The spring of 1893 found a detachment of twenty-nine souls
awaiting a ship in the town of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Indelibly written in
their memories were the persecution of their forefathers. From the
Albigensian Crusade of 1208, the massacre of the Waldenses of
Freyssiniere and Vallouise in 1487, the slaughter of the people of Lu-
serna and Angrogona in 1655, the condemnation to death of all Wal-
denses in 1663, the slaughter of over nine thousand and capture of
twelve more thousand in the year of 1685, persecution, brutalities, and
suppression continued until Charles Albert on February 17, 1848 granted
them freedom of conscience and worship.
Against a background of such memories, we wonder how a people
could leave a homeland for which they fought so strongly for over six
hundred years. With the coming of their freedom, their number grew.
They soon realized that the rugged terrain of the Cottian Alps of
northern Italy, which gave them protection and a place of refuge during
the persecution, could not support the increase in population. With
tears in their eyes, faith in their hearts, and a steadfastness of purpose
they turned their face to the land of opportunity - America.
On May 29, 1893 they arrived at what is now known as Valdese
North Carolina. On June 8, 1893, the Valdese Corporation was formed.
Although practically penniless, through the assistance of some Burke
County businessmen, they purchased ten thousand acres of land at a
price of $25,000.00. This amount was to be paid back over a period of
twenty-five years.
In the fail of 1893 another two hundred and three Waldenses
joined their ranks. Their first form of government was a cooperative.
They tried to wrest a living from the soil and the products of the
forest of this area. Soon they realized that the debt was too heavy and
the land too poor. Seeking other means to add to their income, they
started a small hosiery mill on May 13, 1894. On March 8, 1895,
the Valdese Corporation was dissolved and with it the hosiery mill was
abandoned. This was the turning point in the history of the town.
Through the experience gained from this venture, though a failure,
dreams were instilled in the minds of the settlers and their concept of
life was changed from an agricultural to an industrial pattern.
On May 8, 1901 the Waldensian Hosiery Mills was organized. This
was the first permanent industry. From this beginning, industrialization
moved at a rapid rate. The Valdese Manufacturing Company was or-
ganized on December 12, 1913. A further diversification of industry
was added when the Waldensian Bakeries began operations in August
of 1915. The Shuford interests of Hickory took over the factory of the
Waldensian Swiss Embroidery Mill and formed .the Valdese Weaving
Mill in 1919. May 1920 found the organization of the Martinat Hosiery
Mill complete. In 1928 the Alba Hosiery Mills, Inc. (formerly Pilot Full
Fashion Mills, Inc.) was organized. Since this time many corporations
have been added to the list.
While tremendous strides were being made in the standard of
living of the Waldenses of Valdese, they did not forget their religious
heritage. On July 9, 1895 the local church united with the Presbyterian
Church in the United States. During 1897 and 1898 the sanctuary was
built and was dedicated on July 4, 1899. This structure still stands
today, a fine example of Gothic architecture. Many additions have been
added over the years, the latest being a new educational building
recently completed.
No one knows what the future holds for the Waldenses and their
descendents. This we do know; if they will continue to emulate the
lives of their forefathers, if they will cling to the religious faith of their
ancestors,.if they will always seek first the Kingdom of God; no matter
what adverisities may befall them, no matter how long the duration,
their steadfast faith will see them through.
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Page 1
Presented as published in 1957. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The spring of 1893 found a detachment of twenty-nine souls awaiting a ship in the town of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Indelibly written in their memories were the persecution of their forefathers. From the Albigensian Crusade of 1208, the massacre of the Waldenses of Freyssiniere and Vallouise in 1487, the slaughter of the people of Luserna and Angrogona in 1655, the condemnation to death of all Waldenses in 1663, the slaughter of over nine thousand and capture of twelve more thousand in the year of 1685, persecution, brutalities, and suppression continued until Charles Albert on February 17, 1848 granted them freedom of conscience and worship.
Against a background of such memories, we wonder how a people could leave a homeland for which they fought so strongly for over six hundred years. With the coming of their freedom, their number grew. They soon realized that the rugged terrain of the Cottian Alps of northern Italy, which gave them protection and a place of refuge during the persecution, could not support the increase in population. With tears in their eyes, faith in their hearts, and a steadfastness of purpose they turned their face to the land of opportunity - America.
On May 29, 1893 they arrived at what is now known as Valdese North Carolina. On June 8, 1893, the Valdese Corporation was formed. Although practically penniless, through the assistance of some Burke County businessmen, they purchased ten thousand acres of land at a
price of $25,000.00. This amount was to be paid back over a period of twenty-five years.
In the fail of 1893 another two hundred and three Waldenses joined their ranks. Their first form of government was a cooperative. They tried to wrest a living from the soil and the products of the forest of this area. Soon they realized that the debt was too heavy and the land too poor. Seeking other means to add to their income, they started a small hosiery mill on May 13, 1894. On March 8, 1895, the Valdese Corporation was dissolved and with it the hosiery mill was abandoned. This was the turning point in the history of the town. Through the experience gained from this venture, though a failure, dreams were instilled in the minds of the settlers and their concept of life was changed from an agricultural to an industrial pattern.
On May 8, 1901 the Waldensian Hosiery Mills was organized. This was the first permanent industry. From this beginning, industrialization moved at a rapid rate. The Valdese Manufacturing Company was organized on December 12, 1913. A further diversification of industry was added when the Waldensian Bakeries began operations in August of 1915. The Shuford interests of Hickory took over the factory of the Waldensian Swiss Embroidery Mill and formed .the Valdese Weaving Mill in 1919. May 1920 found the organization of the Martinat Hosiery Mill complete. In 1928 the Alba Hosiery Mills, Inc. (formerly Pilot Full Fashion Mills, Inc.) was organized. Since this time many corporations have been added to the list.
While tremendous strides were being made in the standard of living of the Waldenses of Valdese, they did not forget their religious heritage. On July 9, 1895 the local church united with the Presbyterian Church in the United States. During 1897 and 1898 the sanctuary was built and was dedicated on July 4, 1899. This structure still stands today, a fine example of Gothic architecture. Many additions have been added over the years, the latest being a new educational building recently completed.
No one knows what the future holds for the Waldenses and their descendents. This we do know; if they will continue to emulate the lives of their forefathers, if they will cling to the religious faith of their ancestors,.if they will always seek first the Kingdom of God; no matter what adversities may befall them, no matter how long the duration, their steadfast faith will see them through.
Table of Contents