The War of Jenkins' Ear — 10 Things Every American Should Know

The War of Jenkins’ Ear was fought between Great Britain and Spain from 1739 to 1748. Most of the battles were fought in the Caribbean, but the fighting spread into the American Colonies. 

This illustration depicts an artist’s rendering of Fort Mosé.Photo byAHC/War of Jenkins' Ear

In 1740, the Georgia Colony sent military forces into Spanish Florida, where they destroyed Spanish forts and laid siege to St. Augustine. The Spanish responded by invading Georgia in 1742 but were defeated at the Battle of Gully Hole Creek and the Battle of Bloody Marsh, forcing them to return to Florida. 

Hostilities continued between the two nations, as the War of Austrian Succession engulfed Europe. In North America, the fight became known as King George’s War.

This war is not very well known, but is notable for many reasons, including the role of Fort Mosé. Here are 10 things every American should know about the  War of Jenkins’ Ear.

Robert Jenkins Lost His Ear

Although the actual hostilities in the War of Jenkins’ Ear did not start until 1740, the incident that is typically said to have sparked the conflict took place in 1731. 

That year, Captain Juan de Leon Fandino, a Spanish naval officer, boarded a British vessel, the Rebecca, near the coast of Havana. Fandino accused the British captain, Robert Jenkins, of engaging in smuggling activities. 

This detail from a 1738 political cartoon depicts Jenkins showing his ear to Robert Walpole.Photo byAHC/War of Jenkins' Ear

Legend has it that during the search, there was an argument, and Fandino cut off Jenkins’s ear. Fandino threw the severed ear at Jenkins while saying, “Take this to your king, and inform him that I would do the same if he were present.” 

Great Britain Established Georgia to Protect Against Spain

In 1732, Britain established a new colony, the Province of Georgia, as a buffer between South Carolina and Spanish Florida. The Spanish viewed it as a threat to their ships sailing in and out of St. Augustine. 

Georgia and Florida Built Forts

Under the leadership of James Oglethorpe, English settlers in Georgia constructed Fort Frederica on St. Simon’s Island and two more forts on Cumberland Island in the 1730s.

James Oglethorpe, Founder of GeorgiaPhoto byAHC/War of Jenkins' Ear

The Spanish responded by constructing forts, including Fort Mosé, just north of St. Augustine. The forts were intended to protect St. Augustine from overland attacks and attacks from smaller ships that could sail through the islands off the Florida coast.

Fort Mosé Was the First Free African Settlement in America

Fort Mosé was the first settlement for free Africans in America. It was home to a militia composed of free Africans, known as the Maroon Militia, who helped defend St. Augustine

Most of them were escaped slaves who were given their freedom by the Spanish government in return for converting to Catholicism and serving in the militia.

As part of its colonial policy, Spain offered freedom to any slaves who escaped from the British colonies and could make their way to Fort Mosé. It is widely believed the slaves involved in the Stono Rebellion intended to make their way to Fort Mosé.

Jenkins Showed Parliament His Ear

Amid escalating tensions between the British and Spanish forces in North America, Jenkins returned to London with his severed ear stored in a bottle. He was called to testify before the House of Commons where he showed the members his ear. When he was asked what he did to deserve having his ear cut off, he said, “I commended my soul to God and my cause to my country.”

England declared war on Spain on October 23, 1739.

The British Laid Siege to St. Augustine

James Oglethorpe received instructions from King George II to “annoy the Subjects of Spain in the best manner.” 

Oglethorpe organized a small force of around 200 men, including colonists and Creek Indians, and marched toward St. Augustine in December 1739, intending to capture the city and force the Spanish to leave Florida. Oglethorpe captured Fort Mosé and other Spanish forts.

Oglethorpe laid siege to Castillo de San Marcos with support from British soldiers and naval forces.

This aerial photo of Castillo de San Marcos was taken in 1965.Photo byLibrary of Congress

Georgia Lost the Battle of Fort Mosé

During the siege, Spanish forces, including the Maroon Militia, attacked Fort Mosé, crushed the British garrison, and recaptured the fort.

Soon after, the Spanish received reinforcement at St. Augustine. Oglethorpe lifted the siege and returned to Georgia.

Spain Invaded Georgia

In the fall of 1741, King Philip V of Spain ordered Spanish forces to attack Georgia and South Carolina. 4,000 Spanish troops marched toward Savannah in the spring of 1742.

Georgia Won Two Key Battles

Oglethorpe prepared Georgia by building a new fort and raising an army of 1,000 men. Georgia forces defeated the Spanish at the Battle of Gully Hole Creek and then at the Battle of Bloody Marsh. With these defeats, the Spanish ended the invasion and returned to Florida.

This illustration depicts British troops at the Battle of Bloody Marsh.Photo byAHC/War of Jenkins' Ear

The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle Set the Boundary Between Georgia and Spanish Florida

The war was eventually engulfed in the larger War of Austrian Succession and King William’s War. Both conflicts were resolved by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. As part of the treaty, Britain and Spain agreed to set the boundary between Georgia and Florida at the St. Johns River.

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