figured largely in the early history of
Columbia County. The only man of note living here during Revolutionary
days was Major John Pawling, a friend of Washington and an active
patriot. His stone house, built in 1761, still stands on the Post
Road.

[Sidenote: _RHINEBECK._]

Ryn Beck, Rein Beck, Rhynbeek, Reinebaik, Rhinebeck, was the name at
first applied to that region back from the river and located on the
property of William Beekman, which was occupied by the "High
Dutchers," while in Kipsbergen, on the river bank, lived the "Low
Dutchers."

In 1710 Colonel Robert Hunter, Governor of the Province, came over
with a considerable colony of Palatines from the Rhine country, some
of whom settled on the Beekman property as above, and are said to have
given the place its name, which first appears in a deed of 1714.

[Sidenote: _KIPSBERGEN._]

Kipsbergen: There is no evidence to show that any one settled here
before 1700, though the region was purchased from the Esopus Indians
as early as 1686 by Jacobus and Hendrick Kip. The Kips are said to
have been great believers in large families, but, in spite of this,
the local chronicler states that a few years ago there was but one of
the name left in the territory of ancient Kipsbergen, and it is said
that some of the land he possessed had never known any owner but a
Kip or an Indian. To-day Kipsbergen is only found on the older maps.

Landsman Kill may have been the boundary line between the High and Low
Dutchers, Rhinebeck and Kipsbergen. The name obtains either because
its water power was reserved for the "Landsman" or landlord, or
because one Caspar Landsman, whose name appears in the early records
may have lived along its banks. The stream once ran a grist mill for
Gen. Richard Montgomery.

A very interesting side excursion here, of some six or seven miles,
starts toward the river from the hotel corner in Rhinebeck, and comes
out on the Post Road again a half mile or so south of the starting
point. It affords wonderful views of the Catskills and the Hudson, the
Shawungunk and lesser mountains toward the south. The property owners
do not welcome the stranger within their gates, but he is allowed to
look over the fence to the views beyond.

Where the road turns south on the river bluff is the entrance to the
Kip place, Anckany, named for the Indian chief with whom the original
Kip bartered for this property. An attractive old stone house stands
on the roadside here,