The Great Courland Bay Settlement was established as a colony by the Duchy of Livonia in 1652.

Thirty officers, 150 soldiers and ninety families of colonists were sent by Duke Jacob (James) Kettler to the island to establish a settlement.

They renamed the island New Courland and fort was erected on its south-western shore called Jekabforts (Fort James).

Other names of cities and towns of the Duchy soon appeared in Tobago including: Jekaba Pilseta (Jamestown), James Bay, Courland Estate and Little Courland Bay, Great Courland Bay, New Jelgave and Liepaja Bay.