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

“Slave Catchers”

— Fort Mose Historical State Park —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, December 3, 2025

1. “Slave Catchers” Marker

Inscription.
Many days pass as you travel through humid swamps and dense hammocks with the biting insects and fearsome alligators your only company. You are surprised to hear voices deep in the forest - few journey this far into the dangerous brush. But your blood runs cold as you catch a glimpse of who is speaking: white men, packing up camp. They are searching for escaped slaves - and the British are willing to pay handsomely for them.

While the Spanish offered Blacks sanctuary from the British, they were not opposed to playing both sides. British bounty hunters searching for freedom seekers in Spanish Florida would often trade information or furs with the leaders in St. Augustine in return for free passage through Spanish lands.

For Profit
How can you learn more about those who made money returning people to slavery?

Erected 2025 by Florida State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Law Enforcement • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 29° 55.786′ N, 81° 19.516′ W. Marker is

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in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is on Fort Mose Trail 0.2 miles north of Colon Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located 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); Freedom Seekers (within shouting distance of this marker); On Watch (within shouting distance of this marker); Barca Chata (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Francisco Menendez (within shouting distance

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, December 3, 2025

2. “Slave Catchers” Marker

of this marker); Fort Mose Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Women of Fort Mose (within shouting distance of this marker); Conclusion (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Evacuation (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

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 February 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.