Lafitte Brothers

Jean and Pierre Lafitte were and still are cloaked in mystery. Their exact birthplace, birthdates, and parents are not confirmed.  However, based on local researchers I trust, they were half-brothers, sharing a father Pierre Laffite (the original spelling). Pierre Jr. was born in 1770 and Jean was born to Marguerite Desteil in 1782. Their father died in 1796. 

And then things get confusing. St. Domingue (Haiti) was in the throes of a revolution and the brothers made an appearance there- though for how long they were there and the nature of their stay is unclear. 

In 1803, Pierre was living in New Orleans with a mulatoo mistress and a son. Within a year, he began working in the slave trade. In 1807, the foreign slave trade was banned with the Embargo Act, thus opening up a profitable opportunity to expand their smuggling operations. 

The War of 1812 furthered their enterprise. The British blockade cut access to trade in the city, allowing the Lafitte brothers and their privateers to capture enemy ships and further expand their operations.

 

1837 Charles Ellms - Engraving from book "THE PIRATES OWN BOOK -- Authentic Narratives of the Most Celebrated Sea Robbers" by Charles Ellms, published 1837. Privateer Jean Lafitte, Louisiana Governor William C. C. Claiborne, and General Andrew Jackson, meeting in New Orleans to plan defense from the British invasion, late 1814

War of 1812

In August 1814, the British sought out the help of the Lafitte brothers in their prospective attack on New Orleans. For reasons that are not entirely clear, Jean refused to help the British. 

At this time, his brother Pierre was imprisoned in the old Calabozo. Perhaps trying to bargain his way to a pardon, Lafitte offered to help the Americans in the Battle of New Orleans. 

In addition to several thousand musket flingts, some of their band of privateers fought on behalf of the Americans. The brothers themselves worked to protect the city with Jean Lafitte guarding by sea and Pierre "acted as a guide on the American army's right flank", according to 64 Parishes article, Jean and Pierre Lafitte.