DIE PFALZ (Deyo Hall) 

A FRENCH HUGUENOT VILLAGE GOVERNED BY “THE DUSINE”, A BODY OF 12 MEN CHOSEN ANNUALLY. FOR 100 YEARS THE ONLY FORM OF GOVERNMENT. 

    • “Die Pfalz” was the region in Germany where members of the first twelve families found temporary refuge from religious conflict in Europe. 

    • Twelve French-speaking Protestant Huguenot and Walloon families from now-northern-France and Belgium made an agreement in 1677 with the Native Esopus people to settle on land that later became New Paltz 

    • The term “the Duzine” was coined by later historians in reference to the “Twelve Men,” a group established in 1728 to manage land divisions and guard against encroachment. A representative was chosen annually from each of the original twelve families. 

    • A governing body of town officers existed separately from the early 1700s. The town was officially incorporated in 1785.  

    • The “Twelve Men” was absorbed by the local government in 1828.  

    • New Paltz has been part of the homelands of the Esopus ... 

    • Patentees purchased and enslaved people of African descent even before settling the community that became New Paltz. ... 

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