Discover the Top 11 Amazing Fun Facts About James Armistead: The Unsung Hero of the American Revolution

1. The Original 001

Before 007, there was an unsung 001: James Armistead, a slave who went undercover during the American Revolution to gather crucial intel on the British forces. Disguising himself as a runaway, he was a colonial James Bond, whose top-secret reports helped bring victory at the decisive Battle of Yorktown.
Source => thenmusa.org

2. Kardashians of Espionage

Talk about a master of disguise, slipping behind enemy lines and scoring intel the Kardashians would be jealous of: James Armistead, double agent extraordinaire, infiltrated the British intelligence during the American Revolution, ultimately leading to a pivotal victory at the Battle of Yorktown and the end of the war. Freedom for America? Check. However, freedom for Armistead wasn't handed over till 1787, after Lafayette vouched for his heroics.
Source => battlefields.org

Did you know George Washington's famous dentures were far from wooden? Discover the surprising materials used in his peculiar pearly whites!

=> Fun Facts about George-Washington

3. Colonial American Bond

If James Bond had a colonial American ancestor, James "the Spy" Armistead, would undoubtedly be the one: A key double agent during the American Revolution, James infiltrated British headquarters and cozied up to Benedict Arnold himself, all the while gathering crucial intel to help George Washington's army. His top-secret missions were instrumental in catching the British at their most vulnerable, ultimately leading to their surrender at the Battle of Yorktown.
Source => thenmusa.org

4. Patriotic Espionage

Who knew espionage could be so patriotic? Introducing James Bond's colonial American ancestor: James Armistead, a former enslaved man turned double agent, who infiltrated enemy lines, gathered intel, and played a central role in the Battle of Yorktown's successful outcome in the Revolutionary War. As a result, he finally gained his freedom – with a heroic and highly classified testimonial from none other than the Marquis de Lafayette – in 1787.
Source => history.com

5. Spy Skills > 007

James Armistead Lafayette? More like James Bond's great-great-great grandfather whose spy skills put 007 to shame: This American Revolution double agent expertly gathered and delivered game-changing intelligence, ultimately setting up General Washington and Comte de Rochambeau to clinch the decisive victory at the Siege of Yorktown against the British, led by General Cornwallis.
Source => emergingrevolutionarywar.org

6. Tale of Two Generals

Disguise and spy: a tale of two generals and the world's sneakiest "slave": In the ultimate ruse of the American Revolution, James Armistead posed as a runaway slave devoted to the British, duping both Benedict Arnold and Charles Cornwallis, which led to the American/French blockade success and the British surrender at Yorktown.
Source => army.mil

7. 18th Century 007

James Armistead, the 007 of the 18th century: a skillful spy and double agent during the American Revolution, whose top-secret intel helped secure a massive victory at the Battle of Yorktown. Yet, despite his heroic service, it took a special intervention from the Marquis de Lafayette to Congress to finally grant James his freedom in 1787.
Source => battlefields.org

8. Slow Pension, James Bond

Step aside, James Bond, there's a new double agent in town: James Armistead Lafayette was the real-life spy hero who risked it all to help the Continental Army win the Battle of Yorktown, securing America's independence. But it turns out the 007-style pension took 27 years before "Q" finally coughed up the cash in 1819.
Source => thenmusa.org

9. Mysterious Farmland

In a tale of espionage filled with double-O twists and turns that would make James Bond himself green with envy: James Armistead Lafayette, an American spy during the Revolutionary War, was actually granted his freedom in 1787 after two fervent applications to the state legislature, and went on to own 40 acres of lackluster farmland near Richmond, Virginia, while also mysteriously acquiring slaves despite his previous status as one himself.
Source => emergingrevolutionarywar.org

10. Cold War Cracking

Well, here's a story of espionage tougher to crack than a cold war John le Carré novel: James Armistead Lafayette was a slave-turned-double-agent during the American Revolution, ultimately helping General Washington secure victory at the pivotal Battle of Yorktown. This real-life James Bond secured his freedom and a pension for his daring deeds – although he had to do quite some secret agent-style persuasion to receive it.
Source => thenmusa.org

11. Double-Agent Tavern Special

Imagine James Bond and George Washington walk into a tavern, and guess who orders the double agent special? That's right, our very own 007-Revolutionary War style: James Armistead Lafayette! Hilarious prelude aside: James played a vital role as a double-agent during the American Revolution, delivering critical intel to the Marquis de Lafayette and American forces, ultimately aiding in defeating British commander Charles Cornwallis. After the war, James was granted his freedom, owning land and slaves, forever securing his legacy as a patriot spy in American history.
Source => ouramericanrevolution.org