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Tag Archives: Anah Nichols

JOHN BESSAC’S TIES TO FRANCE ARE SEVERED

20 Sunday May 2012

Posted by Waldo "Wally" Tomosky in John Bessac

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Aaron Squire, Anah Bessac, Anah Nichols, Baptiste, Barte, Bertrand, Canadian French, Canadian Indians, Captain Aaron Squire, Chenango River, Chenango Valley, George Park, Jersy City, Lost at Sea, Martel, New York Harbor, Protestant, Quercy, Tories

John Bessac, prior to his move to the banks of the Chenango River, had sent letters to France.  He received letters from his friend Barte and his brothers Bertrand and Baptiste. John even received a nice letter from his father inquiring about his well-being and informing John that he should come home.

John had not, to this point, told anyone about his marriage and his children. Probably with good reason; he was not sure how his family would accept his wife Anah, a Protestant, into the family. John decided that at fifty years old it was about time to face up to this difficult problem.

John sat down and wrote a letter updating the family about everything that had happened since his brother Baptiste had departed America. Included in this short history were his businesses as a merchant in Jersey City, the raids of the Tories, his movement to Hudson, New York and his circuit trading with the Canadian French and the Indians of Niagara. He informed them that he was now living as a farmer in the Chenango Valley.

John saved the news of his marriage and children until the bottom of his letter. He told them of his wonderful wife Anah, about her father Colonel Nichols, and of course his eight children. He informed his father that although he had married a Protestant he would remain a true and faithful servant to the church.

All communications from his relatives in France ceased after that. John was puzzled because his father had, in previous communications, assured John that he was dearly missed at home. John continued to write Baptiste and Bertrand but without results.

John was afraid that his mother had died. He was sure that if she were alive she would prevail upon his father and brothers to respond to his letters. His only thoughts were that she had passed from this earth and that his father forbade his brothers from writing to him because he had “united his destiny with a heretic.”

Finally, in 1822, he tried one more time. The letters were given to his son-in-law, George Park, for delivery. George, a meticulous diarist, made note of the date and addresses on the two envelopes.

For France.

     Messieurs Jean & Baptiste Bessac

          en Quercy.     Martel

 

For France.

     A Monsier le Cure on autre PasteurEcclesiastic de la Parousse de Montvalant.

     en Quercy.          Martel.    

 

The two letters were entrusted to Captain Aaron Squire of Norwalk, Connecticut. Captain Squire was the master of a vessel headed for Nantz, France. He was instructed to place them in the post office upon his arrival. The ship, the crew and Captain Squire were never heard from again after leaving the New York Harbor. They had been lost at sea.

John’s immediate family was all he had remaining. His wonderful wife Anah and the eight children gave him great joy.

And, of course, the mountains and river that he had come to so dearly love.

JOHN BESSAC ENTERS THE DOMESTIC LIFE

14 Monday May 2012

Posted by Waldo "Wally" Tomosky in John Bessac

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American Patriot, Anah Nichols, Colonel Nicholls, Cornwallis, Dutchess County, Fishkill, Jersy City, Prisoner of War, The Committee of Safety

John Bessac was released by the British within a few weeks after he, once again, became a prisoner of war. His fortune was depleted and his self-confidence was a waning. He returned to Jersey City to determine if he could salvage his business. Once again he dredged up the courage and buoyancy that had, to date, carried him through life.

His father and mother sent him several letters that wished him well. They expressed their deep affection for him and ensured that he knew he was welcome home. Not only welcome but also that their lives were not full without him being there.

John Bessac was elated that his father would still welcome him home.

John decided that when the American War for Independence was over he would sail back to Montvalant.

John often, in the line of business, visited the residence of Colonel Nichols. Aside from the business John seemed to be visiting the Colonel more often in recent days. He had noticed that the Colonel’s daughter Anah had blossomed into a beautiful woman. With blue eyes and a hospitable manner it was not hard for her to capture John Bessac’s attention.

A mutual attachment developed between the gallant young Frenchman and the daughter of a American Patriot. John soon offered her his hand. She accepted and within weeks they were married. John Bessac may not have realized it at the time but Anah Nichols-Bessac was a kind, supporting, devoted and affectionate wife through his subsequent years.

John Bessac had abandoned his gallant and gay life for one of more substance.

He remained in his Jersey City business for two years after his marriage. Lord Cornwallis suffered a defeat of magnitude at Yorktown. His troops were moved to New York City and were far from controllable. The marauding and unprincipled British Tories raided home and business. John Bessac closed his business in Jersey City and moved to Fishkill on the Hudson. There in Dutchess County, New York, John expected to continue whatever business he could muster.

However, the uncontrollable British troops continued to pillage whatever they could. A group of American citizens formed “The Committee of Safety” for their own protection. Several of the marauders were killed but Colonel Nichols lost a son in one of these skirmishes.

John Bessac was robbed and severely wounded by these British vagabonds before the war came to an end.

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