Uncovering the mysteries of the Caicos Islands plantations.

By Dr. Charlene Kozy

The Turks & Caicos Islands, especially North and Middle Caicos, became a haven for banished American Loyalists after the Revolutionary War in the United States. They were good citizens in the British Colonies and remained loyal to the King during the revolt. Land in the Bahamas was given to them to compensate for land that was lost after their banishment. Some 100,000 fled the wrath of the new American government; the northern Loyalists went to Canada and the southern Loyalists from the Carolinas and Georgia came to the Bahamas.

Today, scrubby brush, cactus, and trees cover the ruins of a brief plantation period unlike anything the  Caicos Islands had ever experienced. Although the physical remains are few and in poor condition, the records in the Bahamas Registry at Nassau and other historical data make it possible to know much about that time. Seventy-two land grants were found in the Registry on the two islands; it is possible that some were never exercised and some were sold to other grantees. Wills, appraisals, eye witness accounts and public documents reveal a highly developed society.

Geographically, the plantations lay along the northern coast of Middle and North Caicos. They extended to the west coast of North Caicos and included Parrot Cay. Almost all plantations were bounded on one or more sides by the sea. The higher elevation on the northern coast made agriculture possible, while the lower elevation on the southern coasts created swamps and wetlands. Also, the higher elevation presented a clear view of the sea which would serve many purposes — cooler climate and a vantage point against intruders. A road called the Royal Road or King’s Road connected the plantations and gave access to the landings for supplies to enter and for cotton to be exported. Parts are identifiable today.

Daniel McKinnen, an Englishman, made a voyage in 1802 “to notice the principle islands enumerated” and left an eyewitness account of a thriving community on the Caicos Islands. He described the soil as having “some spots of clay . . .” and as being “ . . . the most esteemed of any in the Bahamas.” He found two sugar plantations but acknowledged that the staple commodity produced was cotton.

West Indian fruits were growing “in perfection,” especially oranges. McKinnen praised the new inhabitants for their “indefatigable effort” in planting and building roads suitable for carriages despite the rocky land.

It is notable that the Taino Indians had been the  only previous inhabitants and were not agriculturists but traders in salt. Almost 300 years had passed since their occupancy and the soil had not been over-cultivated.

The plantation period on the Caicos was colourful because of the settlers themselves and the plantations they created. After 1789, plantations mushroomed along the northern coasts; the planters, “ . . . 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 farming hierarchy in this new British community.”

McKinnen’s eyewitness account is brief and incomplete in some areas. Through the various estate appraisals and inventories recorded in the Bahama Registry much more detail can be added. McKinnen mentioned only two species of food animals raised on the Caicos — horned cattle and hogs. In the inventories, horses were found on all the plantations. John Bell, owner of Increase Plantation on Middle Caicos, had a total of ten horses, including four mares, two fillies and a “horse colt.” Cows, calves and bulls were mentioned in the inventories along with turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, and geese.

Most plantations were known by a name, and John Bell had two plantations — Increase on Middle Caicos and Industry across a narrow strip on Windward Going Through on East Caicos. William Farr called his 380 acre plantation in North Caicos by the name of Cottage. Wade Stubbs named a portion of his holdings Clifton and later owned Wade’s Green on North Caicos and Chesire Hall on Providenciales. John M. Tattnall’s 600 acre plantation was called Bonaventure. William Forbes owned the Retreat Plantation. John Petty named his 800 acres Brough Hill. Stephen De Lancey’s 900 acres on North Caicos was named Greenwich.

The appraisals listed newly invented “wind gins” by Joseph Eve, an American Loyalist. These were an improvement on Eli Whitney’s cotton gin, which was invented in 1793 on confiscated land given to General Nathaniel Greene, George Washington’s second in command. The wind gin greatly improved the output of cotton per acre and decreased the labor required,  compared with the less efficient hand or animal driven gins.

A community this size required a formal government. By an Act of 1799, Turks & Caicos Islands were granted seats in the Assembly at Nassau. Electors were to be male, free, white and at least 21 years of age.  A property ownership requirement of £500 and a residency of one year in the Bahamas was required. McKinnen states that Grand Caicos did not send a delegate to the Assembly.

A port of entry was established on the Caicos Islands and apparently used, since records are available of trading ships delivering goods to the Caicos from England and the United States. Trading with the United States was forbidden by law in 1788; however, the Bahama Gazette reported an attack on a ship from Rhode Island by a French privateer. “Statutory  neglect” seemed to be the order of the day!

The only record of local authority found on Grand Caicos was the appointment of six planters as Justices of Peace in 1791. These men were: William Gamble, Alexander Campbell Wylly, John Ferguson, John Lorimer, John Bell and Wade Stubbs. They could perform legal services such as marriage, wills and so forth for the residents of the Caicos Islands.

Improvements such as roads and landings were  likely done with private money. With the remoteness and the independent political attitude, it is highly unlikely that they received tax money.

Available records are meager but it is logical that families of this wealth would enjoy social gatherings. Their large mahogany dining tables and silver service appear ready for entertaining. The marriage of Thomas Brown and Ester Farr “at the Caicos” (reported in the Bahama Gazette) in 1789 was probably one of these events. John Lorimer’s request for “six of his slaves, dressed in white” to carry his body to his grave indicates more than a simple burial.

There is no doubt that the Caicos community was planned. Their association began in the colonies and continued in exile. A large percent of the planters had served in the military for the British. Many were high ranking officers and these officers were rewarded with larger grants of land.

The plantation period lasted for about three decades (1789–1820). Weather, insects, soil exhaustion and war have all been given as reasons for failure. Soil exhaustion was a primary reason and the smallness of the Islands compounded that condition.

Undoubtedly, these families suffered emotionally and were frustrated politically. Many families were separated never to reunite. Letters tell of their longing for home and of the day-to-day hardships they endured. The legacy of this poignant episode in the lives of these exiled Americans is found in a village name and landmark, Lorimers and Gambles Point, and some family names may have been adopted from the planters. Chimneys and stone walls dot the landscape and the ever-blowing gentle wind whispers the hidden history of the Caicos Islands.

In my quest to tell the Loyalist’s story, three field schools with students from Cumberland University were conducted. The plantations investigated were Haulover, Increase and Bonaventure. With the help of friends from Middle Caicos namely, Alton Higgs, Constance Hall, Valarie Hamilton and the hospitality of all of Bambarra village, I was able to locate the plantations, house students, have transportation and with Ernest Forbes as my faithful guide and my husband, Steve, survey the three plantations. Each one was cleared (to an extent), the buildings measured and plotted as to vicinity to each other. With a written appraisal, a description of the lifestyle and prosperity could be determined.