Person:Jesse De Forest (3)

Was also the ancestor of the DeFreest family that settled in Rensselaer Co., NY

From a web site about the founding of New York: http://users.skynet.be/newyorkfoundation/US/the_birth_of_new_york.html#Resume Jessé de Forest Jessé de Forest was one of those Walloons who fled the religious persecutions. Born in Avesnes (Hainault) in 1576, he left his native land and settled in Leyde, Holland. From that time, he moved heaven and earth to obtain the right to emigrate with his own and other Walloon families to the New World. During his stay, he also met English Pilgrims, future passengers of the Mayflower.

On February 5, 1621, Jessé de Forest sent a petition, written in French, to Sir Dudley Carleton, ambassador of his Majesty the King of England in The Hague. It applied for permission to settle in Virginia about fifty Walloon and French families. Jessé asked to dispose over a territory of eight English miles radius. Known as the Round Robin, this document is now preserved in the British Public Record Office.

On August 11, 1621, the Virginia Company gave an agreement in principle, but raised some restrictions. The worse one was her refusal to have the settlers dwell together in one autonomous colony. Jessé declined the proposition.

The foundation of the West India Company gave rise to the most clever plan in the Walloon's mind.

Proposing his services and those of his fellow countrymen to the Dutch Company, Jessé informed her that a group of families practicing various trades  had the opportunity to emigrate to America, on behalf on the English. Arguing that those colonist should rather be secured for the West India Company, he wished a quick response, adding that it was a take it or leave it offer.

The States of Holland, realizing the importance of such an opening for future colonization, immediately consulted the "Bewindhebbers" (Directors) of the Company, who were meeting in The Hague.

On August 27, 1622, after years of efforts delivered by Willem Usselinx and Jessé de Forest, the latter finally received the authorization to emigrate with other families to the West-Indies.

Left on reconnaissance for the coasts of Guyana in 1623, Jessé de Forest died on the Oyapok River bank (present borderline between Brazil and French Guyana), on October 22, 1624.

His daughter Rachel and his sons Isaac and Henri joined New-Belgium ten years later.