Building Community

Before slavery took hold in Florida, free Black residents of St. Augustine lived in tight-knit communities, many tracing their roots to Fort Mose. Though some were slaves, many Blacks under Spanish rule owned land, worked as farmers, craftsmen, and soldiers, and enjoyed legal protections, including the right to marry and worship freely. However, in 1821, Florida became a U.S. territory and instituted slavery, stripping Black residents of their rights. Building community was essential to preserving dignity, culture, and collective strength in the face of racial prejudice that carried on after emancipation.