The first settlement, Lajes do Pico, had the contribution of settlers of Portuguese origin, from different parts of the metropolis, who probably would have already been on Madeira Island or even on the previously populated Azorean islands, namely in Terceira. This included different social groups: individuals belonging to a small nobility, who are distinguished by the possession of land and lifestyle; secular and regular clergy, of which the Franciscan presence stands out; and a third group, divided between merchants, craftsmen, rural workers and artisans. Besides these, other minorities such as Jews, proven present since the beginning of the 16th century, and slaves, oriented towards rural and domestic work, constituted the island's first inhabitants.