DIE PFALZ

(Deyo Hall and Anna Banks House, 6 and 4 Broadhead Avenue)

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. ...