Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Middle Passage to Pensacola / African Presence in Colonial Pensacola
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 11, 2021
1. Middle Passage to Pensacola Marker
Inscription.
Middle Passage to Pensacola, also, African Presence in Colonial Pensacola. .
Middle Passage to Pensacola. Beginning in the early 1500s and continuing for more than three centuries, about 12 million enslaved Africans were transported across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to the Americas. This transportation, known as the Middle Passage, was the largest forced migration in history. As documented by the UNESCO Slave Trade Route Project, about 2 million enslaved Africans died during the voyage, and approximately 500,000 were delivered directly to the North American mainland. In August 1559, the expedition of Tristán de Luna y Arellano landed at the Bay of Ochuse, later named Pensacola Bay. Among his company of 1,550 were Africans, both freed and enslaved. How or where the expedition's black members served is uncertain. However, according to records kept by Luna, it is well documented that they were here. Despite losing ships due to a hurricane in Pensacola Bay, Luna started a colony. The Africans in the expedition were among the first to have a continuous presence in the United States. In 1561, Luna was replaced, and departed for Havana. The settlement became a trading post during the colonial era, supplying its Native American trading partners with British goods in exchange for furs.
African Presence in Colonial Pensacola. As the number of European settlements grew in North America, so did the number of enslaved Africans being imported and traded. Between 1775 and 1805, four documented slave ships, the Sucesco, the Black Prince, the Fly, and the Beggar's Bennison, carried over 350 enslaved Africans to Pensacola. Britain gained control of Pensacola in 1763, and made it the capital of their West Florida colony. As part of their effort to develop Pensacola into a more thriving settlement, the British increased the importation of enslaved Africans and enacted new slave codes similar to those of their other North American colonies. Despite these policies, because of its relative remoteness, Pensacola became a refuge for enslaved people who had escaped from other nearby colonies. Racial lines in Pensacola blurred after Spain reclaimed West Florida following the American Revolutionary War. By 1811, Panton, Leslie and Company (1796-1848) had moved the headquarters of their Native American trading operation to Pensacola and brought at least 1,260 enslaved African captives with them. Their skills and cultural practices were foundational to the development of Pensacola.
A Florida Heritage Site. . This historical marker was erected in 2021 by The City Of Pensacola, the Pensacola Middle Passage Ceremony, Port Marker Committee, and the Florida Department of State. It is in Pensacola in Escambia County Florida
Middle Passage to Pensacola
Beginning in the early 1500s and continuing for more than three
centuries, about 12 million enslaved Africans were transported
across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to the Americas. This
transportation, known as the Middle Passage, was the largest forced
migration in history. As documented by the UNESCO Slave Trade
Route Project, about 2 million enslaved Africans died during the
voyage, and approximately 500,000 were delivered directly to the
North American mainland. In August 1559, the expedition of
Tristán de Luna y Arellano landed at the Bay of Ochuse, later
named Pensacola Bay. Among his company of 1,550 were Africans,
both freed and enslaved. How or where the expedition's black
members served is uncertain. However, according to records kept
by Luna, it is well documented that they were here. Despite losing
ships due to a hurricane in Pensacola Bay, Luna started a colony.
The Africans in the expedition were among the first to have a
continuous presence in the United States. In 1561, Luna was
replaced, and departed for Havana. The settlement became a trading post
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during the colonial era, supplying its Native American
trading partners with British goods in exchange for furs.
African Presence in Colonial Pensacola
As the number of European settlements grew in North America,
so did the number of enslaved Africans being imported and traded.
Between 1775 and 1805, four documented slave ships, the Sucesco,
the Black Prince, the Fly, and the Beggar's Bennison, carried over 350 enslaved Africans to Pensacola. Britain gained control of Pensacola in 1763, and made it the capital of their West Florida colony. As
part of their effort to develop Pensacola into a more thriving settlement,
the British increased the importation of enslaved Africans and enacted
new slave codes similar to those of their other North American
colonies. Despite these policies, because of its relative remoteness,
Pensacola became a refuge for enslaved people who had escaped
from other nearby colonies. Racial lines in Pensacola blurred after
Spain reclaimed West Florida following the American Revolutionary War.
By 1811, Panton, Leslie & Company (1796-1848) had moved the headquarters of their Native American trading operation to Pensacola and brought at least 1,260 enslaved African captives with them. Their skills and
cultural practices were foundational to the development of Pensacola.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 11, 2021
2. African Presence in Colonial Pensacola Marker
A Florida Heritage Site
Erected 2021 by The City Of Pensacola, the Pensacola Middle Passage Ceremony, Port Marker Committee, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1101.)
Location. 30° 24.157′ N, 87° 12.776′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. Marker is at the intersection of South Palafox Street and South Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling south on South Palafox Street. Located on the Palafox Pier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 S Palafox St, Pensacola, FL, Pensacola FL 32502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. View from Middle Passage to Pensacola Marker north.
(Submitted on July 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 11, 2021
4. View from marker south to Pensacola Bay.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 437 times since then and 184 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
