Francisco Menendez (creole)
Encyclopedia
Francisco Menendez was a free black military leader serving the Spanish Crown
in 18th century St. Augustine
, Florida
. He is first traceable as a slave in South Carolina
who, like many of his contemporaries, escaped to St. Augustine, Florida. In Florida he was granted his freedom as a subject to the King of Spain and was appointed the head of the black militia
based at Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose. From this base Menendez led several raids on South Carolina.
In 1740, the British army marched into Florida
and overran Fort Mose but days later Spanish and Fort Mose militia members defeated the British
and prevented further invasion. Fort Mose was destroyed during this bloody battle.
Menendez took to the seas on a Spanish ship to raid English vessels. During this time he was captured by the English and sold into slavery. He was then ransomed and returned to Florida. After his return to Florida he was asked to rebuild Fort Mose. The community remained until the British took control of Florida in 1763 and Menendez evacuated with the Fort Mose community to Cuba
. There he established a similar community called St. Augustine of the New Florida.
Fort Mose, of which Menendez was the leader, is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark, and the site is owned by the Florida Park Service, thanks to the indefatigable efforts of civil rights leader Henry Twine, Rev. F. D. Richardson, and State Rep. Bill Clark. The Fort Mose Historical Society has worked since 1995 to make the site accessible to the public and widely known as the first legally sanctioned free community of ex-slaves, and the original focal point of the first Underground Railroad.
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
in 18th century St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
, Florida
Spanish Florida
Spanish Florida refers to the Spanish territory of Florida, which formed part of the Captaincy General of Cuba, the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and the Spanish Empire. Originally extending over what is now the southeastern United States, but with no defined boundaries, la Florida was a component of...
. He is first traceable as a slave in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
who, like many of his contemporaries, escaped to St. Augustine, Florida. In Florida he was granted his freedom as a subject to the King of Spain and was appointed the head of the black militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
based at Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose. From this base Menendez led several raids on South Carolina.
In 1740, the British army marched into Florida
War of Jenkins' Ear
The War of Jenkins' Ear was a conflict between Great Britain and Spain that lasted from 1739 to 1748, with major operations largely ended by 1742. Its unusual name, coined by Thomas Carlyle in 1858, relates to Robert Jenkins, captain of a British merchant ship, who exhibited his severed ear in...
and overran Fort Mose but days later Spanish and Fort Mose militia members defeated the British
Siege of Fort Mose
The siege of Fort Mose was a significant action of the War of Jenkins’ Ear which took place on June 26 of 1740. A Spanish column of 300 regular troops, free black militia and Indian auxiliaries commanded by Captain Antonio Salgado stormed the strategically crucial position of Fort Mose, occupied by...
and prevented further invasion. Fort Mose was destroyed during this bloody battle.
Menendez took to the seas on a Spanish ship to raid English vessels. During this time he was captured by the English and sold into slavery. He was then ransomed and returned to Florida. After his return to Florida he was asked to rebuild Fort Mose. The community remained until the British took control of Florida in 1763 and Menendez evacuated with the Fort Mose community to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. There he established a similar community called St. Augustine of the New Florida.
Fort Mose, of which Menendez was the leader, is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark, and the site is owned by the Florida Park Service, thanks to the indefatigable efforts of civil rights leader Henry Twine, Rev. F. D. Richardson, and State Rep. Bill Clark. The Fort Mose Historical Society has worked since 1995 to make the site accessible to the public and widely known as the first legally sanctioned free community of ex-slaves, and the original focal point of the first Underground Railroad.
Sources
- Berlin, Ira. Many Thousands Gone: The First Two Centuries of Slavery in North America. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1998. p. 74-75.
- Deagan, Kathleen, Fort Mose: Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom. Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida, 1995.
- Landers, Jane, Black Society in Spanish Florida. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1999.