The Lucayan Indians, the first inhabitants of the Exumas, were followed in the 1600s by the Spanish explorers, who virtually wiped out the Indians. About the same time, the discovery of salt sparked the Exumas' first prosperous industry. This prosperity, however, brought its own problems. The salt merchants' ships made easy pickings for pirates, and the islands were a natural haven for the corsairs.
In 1783, a group of loyalists fleeing from the aftermath of the American Revolution settled on the islands and, for a while at least, cotton brought new industry to the islands. Both the salt and the cotton plantations were manned by slaves, most of whom were imported from the former British colonies in America. This new prosperity -didn't last, however. Insects destroyed the cotton, and it was found that salt could be produced more profitably on other islands in the Bahamas.
Rolle Town on Great Exuma is the direct result of the influx of the Loyalists in 1783. John Rolle settled in the area with his slaves, more than 300 of them, and soon acquired a great deal of land granted to him by a grateful English king. Rolle was later knighted for his services.
Rolle Town sits on top of a hill. The houses are painted in bright colors of blue, pink and yellow. The view from the little town is spectacular.
The descendants of John Rolle's slaves are mostly farmers or fishermen, selling the day's catch, along with tomatoes, onions, mangoes, and avocados to hotels. Those who aren't farmers or fishermen earn their livelihood as a part of the burgeoning tourist industry, working at the hotels and marinas.
