{"product_id":"fort-mose-and-the-story-of-the-man-who-built-the-first-free-black-settlement-in-colonial-america-9780810940567","title":"Fort Mose: And the Story of the Man Who Built the First Free Black Settlement in Colonial America","description":"\u003cb\u003eGlennette Tilley Turner presents the\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003estory of \u003ci\u003eFort Mose\u003c\/i\u003e in the only picture book for children about the first free Black community in America.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In 1724, Francisco Menendez escaped from a plantation in the colony of South Carolina and, with a small group of men, headed south to Florida, at the time a Spanish colony, to the town of St. Augustine. There he was granted his freedom. He soon became a member of the Black militia and helped defend the area from English invaders. In 1738, Menendez helped found the first legally sanctioned free Black community in America. It was called Fort Mose, and it lay just north of St. Augustine. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e There were 38 households of men, women, and children living together at Fort Mose, creating a frontier community that drew on a range of African backgrounds and blended them with the local Spanish, Native American, and English peoples and cultures. Fort Mose became a southern destination for travelers of the Underground Railroad many years before the birth of its legendary \"conductor,\" Harriet Tubman. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Turner's graceful account clearly distinguishes between fact and supposition. . . . A significant addition to African American history collections for young people.\" --\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e (Starred Review)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGlennette Tilley Turner\u003c\/b\u003e has written nine children's books, including \u003ci\u003eAn Apple for Harriet Tubman\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eRunning for Our Lives\u003c\/i\u003e. She has a master's degree in history and children's literature; has spoken at ALA, NCTE, BCALA, and the Library of Congress; has presented at Illinois library, historical, and reading organizations; and has served as an advisor to the National Park Service. She lives in Wheaton, Illinois. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Abrams Books for Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50461262086418,"sku":"9780810940567","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_edbc31af-711b-46cc-8347-f3870d8c1465.jpg?v=1730061650","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/fort-mose-and-the-story-of-the-man-who-built-the-first-free-black-settlement-in-colonial-america-9780810940567","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}