Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Colonial Records

French Colonization (1719-1763, 1779-1783)
The French were first to colonize the island, settling in the town of Barrouallie on the leeward side of St Vincent in 1719. The British captured the island and drove out the French from Barrouallie during the Seven Years' War, a claim confirmed with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. During the Anglo-French War (1778–1783) the French recaptured St Vincent in 1779. However, the British regained control under the Treaty of Versailles (1783).

British Colonization (1763-1779, 1783-1979)
The British captured the island from the French and took over the island with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. During the Anglo-French War (1778–1783) the French recaptured St Vincent in 1779. However, the British regained control under the Treaty of Versailles (1783). On 27 October 1979 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became the last of the Windward Islands to gain full independence, and this date is now the country's Independence Day. The country opted to remain within the British Commonwealth but represented locally by a Governor-General.