Slave, spy, young nation’s hero, and featured in a new play.

James Armistead is famous throughout the history of America as he was the very first African American double spy, a slave himself, and carried out his espionage activity during the period of slavery in America.

While many would not have heard of James Armistead, he played a small but very important part in helping the Americans achieve success in the American Revolutionary War. This was an important and pivotal move, helping America gain independence from Britain by the end of the war

This Sunday, July 26th at 4pm in the Lecture Hall of The American Theatre, JuneteenthVA-SB,Ink, proudly presents a staged reading of the original play Army of 1: James Armistead Lafayette; The story of slave turned spy and national hero. Admission is free.

Join the conversation this Sunday afternoon as we entertain, challenge and encourage you to share your own thoughts and ideas about James Armistead, the history he made, and his lasting legacy.

Did you know? Fast facts about James Armistead Lafayette:

• He was a slave to William Armistead. As a slave he was not free to join the Continental Army; however with his masters consent Armistead was able to enlist in the army.
• He served as a spy under the famous French General the Marquis de Lafayette who fought for the Americans.
• He posed as a runaway slave and obtained work for the British gathering supplies. He eventually gained the trust of the British and was able to get recruited as a spy which enabled him to act as a double-agent.
• Armistead successfully gained access to the headquarters of British General Charles Cornwallis where he was able to obtain important information about British plans which he was able to pass along to General Lafayette.
• He spied on General Benedict Arnold after Arnold became a traitor and joined the British Army. He gained the traitors trust to the extent that he was present when crucial military information was being discussed.
• James Armistead Lafayette supplied crucial information to Generals Lafayette and George Washington that helped the Continental win the Battle of Yorktown; the battle that insured America's victory in the Revolutionary War.
• Despite his service to his country he was returned to slavery at the end of the American Revolutionary War. Although many slaves who served as soldiers were given their freedom after the war he was not.
• In 1784 French General the Marquis de Lafayette wrote a certificate of commendation of James Armistead Lafayette.
• James Armistead finally won his freedom in 1787 largely due to a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette who requested his freedom. To show his appreciation James Armistead adopted the surname Lafayette to make his full name James Armistead Lafayette.
• After obtaining his freedom he purchased a large farm in Virginia got married and started a family.
• The Virginia legislature eventually granted James Armistead Lafayette a forty dollar annual pension for his service to his country.
• The famous French General the Marquis de Lafayette, who helped America win its independence, returned to the United States in 1824 and was greeted by thousands of cheering people as he toured the states. In Virginia he spotted James Armistead Lafayette in the crowd and jumped from his carriage to embrace him.
• James Armistead Lafayette died on August 9th of 1830

A staged reading of the original play, Army of 1: James Armistead Lafayette; The story of slave turned spy and national hero. Sunday, July 26th at 4pm in the Lecture Hall of The American Theatre, presented by JuneteenthVA-SB,Ink. Admission is free.

Learn more about James Armistead Lafayette by clicking here.