Rev. Gerard Beekman (1558-1625) took a prominent part in the support of the principles of the new Dutch church and was chosen one of the delegates to visit the Duke of New Berg, the Elector of Brandenburg and James I to secure their support in behalf of the reformed religion. His mission executed with so much credit to himself, James I caused the coat of arms of the Beekman family to be remodeled, to "a rose on either side of a running brook".