Louis Pacheco facts for kids

Louis (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. Pacheco's father Adam was a skilled slave working a lot with his hands as a carpenter, building boats, and driver. He was also noted to be a "very intelligent and ambitious man."

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. 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.

In 1821, Luis married an enslaved woman named Ramon Sanchez. She purchased her freedom for 300 pesos. 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.

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 to the Seminole Indians.

Dade battle

According to the Seminole leader Alligator, the Dade battle began at 10:00 a.m., but according to survivor Private Ransom Clark, it started at 8 a.m. and ended around 4 p.m., with the Indians leaving around sunset. The battle (often called the Dade massacre) was an 1835 military defeat for the United States Army. The U.S. attempted to force the Seminoles to move away from their land in Florida and relocate to Oklahoma Indian Territory. Instead, 110 soldiers, under the command of Major Francis L. Dade, were ambushed by 180 Seminole warriors. Of the three U.S. soldiers who survived, Louis Fatio Pacheco was suspected of being an informant and spent the rest of his life trying to clear his name.

Pacheco was found by the Seminoles hiding behind a tree and was taken captive. In 1837, he escaped the Indians and turned himself into the authorities hoping to clear his name.

Incarceration and re-enslavement

The man overseeing Luis's case later forgot about him and sent him to New Orleans with other Black Seminoles. In New Orleans, Luis spent a month in prison, but 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. He was enslaved until 1865, when slavery was abolished.

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. Luis stayed with her until he died at the age of 94 years old.