Ceramic Mug 15oz (Fort Mose)

Fort Mose holds a significant place in history as the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what would become the United States12. It was established in 1738 by the Spanish governor of Florida.

The fort was a destination for African people escaping enslavement in the British colonies, particularly the Carolinas34. The Spanish offered these freedom seekers asylum, but in exchange, they had to convert to Catholicism and, for men, serve a term in the military3. This offer was unique and marked one of the New World’s earliest emancipation proclamations.

By 1738, over 100 freedom seekers had achieved asylum, and a fortified town named Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose was constructed on St. Augustine’s northernmost border3. The town, known as Fort Mose, was led by a formerly enslaved African, Captain Francisco Menéndez3. The free black militia of Fort Mose played a crucial role in protecting St. Augustine.

However, when Spain ceded all of La Florida to England in 1763, the citizens of Fort Mose faced the threat of re-enslavement. They abandoned the fort and sought safety in Spanish Cuba3. Over the years, the Fort Mose site was swallowed by marsh, and the important legacy of its community was largely forgotten3. It was only in the late twentieth century that a dedicated team of archaeologists, historians, government leaders, and committed citizens helped restore Fort Mose to its rightful place of honor.

Today, Fort Mose is recognized as a significant local, national, and international historic landmark3. It stands as a testament to the courage and resilience of those who risked everything for freedom, and it offers a crucial insight into the complex history of slavery, resistance, and emancipation in the United States.