Jean Saint Malo facts for kids

Jean Saint Malo (who died on June 19, 1784) was a brave leader. He led a group of people who had escaped slavery in Spanish Louisiana. These groups were known as Maroons. His name was also known as Juan San Maló in Spanish.

Jean Saint Malo: A Leader of Freedom

Jean Saint Malo became a symbol of resistance. He led a group of people who sought freedom from slavery. They formed communities in hard-to-reach places. These communities were called Maroon settlements.

Escaping to Freedom

Saint Malo and his group were determined to be free. They ran away to a swampy area near Lake Borgne. They managed to get weapons. Some weapons came from free people of color. Others came from enslaved people still on plantations.

Life in the Swamps

The Maroons lived in the swamps east of New Orleans. Their main camp was at a place called Bas du Fleuve. This area was along Lake Borgne. Today, it is part of St. Bernard Parish. Living in the swamps helped them stay hidden. It was a difficult but safe place for their community.

The Spanish Response

The Spanish rulers of Louisiana did not like these Maroon communities. They wanted to stop slave revolts. So, they started a campaign to find and capture escaped enslaved people. They captured more than a hundred people. In 1783, Colonel Francisco Bouligny led an expedition. His group went to Bas du Fleuve. They captured 60 people, including Saint Malo.

A Legacy Remembered

Jean Saint Malo was found guilty by the authorities. On June 19, 1784, he faced a severe penalty. This happened in front of St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. This spot is near what is now Jackson Square.

The Filipino community of Saint Malo, Louisiana, was later named after him. This honored his memory and his fight for freedom.