JOHN BESSAC ENTERS THE DOMESTIC LIFE

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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.

JOHN BESSAC THE HONORARY SURGEON

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American revolution, Anna Nichols, Count Rochambeau, de Ternay, de Vimeur, DeKalb County, Dutchess County, Ephriam Nichols, Jersey City, Monsieur de Ternay, Newport RI, Patriot, Poughkeepsie, Whig

The French connection continued to play in John Bessac’s favor. Another French fleet under Monsieur de Ternay had arrived at a safe port; Newport, Rhode Island. It was a troop fleet delivering the land forces of Count de Rochambeau.

The brothers Bessac were acquainted with several officers of Ternay and Rochambeau. During several conversations with these officers they asked about Rufus Bessac. They were interested in obtaining the skills of a physician to help handle the wounded who were sure to need help. When told that he had unexpectedly died in the hospital at Cadiz they discovered that John Bessac had some medical skills. They attempted to enlist him as a surgeon.

John was aghast at the thought of using what little surgical skill he had. He only watched and read about surgery. Surely there must be a surgeon with the correct skills available. John made them aware that he was not properly skilled. The French officers imagined that their needs would outstrip the surgeons available. They begged John to sign on.

A compromise was made. John would help if he would be allowed additional time to observe other surgeons at practice. Also, he would be allowed to act as stand-in and only do surgery on his own if a real surgeon was unavailable.

John Bessac received a commission as assistant surgeon on the staff of Count Rochambeau without exacting the performance of active professional duty.

John’s commission as assistant surgeon was not called upon. He and his brother Baptiste continued to obtain provisions for the Continental Army. Business in Jersey City was good.

During these dealings he met and formed a friendship with Colonel Ephriam Nichols. The colonel was an ardent “Whig and Patriot” of the American cause from Dutchess County, New York. The colonel was heavily engaged in waging war with his Mother Country. He supported the American cause with the time, money and talents that God had made available to him.

Colonel Nichols accepted responsibility for the payment of goods and provisions deemed necessary by the Commissary General of the Continental Army. Hopefully, repayment would be received at a later date. Of course that all depended on the Americans becoming victorious in their rebellion. If not, then Colonel Nichols would end up without so much as an acre of property or a penny in his pocket, not to mention the specter of jail.

John Bessac obtained the goods for the Continental Army. Ephriam Nichols paid for those goods. A close business relationship was established.

The relationship between John Bessac and Colonel Nichols had yet another turn to take.