Reuben Kemper
Encyclopedia
Reuben Kemper was an American
pioneer and fillibuster
.
, Kemper and his brothers Nathan and Samuel
settled in Feliciana
, near Baton Rouge, Spanish West Florida, shortly after 1800. Expelled from the province by the Spanish authorities in a dispute over land titles, the Kemper brothers organized a small force in the Mississippi Territory
and returned, declaring West Florida to be independent. They attempted to capture Baton Rouge in 1804, but were defeated, having failed to gain the support of local Anglo-American settlers, most of whom were satisfied with Spanish rule on account of Spain's liberal policy of land grants and its protection of slavery. The following year Spanish forces captured all three brothers while on U.S. soil, but they were rescued by U.S. forces as they were being taken down the Mississippi River
.
In 1810, during the rebellion against Spanish rule by the British and American settlers (who made up the majority of inhabitants), Reuben Kemper and Joseph White were authorized to invite the inhabitants of Mobile
and Pensacola
to join in the revolt. Kemper crossed into the Mississippi Territory, but U.S. forces, not wishing to provoke Spain into war, and fearing Kemper's intentions, arrested him.
He was more fortunate than his colleagues, who were seized by the Spanish and sent as prisoners to El Morro
, in Havana, Cuba. Nevertheless, the rebellion succeeded and the Republic of West Florida came into existence. However, it would last only 90 days before it was annexed by the United States.
into Spanish Texas
, fighting to help free Mexico
from Spanish rule. He also served as a colonel under Andrew Jackson
at the Battle of New Orleans
in January 1815.
Kemper then settled down peacefully as a planter in Mississippi. He died in 1826 in Natchez, Mississippi
, aged 55 or 56.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pioneer and fillibuster
Filibuster (military)
A filibuster, or freebooter, is someone who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution...
.
Kemper and West Florida
Born in Fauquier County, VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, Kemper and his brothers Nathan and Samuel
Samuel Kemper
Samuel Kemper was an American adventurer and filibusterer.Born in Fauquier County, Virginia, Kemper was involved with his brothers in the 1804 rebellion in West Florida. He later participated in the 1812-13 Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition into Spanish Texas, becoming commander of after the death of...
settled in Feliciana
Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
Feliciana Parish is a former parish of Louisiana, formed in 1810 from West Florida territory. It was divided in 1824 into East Feliciana Parish and West Feliciana Parish. Feliciana is a Spanish word meaning Happy Land. It originated in 1775 and was named by Spanish Governor Galvez...
, near Baton Rouge, Spanish West Florida, shortly after 1800. Expelled from the province by the Spanish authorities in a dispute over land titles, the Kemper brothers organized a small force in the Mississippi Territory
Mississippi Territory
The Territory of Mississippi was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from April 7, 1798, until December 10, 1817, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Mississippi....
and returned, declaring West Florida to be independent. They attempted to capture Baton Rouge in 1804, but were defeated, having failed to gain the support of local Anglo-American settlers, most of whom were satisfied with Spanish rule on account of Spain's liberal policy of land grants and its protection of slavery. The following year Spanish forces captured all three brothers while on U.S. soil, but they were rescued by U.S. forces as they were being taken down the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
In 1810, during the rebellion against Spanish rule by the British and American settlers (who made up the majority of inhabitants), Reuben Kemper and Joseph White were authorized to invite the inhabitants of Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
and Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
to join in the revolt. Kemper crossed into the Mississippi Territory, but U.S. forces, not wishing to provoke Spain into war, and fearing Kemper's intentions, arrested him.
He was more fortunate than his colleagues, who were seized by the Spanish and sent as prisoners to El Morro
El Morro
El Morro is a Spanish term meaning "The Promontory", which in English may be used in reference to the resemblance of various promontories.-Individuals:* El Morro , considered the best chess player in Portugal of his time.-Places:...
, in Havana, Cuba. Nevertheless, the rebellion succeeded and the Republic of West Florida came into existence. However, it would last only 90 days before it was annexed by the United States.
Later years
In 1812-13 Kemper took part in the Gutiérrez-Magee ExpeditionGutiérrez-Magee Expedition
The Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition was an 1812–13 joint Mexican-American filibustering expedition against Spanish Texas during the early years of the Mexican War of Independence.-Background:...
into Spanish Texas
Spanish Texas
Spanish Texas was one of the interior provinces of New Spain from 1690 until 1821. Although Spain claimed ownership of the territory, which comprised part of modern-day Texas, including the land north of the Medina and Nueces Rivers, the Spanish did not attempt to colonize the area until after...
, fighting to help free Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
from Spanish rule. He also served as a colonel under Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
at the Battle of New Orleans
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 and was the final major battle of the War of 1812. American forces, commanded by Major General Andrew Jackson, defeated an invading British Army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the United States had acquired with the...
in January 1815.
Kemper then settled down peacefully as a planter in Mississippi. He died in 1826 in Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. With a total population of 18,464 , it is the largest community and the only incorporated municipality within Adams County...
, aged 55 or 56.
External links
- Reuben Kemper article at AllRefer.com.
- Kemper references in the Florida Parishes of Louisiana