The Revolutionary War Helped Shape the Turks and Caicos Islands
The people of Turks and Caicos are just as diverse as the islands themselves. What began with Ponce de León of Spain, the island chain has largely been a British territory since 1764.
Bermudians came to Grand Turk and Salt Cay in the 1600s to rake salt. The industry flourished for the next 300 years, providing the salt that Americans settlers used to preserve their food.
During the American Revolution, the Turks and Caicos played a relatively unknown role. Despite being a British Colony, salt merchants sold their product to George Washington's Revolutionary army.
In February of 1783 the French captured Grand Turk Island and its rich salt pans.
However, the occupation was short lived. The Turks and Caicos Islands were returned to British control under the terms of Treaty of Paris, which was negotiated later in 1783.
The loyalist brought their slaves with them to the islands and built plantations for growing cotton or fruit and raising cattle. According to the Turks and Caicos National Museum, 40 families with around 1200 slaves had settled in the Turks and Caicos Islands by 1793.
As further detailed in historical accounts, “... men of capital brought their families, slaves, livestock, knowledge of plantation cultivation, arts and crafts, musical instruments, books and all else needed to create a self-contained home life and a flourishing hierarchy in this new British community.”
In 1813, a devastating hurricane blew through the Caribbean. The destruction forced many loyalists to abandon their plantations. After being further tested by years of insect infestation and soil depletion, most abandoned their slaves and left the islands. Those who remained continued to operate their plantations until slaves were emancipated in 1834.
While historical records help tell the stories of these early settlers, there is little evidence of their existence remaining on the islands. The main house of the Cheshire Hall plantation remains in the heart of Providenciales. However, much of the site has been lost to development. More remote parts of North Caicos, including the Wades Green Plantation, are in the process of being excavated and preserved.