Dr. Nicolas De La Vergne, Sr

Came to U.S. in 1718

Nicholas De La Vergne left a will on 6 June 1780 in Charlotte, Dutchess, New York.

Silas Deuel \ Duval, Mary De La Vergne and Mary Husted were mentioned in the will.

Nicholas De La Vergne died in April 1782 in Charlotte, Dutchess, New York. Nicholas's will was proved on 8 April 1782 in Charlotte, Dutchess, New York; the will mentions: wife Mary; sons Giles, Joseph, Nicholas, James, Ebenezer, Walter; daughters Mary, Sarah, Elisabeth, Hannah, Susanna.

The History of New York State, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1927 This book is owned by Pam Rietsch and is a part of the Mardos Memorial Library.

The name De La Vergne was written among those of the American colonists in the year preceding the Revolutionary War by Nicholas De la Vergne, a physician, who was born in France in 1702, came to America in 1722, and during the latter years of his life was Probate Judge of Dutchess County. He died in 1782. His son, Benjamin De La Vergne, also a physician, gave his service to the patriot army in this war for freedom, serving as a major with the Fourth Regiment of the new York Militia, and was a member of the Third Provisional Congress held in New York City.

Geneological Outline of the DeLaVergne Family

Since it's founding in America in 1720

Coat of Arms--Silver field, green figures, uprooted tree in center, rampant lion on right of tree, naked sword to left of tree

Crest-- Running lion under crown with seven jewels

Motto-- "Esto Semper Fidelis (Thou shall be faithful always)

 The first of the DeLaVergne (or delavergne) in America was one Nicholas who was born in the province of Auvergne in 1698.  The chateau or castle in which he was born still exists and is used by certain members of the family.

Nicholas left France while still a medical student. Banished from his fatherland because of political troubles, he hastily accepted a proffered postition on a French man-of-war sailing for the new world and arriving in America, he left the ship and settled down in New York state in 1720. It is not known definitely where he first established his home.
First public mention of the doctor is found in the register of deeds at Poughkeepsie in papers concerning various land operations which show that at that time he was a man of some wealth. On May 27, 1749 he is named as Nicholas DeLaVergne,Gentleman, in a deed given by Joshua Hunt of Westchester for 206 acres of land in lot twelve in the lower nine Partner's section. This piece of land was his home for the rest of his life. Here a built the substantial home which is standing in fine condition today on part of the large estate of Okligh Thorne.
By his first wife he had three children, Louis, Benjamin and Frances. By his second there were eleven children.
The following is taken from the Dutchess County History. "In 1747 he as on his farm which now forms a portion of the Okligh Thorne place in the town of Washington. In the supervision books of that year he is allowed one pound, shilling for pasturing twelve horses and serving the assessers. He was a man of affairs, justice of peace and probate judge. He speculated in numerous land transactions and practiced his profession. In 1748 he assessed thirteen pounds, ten shillings which shows he was a man of substance. He was know throughout the country as the "French Doctor" and a dam which he built is know today as the "Little French doctor's dam". He died in 1783. He took the oath of allegiance to George III in 1761.
He was probate judge for Dutchess county for a number of years. Documents covering this period may be found in the Dutchess County History and English Documents at Albany, Volume II, Page 100.
Deeds covering a period of thirty years show Nicholas to have been engaged in many real estate transactions expecially in Charlotte precinct and Parkman's Thact.
The above data and geneological record were furnished me in 1928 by the mother of Paul Mason DeLaVergne who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1931.
Earl DeLaVergne

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Aug 12 2016, 21:10:12 UTC