Melchoir De Forest, I

Notes:

Melchoir was a Jure d'Avesnes in 1517. He was a Sheriff or Alderman in
Avesnes, Hainaut County in 1517 and in 1519. He was considered a
wealthy man, and a large land holder.

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was a brother of "Maistre Jehan de Forest, pretre" and "notaire
apostalique (acte du 18 Mai, 1541), Chaplain de St. Pierre de Louvain
en 1562". Considered a wealthy man, he owned land and a house on the
Marche (border) which he gave to his daughter, Marguerite de Forest
Levacq; a house at Guersignies, sold on October 3, 1545, and at
Avesnalles-St. Denis, a small field of land, as well as annuities and
other property. He lived in the Sottiere, a land bordering on the
Brotherhood of St. Jean.

Family/Spouse: Jacquline Bronchin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was a member of the brotherhood of St. Nicholas in 1543, and in
1562 was Sheriff of Avesnes.

Melchior married Catherine Du Fosset on 14 Apr 1541 in Avesnes-sur-Helpe, Nord, Hauts-de-France, France. Catherine (daughter of Antoine Du Fosset and Isabeau Resteau) was born about 1521 in Avesnes-sur-Helpe, Nord, Hauts-de-France, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Born Catholic but came under Protestant influences as agent for woolen
interests. Moved to Holland where he died in 1606. Anne died at
Amsterdam on April 20, 1640. Area of Sedan was homeland of
Wallooons-descendants of Volcae, Celtic tribe which was conquered by
Caesar and adopted Catholicism c. 496. Part of Spanish Empire 1482,
persecuted by Spanish. By 1559 Huguenots made up of wealthy and
nobility. After wars Jean led members of family to Holland. In March
1603, Jean joined church Leyden from Berghen Op Zoon. In Nov. 1604
joined Church of Amsterdam.(Jean's brother Gilles was a prominent
Canon of the Catholic Church. Jean left Avesnes around 1598, at the
time of the Edict of Nantes, and moved to Sedan.)

Jean married Ann Mailard in 1575. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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.

Jesse married Marie Du Cloux on 23 Sep 1601 in Sedan, Ardennes, Grand Est, France. Marie (daughter of Nicassius Du Cloux and Marie Aubertin) was born about 1580 in Sedan, Ardennes, Grand Est, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rachel married Jean Mousnier De Le Montagne on 12 Dec 1626 in Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands. Jean was born in 1595 in Saintonge, Charente-Maritime, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France; died in 1670 in Claverack, Columbia County, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Maria married Jacobus Hendrickson Kip on 8 Mar 1653/1654 in New York City, New York. Jacobus (son of Hendrick Kip and Tryntie Lubberts) was born on 16 May 1631 in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands; died on 24 Dec 1690 in New York City, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Johannes married Catharina Kierstede on 4 Sep 1681. Catharina was born about 1660. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]