We use cookies to provide you with the best possible browsing experience. Most of his men had believed that Lafitte had a valid privateering commission although there was confusion as to which country had issued it. Long-lost pirate ship may lie in Texas lake / Historical treasure could be wreck of Jean Lafitte. In February 1823, Lafitte was cruising off the town of Omoa, Honduras, on his schooner General Santander. The Treasure of Jean Lafitte - National Park Service He was accompanied by a Royal Marine infantry captain, John McWilliam,[45][46] who had been given a package to deliver to Lafitte. Over the next few months, the British Navy increased patrols in the Gulf of Mexico, and by August they had established a base at Pensacola. Merchants and planters were eager to buy the goods and slaves Lafitte smuggled into south Louisiana. They believe now they've found his sunken ship. Guest column: Jean Lafitte was a slave smuggler. Take him down, too [101] In 1909, a man was given a six-year prison sentence for fraud after swindling thousands of dollars from people, by claiming that he knew where the Lafitte treasure was buried and taking their money for the promise to find it.[103]. Baytown cousins believe they found missing pirate ship For the Hix boys, the legend of Jean Lafitte was always their family's little secret. Radford, Victor and the Pirate: A Story of New Orleans During the War of 1812, Childcraft (Vol. the Texas Gulf Coast. Louisiana planters had a hard time buying enough American-born slaves to work on their everexpanding sugar and cotton plantations. Pierre was to inform about the situation in New Orleans. [122] He is also referred to in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in which the boat dock is labeled LaFitte's Landing. His game was spread far and wide and there were those who feared and hated him. that the treasure was on board one of Lafittes vessels and sank to the ocean There are Lafitte decided to warn American authorities and offered to help defend New Orleans in exchange for a pardon for his men. Jean Lafitte Flags - JEAN LAFITTE TRADING COMPANY What books would you recommend about this pirate? A $27 million treasure supposedly lies buried on Pelican Island. 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. he was in his early twenties. Rogers was a member of Jean Lafitte's pirate crew in 1812. [25] Dorada captured a fourth ship, a schooner they renamed Petit Milan. His maternal grandmother and mother, both Conversos, fled Spain for France in 1765. The Lost Hideaway of Jean Lafitte - Lone Star Ghost Towns - Google His brother Pierre Lafitte was a blacksmith. wrong move on Lafittes mason rouge. [8], Biographer William C. Davis suggests a different childhood for Lafitte. [52], Following the custom of the times, Patterson filed a legal claim for the profits from the confiscated ships and merchandise. [101] Lafitte is rumored to have buried treasure at many locations, including Galveston and sites along coastal Louisiana, such as Contraband Bayou in Lake Charles. William Bartlett explored a three-hundred-year-old shipwreck. Although General Andrew Jackson, commander of the American troops, originally described Lafitte as a hellish banditti, he finally accepted Lafittes help because of the ammunition, cannoneers, and knowledge of the area Lafi tte could supply. Let us know in the comments One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. Very little is known about Laffite, and speculation about his life and death continues among historians. An attorney representing Lafitte argued that the captured ships had flown the flag of Cartagena, an area at peace with the United States. Jean Lafitte is said to have cached over 100 treasures on Galveston Island. [17], Based in New Orleans, Pierre Lafitte served as a silent partner, looking after their interests in the city. 3. SS Jean Lafitte may refer to one of two Type C2-S-E1 ships built by Gulf Shipbuilding for the United States Maritime Commission: . The following day, Lafitte took command of the island and appointed his own officers. treasure to speak of. Lost Gold of Jean Lafitte | Expedition Unknown Wiki | Fandom Lafittes men did resist arrest by American federal agents and soldiers, wounding, murdering, and capturing several. That was problematic for New Orleans merchants, who had relied heavily on trade with Caribbean colonies of other nations. 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. LA jean lafitte ship the pride Legend holds that the Pirate Jean LaFitte, or in some other versions Santa Anna, left treasure at Hendrick's Lake near Tatum. And whether it's a pirate's ship or not, they hope it's a clue to their ultimate treasure. The Baratarians. . Subscribe to the Pelican State of Mind blog by providing your email below! The second item was a personal note to Lafitte from McWilliam's superior, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Nicolls, urging him to accept the offer.[47]. Jean Lafitte (ca. With the Jean Lafitte, sometimes spelled Laffite, was born in approximately 1780 in either France or Saint Domingue (modern day Haiti) and according historian H.W . When they had disembarked and were surrounded by his men, Lafitte identified himself to them. In the early 1800s, Lafitte makes a fortune in treasure by raiding ships in the Gulf of Mexico . GALVESTON.COM: Historical Marker: Jean Lafitte - Galveston, TX Tensions were high during this time between the United States and Great Britain, creating the War of 1812 and forcing the United States to be on edge about who they could and could not trust. [5] No samples of his writing survive, except his signature; his surviving letters were always written by a secretary. He and his elder brother, Pierre, spelled their last name Laffite, but English-language documents of the time used "Lafitte", and this is the commonly seen spelling in the United States, including for places named for him. scrambling to find answers. The expert cannon fire of Jacksons troops, including Lafi ttes Baratarians, contributed to the American victories during the New Orleans campaign that culminated with the Battle of New Orleans on January 8,1815. On September 3, 1814, the British ship HMS Sophie fired on a pirate ship returning to Barataria. In a personal note, Lafitte reminded Blanque that his brother Pierre was still in jail and deserved an early release. The story may have begun because Pierre Lafittes mistress owned a building on St. Phillip Street across from todays Blacksmith Shop. Its well known about the boat company started with silver found near Lake Salvador. Within two days of his offer, handbills were posted all over New Orleans offering a similar award for the arrest of the governor. [42], Following the charges of November 10, 1812, and subsequent arrest and jailing of his brother Pierre, Jean Lafitte operated the piracy and smuggling business. 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. They were tried for piracy, and found guilty. Most of these battles took place at or near Chalmette Plantation, now Chalmette Battlefield and part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. that will never end. Later, the Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette, the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, and theWetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux were added to the park, and stories connect Lafitte with those areas too. After his three children were grown, Lafitte fell sick in his 50s. [15] The Lafitte brothers began to look for another port from which they could smuggle goods to local merchants. Jean Lafitte - Buried Treasures of the Notorious Pirate of the Gulf (Ramsay (1996), pp. Slaves captured in such actions who were turned over to the customs office would be sold within the United States, with half the profits going to the people who turned them in. [43] Lafitte's ship grounded in shallow water where the larger British ship could not follow. Jean Lafitte was the youngest of eight children (five boys and three girls). Jean was a handsome man by all accounts, of great personal charm and became . This story first appeared in a local newspaper in the 1920s from an unnamed source and has no basis in fact. Most who plied that area back then kept what they found close to the vest, and today that area is all open water, though many locals can still point out to you exactly where the Temple was. This account of Lafitte's death is not accepted by all historians. Is the image on this article what the actual chest looked like? [36] The proclamation was printed in the nationally read Niles' Weekly Register. During his life he acted as a soldier, sailor, diplomat, merchant, and much more, demonstrating natural gifts for leadership.[14]. He achieved notoriety through his daring exploits, but also for having "the coolest name ever.". The Indians in the Mandeville area helped him escape to the Pearl River. Families with the surname Lafitte have been found in Louisiana documents dating as early as 1765. Hendrick's Lake treasure is focus of Houston historian's upcoming book Jean Lafitte was also offered a position in the British Royal Navy as a captain. He and his older brother Pierre spelled their last name Laffite, but English language documents of the time used "Lafitte". Where: 1859 Ashton Villa, 2328 Broadway Ave. J, Galveston. [74], In less than a year, Lafitte's colony grew to 100200 men and several women. Orleanshe did not disappoint. [118][Note 4], Lafitte is paid tribute at Disneyland by a ship anchor monument with an accompanying plaque found in New Orleans Square. This information begs the question, though, How did Jean Lafitte have treasure in the first place, and if he did, why would he leave it behind?. $130,000 of Jean Lafitte's treasure is thought to be buried near Bolivar Point. Lost Gold of Jean Lafitte on Expedition Unknown - Monsters and Critics Actually, his men attacked several American ships but apparently did not kill any crewmen, possibly because they did not fight back. Lafitte wanted to avoid a Spanish invasion. After Lafitte's men abducted a Karankawa woman, warriors of her tribe attacked and killed five men of the colony. chagrin of the locals that helped drain the swamp, there was no trace of the Ramsay believes that Lafitte died of a fever in 1826 or 1827 on, Ramsay believes the documents were written by Laflin's ancestor, Matthew Laflin (18031854), who may have convinced his descendants that he was Jean Lafitte. Jean Lafitte 13 Lost Treasures of Florida [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". Little is known of Laffite's early life, but by 1809 he and his brother Pierre apparently had established in New Orleans a blacksmith shop that reportedly served as . The smugglers often held letters of marque from multiple countries, authorizing them to capture booty from differing nations. He brought all captured goods to Barataria. End of Campeche[edit] In 1821, the schooner USS Enterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. [89], Over the next few months, Lafitte established a base along the coast of Cuba, where he bribed local officials with a share of the profits. Do you have History suggests there is a possibility that hidden treasuresgold coins, doubloons, precious jewelryare somewhere beneath the surface just waiting to be found! He was probably born in the early 1780s in either France or the French colony of St. Domingue (now Haiti) in the Caribbean. Jean Lafitte: A trial for piracy. [21] In January 1813, they took their first prize, a Spanish hermaphrodite brig loaded with 77slaves. Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 - c. 1823) was a French pirate and privateer who operated in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century. Within weeks, Dorada captured a schooner loaded with goods valued at more than $9,000. Several of Lafitte's men were arrested and convicted of piracy. When: 2 p.m. May 22. He is best known for his role in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. He found his first Spanish gold coin in the year 2017. "I think he realized very quickly in Galveston that it was not going to work, as evidenced by how short lived that . Jean Lafitte, a famous pirate, buried his treasures along the coasts of Florida. 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. Mysterious shipwreck off Galveston is full of surprises: A great Lafitte possibly took an assumed name, John Lafflin, and may have given that surname to his younger two sons. Smugglers would purchase the slaves for a discounted price, march them to Louisiana, and turn them in to customs officials. Lost Gold Of Jean Lafitte is the 4th episode in Season 5 of Expedition Unknown. . Lafitte escaped. 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. My grandfathers mother lived next to his mother and we were told of the storys on where some was at. [6] According to Ramsay, Lafitte's widowed mother migrated with her two sons, the elder Pierre and Jean, from Saint-Domingue to New Orleans in the 1780s. These men were pardoned after testifying that they had deserted from Lafitte's ship in Galveston when they discovered that it did not have a valid privateering commission. [28] The residents of New Orleans were grateful to the Lafittes for providing them with luxuries otherwise prevented from importing by the embargo. On February 13, he escaped, likely with outside help.