Johne Bowne was born in 1627 in Matlock, Derbyshire, England. He moved to Boston in 1649, and ultimately settled in Flushing after 1651. His house, the Bowne House, was built in 1661. Bowne was best known for his support of religious freedom by allowing the Quakers to meet at his house while Peter Stuyvesant had placed a ban on practicing any religion other than that of the Dutch Reformed Church. He is believed to be buried at the Quaker Meeting House. 

By Jordan Bellis, Jamie Fung, and Anna Tao

Debroah Moore

Click here to learn more about the Old Quaker Meetinghouse and Bowne House.