Catheryna Rombout Brett (1687–1764) was a prominent figure in 18th-century Dutchess County, recognized as a successful businesswoman and one of the earliest influential settlers. Though she probably didn’t see herself as a trailblazer at the time, she was simply a woman trying to protect her land and stay sharp.
Born in New York City, she was the daughter of Francis Rombout, a wealthy fur trader and the city’s 12th mayor. At just four years old, she inherited a one-third stake in the Rombout Patent—about 85,000 acres in what is now southern Dutchess County.
In November 1703, sixteen-year-old Catheryna married Roger Brett, who had come to the New World with Lord Cornbury, the Governor of New York. Roger was a respected lieutenant in the British Royal Navy—probably accustomed to navigating rough waters, both at sea and in life. After their marriage, the Bretts moved into the Rombout family home in New York City—a large house on lower Broadway that was almost as impressive as her inheritance. Roger served as a vestryman at Trinity Church from 1703 to 1706.
The two later relocated from their family home in New York City to land upstate, reportedly becoming the first permanent White settlers there, truly establishing roots. They founded their homestead in 1709. Unfortunately, Roger died prematurely when he drowned in June 1718 after his sloop faced a fierce squall near Fishkill Landing, now Beacon.
Rather than remarrying and risking the loss of her wealth. Catheryna, at 31, chose to manage her affairs and her nearly 30,000-acre estate independently since, at the time, husbands obtained their spouse’s assets upon marriage. A law called coverture. Her business acumen earned her the somewhat regal title of “Madam Brett’—a far cry from a modern office title, but appropriate for a woman who knew how to stand her ground.
She distinguished herself from other landowners, such as the Van Cortlandt and Verplanck families, by selling land parcels rather than renting—an unusual practice at the time. Her aim was to foster a thriving community, not merely generate rent. She actively recruited skilled tradespeople—tailors, blacksmiths, brewers—to buy plots, helping to develop a vibrant, self-sufficient settlement.
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Her entrepreneurial spirit was evident in ventures like running a gristmill on Fishkill Creek, which grew into a regional industrial hub. She established the area’s first producers’ cooperative with 21 male partners, set up a landing and warehouse at Low Point (modern-day Beacon), and built a road to it—initiating the region’s essential Hudson River freight traffic long before Amazon’s delivery drones.
Madam Brett was a commanding figure, known for riding her horse around her property to oversee her land—and undoubtedly ensuring trespassers knew they weren’t invited for tea. She also developed relationships with the Wappinger people, teaching English to their last sachem, Daniel Ninham, who later traveled to Britain to advocate for his people’s land rights, probably thinking, “Well, if Madam Brett can do it, so can I!”
She managed her estate until her death in 1764 at age 77. Her home, which hosted figures such as George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette during the Revolutionary War, remained a symbol of her family’s influence.
Folklore and Myth, I Believe
Like many historical figures who become highly renowned, myths often emerge and grow into folklore, sometimes with humorous twists. The local myth in the Hudson Valley claims that the Madam Brett Homestead was a brothel where George Washington was a frequent visitor. While this isn’t a widely accepted national historical fact, it certainly adds a colorful story.
This myth probably originates from a few factors. In the 18th century, “Madam” was simply a title for a married woman of high social standing and property—not necessarily a sign of owning a gentlemen’s club. Catheryna Rombout Brett was a notable and successful businesswoman of her time—think of her as a “female real estate tycoon” who managed extensive land holdings and operated a thriving mill after her husband’s death. Her independence might have led to some local gossip, perhaps shared over a mug of ale rather than in hush-hush tones.
George Washington did visit the home during the Revolutionary War, but he was merely a guest of the reputable owners, Major Henry Schenck and his wife—not a patron of a brothel, despite the lurid tales. The story of Washington at a brothel run by a prominent local woman is so sensational it could rival any modern soap opera, though there’s no factual proof. Still, it remains a charming piece of local lore that keeps history interesting—and gives historians another amusing story to tell.
Be sure to visit the Madam Brett Homestead Museum & Park in Beacon, New York. Beacon is a jumpin’ city with plenty to see and do, and it’s so easy to get to.
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