Galveston County, Texas Lost Treasures | The Rocker Box A family in Baytown, Texas tell their story as they believe they found one of Lafittes sunken ships. 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). The boys were given a basic Catholic education. jean lafitte shipwreck found. Jean Lafitte (c.1780 - c.1823) - Genealogy - geni family tree Jean Laffite | Biography & Facts | Britannica "Ladies and gentlemen, meet Jean Lafitte. . In the early 1800s, Lafitte makes a fortune in treasure by raiding ships in the Gulf of Mexico . Lafitte then was supposed to have buried Napoleon in the town of Lafittes Perrin Cemetery; later Jones and Lafitte himself supposedly were buried there. Jean Lafitte - Etsy The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1983.123.8. He resurfaced in North Carolina under a different name, an alias. Back in 1915, a city worker in New Orleans found a chest that was filled with over 1,500 . 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 . times as a smuggler and privateer, he became very wealthy. Most historians doubt the authenticity of these claims but have not been able to disprove them. He heads off to a plantation (as a legend says that . [56] It had approximately 1,000 unseasoned troops and two ships for its use. Louisiana is not exclusive to rumors of the treasures whereabouts too, as 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. What did the USS Enterprise do to Jean Lafitte? 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. Pinkerton is a mysterious figure. Jean Lafitte - Interesting stories about famous people, biographies [2] Some sources say that his father was French and his mother's family had come from Spain. Click the image below to read our free eBook "The Big Book of Credit Union MythsBUSTED! The ship would sail to the mouth of Bayou Lafourche, load the contraband goods, and sail "legally" back to New Orleans, with goods listed on a certified manifest. I also. In the summer of 1814, Pierre was arrested and jailed in New Orleans, but he escaped from jail under mysterious circumstances in September. 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. One of the pirate's captains had attacked an American merchant ship. British forces sought access to the Mississippi River to gain control of the interior of the US. Jean Lafitte | American Battlefield Trust 3. Louisiana State University alumnus (Geaux Tigers), fanatic of all things sports, pugs, and Star Wars, and teller of the occasional dad joke. It was specifically intended to prohibit trade with the United Kingdom, as tensions were increasing between the two countries. Found bones of mamouth and Indian tools. The Dread Jewish Pirate Jean Lafitte - Tablet Magazine One of the men was found living in east Texas where he had bought a farm. Jean-Baptiste Francisco Lafitte (1782-1823) - WikiTree Lafitte se rvla un alli prcieux pour les tats-Unis lors de la . After first escaping with some crew, he and his men were captured and jailed. Walk in the footsteps of the men who fought at 1815's Battle of New Orleans. The brothers stripped down their original ship and used its guns to outfit the new one. I think yall lying about the finding treasure, Plum bayou look for trees cut down and fake grave at the end. Jean Lafitte - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help that the treasure was on board one of Lafittes vessels and sank to the ocean On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He vowed his intention to make indiscriminate war upon all God . Guest column: Jean Lafitte was a slave smuggler. Take him down, too Merchants in New Orleans began to run out of goods to sell. [9], Acknowledging that details of Lafitte's first twenty years are sparse, Davis speculates that Lafitte spent much time at sea as a child, probably aboard ships owned by his father, a known trader. Yes I visited his home the Mason rouge in Campeche Galveston tx. The man also owned documents claiming Lafi tte lived until the 1850s and was buried in Alton, Illinois. ", This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, A family in Baytown, Texas tell their story. locations along the Gulf Coast. [7] Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 - c. 1823) . You'll need to arrive by 5:30pm and bring your ID plus there is a $3.00 USD boarding fee. The benefits of Jean Lafitte agreement to the British were numerous and well calculated. [116], In 1980, the manuscript was donated to the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Texas. However, due to a combination of the enhantments that were cast on the ship, the fanatical loyalty of her crew, the ledgentary will of Jean Lafitte, and decades of personification by powerful beings, a spirit was bornkniting together the souls of the . The Baratarians invited the British officers to row to their island. Our exclusive brands & quality merchandise are created to inspire a unique & recognizable Joie de vivre~Pirate Lifestyle with worldwide appeal! (Ramsay (1996), pp. Date of Birth - Death c. 1780-unknown. Some speculate it was Jean. You will see it gets its name from the treasure being buried there. and an infant son[who?]. I have no doubt that the Historians will decry what Ive said here, and Im cool with that, I know what I saw and found, and I know what others saw and found. End of Campeche[edit] In 1821, the schooner USS Enterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. This story first appeared in a local newspaper in the 1920s from an unnamed source and has no basis in fact. , He was probably born in the early 1780s in either France or the French colony of St. Domingue (now Haiti) in the Caribbean. My grandfathers mother lived next to his mother and we were told of the storys on where some was at. Like a little wooden barrel. Jean Laffite | Haunted Mansion Wiki | Fandom Due to escalating violence from the Haitian Revolution, in early 1803 Pierre boarded a refugee ship for New Orleans. She placed Pierre to be raised by extended family elsewhere in Louisiana. [118][Note 4], Lafitte is paid tribute at Disneyland by a ship anchor monument with an accompanying plaque found in New Orleans Square. 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. By clicking "Accept," you agree to the use of cookies on Pelican State of Mind. On the trail of East Texas' buried treasure [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. Within two days of Lafitte's notes, Pierre "escaped" from jail. "[55], When General Andrew Jackson arrived in New Orleans on December 1, 1814, he discovered the city had not created any defenses. because Lafittes treasure was thought to be underwater there. Laflin said he himself was a descendant of Jean Lafitte and had found the book in a trunk he had inherited. LA I always heard that an area Boat Company Owner started his business with a 5 gallon bucket of silver taken from that area. (The United States and the United Kingdom had prohibited the Atlantic slave trade after 1808, but Spain continued to import slaves to the Caribbean.) Jean Lafitte: Mystery of the Unfound Treasure - Pelican State of Mind 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. 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. 3 and 4. Rogers started his own pirate fleet in 1818. . The Lincolnton, N.C. Pirate: Unraveling the mystery of Jean Laffite - WBTV [88] In October or November 1821, Lafitte's ship was ambushed as he attempted to ransom a recent prize. They had his only known son, Jean Pierre Lafitte (d. 1832). 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. [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. and its inlets. 419 Decatur St [99], Ramsay compares the numerous legends related to the life and death of Jean Lafitte to those about King Arthur and Robin Hood. New Orleans issued six such letters, primarily to smugglers who worked with Lafitte at Barataria. 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. [33], Although under indictment, in March 1813 Lafitte registered as captain of Le Brig Goelette la Diligente for a supposed journey to New York. While his fleet took a hit, Lafitte himself managed to evade capture. Though Lafitte's home is gone, this property across the street from the Port of Galveston contains the ruins of a later structure and a trove of ghost tales. He said his ships would sail as pirates. The judge ruled that Patterson should get the customary share of profits from the goods that had already been sold, but he did not settle the ownership of the ships. These Letters of Marque would give the Captains and Crew permission to capture and steal the ship and cargo of the issuing government's enemies. Robertson was incensed by Lafitte's operation, calling his men "brigands who infest our coast and overrun our country". In the 1938 and 1958 films The Buccaneer, Lafitte claims he never attacked an American ship. At its height, the colonists and privateers earned millions of dollars annually from stolen or smuggled coin and goods. It's okay, because we're here to bust them! The old 1938 cross marked "Jean Lafitte, Re-exhumado, 1938" was made to mark the burial site of a bone that was found washed up on the beach where the old cemetery eroded into the sea. Within weeks, Dorada captured a schooner loaded with goods valued at more than $9,000. 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. In 1821, the schooner USS Enterprise was sent to Galveston to remove Lafitte from the Gulf. [44], Captain Nicholas Lockyer, the commander of the Sophie, had been ordered to contact the "Commandant at Barataria". On February 13, he escaped, likely with outside help. . Jean had taken the helm of a band of pirates when the U.S. found itself at war with . Pierre Lafitte had another son, his namesake Pierre, born from his first marriage to Marie LaGrange, who died in childbirth. Could it be New Orleans [73] Aury returned to Galveston several months later, but he left in July when he realized that the men were unwilling to revolt. By 1806, several "Captain Lafitte"s operated in New Orleans; [] The captured schooner was not considered useful for piracy and so after they had unloaded its cargo, the Lafittes returned the ship to its former captain and crew. well as the fortunes left on the merchant ships that he captured. . My grandfather never got to look for the treasure s. Ive heard he would sometimes slip into Mobile Bay. ), 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 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]. The corsairs aimed the artillery at the Karankawa, killing most of the men in the tribe. [43] Lafitte's ship grounded in shallow water where the larger British ship could not follow. treasure of Jean Lafitte. The Spanish ships were heavily armed privateers or warships and returned heavy fire. Wounded in the battle, Lafitte is believed to have died just after dawn on February 5. [84][Note 1], The remainder of the crew rejoined Lafitte, who finally acknowledged that he did not have a valid commission. 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. Due to escalating violence from the Haitian Revolution, in early 1803 Pierre boarded a refugee ship for New Orleans.Davis (2005), pp. Lafittes Shipwreck | TreasureNet The Original Treasure Hunting Website (In English documents, his last name was often spelled Lafitte, but Laffite was the spelling used by Jean and his brother Pierre.) His life and death remain as mysterious as the swamps and bayous of Barataria. Jean Lafitte Flags - JEAN LAFITTE TRADING COMPANY SS Jean Lafitte may refer to one of two Type C2-S-E1 ships built by Gulf Shipbuilding for the United States Maritime Commission: . [81]. From there, he raided foreign ships in the Gulf of Mexico. Jean Lafitte spent most of his time in Barataria managing the daily hands-on business of outfitting privateers and arranging the smuggling of stolen goods. In 1948, John Andrechyne Laflin approached the Missouri Historical Society with a French-language manuscript he claimed was a journal Lafitte kept from 1845 until 1850. 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. The other went north later over seas where he was killed during WW2. 23 Lost Treasures of Louisiana . By 1810, the island had become a booming port. [24] They outfitted it with 12 fourteen-pounder cannons. Guests could've been able to enter Laffite's crypt near the Haunted Mansion. North of Tatum, in the middle of the woods, lies . Wheres your backyard? Louisiana's most well-known buried treasure mystery still to this day is the unfound treasure of Jean Lafitte. However, reports suggest that the anglers had been fishing for . When Patterson's men went ashore, they met no resistance. parties, as the Mystery of Jean Lafittes Unfound Treasure seems to be a voyage [54] According to Ramsay, Claiborne next wrote to General Andrew Jackson, "implying Patterson had destroyed a potential first line of defense for Louisiana" by his capture of Lafitte and his ships. [25] Dorada captured a fourth ship, a schooner they renamed Petit Milan. A $27 million treasure supposedly lies buried on Pelican Island. Mention the name "Jean Lafitte" to people of a certain age and they will immediately think of Cap'n Crunch cereal and its mascot and namesake, whose ship, the SS Guppy, was often attacked in commercials by Jean Lafoote, the Barefoot Pirate.Unlike in real life, Lafoote's punishment was to get his own breakfast cereal -- Jean LaFoote's Cinnamon Crunch. He was buried at sea in the Gulf of Honduras. Jack C. Ramsay, who published a 1996 biography of Lafitte, says, "this was a convenient time to be a native of France, a claim that provided protection from the enforcement of American law". Expedition Unknown exclusive clip: Finding Jean Lafitte's treasure The couple had six children, including at least three daughters. Many of the smugglers wanted to lynch the British men, but Lafitte intervened and placed guards outside his home to ensure their protection. Thankful for their help with the American victory, in February 1815 President James Madison offered pardons to the Baratarians for any crimes committed against the United States. Lafitte eventually returned to smuggling at Galveston Island in Spanish Texas until he was forced out by the U.S. Navy in 1820. Those looking for Gold, Diamonds, Jewelry etc wont find it. even tales that the treasure was not intentionally buried. Lafitte attempted to take what appeared to be two Spanish merchant vessels on the night of February 4. Jean Lafitte is thought to have died in 1823, whilst attacking a Spanish ship. [52], a man who, for about two years past, has been famous for crimes that the civilized world wars against. [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? . Jean Lafitte - Encyclopdie de l'Histoire du Monde He was accompanied by a Royal Marine infantry captain, John McWilliam,[45][46] who had been given a package to deliver to Lafitte. on Grand Terre. His knowledge of the swamps helped him to make quick getaways. Jean Lafitte in 1813. [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. A representative of the smuggler would purchase the slaves at the ensuing auction, and the smuggler would be given half of the purchase price. There is even an event in La Porte, Texas centered around the treasure called the Annual Search for Lafittes Gold.. Lafittes men did resist arrest by American federal agents and soldiers, wounding, murdering, and capturing several. The smugglers wounded one of the officers and safely escaped with the contraband. [34] Biographer Jack Ramsay speculates that the voyage was intended to "establish [Lafitte] as a privateering captain". Lafitte always insisted that if he committed any crime, it was smuggling, and he blamed American laws for forcing him into illegal activities. The Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour, held in the eponymous Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, is also named after the pirate/privateer. 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. Jean Lafitte: History & Mystery - National Park Service that is. My Grandpa told me often when I was very young that everyone thought that Lafittes fort was on Grand Isle, but it never was. Lafitte agreed to leave the island without a fight, and on May 7, 1821, departed on The Pride. History suggests there is a possibility that hidden treasuresgold coins, doubloons, precious jewelryare somewhere beneath the surface just waiting to be found! His warnings were not believed at fi rst and the U.S. Army and Navy went ahead with a planned attack on Lafittes base at Grand Terre. Throughout Barataria, Lafitte built warehouses to store goods and pens to hold slaves. into these uncharted waters, we need to know more about who Lafitte was. The most notorious New Orleans smuggler and gentleman pirate was Jean Lafitte. A smuggler of epic proportions, Jean Lafitte had an army of privateers with as many as 1,000 men ultimately making him an invaluable asset for America in the War of 1812. Was it buried underground or lost under water? They married and had two sons together, Jules Jean and Glenn Henri. A number of details about Jean Lafitte's early life remain obscure and often sources contradict each other. Many of the city's merchants were unhappy with this auction, because it allowed their customers to buy goods directly from Lafitte at a lower price than the merchants could charge in the city. [117] Laflin had been previously accused of forging letters purportedly from Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, and Davy Crockett. Despite this, no silver bars were found. Jean Lafitte, a one-time resident of Louisiana and privateer, is believed by some to have buried a large cache of treasure somewhere in the bayous of Louisiana. 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. [90] In late April 1822, Lafitte was captured again after taking his first American ship. consisted of the currency he would receive in exchange for his foreign goods as In 1807 the United States outlawed trade with Great Britain and France because of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. Captain Campbell became a farmer and remained so until his death in 1856. 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]. Lafitte tried to convince the Americans that they had nothing to fear from him. floor after a shipwreck. Most of these battles took place at or near Chalmette Plantation, now Chalmette Battlefield and part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. [85] Almost half of the combined crew refused to sail as pirates; Lafitte allowed them to leave aboard his largest ship, the brig General Victoria. On November 10, 1812, United States District Attorney John R. Grymes charged Lafitte with "violation of the revenue law. The Barataria chief then had 1100 men under his . the naval operations and common routes of port ships in the Mississippi River Probably inside the hidden stairs that went to the first floor of his mason rouge. this mystery still has historians, researchers, and treasure hunters alike When: 2 p.m. May 22. Details: $10; galvestonhistory.org. Lafitte's men identified slave ships and captured them. Lafitte wanted to avoid a Spanish invasion. The slave smuggling business expanded in 1809 when Jean joined his brother in the Crescent City and the two found a new source of enslaved people: French privateers commissioned to attack Britain . that will never end. Catiche died July 2, 1858, around the age of 65. Retired Avenger, current NFL free agent. [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. Jean Lafitte became labeled by some as a [60] Lafitte realized that the American line of defense was so short as to potentially allow the British to encircle the American troops. He is considered something of a historic anti-hero in Louisiana and around the Gulf of Mexico, having engaged in smuggling and piracy for a number of years yet - during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 - helped defend the city from the . Found a mamouth tooth a a tiny brick made of shell it has letters P on it and the other I cant make out. Baratarias swamps and bayous stretched south of New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico. This article provides images of newspapers from 1921, and one column in particular that talks about Lafittes treasure. in south Louisianas bayous for so long, Lafitte had also become an expert with . Throughout Lafittes SS Jean Lafitte - Wikipedia In his disputed memoir work, Journal de Jean Lafitte, Lafitte claims to have been born in Bordeaux, France, in 1780, the child of Sephardic Jewish parents whose converso grandmother and mother . Charles Gayarre wrote the first serious biography of Lafitte. But the gold and diamond jewl was the confirmation I needed. 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. [29], On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Britain. There are many stories about what happened to Lafitte and where he died. [114][115] When the historical society could not authenticate the claim, Laflin approached Louisiana author Stanley Arthur. Although the handbills were made in Lafitte's name, Ramsay believes "it is unlikely [the handbills] originated with him". Before we dive scrambling to find answers. The Pride. Is the image on this article what the actual chest looked like? The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1983.123.8. Jean Laffite's treasure in the Sabine River - Lone star treasure Lost Gold of Jean Lafitte on Expedition Unknown - Monsters and Critics Jean Lafitte was a Privateer Captain in the early 19th century. [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. In later years, he was described as having "a more accurate knowledge of every inlet from the Gulf than any other man". [99] In 1843, Mirabeau B. Lamar investigated many of the Lafitte stories and concluded that, while there were no authentic records of death, Lafitte was likely dead. the treasure be today? Jean Lafitte was a pirate and privateer known for his smuggling operations. "[100] Given his legendary reputation, there was much speculation about whether, or how, Lafitte had died. Lafitte agreed to leave the island without a fight, and on May 7, 1821 departed on The Pride. Theres The stairs run beside it. Historical Marker. In 1978, Congress created Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, combining Chalmette National Historical Park (established in 1938) with the Louisiana state park and authorizing a visitor center in the French Quarter. After securing victory, Jackson paid tribute in despatches to the Laffite brothers' efforts, as well as those of their fellow privateers.