the "Angola Settlement" (1812-1821)

With nearly two hundred years past, a small parcel of land along the southern shore of the eastern Manatee River, of a little known and almost forgotten settlement - once farmed by run-away slaves (maroons), the so-called Black Seminoles - has finally come to true light. Researchers, archeologists and anthropologists have all determined the site as;  Angola, a "maroon" settlement.  An initial and lengthy study was recently completed and a lecture series with their excavated, simple early evidence, has finally been publicly presented.  Not the easiest place to find, but I found it.



The well-hidden entrance to a natural flowing mineral spring, that feeds out into the Manatee River.

The approximate 25 acre site below, originally accommodated the roughly, 750 spread-out settlers with vegetable gardens and rough-hewn cabins. The Angola settlement lasted only a brief period of nearly a decade, before it was burned and destroyed as directed by then, Gen. Andrew Jackson, in 1821. (Remnants of planted sugar cane can still be found)

Special thanks to an old friend, Vickie Oldham;
www.lookingforangola.org

Recently published site by New College of Florida; from the northern Florida fort of Prospect Bluff to the "maroons" of Angola.
http://goo.gl/OAyUEZ