1620s–1803: Development Saw Kill (Hudson River)

a 1798 map showing lower saw kill , estates around it

the dutch began settling region in 1620s. first settlers followed lead of indians in using tributaries transportation routes , food sources. however, more dutch settlers arrived, began see stream ideal place build mills, particularly sawmills gave name. land speculators bought water rights saw kill before had been built.

the saw kill , majority of land north of saw kill watershed sold colonel pieter schuyler in 1688. patents rhinebeck lasted until 1840. deed paperwork refers saw kill metambesem, algonquin name it, has not otherwise survived.

schuyler s patents slowed agricultural development rates along saw kill, despite rapid agricultural expansion in dutchess county starting in 1750. sawmills , gristmills nevertheless built. 1777 present not near stream s mouth upstream @ present-day locations of red hook mills, mill road crosses , stream still impounded small lake, , rock city. mills commonplace along stream end of 18th century. milling died down end of 19th due decreased profitability.

pressure industrial expansion on saw kill increased in mid-1800s. residents, louise livingston of montgomery place, built in 1803 on bluff south of mouth, saw threat peacefulness , natural beauty of stream. sister-in-law, janet livingston montgomery, widow of revolutionary war general richard montgomery, had bought 242 acres (98 ha) on estate built shortly after husband s death in battle of quebec, building house , establishing ornamental farm on property.