Gerarldus Beekman

B: 1653

D: 1723

In the early 2000s our cousin, Helen Hughes - daughter of Louise Follis and granddaughter of Ida Thelma Ferris - did extensive research of the Ferris and Follis families.

Through the Ferris, Spear, Downey, Harrison, Brewster line we are direct descendants of Elder William Brewster of Plymouth who sailed on the Mayflower and signed the Mayflower Compact. They were the Separatist version of Puritans.

Through the Ferris, Byrd, Crow line we are descendants of Benjamin Crow, American Revolutionary War patriot. One of his sons became a Methodist missionary. We are eligible through him to become members of the Daughters of the American Revolution or Sons of the American Revolution.

Through the Ferris, Nancy Beekman line we are descendants of Wilhelmus Beekman, leader of New Amsterdam and member of the Dutch West Indies Company.

Wilhelmus' grandfather, Geraldus, helped translate the King James Bible and was awarded by King James with a coat of arms (Above) The Beekmans were Dutch Reformed and came to America to escape religious persecution.