[Frederic Shonnard & W.W. Spooner (1900)] Isaac Coutant was the first keeper of the almshouse, receiving a salary of $300 per annum. The institution has always since been maintained at the original location. The village of IVekskill, whose incorporation was authorized in 1816 but was not effected under the original act, received a new charter from the legislature on the 9th of April, 1827, and shortly afterward trustees were elected as follows: Samuel Strang, John lialstead, Philip Clapp, James Birdsall, Ezra Marshall, and Stephen Brown. Samuel Strang was the first village president. This village, now so important for its iron-working industry, and known far and wide as the seat of the New York State Military Camp, was in early times the settlement of the so-called " Ryck's Patent." The name is said to be " due to Jans Peek, an early Dutch navigator, who, in following the track of Hendrick Hudson, mistook the broad estuary at Roa Hook for the proper passage to the north. Here, it is said, he built a house and remained during the winter. To the creek was given the name of Jans Peek's Creek, or Peek's Kill, and from the name of the creek the village received its designation. In a deed given by the Indians to Jacobus De Kay and others, June 25, 1685, the creek is referred to as being known to the Indians as John Peake's Creek." The original settlement of Peekskill is sup-posed to have been about a mile north of the center of the present village.