Fort Mose: A Legacy

In this special section, we will pay tribute to African-Americans who have left their distinctive mark on the city of Jacksonville. Jacksonville is filled with a wealth of history relevant to the African-American experience. Read carefully, Research and Share the Knowledge.

Fort Mose: A Legacy That Can Not Be Ignored
by Ebony Clark

The lineage of the African people is accompanied by figures and events that together make up a colorful mosaic of struggle and memories that are-- Us. Amongst this plethora of history that we possess are centuries of culture and unknown inhabitance that has been hidden and that is being revealed piece by piece. Such is the case of the Fracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose of St. Augustine, Florida which also bares the name—Fort Mose. Fort Mose is but a fragment and poignant piece of, not just the African’s history in America, but also American history as a whole in Florida. Fort Mose was the first legally free African community to exist in the United States.

The late and exceptionally gifted author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, also a resident of Florida, wrote about an account of the Black settlement in the October 1927 Negro Journal. Zora’s interest in Fort Mose would inevitably suit her because she also resided in one of the first fully Black operated communities of Eatonville, Florida. Just as Zora extracted truths from the lives and surroundings of the people in Eatonville, Florida, Dr. Kathleen Deagan led archeological digs in the 1980’s assisted by everyday people to discover the second Fort Mose sight. Within these quests for artifacts and anything relating to the history of the Fort, the workers discovered a possible sight of the home of Captain Fransisco Menendez. This lead came from a book by author Jane Landers entitle, “Black Society in Spanish Florida “, in which there was a map showing the homes of many black people in colonial St. Augustine. When the members of the Fort Mose Historical Society discovered this information they immediately went to work as self-made archeologists along with other professionals in order to bring forth the legacy of Fort Mose.

When we think of the development of North America, Jamestown or Plymouth Rock most often comes to mind. Contrary to popular belief, it was the Spaniards whom established St. Augustine in 1565. Another fact is that the first Africans to arrive in North America came, not chained, waiting to face the oppression by a people who had no earthly understanding of their unlimited capabilities, but with Spanish Conquistadors and Adelantados, as artisans, seamen and navigators, living in harmony with others such as the Native American people. Like the entire continent of North America, the Africans helped to maintain and build the settlement, some as free persons and others –slaves. Around 1672, the Spanish became aware of coquina regional tensions and began constructing a fortress under the instruction of Governor Cendoya, Florida’s Governor and Queen Regent Mariana of Spain. Fifteen years after the construction of the fortress, 11 Africans arrived in St. Augustine from Charles Town, Carolina asking for asylum. Governor Cendoya was receptive to their plea along with the King of Spain Carlos II whom also encouraged the Africans to challenge the slavery system in the Carolinas.

A thriving force in the effort to secure the Fort from infiltration of the English, Francisco Menendez became Captain of the Black Militia after arriving in St. Augustine in 1724. Francisco was born in the Mandinka area of Africa, which could possibly account for his knowledge of military type tactics. Four years later Menendez helped to defend Northern Florida against attacks by English and Native Americans. Due to Francisco Menendez’s dedication, success, and request for freedom, the Fort Governor Manuel Montiano granted lands two miles north of St. Augustine to Africans formerly enslaved in the Carolina’s if they vowed to “shed their last blood in defense of the Spanish Crown” and also to convert to Catholicism. Unfortunately, in June 1740 Fort Mose along with St.Augustine were attacked by General James Oglethorpe of Georgia. As a result most of their settlement was destroyed. To their advantage the Africans moved to St. Augustine where the second Fort Mose sight was built until they moved to Cuba with the Spanish Colonist in 1763. This move is most likely what accounts for the rich African tradition and heritage that is kept alive amongst the Blacks in Cuba today that we hear so much about. The story of Fort Mose makes it evident that knowledge of one’s past is the key to him learning about his present state and future. Much credit and respect is due to Blacksonville.com for their passion and dedication in educating Black Folks in Florida of their rich history. However, a word from the wise: Outside forces can only enlighten to a certain extent, one’s completion comes from within. Now it becomes necessary to take the challenge of continuing to learn about ourselves for ourselves.

Ebony Clark is a contributing writer of Blacksonville.com. If you have any questions or comments, please email ebony@blacksonville.com

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