During and after the American War of Independence, 1775-83, many people lost their land and possessions because of their loyalty to the British crown. Many loyalists left for Nova Scotia, Britain and the West Indies, in particular to the Bahamas, Dominica and Jamaica.

Under the Treaty of Peace (1783) and the Treaty of Amity (1794) loyalists were able to claim compensation for their losses. The records of the Treasury Commissioners who investigated the claims together with pension and compensation lists are in several series in the National Archives (T 50, T 79, AO 12 and AO 13).

In 1783 East Florida was ceded to Spain and loyalists made similar claims for compensation. Many of these loyalists left for the Bahamas and Jamaica. Records of the East Florida Claims Commission are in T 77; T 77/19 relates to claims made by settlers in the Bahamas.

Correspondence, petitions and other papers relating to loyalists in the West Indies may be found in local archives and in the records of the Colonial Office.

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