The Turks and Caicos Islands: Our Heritage, Our History

By Dr. Carlton M. Mills and Debby-Lee V. Mills

Dr. Carlton M. Mills, a native of South Caicos, has been a passionate educator in the Turks and Caicos Islands throughout his professional life. He began his teaching career in 1981 as a history teacher at the Majorie Basden High (formerly Pierson High School). He eventually moved up the ranks to Vice Principal in 1988 and Principal in 1990, becoming the first Turks and Caicos Islander to hold that position. He also served as Principal of the Raymond Gardiner High School in North Caicos from 1992-1997 and the University of the West Indies Representative in the Turks & Caicos Islands from 1998 to 2010.
Dr Mills also served as Vice Principal of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College from 1997 – 2007. He was also an adjunct lecturer for Sociology. After the General Election in 2007, he was appointed as Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture. Following the suspension of the country’s constitution by the British Government in 2009, he was appointed by the Governor to serve as a member of the Advisory Council.
He holds a Certificate in Teacher Education, Certificates in Social Work and Public Administration (UWI), B.A. History & Sociology (UWI), Dip. In Education (London), Med. In Education (Bristol) and a Doctorate degree in Education from the University of Sheffield. He has written and published several articles on education and on the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the local and regional media. He has also presented papers on education at various conferences in the region and in the UK. He is the General Editor of the book A History of the Turks & Caicos Islands (2008).
Dr Mills and his wife, Debby-Lee Mills own and operate MILLS Institute, an elementary school in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Debby-Lee V. Mills is a native of Bottle Creek, North Caicos. She is a teacher by profession and has served in the government schools for 27 years, ten of those years as a principal. She is currently co-owner (with her husband) of a local private elementary school, Mills Institute, located in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Mrs. Mills has a passion for education management, mentoring young teachers and teaching of Creative Writing. She is an avid reader who also loves to cook, decorate, garden and entertain friends and family.
She has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester, UK. She is married to local historian and educator Dr Carlton Mills. Mrs. Mills has four adult children, one stepdaughter and is the proud grandmother of six. She currently lives with her family in Miramar, Florida.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781663231413

Dr. Carlton M. Mills

Dr. Carlton M. Mills, a native of South Caicos, has been a passionate educator in the Turks and Caicos Islands throughout his professional life. He began his teaching career in 1981 as a history teacher at the Majorie Basden High (formerly Pierson High School). He eventually moved up the ranks to Vice Principal in 1988 and Principal in 1990, becoming the first Turks and Caicos Islander to hold that position. He also served as Principal of the Raymond Gardiner High School in North Caicos from 1992-1997 and the University of the West Indies Representative in the Turks & Caicos Islands from 1998 to 2010. Dr Mills also served as Vice Principal of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College from 1997 – 2007. He was also an adjunct lecturer for Sociology. After the General Election in 2007, he was appointed as Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture. Following the suspension of the country’s constitution by the British Government in 2009, he was appointed by the Governor to serve as a member of the Advisory Council. He holds a Certificate in Teacher Education, Certificates in Social Work and Public Administration (UWI), B.A. History & Sociology (UWI), Dip. In Education (London), Med. In Education (Bristol) and a Doctorate degree in Education from the University of Sheffield. He has written and published several articles on education and on the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the local and regional media. He has also presented papers on education at various conferences in the region and in the UK. He is the General Editor of the book A History of the Turks & Caicos Islands (2008). Dr Mills and his wife, Debby-Lee Mills own and operate MILLS Institute, an elementary school in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Debby-Lee V. Mills is a native of Bottle Creek, North Caicos. She is a teacher by profession and has served in the government schools for 27 years, ten of those years as a principal. She is currently co-owner (with her husband) of a local private elementary school, Mills Institute, located in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Mrs. Mills has a passion for education management, mentoring young teachers and teaching of Creative Writing. She is an avid reader who also loves to cook, decorate, garden and entertain friends and family. She has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester, UK. She is married to local historian and educator Dr Carlton Mills. Mrs. Mills has four adult children, one stepdaughter and is the proud grandmother of six. She currently lives with her family in Miramar, Florida.

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Turks and Caicos Islands:

Our Heritage our History

DR.CARLTON M. MILLS & DEBBY-LEE V. MILLS

Turks and Caicos Islands: Our Heritage our History

Copyright © 2022 Dr.carlton M. Mills & Debby-Lee V. Mills.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical,

including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written

permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

Preface

Chapter 1     The Turks and Caicos Islands - Overview

Chapter 2    Grand Turk

Chapter 3    Salt Cay

Chapter 4    South Caicos

Chapter 5    East Caicos

Chapter 6    North Caicos

Chapter 7    Middle Caicos

Chapter 8     Providenciales

Chapter 9    West Caicos

Chapter 10   Important Cays in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Chapter 11  Historical Sites and Attractions

Chapter 12  Colours and Symbols of the Islands

Chapter 13  The Islands’ Parishes

Chapter 14  Early Settlers

Chapter 15  The Bermudians in the Turks Islands

Chapter 16  The Salt Industry in the Turks Islands

Chapter 17  The Spanish and the French

Chapter 18  Pirates of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Chapter 19  The Loyalists in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Chapter 20  Slavery in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Chapter 21  Industries of the Turks and Caicos Islands, past and present

Chapter 22  Shipwrecks

Chapter 23  The Caicos Sloops

Chapter 24  The Bahamas Years (1766 – 1848) (1962 – 1973)

Chapter 25  The Presidency (1848 – 1874)

Chapter 26  Jamaica Years (1874 – 1962)

Chapter 27  The United States’ Presence in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Chapter 28  The Turks and Caicos connection with Canada

Chapter 29  Pathway to Citizenship in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Bibliography

About the Authors

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This book could not have been written without the favor of Almighty God and the kind assistance of several individuals. The authors would like to acknowledge the vital support given by Lisa Talbott at the Turks and Caicos Museum who generously provided photos for the book and for the front and back covers. Thanks also to Miss Vanessa Sacay, a teacher at Mills Institute, who designed the front and back covers of this book. Special gratitude is extended also to Miss Lorleen Malcolm, Agile LeVin from Visit Turks and Caicos Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board who assisted with photos for the book. We are grateful also to Ms. Kathy Borsuk, Editor of the Times of the Islands Magazine, who granted permission for us to use information from sources in this magazine.

Sincere thanks to Mr. Kimo Tynes who took time out to visit the Archives in the UK to source pertinent information for us on the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

We are greatly indebted to our dear friend and colleague, Mr. Graham Faiella who dedicated much of his time to editing the manuscript. To him, we express our profound thanks.

PREFACE

Despite the limited historical research that has been conducted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), the islands have unquestionably a very rich, virgin and fascinating history. It is this fascination that has created this deep desire in the authors to produce this book.

Recently, the Curriculum Unit in the Ministry of Education (MOE), revised the Social Studies Curriculum for Primary Schools with a view of making it more relevant to the needs of students. They also designed a History Curriculum for Forms 1 – 3 in the High Schools. These initiatives are geared towards relating content more appropriately in addition to helping to develop a greater sense of knowledge and appreciation for what is indigenous to the TCI.

In light of these developments, it is hoped that this book will be a useful tool and a guide for teachers since the majority of teachers in our school system are not from the TCI, but rather, come from overseas where they possess little knowledge of the history of the islands. This book is also intended to serve as a text for students in the Primary and High Schools in addition to persons and visitors alike who would be desirous of quenching their thirst for information on the history of the islands.

In order to successfully fulfil this purpose, the book is divided into 29 chapters. Chapters 1 – 10 give an overview of the TCI covering historical events in each of the major islands inclusive of cays.

Chapter 11 highlights some of the major historical sites and attractions that draw visitors to the islands in addition to raising awareness locally about these import features in the islands. Chapter 12 focuses on the colours and symbols that help to give the TCI a unique and special sense of purpose and identity. Chapter 13 brings back to memory the various parishes that were designated where little reference is being made of today. Chapters 14 – 20 focus on the peoples, institutions (political, economic and social) that were built over the years revealing forms of governance and economic sustainability.

Chapter 21 places the spotlight on the various industries in particular salt which was the main engine up to 1964 driving the economic wheels of the country. It climaxes with the focus on fishing and tourism which have now replaced many of the traditional industries as the main engines generating economic growth and sustainability.

Sloops played a major role in the lives of men and women over the years in the TCI. Chapter 23 features the role of these sloops. Chapters 24 – 26 outlines the political challenges that the TCI experienced as it strived towards becoming more economically and politically stable.

Chapter 27 focuses on the role that the United States through their bases played in the country from the 1950s up to the 1980s in protecting their own global interest. Chapter 28 outlines attempts by the TCI over the years to form a union in one form or another with Canada in an attempt to shred any form of British colonialism. Chapter 29 closes with a new and challenging feature facing the country as it strives towards creating a new road in its economic and governance affairs. Central to this feature is the question as to how the country’s leadership will determine the relevant composition to assist with its further growth and development and the impact and implications this will have for future generations.

CHAPTER 1

THE TURKS AND CAICOS

ISLANDS - OVERVIEW

Introduction

The Turks and Caicos Islands (commonly abbreviated as the TCI) is a ‘non-self-governing British Overseas Territory’, as defined by The United Nations Committee on Decolonization. At various times since the mid 1600s it has been administered by Bermuda, the Bahamas and Jamaica, with varying degrees of self-governance. The first freely elected parliamentary system, under a new constitution, in 1976, gave the people of the TCI the right to elect their own government representatives for the first time, coinciding with the emergence of the first political parties.

The term British Overseas Territory (BOT) is also known as United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs). There are fourteen UKOTs with constitutional and historical links with the United Kingdom, remnants of the British Empire that do not form part of the UK itself. Being a British Overseas Territory means that the TCI is still virtually a de facto colony of Britain. The TCI has been in a colonial relationship with Britain since 1766 when the British Crown installed the King’s Agent Andrew Symmer with responsibility for the day-to-day management of the territory after almost a century of unfettered management by the Bermudians since 1678. The economic prosperity through salt production induced the British into making the 1766 decision as the salt industry became financially lucrative for them.

The Turks and Caicos Islands were inhabited by the pre-Columbian Lucayan and Taino indigenous peoples long before the arrival of Columbus in the ‘New World’ in 1492 and other Europeans thereafter. The theory that Columbus’ first landfall was on the Turks Islands has been strongly advanced by two local past historians, Josiah Marvel (1945-2021) and C.E. Hutchinson. Marvel, who died at his home in Paris in January 2021, was an American historian who dedicated many years to researching and writing about the early history of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He was convinced by his extensive research that Grand Turk was the first landfall of Columbus’ first voyage.

There are several theories as to how the name Turks and Caicos was derived. One of the most commonly accepted is that the name Turks is derived from a species of indigenous cactus, the turks head (melocactus intortus), whose scarlet top resembles a fez and which grows widespread among the islands.

The name Caicos is believed to be derived from ‘Caya hico’ meaning ‘string of islands’ in the indigenous Indian peoples’ language. Another theory suggests that the name Caicos is derived from ‘cayos’, the Spanish for ‘cays’ (islets). ‘Cayo’ is thought to come from the Taino language meaning ‘small island’. So ‘Caicos’ most probably derives originally from the language of the indigenous Taino people of TCI, passed into Spanish ‘cayos’ and finally into the English ‘Caicos’.

Up to 1848 the islands were referred to as Turks Islands. Only Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos were initially included when reference was made to the islands since they were the three salt producing islands. The Caicos Islands were officially included in the country’s name following the administration of the first President Alexander Forth (1848-52).

This inclusion resulted in The Turks and Caicos Islands being divided into two distinct groups of islands. The Turks group comprises Grand Turk, Salt Cay and adjacent cays. The Caicos Islands comprise South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, West Caicos, Pine Cay, Parrot Cay, Ambergris Cay and adjacent uninhabited cays. In recent times Pine Cay, Parrot Cay and Ambergris Cay were developed as high-end tourism destinations with exclusive luxury resorts. East Caicos and West Caicos were inhabited up to the 1900s during the production of sisal which came to an end in the early 1900s. Following the closure of this industry the islands were abandoned and have had no permanent habitation since then.

Location

The TCI is located at the most southeastern point of the Bahamas archipelago: about 575 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, 450 miles to the northeast of Jamaica, and 100 miles north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. They are situated between 21o and 22o N latitude, and 72o 37’ W longitude. The Turks Islands are separated from the Caicos Islands by the 22 mile wide Turks Island Passage (also called Columbus Passage) which is over 7000 feet deep. The Caicos Islands are separated by the Caicos Bank, a prime fishing location.

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Map of the Caribbean showing Turks and Caicos position in relation to other countries

Size and Topography

The total land mass of the Turks and Caicos Islands is about 166 sq miles with a radius of about 200 miles and area of 238 sq miles (616 sq km). The islands consist of low, flat limestone, with extensive marshes and mangrove swamps and about 230 miles (370 km) of beach front. The longest stretch of beach is along Grace Bay on Providenciales which extends for some 12 miles and is one of the major tourist attractions to the islands.

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Map of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Weather

TCI weather is usually sunny and relatively dry. The islands were referred to years ago as ‘the isles of perpetual June’ due to their hot, summery climate. The geographical position of the islands places them directly in the path of hurricanes which can be a threat during the hurricane season months of June to November. May is the rainy season month. Otherwise the islands have long series of dry months when there is little or no rain. Fortunately, in most of the Islands, some people have private cisterns to collect rainwater for drinking and for other domestic uses. In addition to cisterns, Provo Water Company provides running water for consumption to residents of Providenciales and Grand Turk. Fortis TCI is the main electricity provider in TCI.

Table 1: Size and Population of the Turks and Caicos Islands

(2012 Census)

Source: Department of Economics Planning & Statistics (2012 Census)

Table 2: Population Growth by Island 1960 - 2012

Table 3. Population projections for Turks and Caicos Islands (2000 -2019)

Source: Department of Economic Planning & Statistics (2000 – 2019)

Tables 1, 2, and 3 indicate the population growth of TCI in recent years, particularly for the last two censuses taken in 2001 and 2012. However, since 2013 The Department of Economics, Planning and Statistics (DEPS) has provided projections of the overall population increases up to 2019 (Table 3). Unofficial sources have estimated that by July 2020 the population had increased to 55,926.

The first population census was taken in the TCI in 1943. It was not until 13th May 1959 that another census was taken. This was during the time when the new constitution was introduced in the islands, which provided for universal adult suffrage (one man, one vote).

The 2012 Census shows the population increasing from 19,886 in 2001 to 31,458 in 2012, a remarkable increase of 11,572 persons (58%) in just eleven years and an unprecedented rapid growth of population for such a small country. Furthermore, the 2019 projections by the DEPS show further population increases up to 42,953 by 2019. This number is also expected to increase as more tourism-related developments are forecast.

During the period 2001–2012 there was a decrease in the populations of Salt Cay, South Caicos, Middle Caicos and North Caicos, while the populations of Grand Turk and Providenciales showed increases (in particular Providenciales).

Providenciales has accounted for the most significant increase over the period, largely attributable to the following factors:

• The increase in construction due to tourism-related developments which has created employment opportunities on the island at the expense of many of the other islands. This has not only resulted in internal migration but also in greater migration from other countries to the TCI, to fill positions in both the public and private sectors. As a result of these developments, the islands continue to experience a considerable influx of illegal immigrants, particularly from neighbouring Haiti. Most of these illegal immigrants tend to go to Providenciales where there is a large Haitian population, making it easy for them to blend in, and search for a better life.

• The increase in population in Grand Turk might have been as a result of the development of the Cruise Ship Port facility in 2006 on that island, which has resulted in a major improvement in the economy of Grand Turk.

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Club Mediterranean

The coming of Club Mediterranean to TCI in 1985, the first mass-market tourism resort in TCI, resulted in several spinoffs primarily to do with offshore finance and banking on the island of Providenciales. These sectors have experienced major growth over the years, resulting in many people moving to Providenciales to participate in the new employment opportunities that were created.

The Caicos Islands, of which Middle Caicos is the largest, account for 96% of the land area (589.5 sq km) of TCI, and 82% of the population: 26,584 of the TCI total of 33,302 (2006 Census). The Caicos Islands also encompass four of the six administrative districts of the territory, the others being in Grand Turk and Salt Cay.

Government

As a British Overseas Territory, the TCI has a Governor appointed by Her Majesty the Queen for a tenure ‘at Her Majesty’s pleasure’, and who represents her at official functions. The head of government is the Premier (titled Chief Minister up to August 2006) who is elected for an initial four year term.

The legislative House of Assembly is unicameral, meaning it consists of just one chamber (unlike the US Congress or UK Parliament, both of which are bi-cameral, with two legislative bodies). The House comprises 19 members, 15 of which are elected through a ‘one man one vote’ electoral system. Of the 15 elected members, ten are from the ten island constituencies; the other five are ‘all islands’ candidates.

Every voter throughout the TCI can vote for the all islands’ candidates. The remaining four members are unelected appointments: two by the Governor, and one each by the Premier and Leader of the Opposition. The Attorney General, by virtue of their office as the highest law officer in the government, also sits in the House as an unofficial member.

Cabinet

The Cabinet is made up of the Governor (Chairman), Deputy Governor, Attorney General and all Ministers.

Court System

Magistrate Courts are located on Grand Turk and Providenciales. Appeals from the Magistrate’s Court are sent to the Supreme Court which exercises a jurisdiction similar to the High Court in England in which a single judge presides.

Cases which are beyond the Magistrate’s Court such as serious criminal cases and higher civil cases have first instance in the Supreme Court. Appeals from the Supreme Court are heard by the Court of Appeal which meets twice a year. Final appeals are heard by the Privy Council in England.

Responsibilities

Governor:

- Complaints commissioner

- Electoral office

- Financial Intelligence Agency

- Human Rights Commission

- Integrity Commission

- National Audit Office

- Office of the Chief Internal Audit

- TCI Regiment

Deputy Governor

- Cabinet Secretary

- Human Resource Directorate

- Public Service Commission

-