This is a well-researched account of the life, times, and legacy of David Demarest (Des Marets), ca. 1620-93. Building on previous family histories and genealogies, the authors incorporate new research and numerous illustrations to produce an updated history. Whenever personal sources about Demarest are inadequate, they skillfully flesh out the story with general information about the era.
Demarest was born in Picardy during tumultuous times - the Thirty Years' War, the Revolt of the Netherlands, the fall of La Rochelle, English and Dutch colonialization in the Americas - all of which influenced him. In the 1640s his family migrated to Middelburg, the Netherlands, where Demarest was married to Marie Sohier (Soye, Soyer). Around 1650 the couple and their son moved to Mannheim, the Palatinate, perhaps responding to the Elector's generous resettlement offers to Reformed emigres.
In 1663 David and Marie migrated to Dutch-controlled New Netherland. Their arrival coincided with that of some of the Huguenot and Walloon founders of New Paltz, whom they had known in Mannheim, and with the imminent English takeover of New Netherland, which transformed it into New York and New Jersey. Sources suggest that Demarest was proficient in several languages, was relatively prosperous, and that he possessed a skilled trade, perhaps carpentry. He adapted quickly to life in New Netherland, purchasing property and serving in local politics. Thus he shared many characteristics with the New Paltz patentees and with numerous other Huguenot refugees.
The Demarests made their final move to northern New Jersey in 1678. By then they had produced seven children - three survived to adulthood but only two outlived him. Demarest had sweeping plans for his property along the Hackensack River. He envisioned this "French Patent" as a settlement for 30 to 40 families from Europe. But he failed to recruit significant numbers of Huguenots and they soon were outnumbered by Dutch settlers. In contrast, the Huguenot settlements of New Rochelle and New Paltz (founded in New York around the same time) were more successful in attracting and retaining a predominately-Huguenot atmosphere into the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, his endeavor was a savvy investment. Like many landowners in colonial America, Demarest and some descendants ownded slaves.
Demarest's descendants were able to build successful lives partly because of his hard work and perspicacity. Descendants fought on both sides in the American Revolution and served in subsequent American wars. A few gained national prominence, such as the Progressive-era reformer and journalist, Henry Demarest Lloyd. Many remained active in Reformed churches and have served in New York and New Jersey state and local politics. Today descendants can be found throughout the United States.
This readable book will appeal to general audiences interested in Huguenot history or in colonial New York and New Jersey. Scholarly readers might be disappointed that there is little discussion of related historical literature. Nevertheless, the substantial endnotes, bibliography, and index help to address this criticism. It is a welcome addition to the growing, but still limited, array of studies on the American refuge.
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