illem Traphagen was born about 1664 at Buswick in Kings County, New York. He is noted as being the founder of Rhinebeck in Dutchess County, New York and the builder of a small Tavern at the junction of the Old Post road and the Sepasco Trail that later gained great reputation as the Beekman Arms Hotel. The Beekman Arms has played host to Presidents and other figures in American history and, although out of the Traphagen family since at least 1769, it is reported to be the oldest continuously operating hotel in the United States.

        He married Tryntje Peele about 1695 in Ulster County, New York. No record of her birth has been found but she was probably the daughter of Paulus Paulusen Peelen\Palen and died before 1699 in Kingston, Ulster County, New York. No children have been found for this union. Willem married second Geesje Arentsen Pier, the widow of Henrick Aryance, April 30, 1699 in Kingston DC. Geesje was baptized March 25,1677 in Kingston DC, the daughter of Arent Teunisen and Geesje (Jans) Pier. She was living at the time of her husband's will and died after 1738 in Rhinebeck, New York.

        A Conveyance of land by the Trustees of Kingston to Johannis and William Traphagen was dated 1688. He appears on the Ulster County Oath of Allegiance at Kingston September 1, 1689 as Willem Traphager Jr. He was a wheelwright and blacksmith at Kingston.

        Sometime before June 1706, Willem purchased several hundred acres of land from Henry Beekman across the Hudson River from Kingston in Dutchess County, at the confluence of Landsmans and Kips (Rhinebeck) Kills. It is not certain when he settled the land in Dutchess County, as he appears on Tax lists of Kingston December 9, 1709 through January 25, 1720/21 although the last lists tax show a decrease in tax as if he had less holdings.

        On June 4, 1706, Willem Traphagen, Wheelwright of Kingston, sold 24 acres in Dutchess County to Jacob Kip. February 17, 1710/11 he sold to his stepson, Arie Hendricksen 128½ acres in Dutchess County, land being along Kips Kill to where it meets Landsman's Kill and forms a point.

        That he was still a resident of Kingston can by verified by a letter dated March 12, 1712 from the Justices of Kingston to Governor Hunter complaining of the arrest of their messenger, William Traphagen, by Colonel Lurting, vendue of the Province.

        About 1721, Henry Beekman of New York City, presented a deed for 2 acres for a church on the Flatts at Rhinebeck in Dutchess County to Lawrence Osterhout, Jacob Kip and Willem Traphagen. He is listed on the Tax assessment list for the North Ward of Dutchess County 1723 and elected North Ward Assessor April 6, 1724.

        At whatever date he settled Dutchess County, he chose to build his house on the corner of his grant at the junction of two roads. He constructed a small Blacksmith's shop and his home turned into an inn and tavern for travelers on the Post Road between Albany and New York.

        His Will dated April 26, 1736 names his three children, Arent, William and Geesje, wife of Isaac Kool. His wife is not named, but the 1738/39 tax list for Rhinebeck lists the widow of William Traphagen.

Children of Willem and Geesje Arentsen (Pier) Traphagen:

1. Johannes, bap. May 26, 1700 KDC; d.y.
2. Willem, bap. February 21, 1703 KDC; d. after 1776 in Rhinebeck, New York. He married Maria Dircksen, the widow of Willem Schut August 24, 1750 Kingston DC. Maria, b. about 1710 in Dutchess County, New York. He is listed on the Slaveholders Census of Dutchess County, April 2, 1755 and was a signer of the Petition of Association in June, 1775. No children.
3. Geesje.
4. Arent.

• Kingston Reformed Dutch Church.
• Wills of Ulster County, New York.
• Kingston Papers.