St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Freedom Seekers

— Fort Mose Historical State Park —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, December 3, 2025

1. Freedom Seekers Marker

Inscription.
Stumbling over gnarled roots and through thick shrubs, you find a break in the dense vegetation. You are shocked to see several figures: Black women resting in the shade of the trees. Like you, they wear tattered clothing and look tired and sore from long days moving through the Florida brush. As you approach, they urge you to stay quiet - there are"slave catchers" in these woods.

Brave
How can you learn more about the perils freedom seekers faced on their journey?

[Sidebar:]
In 1693, King Charles II of Spain decreed that formerly enslaved Blacks from Protestant colonies seeking refuge in Spanish Florida would be granted their freedom. His motives were not entirely altruistic: Enslaved people fleeing plantations in the Carolinas weakened the British colonial economy while bolstering the Spanish's own population of skilled laborers and military personnel.

Erected 2025 by Florida State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 29° 55.804′ N,

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81° 19.506′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It can be reached from Fort Mose Trail 0.2 miles east of Colon Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker stands within Fort Mose Historical State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 Fort Mose Trail, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Yamasee (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Francisco Menendez (within shouting distance of this marker); “Slave Catchers” (within shouting distance of this marker); On Watch (within shouting distance

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, December 3, 2025

2. Freedom Seekers Marker

of this marker); The Fort Mose Militia (within shouting distance of this marker); Barca Chata (within shouting distance of this marker); Conclusion (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Mose Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Also see . . . Fort Mose Historic State Park. (Submitted on December 4, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.