Part of a series of articles titled 12 Soldiers of the Revolution.
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James Lafayette: A Legacy of Courage and Espionage
James Lafayette, an enslaved black American, was an American double agent and spy during the Revolutionary War. His courage and determination directly helped secure America’s independence. He provided critical intelligence that turned the tide at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781—the decisive victory that ended major combat operations and paved the way for American independence.
Despite the constant peril of certain execution if discovered, James infiltrated British lines, gathered intelligence from the highest levels of the enemy command, and faithfully relayed it to General Marquis de Lafayette, who delivered it directly to Commanding General George Washington. James’ contributions highlight the critical and often-overlooked roles of both enslaved and free black patriots in the American Founding.
DOI / Andrew King
Biography
James (ca. 1748–1830), who adopted the surname “Lafayette” after the war ended, was born into slavery in New Kent County, Virginia, on the plantation of William Armistead. He was a personal attendant to William for much of his early life, and like many slaves who were given the last name of their owner, he was known as James Armistead.
By December 1780, Virginia had been the focal point of the War of Independence. James learned that that British General Benedict Arnold, a former American general who betrayed George Washington and defected to the enemy, was leading troops to pillage and destroy Virginia. Arnold burned much of Richmond, Virginia’s capitol, and led devastating raids across the state. Upon watching what was befalling his friends and neighbors, a flame of patriotism was kindled in James’ heart.
In the spring of 1781, with William’s permission, James volunteered to join the service of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French commander allied with the Continental Army. Lafayette, a young and vastly wealthy French military officer, personally opposed slavery and believed in racial equality. He also realized how helpful the assistance of black Americans could be as spies in the British Army.
But Great Britain, in an effort to weaken America’s forces, had promised freedom to all slaves who would fight for the British Army. Some 20,000 responded to that offer, but the British seldom delivered on their promise.
Lafayette shrewdly realized that patriotic black Americans could pose as defecting slaves and easily infiltrate British camps. Pursuing that possibility, he soon developed a small and effective espionage operation. So, when James joined the Continental Army, Lafayette recruited him as a spy, asking him to pose as a runaway slave seeking work with the British.
James straggled into the British camp, convinced them he hated Americans, and worked his way into their graces by diligently and faithfully serving British officers. Soon, he became a personal body servant to General Benedict Arnold and later to Lord Charles Cornwallis, Commander-in-Chief of all British forces in America.
The British, believing that James was devotedly loyal to their cause, approached him and asked if he would be willing to take on the dangerous task of providing intelligence on what was occurring in the American camps. Appearing reluctant, James agreed. He was therefore able to move freely back and forth between British and American camps, becoming the first double spy in American history. He supplied American leaders vital intelligence on British troop movements, supply lines, and strategic plans while feeding disinformation on the same topics to the British.
James specifically reported to American General Lafayette, who then passed the information on to General Washington. They learned from James that General Cornwallis would be occupying Yorktown, Virginia, as his winter quarters. Thanks to this intelligence from James, General Washington went directly to Yorktown and was awaiting the British when they arrived. The resulting battle was the Siege of Yorktown, where Cornwallis and the British eventually surrendered, ending America’s War for Independence.
In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette, now a very elderly gentlemen, decided to visit the United States a final time before his death. Vast celebrations were held in his honor, as without his help, it is not certain whether America could have prevailed in the war. Having planned to remain only a few weeks, he stayed more than a year, visiting all 24 states in the Union at that time.
When the Marquis visited Richmond, he spotted his friend James in the crowd and invited him up onto his touring coach in front of the massive crowd. The two old friends publicly reunited, with the general heartily embracing his former spy.
James Armistead Lafayette died on August 9, 1830 (some accounts cite 1832). His burial place is unknown.
As A Spy
During the 1781 Virginia campaign, James, posing as a runaway slave, won the confidence of high-ranking British officers, gaining access to British headquarters. He overheard conversations at officers’ tables and reported precise details on British reinforcements, fortifications, and intentions to American leaders. Historians credit his work with helping secure the allied victory that compelled the Britain to negotiate peace.
James’ story underscores the indispensable yet often underappreciated role of black patriots—both enslaved and free—in the Revolutionary War. Despite the British promise of freedom to enslaved people who joined the British side (as proclaimed by Lord Dunmore in 1775), James chose to risk everything and remain committed to the American cause. His service exemplifies extraordinary personal courage.
In Virginia
In later life, James purchased some 40 acres of land near his former owner, William Armistead. He farmed, married, and raised a family, also becoming a slaveowner himself—an irony shared by many early Americans.
Historian Carter Woodson, father of Black History Month, documented that in 1830 in South Carolina, 40 percent of free blacks held black slaves—a number similar to other southern states.
In 1818, at about age 70, James successfully petitioned for a military pension. 1818 was the first year the government began providing general pensions for Revolution veterans.
His Faith
Nothing is documented about James Armistead Lafayette’s personal religious beliefs or practices. Historical records from the period focus almost exclusively on his military contributions and petitions for freedom rather than his spiritual life.
Slavery and Early America
The American Revolution’s ideals of liberty and equality, enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, inspired antislavery sentiment. Northern states began passing gradual emancipation laws soon after 1776. In Virginia, freedom was made possible in 1783 for slaves who had been in military service during the war.
Following the war, James had returned to service with William Armistead. William applied to the legislature for James’ freedom, but was informed that, because James had served as a spy rather than a soldier bearing arms, he was not eligible to be freed.
General Lafayette—immensely popular with Virginians—intervened on James’ behalf with a testimonial letter (dated November 21, 1784) speaking to James’ invaluable contributions. The legislature agreed and James was emancipated, effective January 1787—marking one of the rare cases in which wartime service by a noncombatant was rewarded with freedom.
In gratitude, and with Lafayette’s full approval, James added the surname “Lafayette” to his own name.
Past Centennial Celebrations
During America’s Bicentennial in 1976, some attention was paid to the contributions of black patriots, but James Armistead Lafayette’s story received only limited public focus. Today, he is honored with an historic marker in New Kent County, educational initiatives by Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission, and this statue in Freedom Plaza.Legacy
Though James Armistead Lafayette’s espionage helped secure American independence at a critical moment, his greatest legacy may be the quiet dignity with which he pursued freedom for himself, embodying the revolutionary ideals he helped defend. By remembering figures such as James Armistead Lafayette—enslaved, yet patriotically unyielding in the fight for liberty—Americans gain a deeper appreciation for the nation’s amazing heritage and successful struggle for freedom.Last updated: June 3, 2026