Louis Pacheco facts for kids

Louis (Luis) Fatio Pacheco was an Afro-Spanish person who was enslaved in the 1800s. He became well-known in Spanish Florida because of his connections to the Black Seminoles, a group of people of African and Seminole heritage.

A Life Story

Early Years and Learning

Luis Pacheco was born on December 26, 1800, on a large farm called New Switzerland. This farm belonged to Francis Philip Fatio Sr. Luis's father, Adam, was a very skilled carpenter. He built boats and was known as an intelligent and ambitious man.

Because his father was so skilled, Luis had some special chances. He learned how to read and write. This helped him become very good at languages. By the time he was an adult, Luis could speak French, Spanish, and English. He also learned the Seminole language from his brother. His brother had been taken by Native Americans but later returned to the farm. In 1811, Francis Fatio Sr. passed away. His farm and the enslaved people on it went to his son, Francis Fatio Jr.

In 1821, Luis married an enslaved woman named Ramon Sanchez. She was able to buy her freedom for 300 pesos. Luis would often leave the Fatio farm to visit his wife. Sometimes, he would get into trouble for not telling his owner when he left. Around 1824, Luis Fatio and Francis Fatio Jr. had a disagreement. Luis then ran away from the farm near Charlotte Harbor. He found work with Spanish fishing businesses.

Luis was later captured and returned to Fort Brooke between 1829 and 1831. He was sold to four different people. Finally, he was sold to Antonio Pacheco, a Cuban businessman. Antonio believed Luis could help him with his business. After Antonio Pacheco died, his wife allowed Luis to work for the military. He helped as an interpreter, translating for the Seminole people.

The Dade Battle

Luis Pacheco was involved in an important event called the Dade battle. This battle happened in 1835. It was a big defeat for the United States Army. The U.S. Army wanted to make the Seminole people move from their land in Florida. They wanted them to go to a new area called Oklahoma Indian Territory.

During the battle, 110 American soldiers were ambushed by about 180 Seminole warriors. Only three U.S. soldiers survived. Luis Fatio Pacheco was one of them. He was later thought to have been an informant, meaning someone who gave information to the Seminoles. Luis spent the rest of his life trying to prove he was innocent.

The Seminoles found Luis hiding behind a tree and took him captive. In 1837, he escaped from the Seminoles. He then turned himself in to the authorities. He hoped this would help him clear his name.

Later Life and Freedom

The person in charge of Luis's case later sent him to New Orleans with other Black Seminoles. In New Orleans, Luis spent a month in prison. But once he was released, he and the other Black Seminoles were set free.

However, in 1845, two men tried to re-enslave all the Black Seminoles who had been freed in New Orleans. This included Luis Fatio Pacheco. He remained enslaved until 1865, when slavery was officially ended in the United States.

When Luis was 82 years old, he traveled back to Florida. He wanted to see the family of his former owner. When he arrived in Jacksonville, he met Susan Philippa Fatio L'Engle. Luis must have shared stories about her family that no one else would know. This was because almost 60 years had passed since he worked on her family's farm. She welcomed Luis, and he stayed with her until he passed away at 94 years old.