After early colonization attempts in the late 16th century were attacked by Spaniards and local Indians, the original inhabitants fled the interior of Guyana, founding the colony of Essequibo around Fort Kyk-Over-Al shortly after.

A second, and more serious attempt at colonization started in 1650, but was ultimately unsuccessful, as French privateers destroyed the colony in 1689.

[3] A new, and more serious colonization attempt began in the 1650s, when under the command of the Dutch West India Company, plantations were set up on which African slaves were forced to work.

[4] A group of Jewish planters led by David Nassy briefly joined the colonists in 1658, however disagreements resulted in their departure the following year.

At the London Convention of 1814 it was decided that Essequibo and Demerara (the Pomeroon River included) and Berbice had to be ceded to the United Kingdom,[8] and they were made part of British Guiana in 1831.