Providence Island colony

Providence Island Colony
1629–1641
Flag of Providence Island
Flag
Old Providence Island
Old Providence Island
StatusColony of England
CapitalNew Westminster
13°20′56″N 81°22′29″W / 13.34889°N 81.37472°W / 13.34889; -81.37472
Official languagesEnglish
Religion
Puritanism
GovernmentProprietary colony
• Monarch
(First) James VI & I
(Last) Charles I
Governor 
• 1629-1636
Philip Bell
• 1636-1638
Robert Hunt
• 1638-1640
Nathaniel Butler
History 
• Creation of the Providence Island Company
10 November, 1629
• First explored by England under Daniel Elfrith
1629
• Landing of the Seaflower on Providence Island
1631
17 May, 1641
CurrencyPound sterling and Spanish dollar
Succeeded by
New Kingdom of Granada
Today part of

The Providence Island colony was established in 1630 by English Puritans on Providence Island (now the Colombian Department of San Andrés and Providencia), about 200 kilometres (120 mi) east of the coast of Nicaragua. It was founded and controlled by a group of English investors, the Providence Island Company.

Although intended to be a model Puritan colony engaged in agriculture, it also functioned as a base for privateers operating against Spanish ships and settlements in the region. In 1641, Spanish and Portuguese forces, after two previous attempts, finally penetrated the harbour's defenses and captured the colony. The Spanish removed all the English settlers from the island but kept the structures. This garrison was maintained on the island, now called Santa Catalina again, until 1666.