Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Flushing, NY

Currently, I reside in Whitestone, NY near the "Little Bay".

Back in 1609 however, it was considered to be a part of the greater Queens area. Actually, Queens wasn't founded until 1945, but was named "Vlissingen", later renamed "Flushing". At the time, since it remained unsettled until half-way into the 17th century, it would've just been primarily woodlands. However, once the Dutch settlers, and later the English, began to move upwards, there would've been more towns coming up, especially along the bay.

I imagine, since the Dutch and English were primarily Roman Catholic, that would've been the dominant religion. However, a farmer named "John Browne" defied a prohibition at the time set by the New Amsterdam Director - General Peter Stuyversant by allowing Quakers to meet in his home. Others would later defy religious prohibitions, eventually leading to the decision by the Dutch West India Company to allow all religions to worship freely.

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