James Lafayette

Born into slavery

Dec 10, 1760

James was born into slavery under William Armistead in virgina

Joining the Fight

1778

James decides to join the revolutionary to fight for Americas freedom and for his own.

Undercover

1780

Lafayette decided that James would be best used as a spy. James would pose as a runaway slave who wanted to fight for the British.

Succses

1780

James successfully infiltrated General Cornwallis headquarters He later returned north with turncoat soldier Benedict Arnold, and learned further details of British operations without being detected. Able to travel freely between both British and American camps Armistead could easily relay information to Lafayette about British plans.

British Surrender

1781

Using the details of Armistead's report Lafayette and General George Washington were able to prevent the British from sending 10,000 reinforcements to Yorktown Virginia. Many historians say that if it wasn't for james they would have never been able to stop the British at Yorktown.

Back Home

1783

After the battle of Yorktown James headed home to find out that he didn't qualify for emancipation because he was considered a slave spy and had to petition the Virginia legislature for his emancipation.

Help form a friend

1787

One day Lafayette was was doing a tour of all 24 states and when he was visiting George Washington's grave he saw James in the crowd and had his carriage stopped. When he asked James how he was doing james told him that he was still a slave and Lafayette got angry and wrote a recommendation for James's freedom and the court accepted. When they asked what James wanted his new last name to be he said Lafayette

Aftermath

1818

After receiving his freedom he moved nine miles south of New Kent bought 40 acres of land and began farming. He later married, raised a large family and was granted a $40 annual pension by the Virginia legislature for his services during the American Revolution. He lived as a farmer in Virginia until his death on August 9 1830.