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Luis Pacheco

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Luis Fatio Pacheco (December 26, 1800 – ?) was an Afro-Spanish enslaved person who became known in 19th century Spanish Florida for his connection to the Black Seminole community.

Biography

Early life and career

Pacheco was born December 26,1800 in New Switzerland on the plantation of Francis Philip Fatio Sr.—an associate and possibly a partner in Panton, Leslie, & Company.[1]. Pacheco's father Adam was a skilled slave working a lot with his hands as a carpenter, building boats, and driver he was a very intelligent and ambitious man.[2]

With Pacheco's father working as a sought after slave, Pacheco received some privilege's allowing him to learn how to read and write. This is where he skill for learning multiple languages developed by the time he reached adulthood he knew French, Spanish, and English.[3] Pacheco learned the Seminole language from his brother who was kidnapped by the Indians but was later returned to the plantation. In 1811 Francis Fatio Sr died leaving his property and slaves to his son Francis Fatio Jr.[4]

In 1821, Luis married an enslaved woman named Ramon Sanchez. She purchased her freedom for 300 pesos.[5] He would leave the Fatio plantation often to see his wife. Luis would often get into trouble for not informing his master when he would go to see his wife. In 1824 Luis Fatio and Francis Fatio Jr had a falling out though no one is certain about it. Luis ran away from the plantation near Charlotte Harbor, working with the Spanish fisheries.[6]

Luis was captured and returned to Fort Brooke between 1829 to 1831. Luis had been sold to four different people until he was sold to Antonio Pacheco, a Cuban who ran a business that he believed Fatio would be able to assist him. After the death of Antonio Pacheco, his wife loaned him out to the military to help as an interpreter against the Seminole Indians.

Dade battle

According to Alligator,[who?] the Dade battle began at 10:00 a.m. (according to Alligator) or 8 a.m. and ended around 4 p.m. (survivor Private Ransom Clark). with the Indians leaving around sunset. The battle (often called the Dade massacre) was an 1835 military defeat for the United States Army.[7] The U.S. attempted to force the Seminoles to move away from their land in Florida and relocate to Oklahoma Indian Territory. Instead, under the command of Major Francis L. Dade, consisting of 110 soldiers were ambushed by 180 Seminole warriors.[8] Of the three U.S. soldiers who survived, Pacheco was suspected of being an informant and spent the rest of his life trying to clear his name.[9] After Major Dade was shot Pacheco dropped to the ground swiftly that those surrounding believed he was shot in the head. After noticing him crawling for cover caused suspicion throughout the military believing Pacheco was expecting the ambush to occur.[10]

Pacheco was found by the Seminoles was found hiding behind a tree many he was threatened many times while held captive but he was always protected it was mentioned "That's a black man, he is not his own master. Don't kill him!." Pacheco repaid his captor's being reading the letters and dispatches found on the bodies of dead officers.[11] This gave the Seminoles valuable information pertaining to the military's strategy. In 1837, he escaped the Indians and turned himself into the authorities hoping to clear his name.

Incarceration and re-enslavement

In 1837, Luis turned himself to the authorities seeking to clear his name. The man overseeing Luis's case later forgot about him and sent him to New Orleans with other Black Seminoles. Once they arrived in New Orleans, Luis sat in prison for a month; once released, he, along with the other Black Seminoles, was set free. In 1845 Marcellus Duval and his brother attempted to obtain all of the Black Seminoles set free in New Orleans, including Luis Fatio Pacheco. After being captured by the Duval brothers, he was enslaved to them until 1865, when slavery ended.

Later life and death

At the age of 82, Luis traveled back to Florida to see his former slave owner. When he arrived in Jacksonville, he met with Susan Philippa Fatio L'Engle. Luis must have divulged things about her family that no one else would know because nearly 60 years had passed since working on her family's plantation, and she welcomed Luis into her life with open arms.[12] Luis stayed with her until he died at the age of 94 years old, and despite being labeled a traitor, he was loved by his family and friend, who all turned up at his funeral wishing him farewell. There was not a day of Luis's life that he was not declaring his innocence.[13]

Career notes

  • Slave: Performed the tasks asked for by his master's
    • Mail courier: Luis organized a private mail route from St. Augustine and St. Mary's in Georgia; he would deliver mail by boat.
  • Military Guide: Interpreter
    • Pacheco was a slave when we was sent to work in Tampa Bay. Pacheco was familiar with the country area and he spoke the Indian language he was hired for twenty-five dollars a month.[14] This unique character was Pacheo, who was well acquainted with the Indians, spoke the Seminole tongue fluently. He was reported by his master, as faithful, intelligent and trustworthy, and was perfectly familiar with the route to Fort King.[15]

References

  1. ^ Porter, Kenneth W. (1943). "THE EARLY LIFE OF LUIS PACHECO NÉ FATIO". Negro History Bulletin. 7 (3): 52–64. ISSN 0028-2529. JSTOR 44212081.
  2. ^ Porter, Kenneth W. (1943). "THE EARLY LIFE OF LUIS PACHECO NÉ FATIO". Negro History Bulletin. 7 (3): 52–64. ISSN 0028-2529. JSTOR 44212081.
  3. ^ "Preservation, Education and Publication of Seminole Wars History". seminolewars.org. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  4. ^ Porter, Kenneth W. (1943). "THE EARLY LIFE OF LUIS PACHECO NÉ FATIO". Negro History Bulletin. 7 (3): 52–64. ISSN 0028-2529. JSTOR 44212081.
  5. ^ "Preservation, Education and Publication of Seminole Wars History". seminolewars.org. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  6. ^ "Preservation, Education and Publication of Seminole Wars History". seminolewars.org. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  7. ^ "The Dade Massacre • Florida Historical Society Quarterly 5:123‑138". penelope.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  8. ^ "The Dade Massacre • Florida Historical Society Quarterly 5:123‑138". penelope.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  9. ^ Porter, Kenneth Wiggins (2013). The Black Seminoles : history of a freedom-seeking people. University of Florida Press. ISBN 978-0-8130-4488-0. OCLC 845354122.
  10. ^ Porter, Kenneth Wiggins (2013). The Black Seminoles : history of a freedom-seeking people. University of Florida Press. ISBN 978-0-8130-4488-0. OCLC 845354122.
  11. ^ Porter, Kenneth W. (1943). "THE EARLY LIFE OF LUIS PACHECO NÉ FATIO". Negro History Bulletin. 7 (3): 52–64. ISSN 0028-2529. JSTOR 44212081.
  12. ^ "Preservation, Education and Publication of Seminole Wars History". seminolewars.org. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  13. ^ "Preservation, Education and Publication of Seminole Wars History". seminolewars.org. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  14. ^ Porter, Kenneth Wiggins (2013). The Black Seminoles : history of a freedom-seeking people. University of Florida Press. ISBN 978-0-8130-4488-0. OCLC 845354122.
  15. ^ Willson, Minnie (Moore); Willson, James M (1910). The Seminoles of Florida. New York: Moffat, Yard and Company. doi:10.5479/sil.34513.39088015011976.

Further reading

  • The Seminoles of Florida by Minnie Moore-Wilson
  • The Black Seminoles History of a Freedom-Seeking People
  • Laumer, Frank (1995) Dade's Last Command. University Press of Florida. ISBN 0-8130-1324-0
  • Mahon, John K. (1992) History of the Second Seminole War 1835-1842. University of Florida Press. P. 106. ISBN 0-8130-1097-7
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