Jessie De Foreest
1576-1624
Born: Avesnes, Hainaut, Flanders, France
Died: South America, Whitley, Kentucky, United States
|
1576-1624
Born: Avesnes, Hainaut, Flanders, France
Died: South America, Whitley, Kentucky, United States
<p>After living briefly in Sedan, Jesse moved to Montcornet in 1609, and later moved to Leyden, Holland where he made his home on the Breedestraet. Jesse served with Prince Mauice of Nassau, as a Lieutenant and Captain.</p><p>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 Netherlands. The first permanent settlers arrived in New Amsterdam in May 1624. Today, there is a monument in Battery Park, New York City, called the Walloon Settlers Memorial. That monument was givfen 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 Forest5 and Jesse de Forest Avenue. </p><p>On July 1, 1623, Jesse led another expedition to South America aboard the ship, the Pidgeon, to explore the Amazon River. He fell sick on October 12, 1624 from sunstroke, recovered, but died of a stroke on October 22, 1624.</p>