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AFRICAN RELIGIOUS INTEGRATION IN FLORIDA DURING THE FIRST SPANISH PERIOD

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Date Issued:
2007
Abstract/Description:
This thesis is an examination of the unique conditions for African-descended slaves in St. Augustine, Florida, during the First Spanish Period. St. Augustine was an important garrison at a remote point in the Spanish Empire at the edge of a hostile frontier. As such, economics were less a priority than defense. Slaves, therefore, received different treatment here than in English colonies or even other Spanish colonies. Due to the threat of Protestantism, religious adherence was more important as a test of loyalty than ethnicity and slaves and freed-people were able to integrate better than in other Spanish holdings. In order to explore this integration, the meticulous records of the St. Augustine clergy are used. Infant baptism rates are used to show the influence of Spanish culture as well as at least a semblance of adherence on the part of African-descended people. The baptism of adults, meanwhile, and the role of the godparent are examined to show integration and the complex nature of this unique religious phenomenon.
Title: AFRICAN RELIGIOUS INTEGRATION IN FLORIDA DURING THE FIRST SPANISH PERIOD.
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Name(s): Beats, Christopher, Author
Walker, Ezekiel, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2007
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: This thesis is an examination of the unique conditions for African-descended slaves in St. Augustine, Florida, during the First Spanish Period. St. Augustine was an important garrison at a remote point in the Spanish Empire at the edge of a hostile frontier. As such, economics were less a priority than defense. Slaves, therefore, received different treatment here than in English colonies or even other Spanish colonies. Due to the threat of Protestantism, religious adherence was more important as a test of loyalty than ethnicity and slaves and freed-people were able to integrate better than in other Spanish holdings. In order to explore this integration, the meticulous records of the St. Augustine clergy are used. Infant baptism rates are used to show the influence of Spanish culture as well as at least a semblance of adherence on the part of African-descended people. The baptism of adults, meanwhile, and the role of the godparent are examined to show integration and the complex nature of this unique religious phenomenon.
Identifier: CFE0001809 (IID), ucf:47352 (fedora)
Note(s): 2007-08-01
M.A.
Arts and Humanities, Department of History
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): Florida
Slavery
Religion
Catholicism
Integration
St. Augustine
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001809
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UCF

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