The Untold Pre-Colonial Story of the First African Slaves in America

Did you know that the first enslaved Africans in America actually arrived 100 years before 1619? 

Around 100 of them were brought by the Spanish to a settlement in what is now South Carolina or Georgia.¹ They were mistreated and rebelled against their masters. Nobody knows what happened to them afterwards.

The story of these enslaved people at the settlement reflects the larger picture of Africans in North America during that time period.

Spanish Slave Expeditions

Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon, a wealthy sugar plantation owner on the island of Hispaniola and the mayor of La Concepcion, embarked on this ambitious venture with the aim of establishing a permanent settlement in the New World. 

Driven by the prevailing ambitions of his time, Ayllon sought to expand his wealth and influence in the New World. With an eye towards expanding his plantation operations, he sought new lands to claim and additional labor resources to exploit.

Around 1514, Ayllon commissioned Pedro de Salazar to lead an exploratory expedition in search of these desired resources. Salazar’s journey took him north, beyond the familiar territories of the Bahamas, to the coastal regions of what is now Georgia. During his explorations, Salazar encountered a substantial indigenous population, a discovery that he promptly relayed to Ayllon upon his return to Hispaniola.

The encounter with the native people sparked Ayllon’s desire for more land and workers to build his wealth and power. This led to a series of events that resulted in the creation of San Miguel de Gualdape, a settlement that ended badly for both the native people and the enslaved Africans.

Voyage of Enslavement & Discovery

In 1521, Ayllon, determined to expand his labor force, dispatched an expedition led by Francisco Gordillo to the Bahamas with the aim of capturing indigenous people for enslavement. Pedro de Quexos piloted one of the ships.

Unsuccessful in their initial efforts, they sailed further north, guided by reports from Salazar’s earlier voyage.

It is believed that Gordillo and Quexos landed at Winyah Bay, South Carolina, in June 1521. They explored the area, capturing around 70 Native Americans before returning to Hispaniola with their captives and news of a potential site for Ayllon’s new colony.

Ayllon Seeks Royal Approval

One of the captured Indians, named Francisco Chicora after his conversion to Catholicism, became close to Ayllon and shared stories of his homeland’s riches. Impressed, Ayllon educated Chicora.

In 1523, Ayllon sailed to Spain with Chicora to seek King Charles V’s permission for a settlement in North America. While Ayllon negotiated, Chicora met with the court chronicler, Peter Martyr, and told tales of white people, giants, and valuable resources.

King Charles V, swayed by these accounts, granted Ayllon a royal patent to establish a colony on the Atlantic Coast.

Preparing for Colonization

In April 1525, Ayllon sent another expedition, led by Pedro de Quejo, to the location Gordillo and Quexos had found. Quejo explored and returned to Hispaniola with a positive report. Encouraged, Ayllon started preparing a larger expedition to finally establish his colony.

The Fateful Voyage

In 1526, Ayllon embarked on his colonizing expedition with six ships carrying 600 colonists, around 100 enslaved Africans, livestock, and supplies. Women, children, priests, and Indian guides were among the passengers. However, disaster struck when the flagship, Capitana, sank off the Atlantic Coast, forcing a delay as a new ship was constructed.

During this time, the Indian guides, including Chicora, escaped.

Ayllon, believed to be near Georgetown, South Carolina, at this point, eventually resumed his journey southward after completing the new ship, La Gavarra. His final destination is thought to be near Sapelo Sound, Georgia.

Founding San Miguel de Gualdape

Upon landing, the colonists disembarked and immediately began constructing homes and a church, establishing the settlement of San Miguel de Gualdape on September 29, 1526.

The origin of the name remains contested, with some attributing it to the local Guale people, while others believe it was chosen to honor the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel.

It is highly likely that the accompanying priests, Antonio Montesino and Anthony de Cervantes, conducted the first Catholic mass in America at San Miguel de Gualdape. 

Disaster Strikes

Within weeks, the colonists faced disease, hunger, cold, and Indian attacks. Ayllon’s death on October 18 further worsened the situation. Captain Francisco Gomez, the new leader, wanted to stay and wait for supplies, but a group led by Gines Doncel and Pedro de Bazan demanded to return to Hispaniola.

The situation quickly worsened. Attempts to trade with the Indians for food led to violence and more attacks. Doncel, determined to seize power, imprisoned Gomez and his supporters.

Tensions between the two groups escalated, culminating in a night where Doncel and Bazan attempted to eliminate their rivals.

Slave Rebellion

Amid the chaos, the enslaved Africans seized the opportunity to rebel. They attacked and burned Doncel’s house, allowing Gomez and his fellow prisoners to escape.

The slaves’ fate remains uncertain. There is speculation that they may have found refuge with the local Indians, but no definitive evidence exists to confirm this.

Regardless of their ultimate outcome, this act of defiance stands as the first recorded slave uprising in America.^(ref)

Colony Abandoned

The conflict between the two factions continued until Bazan was fatally wounded and Doncel was captured, possibly facing execution for his rebellion.

With order restored, the remaining colonists, including Gomez, decided to abandon the settlement and return to Hispaniola.

The departure began in October, and the ships set sail for Hispaniola in mid-November. The journey was treacherous, with harsh weather separating the vessels. By the time they reached their destination, only 150 survivors remained.

Source:

1. The Georgia Historical Quarterly