Bevier’s religious flight ended in New Paltz

By Eric Roth
For the Poughkeepsie Journal

One New Paltz founder, Louis Bevier, was born around 1648 near the town of Lille in northern France. Along with thousands of other Huguenots, Louis fled his native country out of fear of persecution by Catholic King Louis XIV.

Louis Bevier arrived in the German city of Winden in the 1660s and soon after married a young woman named Maria LeBlanc. Germany apparently did not suit the young couple, however, and they emigrated to America just two years later.

In 1678, Louis Bevier relocated to New Paltz, where he came to exert an influence on local affairs, serving as a judge, military officer and church official.

Bevier rose to great wealth

Bevier quickly became the wealthiest land owner in New Paltz and also owned property in Wawarsing and Marbletown. Although several of his sons quickly relocated their families to the new properties, one son stayed at New Paltz with his aging father. This son, Samuel, was well-rewarded for his efforts. In his will, Louis gave Samuel first choice of the properties ‘‘for the reason that he has moved and come to dwell with me.’’

Upon Louis’ death in 1721, Samuel inherited the New Paltz homestead and resided there until his death in 1760. The house, an excellent example of Colonial architecture, still stands and is owned and operated as a museum by the Huguenot Historical Society.

Eric Roth is the archivist for the Huguenot Historical Society in New Paltz.