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Born
Armistead was born on December 10, 1760, he was also was born in New Kent, Virginia, as a slave to William Armistead. -
start of American revolution
James Armistead volunteered to join the U.S. Army to fight for the American Revolution. His master permitted him to join the revolutionary cause, and the American Continental Army stationed Armistead to serve under the Marquis de Lafayette, the commander of allied French forces. -
Valuable Reports to the Americans
In the summer of 1781, General George Washington sent a message to General Lafayette, instructing him to keep his forces strong and to inform him of Cornwallis’s equipment, military personnel, and future strategies. Lafayette sent several spies to infiltrate Cornwallis’s camp, yet none proved able to produce valuable information for him until he received Armistead’s reports dated July 31, 1781. -
Victory at yorktown
Lafayette and Washington's victory in Yorktown, the British officially surrendered despite his critical actions, Armistead returned to William Armistead after the war to continue his life as a slave -
Emancipation
James Armistead received an emancipation with General Lafayette's help and made his last name after the general to honor him -
Life after emancipation
After the emancipation, James started to grow land and started farming -
Marriage
James Armistead was later married and raised a large family and was granted $40 annual pension by the Virginia legislature for his services during the American Revolution. He lived as a farmer in Virginia until his death -
DEATH
James Armistead Lafayette died at the age of 70 on August 9, 1830