 Among the theories regarding the early history of the road, it is traditionally believed that Dutch miners began construction of the road in the 17th century in order to transport copper ore from the Pahaquarry Copper Mine along the Delaware River in Pahaquarry Township, New Jersey to Esopus, New York along the Hudson River in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam.Many historians now discount much of this folklore.Starting in the late 17th century, Dutch settlement began along the course of the road, in the Kingston, New York, area.