Move up to Armistead Name Study (James Lafayette)ARMISTEAD patriot of the American Revolution Born: Birthplace: Spy, revolutionary. Born into slavery to owner William Armistead around December 10, 1748, in New Kent, Virginia. In 1781, James Armistead volunteered to join the U.S. Army in order to fight for the American Revolution. His master granted him permission to join the revolutionary cau...