"James Lafayette Armstead" (December 10,1748-August 9,1830)

Was an African American spy during the American Revolution.Born in Virginia as a slave to William Armstead in 1760,he volunteered to join the army in 1781.After gaining the consent of his owner,he was stationed to serve under the Marquis de Lafayette,the commander of French forces allied with the American Continental Army.Marquis employed James as a spy.While working for Marquis he successfully infiltrated British General Cornwallis's headquarter posing as a runaway slave hired by by the British to spy on the Americans.
While pretending to be a British spy,James gained confidence of General Benedict Arnold Cornwillis Arnold was so convinced of James's pose as a runaway slave that he used him to guide British troops through local roads.James often traveled  between camps,spying on British officers,who spoke openly about their strategies in front of him.
He documented this information in written reports,delivered them
to other American spies,and then return to General Cornwallis's camp.
In the summer of 1781,General George Washington sent a message to
General Lafayette,instructing him to keep his forces strong and to inform him of General Cornwallis equipment,military personnel,and future strategies. Marquis sent several spies to infiltrate General Cornwallis camp,yet none proved able to produce valuable information for him until he received James reports dated July 31,1781.The information in these reports helped Marquis trap the British at Hampton.Later that summer James reports helped the Americans win the battle at Yorktown,prompting the British to surrender.
After the Revolution,Marquis praised James for his dedication and instrumental role in the surrender at Yorktown.James return to William after the war to continue his life as a slave,as he was not eligible for emancipation under the Act of 1783 for slaves-soldiers (he was considered a slave-spy).In 1784,Marquis found James in Virginia and was disappointed to find he was still a slave.Marquis wrote a testimonial on James behalf and two years later the Virginia General Assembly emancipated him.It was at this time James "Lafayette"his last name,in honor of the General.After receiving his freedom,he moved
nine miles south of New Kent County in Virginia,bought forty acres of land and began farming.James married,raised a large family and was granted $40 a year by the Virginia legislature as pension for his services during the American Revolution.It is possible that James was an illegitimate son William Armstead,the Purser of the Virginia Troops.