Cayman Islands History
The two islands were Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. A 1523 map showing all three Islands gave them the name Lagartos, meaning alligators or large lizards, but by 1530 the name Caymanas was being used. It is derived from the Carib Indian word for the marine crocodile, which is now known to have lived in the Islands. This name, or a variant, has been retained ever since.
The first recorded settlements were located on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, during the 1661-71 tenure of Sir Thomas Modyford as Governor of Jamaica. Because of the depredations of Spanish privateers, Modyford's successor called the settlers back to Jamaica, though by this time Spain had recognised British possession of the Islands in the 1670 Treaty of Madrid. Often in breach of the treaty, British privateers roamed the area taking their prizes, probably using the Cayman Islands for replenishing stocks of food and water and careening their vessels. During the 18th century, the Islands were certainly well known to such pirates as Edward Teach (Blackbeard), Neal Walker, George Lowther and Thomas Antis, even after the Treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, was supposed to have ended privateering.
The first royal grant of land in Grand Cayman was made by the Governor of Jamaica in 1734. It covered 3,000 acres in the area between Prospect and North Sound. Others followed, up to 1742, developing an existing settlement, which included the use of slaves.
On 8th February, 1794, an event occurred which grew into one of Cayman's favourite legends, The Wreck of the Ten Sail. The convoy of more than 58 merchantmen sailing from Jamaica to England found itself dangerously close to the reef at Gun Bay, on the east end of Grand Cayman. Ten of the ships, including HMS Convert, the navy vessel providing protection, foundered on the reef. With the aid of Caymanians, the crews and passengers mostly survived, although some eight lives were lost.
The court martial of the fleet's leader, Captain Lawford, revealed that a current had unexpectedly carried the fleet 20 miles north of its course. The incident underscores how common shipwrecks have been in the history of the Islands, and how much Caymanians themselves have depended on the sea.
The first census of the Islands was taken in 1802, showing a population on Grand Cayman of 933, of whom 545 were slaves. Before slavery was abolished in 1834, there were over 950 slaves owned by 116 families. Emancipation paved the way for development of a homogeneous society.
Though Cayman was always regarded as a dependency of Jamaica, the reins of government by that colony were loosely held in the early years, and a tradition grew up of self-government, with matters of public concern decided at meetings of all free males. In 1831 a legislative assembly was established comprising two houses: the eight magistrates appointed by the Governor of Jamaica and ten elected representatives or vestrymen.
The constitutional relationship between Cayman and Jamaica remained ambiguous until 1863 when an act of the British parliament formally made the Cayman Islands a dependency of Jamaica. When Jamaica achieved independence in 1962, the Islands opted to remain under the British Crown, and an administrator (in 1971 the title became Governor) appointed from London assumed the responsibilities previously held by the governor of Jamaica.
Cayman Islanders have a tradition of hardiness and independence of spirit, which sustained them through many difficult years when their home was sometimes referred to as "the islands time forgot." In those years, they earned a livelihood at sea, either as turtle fishermen or as crew members on foreign-owned ships, or by working in North and Central America. In 1906 more than a fifth of the population of 5,000 was estimated to be at sea, and even as late as the 1950s the government annual report said that the main "export" was seamen whose remittances were the mainstay of the economy.
Since those days the economy has grown in remarkable fashion, to be a model envied in other parts of the region. Over the last 30 years, governments have pursued policies aimed at developing the infrastructure, education, health and social services of the Islands, fostering the stability which is an important factor in the continued growth of Cayman's two main industries, tourism and financial services.
IMPORTANT DATES IN CAYMAN ISLANDS HISTORY
1503 - Columbus sights the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac & Little Cayman, naming them Las Tortugas. Over the next 100 years, the name Caymanas or Cayman becomes common.
1586 - Sir Francis Drake's fleet of 23 ships stops for two days at Grand Cayman. The island is not inhabited, but crocodiles, alligators, iguanas and numerous turtles are recorded.
1655 - England captures Jamaica from the Spanish.
1670 - Under the Treaty of Madrid, Spain recognizes England's sovereignty over Jamaica and various other Caribbean islands, including Cayman.
1700 - Permanent settlement has probably begun by this time with a few families, notably Boddens, living on Grand Cayman.
1734-42 - Five land grants in Grand Cayman are made by the Governor of Jamaica. Mahogany and logwood are being exported to Jamaica. Population perhaps 100-150.
1773 - First survey or "map" of Cayman made by the Royal Navy. Population is 400, approximately half free, half slaves.
1780s - Cotton, turtle, sarsaparilla and wood being exported to Jamaica.
1790 - Fort George probably constructed to ward off attacks by French or Spanish pirates.
1794 - "Wreck of the Ten Sail" occurs. Ten ships, including HMS Convert, the navy ship leading a convoy of 58 merchantmen, wrecked off East End.
1798 - First record of a magistrate in Cayman being appointed by Governor of Jamaica.
1820s - Local laws being passed by a self-appointed group of "principal inhabitants."
1831 - Decision to form an elected assembly taken at Pedro Castle on 5th December. Elections follow on 10th and new Assembly passes first legislation on 31st December. Population is approximately 2,000.
1835 - Governor Sligo of Jamaica lands in Cayman to declare all slaves free in accordance with the Emancipation Act of 1833.
1830s - First missionaries from the Anglican and Wesleyan churches visit and a church is built in George Town.
1830s-40s First schools established by the Mico Charity and Wesleyans.
1846 - Presbyterian church established by the Rev. James Elmslie.
1863 - Act of the Imperial Parliament in London makes Cayman a dependency of Jamaica (although Cayman had been loosely "governed" as such from 1670).
1898 - Frederick Sanguinetti, an official in the Jamaican Government, appointed as the first Commissioner of the Cayman Islands. Cayman will be governed by Commissioners until 1962.
1920 - A major Education Act provides for government schools in all districts.
1937 - The first cruise ship, The Atlantis, visits. This signals the beginnings of tourism, with the first tourist booklet published.
1939-45 - During World War II, a "Home Guard" is formed to provide protection and surveillance of enemy shipping.
1950s - A number of hotels open as tourism begins to increase.
1953 - An airfield is opened in Grand Cayman, eventually replacing the seaplane service which had operated since the 1940s.
1953 - The George Town Hospital is opened. Barclays Bank, the first commercial bank, opens.
1959 - Cayman receives its first written constitution, which grants the vote to women. Cayman ceases to be a dependency of Jamaica.
1962 - Following Jamaica's independence from Great Britain, Cayman chooses to remain a Crown Colony, governed by an administrator who reports directly to Westminster.
1966 - Landmark legislation is introduced to encourage banking industry.
1970 - Population of the Cayman Islands is 10,249, with only 403 visitors.
1972 - New Constitution introduced under which Cayman is governed by a Legislative Assembly, Executive Council and a Governor. ( History information courtesy of the Cayman Islands National Archive).
Comments
email: samantha_670@ho tmail.com
I was adopted from Grand Cayman. My bday is june 6th, 1983. Please help me find my family, they can find me under facebook "sarah jo stubbs". I am said to be one of 6 babies to be internationally adopted. My mother was white I am black, it was in the papers supposedly. Considering the small number of people to inhibit the island someone should know something. I was adopted to Minnesota.
email: sua6783pink
I am interested in assisting you in your search.
Feel free to contact me at any time my work cell number is 1-345-324-0116
Good Luck.
my Name is Dahlia
i just saw where you wanted to find out about a boat named the Vulcan, My grand father owned a boat named the vulcan that he purchased from folks that had visited here, he used it for turtle fishing, in 1981 the Vulcan wes siezed and taken by the govt of Nicaragua, becouse they were fishing in their water, maybe its the same boat,you can reach me at 345 326 3192, if i can be of any help
I have heard there used to be a king of Camen Island who was just retained as a figure head. If this is true can you let me know and who was the last known as such? Thanks for your time, history is my favorite subject.
J.Zee
The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory we have a Governor that's appointed by the UK, we have elected members that we vote for but we don't vote for the Governor,we don't have a King as you asked whoever is King or Queen of England is ours also
Thank you
Dahlia
There are three Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and little Cayman. We are a British territory, we have lots of wonderful attractions for you to see while you are here, one of the best beaches in the world is our beautiful seven mile beach, I will send you some flyers in the mail so you can see what we have to offer, but it would be a pleasure for me to show you around while you are here, you can contact me at creme_carmel@ya hoo.com
Thank you for your interest in the islands
Dahlia
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