James Armistead Lafayette
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About
Famous as a Revolutionary War-era spy for the Continental Army, this African-American man kept the Marquis de Lafayette informed about the activities of American traitor Benedict Arnold and British commander Lord Cornwallis.
Before Fame
In the early 1780s, while still a slave, he secured the permission of his master and joined the Continental Army.
Trivia
Upon securing his freedom from slavery in 1787, he changed his surname to Lafayette to honor the Marquis de Lafayette.
Family Life
Born in Virginia, he spent his early years under the ownership of future House of Delegates member William Armistead.
Associated With
He and Nathan Hale were both Revolutionary War-era spies.
