Euphémie Daguilh

Euphémie Daguilh (or Daguile) is a rather mysterious woman who wielded incredible power in Haiti in the early 19th century. Nothing is known of her origins; she enters the history books around 1805 in Les Cayes, a seaport in southern Haiti, where Euphémie braved flying bullets to tend to the wounded during Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ military campaign. Jean-Jacques has been born into slavery and became the leader of the Haitian Revolution; he was the first ruler of an independent Haiti and was later named Emperor Jacques I. Stories of Euphémie’s fearlessness soon made her a minor celebrity, and she personally tended to an ill Jean-Jacques who had by then heard of this remarkably daring woman. After Jean-Jacques recovered, Euphémie joined him throughout his other campaigns, gaining recognition and respect for her compassion while caring for wounded soldiers. Euphémie was also a composer and choreographer and is well-known for a dance known as Carabiniere.

Although Jean-Jacques had many other lovers – he reportedly had a woman “in every city” - Euphémie is considered his most influential paramour. The relationship was public knowledge and she even had letters printed with the text “The friend of Jacques, His Majesty Emperor of Haiti.” Euphémie was also granted an allowance that was so large, the Director of State Properties demanded that Jean-Jacques decrease the amount, which he did so. She hosted salons which also doubled as a way for her to spy on the military in South Haiti and remained Jean-Jacques most loyal companion until his assassination in 1806. Following this, a mob broke into Euphémie’s home with the intent on lynching her, though she was able to calm the maddened crowd by serving them sweets and singing songs. She later married Lacoude Bellefleur, though she may have already had some children by him.