Spanish Florida as Freedom Corridor Before Stono

In 1738, Spanish Florida's Governor Montiano formally established Fort Mose, a fortified settlement two miles north of St. Augustine, for formerly enslaved people from British colonies who had converted to Catholicism. At least 100 freedom-seekers had reached Florida by 1739. Fort Mose's existence was directly known to Jemmy and other Stono rebels, making Spanish Florida a concrete destination rather than an abstract hope.