In 1614 the Dutch East India Company under Adrien Block, arrived in New York and settled at the tip of Manhattan. They called this site New Amsterdam and it became the seat of the regional colony. Starting 1637, Dutchman was granted lands by Governor Peter Stuyvesant. As the Dutch were setting in queens, Englishman began coming from the north and east. The Dutch were willing to allow them to settle in Queens, as long as the English swore allegiance to the Dutch government. Thus in 1645, the West India Company granted a charter to Flushing, which was at the time called Vissengen. It became a part of New Netherlands and was settled mainly by the English.

During this period, English Quakers arrived from England to escape religious persecution, and settled in Flushing. Their religious teachings were widely accepted, even though there was opposition from the Reformed Dutch Church. Peter Stuyvesant issued an ordinance that prevented anyone from having a Quaker meeting in their house. A well known Flushing colonist, Henry Townsend, Defied this order and held a Quaker meeting in his house. He was fined and had to leave Flushing. This led to a protest by the Flushing citizens. In December 27, 1657, a document was signed by many well known Flushing citizens, demanding the right to freedom of religion. This document known as the Flushing Remonstrance may be considered as the earliest demand for freedom of religion and as the first declaration of Independence by the colonists.