Stono Rebellion, 1739

On 9 September 1739, the Stono rebellion began in South Carolina, the largest uprising of enslaved people in the mainland British colonies.

A literate enslaved man named Jemmy (or Cato) marched with 22 others, mostly from central Africa, brandishing a banner bedecked with the word "Liberty!" and attacked a store seizing weapons and ammunition. They planned to head to Florida, where Spanish colonial authorities offered escaped enslaved people freedom in an effort to undermine British rule.

On their way they burned plantations, freed other enslaved people and killed whites, until a well-armed mounted militia arrived and attacked. While the rebels managed to kill 23 militiamen, they lost 47 of their number who had their severed heads displayed on stakes to serve as a warning to others. Many of those who escaped were later captured and executed or sold to enslavers in the Caribbean.

In response to the rebellion, authorities enacted strict laws to try to prevent a recurrence: banning the enslaved from assembling in groups learning to read, but also prohibiting importation of enslaved people from Africa for 10 years, and bringing in penalties for enslavers who overworked or were excessively brutal to those they had enslaved.

Stono revolt - WCH | Stories

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