Who Was James Armistead?

James Armistead was known as a patriot in the American Revolution. He was born into slavery in 1760 in Virginia.

While working as a slave in Virginia, he asked permission from his slave master to enlist in General Marquis de Lafayette, who was part of George Washington's army. He was granted permission and became a spy under General Marquis de Lafayette. He was asked to spy on General Cornwallis and his army in Yorktown, Virginia.

While working as a spy, James Armistead posed to be working as a labourer and was quickly hired by Cornwallis' army. After earning the trust of Cornwallis, James Armistead worked as a double agent for awhile between both armies. He provided critical information to both sides. He work ultimately lead to the end of the American Revolution when he offered information to Lafaytte about Cornwallis.

After the Revolution, he was granted freedom and spent his remaining days as a farmer in Virginia. He died in 1830.