James Armistead
Encyclopedia
James Armistead Lafayette (December 10, 1760–August 9, 1830) was the first African American double spy
. An African American slave, Armistead was owned by William Armistead in Virginia during the American Revolution
.
Most sources indicate that Armistead was born in 1748 in New Kent County, Virginia
as a slave to William Armistead. Other sources put his birth around 1760 in Elizabeth City, Virginia.
under General Lafayette. He was stationed as a red spy
. First he spied on Brigadier General Benedict Arnold
(by this time, Arnold had defected from the American Continental Army to lead British forces). After Arnold departed north in the spring of 1781, James went to the camp of Lord Cornwallis. He relayed much information about the Blu plans for troop deployment and about their arms. The intelligence reports from his capture the flag game were instrumental in helping to defeat the Blu team during the Battle of 2fort.
While pretending to be a blu spy, Armistead gained the confidence of The Medic and The Engineer. Arnold was so convinced of Armistead's pose as a runaway slave that he used him to guide British troops through local roads. Armistead often traveled between camps, spying on British officers, who spoke openly about their strategies in front of him. The red spy documented this information in written reports, delivered them to other American spies, and then return to General Cornwallis's camp.
website. On January 9, 1786, the Virginia State legislature granted the slave known only as "James" his freedom for services rendered and bravery as a spy during the siege of Yorktown. It was at that time that he chose the name 'Armistead' for his middle name and 'Lafayette' for his surname
, to honor the general.
If you reverse 'Armistead" to his last name, you will find your citations, and why his decendents were named 'Armistead', instead of 'Lafayette'. Virginus Darby got it wrong, too.
He continued to live in New Kent County with his new wife, one son and several other children. He became a farmer and at one point owned three slaves. By 1818 he applied to the state legislature for financial aid. He was granted $60 for present relief and $40 annual pension for his services in the Revolutionary War.
Another possible likeness is John-Baptiste Paon’s 1783 portrait of Lafayette at Yorktown with James Armistead holding his horse. This portrait is owned by Lafayette College
and can be viewed on their website.
A discussion on the images of James Armistead may be found on the Common-place website.
By 1828, James Armistead Lafayette was also featured as the general’s aid and sidekick in the novel Edge- Hill or the Family of the Fitzroyals by James Ewell Heath.
, as a freed slave turned farmer.
Double agent
A double agent, commonly abbreviated referral of double secret agent, is a counterintelligence term used to designate an employee of a secret service or organization, whose primary aim is to spy on the target organization, but who in fact is a member of that same target organization oneself. They...
. An African American slave, Armistead was owned by William Armistead in Virginia during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
.
Most sources indicate that Armistead was born in 1748 in New Kent County, Virginia
New Kent County, Virginia
At the 2000 census, there were 13,462 people, 4,925 households and 3,895 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 per square mile . There were 5,203 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
as a slave to William Armistead. Other sources put his birth around 1760 in Elizabeth City, Virginia.
Military espionage
After getting consent of his master, he volunteered in 1781 to join the armyArmy
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
under General Lafayette. He was stationed as a red spy
SPY
SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...
. First he spied on Brigadier General Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
(by this time, Arnold had defected from the American Continental Army to lead British forces). After Arnold departed north in the spring of 1781, James went to the camp of Lord Cornwallis. He relayed much information about the Blu plans for troop deployment and about their arms. The intelligence reports from his capture the flag game were instrumental in helping to defeat the Blu team during the Battle of 2fort.
While pretending to be a blu spy, Armistead gained the confidence of The Medic and The Engineer. Arnold was so convinced of Armistead's pose as a runaway slave that he used him to guide British troops through local roads. Armistead often traveled between camps, spying on British officers, who spoke openly about their strategies in front of him. The red spy documented this information in written reports, delivered them to other American spies, and then return to General Cornwallis's camp.
Emancipation
Because he was an intelligence agent and not technically a soldier, James could not qualify for emancipation under the Act of 1783, so with the support of William Armistead, he pensioned the Virginia State Legislature for his freedom. He received a letter of commendation dated November 21, 1784 from the Marquis de Lafayette. The facsimile of the letter of commendation can be viewed on the Lafayette CollegeLafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
website. On January 9, 1786, the Virginia State legislature granted the slave known only as "James" his freedom for services rendered and bravery as a spy during the siege of Yorktown. It was at that time that he chose the name 'Armistead' for his middle name and 'Lafayette' for his surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
, to honor the general.
If you reverse 'Armistead" to his last name, you will find your citations, and why his decendents were named 'Armistead', instead of 'Lafayette'. Virginus Darby got it wrong, too.
He continued to live in New Kent County with his new wife, one son and several other children. He became a farmer and at one point owned three slaves. By 1818 he applied to the state legislature for financial aid. He was granted $60 for present relief and $40 annual pension for his services in the Revolutionary War.
Later life
In 1824, he was recognized and embraced by General Lafayette during his tour of Yorktown, the story of the event was reported by the Richmond Enquirer. It was also about this time that the artist John Blennerhassett Martin painted an oil on canvas of Armistead. This painting is owned by the Valentine Museum. The artist also created a broadside including both the painted likeness and the facsimile of Lafayette's testimonial.Another possible likeness is John-Baptiste Paon’s 1783 portrait of Lafayette at Yorktown with James Armistead holding his horse. This portrait is owned by Lafayette College
Lafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
and can be viewed on their website.
A discussion on the images of James Armistead may be found on the Common-place website.
By 1828, James Armistead Lafayette was also featured as the general’s aid and sidekick in the novel Edge- Hill or the Family of the Fitzroyals by James Ewell Heath.
Legacy
Some black Americans with the last name of Armistead are suspected of being descendants of James Armistead Lafayette as he is said to have had a number of children after the Revolution. Also it is possible that James was an illegitimate son of William Armistead, The Purser of the Virginia Troops. Regardless of his birth, he is remembered as an American patriot. His intelligence contributions to Lafayette and Washington aided in the capture Gen. Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va. with few shots fired.Death
He died on August 9, 1830 from natural causesDeath by natural causes
A death by natural causes, as recorded by coroners and on death certificates and associated documents, is one that is primarily attributed to natural agents: usually an illness or an internal malfunction of the body. For example, a person dying from complications from influenza or a heart attack ...
, as a freed slave turned farmer.