James Armistead Lafayette 1748-1830

1. James Armistead Lafayette1748-1830 By: Ben Baker-Katz

2. Introduction • When we think of “Our Founding Fathers” we think of George Washington, Sam Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. When we think of papers that were written by to help us win our independence, we think about the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence. We don’t think about a slave from a plantation in Virginia spying for the Americans. We don’t think about little fake battle plans by the Americans, given to the British by this man. His name, James Armistead.

3. BeforeHe Joined theWar • No one knows the exact day, but James Armistead was born in 1748 • James asked his master if he could join the Americans. • His master said yes and told him to hurry up, they were about to lose the war. • General Lafayette was running out of men, food supplies. • Lafayette thought of a new way, kind of like Billy Beane, to beat the British. He should out smart them in stead of over powering them.

4. Preparing for Battle • James showed up at General Cornwallis’ (a British general) camp. • Cornwallis tells James he can be his slave. • British were treating he like a slave even thought they said they would free him if they won. • Cornwallis asks James about… spying.

5. War!!! • Cornwallis asks James to be his spy. • James came back to the Americans camp telling them the good news. • James became a double agent for the Americans. • James can get away with anything at the British camp because he is “helping” them win the war.

6. End of the War • James stole battle plans from the British and gave them to Lafayette. • Lafayette surrounded the British at Yorktown. • The Americans shot cannons at the British until… • The British surrendered at Yorktown. Yorktown pretty much won the war for the Americans.

7. Happy Ever After • James went back to being a slave. A law said if you fought you became free but James didn’t fight, he spied. • Lafayette visited America and when he found his beloved spy still a slave he wrote a letter recommending James’ freedom. • James was freed and given $100, plus $40 a year for the rest of his life. He bought a farm 40 miles south of his old plantation, married, raised a large family, and farmed. • In honor of the man who set him free, James added Lafayette as a last name. • He died a free man on his farm in 1830.

8. Pictures General Lafayette General Cornwallis

9. Conclusion James Armistead was brave, motivated, and loyal. He died having made sure his dream, of everyone equal, come half free. He said, “If I die a young, I want to die free.”

10. Bibliography • Biography.com • Teen Historical Fiction.com • Youtube.com • Our Founding Fathers.com • Tripod.com • Time.com