ST. EUSTATIUS

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The first country to recognize the independence of the United States was not France. It was the island of St. Eustatius, also called Statia, a Dutch colony in the West Indies. During the 18th century it became a booming, ultra wealthy,  trading hub, and was given the nickname Golden Rock.

St. Eustatius 

While the defeat of the British at Saratoga in 1777 encouraged French recognition of US independence, the Dutch had been supporting American rebel activity for years.  Merchants on the island of St. Eustatius were enabling goods and materials to pass to them which were required.  Even George Washington routed his mail through the island.

Since the British Royal Navy blockaded North American ports, the free trade port of St. Eustatius became an important trans shipment point for European goods. Up to half of the military supplies used by American Revolutionary forces passed through St. Eustatius. 

Dutch,  English, and Jewish merchant families ran the bustling commercial houses, providing credit and shipping connections. 

The first recognition by a foreign entity of the United States of America occurred on November 16, 1776. The American warship  Andrew Doria sailed into Oranje Bay flying the new continental colors and fired a 13 gun salute. Governor Johannes de Graaff ordered Fort Oranje to reply with an 11 gun salute, marking the first time a foreign government acknowledged the sovereignty of the United States. 

Fort Oranje 

In 1674 the Dutch gave up their North American colonies to the British by the Treaty of Westminster. Then, almost 100 years later, the Dutch played a vital role in having the British lose them.

On February 3, 1781 the British made a massive attack on St. Eustatius. After it surrendered it was occupied by thousands of soldiers and Loyalists for 10 months.  The island had been visited by American Loyalists and Benjamin Marston, who was later appointed Chief Surveyor to the settlement of Shelburne in Nova Scotia, wrote in his notebook of several visits.  He mentioned one on August 26, 1776 when he stayed a day and a night.


Admiral Rodney 

The taking of St. Eustatius by Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney delayed the British fleet, enabled a French fleet to assemble in the West Indies under Admiral Comte de Grasse and sail unhindered to the North American coast, and weakened British naval power. When Admiral Rodney did finally send Rear Admiral Sir Samuel Hood north to combat the French he did not send enough ships. These effects were vital as they enabled the French to blockade Yorktown leading to its surrender on October 19, 1781.


Further Reference: 

Admiral Rodney ousts the Jews from St. Eustatius accessed October 18, 2026

How a tiny Carribbean island made American independence possible accessed October 18, 2026

On the small island of St. Eustatius, the Jewish community turned the tide of Revolution accessed October 18, 2026

Retribution: Admiral Rodney and the Jews of St. Eustatius accessed October 18, 2026


/ Descendant of Private James Humphrey of Jessup's Rangers in American Revolution, Grandson of Ulsterman who served with Ulster Division in World War I

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