Gerardus Beekman

Gerardus Willemse Beekman (1653–1723) was a colonial governor of the Province of New York. A physician and a wealthy land owner in New York City, in 1710 he was elected President of the Council and Acting Governor of New York.^[1] He was the acting governor of the Province of New York until the arrival of Governor Hunter, from 10 April 1710 to 14 June 1710.

He was christened 17 August 1653 at Corlaer's Hook Plantation, New York, son of Wilhelmus Hendricksen Beekman and Catalina De Boog.

His wife was Magdalena Abeel, daughter of Christopher Janse Abeel and Neeltje Jans Kroom. His Children were Christopher Beekman (1681-1724), Dr. William Beekman (1684-1770), Adrian Beekman (1682-1705), Gerard Beekman (1693-1746), Catherine Beekman (no dates).

He died in New York City 10 October 1723.

He was the great grandfather of James Beekman (1732-1807) the owner of Mount Pleasant a mansion on Manhattan that was requisitioned by the British Army during the Revolution. The location of this property is the current Beekman Place. The fireplace mantle of the mansion can be seen at the New York Historical Society. It features the Beekman family coat of arms.

He is also an ancestor of cartoonist Garry Trudeau (born Garretson Beekman Trudeau).^[2]

References

1. Charles, Michael Harrison (2006). List of the Colonial Governors Prior to 4 July 1776. Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors. p. 30.
2. Ancestry of Garry Trudeau compiled by William Addams Reitwiesner http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~addams/other/trudeau.html Retrieved January 16, 2014