America's First African Slaves — the Overlooked Story of the Beginning of African Slavery in America

America’s first African slaves were not the 20 who were purchased from the White Lion at Jamestown in 1619. 100 years before that, approximately 100 enslaved Africans were part of a Spanish expedition that established the colony San Miguel de Gualdape, somewhere along the coast of present-day South Carolina or Georgia. Although the exact location of the colony is unknown, what the enslaved experienced was a microcosm of the African experience in North America during the Age of Exploration.

• According to historians, the slaves were most likely servants, not field laborers.
• The slaves were treated poorly by the Spanish.
• During a battle for control of the settlement, the slaves attacked and burned the home of the leader of the insurgency. This is regarded as the first slave uprising in America.
• The fate of the slaves is unknown.

This illustration depicts the Haitian Revolution.Photo byWikimedia

Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon

San Miguel de Gualdape was founded in 1526 by Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon. It is believed to have been somewhere along the coast of South Carolina or Georgia, although early accounts place it at the mouth of the Pee Dee River in South Carolina.

Ayllon was the wealthy owner of a Sugar Plantation on the island of Hispaniola. He was also the mayor of the town of La Concepcion.

This illustration depicts a Sugar Plantation in the West Indies.Photo byLibrary of Congress

Spanish Slave Expeditions

Like many of the early Spanish colonists in North America, Ayllon sought more fame and fortune. He looked for more land to claim and slaves to help him expand the operations on his plantation.

Sometime around 1514, Ayllon hired Pedro de Salazar to lead an expedition to find the resources he desired. Salazar sailed north, past the Bahamas, and arrived off the coast of present-day Georgia. While exploring the region, Salazar discovered a large number of Indians, returned to Hispaniola, and informed Ayllon.

This illustration depicts the Spanish slave ship, Le Saphir.Photo byWikimedia

Seven years later, in 1521, Ayllon organized an expedition, led by Francisco Gordillo, that sailed to the Bahamas in search of indigenous people to capture and enslave. One of the ships in the expedition was piloted by Pedro de Quexos. The expedition failed to find any people in the Bahamas, so they decided to sail further north — based on the earlier reports from Salazar’s expedition.

It is believed that Gordillo and Quexos landed at Winyah Bay on the coast of present-day South Carolina on June 24, 1521. The Spanish left their ships and explored the area. During their time ashore, they captured around 70 Native American Indians. They returned to Hispaniola with their captives — and reports of a new land where Ayllon could establish a new colony. 

Ayllon Visits Spain

One of the captive Indians was converted to Catholicism, baptized, and given the name Francisco Chicora. This man grew close to Ayllon and told him stories of his homeland, which he said was filled with riches. Ayllon was so impressed with Chicora that he provided him with an education.

In 1523, Ayllon sailed to Spain to ask King Charles V of Spain for permission to establish a settlement on the North American mainland. Chicora joined Ayllon for the trip.

While Ayllon negotiated with the King, Chicora met with the court chronicler, Peter Martyr. Chicora told stories of white people with blonde hair, giants, and — more importantly — gems and other valuable natural resources.

King Charles V granted a royal patent to Ayllon, permitting him to establish a settlement on the Atlantic Coast.

King Charles VPhoto byWikimedia

The 1525 Expedition

In April 1525, Ayllon organized another expedition, led by Pedro de Quejo, that sailed to the location identified by Gordillo and Quexos. Quejo and his men explored the area and returned to Hispaniola. The report Quejo gave Ayllon was favorable, and Ayllon started preparing a larger expedition. This time, he intended to establish his new colony.

The 1526 Expedition

Six ships were loaded with 600 colonists, roughly 100 African slaves, livestock, and supplies. Among the colonists were women, children, and priests. There were also Indians who were supposed to serve as guides and interpreters.

The expedition met with some trouble when, on April 9, 1526, the fleet’s flagship, Capitana, hit a sandbar and sank off the Atlantic Coast. While the fleet paused to build a new ship, the Indians including Chicora, escaped. 

At this point, it is believed Ayllon was around present-day Georgetown, South Carolina, in Winyah Bay at the mouth of the Great Pee Dee River.

When the new ship, La Gavarra, was completed, Ayllon sailed 200 miles south. It is believed the location was near present-day Sapelo Sound on the coast of Georgia.

Winyah BayPhoto byNOAA

Establishing San Miguel de Gualdape

The colonists left the ships and started to build homes and a church. On September 29, 1526, the settlement was christened with the name San Miguel de Gualdape. Some accounts say the settlement was named after the local Guale People, but others believe it was named after the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel.

It is very likely the priests, Antonio Montesino and Anthony de Cervantes, celebrated the first Catholic mass in America at San Miguel de Gualdape.

San Miguel de Gualdape was surrounded by marshy, bug-infested waters. At least one Spanish account indicates the settlement was at the same location as Jamestown.

The Collapse Begins

Within three weeks, the colonists were suffering from various ailments, including malaria and dysentery. They were cold, starving, and under attack from local Indians. They suffered another blow on October 18 when Ayllon died.

Captain Francisco Gomez took over, and he wanted to remain at the settlement and wait for fresh supplies to arrive. However, a faction of disgruntled settlers, led by Gines Doncel and Pedro de Bazan, organized and opposed Gomez. This faction insisted they abandon the settlement and return to Hispaniola.

From this point on, the situation quickly deteriorated.

Some of the settlers tried to trade with the local Indians for food. An argument occurred and some Indians were killed. The Indians responded with more attacks.

Doncel was determined to take control, so he seized Gomez and some of his supporters and imprisoned them in his house.

Tensions increased between the two factions in the settlement. One night, Doncel and Bazan tried to hunt down and execute their political enemies.

The Slave Uprising

As the settlement turned into chaos, the slaves attacked Doncel’s house and set it on fire, however, Gomez and the other prisoners were able to safely escape.

The exact fate of the slaves is unknown. Although there is speculation they escaped and went to live with the Indians, there is no concrete proof. 

Regardless of their fate, the attack on Doncel’s house is considered to be the first slave uprising in America.

Order Restored

As the battle between the two factions carried on, Bazan was mortally wounded and Doncel was arrested. Some accounts indicate Doncel was executed for leading the insurgency.

Order was restored, and soon after, the colonists decided to return to Hispaniola. This time, Gomez agreed.

San Miguel de Gualdape Abandoned

The colonists started to load their ships in October and departed for Hispaniola in mid-November. The voyage was difficult due to the harsh weather that separated the ships from each other.

By the time the ships all returned to Hispaniola, there were only 150 survivors.

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