Fort Mose, 1738: first legally established free African town (north of St. Augustine, 1738–1763)
Record: the document says itPattern: documents line upLens: our readingOpen: not yet proven
Year: 1738 · Places: Florida, Carolinas, Oklahoma & the Five Tribes, Caribbean, Europe, Africa
SUMMARYFort Mose, 1738: first legally established free African town (north of St. Augustine, 1738–1763) [Connections: Five Tribes, Florida & maroons, Nov 5, 2026]
RECORDNPS: Governor Manuel de Montiano granted the land in 1738; Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose was "the first legally-established free African settlement in North America," with 38 men and families, "about one hundred people"; Captain Francisco Menéndez, formerly enslaved by the British, was an African veteran of the 1715 Yamasee War. A 1693 decree of Charles II offered freedom ("giving liberty to all") to those who converted and served Spain. Fort Mose Historical Society says freedom seekers were helped south by Native peoples and that residents left for Cuba in 1763
PATTERNMenéndez fought in the Yamasee War, which was a Native war against the Carolina colony; Native help was the route south
LENS (WW9)the road to Mose ran through Native country, with Native hands
OPENNative residents or marriages at Mose; Menéndez's role with Yamasee forces: needs deep research (Jane Landers' work)
SOURCENPS, "African Americans in St. Augustine 1565-1821"; Fort Mose Historical Society.