Colonial Office and predecessors: Leeward Islands, Original Correspondence

CO 152

1689-1951

This series contains original correspondence relating to the Leeward Islands. There is a break in this series between 1816 and 1872 during which the government of the Leeward Islands as a single colony was abolished and divided amongst the various islands in the group.

Bound volumes arranged chronologically, and from 1802 within the following subject headings: Despatches (letters of the governors), Offices (letters of government departments and other organisations) and Individuals (arranged alphabetically). Each volume with a contents list, or précis of each letter giving name of correspondent, date of letter and subject matter. From 1926 the correspondence is arranged in subject files.

For Montserrat see also CO 175

For Antigua and Montserrat see also CO 7

For Dominica from 1940 see CO 321

For later records see CO 1031

For Nevis see also CO 184

For other correspondence relating to the West Indies see CO 318

For St. Christopher (St. Kitts), Nevis and Anguilla see also CO 239

For Dominica see also CO 71

For the British Virgin Islands see also CO 314

Public Record(s)

English

547 files and volumes

Subject to 30 year closure unless otherwise stated

Topics

International

Caribbean

Until 1671 the Leeward Islands were part of the general government of Montserrat, the Virgin Islands and Nevis under a governor-in-chief. From 1671 a federal legislature gradually grew up and in 1690 it was formalised. By 1812 the Leeward Islands consisted of two divisions: Antigua and Montserrat forming one, and St Christopher, Nevis and the Virgin Islands the other. In 1833 they were reunited; Dominica was then added, but was transferred to the Windward Islands in 1940. The Leeward Islands Federation was dissolved in 1956.