Black History Month - Georges Biassou, The Highest Ranking Haitian General In Florida USA

Did you know? Georges Biassou, one of the early leaders of the 1791 slave revolt that gave birth to the Haitian Revolution, was also Florida's highest ranking officer in the 1700s, a decorated general.

February is Black History month in the United States...

Here is a wonderful piece of Haitian-African-American history for you...

Georges Biassou, Jean François and Jeannot were the early leaders of the Haitian revolution. They were prophesied by vodou priest, Boukman, to lead this revolution that would later give birth to the Republic of Haiti.

Georges Biassou and Toussaint Louverture were allies in the beginning, they were fighting for the same cause (FREEDOM) but on different camps.

Biassou fought with the Spanish royalists against the French Revolutionary army in colonial Haiti. Toussaint Louverture later formed an alliance with the French after they promised to free the slaves... A promise they did not intend to keep...

Toussaint defeated Biassou and the Spanish Crown and became Governor for life (a very short life) of Haiti, loyal to France.

So how did Biassou end up in Florida?

Good question... Here is your answer...

Biassou remained in service to the Spanish Crown. He withdrew from Santo Domingo in 1795 and moved with his family to St. Augustine Florida in 1796. Back in those days Florida was part of the Spanish colony of Cuba.

In Florida Biassou changed his first name to Jorge Biassou.

Epi li fe yo konn Jorge!

Upon arrival, he became a decorated Spanish general. Spanish leaders put him in charge of the black militia in Florida. Georges Biassou, now Jorge Biassou, was one of their highest ranking officers.

Here is a clip from Augustine.com that I really like...

When Jorge Biassou arrived in St. Augustine in 1796, he was already a legend in his own time. He was the most fiery leader in the Haitian slave revolt against the French. He became a decorated Spanish general, yet did not speak Spanish and was virtually banned from Hispaniola and Havana. He was Florida's only black caudillo (a militant political leader), and came with his own Haitian entourage. He flaunted pagan religious practices, but was buried with full Catholic honors. A hero, a family man, a threat, and a spectacle; this ex-slave demanded respect.

Amweyyyy... Se pa jodi-a n-frekan! LOL

Haitian History IS BLACK HISTORY... Do you know your Haitian History?

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Biassou Jean Stevenson says...

Mw kontan le fèt ke mw soti nan desandan nonm sa. ki te yon vayan gason...

yon nonm tout bon ki tap konbat pou yon nasyon.

viv fanmi Biassou! e map di meèsi a Jimmy Jean-Louis ki te fè nou wè film sa la france.

Biassou Jean

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Jacko says...

What about Jean Batiste Point du Sable born in St Marc first person to start what is now the city of Chicago, Col Josef Savary who was recruited by Gen. Jackson to fight the British in New orleans as a 2nd Major the highest ranked person of color who also fought with Toussaint, Audubon society born Jean Jacques Audubon in Les Cayes there is more all you have to do is to lift the carpet you will find a Haitian name Pierre Tousaint burried in St. Patrick catedrall in NYC the only foreigner waiting to be CANNONNIZED for all the good deeds in his lifetime when Gen. Bernardo De Galvez from Cuba was raising a fighting force to get the Brits out of Pensacola florida he enlisted our famous Chasseur Volontairs from Haiti the brits lost the city. We have a rich history all we have to do is LOOK FOR IT all the HAITIANS now living in the USA LEGAL OR NOT Our ancestors paided with blood sweat tears and made the ultimate sacrifice for the independence of the USA so I say DEMAND WHAT YOUR ANCESTORS PAID they did not have any VISA when they were dying for this USA Whenever a people asked for help to get their freedome Haitians answered the call From Bollivar in the South to Canada, whose Governor General is Michael Jean a Haitian Seek and you shall find Leve tapia nap trouve

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Gran Neg says...

Biassou was so bad he was betrayed by his Chief of Staff: Toussaint Louverture.

Toussaint had finally joined the Haitian revolution after saving his white master and master's family.

It was Biassou who brought him in as Doctor in the Spanish army that was then fighting the french.

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The Truth says...

This guy was a Wolf. He owned slaves.

He drank all of his money after he moved to St. Augustine and died in a drunken brawl.

This is not someone I would honor.

He was a ravenous killer of all races in

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Jean says...

ME TOO, homie Im proud to be haitian..We also defeated the Napoleon army that was

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Jeff Herard says...

great piece of

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Franck says...

Keep up the good work Woody.

As much as I think I know, I did not this info. I know the oldest School in St. Augustine and have my relatives live

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Cj says...

THANK YOU Wood great "fouye"
...I guest "W ap konn George" sa la lontan
...Cuban yo gen lontan yap di "Sabes

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