9 September 1739: Stono rebellion

On this day in working class history, the 9th of September.

On the 9th of September 1739, the Stono Rebellion began in South Carolina, the largest uprising of enslaved people in the mainland British colonies.

A literate enslaved man named either Jemi or Kato marched with 22 others, mostly from Central Africa, brandishing a banner that decked with the word Liberty, and attacked a store seizing weapons and ammunition.

They planned to head to Florida, where Spanish colonial authorities offered escaped enslaved people freedom in an effort to undermine British rule.

On their way, they burned plantations, freed other enslaved people, and killed whites, until a well-armed mounted militia arrived and attacked.

While the rebels managed to kill 23 militiamen, they lost 47 of their own number who had their severed heads displayed on stakes to serve as a warning to others.

Many of those who escaped were later captured and executed or sold to enslavers in the Caribbean.

In response to the rebellion, authorities enacted strict laws to try to prevent a recurrence.

On the one hand, they banned enslaved people from assembling in groups and learning to read.

And on the other hand, they prohibited importation of enslaved people from Africa for 10 years, and they brought in penalties for enslavers who overworked or were excessively brutal to those whom they had enslaved.

On this day in working class history, the 9th of September.

On the 9th of September 1739, the Stono Rebellion began in South Carolina, the largest uprising of enslaved people in the mainland British colonies.

A literate enslaved man named either Jemi or Kato marched with 22 others, mostly from Central Africa, brandishing a banner that decked with the word Liberty, and attacked a store seizing weapons and ammunition.

They planned to head to Florida, where Spanish colonial authorities offered escaped enslaved people freedom in an effort to undermine British rule.

On their way, they burned plantations, freed other enslaved people, and killed whites, until a well-armed mounted militia arrived and attacked.

While the rebels managed to kill 23 militiamen, they lost 47 of their own number who had their severed heads displayed on stakes to serve as a warning to others.

Many of those who escaped were later captured and executed or sold to enslavers in the Caribbean.

In response to the rebellion, authorities enacted strict laws to try to prevent a recurrence.

On the one hand, they banned enslaved people from assembling in groups and learning to read.

And on the other hand, they prohibited importation of enslaved people from Africa for 10 years, and they brought in penalties for enslavers who overworked or were excessively brutal to those whom they had enslaved.