A pirate, sword over his shoulder
CAPTAIN EDWARD LOWE
A three-masted ship
Edward Lowe, born atWestminster, very early began the Trade of Plundering; for if any Child refused him what he had, he must fight him. When he grew bigger, he took to Gaming among Blackshoe Boys upon theParade, with whom he used to play theWhole Game, as they call it; that is, cheat every Body, and if they refused, they had to fight him.
Nedwent to Sea with his eldest Brother, and leaving him inNew-England, he worked in a Rigging House, at Boston, for someTime, when not liking that, he returned toEnglandto see his Mother, with whom he did not stay long before he took his Leave of her, for the last Time, as he said, and returned toBoston, where he shipped himself in a Sloop that was bound to the Bay ofHonduras; and when he arrived there, he was made Patron of the Boat, to bring the logwood on board to lade the ship; where he differing with the Captain about the hurry of taking the logwood on board,Lowetakes up a loaden Musquet, and fired at him; then putting off the Boat, he, with twelve of his companions, goes to sea. Next day they met a small vessel, which they took, made a Black Flag, and declared War against all the world. From hence they proceed to the Island of theGrand Caimanes, where they met withGeorge Lowther, who took him under his protection as an ally, without any formal Treaty; whichLowereadily agreed to. But parting withLowtheron the 28th ofMay, as we have already given in an Account inLowther’sLife,Lowetook a Vessel belonging toAmboy,which he plundered, and then stood away to the South East, by which he avoided two Sloops which the Governor had sent to take him fromRhodeIsland.
Sketch of a person wearing an ornate headdress
Julythe 12th, he sailed into the Harbour of PortRosemary, where he found 13 small vessels at anchor, whom he told they would have no quarters if they resisted; which so frightened the Masters of the vessels, that they all yielded. Out of them he took whatever he wanted, keeping for his own Use a Schooner of 80 Tons, on board of which he put 10 Carriage Guns, and 50 men, and named her theFancymaking himself Captain, and appointingCharles HarrisCaptain of the Brigantine. Making up a complement of 80 men out of the vessels, some by force, and others by their own inclinations, he sailed away fromMablehead, and soon after he met two Sloops bound forBoston, with provisions for the garrison; but there being an officer and soldiers on board, he thoughtit the safest way, after some small resistance, to let them go on about their business.
They then steered for theLeewardIslands; but in their voyage met with such a hurricane, as had not been known in the memory of man. After the storm was over, they got safe to one of the small Islands of theCarribees, and there refitted their vessels as well as they could. As soon as the Brigantine was ready, they took a short cruise, leaving the Schooner in the harbour till their return; which had not been many days at sea, before she met a ship that had lost all her masts, on board of which they went, and took, in money and goods, to the value of 1000l.Upon this success, the Brigantine returned to the Schooner, which being then ready to sail, they agreed to go to theAzores, or Western Islands, whereLowetook aFrenchShip of 32 Guns, and inSt. Michael’sRoad, he took several sail that were lying there, without firing a gun. Being in great want of water, he sent to the Governor ofSt. Michael’sfor a Supply,promising upon that Condition, to release the Ships he had taken, otherwise to burn them all; which the Governor, for the sake of the Ships, agreed to. Thereupon he released six, keeping only theRosePink, of which he took the Command.
The Pirates took several of the Guns out of the ships, and mounted them on board theRose.Loweordered the Schooner to lie in the Fare betweenSt. Michael’sandSt. Mary’s, where he met with CaptainCarterin theWrightGalley; who, defending himself, they cut and mangled him and his Men in a barbarous manner; after which, they were for burning the ship, but contented themselves with cutting her cable, rigging, and sails to pieces, and so left her to the mercy of the seas. From hence they sailed to the Island ofMaderas, where they took a fishing boat, with two old men and a boy in her, one of whom they sent ashore, demanding a boat of water, otherwise they would kill the old man, which being complied with, the old man was discharged. From hence they sailed to theCanaries,and thence continued their course for theCape de VerdeIslands, where they took a ship called theLiverpool Merchant, from which they took 300 gallons of brandy, two guns and carriages, besides six of the men, and then obliged them to go to the Isle ofMay. They also took twoPortuguezeships bound toBrazil, and three Sloops fromSt. Thomas’sbound toCuraso: All of which they plundered, and let them go, except one Sloop, by which they heard that two Gallies were expected at the Western Islands. Her they manned, and sent in Quest of these Ships whilst they careened theRoseatCape de Verde; but the Sloop missing the prey, was reduced to great want of water and provisions, so that they ventured to go ashoreSt. Michael’s, and pass for Traders; where, being suspected by the Governor, they were conducted into the Castle, and provided for as long as they lived.
Lowe’sship was overset a-careening, so that he was reduced to his old Schooner, aboard of which there went about anhundred as bold rogues as ever was hanged, and sailed to theWest-Indies, where they took a richPortuguezeship bound Home fromBahia, putting to the torture several of the men, who confest the Captain flung into the sea a bag of 11000 Moidores. This madeLoweswear a thousand oaths; and after cutting off his lips, he murdered him and all his Crew, being 36 men.
After this, they cruised to the Northward, and took several Vessels and then steered for the Bay ofHonduras, where they took FiveEnglishSloops, and a Pink, and aSpaniardof 6 Guns and 70 men, whom they killed every man; which being done they rummaged theSpanishShip, bringing all the booty on board their own vessel.
In the next cruise, between theLeeward Islandsand the Main, they took two Snows from Jamaica to Liverpool, and just after a Ship called theAmsterdam Merchant, the Captain thereof he slit his Nose, cut his Ears off, and then plundered the ship and let her go. Afterwards he took a Sloopbound toAmboy, of whose Men he tied lighted matches between the fingers, which burnt the flesh off the bones, and afterwards set them ashore in an uninhabited part of the country, as also other ships which fell a prey to those villains.
One of His Majesty’s Men-of-War called theGreyhound, of 20 guns and 120 men, hearing of their barbarous actions, went in search of them and, seeing the Pirates, allowedLoweto chase them at first, till they were in readiness to engage him, and when he was within gunshot, tacked about and stood towards him. The Pirates edged away under the Man-of-War’s stern, making a running fight for about two hours. But little wind happening, the Pirates gained from her; thereupon theGreyhoundleft off firing, and turned all her hands to her oars, and came up with them, when the fight was renewed with a brisk fire on both sides, till theRanger’smain-yard was shot down; upon which, theGreyhoundpressing close,Lowebore away and left his consort, who seeing the cowardice of his Commadore, and thatthere was no possibility of escaping, called out for quarters.
Lowe’sconduct in this engagement shewed him to be a cowardly villain; for had he fought half as briskly asHarris, the Man-of-War could never have taken either of them. TheGreyhoundcarried her Prize toRhode-Island, which was looked upon to be of such signal Service to the Colony, that in Council they resolved to complimentPeter SulgardCaptain, with the Freedom of their Corporation. They secured the prisoners under a strong guard in Jail, till a Court of Vice-Admiralty could be held for their Trials, which was on the 10th ofJulyatNewport, lasting three Days. The Judges wereWilliam Dummer, Esq; Lieutenant Governor of theMassachusets, President;Nathaniel Payne, Esq;John Lechmore, Esq; Surveyor General;John Valentine, Esq; Advocate General;Samuel Cranston, Governor ofRhode Island;John Menzies, Esq; Judge of the Admiralty;Richard Ward, Esq; Registrar; and Mr.Jahleet Brinton, ProvostMarshal.Robert Auchmuta, Esq, was appointed by the Court, Counsel for the prisoners here under mentioned.
Charles Harris, Captain,William Blads,Daniel Hyde,Thomas Powel, jun.,Stephen Munden,Thomas Hugget,William Read,Peter Kneeves,James Brinkley,Joseph Sound,William Shutfield,Edward Eaton,John Brown,Edward Lawson,Owen Rice,John Tomkins,John Fitzgerald,Abraham Lacy,Thomas Linester,Francis Leyton,John Walters, Quarter-master,William Jones,Charles Church,Thomas Hazel, andJohn Bright, who were all executed the 19th ofJuly, 1723, nearNewportinRhode Island; butJohn BrownandPatrick Cunninghamwere recommended to Mercy.
The eight following were found Not Guilty;John Wilson,Henry Barnes,Thomas Jones,Joseph Switzer,Thomas Mumper, Indian,John Hencher, Doctor,John Fletcher, andThomas Child.
Instead of working repentance inLowe, this deliverance made him ten times worse, vowing revenge upon all they should meet with for the future, which they executeduponNathan Skiff, Master of aWhale-fishingSloop, whom they whipt naked about the deck, and then cut off his ears, making his torture their sport. At length being weary thereof, they shot him through the head, and sunk his vessel. Some days after, he took a fishing boat off ofBlackIsland, and only cut off the master’s head; but next day taking two Whale Boats nearRhodeIsland, he brutally killed one of the masters and cut off the ears of the other. From hence he went toNewfoundland, where he took 23FrenchVessels, and mann’d one of them of 22 Guns with pirates; after which, they took and plundered 18 ships, some of which they destroyed.
The latter end ofJuly,Lowetook a large ship called theMerry Christmas, and mounted her with 34 Guns, on which he goes aboard, taking the title of Admiral, and sails to the Western Islands, where he took a Brigantine manned withEnglishandPortugueze, the Latter of whom he hanged.
AfterwardsLowewent to the Coast ofGuinea, but nothing happened till he cametoSierra Leon, inAfrica, when he met with theDelight, which he took, mounting her with 16 Guns, and 60 men, appointingSpriggsCaptain, and from whom two days after he separated.
InJanuaryafter, he took a Ship calledSquirrel, but what came of him afterwards we cannot tell.
Sketch portrait of a pirate
A pirate stands on a height looking down at a ship
George Lowtherwent second Mate on board theGambia Castle, belonging to theRoyal AfricanCompany, on board which was CaptainMassey, with soldiers that he was to command under ColonelWhitney, whom were landed onJamesIsland; but the Fort and Garrison not agreeing the Company soon after lost a Galley worth 10000l.by it.
Sketch map of James Island, South Carolina
Masseyfinding he must be over-ruled by the merchants, soon began to complain of their ill-treatment of his men in their allowance, saying he did not come to be aGuineaSlave; and that if they did notuse him and his men better, he should take other measures.
At the same time, there happened a dispute between the Captain of the ship andLowther, which very much contributing to Lowther’s design: ForLowtherfinding himself neglected by the Captain, found means to ingratiate himself into the favour of the sailors, who, upon the Captain’s going to punish him, swore, They would knock down the first man that should offer to lay hands on him; whichLowtherimproved to a general disaffection of the ship’s Crew.Masseyin the meantime, having contracted an intimacy withLowther, they agreed to curb their enemies, and provide for themselves some other way; which the Captain perceiving, he goes on shore to the Governor and Factor, to consult what methods to take. ButLowtherapprehending it was against him, he sent a letter in the same boat toMassey, advising him to repair on board, to put their project in execution.
Upon whichMasseyharangued the Soldiers, saying,You that have a Mind toreturn to England, may now do it; which they all agreed to. Then he went to the Governor’s appartment, and took his bed, baggage, plate and furniture, believing the Governor would go with him, which he refused; howeverMasseycame aboard with the Governor’s son. After demolishing all the guns of the Fort, they weighed anchor, and fell down, but soon ran the ship aground; upon whichMasseyreturns to the Fort, remounts the guns, and keeps garrison till the ship got clear. In the meantime CaptainRussellgot off but was not suffered to come on board, although he offeredLowtherwhat terms he pleased. Next tide they got the ship afloat, having first nailed up and dismounted all the cannon. Then putting the Governor’s son ashore, they put out to sea, whenLowthercalled upon the men, and told them,It was Madness to think of returning toEngland; for what they had done, would be judged a Capital Offence; and therefore, since they had a good ship under them, he proposed that they should seek their fortunes upon the Seas, as othershad done before them, which they all agreed to, calling the shipThe Delivery, and swore to stand by one another.
Lowtherleft the Fort the 13th ofJune, and on the 20th, nearBarbadoes, he came up with a Brigantine, belonging toBoston, which he plundered, and then let go. After this he proceeded toHispaniola, where he met with aFrenchSloop loaden with wine and brandy, on board whom CaptainMasseywent, pretending at first to be a merchant; but finding her to be a Ship of value, he told Monsieur, He must have it all without money. On board her, there was 30 casks of brandy, 5 hogsheads of wine, several pieces of chintz, and 70l.in money, all of which they took, onlyLowtherreturn’d the French Master five pounds again.
But this good harmony did not last long amongst them,Masseywas uneasy, and resolved to leave them; whichLowtheragreed to, giving him a Sloop he had just before taken, to go where he thought fit. AccordinglyMasseygoes aboard, with ten men, and comes in directly forJamaica, where,putting a bold face on the matter, he informs SirNicholas Laws, the then Governor, how he had leftLowtherthe pirate, and of all that had been transacted before, adding, That he assisted him at the RiverGambiaonly to save so many of His Majesty’s subjects, and return toEngland.
Masseywas well received, and, at his own report, he was sent on board theHappy Sloop, to cruise offHispaniolaforLowther; but not meeting with him, he returned toJamaica, and getting a Certificate, he came home toEngland, where, when he arrived, he writes to theAfricanCompany, relating the whole transaction of his voyage, but excuses it as an inadvertency, by his being ill-used; for which, if they would not forgive him, he begged to die like a soldier, and not be hanged like a dog. This not producing so favourable an answer as he expected, he went the next day to the Lord Chief Justice Chambers, and enquired, If there had been ever a Warrant granted and against one CaptainMasseyfor Piracy. But being told, There was not, hesaid, He was the Man, and that theAfricanCompany would soon apply to my Lord for one, which if they did, he lodged inAldersgate street, where the Officer might at any time find him. This the Clerk took down in writing, and a Warrant being soon granted, the Tipstaff went accordingly, and took him without any trouble.
But still there was no person to charge him, neither could they prove the letter to be his own hand-writing, till the Justice interrogated him,Whether he did write the letter or not; which he readily confessed, as also gave an ample account of the whole voyage, thereupon he was committed toNewgate, though soon after he was admitted out upon bail.
Julythe 5th, 1723, he was tried at theOld-Bailyby a Court of Admiralty, when CaptainRusselland others appeared against him: But he would have saved them all that trouble, for he confessed more than they knew, fixing the facts so firm upon himself, that he was found Guilty, received Sentence of Death, and wasexecuted three weeks after atExecution Dock.
A burning ship
But to return toLowther, whomMasseyleft cruising off ofHispaniola, who plying to the Windward nearPorto Rico, took two sail, one was a smallBristolShip, the other aSpanishPirate, who had taken theBristolShip; which so provokedLowther, that he threatened to put all theSpaniardsto Death, for daring to intermeddle in his Affairs: But at last he contented himself with burning both their ships; and theSpaniardsgetting away in their launch, they thought they were well off.
Afterwards he took a small Sloop fromSt. Christophers, which he manned; and carried with him to an island where they cleaned, and then going aboard, they sailed towards the Bay ofHonduras, where theymet with a small vessel with 13 Hands, of the same employment, under CaptainLowe, whomLowtherreceived as friends, inviting them, as they were few in number, to join their strength together; which being accepted of,Lowthercontinued Captain, andLowewas made Lieutenant, burning his own ship. Then coming into the Bay, they fell upon a ship of two hundred tons, called theGreyhound; against whomLowtherfiring his guns, hoisted the piratical Colours, which CaptainEdwardbravely returned; but at length finding the Pirate too strong for him he yielded, and the Pirate came on Board, and not only rifling the ship, but beat and cut the men in a cruel manner. In crusing about the Bay, they took several other vessels without any resistance, particularly a Sloop of 100 Tons, which they mounted with 8 carriages and 10 swivel guns. With this fleet,Lowtherin theHappy Delivery,Lowein theRhode IslandSloop,HarrisinHamilton’sSloop, left the Bay, and came toPort Mayo, where they made preparations to careen, carryingashore all their sails, to lay their plunder and stores in; but when they were busy at work, a body of the natives came down and attacked the Pirates unprepared, who were glad to fly to their Sloops, and leave them masters of the field, leaving theHappy Deliverybehind them, contenting themselves with theRanger, which had only 20 guns, and 8 swivels, taking all the men on board her, wherein they presently began to quarrel, laying the blame upon one another. Being very much in want of provisions, they got to theWest Indies,May1722, and near the Island ofDescadatook a Brigantine stored with provisions and necessaries, which put them in better temper. Then they watered and stood to the Northward, intending to visit the North Coast ofAmerica, and in Latitude 38, they took theRebeccaofBoston, at which Time the Crews divided,Lowewith 44 Hands went on board the Brigantine, andLowtherwith the same number, staid in the Sloop, separating that very night, being the 28th of May 1722.
Lowthercruised a pretty while among the Islands to no purpose, till at length he fell in with aMartinicoMan, which proved a seasonable relief, he being reduced to great want of provisions, and after that aGuineaMan. After which they thought it time to clean, in order to prepare for new adventures; for which purpose they sailed to the Island ofBlanco, which is a low Island 30 leagues from the main ofSpanish America, where he unrigged his Sloop, sending his guns, rigging, and sails ashore, and putting his vessel upon the careen. But theEagleSloop ofBarbadoes, coming near this Island, and seeing her, supposing her to be a Pirate, took the advantage of attacking her when unprepared, who immediately hoisted theSt. George’sFlag at her top-mast head to bid them defiance: But when they found theEagleresolved to board them in good earnest, the Pirates cut their cable, and hawled the stern on shore, which obliged theEagleto come to an anchor athwart the hawse, where they engaged them till theycried out for Quarters. At which timeLowtherand 12 men made their escape, but they took the rest, and brought them toCamena, where theSpanishGovernor condemned the Sloop to the captors, and sent 23 Hands to scour the Bushes ofBlancofor the Pirates, when they took 40; but could not findLowther, three men and a little Boy.John Churchill,Edward Mackonald,Nicholas Lewis,Rich. West,Sam Lavercot,Rob. White,John Shaw,And. Hunter,Jonathan Delve,Matthew Freeborn, andHenry Watson, were hanged,Roger Granger,Ralph Candem, andRobert Willis, were acquitted. And CaptainLowther, it is said, afterwards shot himself, being found dead, and a pistol burst by his side.
Silhouette of a sailor
A sinking ship
Thomas Anstisshipped himself atProvidence, in the Year 1718, aboard theBuckSloop, and was one of the six that conspired together to get off with the vessel, along withHowel Davis,Dennis Topping, andWalter Kennedy, etc. I shall only observe, that this combination was the beginning of CaptainRoberts’scompany, which afterwards proved so formidable, from whomAnstisseparated the 18th ofApril, 1721, leaving his Commodore to pursue his adventures upon the Coasts ofGuinea, whilst he returned to theWest Indies, upon the same design.
About the middle ofJune, he met withone CaptainMaiston, betweenHispaniolaandJamaica, bound toNew-York, from which he took all the wearing apparel, liquors and provisions, and six men. Afterwards he met with theIrwin, CaptainRossfromCork, on the Coast ofMartinico, which ship had ColonelDoylyofMontserraton board, and his Family, and 600 barrels of beef.
Afterwards they went into one of the Islands to clean, and thence proceeding towardsBermudas, they met with a stout ship called theMorning Star, bound fromGuineatoCarolina, which they kept for their own use. Just after, they took a ship fromBarbadoesbound toNew England, from whence taking her guns, they mounted theMorning Starwith 32 pieces of cannon, and 100 men, appointingJohn FennCaptain: ForAnstiswas so in love with his own vessel, she being a good sailor, he made it his choice to stay in her, and letFennhave the other ship. Though they were not sufficiently strong, yet being most new men, they could not agree, but resolving to break up company, sent a Petition to His Majestyby a Merchant Ship, expecting her Return atCuba.
Here they staid about nine months; but not having provisions for above two, they were obliged to take what the Island afforded; which is many sorts of fish, particularly turtle; though they eat not a bit of bread, nor flesh meat, during their being on the Island.
They passed their time here in dancing, and other diversions, agreeable to these sort of folks. Among the rest, they appointed a mock Court of Judicature, to try one another for Piracy, and he that was a Criminal one day, was made a Judge another. I shall never forget one of their Trials, which for the curiosity of it, I shall relate. The Judge got up into a tree, having a dirty tarpaulin over his shoulders for a robe, and a Thrum Cap upon his head, with a large pair of spectacles upon his nose, and a monkey bearing up his train, with abundance of Officers attending him, with crows and hand-spikes instead of wands and tip-staves in their hands.Before whom the Criminals were brought out, making 1000 wry Faces; when the Attorney-General moved the Court, and said, An’t please your Lordship, and you Gentlemen of the Jury, this fellow before you is a sad dog, a sad, a sad dog, and I hope your Lordship will order him to be hanged out of the way; he has committed Piracy upon the High Seas; nay, my Lord, that’s not all; this fellow, this sad dog before you, has out-rid a hundred storms, and you know, my Lord,He that’s born to be hanged, will never be drowned. Nor is this all, he has been guilty of worse villany than this, and that is of drinking of small beer; and your Lordship knows, there was never a sober fellow but what was a rogue—My Lord, I should have said more, but your Lordship knows our rum is out, and how should a Man speak that has drunk a dram to-day.
Portrait of a pirate, hands bound behind his back
Judge.Harkee me, Sirrah—you ill-lookeddog. What have you to say why you may not be tucked up, and set a-sun-drying like a scare-crow?—Are you Guilty, or not?Prisoner.Not Guilty, an’t please your Worship.Judge.Not Guilty! say so again, and I will have you hanged without any Trial.Prisoner.An’t please your Worship’s Honour, my Lord, I am as honest a fellow as ever went between stem and stern of a ship, and can hand, reef, steer, and clap two ends of a rope together, as well as e’er a He that ever crossed Salt-water; but I was taken by oneGeorge Bradley(the name of the Judge) a notorious Pirate, and a sad rogue as ever was hanged, and he forced me, an’t please your Honour.Judge.Answer me, Sirrah—how will you be tried?Prisoner.By God and my country.Judge.The Devil you will.... Then,Gentlemen of the Jury, we have nothing to do but to proceed to Judgment.Attorney-Gen.Right, my Lord; for if the fellow should be suffered to speak, he might clear himself; and that, you know, is an affront to the Court.Prisoner.Pray, my Lord, I hope your Lordship will consider.Judge.Consider!—How dare you talk of considering!—Sirrah, Sirrah, I have never considered in all my life.—I’ll make it Treason to consider.Pris.But I hope your Lordship will hear reason.Judge.What have we to do with Reason?—I would have you to know, Sirrah, we do not sit here to hear Reason—we go according to Law.—Is our dinner ready?Attorney-General.Yes, my Lord.Judge.Then harkee you rascal at the Bar, hear me, Sirrah, hear me.—Youmust be hanged for three reasons:First, because it is not fit that I should sit as Judge, and no-body to be hang’d:Secondly, You must be hang’d because you have a damn’d hanging Look:Thirdly, You must be hanged, because I am hungry. There’s Law for you, ye dog; take him away, Gaoler.
Judge.Harkee me, Sirrah—you ill-lookeddog. What have you to say why you may not be tucked up, and set a-sun-drying like a scare-crow?—Are you Guilty, or not?
Prisoner.Not Guilty, an’t please your Worship.
Judge.Not Guilty! say so again, and I will have you hanged without any Trial.
Prisoner.An’t please your Worship’s Honour, my Lord, I am as honest a fellow as ever went between stem and stern of a ship, and can hand, reef, steer, and clap two ends of a rope together, as well as e’er a He that ever crossed Salt-water; but I was taken by oneGeorge Bradley(the name of the Judge) a notorious Pirate, and a sad rogue as ever was hanged, and he forced me, an’t please your Honour.
Judge.Answer me, Sirrah—how will you be tried?
Prisoner.By God and my country.
Judge.The Devil you will.... Then,Gentlemen of the Jury, we have nothing to do but to proceed to Judgment.
Attorney-Gen.Right, my Lord; for if the fellow should be suffered to speak, he might clear himself; and that, you know, is an affront to the Court.
Prisoner.Pray, my Lord, I hope your Lordship will consider.
Judge.Consider!—How dare you talk of considering!—Sirrah, Sirrah, I have never considered in all my life.—I’ll make it Treason to consider.
Pris.But I hope your Lordship will hear reason.
Judge.What have we to do with Reason?—I would have you to know, Sirrah, we do not sit here to hear Reason—we go according to Law.—Is our dinner ready?
Attorney-General.Yes, my Lord.
Judge.Then harkee you rascal at the Bar, hear me, Sirrah, hear me.—Youmust be hanged for three reasons:First, because it is not fit that I should sit as Judge, and no-body to be hang’d:Secondly, You must be hang’d because you have a damn’d hanging Look:Thirdly, You must be hanged, because I am hungry. There’s Law for you, ye dog; take him away, Gaoler.
Silhouette of a person wearing a broad-brimmed hat
By this we may see how these fellows can jest upon things, the thoughts of which should make them tremble.
August1722, they made ready the Brigantine, and came out to sea, where meeting their correspondent returning, and finding nothing done, they all agreed to ply their old trade. So they sailed with the shipand Brigantine to the Southward, where they ran theMorning Starupon theGrand Carmanes, and wrecked her; the next DayAnstiswent ashore to fetch the men off, who were all safe.Anstishad just time to get CaptainFenn, and a few others on board, before theHectorandAdventurecame down upon him; but he got to sea, and one of the Men-of-War after him, keeping within gun-shot several hours, when the wind dying away, the Pirates got to their oars, and rowed for their lives.
TheHectorlanded her men, and took 40 of theMorning Star’sCrew, without any resistance, they pretending they were glad of this opportunity; the rest hid themselves in the woods.
The Brigantine after her escape, sailed to an Island, near the Bay ofHonduras, to clean, and in her way took a Sloop, CaptainDurfeyCommander, which they destroyed, but brought the men on board. While she was cleaning,Durfeyconspired with some of the prisoners, to carry off the Brigantine;but it being discovered, he and four or five more got ashore, with arms and ammunition; and when the Pirates’ Canoe came in for Water, seized the boat and men; upon which,Anstissent another boat with 30 hand ashore; butDurfeygave them such a warm reception that they were glad to return back again.
InDecember1722,Anstisleft this place, taking in his cruise a good ship. He mounted her with 24 Guns and madeFennCommander. From hence they went to theBahamaIslands, taking what they wanted.
As they were cleaning their ship theWinchelseacame down upon them, when most of them escaped to the woods; butAnstishaving a light pair of heels, escaped in the Brigantine. Afterwards, some of the Company, being tired of this trade, shotAnstisin his Hammock, and put the rest in irons, and then carried the Brigantine toCuracco, aDutchSettlement, where they were hanged, and those that delivered up the vessel acquitted.Fennwas soon after taken by the Man-of-War’s Men, straggling in thewoods, with a few more, and carried toAntegoaand hanged. But some escaped among the negroes, and were never heard of since.
Sketch portrait of a pirate
A three-masted ship
John Phillipswas bred a carpenter, but sailing in a West Country ship toNewfoundland, was taken byAnstis, who soon persuaded him to join with him, making him Carpenter of the Vessel, in which station he continued till they broke up atTobago, when he came Home in a Sloop that was sunk inBristolChannel. But he did not stay long inEngland; for hearing of some of his companions being taken inBristolGaol, he moved off toTopsham, and there shipped himself with one CaptainWadhamforNewfoundland, where when the ship camehe ran away, and hired himself a splitter in the Fishery for the season: but he soon combined with others in the Fishery, to go off with one of the vessels that lay in the Harbour, and turn Pirate, and accordingly fixed upon the 29th ofAugust, 1713, at Night; but of 16 Men that promised five only were as good as their Word. Notwithstanding,Phillipswas for pushing on, assuring them that they should soon increase their company. Hereupon they seized a vessel, and went out to sea, when they soon began to settle their Officers to prevent dispute, appointing,John Phillips, Captain;John Nutt, Navigator of the Vessel;James Sparks, Gunner;Thomas Fern, Carpenter; andWilliam Whitewas only a private man among them.
Before they left the Banks, they took several small fishing vessels, out of which they took some more Hands, and then sailed to theWest-Indies: Among those that were taken, was oneJohn Rose Archerwho having been a pirate underBlackbeardwas made Quarter-Master to the company: They came offBarbadoesinOctober, and cruisedabout the Islands about three Months, without meeting with a vessel, so that they were almost starved for want of provisions, when at length they fell in with aMartinicoMan of 12 guns and 35 hands, upon which they hoisted the Black Flag and ran up along side of the Sloop, with piratical Colours flying, swearing, If they did not strike immediately, they must expect no quarters; which so frightened theFrenchman, that he never fired a gun. Having got this supply, they took her provisions, and four of her men.
Having occasion to clean their vessel,PhillipsproposedTobago; and just as they had done, a Man-of-War’s boat came into the Harbour, the ship cruising to the Leeward of the Island; which was no sooner gone, but they warped out, and plied to the Windward for safety.
In a few days they took a Snow with a few Hands in it, on board of which they sentFernthe Carpenter,William Smith,Philips Wood, andTaylor; butFernbeing dissatisfied atArcher’sbeing preferred before him to be Quarter-Master, persuadedthe rest to go off with the prize; butPhillipsgave them Chase, and coming up with them, shotWood, and woundedTaylorin the leg; upon which the other two surrendered.
FromTobagothey stood away to the Northward, and took aPortuguezebound forBrazil, and two or three Sloops forJamaica, in one of whichFernendeavouring to go off, was killed byPhillips, as was also another man for the like attempt, which made all the others more fearful of discovering their Minds, dreading the villany of a few hardened wretches, who feared neither God nor Devil, asPhillipswas often used blasphemously to say.
On the 25th of March, they took two ships fromVirginia, the Master’s name of one wasJohn Phillips, the Pirate’s Name-sake; of the other,Robert Mortimer, a stout young man.Phillipsstaid on boardMortimer’sShip, while they transported the crew to the Sloop, whenMortimertook up a hand-spike and struckPhillipsover the Head; but not knocking him down, he recovered and woundedMortimerwith his sword;and the other two Pirates who were on board, coming toPhillip’sassistance they cutMortimerto pieces, while his own two men stood and looked on. Out of the otherVirginiaMan, they tookEdward Cheesman, a carpenter, to supply the Place ofFern, who being averse to that way of life, proposed toJ. Philamore, who was ordered to rowCheesmanon boardMortimer’sship, to overthrow their Piratical government; which from time to time, as occasion offered, they consulted how to do. The Pirates, in the mean time, robbed and plundered several ships and vessels, bending their course towardsNewfoundland, where they designed to raise more men, and do all the mischief they could on the Banks, and in the harbours. Towards which country,Phillipsmaking his way, took oneSalterin a Sloop on the Isle ofSables, which he kept, and gaveMortimer’sShip to the Mate and crew; also a Schooner, oneChadwellMaster, which they scuttled in order to sink: ButPhillipsunderstanding that she belonged to Mr.MenorsofNewfoundland, with whose Vessel they first went off a-Pirating, said,We have done him injury enough already, and so ordering his Vessel to be repaired, returned her to the Master.
In the Afternoon, they chased another vessel, whose Master was an Inward Light Man, namedDependence Ellery, who toldPhillipshe took him for a Pirate as soon as he saw him, otherwise he would not have given him the Trouble of chasing him so long. This so provokedPhillipsand his Crew, that they made poorDependence, for his Integrity, dance about the Ship till he was weary. After which they took 10 other ships and vessels; and on the 14th ofApril, they took a Sloop belonging to CapeAnne,Andrew HarradineMaster; which looking upon to be more fit for their purpose, they came on board, keeping only the Master of her Prisoner, and sending the crew away inSalter’svessel.Cheesmanbroke his mind toHarradine, to destroy the crew. Upon this, it was concluded to be 12 a Clock at Noon, whenCheesmanleaves his working-tools on the deck, as if he had been goingto use them, walks off. But perceiving some signs of fear inHarradine, he fetches his brandy bottle, and gives him and the rest a dram, saying,Here’s to our next Meeting; then he talks toNutt, in the mean whilePhilamoretakes up an axe, whileCheesmanandHarradineseizeNuttby the Collar, and toss him over the Side of the Vessel.
By this Time the Boatswain was dead; for as soon asPhilamoresaw the Master laid hold on, he up with the axe, and cut off the Boatswain’s head, which Noise soon brought the Captain upon Deck, whomCheesmansaluted with the blow of a mallet, which broke his jaw-bone, but did not knock him down; upon whichHarradinecame to the Carpenter’s aid, whenSparksthe Gunner interposing,Cheesmantrips up his Heels, and flung him into the arms ofCharles Ivemay, who at that moment threw him into the Sea; and at the same TimeHarradinethrows CaptainPhillipsafter him, bidding the Devil take them both. This done,Cheesmanjumps from the deck into the Hold, to knockArcheron the Head, whenHarry Gylescame down after him, desired his Life might be spared; which being agreed to, he was made a Prisoner, and secured.
All being over, they altered their course fromNewfoundlandtoBoston, where they arrived the 3rd ofMay, to the great joy of the Province, and on the 12th ofMay, a special Court of Admiralty was held for the Trial of these Pirates, whenJohn Philamore,Edward Cheesman,John Cobs,Henry Gyles,Charles Joymay,John Bootman, andHenry Payne, were honourably acquitted; as also threeFrenchMen,John Baptis,Peter Taffery, andIsaac Lassen, as also three Negroes,Pedro,Francisco, andPierro.John Rose Archer, the Quarter-Master,William White,William Taylor, andWilliam Phillipswere condemned; altho’ the two latter got a Reprieve, and the two former,ArcherandWhite, were executed the 2nd ofJunefollowing.
A small group of armed men