Concept

Beekman, New York

Summary
Beekman is a town in Dutchess County, New York, United States. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area. The population was 14,172 at the 2020 census. The town was named after Henry Beekman, a 17th-century land owner. The "Beekman" name became attached to the area in 1697, from Henry Beekman, a Kingston native, who had a large land stake in Dutchess County. In 1697, while serving as a judge, "Beekman obtained a grant from the British crown for what was to be named the Beekman Patent," which included the present towns of Beekman, Pawling, Dover, Union Vale and "part of LaGrange." Henry was the son of Deputy Mayor of New York City Wilhemus Beekman, and also served as a delegate in the New York General Assembly beginning in 1691. Wappinger Indians were reportedly the town's original residents before the first European settlers arrived around 1710. The Beekman Patent, granted to Beekman in 1697, was the second largest land holding in Dutchess County. In 1737, Beekman became an official precinct, and local government was established. 1788 was the initial period of establishing towns and counties in the newly independent state of New York, but parts were removed subsequently to form other towns. Beekman contributed part of its territory to the newer towns of LaGrange (1821) and Union Vale (1827). Iron ore extraction and smelting were important in the early economy. The Beekman Patent was a manor until after the Revolution. Residents could only lease the land and pay rent in wheat, fat fowls and work on roads. The series Settlers of the Beekman Patent chronicles the lives of all residents there in the 18th century. A Lutheran church, located off Beach Road, was "probably the first house of worship" in the town. The church is "on the records from 1749" and "served the German settlers who came from the Palatine immigration." A Quaker meeting house was built in 1771 in Gardner Hollow, and was named the "Apoquague Preparative Meeting.
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