History
In about 1740, a family named Sharp made improvements on a large farm interest previously purchased from patent holders in Claverack by Johnnes Hogeboom. Hogeboom's inn became a well-known stopping place on the Albany-Boston road. Other early families in Ghent included the Groats, the Mouls, the Harders, the Ostranders, the Stupplebeems, and the Holsapples. Settlers in the western part of Ghent were, among others, families by the names of Vosburgh, Kittle, Van Alstyne, Link, Leggett, and Van Valkenburgh. Although it was founded as an agricultural community in the mid-1700,Ghent's agricultural base may reach even further back as the land may have been cultivated by Native Americans.

Ghent was originally named Squampamock, a Native American word meaning "the meeting of the waters" (referring to the joining of two small branches of Claverack Creek). This name was later changed to Ghent by the State Legislature, commemorating the US - Great Britain Treaty which ended the War of 1812. Ghent held a prominent position in the area because of its agriculturally productive land. Early settlers owned large estates, some of which are still owned by their descendants. These estates were worked by slaves who were liberated in the 1820's.