The Beekman Family
 

CHAPTER I
the beekman family

The ancestors of Wilhelmus Beekman who came to
America in 1647 were residents of the country of the Rhine,
and a branch of the family were Barons of Belgium.

Cornelius Beekman was a wealthy burgher of Cologne,
who dwelt on the Rhine in Germany. He was of a family
distinguished since the year 1200, both in Germany and the
Netherlands, by titles and military honors conferred for
courage and diplomatic ability. He married Christiana
Huygens of Cologne, who died December 4, 1606. They
had two sons:

I.    Engelbert Beekman, married Elizabeth de Beyer.

II.    Gerard Beekman, born at Cologne, May 17, 1558;
died at Emmerich, January 31, 1625; married Agnes
Stunning, at Cleves, who was bom January 13,1557, and
died at Miilheim, March 10, 1614.

Rev. Gerard Beekman, son of Cornelius Beekman, was a
distinguished theologian and his services in translating the
Bible were rewarded by King James I. of England. He
lived most of his life at Cologne on the Rhine. The Beek¬
mans were steadfast Protestants from the time that Martin
Luther in 1521 protested against the corruptions of the
Church of Rome.

It is of interest to note here that the Beekmans have