Reuben Kemper facts for kids

Reuben Kemper (born in 1770, died January 29, 1827) was an American pioneer. He was also known as a filibuster. This means he was someone who took part in unofficial military actions in another country. He often fought to help people gain independence or change governments.

Reuben Kemper's Adventures in West Florida

Reuben Kemper was born in Fauquier County, Virginia. After 1800, he and his brothers, Nathan and Samuel, moved to Feliciana Parish. This area was near Baton Rouge and was part of Spanish West Florida at the time.

The Spanish leaders forced the Kemper brothers to leave the area. This happened because of a disagreement over who owned certain land. So, the Kemper brothers gathered a small group of fighters in the Mississippi Territory. They then returned to West Florida. They declared that West Florida was now independent.

In 1804, they tried to capture Baton Rouge. But they were defeated. They did not get enough support from the local American settlers. Most of these settlers were happy with Spanish rule. Spain offered them generous land grants, which meant they could get land easily. Spain also protected slavery, which was important to many settlers.

The next year, Spanish forces captured all three Kemper brothers. This happened while the brothers were on land belonging to the United States. However, American forces quickly rescued them. They were saved as they were being taken down the Mississippi River.

The West Florida Rebellion

In 1810, a rebellion started against Spanish rule. Most of the people living there were British and American settlers. Reuben Kemper and Joseph White were asked to invite people from Mobile and Pensacola to join this revolt.

But when Kemper crossed into the Mississippi Territory, U.S. forces arrested him. The United States did not want to start a war with Spain. They also worried about Kemper's plans. Reuben Kemper was lucky, though. His friends who were captured by the Spanish were sent as prisoners to El Morro in Havana, Cuba.

Even with Kemper's arrest, the rebellion grew. The Republic of West Florida declared itself independent from Spain. About 90 days later, the United States officially took control of the new republic. This is called annexation.

Reuben Kemper's Later Years and Legacy

From 1812 to 1813, Kemper joined the Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition. This group went into Spanish Texas. They fought to help Mexico become free from Spanish rule. Later, in January 1815, he served as a colonel under General Andrew Jackson. This was during the famous Battle of New Orleans.

After his fighting days, Kemper settled down peacefully in Mississippi. He became a planter, which means he owned and managed a large farm. He died in 1827 in Natchez, Mississippi. He was about 55 or 56 years old.

Reuben Kemper is remembered today. Kemper County, Mississippi is named after him.