[4][5] In the late 18th century, adult children of the French planters in Saint-Domingue often resettled along the Mississippi River in La Louisiane, especially in its largest city of New Orleans. But remember Lafittes black dogs are still around dont go a hunting unless you are prepared to suffer the consequences. He resurfaced in North Carolina under a different name, an alias. 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. Jean Lafitte (also spelt Laffite, c. 1780 to c. 1820 CE) was a Franco-American leader of pirates and privateers who captured merchant vessels of various states in the Gulf of Mexico from 1810 to 1820. Louisiana's most well-known buried treasure mystery still to this day is the unfound treasure of Jean Lafitte. Jean Laffite | Haunted Mansion Wiki | Fandom [28] The residents of New Orleans were grateful to the Lafittes for providing them with luxuries otherwise prevented from importing by the embargo. So next time you're walking past the . In 1818, the Campeche colony suffered hardships. As part of Mexico, it was outside the authority of the United States, and was largely uninhabited, except by the Karankawa, a Native American people. The second item was a personal note to Lafitte from McWilliam's superior, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Nicolls, urging him to accept the offer.[47]. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! Other documents of the period place his birthplace as St. Malo or Brest. In February 1823, Lafitte was cruising off the town of Omoa, Honduras, on his schooner General Santander. Inside a tunnel stylized as pirate's cattacombs would've led to Laffite's old hideout, a capsized ship in Sawyer's island. Jean Lafitte Flags - JEAN LAFITTE TRADING COMPANY They will haunt you in your dreams for making a "It started for us with this family story," Cody Hix said. The Ghost of Jean Lafitte in Galveston - Ghost City Tours Look it up. "[100] Given his legendary reputation, there was much speculation about whether, or how, Lafitte had died. the treasure be today? 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. Retired Avenger, current NFL free agent. In November 1822, he made news in the American press after escorting an American schooner through the pirate-infested area and providing them with extra cannon balls and food.[96]. On April 18, he sailed for New Orleans to report his activities. Even the date and place of his birth and death are unknown. that the treasure is in a different location now than where it was buried? Rogers was a member of Jean Lafitte's pirate crew in 1812. Jean Lafitte - Encyclopdie de l'Histoire du Monde The Americans took custody of six schooners, one felucca, and a brig, as well as 20cannon and goods worth $500,000. Jean Lafitte, sometimes spelled Laffite, was born in approximately 1780 in either France or Saint Domingue (modern day Haiti) and according historian H.W . He died about Feb 5, 1823. 23 Lost Treasures of Louisiana [82] Lafitte reportedly took immense amounts of treasure with him, and was accompanied by his mulatta mistress[who?] that the treasure was on board one of Lafittes vessels and sank to the ocean [62], Patterson praised the Barataria men who served on one of the US Navy ships, and whose skill with artillery was greater than their British counterparts. into these uncharted waters, we need to know more about who Lafitte was. Jackson agreed to do so. a legend in his own time, after his patriotic actions in the Battle of New Orleans. You'll need to arrive by 5:30pm and bring your ID plus there is a $3.00 USD boarding fee. [38] Officials tried to break up this auction by force. In January 1808, the government began to enforce the Embargo Act of 1807, which barred American ships from docking at any foreign port and imposed an embargo on goods imported into the US. Registration for Pierre Lafitte's ship Goelette la Dilidente,a 136 ton schooner, captained by . [2] Some sources say that his father was French and his mother's family had come from Spain. Jean Lafitte in 1813. Those looking for Gold, Diamonds, Jewelry etc wont find it. The brothers adapted the captured ship for use in piracy and named it Dorada. To the north of Tatum, in the middle of the forest, lies Lake Hendrix. treasure of Jean Lafitte. States officials granted him legal authority to pirate and capture British Modern Day Depiction of the Baratarian Pirate and Brother of Jean Lafitte . mystery afoot! There were also those who considered him a hero. The corsairs aimed the artillery at the Karankawa, killing most of the men in the tribe. What was the name of Lafitte's pirate ship? LA On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 1776 - ca. Lafitte decided to warn American authorities and offered to help defend New Orleans in exchange for a pardon for his men. [5][12] He was known to adopt more aristocratic mannerisms and dress than most of his fellow privateers. floor after a shipwreck. This article provides images of newspapers from 1921, and one column in particular that talks about Lafittes treasure. The Pride | Baghdad on the Bayou | Obsidian Portal A grand jury indicted Pierre Lafitte after hearing testimony against him by one of the city's leading merchants. He withdrew his battered troops and ended French involvement in North America, selling the US what became known as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803: French-claimed lands west of the Mississippi River. Jean Lafitte Treasure Found - TreasureNet The Original Treasure One of Lafitte's men testified that the Baratarians had never intended to fight the US but had prepared their vessels to flee. . There is even an event in La Porte, Texas centered around the treasure called the Annual Search for Lafittes Gold.. Lafitte's ship is called "The Pride," but that's something they've already found. He achieved notoriety through his daring exploits, but also for having "the coolest name ever.". Jean had taken the helm of a band of pirates when the U.S. found itself at war with . History suggests there is a possibility that hidden treasuresgold coins, doubloons, precious jewelryare somewhere beneath the surface just waiting to be found! There is no . This has become the common spelling in the United States, including places named after him.[1]. Jean Lafitte became labeled by some as a Collectively they were known as "Number thirteen". This would later be used to his great advantage. Legend holds that the Pirate Jean LaFitte, or in some other versions Santa Anna, left treasure at Hendrick's Lake near Tatum. From there, he raided foreign ships in the Gulf of Mexico. They were tried for piracy, and found guilty. [99], Davis writes that Lafitte's death prevented his becoming obsolete; by 1825 piracy had been essentially eradicated in the Gulf of Mexico, and "the new world of the Gulf simply had no room for [his] kind. [79] It was being developed for cotton culture, as invention of the cotton gin had made short-staple cotton profitable. One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. Jean Lafitte | American Battlefield Trust 2001-11-18 04:00:00 PDT Wallisville, Texas -- Using a machete, Anahuac Jack hacks through branches . There are Lafitte agreed to leave the island without a fight, and on May 7, 1821, departed on The Pride. Searching for Jean Lafitte's Gold in the Sabine River "And now you Book Claims Sword Proves Pirate Jean Lafitte Faked Death and Lived in Let us know in the comments The treasure already found was Spanish Silver, not Gold. The British raised a white flag and launched a small dinghy with several officers. The Sabin, a ship belonging to Robert Kleberg and Van Roeder, is said to have sunk with valuables off Galveston Island. The Barataria chief then had 1100 men under his . Lafitte se rvla un alli prcieux pour les tats-Unis lors de la . Hendrick's Lake treasure is focus of Houston historian's upcoming book Date of Birth - Death c. 1780-unknown. [50], Lafitte committed himself and his men for any defensive measures needed by New Orleans. Guest column: Jean Lafitte was a slave smuggler. Take him down, too [52], a man who, for about two years past, has been famous for crimes that the civilized world wars against. 5, 7. While his fleet took a hit, Lafitte himself managed to evade capture. The Indians in the Mandeville area helped him escape to the Pearl River. Within a short period, Lafitte's men abandoned their ships, set several on fire, and fled the area. Most of these battles took place at or near Chalmette Plantation, now Chalmette Battlefield and part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The family thinks this could be a clue as to where the actual treasure is. He was so wealthy that he built his own secret smugglers colony on the islands south of New Orleans. SS Jean Lafitte may refer to one of two Type C2-S-E1 ships built by Gulf Shipbuilding for the United States Maritime Commission: . Jean Lafitte : biography 1780 - 1826 Davis places Lafitte's brother Pierre in Saint-Domingue in the late 1790s and the early 19th century. The marker was erected in 1965 by the Texas Historical Commission. 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). Merchants and planters were eager to buy the goods and slaves Lafitte smuggled into south Louisiana. [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. The letters gave the ships permission to attack ships from all nations. From Pirates to shipwrecks along its coastline to its history of explorers it's no wonder that Florida has lost treasure to be found. Jean Lafitte was likely born in 1782, although he was not baptized until 1786. [17], Based in New Orleans, Pierre Lafitte served as a silent partner, looking after their interests in the city. There were no chests. I always heard that an area Boat Company Owner started his business with a 5 gallon bucket of silver taken from that area. [117] Laflin had been previously accused of forging letters purportedly from Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, and Davy Crockett. Most of Jean Lafitte's life remains shrouded in mystery, including his name. My grandfather never got to look for the treasure s. Ive heard he would sometimes slip into Mobile Bay. "[26] For several months, the Lafittes would send the ships directly to New Orleans with legal cargo and would take on outgoing provisions in the city. That night his remaining men reboarded the General Victoria and destroyed its masts and spars, crippling the ship, but they left the crew unharmed. [116] Handwriting analysis experts affirmed that conclusion. His brother Pierre Lafitte was a blacksmith. According to his 2005 book, Lafitte was born in or near Pauillac, France, the son of Pierre Lafitte and his second wife, Marguerite Desteil. Mystery and legend surround the life of Jean Lafi tte. [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". After his three children were grown, Lafitte fell sick in his 50s. Lafitte possibly took an assumed name, John Lafflin, and may have given that surname to his younger two sons. Many from the area have taken artifacts from there, including coin. On the Trail of East Texas Treasures - Hinterland Gazette They created a base on the small and sparsely-populated island of Barataria, in Barataria Bay. There are many stories about famed pirate Jean Lafitte, but one places his lost buried treasure at the bottom of a lake right here in East Texas. In 1817, Jean founded a new colony on Galveston Island named Campeche. The silver that Lafitte accumulated from selling captured slaves, cotton, and other goods was stored in wooden kegs or casks. The Mystery of the Final Years of Jean Lafitte . There's Lafitte's Treasure Casino right off the Grand Coteau exit on I-49; Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve Acadian-Cultural Center and the Lafitte Oaks on Jefferson Island, where the pirate is said to have buried some of his treasure. That was problematic for New Orleans merchants, who had relied heavily on trade with Caribbean colonies of other nations. An 1802 newspaper ad mentioned a blacksmith named Lafi tte, but no first name was given and the shop was not at the corner of Bourbon and St. Phillip streets where the business known as Jean Lafi ttes Blacksmith Shop stands today. ), 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. An attorney representing Lafitte argued that the captured ships had flown the flag of Cartagena, an area at peace with the United States. ), Nicolas, p. 277. states that he held a local (acting) rank of Captain of Royal Marines, R.L. The stairs run beside it. Podcast: Jean Lafitte, The Texas Pirate in Galveston, Texas The Lost Hideaway of Jean Lafitte - Lone Star Ghost Towns - Google Christina died after the birth of their daughter. They took 80 people captive, but Lafitte escaped safely. Most of his men had believed that Lafitte had a valid privateering commission although there was confusion as to which country had issued it. locations along the Gulf Coast. Despite this, no silver bars were found. 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. [21] In January 1813, they took their first prize, a Spanish hermaphrodite brig loaded with 77slaves. Although the plans were scrapped, a bricked up entrance close to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride pays homage to this idea.[125]. "I think he realized very quickly in Galveston that it was not going to work, as evidenced by how short lived that . That was more of his commerce center, again where he exchanged merchandise for coin. Their patrols and interventions reduced the number of active pirates in the region. In April 1818, the United States passed a law prohibiting the import of slaves into any port in the United States. I grew up back there, in those waterways, in that area and found many interesting things. The information I found about the Don Felipe treasure was research I did online not sure if it . Lafitte was horribly excited by the result of this trial. Jean Lafitte Facts for Kids [88] In October or November 1821, Lafitte's ship was ambushed as he attempted to ransom a recent prize. Jean Lafitte - Wikipedia They married and had two sons together, Jules Jean and Glenn Henri. [36], In October, a revenue officer prepared an ambush of a band of Lafitte's smugglers. What did the USS Enterprise do to Jean Lafitte? Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! 3. [25] Dorada captured a fourth ship, a schooner they renamed Petit Milan. Louisiana planters had a hard time buying enough American-born slaves to work on their everexpanding sugar and cotton plantations. Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 - c. 1823) was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. Resentful of the raid on Barataria, Lafitte's men refused to serve on their former ships. . "Jean Laffite Revealed". My Grandpa told me often when I was very young that everyone thought that Lafittes fort was on Grand Isle, but it never was. Other variations of the mystery say Lafitte buried the treasure in . GALVESTON.COM: Historical Marker: Jean Lafitte - Galveston, TX So, if you google Money Hill in Abita Springs ,La . jean lafitte shipwreck found. Woodblock print of the death of Jean Lafitte from The Pirates Own Book, published in 1837. 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). [48] He had also been told in August that American officials were planning an assault on Barataria with forces under the command of Commodore Daniel Patterson. "Finding out who Lafitte really was," Cody Hix said. 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]. The building was surrounded by a moat and painted red; it became known as Maison Rouge. There are many stories about what happened to Lafitte and where he died. 2. The Laffites subsequently became spies for the Spanish during the Mexican War of Independence. Several times customs officials and soldiers tried to capture Lafi tte in the swamps, but they were usually captured, wounded, or killed by the Baratarians. [37] The following month, the governor offered a $500 reward for Lafitte's capture. During this time in New Orleans, Lafitte became a very rich man, acquiring extraordinary amounts of money, ships, and weapons. The fleet anchored off Grande Terre and the gunboats attacked. It was stuck in the crack of the stairs. He heads off to a plantation (as a legend says that . Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 - c. 1823) . [33], Although under indictment, in March 1813 Lafitte registered as captain of Le Brig Goelette la Diligente for a supposed journey to New York. 200-year-old shipwreck found in Gulf of Mexico - CBS News In 1966, Louisiana authorized a state park to be established at the present site of the Barataria Preserve. The ship's kitchen stove was found intact. When he attacked some United States ships, the government sent in troops to capture him. (He was actually more of a land based businessman than a privateer or pirate at sea.) In exchange, the king asked for Lafitte and his forces to promise to assist in the naval fight against the United States and to return any recent property that had been captured from Spanish ships. Official Blog of Pelican State Credit Union. [7] Lafitte likely helped his brother to sell or trade the captured merchandise. [56] It had approximately 1,000 unseasoned troops and two ships for its use. 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 . Lafitte, Campbell & Pirates | Texas City, TX Lafitte was associated with the three original sites of the park: he roamed the streets of New Orleans French Quarter, navigated the swamps of the Barataria Preserve, and helped the Americans win the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield. The bay was located beyond a narrow passage between the barrier islands of Grand Terre and Grande Isle.