The First Settlements

When someone hears the word Jamaica only a few things come to mind; Bob Marley, marijuana, beautiful beaches, and delicious food.  But before Bob Marley made this island famous with his legendary music, Jamaica had somewhat of a dangerous beginning.

          Shortly after Christopher Columbus was appointed governor of the Indies in 1508, Jamaica was considered a dependency of Hispaniola. However, Jamaica had already been given to Diego de Nicusesa and Alonso de Ojeda and they used the island for a supply base for the Spanish. Shortly after, Juan de Esquivel was appointed governor of the island.  

The first settlement established in Jamaica, St. Ann, was used not only for its excellent location, but it was easy to protect and the Taino people there were accustomed to the Spanish. This settlement was called Sevilla la Nueva, or New Seville.  This settlement did not succeed partially due to its location near swamp lands, which was an unhealthy way to live. During the first 20 years of settlement, only 10 children grew up in the colony, although there was a much higher birthrate.

The second colony established on the island would be much more successful. On the south side of the island was a new settlement called Villa de la Vega, also known as St. Jago de la Vega, and then it would become known as simply Spanish Town. This city would soon become the capital of the island. Because Spanish Town had a great location and maintained its small size, it was of interest to pirates and the British, who wanted to take control of the island.

In the beginnings of the New World exploration, Spain claimed many of the islands as territories of the Spanish Crown; however, other European powers quickly decided to launch explorations of their own in attempts to take control of the Spanish lands. Thus, pirate attacks against many Caribbean islands, including Jamaica, raged through the region.

The first act of piracy in Jamaica was committed by the French in 1555. Although it was the first attack, it most certainly was not the last. Over the course of the next century the shores of Jamaica would be bombarded and looted by the French, Dutch, Italian Portuguese, and the British.  In 1597 Spanish Town was attacked and burnt to the ground by a fleet commanded by Sir Anthony Shirley of Britain.  The residents of Spanish Town offered little resistance.

By the end of the 16^th century Spain still held the only colonies in the Caribbean basin but Britain was preparing to make their move. In the first half of the 17^th century, Britain began to take great interest in Jamaica. In 1655, a British fleet appeared in Kingston Harbour prepared to raid the town and take the island for England. The Spanish leadership of the island came to an end.