Saint Augustine, Florida
Archaeology, Culture, History, Historical Society, Military, Park
Fort Mose is the site of the first legally sanctioned free African American community. In 1693 King Charles II of Spain issued a royal proclamation offering freedom to all male and female slaves in exchange for their conversion to the Catholic religion and service to the Crown. By 1738 more than 100 African fugitives had made their way to Saint Augustine, the Fort and the community of Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose were established by the Spanish government to provide protection to the Northern side of the Castillo de San Marcos.