Spanish governor of Florida grants freedom to runaway
British slaves, and establishes a free black settlement called Mose.
Engineer Pedro Ruiz de Olano (Spain) begins "modernization" of
Castillo de San Marcos (vaults replace beams to support gundeck).
Engineer Ruiz builds Fort Matanzas at the inlet
to control inland waterway leading to St. Augustine from the south.
1741
War of Jenkins' Ear merges into King George's War.
1741-43
Five times the British try unsuccessfully to land on
Anastasia Island or at Fort Matanzas.
1742
British defeat Spanish attempt to capture Fort Frederica.
1751-56
Engineer Pedro de Brozas (Spain) completes the vaulting
at other three sides of Castillo. Fort Mose rebuilt in masonry.
Earthworks at Mose extended to complete northernmost defense of
St. Augustine.
American Revolution begins at Lexington,
Massachusetts. Florida remains loyal to Great Britain.
1776
United Colonies declare Independence from Great Britain.
Virginians brought to St. Augustine as prisoners but released the same year.
1777
About 600 Minorcas, Italians, and Greeks reach St. Augustine from the unsuccessful plantation at New Smyrna (60 miles south of St. Augustine)
1778
St. Augustine-based British troops march toward Savannah. The
United Colonies (Americans) and France become commercial and military
allies against the British.