The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-06


the same time-16s2. One of these men
gin, but 1t is clear that the Dutch Vim
cents came originally from France to
Holland.
In the history of the French Huego-
nots we find that one Vincent of Tour
ney, at the time of the great religious
prosecutions, went from Flanders to Hol-
land and later came to America. The
French family came directly to America
at the time of these same prosecutions.
This family was composed of two broth
ers aud two sisters-Jean, Francois, Mad
cline and Esther. Madeline Vincent,
sometime before she came to America,
married Jean Pelestreau. and in 1858
her name is found as the very first in
the records of the old French church in
New York city-the Eglise du Saint Es-
prit.
But Francois is the member of this
family of whom we have the best rec
ord. He was sail maker. and before
he came to America he lived at Soubise,
France about 20 miles south of La Ro-
chelle but because of his religion he
was forced to go to England, with his
wife. Anne Query. and his children,
Anne and FRANCHISE, and after a short
time he came to America.
This was in 1852, and soon after this
we hear of his brother Jean. with his
wife Susanna Nuquerque, when they
stood sponsors at the little French
church at the baptism of Susanne. daugh-
ter of Susanne Vincent's sister Madeline,
and Francois Basset.
This Francois Basset was master of
sailing vessel, and Francois Vincent
was his mate. On August 10, 1886, tho
two set sail from New York, and ran
into the hands of the Spaniards on the
high seas, who took them prisoners.
They were taken to Santo Domingo,
where they were i'll used for the space
of four months and whence they es-
capped by a particular providence of
Cod in. little canoe to a French town.
They had few clothes. but some friendly
Frenchman clothed them and brought
them back to New York.
When Francois died he left the fol-
lowing will made in the sixth year 'of
the reign of our sovereign Lord King
George II, being ancient, very sick and
weak in bond, but of sound mind.
To the eldest and well beloved son,
Samuel, he left six shillings, to Anne
Gilbert, his daughter, he left all the
linen, and the picture which was drawn
to represent my person." To his grand
son. Francis Nanny, he left his gun. his
sword and, his watch, and to the same
grandson and to his grandson Stephen
Maynard he left all his wearing apparel,
linen and wooden, equally divided. 70
Anne Gilbert and her heirs he left two
shillings sixpence.
The Dutch family in New York OF the
same name lived just across the street
from the French family AS we have
already seen, this branch was estab-
lished by Adrien Vincent, from Tourney,
and although we don't know much about
him, he established flourishing family
here. His daughter, Hester, was bap-
tized in the Dutch church in 1916, and 10
years later Jan and his wife, Annette,
are recorded as members of the same
church.
The family to which Bishop Vincent,
the founder of the Chautauqua society,
cent. who was born in the south of
Jersey on account of religious persecu-
ton. Levi was the name of one of Jean
vincents sons. so perhaps these two
branches of the family were closely re-
lated In France One of Lewis sons his
grandson Cornelius, and the latter's son
Bethnel. were engaged in the defense of
Fort Freeland. on the Susquehanna,
against the British and Indians in 177g.
Cornelius and Bethnel we're taken pris-
oners and carried to Canada. where they
were, after much cruel treatment, re-
leased. After their return home the FAM
lily moved from New Jersey to Pennsyl-
vania.
Several branches of the family in Eng
land and France bear arms. Those Illus
trated are blazoned; Azure three quarter
foiIs argent with two bars of the same
between the charges.
The motto reads: Vincent dabitur."