Stono Slave Rebellion Study Notes

Overview of the Stono Slave Rebellion

• The Stono Slave Rebellion was a significant slave uprising that occurred on Sunday, September 9, 1739, in South Carolina.
• It involved about fifty enslaved African Americans who, motivated by the promise of freedom in Spanish Florida, rebelled against their owners, resulting in the deaths of approximately twenty white settlers.
• The rebellion was swiftly suppressed, leading to severe repercussions for enslaved people, including stricter slave laws and restrictions on their conduct.

Context and Impact

• Although the uprising was brief, it instilled significant fear among white colonists throughout British America.
• Following the rebellion, South Carolina implemented stricter laws:
    - Limited slaves’ freedoms, especially their ability to work for themselves on Sundays.
    - Banned slaveholders from freeing their slaves.

Accounts of the Uprising

Account by an Unidentified White Official (1739)

• This official account begins by referencing a proclamation made by the King of Spain promising freedom and protection to runaway slaves.
• It mentions that some enslaved individuals belonging to Captain Davis escaped to Spanish Florida and were welcomed there, sparking more escape attempts.
• On the day of the uprising:
    - Approximately twenty Angola enslaved individuals, led by a man named Jemmy, gathered and attacked a warehouse owned by a Mr. Hutchenson.
    - They killed Mr. Bathurst and Mr. Gibbs and stole weapons and ammunition.
• The group continued their march:
    - They killed multiple white settlers including Godfrey, his family, and several others along their path while plundering houses and destroying property.
    - As they gained momentum, they called out for “Liberty” and increased their numbers by attracting other enslaved individuals.
• Colonel Bull, the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, encountered the rebels but managed to escape and alert the authorities.
• The rebellion resulted in a fierce military response, where the enslaved individuals were hunted down, and many were either killed on the spot or captured and executed.
• The official narrative emphasizes the brutality of the actions taken against the rebels, acknowledging about 40 enslaved individuals and 20 whites were killed during the uprising.
• Colonel Bull sent detailed accounts of the uprising to General Oglethorpe, who then organized forces to patrol the area to prevent further slave revolts and assist in capturing the remaining rebels.

Family Account of the Stono Uprising by George Cato (ca. 1937)

• This account is a narrative from George Cato, the great-great-grandson of Cato, a slave leader during the rebellion.
• Cato reflects on the oral history passed down within his family regarding the uprising, emphasizing the pride he feels for his ancestors who opposed slavery.
• George begins the story recalling how the rebellion started when about 100 enslaved individuals assembled between the Combahee and Edisto rivers on September 9, 1739.
• Highlights:
    - Cato was educated by his master, which facilitated his leadership during the uprising.
    - The rebels attacked the Stono warehouse, killing two white overseers and seizing arms and ammunition.
    - The march involved significant violence, wherein they attacked plantation owners and their families, taking supplies and weapons.
• George recounts the ensuing military response, where the militia pursued the enslaved individuals, leading to a confrontation that resulted in additional deaths.
• Cato conveys that the slaves expressed their resistance against oppression, declaring their intent to escape to Spanish Florida, which was seen as a land of freedom.
• The account preserves themes of courage and resistance, emphasizing the significant loss of life on both sides but highlighting the enslaved individuals' determination and desire for freedom.

Conclusion and Reflections

• The two accounts present starkly different perspectives on the Stono Slave Rebellion.
• The white official’s account highlights fear, violence, and suppression of the slaves, while George Cato’s narrative emphasizes pride, resistance, and the struggle for freedom.
• These differing perspectives provide rich insights into the complexities of the rebellion and the broader social implications on both enslaved individuals and colonial society.