Jean Laffite's life is one that is mostly obscurred in folklore and legend. He is said to have been born from French and Spanish parents, possibly born in France, and married a Jewish woman.
And autobiographic journal of his was discovered at one point, though its authenticity is up for debate. With his so-called crew of a thousand men, he may have actually defended Louisiana from British soldiers in the War of 1812. He is also known for setting up his own "kingdom"- known as the Kingdom of Barataria- in the swamplands outside of New Orleans.
He would later be run out of New Orleans and would relocate in Galveston where he would set up the kingdom of 'Campeche'. In Galveston he came into possesion of a mansion, named "Maison Rouge", which had been owned by a French Pirate named Louis-Michele Aury.
His demise is one that is also disputed.