Jesse de Forest Monument in Avesnes, France
The pictures below, with the exception of the picture taken by Sherwood DeForest, were taken by Virginie Caby, a resident of Avesnes, France. I would like to thank Virginie and Sherwood for their contribution. One day I will make the trip to Avesnes. I guess once I am retired. This monument was erected at the same time the monument in New York City was erected in May of 1924. Both monuments honor the Walloon settling of NYC in 1624. I must also point out that Avesnes, which is located in the Province of Hainaut, was actually part of Belgium at the time Jesse lived in Avesnes. Avesnes is now a part of France.
This picture was sent to me by Sherwood DeForest who visited Avesnes a few years back.
This is the front of the Monument
Here is the translation into English:
TO JESSE DE FOREST
HIS FAMILY
AND
HIS BRAVE COMPANIONS
FROM WALLOON COUNTRY
WHO, LOOKING FOR A NEW WORLD
WHERE THEY COULD IN PEACE
AFFIRM THEIR BELIEFS
AND PRACTICE THE REFORMED RELIGION,
CONTRIBUTED GREATLY
TO THE FOUNDATION OF
NEW YORK
THE LARGEST CITY IN AMERICA
WHERE THE CHILDREN OF JESSE DE FOREST : ISAAC, HENRI AND RACHEL
SETTLED IN 1637.
Back of the monument
Here is a picture of a plaque which is on a building in Avesnes that indicates where Jesse de Forest and his family once lived. The original building is no longer standing on this site, it just indicates the spot where they lived.
