In 1693 Spain offers freedom to the slaves who convert to Catholicism. These freed slaves establish a community northeast of St Augustine in 1738 and live there until 1763. Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, or Fort Mose, becomes the first free Black town in the U.S.
Timeline Stories
Black People help found St Augustine, FL
Public Domain – Rare Book and Special Collections Division/Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Black people, both slave and free, help to found this oldest town in the United States. In 1693 Spain offers freedom to the slaves who convert to Catholicism. Until 1763, these freed slaves live in a community northeast of St. Augustine. Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, or Fort Mose, established in 1738, thus becomes the first free Black town in the U.S.