Skip to main content

Colonial Caribbean: Settlement, Slavery, and Empire, 1624-1832

Colonial Caribbean: Settlement, Slavery, and Empire, 1624-1832

The first module of Colonial Caribbean documents the history of British colonies throughout the Caribbean from early settlement to the eve of the Slavery Abolition Act passed in 1833.   This module features volumes from The National Archives, UK sourced from 26 different Colonial Office (CO) series (sometimes referred to as file classes) which include material related to 27 Caribbean colonies.

The subjects covered by these volumes are many and varied; earlier materials deal with interactions with the indigenous inhabitants of the region, the establishment of colonies, including early legislation, correspondence requesting provisions and soldiers for defence, as well as arrangements for the building of fortifications. Material throughout the early eighteenth century often specifies dealings with and punishment of pirates and privateering within the region. – Publisher