If you’ve read Anguilla’s history, you will know that the French in St Martin invaded Anguilla twice, in 1745 and 1796.You may not know, however, that Anguilla also invadedSt Martin.St Martinwas coveted by Anguillians for its salt and for the rich soil around Marigot. Enriched with minerals, the volcanic dirt was good for agriculture. In 1745, Anguillians were switching to sugar production but cotton remained the crop of choice onSt Martin.
From as early as the 1720s the deputy governor of Anguilla had made grants of land in St Martin to British settlers fromAnguilla. War between the French and English broke out in 1740 in the War of the Austrian Succession (also known as the War of Jenkins Ear or King George’s War). It was in 1744 whileFranceandEnglandwere at war that the Anguillians decided to capture French St Martin.
Anguilla’s Deputy Governor Arthur Hodge, assisted by 300Anguillavolunteers and two privateers from St Kitts, succeeded in pushing the French off their land. The invasion, sometimes described as a ‘marauding expedition’ was successful as the French took refuge on the Dutch side of the island.
Arthur Hodge travelled toEnglandto ask if Anguilla could keepSt Martinas a dependency. He was refused but Anguillians continued to occupy the lands through the 1760s. Today, many Anguillian last names, including Hodge and Gumbs, are found onSt Martinand links between the two islands remain strong. Next week, we will look at the French retaliation, and their invasion ofAnguillain 1745.
About the author: Lilli Azevedo, MPhil spent three years living and researching Anguilla’s cultural heritage for her PhD from the University of Southampton.
