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

Geroges Biassou - Father Of The Haitian Revolution

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?

Reply with your comments

Read more: black history month, Florida, Georges Biassou, Politics of Haiti, People, History

You might also like

Black in Latin America, Haiti on PBS

Rap music, "crazy people music," the old Haitian woman said

Responses