James Armistead Lafayette, African American Spy

The portrait “James Armistead Lafayette, (1748-1830)” by John B. Martin was completed circa 1824. It’s owned by the Valentine in Richmond, Virginia.

Ken Daigler. “James Lafayette (James Armistead), American Spy,” Journal of American Revolution, 26 September 2017 (accessed 31 August 2020)

The village of Great Bridge was the site of an early Revolutionary War battle that resulted in British Lord Dumnore’s removal from Virginia. In 1781, an enslaved man, James, gained permission from his owner William Armistead of New Kent County, Virginia to work for French General Marquis de Lafayette who was headquartered in that county.  Lafayette used James as a spy. He had him pose as a runaway slave and sent him to General Benedict Arnold’s camp. Having gained Arnold’s trust, the turncoat had James lead British troops through roads in the area. James reported these activities to the colonies’ French ally. When Arnold moved north, James continued his work in the camp of British Lord Cornwallis and other British camps. He established himself as a waiter and listened in on conversations about strategy and logistic. He documented his findings in written reports that were delivered to General Lafayette. His espionage resulted in American victory at Yorktown. In 1784 Lafayette petitioned the Virginia General Assembly for James’ freedom. It was granted two years later. and he took the name James Armistead Lafayette.

“James Armistead Lafayette — Virginia Trailblazers”
(6:09) Library of Virginia, March 10, 2009

“African American Soldiers in the Continental Army”
(2:55) Museum of the American Revolution, January 28, 2016

Benjamin Quarles. The Negro in the American Revolution. New York W.W. Norton & Company, 1961

____________. The Negro in the Making of America. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987

National Register of Historic Places — Great Bridge Battle Archaeological Site — #131-0023