Jamaica, Queens County, New York

Jamaica was first granted for settlement by Governor Stuveysant, March 21, 1656, and a more ample patent was granted in 1660 (list of first patentees below). The rights of the town were confirmed by Governor Nicoll, February 15, 1666, and by Governor Dongan, March 17, 1660. It was recognized as a town March 7, 1788. It is the south west corner town of the county. A range of low sand hills forms its northern boundary; but the remainder of the town consists of an extensive sand plain, and a series of wide slat marshes along the shore. Jamaica Bay, forming its southern boundary, encloses a large number of low, marshy islands. Several small streams take their rise in springs and small ponds among the hills and flow south to the bay. The soil is light and sand. A considerable tract immediately bordering upon the marshes is kept in a high state of fertility by artificial means, and is devoted to market gardening. This town has long been celebrated for its race courses. The town poor are annually let to the lowest bidder.

Van Wickel Residence on Clinton Avenue, Jamaica

The first settlement was made about 1656, by people from Hempstead, who in that year obtained leave of the Dutch Government to purchase lands and erect a town, "according unto their place limited, named Canarise, about midway from Hempstead." In 1702 the civil officers of government removed to this place, on account of prevailing sickness. An attempt was made soon after to appropriate the church to the use of the the Episcopalians, which resisted, and a controversy commenced, which was not settled until 1728. In 1753 the General Assembly again convened at this place. During the Revolution the town was occupied by the British, and especially in winter, large bodies of troops were stationed Here. The Dutch Church was used as a storehouse. The first church (Presbyterian) was formed in 1663. The Reformed Protestant D. Church was formed in 1702; and the first Protestant E. services were held during the same year. The Chapel of the Sisters, a neat edifice built of hewn granite, was erected in the Presbyterian Cemetery, by Nicholas Ludlum, of New York.

The village of Jamaica located near the north border of the town, was incorporated April 14, 1814. It contains 6 churches, the Union Hall Academy, several private seminaries, a union school, 2 newspaper office and several manufactories. Population in 1860: 2,817.
Excerpts from Gazetteer of the State of New York, by J.H. French, 1860