St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Salcedo House
(Former Home of Jorge Biassou)
General Biassou was one of the original leaders of the 1791 slave uprising in Haiti. For his service to the Spanish against the French he became a Spanish general, and came to St. Augustine with an entourage and staff of 26 fellow revolutionaries, as Florida's second highest-paid official. Although living at his home here in the center of the city, Biassou owned a large tract of land north of the town.
In St. Augustine, Biassou was placed in command of the free Black militia that guarded the southern approach to the city at Fort Matanzas. Today Fort Matanzas is a National Monument and part of the National Park Service.
General Biassou died in 1801 and was buried in Tolomato Cemetery on Cordova Street following his funeral held in St. Augustine's Catholic Cathedral Basilica.
Many delegations, including members of Haiti's international diplomatic corps and members of the Haitian Historical Society, have all made pilgrimages to St. Augustine to visit sites associated with our first Black general, Jorge Biassou.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1796.
Location. 29° 53.84′ N, 81° 18.808′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. Marker is on St. George Street, on the right when traveling north. St. George Street is closed to vehicle traffic. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 42 St George Street, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. General Biassou House (here, next to this marker); Gallegos House (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan de Ribera / Juan de Rivera (within shouting distance of this marker); Gomez House (within shouting distance of this marker); Ribera House (within shouting distance of this marker); This Gate Opened in 1739 (within shouting distance of this marker); The City Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Triay House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 848 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 27, 2013, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2. submitted on August 31, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 31, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.