Biography of GERARDUS WILLEMSE BEEKMAN
BEEKMAN, Gerardus, colonial Governor of New York, died in New York city about
1728. He was a physician and a wealthy land-holder in New York City, a major
under Jacob Leisler, and a member of his council at the time of the revolution
of 1688. After the arrival of Governor Sloughter, when Leisler was condemned
and executed for treasonable conduct in refusing to give up the fort at New
York, Beckman was one of eight that were condemned with him, but recommended
to the Governor's mercy. He wrote several petitions for release both to the
Governor and the Queen, saying in one of them that he wished to visit some
patients on Long Island who were "very dangerous." He was at length set at
liberty, and in 1700 became Lieutenant-Colonel of a militia regiment under
Governor Bellomont. He was a commissioner in the case of the claim of the
Mohecan Indians to land in Connecticut, and afterward a member of Governor
Cornbury's Council. After the removal of Governor Ingoldsby, Beckman was
President of the Council, and Acting Governor until the arrival of Governor
Hunter, from 10 April until 14 June 1710. While holding this place he
granted, on his own responsibility, permission to the Rev. Mr. Freeman to
officiate in the Churches of "Flatbush and Brookland," jointly with the
pastor, Rev. Vincentius Antonides. The latter, and most of his flock,
objected, and, as Governor Beckman refused to withdraw the obnoxious
permission, the Council broke up. Soon after, Beckman had a quarrel on this
same subject with one Squire Filkins, who, in a letter dated June 1710, says
that as they were drinking wine together in the ferry-house, having just
crossed the ferry, Beckman "gave me affronting words, calling me pittifull
fellow, dog, rogue, rascal, &c., which caused me, being overcome with passion,
to tell him that I had a good mind to knock him off his horse." Beekman was
afterward a member of Hunter's council, holding that office till his death.
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