When Henry Hudson, in 1609, in his expedition up the river that now bears his name, arrived at what is now Albany, he anchored the "Half Moon" there and in smaller craft continued his exploration of the upper river to what is now Waterford, and beheld what is now Van Schaick Island. Hudson was perhaps the first white man that ever trod within the limits of the latter-day city of Cohoes. The islands at the mouth of the Mohawk river were, in early days, favorite resorts of the Indians. They were the southern limit of the Sarachtogue, their famed hunting and fishing ground. On Hanver Island (now Peebles Island) was the Indian stronghold "Moenimmes Castle." The island, later known as Van Schaick, was granted by the Indians to Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick and Philip Pieterse Schuyler, in an instrument dated September 11, 1665, from "Itamonet, Ahemhameth and Kishocama," all Mahicanders, proprietors and owners of the island, called in the Dutch, Long Island, and in the Mohican "Quahemesicos." Besides Long (Van Schaick) Island, the "Halve Maan" patent embraced the other islands formed by the Spruytes ("Sprouts") of the Mohawk and a large tract of land to the northward, including the present village of Waterford (originally called Half Moon). These grants from the Indians were under permission from Governor Nicolls, and were confirmed by subsequent governors, Lovelace and Thomas Dongan. Philip Pieterse Schuyler conveyed his interest in the lands embraced in his patent to his associate, Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick, by deed dated July 12, 1674, the latter having, by will, devised the said lands to his wife Annetie; after his death she conveyed them to his son Anthony for the consideration of "550 good merchantable beaver skins." The Indian name of Van Schaick Island was "Quahemesicos." The, Dutch called it "Long Island." In early writings it is called "Whale Island," from a whale once found stranded on it. After its transfer to Van Schaick, it was called "Anthony's Island," "Isle of Cohoes," and "Cohoes Island."

The Van Schaick family, into whose possession the island thus early came, was one of distinction. They were from Holland, and possessed a coat-of-arms granted by the Dutch government. The first owner, Captain Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick, was a brewer, prominent in Albany. He was born in 1633, died in 1676. He does not appear to have occupied the island himself. In 1680 Harmon Lievense, or Lieveise, was an occupant, and one Van Schoonhoven had a farm there in 1681. The first wife of Captain Goosen Van Schaick was Gertie Brantse Peelen, who died in 1656. In 1657, being about to marry a second wife, he made a contract in which he reserved from his estate 6,000 guilders for his four eldest children of his first wife, that being her separate estate. He married (second) Annetie Lievense, to whom the foregoing Harmon Lievense (first white settler of the island mentioned) was doubtless related. In 1668, he being about to depart for Holland, he and his wife made a joint will in which ten children were named. His widow, Annetie, conveyed the lands, as before mentioned, to Anthony, fourth child by the first wife.