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Archiver > Dutch-Colonies > 1998-07 > 0901304908


From: Howard Swain< >
Subject: Re: Origins of English Settlers of Flushing, NY
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 13:28:28 -0500 (CDT)


Hi Bill,

At 04:28 PM 7/22/98 EDT, wrote:
>Flushing was an "English" town.

Since Flushing (Vlissingen in Dutch) is a city in The Netherlands, I assume
that the first settlers were Dutch. However, I think English did come later.

>Does anyone have data as to where the first
>of these people came from? What source is there for this information?

While researching the Oldfield family of 17th century Jamaica, L.I., I found
this book that may help you: _History of Long Island_ by Nathaniel S.
Prime, 1845. Part II is titled "Annals of the Towns". Section XV is
Jamaica, which is just south of Flushing. [On 24 Feb 1679/80 John Oldfield
and others were chosen to negotiate the boundary with Flushing -- from
Records of the Town of Jamaica, L.I. by Frost]

Unfortunately, I didn't note down other towns covered, but I would think
that Flushing would be included.

My notes from the Jamaica section say that it was first settled in 1656 by a
company from Hempstead (a town about 10 miles east). They purchased the
land from the natives and abtained a grant from Gov. Stuyvesant.

Another source that may interest you is "An Exact List of all ye Inhabitants
names within ye Towne of fflushing...1698." This is in _Documentary History
of the State of NY, vol I_ by O'Callaghan pp 661-665. The same list is also
in _Lists of Inhabitants of Colonial NY Excerpted from the Documentary
History of NY_, pub 1979.

Also in the _Lists of Inhabitants..._ book is a list called "Flushing
Estimations 29th Septr 1683" (p 137). As an example it shows:
John Hinchman owned 22A of upland and 15A meadow
John Marston owned 3A of upland and 3A meadow

Regards,
Howard

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