Francisco Menendez was a free black military leader serving the Spanish Crown in 18th century St. Augustine, Florida. He is first traceable as a slave in South Carolina who, like many of his contemporaries, escaped to St. Augustine, Florida. In Florida he was granted his freedom as a subject to the King of Spain and was appointed the head of the black militia based at Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose. From this base Menendez led several raids on South Carolina.