[50], Lafitte committed himself and his men for any defensive measures needed by New Orleans. The story may have begun because Pierre Lafittes mistress owned a building on St. Phillip Street across from todays Blacksmith Shop. On November 10, 1812, United States District Attorney John R. Grymes charged Lafitte with "violation of the revenue law. Is his last name spelled Lafi tte or Laffi te? Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! Others formed three artillery companies. . Although the city kept control of the eight ships taken from Lafitte, it did not have enough sailors to man them for defense. The Spanish ships appeared to be fleeing but at 10:00 pm turned back for a frontal counterattack against Lafitte's ship. Very little is known about Laffite, and speculation about his life and death continues among historians. Jean Lafitte was likely born in 1782, although he was not baptized until 1786. [116], In 1980, the manuscript was donated to the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Texas. On September 13, 1814, Commodore Daniel Patterson set sail aboard the USSCarolina for Barataria. Several of Lafitte's men were arrested and convicted of piracy. Jean Lafitte in 1813. Jean's brother Pierre Lafitte died on the way to Dzilam and he was buried in Dzilam in an old cemetery, which later eroded into the sea. According to his 2005 book, Lafitte was born in or near Pauillac, France, the son of Pierre Lafitte and his second wife, Marguerite Desteil. They created a base on the small and sparsely-populated island of Barataria, in Barataria Bay. United States no choice but to pursue his arrest. The headquarters consisted of a two-storey building facing the inland harbor, where landings were made. "I'm proud of them. Despite Laffite warning the other Baratarians of a possible military attack on their base, a US naval force successfully invaded in September 1814 and captured most of his fleet. After Jean's reported death in the mid-1820s, the widowed Catiche took up with Feliciano Ramos. For the first time, it was made available for research. [59] With Lafitte's encouragement, many of his men joined the New Orleans militia or as sailors to man the ships. Legend said it was a ship Lafitte sunk or said he sunk in the Old Sabine River while being pursued by a federal gunboat. His exact whereabouts after that are unknown. They believe now they've found his sunken ship. In the Journal de Jean Lafitte, the authenticity of which is contested, Lafitte claims to have been born in Bordeaux, France, in 1780 to Sephardic Jewish parents. Jean The brothers stripped down their original ship and used its guns to outfit the new one. unclear why Lafitte had to bury his treasure or even where he was last seen. [69] With Spanish permission, Lafitte returned to Galveston, promising to make weekly reports of his activities.[70]. Located on Bourbon Street, it is associated with Lafitte, who may have spent time there in his earlier years. Could it be that there were multiple burial locations They will haunt you in your dreams for making a He was probably born in the early 1780s in either France or the French colony of St. Domingue (now Haiti) in the Caribbean. This article is about the privateer. In the 1950s, a man claiming to be a descendant of Lafitte published The Journal of Jean Laffite. The journal was republished in the 1990s as The Memoirs of Jean Laffite. A major theme in the memoir/journal is Lafittes change of heart from slave trader to anti-slavery activist. Later, in return for a legal pardon, Laffite and his fleet helped General Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans to defend the city during the War of 1812. Andrew Jackson asked Lafitte to help defend New Orleans in the Battle of 1815. ), privateer and smuggler who interrupted his illicit adventures to fight heroically for the United States in defense of New Orleans in the War of 1812. In-between Matagorda Bay and the mouth of the Sabine River, there are dozens of lost treasure tales associated with the infamous 19th Century buccaneer, and over the years there have been countless attempts undergone to recover some of the lost loot that Lafitte supposedly hid. The man also owned documents claiming Lafi tte lived until the 1850s and was buried in Alton, Illinois. The prizes that Lafitte took were slaves, cotton, commodities, etc. My grandfathers mother lived next to his mother and we were told of the storys on where some was at. [52], a man who, for about two years past, has been famous for crimes that the civilized world wars against. [4] He notes that still other contemporary accounts claim that Lafitte was born in Ordua, Spain, or in Westchester County, New York, north of Manhattan. His men burned the Maison Rouge, fortress, and settlement. Inside a tunnel stylized as pirate's cattacombs would've led to Laffite's old hideout, a capsized ship in Sawyer's island. In her children's story, Victor and the Pirate: A Story of New Orleans During the War of 1812 (1947), Ruby Lorraine Radford features a fictional child who encourages Lafitte to defend New Orleans. They took 80 people captive, but Lafitte escaped safely. New Orleans issued six such letters, primarily to smugglers who worked with Lafitte at Barataria. The Mystery of the Final Years of Jean Lafitte . The Americans took custody of six schooners, one felucca, and a brig, as well as 20cannon and goods worth $500,000. . I a month there. His treasure Lafittes men did resist arrest by American federal agents and soldiers, wounding, murdering, and capturing several. [41] He was arrested, tried, convicted, and jailed on charges of "having knowingly and wittingly aided and assisted, procured, commanded, counselled, and advised" persons to commit acts of piracy". There are many accounts that say Lafitte settled in After securing victory, Jackson paid tribute in despatches to the Laffite brothers' efforts, as well as those of their fellow privateers. The second item was a personal note to Lafitte from McWilliam's superior, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Nicolls, urging him to accept the offer.[47]. Although not part of the original proposal from Percy, Lockyer added an extra $30,000 if Lafitte would not only assist in the battle against New Orleans but also against Mobile. 3. In later years, he was described as having "a more accurate knowledge of every inlet from the Gulf than any other man". Do you have When he attacked some United States ships, the government sent in troops to capture him. According to one account, published in 1885, The Historical Guide to New Orleans, Jean Lafitte died of sickness on the island of Mugeres, off the Yucatan, in 1826. Lafitte proved an invaluable ally for the United States in the War of 1812 and the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, assisting General Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) to victory against the British. If they refused the offer, the letters informed Lafitte that the British had orders to capture Barataria to put an end to their smuggling. Families with the surname Lafitte have been found in Louisiana documents dating as early as 1765. Josh Gates investigates the legends swirling around the storied life and death of French pirate Jean Lafitte who is reputed to have buried treasure at sites in coastal Louisiana. Modern Day Depiction of the Baratarian Pirate and Brother of Jean Lafitte . The men working for Lafitte were called Baratarians because the waterways they used for smuggling were located in an area called Barataria (the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is located in this area). According to HendricksLake.com, created by author and independent researcher Gary L. Pinkerton, this is where six wagons of silver stolen by Jean Lafitte from a ship called the Santa Rosa were allegedly washed up. [7], According to Ramsay, as a young man, Lafitte likely spent much time exploring the wetlands and bayou country south of New Orleans. [116] Handwriting analysis experts affirmed that conclusion. Catiche had given birth to a daughter named Marie on November 10, 1813. Actually, his men attacked several American ships but apparently did not kill any crewmen, possibly because they did not fight back. One story even Jean Lafitte's ship was named "The General Jackson". [58] On December 19, the state legislature passed a resolution recommending a full pardon for all of the former residents at Barataria. An attorney representing Lafitte argued that the captured ships had flown the flag of Cartagena, an area at peace with the United States. parties, as the Mystery of Jean Lafittes Unfound Treasure seems to be a voyage [55] Jackson responded, "I ask you, Louisianans, can we place any confidence in the honor of men who have courted an alliance with pirates and robbers? , "Very few shipwrecks have been found that still have the stove intact," Irion said. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. 70130, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. ships as a last-ditch effort to gain an advantage in the pivotal Battle of New scrambling to find answers. [10], Sources indicate that Lafitte was sharp and resourceful, but also handsome and friendly, enjoying drinking, gambling, and women. He was so wealthy that he built his own secret smugglers colony on the islands south of New Orleans. By 1806, several "Captain Lafitte"s operated in New Orleans; [] He landed ships at Grand Terre and Cheniere, and then brought the merchandise to The Temple to be auctioned. Lafitte became very familiar with, and eventually mastered, an illegal smuggling profession, which translated into an extremely lucrative career for him. Here, there would be lots of different activities for the kids. [43] Lafitte's ship grounded in shallow water where the larger British ship could not follow. According to one account, published in 1885, The Historical Guide to New Orleans, Jean Lafitte died of sickness on the island of Mugeres, off the Yucatan, in 1826. that will never end. . It was cloudy with low visibility. 1417 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX ( Directions) One of over 200 historical markers on the island, this marker is located at the former house Maison Rouge of notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. They had two children together. Collectively they were known as "Number thirteen". (In English documents, his last name was often spelled Lafitte, but Laffite was the spelling used by Jean and his brother Pierre.) My Grandpa told me often when I was very young that everyone thought that Lafittes fort was on Grand Isle, but it never was. The Mystery of the Final Years of Jean Lafitte . You can see a small door that was covered. Wheres your backyard? [77], At its peak the colony had more than two thousand inhabitants and 120 separate structures. The other went north later over seas where he was killed during WW2. In 1807 the United States outlawed trade with Great Britain and France because of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. The park was named after Lafitte because of his smuggling operations in the area. (Ramsay (1996), pp. 419 Decatur St North of Tatum, in the middle of the woods, lies . - Advance Reservations Suggested - - Please check website for specific information and ticket pricing - Learn more about Jean Laffitte Pirate Dinner Cruise by visiting their . The mysterious sunken pirate ship contained about $5 million in silver and gold coins. Louisiana is not exclusive to rumors of the treasures whereabouts too, as Lafitte tried to convince the Americans that they had nothing to fear from him. New Orleans Jan 25, 2007. Most of the people were locals, from Lafourche Parish, the southern part, mainly Cut Off and Larose and the Gheens area, and also from the Des Allemands location. "I think he realized very quickly in Galveston that it was not going to work, as evidenced by how short lived that . By 1810, the island had become a booming port. [114][115] When the historical society could not authenticate the claim, Laflin approached Louisiana author Stanley Arthur. The following day, Lafitte took command of the island and appointed his own officers. SS Jean Lafitte (1942) (MC hull number 475), transferred to the United States Navy as Sumter-class attack transport USS Warren (APA-53); sold for commercial use in 1947; converted to container ship in 1965; scrapped in 1977 SS Jean Lafitte (1943) (MC hull number . It's not known who her father was. Wounded in the battle, Lafitte is believed to have died just after dawn on February 5. . Like Barataria, Galveston was a seaward island that protected a large inland bay. Lafitte, a one-time resident of Louisiana and privateer, is believed by some to He was nursed back to health by Emma Hortense Mortimer. "[100] Given his legendary reputation, there was much speculation about whether, or how, Lafitte had died. End of Campeche[edit] In 1821, the schooner USS Enterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. Yes I visited his home the Mason rouge in Campeche Galveston tx. Jean Laffite, Laffite also spelled Lafitte, (born 1780?, Francedied 1825? "It started for us with this family story," Cody Hix said. One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. [21] In January 1813, they took their first prize, a Spanish hermaphrodite brig loaded with 77slaves. Lafitte's ship is called "The Pride," but that's something they've already found. But the gold and diamond jewl was the confirmation I needed. Within two days of Lafitte's notes, Pierre "escaped" from jail. Even the date and place of his birth and death are unknown. British forces sought access to the Mississippi River to gain control of the interior of the US. the Texas Gulf Coast. Believing that the Americans would eventually prevail in the war against Britain, Lafitte thought he could more easily defeat the US revenue officers than he could the British Navy. On February 13, he escaped, likely with outside help. [51], On September 23, Patterson and his fleet, including the eight captured ships, began the return trip to New Orleans. Nice little interesting overview but the bit many accounts say lafitte settled in Galveston casts unnecessary doubt, The settlement in Galveston (Campeche) is firmly established in the history, theres even a museum there about it. Lafitte also always insisted that he was a privateer, not a pirate. My grandfather never got to look for the treasure s. Ive heard he would sometimes slip into Mobile Bay. Families with the surname Lafitte have been found in Louisiana documents from 1765. From there, he raided foreign ships in the Gulf of Mexico. [57], In mid-December, Jackson met with Lafitte, who offered to serve if the US would pardon those of his men who agreed to defend the city. I studied it very well and found a hidden marking on a wall beside the stairs and a solid wall pit with a hole in the top. the naval operations and common routes of port ships in the Mississippi River The Baratarians. A treasured mystery, What was the name of Lafitte's pirate ship? [48] Lafitte had copies of the letters sent to Jean Blanque, a member of the state legislature who had invested in the Barataria operation. The legend of Jean Lafitte survives in the history and mystery of south Louisiana, where Lafi ttes bayous and backwaters still meander toward the Gulf of Mexico. Annual income reached more than $2 million ($35.4million in today's terms) in stolen currency and goods. Sale of the slaves and additional cargo generated $18,000 in profits. Many from the area have taken artifacts from there, including coin. Smith believes he found a sunken ship on Google Earth in 2006 in Refugio, just north of Corpus Christi. Its off 435 about 12 miles from where he fled imprisonment to the Pearl River. mystery afoot! The fortune is said to have been stolen from the Spanish by Jean Lafitte. THE LEGACY OF JEAN LAFITTE IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA By W. T. Block Reprinted from TRUE WEST, Dec., 1979, p. 26ff; . [90] In late April 1822, Lafitte was captured again after taking his first American ship. Lafittes image changed from pirate to patriot during the War of 1812. It was, at least initially, relatively free of scrutiny from any of the governments in the region. Legend holds that the Pirate Jean LaFitte, or in some other versions Santa Anna, left treasure at Hendrick's Lake near Tatum. Retired Avenger, current NFL free agent. Their patrols and interventions reduced the number of active pirates in the region. Widely publicized, the raid was hailed by the Niles' Weekly Register as "a major conquest for the United States". After Napoleons exile to St. Helena by the English in 1815, the story says Lafitte put a double in his place and smuggled him into the United States, but that Napoleon died on the trip. [31], As the smuggling operations reduced the amount of revenue collected by customs offices, American authorities were determined to halt business at Barataria. are why the mystery is still such an interesting topic todaymore than 200 Rogers started his own pirate fleet in 1818. . As JeanLafitte.net explains, in 1948, a man named John Andrechyne Laflin went to the Missouri Historical Society with a document called The Journal of Jean Lafitte, which he claimed was the authentic memoir and scrapbook of the famed pirate. Jean Henri Laffite's father, Jean Louis Laffite, was a ship captain who died on August 1, 1782, aboard the privateer ship "EL POSTILION" during a hurricane in route . He vowed his intention to make indiscriminate war upon all God . Forced to leave the city, Lafitte decided to set up shop on a small island in Barataria Bay, about 40 miles south of New Orleans, to continue his smuggling ways. Lafitte then was supposed to have buried Napoleon in the town of Lafittes Perrin Cemetery; later Jones and Lafitte himself supposedly were buried there. [91] When Lafitte and other pirates operating in the area began attacking merchant ships carrying legal goods to Cuba, they angered Cuban officials. . . Guests could've been able to enter Laffite's crypt near the Haunted Mansion. Lafitte's fate has remained a mystery for 183 years. national hero. The United States government passed the Embargo Act of 1807 as tensions built with the United Kingdom by prohibiting trade. "[64] Jackson named Jean and Pierre Lafitte for having "exhibited the same courage and fidelity". . He was evidently able to speak English reasonably well and most likely had a working knowledge of Spanish. ), Nicolas, p. 277. states that he held a local (acting) rank of Captain of Royal Marines, R.L. For the Hix boys, the legend of Jean Lafitte was always their family's little secret. [53], Likely inspired by Lafitte's offer to help defend Louisiana, Governor Claiborne wrote the US Attorney General, Richard Rush requesting a pardon for the Baratarians, saying that for generations, smugglers were "esteemed honest [and] sympathy for these offenders is certainly more or less felt by many of the Louisianans". And the ship berry bros found look for gold on land nearby. The Indians in the Mandeville area helped him escape to the Pearl River. The buccaneer Jean Lafitte and other pirates sailed the Gulf to . Some speculate it was Jean. Although the handbills were made in Lafitte's name, Ramsay believes "it is unlikely [the handbills] originated with him". Let us know in the comments One of Lafitte's men testified that the Baratarians had never intended to fight the US but had prepared their vessels to flee. Merchants and planters were eager to buy the goods and slaves Lafitte smuggled into south Louisiana. [34] Biographer Jack Ramsay speculates that the voyage was intended to "establish [Lafitte] as a privateering captain". Get monthly email updates and the chance to win a prize. The smuggling operations of the well-known privateer eventually came to a screeching halt, though, when the United States began enforcing the embargo in New Orleans city limits some time after the act passed. Britain and the United States declared war in June 1812, but until 1814, most of the fighting took place on the east coast or northern border of the United States. #1. Numerous novels and stories refer to Lafitte's exploits. The smugglers wounded one of the officers and safely escaped with the contraband. Louisiana State University alumnus (Geaux Tigers), fanatic of all things sports, pugs, and Star Wars, and teller of the occasional dad joke. [71] Texas was lightly populated at this time, and the base had no significant populations nearby. The letters gave the ships permission to attack ships from all nations. there were treasure legends, and the most common story is that Lafitte stranded a ship, a Spanish ship with gold, in Matagorda Bay in Corpus and was taking it to St. Louis on some wagon trains over roads that don . Small but made like a brick. Walk in the footsteps of the men who fought at 1815's Battle of New Orleans. During the battle Lafitte fought well. Lafitte wanted to avoid a Spanish invasion. He was a reserved man and remained largely . Jean was a handsome man by all accounts, of great personal charm and became . He is best known for his role in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. was born in France around the year 1780 and traveled to the United States when Constructed in the 1720s, the structure stands today as possibly the oldest building in the United States housing a bar (Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar).[105][106]. Rosenberg Library, Galveston (Public Domain) Jean Lafitte (galement orthographi Laffite, c. 1780 - c. 1820) tait un meneur franco-amricain de pirates et de corsaires qui captura des navires marchands de diffrents tats dans le golfe du Mexique de 1810 1820. And where? [123][124], There were also plans to connect the Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion attraction and Tom Sawyer's island using Laffite. Instead, Lafitte told Governor Claiborne of the planned attack and offered his help. Check out our jean lafitte selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our prints shops. The marker was erected in 1965 by the Texas Historical Commission. An archivist for Bexar County, Texas, declared the papers to be authentic. Lafitte worked with several smugglers, including Jim Bowie, to profit from the poorly written law. . But the treasure is in my best belief to be in Galveston. Jean was sent to Galveston Island, a part of Spanish Texas that served as the home base of Louis-Michel Aury, a French privateer who claimed to be a Mexican revolutionary. Who was Jean Laffite? Jean LaFitte, that colorful character who roamed the Gulf Coast in the early 1800s was said to be many things - smuggler, pirate and patriot. well as the fortunes left on the merchant ships that he captured. even tales that the treasure was not intentionally buried. If you study your info you will be lost. In a personal note, Lafitte reminded Blanque that his brother Pierre was still in jail and deserved an early release. says that a swamp in the Natalbany River in Springfield, Louisiana, was drained LINCOLNTON, N.C. (WBTV) - In the 1820s, pirate Jean Laffite, a smuggler from the Gulf Coast area in Louisiana, allegedly faked his death. Where: 1859 Ashton Villa, 2328 Broadway Ave. J, Galveston. By 1805 he is believed to have been running a warehouse in New Orleans and possibly a store on Royal Street. You'll need to arrive by 5:30pm and bring your ID plus there is a $3.00 USD boarding fee. [22] The Lafittes gained a reputation for treating captive crew members well and often returned captured ships to their original crew. Governor Claiborne of Louisiana once offered a $500 reward to anyone who captured Jean Laffite; Laffitte offered a counter reward of $5,000 to anyone who captured the governor. To this day, He refused to allow anyone else to see the original documents until 1969, when he sold them to a professional document dealer. There were also those who considered him a hero. Lafitte was granted a commission and given a new ship, a 43-ton schooner named General Santander in honor to Vice-President General Francisco de Paula Santander. Lafitte was later He and his older brother Pierre spelled their last name Laffite, but English language documents of the time used "Lafitte".This has become the common spelling in the United States, including places named after him. A mysterious shipwreck is capturing imaginations as a team of researchers sift through the remnants of an early 19th-century vessel located 150 miles off the Galveston Island coast.. They sailed three ships, which Davis described as likely "one of the largest privately owned corsair fleets operating on the coast, and the most versatile.