During this first century, the region received other settlers such as the Jesuits who installed a farm for the production of food. Economic development was accentuated with the production of farms, sugar mills, trade and transportation.

When King João VI and his court arrived in the Brazilian colony in 1808, a number of parishes in the region received significant developments, most notably São João de Icaraí (St. John of Icaraí), São Domingos (Saint Sundays) and Praia Grande (Big Beach), where he celebrated his birthday. In 1819, the second date on the city's coat of arms, the region was established as the Vila Real da Praia Grande (Royal Village of Big Beach), and from that point on its political and social identity was made distinct from the then city of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro (Saint Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro).