Dennys De Berdt was an English colonial agent of Delaware and Massachusetts colonies.
Background
Dennys De Berdt was born c. 1694 in London, England. He was a member of a family which emigrated from Ypres in Flanders to England to escape religious persecution under the Duke of Alva. They had a good estate on the continent but took with them only money and jewels.
After reaching England some of the family left off the "De" and others spelled the name Bert. At first they settled at Colchester but John De Berdt, the father of Dennys, was apprenticed to a cousin who was a merchant in London.
Career
Of his earlier interest in America or his connections with the Massachusetts leaders almost nothing is known. In 1758 Reverend Samuel Davies preached a sermon in Virginia called "The Curse of Cowardice" and sent a manuscript copy to De Berdt who, the same year, published it in London with a dedication, favorable to the colonies, to the Earl of Halifax. Again in 1766, in one of the numerous pamphlets relating to the founding of Reverend Eleazar Wheelock's Indian School, the forerunner of Dartmouth College, it was stated that English donations might be left with Dennys De Berdt, "Merchant, in Artillery-Court, Chiswell-street. "
On November 5, 1765, the lower house of the General Court at Boston, considering the nomination of an agent for the colony in London, agreed on the name of De Berdt, who was then seventy years old. The house, in their notification of his election, said that since they were informed of his "Ability and Inclination to serve the Province" his election had been soon determined by a very large majority.
The first letter from Samuel Dexter to De Berdt in his official capacity says that for some years De Berdt had been known as a "sincere friend of the American colonies. " It has been stated that he was agent for New York also but this is an error. He was, however, agent for Delaware as well as Massachusetts, and the former colony sent him a piece of silver plate for his services in securing the repeal of the Stamp Act.
Massachusetts frugally contented herself with a vote of thanks on the same occasion, and finally settled the arrears of salary due him with his son Dennis after his death. Years afterward the state accepted the gift from his friend, Richard Cary, of his portrait which now hangs in the State House.
As agent he seems to have been assiduous and faithful in a very trying period in spite of his advanced age.
Achievements
Dennys De Berdt went down in history as a colonial agent who was known for some years as a "sincere friend of the American colonies. "
Religion
De Berdt was of a very devout religious temper and a pronounced Dissenter.
Personality
De Berdt seems to have been assiduous and faithful.
Connections
De Berdt left a considerable estate and his will mentions his wife Martha as residuary legatee. Besides the son, Dennis, he had a daughter, Esther, who married the American Joseph Reed in London.
