The Starr Family of America

[Phil's Copy.FTW]

WFT v. 5, #2751[Hahn-Powell-Ford.FTW]

The family name originated from the village of Forest in the canton ofLandrecies near Avesnes, France. The first record of the de Forest familywas published in 1660 by Jean le Carpentier in his history of Cambresisin which he mentions Hubert de Forest, a Chevalier of the First Crusadein 1096. Between 1111 and 1120, Gerard de Forest witnessed a gift made bythe Countess of Flanders and the Durchess of Lorraine in St.Amanden-Pevele. In 1171, Hugues de Forest and his brother Gilles made agift of land to the Abbey of Marchiennes. A little later, in 1180, theChevalier Ansel de Forest of Cambresis is mentioned as having sold"church tenths". Records of 1221 mention Gautier de Forest as Provost ofQuesnoy and Bailli of Ghent. Seven years later, in 1228, Walter de Forestwas Bailli of the Counties of Flanders and Hainaut, and a Pierre deForest is mentioned in records of 1233. In 1383 to 1384 the records ofthe Count of Hainaut speak of purchasing two pigs from Jehan de Forest ata feast held in honor of St. Jehan in Quesnoy. There are other referencesto Jehan de Forest during this same period. In 1408, Thomas de Forest wastaxed in the domain of Forest, and in 1436 there is mention of a freeholdheld by the Abbey and acquired from Thomas de Forest. In 1466, Pierre deForest is mentioned in connection with several houses, fields and lands.In 1491, there is mention of Gilles, Gaspard and Melchoir de Forest.
--http://www.defreest.com/familyhistory.html