History of the Baymen
The name Grand Baymen was chosen to reflect the independent nature of the early British settlers who left Europe behind and came to a strange new land to build an alternate, adventurous life. The Baymen persistently fought for their livelihood, lifestyle and personal freedom until, ultimately, they prevailed against the Spanish in 1793.
It is well known that the earliest British settlers in Belize were pirates and adventurers. But, by 1670 the Treaty of Madrid was reached, encouraging these settlers to put aside their less savory activities and to instead cut logwood for export back to Europe. These buccaneers/adventurers were known as the Baymen. For the next 100 years the economy of the British settlement in Belize was dependent upon the logwood being cut and exported by the Baymen.
During the 18th century the Spanish resisted the attempts of the British Baymen to settle and cut logwood in Belize. Although the Spanish drove the Baymen from their Belizean settlements many times, the Baymen always returned, each time expanding both their settlements and their logwood trade. Eventually mahogany replaced logwood as the wood of choice for export, with the Baymen continuing in their chosen trade. Numerous treaties were reached between the British and the Spanish regarding the rights of the Baymen to log in Belize.
Most of the early Baymen settlers lived on St. George’s Caye. On September 10th, 1793, the Spanish attacked the Baymen’s settlement at St. George’s Caye for the last time. Although the Spanish forces were powerful, the Baymen effectively used their better knowledge of the coastal waters in this battle against the Spanish. Using an armed sloop, the Baymen chose to join with their African slaves and three companies of a West Indian Regiment to fight the Battle of St. George’s Caye and decisively drive the Spanish from Belize.
The Belizeans proudly celebrate the holidays that best represent their fights to win independence, One of their most significant holidays is the one commemorating the Battle of St. George’s Caye every September 10th.
