Stuff You Missed in History Class

Episode: Francisco Menéndez & Fort Mose

Hosts: Tracy B. Wilson & Holly Fry
Date: February 25, 2026

Overview

This episode explores the remarkable and often-overlooked story of Fort Mose—the first officially sanctioned settlement for free Black people in what is today the United States, established outside St. Augustine, Florida, in the Spanish colonial era. The episode focuses on how enslaved Africans escaped from English colonies to Spanish Florida, the evolution of Spanish policy around freedom and manumission, the life and leadership of Captain Francisco Menéndez, and the eventual fate of Fort Mose and its people. Holly and Tracy discuss the shifting colonial alliances, racial policies, key figures, and the significance of Fort Mose for Black and multicultural history in America.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escaping Slavery: Beyond the North

• Tracy sets the stage by contrasting familiar stories of the Underground Railroad to Canada with lesser-known escapes to Mexico and, crucially, Florida.

  "I am not sure, though, whether we have ever talked about the period in which people were escaping to Florida. At the time, Florida was Spanish territory and slavery had not been abolished there." (02:47)

• Spanish Florida, despite permitting slavery, provided a distinct legal context, allowing some pathways to manumission and citizenship.

2. Spain’s Colonial Legacy and Policies

• Holly contextualizes St. Augustine as the oldest continuously occupied city from the colonial era—older than Jamestown—and acknowledges indigenous settlements predating both. (04:24)

• Spanish colonial society permitted manumission; enslaved people could sometimes buy their freedom and had limited rights.

  "Spanish law also recognized some limited rights and protections for enslaved people, including the right to own property and earn money, which made it somewhat easier for people to purchase their own freedom..." (06:05)

• The result: Florida, like some other Spanish colonies, had a relatively large population of free Black people, even in the 16th century. (06:44)

3. Geopolitics, Migration, and the Birth of Fort Mose

• Conflict between England and Spain over territory (especially around Florida and Carolina) helped create opportunities for enslaved people to escape. (07:38)
• From the 1680s, self-liberated Africans began reaching St. Augustine. Spanish authorities allowed converts to Catholicism to remain free and employed—initially on a case-by-case basis.
• In 1693, King Carlos II made it official policy: anyone fleeing English colonies who converted to Catholicism would be given liberty.

  "The reason Carlos gave for this was, quote, so that by their example and by my liberality, Others will do the same. But he was not in any way advocating for abolition, and his motivations Were more pragmatic than humanitarian." (18:18)

4. The Foundation and Structure of Fort Mose (1738)

• As the free Black population grew, Spanish authorities established Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose—Fort Mose—just north of St. Augustine, as a free Black settlement and line of defense.

  "This was the first officially sanctioned free black settlement in north america." (19:20)

• Fort Mose was diverse: residents included freed and enslaved Africans, indigenous people, Europeans who married into the community, and their children. (20:32)

• Although nominally a move toward freedom, this was also driven by segregation and military strategy.

5. The Story of Captain Francisco Menéndez

• Francisco Menéndez, a Mandinga (Mande) from West Africa, survived enslavement, escaped Carolina, and became the celebrated leader of Fort Mose’s militia.

  "He was Mandinga, that's a Mande speaking ethnic group from West Africa. He was probably born somewhere in the Gambia river region..." (21:04)

• His leadership and repeated petitions for freedom underscore the tenuous position of even “free” Black people in Spanish territory, as bureaucracy and exploitative policies persisted. (23:49)

6. Fort Mose’s Role in War and Resistance

• The fort’s militia fought to defend Spanish Florida, notably in 1740 when the British laid siege to St. Augustine.

• The “Bloody Mose” attack (June 26, 1740) was a pivotal battle in which Menéndez led a successful surprise attack to recapture the fort from British forces, despite high danger.

  "More than half of the 170 British occupiers and their allies were either killed or captured, while only 10 people were killed and 20 wounded on the Spanish side, and this battle was nicknamed Bloody Mose." (33:04)

• Fort Mose likely served as a destination for those fleeing in the Stono Rebellion—one of the most significant slave uprisings in colonial British America. (26:00)

7. Decline, Legacy, and Rediscovery of Fort Mose

• After Spain ceded Florida to Britain in 1763 (Treaty of Paris), Fort Mose’s Black population was relocated to Cuba, where records of them mostly disappear. (37:35)
• Florida’s return to Spain in 1783 temporarily revived the policy of granting freedom to escaped slaves—until 1790, when Spain, pressured by the US, reversed course. (39:01)
• Later, many people sought refuge in Seminole territory, with the emergence of the Black Seminoles. (40:33)
• Fort Mose’s ruins were rediscovered in the 20th century and are now a state park and National Historic Landmark, acknowledged for its importance on the Black Heritage Trail and Gullah Geechee Corridor.

  "Fort Mose was named a National historic landmark in 1995, and it is now part of Florida's Black Heritage Trail. A recreation of the 1738 fort was built there just last year." (43:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Spain’s Policy:
  "The reason Carlos gave for this was, quote, so that by their example and by my liberality, Others will do the same. But he was not in any way advocating for abolition, and his motivations Were more pragmatic than humanitarian." — Holly Fry (18:18)

• On Complexity of 'Freedom':
  "We have not really spelled this out, But Spain's offer of freedom came with a lot of conditions. People who escaped to Florida were not considered enslaved anymore, but for men, that militia service was mandatory." — Tracy B. Wilson (34:42)

• On the Battle of Bloody Mose:
  "More than half of the 170 British occupiers and their allies were either killed or captured, while only 10 people were killed and 20 wounded on the Spanish side, and this battle was nicknamed Bloody Mose." — Holly Fry (33:04)

• On Rediscovery:
  "Fort Mose was named a National historic landmark in 1995, and it is now part of Florida's Black Heritage Trail..." — Tracy B. Wilson (43:26)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction to Escapes to Florida – 02:47
• Spanish Colonial System & Laws – 06:05
• First documented self-liberated escapees to Florida – 09:24
• 1693 Spanish Decree on Freedom – 17:44
• Establishment of Fort Mose – 19:20
• Life and petitions of Francisco Menéndez – 21:04, 23:49
• “Bloody Mose” battle – 33:04
• Relocation to Cuba & loss in historical record – 37:35
• End of Spanish sanctuary policy (1790) – 39:01
• Archaeology and rediscovery, modern commemoration – 43:26
• Fort Mose’s place in the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor – 44:03

Tone & Language

• Conversational, detailed, and educational, with interjections of humor and personal asides, especially in discussion of cats (“I want to read that. Thank you so much for this picture and for giving such great names to these cats...”—Tracy, 45:45).
• The hosts reiterate nuanced points about freedom and oppression without romanticizing or glossing over complexities.

Summary

This episode sheds light on a neglected chapter of American history, where enslaved Africans found a measure of freedom—and built a diverse, resilient community—amidst the rivalries and shifting policies of Spanish and British colonial powers. Francisco Menéndez emerges as a powerful figure who, along with many others, navigated uncertain liberty and risk for the hope of true autonomy. Fort Mose’s survival, rediscovery, and present-day recognition invite listeners to reflect on the layered history of freedom, race, and resistance well before the official abolition of slavery in the United States.