About us
Southern Dutchess County, NY was sparsely inhabited prior to 1740 - mostly by the Wappinger native tribe. Dutch, Germans, French, and New Englanders gradually populated the area, but they were tenants, and not owners of land. The lack of colonial deed records and estates for most of the residents causes problems in identifying family relationships. DNA information may help lead to new avenues for research.
This area was known as the South(ern) Precinct from 1740 to early 1772, when it was divided into three precincts: Philipse, along the Hudson; Fredricksburgh, in the interior; and South-East in the narrow "Oblong" along the border with Connecticut. The next change was in 1788 when the precincts were changed to the towns of Philips, Frederick's, and South-East. In 1795, Frederick's Town and South-East Town were split into four towns: Frederick (later Kent), Franklin (later Patterson), Carmel, and South-East. Other boundary changes occurred in later years until Putnam County was established in 1812.
This area was known as the South(ern) Precinct from 1740 to early 1772, when it was divided into three precincts: Philipse, along the Hudson; Fredricksburgh, in the interior; and South-East in the narrow "Oblong" along the border with Connecticut. The next change was in 1788 when the precincts were changed to the towns of Philips, Frederick's, and South-East. In 1795, Frederick's Town and South-East Town were split into four towns: Frederick (later Kent), Franklin (later Patterson), Carmel, and South-East. Other boundary changes occurred in later years until Putnam County was established in 1812.