History of the Caribbean

Early History

Magens Bay, St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands was at one time home to a prehistoric village. In the winter of 1916-1917, a significant archaeological dig was completed at the beach, and the remains of seven adults and two children were unearthed, along with canoes, pottery, shells, and other evidence of a prehistoric civilization2p106.

1492

Christopher Columbus discovers Samana Bay, on the island of Hispaniola on his first voyage of discovery. Believed to be the first European bloodshed in the new world2p41.

1493 November 14

Christopher Columbus visits St. Croix in the Virgin Islands on his 2nd voyage of discovery and encounters fierce resistance from the natives. Believed to be only the second European bloodshed in the new world2p37.

1555

German historian Johann Oldendorp believes all natives of the Virgin Islands were driven away by Charles V of Spain2p41.

1580

Sir Francis Drake sails through the Virgin Islands in what would later be known as the Sir Francis Drake Channel2p43.

1596

Earl of Cumberland remarks on the difficulty of navigating the waters of the Virgin Islands while enroute to Puerto Rico, stating that "he would rather be the first to take Porto Rico, than the second to pass through the Virgines", and also mentions the islands are "wholly uninhabited, sandy, barren, and craggy"2p43.

1600's

Virgin Islands first settled by European natives2p34. Danish, Dutch, and French settlers arrive and find no native Indian inhabitants2p42.

1609-1616

The English settle Bermuda.6p12.

1621

Dutch West India company organized.6p12.

1625

St. Croix in the Virgin Islands is first colonized by European settlers2p44. The Dutch took joint possession with the English6p12.

1625

St. Kitts is occupied jointly by both the French and the English6p12.

1626

The French found the Company of St. Christopher6p12.

1628

English settlers arrive on Nevis and Barbuda6p12.

1629

Frenchmen driven from St. Kitts by the Spaniards settled on north coast of San Domingo, Hispaniola6p13.

1631

The Dutch arrive on St. Eustatius and Tobago6p12.

1632

English settlers arrive on Antigua and Montserrat6p12.

1634

The Dutch occupy Curacao6p12.

1635

The French Company of St. Christopher was reorganized under the name of the Company of the Isles of America and began settling Guadaloupe, while a group of settlers from St. Kitts established themselves at Martinique6p12.

1640

Dutch occupy Saba, near St. Eustatius6p12.

1640

Tortuga or la Tortue, a small island off of Hispaniola (San Domingo) was colonized by Protestant settlers from St. Kitts, who joined a few Frenchmen who previously attempted to settle, but were disturbed by Spaniards6p12.