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How did emancipation change land ownership on Anguilla?

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Regional map of the West Indies showing the islands of the Greater and Lesser Antilles, including Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Puerto Rico, and numerous smaller islands. The map uses color shading to indicate elevation, with higher elevations in orange and yellow, and labels major cities and territories, including those administered by the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and the United States. Surrounding bodies of water such as the Caribbean Sea, Gulf o
Anguilla

Following the abolition of slavery in 1834, land ownership on Anguilla underwent a significant transformation that differed from many other Caribbean islands. Because the islandā€™s thin soil and inadequate rainfall made sugar production less profitable, the plantation system did not remain the dominant economic institution after emancipation.12

Instead, European-descended planters largely migrated away from the island, selling their lands to former slaves or leaving them to be taken over by the newly freed population. This shift allowed Anguilla to evolve into a society characterized by small-scale farming, fishing, and maritime activities, fostering a culture of greater personal independence among its inhabitants.12