James Armistead

James Armistead

James Armistead Lafayette (December 10, 1760–August 9, 1830) was the first African American double agent. An African American slave, Armistead was owned by William Armistead in Virginia during the American Revolution.

Most sources indicate that Armistead was born in 1748 in New Kent County, Virginia as a slave to William Armistead. Other sources put his birth around 1760 in Elizabeth City, Virginia.