It all began on September 6th, 1739, when slaves of the South Carolina Colony decided to claim for their freedom with a rebellion. Although some of them did not survive, thanks to this battle, some were able to escape.

On September 9th, 1739, twenty African-Americans gathered near the Stono River (symbolic name of the rebellion), about 20 miles southwest of Charleston. They walked along the river, proudly waving a banner with the word “Freedom! ” written and singing it in unison.

Upon arriving at the Stono Bridge, they grabbed weapons and ammunition in a store, killing the two employees. Then, they headed south to Spanish Florida, which was a refuge for runaway slaves at the time. Along the way, new slaves joined them, bringing together eighty people eager for freedom.

After burning down seven plantations and killing twenty white men, they were hunted down by a militia formed by William Bull (governor of South Carolina) and four of his friends, gathering plantation owners.

The following day, the group of eighty slaves was caught by the militia and a battle broke out, killing twenty whites and forty-four slaves.  The remaining slaves were captured and beheaded, and their heads were displayed along the road to Charlestown.

Stono’s revolt will serve as an example for many revolts in the different colonies of the United States.

It is now considered as the first and largest slave revolt in a British colony before the American Revolution.