 The town of Pownal includes the villages of Pownal, North Pownal, and Pownal Center.During the Woodland period, the area was settled by the Mahican people, with others, such as the Mohawks, traveling across it.By the late 17th century, Europeans may have entered the area as a result of the establishment of the Dutch patroonship owned by Kiliaen van Rensselaer, the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, which extended west and east out of Albany and the fur trading community of Beverwyck.