The Dutch first denominated the village Peekskill from Jan Peek, one of their early navigators, who, mistaking the present Annsville creek for the proper passage through the race, ran his yacht ashore on the former. Here he subsequently erected a habitation and spent the winter.

The earliest settlement in this neighborhood commenced one mile north-east of Peekskill, on the property of Capt. John McCoy. The landing place was then at Pemart's dock, near the head of the tide waters of the creek.

On the 8th day of August, 1745, occurs a sale of land from Andrew Johnson and Isabella his wife, daughter of Stephanus Van Cortlandt, to Caleb Hall and Palatiah Haws, consisting of a part of lot No. 2, situated in great front lot No. 9, beginning on south side of Peck's creek, containing 351 acres, excepting 16 acres of land conveyed by said Johnson to Mrs. Gertrude Beeckman. a

Fifteen years subsequent to the above sale, Andrew Johnson conveys to Caleb Hall, Joseph Travis and Palatiah Haws, "lands situated at a place called Peekskill."6

In the year 1764, Birdsall, Nathaniel Brown, Joseph Travis, and Capt. Isaac Conklin, commenced the settlement of the present village. At diat early period there was little or no business transacted here. The first store was erected by Daniel Birdsall in the vicinity of middle dock, near the mill of Andrew Johnson, Esq. Captain Swim is said to have sailed the first sloop from Pemart's dock, A. D. 1773.

From its earliest settlement, the growth of Peekskill has been gradual, and its population has increased according to the development of its resources. The population in 1870 was 6,560. The present number will probably exceed 7,000. The village was incorporated in 1839; but prior to this, in 1827, the fire department was organized and an engine purchased.