Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Jose Gaspar commandeered the 'Floridablanca', the ship upon which he was serving, to commence his life of piracy. One of his ships has been discovered in the waters off of North Carolina and definitely proven to belong to Blackbeard. The experts dont believe that their find is a real treasure map or that the legend of Gaspar is anything more than children story or a folk tale that adds to the culture of the area. It was a simple wooden box, but inside were fascinating (and macabre) clues to a family mystery. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. By Geoff Dobson. He confirmed that indeed the Lopezes have found a real human hand, but as for Gasparilla, that was a myth. If the legend is true, Gasparilla was extremely successful and plundered more than 400 ships. He told of the looting of ships, the massacre of innocents, and last of all, when his life had nearly passed, he told the story of 'The Little Spanish Princess,' whose name he did not remember. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Hitting the scene in the early 1800s Billy Bowlegs Rogers was a pirate to be reckoned with. Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story This state also holds another possible location on the banks of Blackbird Creek. Just . Jose Lopez's sister, Maria, was cleaning out the attic of a home owned by her great-grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez, in Tampa's historic Ybor City area, when she stumbled upon the box, WFLA-TV reports. Gaspar - Meaning of Gaspar Name, Boy Gaspar Origin and Astrology Named for legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the 18th and early 19th centuries, Tampa Bay's destination-wide annual Gasparilla celebration kicks off each January with a full schedule of exciting pirate-themed events. He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. One such account concerns Maria Louise, a lovely Spanish princess, who was returning to Spain after a journey to Mexico with 11 Mexican princesses who were to be educated and married in Spain. Some more information on the cruise of the USS, I did not find a reference to Gaspar in Gardner Allen's, I was always Told Jose Gaspar, was also known as Juan Gomez. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . Paluska and ABC Action News photojournalist Reed Moeller took a 20-minute ferry ride from Pine Island to Useppa Island, the location where Gaspar is said to have beheaded a Spanish Princess. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. Magnet fishing is a hobby that is quickly increasing in popularity with good reason. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . 1 Review #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach. Bald Point is another hotspot but for rumors of pirate treasure. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". On one occasion, his right-hand man Lopez had become tired of the pirate life and desired to return to Spain to see his love, Sanibel, after 13 long years. When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. He apparently helped repeal a British Invasion on New Orleans. He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. Whilst swimming in Key West, he and a team of specialists find a huge anchor that may have been from Gaspar's vessel. 15 Lost Treasures People Actually Found | TheRichest It does not store any personal data. Who created the man who is now a legend? Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. I love this place built around 1640 . This activity is a great way to enjoy some peaceful quite time outdoors or can be a unique experience for 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. They used Barataria Bay in Louisiana as a hub for their enterprise. https://www.cultofweird.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/pirate-treasure-hand.jpg, https://www.cultofweird.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cultofweird-new-logo.png, Mysterious Pirate Treasure Box Found in Tampa Bay Attic, February 17, 2023 - 9:45 pm by dEBRINA bLACKMOON. The story goes that Lafitte and his men used an old barn on LeBleau Plantation as a gathering location and perhaps buried treasure here. Historic City Memories: Pirate treasure rumors Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. Inside was a tattered map of the Hillsborough River, century-old coins, a family picture and a hand wearing a ring. What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? Top 10 Best Bookstores in Palm Coast, FL - February 2023 - Yelp "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". The Search for Florida's Lost Pirate: With Josh Gates, Shamus Warren, Rodney Kite-Powell, Michael Gattuso. However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL The story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. 3. Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. He soon picked a good spot in Charlotte Harbor, and began to build his pirate kingdom. When it comes to the legend of Jose Gaspar, Diff told us to "be cautious that the information you present as there are lots of versions of this story and everyone's version is 'true.' The legend of Gaspar began making its way into other writings after that, without any other historical evidence to back it up. According to Floridian folklore, Gaspar was a fearsome pirate that operated out of a secret base in southwest Florida in the late 18th and early 19th . What year did Gasparilla start? But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. As with any tale of vast hidden riches, these stories can not be 100 percent verified to even exist. The men were executed but Gomez was to be the final survivor of this piratical outfit. Old Hand Found In Florida Attic With Coins And Treasure Map. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. Gasparilla Pirate Festival - Wikipedia This particular lost treasure consists of a bunch of silver coins, ingots and even pieces of jewelry. This allegedly infuriated the young lady who devised a plan to essentially frame Gaspar for stealing some jewels. The Real Treasure Hunters have come a long way from social media in their hunt for the treasure of Jose Gaspar in the Peace River. Toward the end of his pirate career, Bowlegs was being pursued by an English warship. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. With his crew of cut-throat mercenaries, the last of the buccaneers terrorized shipping in the Gulf of Mexico for years, striking from his secret Florida base. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed. And indeed there are serious problems with the stories of Gasparilla. Enjoy. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it. Accept Read More. What you don't expect to find is treasure. Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. When he was captured and offered the option of going to prison or joining the navy, he chose the latter, serving with distinction for several years before organizing a mutiny against a dictatorial captain and fleeing to Florida with a stolen ship. The Legend of the Pirate Gasparilla | Coastal History http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. From a four-mile long parade of pirates and period memorabilia on display, to specialty packages and a waterfront half . Tampa family finds 'pirate treasure' in attic including treasure map This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. He supposedly buried 3 chests under a palm tree somewhere in the vicinity. . Still, it was not very soon after that, that Tampa captured that myth," Kite-Powell said. Jose Gaspar | bakersfield.com Did Grandpa find pirate treasure? Many say he buried treasure here during this time. He subsequently set fire to all his buildings before sailing out to sea, never to be heard from again. Gasparilla had fallen into a trap! It was done for tourism purposes," Gattuso said. The race of the old buccaneer was nearly run, but all through that night, he told a story of piracy that could scarce be believed, yet it was a dying man that was clearing his soul before his Maker. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Gasparilla the Pirate and his Charlotte Harbor Treasure During the final combat, the majority of Gasparillas crew was killed, but there were 12 survivors 11 men and a cabin boy called Juan Gomez. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. During his 38 year career as a pirate, Gaspar attacked over four hundred ships in the Gulf waters of Florida, including supposedly the vessel carrying $11.75 million in gold bullion that the United States had paid Napoleon for the Louisiana Purchase. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. Fastened inside the box with copper wire is an old wedding photo, 18th century Spanish and Portuguese coins, a 1930s map of the Hillsborough River and a mummified hand wearing a ring. A Florida family may have discovered some unusual treasure belonging to legendary pirate Jose "Gasparilla" Gaspar. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. will support that mission. You are using an out of date browser. "Maybe my great-grandparents were pirates," Mike Lopez said. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade wont care. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife. Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. Lopez wasn't a fan of pirates when he was growing up. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. This Plantation is said to be roughly 5 miles West of the town of Iowa. There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. Just a salty pirate looking to explore and document the wonders of the Caribbean. Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. This does not stop the legend of Gasparilla from living on in the Florida folklore; the story of his life is even retold in a hotel brochure at the site where supposedly his treasure was buried, The Huffington Post reported. Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife and children, gathered together a nice lot of cut-throats, stole the prize vessel of the Spanish fleet, and escaped. Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. We actually located the great great, great, great-granddaughter of Juan Gomez. I love this place built around 1640 . JOSE GASPAR: Kern County makes history, and in a good way Dec 18, 2022 The 8-year-old student was curios so she wrote a letter. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. Finding a real human hand is probably not what the Lopezes had in mind, but thats exactly what this family from Florida found in their grandparents attic. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? The Severed Hand of Florida Pirate Jose Gaspar Found in Attic! Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. 1756 - 1821), was a purported Spanish pirate, the "last of the Buccaneer s," who is claimed to have raided the west coast of Florida during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. We thought that was awesome. The man behind Gasparilla: Who was Jos Gaspar? If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. As the story goes, the pirate Jose Gaspar was hunting for the USS Enterprise in 1821; onboard was Juan Gmez, the man who lived to tell the tale. And he's fueled a cottage industry of treasure-hunting books, guides and metal . Oak Island: Legends of Pirates and Treasure, Barbarossa the Pirate: Scourge of the Mediterranean, Flying Dutchman: Phantom Ship, Legend and Sightings, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. Tyrons Landing located between the towns of Wethersfield and Naubuc. He told where the body would be found and a sketch was prepared under his direction, and in recent years in the exact location as described, the skeleton of a beheaded woman was found.". Stingy Jack and the History of the Jack-o-Lantern, The Varangians: Viking Conquerors turned Byzantium Honor Guard, The Secret Necropolis of Ancient Varna and the First Goldsmiths. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia: Politician: Capricon: 06 January 1766 AD . Hand in Tampa Attic Stirs Up Memories of Dread Pirate Gaspar Powell showed us museum exhibits full of gold coins recovered from shipwrecks and explained how the legend of Jose Gaspar launched the Gasparilla Pirate Festival we know and love today. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. At The Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. visitors and locals can find treasures of all kinds. In different accounts, details of his early life, motivations, and activities varied. Treasure on Sunken Spanish Galleon Could Be Biggest Ever - History Gaspar's legend is one of a murderous, bloodthirsty swashbuckler who stole money from Spain, stole a ship, kidnapped a Spanish Princess, and left a trail of death and gold throughout the high seas. He was well-liked in court, but when he abandoned one lover for another, his spurned lover falsely accused him of stealing the crown jewels. Pricing is not too high. 128 were here. Jose Gaspar (GC3FZAF) was created by seabreezedrive on 4/1/2012. It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. Instead, he pursued a merchant ship and insisted that it convey Batista and Ann Jeffries to England and that its captain marry them on board after they were out of sight of his ship, the Jose Gasparilla II. The San Jose galleon was believed to have been . Several local antique stores described the contents of the box as authentic and gruesome, though a Tampa Bay historian says they do not appear to be genuine Spanish coins. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. The tale of pirate captain Jos Gaspar who, according to the stories, ravaged the west coast of Spanish Florida for 40 years is the inspiration for a bombastic plundering that continues from 1905. We" more 2. Aged Rum. Is this the hand and treasure of Jose Gaspar? So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. However his name and supposed deeds are still celebrated to this day, not least with the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which began in 1904 in Tampa, Florida, which honors his tale. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. Available at: https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. Available at: https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, ymkg, 2022. Thread starter seeker41; Start date Apr 29, 2015 Apr 29, 2015 Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. It's part of our family now.". His ship was scuttled in the battle sending the valuables to the bottom of the ocean. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Lets do this. Other than news articles, the first story ever published in print about the Story of Gasparilla was commissioned by the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad. (386) 439-3061. Website. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. Or they were always togahter. Answer: True This is an area where the stories of Gaspar are for once consistent. Gasparilla fell in love with Jeffries while on land, but she informed him that she had fallen in love with one of his crew, Batista Fuentes, a handsome and well-educated man from a famous family. Though that treasure has never been discovered, the story of the swashbuckling Gaspar was unearthed and his memory revived in 1904 when Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla was formed and adopted the pirate as patron rogue of their city . Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. Gasparilla seized their ship, as well as their 11 dowries, but fell madly in love with the Spanish princess. He eventually retired and settled down on Shell Creek near Lettuce Lake in DeSoto County, where he lived for many years. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. Old hand, coins and treasure map found in Florida attic - The Vintage News Rogers is said to have hidden huge amounts of gold and silver bars worth a fortune today. (story from treasurelore.com). He supposedly buried large amounts of treasures on the islands around the bay. In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. No contemporaneous mention of his existence or achievements has ever been found in Spanish or American ship logs, court documents, newspapers, or other archives, and no tangible items associated with Gaspar have been unearthed in the area where he is said to have operated. Jose Gaspar Treasure 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd Flagler Beach FL 32136 (386) 439-3061 Claim this business (386) 439-3061 Website More Directions Advertisement Photos See More Hours Wed: 11am - 5pm Thu: 11am - 5pm Fri: 11am - 5pm Sat: 11am - 5pm Sun: 12pm - 5pm Website Take me there Jewelers Nice Shell Shop. Treasure hunter and researcher Lauren Gattuso sits on the boat as it heads toward an area where her and a small group of treasure hunters believe lies lost treasure. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure, and should be there today. Not much is known of his early life before his pirating career. And she actually had maps, and she had stories that were passed down to the family about these treasures. The American Government then decided to get into the act and sent a Navy squadron to end his career. Always being on the run from mercenaries, armies, navies, and any and all other law enforcement agencies of the day, often resulted in the necessity to hide their riches. Having spent some time here, Blackbeard built a fort near a swamp west of Charleston. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd. Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. The legend states that Gaspar terrorized the western coastal waters of Florida in the late 18th to early 19th century. Blackbeard also spend some time in North Carolina, in fact he secured a Royal Pardon in the town of Bath. The battle raged and the story goes that as Jose Gaspar realized the inevitable, he stood on the bow of the ship and stated something like Gaspar dies by his own hands. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. "I'm considering it. ", According to the railroad brochure, the "narrative was compiled by the writer from incidents told by John Gomez, better known as Panther Key John, a brother-in-law of Gasparilla and a member of his crew, who died at the age of 120 years, at Panther Key, Florida, 12 miles below Marco, in the year 1900; also from records left by John Gomez, Jr., the cabin-boy on Gasparilla's ship, who was kidnapped by Gasparilla and who witnessed the death of this pirate and all on board his vessel. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We are constantly looking for opportunities to metal detect, magnet fish, pan for gold, and search for real life lost treasures. These tunnels converged into a large chamber underground. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. Perhaps this suggested location is merely a case in mistaken identity. It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. So are you juiced up and just caught the gold fever? Jose Gaspar Treasure - MapQuest "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. He relocated to Galveston Island around 1817 where he set up a pirate empire. We will discuss a few of them here. The team used metal detectors and shovels but didn't find anything. Though details about his early life, motivations, and piratical exploits differ in various tellings, they agree that the 'Last of the Buccaneers" was a remarkably active pirate who amassed a huge .