This book tells the story of Fort Mose and the people who lived there. It challenges the notion of the American black colonial experience as only that of slavery, offering instead a richer and more balanced view of the black experience in the Spanish colonies from the arrival of Columbus to the American Revolution.
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More than 200 years ago African-born slaves risked their lives to escape from a South Carolina plantation, searching for Florida Spaniards who could give them freedom via an underground railroad. This considers the Spanish fort which provided sanctuary for over 200 African fugitives, telling of Fort Mose and the people who lived there. -- Midwest Book Review
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"An excellent publication. . . . In clear and simple language the authors show how the people of Fort Mose were instrumental in shaping Spanish international policy on slavery and providing inspiration for slaves throughout the New World. . . . [This] work demonstrates the many types of resistance to slavery that occurred long before its abolition."--Mark R. Barnes, Senior Archaeologist, National Park Service
"Deagan and MacMahon skillfully weave together the historical context of African American settlement in Spanish Florida, the discovery and investigation of the archaeological remains of Fort Mose, the modern political context of the site, and the research and interpretation of evidence from many fields in the sciences and humanities. This is archaeology as it should be--a broad inquiry into the past that lets us reassess and improve our understanding of ourselves and others."--James J. Miller, State Archaeologist of Florida
More than 250 years ago, African-born slaves risked their lives to escape from slavery on English plantations in South Carolina. Hearing that the Spaniards in Florida promised religious sanctuary, the courageous Africans and their Indian allies created the first American underground railroad, a century before the northbound railroad of the Civil War. Battling slave catchers and dangerous swamps, the fugitives made their way south to St. Augustine, Florida, where the Spanish freed them in return for service to the Spanish king and conversion to Catholicism.
In 1738, after more than 100 African fugitives had arrived, the Spanish established the fort and town of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, the first legally sanctioned free black community in what is now the United States.
Because of a rise in sea level and changes in the surrounding creeks and marshes, the original fort has long been submerged. The second fort, constructed in 1752 and occupied for twelve years, was destroyed in 1812. Today the site of Fort Mose is a major point on the Florida Black Heritage Trail and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
This book tells the story of Fort Mose and the people who lived there. It challenges the notion of the American black colonial experience as only that of slavery, offering instead a richer and more balanced view of the black experience in the Spanish colonies from the arrival of Columbus to the American Revolution.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fort Mose...a prtion of history,
This review is from: Fort Mose: Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom (Paperback)
I loved this book. It gave you an excellent look into Fort Mose and it's people; especially the African citizens (free or not) of the famous fort. It goes through the forts construction, to its abandonments and rediscovery. Yes, I did wish the book was more fleshy, but as a historian I know it is difficult to get the amount of information on personal lives and individuals and I commend the editors of this book. I sincerily hope there will be a follow up of this book, as it is an important addition to not only North American History and Florida (& Spanish Florida) history; but for Black History. I found this book by mistake, and enjoyed it a great deal!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fort Mose: Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom,
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This review is from: Fort Mose: Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom (Paperback)
Fort Mose: Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom
Excellent book about a little known African American fort near St. Augustine, Florida. School age children, among others, need to know about the legacy of African Americans in early Florida history,and indeed, US history. This book is a great contribution to that end.
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