Name: __________________________

The Stono Rebellion of September 1739 was the largest slave rebellion in Colonial American history. About 20 slaves, led by a man named Jemmy, gathered near the Stono River which was not far from Charles Town. Planning to escape to Spanish Florida, the rebelling slaves broke into Hutchinson’s store at the Stono Bridge. The slaves murdered the storekeeper, and stole guns and powder. Other slaves joined them as they moved from plantation to plantation killing and burning.

By chance, the rebelling slaves met Lt. Governor William Bull on the road, but he managed to escape and spread the alarm. The militia assembled and attacked the slaves’ camp. Some of the rebelling slaves were killed and others were captured. However, many slaves escaped and armed patrols hunted them down. As a result of the Stono Rebellion, South Carolina’s assembly passed the slave code of 1740. Slaves and Native Americans that helped the colonists during the rebellion were rewarded with freedom, clothes, land, and money.

July – Saved the lives of his master, Mr. Thomas Elliott, and his family. Rewarded with freedom, a suit of clothes, hat, shoes, and stockings.

Ralph, Prince, Joe, Larush, Pompey, Sampson, Cut, Toby, Hercules, Ben, Tony, Primus, Peter, Scipio, James, and other men and women – rewarded with clothes and 10 to 20 pounds in cash.

Toby, Old Tack, Peter, Tom, Titus, Simon, Philip, Native Americans who helped the colonists – rewarded with a coat, hat, a pair of Native American stockings, a gun, two pounds of powder, and eight pounds of bullets. Some received money.

Jemmy – A leader of the rebellion; we do not know what happened to him.

Questions for Thought – use the back of this paper if you need more room to answer+:

1. Why did the slaves start their revolt at Hutchinson’s store?

2. How did the slaves plan to escape?

3. Why did some slaves and Native Americans help the colonists?

4. How did the Stono Rebellion change colonial South Carolina?

5. Which side would you have taken if you had been a slave? Why?

Imagine you are a slave that made it to Florida after the Stono Rebellion. The Spanish want to hear your story. Write a poem, letter, story, an essay or draw a comic strip. You choose.

Write a caption for this picture of the Stono Rebellion. Answer the following questions: Is this an accurate picture? Who was it created for?