In November of 1784, Marquis de Lafayette granted Armistead his freedom for serving as a spy during the siege of Yorktown. To honor the general, James chose the name Armistead for his middle name and Lafayette for his last name.
Essential Facts
Enslaved to William Armistead in Virginia during the American Revolution
Worked as the first African American double spy when he volunteered to join the army
Granted a $40 annual pension for his services in the American Revolutionary War
