Stacey
04-02-2004, 05:04 PM
Often in history Christopher Columbus is given credit for the discovery of the Virgin Islands, but the first to come to these islands were actually the Amerindians. These people were first settled in the Orinoco Basin of Venezuala, but then came by canoe to these islands around 900 BC and lived satisfying lives for over 1,000 years.
Christopher Columbus did find these islands when he was embarking on his second trip to the New World in the year 1493. He gave the island it's name "Virgin Islands" according to the legend of St. Ursula and her entourage of 11,000 virgins following her into martyrdom. He did not stay long though, as he was more interested in the hopes of finding gold on the larger islands of Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. During the 17th and 18th centuries this untouched area became a favorite haunt for many famous pirates such as Black Beard, Jost Van Dyke which is where some of the islands names were derived.
In the middle of the 17th century came the first European settlers. There may have been a group of Dutchmen also, as it is believed they built a fort at Tortola's West End. In 1672, the dutch were ousted by the British, who stepped in and began building up cotton and sugar plantations. As a result, by the time the century was nearly over the production of molasses, sugar and rum became major export items.
Due to a series of events such as a hurricane, the freeing of slaves on these islands, and severe economic problems, in 1834 the plantation system became defunct. By the middle of the century those former slaves of the plantations became owners of those same properties, and they became fishermen and farmers.
Christopher Columbus did find these islands when he was embarking on his second trip to the New World in the year 1493. He gave the island it's name "Virgin Islands" according to the legend of St. Ursula and her entourage of 11,000 virgins following her into martyrdom. He did not stay long though, as he was more interested in the hopes of finding gold on the larger islands of Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. During the 17th and 18th centuries this untouched area became a favorite haunt for many famous pirates such as Black Beard, Jost Van Dyke which is where some of the islands names were derived.
In the middle of the 17th century came the first European settlers. There may have been a group of Dutchmen also, as it is believed they built a fort at Tortola's West End. In 1672, the dutch were ousted by the British, who stepped in and began building up cotton and sugar plantations. As a result, by the time the century was nearly over the production of molasses, sugar and rum became major export items.
Due to a series of events such as a hurricane, the freeing of slaves on these islands, and severe economic problems, in 1834 the plantation system became defunct. By the middle of the century those former slaves of the plantations became owners of those same properties, and they became fishermen and farmers.