Grand Turk Island: History
The Lucayan people were the indigenous people of the island, who called it Abawana, meaning "the First Small Land". The Spanish later called it Amuana.
Grand Turk was first colonised in 1681 by Bermudians, who set up the salt industry in the islands. For some time, at least until the early 19th century, Grand Turk was often referred to as Grand Cay.
In 1754 HMS Jamaica and HMS Shoreham voyaged through the Windward Passage stopping at the islands along the way, searching for evidence of French settlements. While they found no French inhabitants on Grand Turk, they did find "Marks of Possession". The marks were described as "Crosses and large posts erected, to which were affixed copper plates, whereon were engraved the French King's Arms, and an inscription to this effect, 'The Continuation of the Possession of Lewis XIVth, King of France, 1553.'" The British cut down the Marks of Possession, and to prevent any violence towards the Bermudians, Captain Julian Legge, thought to leave a declaration should the French return. "To prevent any violence being used to any of the people who live on Grand Key, Salt Key, or Seal Key, it is thought proper to leave this Declaration, that we cut down the Arms of the most Christian King, and the Crosses that were set up as Marks of Possession on the said Islands, and carried the same away, pursuant to instructions for so doing: And further, that his Britannick Majesty will not suffer any Marks of Possession to be put up, on any of the Keys or Islands known by the name of Turk's Islands. Dated the 21st of January, 1754."
According to Captain Hunt after his visit to the island in August 1764, the French constructed, "Monuments of 80 feet high, one of which is on the Grand Key, and the other on the Sand Key." On 22 August HMS Jamaica and HMS Venus visited the island, "...they found a monument or column erected, 10 feet wide at the base, and 60 feet high, built of brick and soft mortar, with a square piece of marble fixed therein bearing this inscription, 'Homines as deos nulla re proprius accedunt quam Salutem Hominibus dando' [Men approach the gods in no way more proper than by giving Salutation to Men]; and over it, 'Phare de Choiseul' [Choiseul Lighthouse], in large letters of iron." Since it was determined the pillar could not be used in "Service to Trade and Naviation", and was believed it was to serve as a Mark of Possession it was undermined and destroyed within two hours. The pillar on Sand Key was believed it might be in service to shipping and was left standing. It was later learned both monuments were, "...erected with no other view than for the general Good of Mankind, and for the Preservation of Shipping."
In 1766 it became the capital of the country. In April 1767 it was reported Governor Seymour began planning the development of a city on the island by the name "Shelburne".
On Tuesday 24 September 1813 the island was hit by a hurricane which, "...totally destroyed above 120 dwelling-houses."
Captain John C. Blackler of the brig Washington, reported after leaving Grand Turk on 12 September 1815 he and his crew came across nine survivors from the ship William and Nancy which had been destroyed in a hurricane on 31 August.
The brig Panopea of Baltimore, ran aground on the reef surrounding Grand Turk the night of 24 December 1824. …