and family and maid lived Leyden. On July 1, 1623
he led group of Huguenots to South America. In 1624 went to New
Netherlands at Fort Orange. By 1625 Manhattan Island. Jesse and ten
others left Leyden on ship "Pigeon" on July 1623 to explore Amazon
River. They fell sick Oct 12, 1624 from sunstroke, recovered then died
of 2nd stroke Oct 22, 1624.
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Abt 1575 - 1624 (~ 49 years)
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