Short URL for this page:
bit.ly/RANPIRa1


[image ALT: Much of my site will be useless to you if you've got the images turned off!]
mail:
Bill Thayer

[image ALT: Cliccare qui per una pagina di aiuto in Italiano.]
Italiano

[Link to a series of help pages]
Help
[Link to the next level up]
Up
[Link to my homepage]
Home
[image ALT: a blank space]

This webpage reproduces part of

The Pirates of
Colonial North Carolina

by
Hugh F. Rankin
North Carolina
Department of Cultural Resources
Raleigh, 1993

The text is in the public domain.

This page has been carefully proofread
and I believe it to be free of errors.
If you find a mistake though,
please let me know!

[image ALT: a blank space]
This site is not affiliated with the US Naval Academy.

 p65  Appendix I

A Who's Who of North Carolina's Colonial Pirates

These sketches are of necessity brief. Pirates were usually illiterate, and they left no records. In most instances, only the bare details can be discovered. This list is by no means complete. Many other pirates sailed in Carolina waters, but their names and careers have been lost to history.

Amand (or Annand), Alexander. From Jamaica. One of Major Stede Bonnet's crew in the "Royal James." Hanged November 8, 1718, at White Point, Charleston, South Carolina, and buried in the marsh below the low water mark.

Archer, John Rose. Served in crew of Blackbeard's "Queen Anne's Revenge." Later became an honest fisherman, but turned pirate again.

Baily (or Bayly), Job. From London. Sailed with Bonnet. Hanged November 8, 1718, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Bellamy, Captain Charles. Began his career in the West Indies. Captured and plundered numerous vessels off the coasts of Carolina and New England. Was noted as an orator, sometimes entertaining his prisoners with flowery speeches. His pirate fleet wrecked on Massachusetts' coast in 1726. Only Bellamy and seven of his crew members were saved. They were tried, condemned, and hanged in Boston that same year.

Blake, James. A member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Bonnet, Major Stede (alias Captain Thomas, alias Edwards). Retired from army with rank of major. Began piratical career on island of Barbados. In the "Revenge" he captured prizes off Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Carolina coasts. At one time he joined forces with Blackbeard. Captured in the Cape Fear River, September 27, 1718, by Colonel William Rhett of South Carolina. Carried to Charleston, he escaped, but was recaptured by Colonel Rhett. Tried, convicted, and sentenced to the gallows in Charleston Court. Hanged December 10, 1718, and his body buried in the marsh below the low water mark.

Bonny (or Bonney), Anne. female pirate. Born in County Cork, Ireland. Daughter of a lawyer, who migrated to "Carolina" and became the owner of a prosperous plantation. Anne fell in love with a handsome young sailor, ran away to the West Indies with him. Leaving her husband, Anne sailed on Captain "Calico Jack" Rackham's ship, where she gained fame as a bloodthirsty pirate. Captured, she was tried and convicted of piracy, but there are no records indicating she was ever hanged.

Boon, John. Technically, John Boon was not a pirate, but he was expelled from the Council of Governor James Colleton in 1687 "for holding correspondence with pirates."

 p66  Booth, Samuel. From Charleston, South Carolina. A member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged November 8, 1718, at Charleston, South Carolina.

Boyd, Robert. From Bath, North Carolina. A member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged November 8, 1718, at Charleston, South Carolina.

Brierly, John (alias Timberhead). From Bath, North Carolina. A member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged November 8, 1718, at Charleston, South Carolina.

Brooks, Joseph, Sr. A member of Blackbeard's crew. Killed November 22, 1718, at Ocracoke Inlet in the fight with Lieutenant Maynard's crew.

Brooks, Joseph, Jr. A member of Blackbeard's crew. Taken prisoner by Lieutenant Maynard's crew. Taken to Williamsburg, Virginia, and there hanged, 1718.

Caesar. A Negro. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Was much liked and trusted by Blackbeard, and was entrusted with the job of blowing up the "Adventure" if the pirates were defeated by Lieutenant Maynard's crew. Attempted to carry out this order but was prevented by two of the frightened pirates. Caesar was hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Carman, Thomas. From Maidstone in Kent, England. A member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged November 8, 1718, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Carnes, John. A member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Child, Thomas. A member of Captain Edward Low's crew. At the age of fifteen, he was tried for piracy at Newport, Rhode Island, in 1723. Was found not guilty.

Churchill, John. A member of Captain George Lowther's crew. Captured in West Indies and hanged March 11, 1722, on island of St. Kitts.

Clarke, Jonathan. Of Charleston, South Carolina. Member of Bonnet's crew. Tried for piracy at Charleston in 1718. Acquitted.

Cole, Samuel. Member of William Fly's crew. Hanged at Boston July 12, 1726.

Condick, George. Cook in crew of William Fly. Convicted in trial at Boston. Pardoned.

De Cossey, Stephen James. Tried and hanged for piracy at Charleston in 1717.

Curtice, Joseph. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Killed November 22, 1718, at Ocracoke Inlet during the fight with Lieutenant Maynard's crew.

Daniel, Stephen. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1718.

Deal, Captain Robert. At one time mate to Captain Charles Vane. Later placed in command of small sloop. Took many prizes off coasts of Carolina and New England. Captured in West Indies, hanged in Jamaica, 1718.

Delve, Jonathan. Member of Captain George Lowther's crew in the "Happy Delivery." Hanged at St. Kitts in 1722.

Drummond, Edward (alias Teach, Thatch, or Blackbeard). See Teach.

Dunkin, George. Of Glasgow, Scotland. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Eddy, William. Of Aberdeen, Scotland. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Ernados, Emanuel. Carolina pirate who was hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, 1717.

 p67  Fly, Captain William. From Jamaica. Ex‑prizefighter. After heading successful mutiny and killing officers, Fly was elected captain of the "Elizabeth." First prize was the "John and Hannah," captured off the Carolina coast. Hanged at Boston July 17, 1726. His career as a pirate lasted just one month.

Freebarn, Matthew. Member of Captain George Lowther's crew. Hanged at St. Kitts, March 11, 1722.

Gates, Thomas. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Gerrard, Thomas. From the Island of Antigua. Member of Bonnet's crew. Tried for piracy at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1718, but was acquitted.

Gibbens, Garrat. Boatswain on board Blackbeard's "Adventure." Killed at Ocracoke Inlet, November 22, 1718, in the fight with Lieutenant Maynard's crew.

Gills, John. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Grange, Roger. Member of Captain George Lowther's crew in the "Happy Delivery." Tried for piracy at St. Kitts in 1722. Acquitted.

Greensail, Richard. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Greenville, Henry. A member of William Fly's crew. Hanged at Boston, July 12, 1726.

Hands, Israel (also known as Basilica Hands). Sailing master for Blackbeard. After death of Blackbeard Hands was captured in Bath, North Carolina. He was tried for piracy in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1718. Was convicted but later pardoned. When last heard of he was begging on the streets of London.

Herriot, David. Master of the "Adventure" of Jamaica, which was captured by Bonnet. Joined Bonnet's crew as sailing master. Turned King's evidence against former shipmates. Escaped with Bonnet. Killed on Sullivan's Island when Bonnet was recaptured.

Hewett, William (or Hewet, or Hewit). From the island of Jamaica. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Hincher, Dr. John. Of Edinburgh, Scotland. Graduate of the University of Edinburgh. At the age of 22 he was tried for piracy in Newport, Rhode Island, in July, 1723. Acquitted when he proved that he was taken off a prize by Captain Edward Low and forced against his will to act as ship's surgeon.

Hunter, Andrew. Member of Captain George Lowther's crew. Hanged at St. Kitts, March 11, 1722.

Husk, John. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Killed at Ocracoke Inlet, November 22, 1718, in the fight with Lieutenant Maynard's crew.

Jackson, Nathaniel. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Killed at Ocracoke Inlet, November 22, 1718, in the fight with Lieutenant Maynard's crew.

Killing, James. Member of Bonnet's crew. When Bonnet was tried in Charleston in 1718, Killing gave evidence against him.

King, Matthew. From Jamaica. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged November 8, 1718, at Charleston, South Carolina.

Levercott, Sam. Member of Captain George Lowther's crew. Hanged with the rest of Lowther's crew on the island of St. Kitts, March 11, 1722.

 p68  Levit, John. From North Carolina. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged November 8, 1718, at Charleston, South Carolina.

Lewis, Nicholas. Member of Captain George Lowther's crew. Hanged on island of St. Kitts, March 11, 1722.

Lewis, Captain William. Lewis lasted longer than most pirates; his career went on at least from 1717 to 1726. In his "Morning Atar" he captured several vessels off the Carolina coast. Was murdered in his sleep by his own superstitious crew members because they felt he was too intimate with the devil.

Livers, William (alias Elvis). Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Long, Zachariah. From Holland. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Lopez, John. From Oporto, Portugal. This Portuguese pirate was hanged with the rest of Bonnet's crew at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Low, Captain Edward. From London, England. Began life as an honest seaman, sailing out of Boston. Turned pirate, stole a ship, and sailed in company with the infamous Captain George Lowther. Low treated his prisoners with great brutality, especially those from New England. It is believed that he was insane towards the end of his career. His end is not known; he simply disappears from the pages of history after 1724.

Lowther, Captain George. From London, England. Sailed as second mate on the "Gambia Castle," which, after a successful mutiny led by Lowther, was renamed the "Happy Delivery." Captured prizes all along the North American coast. For a while, commanded a small pirate fleet, one of the ships being commanded by Captain Edward Low. Off the coast of South Carolina he attacked an English ship which handled him so roughly that he ran his ship ashore. In a later skirmish he fled ashore once again. Later was found lying dead, with a pistol by his side.

Mackdonald, Edward. One of Lowther's crew in the "Happy Delivery." Hanged on the island of St. Kitts, March 11, 1722.

Martin, John. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Miller, Thomas. Quartermaster in Blackbeard's crew, Killed at Ocracoke Inlet, November 22, 1718, in the fight with Lieutenant Maynard's crew.

de Mont, Francis. Captured in South Carolina in 1717. Tried in Charleston and convicted of taking the ship, "Turtle Dove," and other vessels off the Carolina coast the previous July. Hanged in July, 1717.

Moody, Captain Christopher. This notorious pirate was very active off the coast of Carolina in 1717, with two ships under his command. He was only 23 years old at the time. In 1722 he was captured off West Africa and hanged in chains at Cape Coast Castle.

Morrison, William. From Jamaica. A member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged in Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Morton, Philip. Gunner in Blackbeard's crew. Killed November 22, 1718, at Ocracoke Inlet during the fight with Lieutenant Maynard's crew.

Mullet, James (alias Millet). From London, England. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged in Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

 p69  Nicholls, Thomas (alias Nicholas). From London, England. Member of Bonnet's crew. Tried for piracy in Charleston, South Carolina, 1718. Acquitted.

Odell, Samuel. Taken prisoner by Blackbeard November 21, 1718. On following day retaken by Lieutenant Maynard. In the fight Odell received at least seventy wounds, but recovered. Stood trial for piracy in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718. Acquitted.

Painter, Peter. A Carolina pirate who retired to live in Charleston, South Carolina. Became a respected citizen of the town, although when he was recommended for the position of public powder-receiver, he was turned down by the Assembly because "Mr. Painter having committed Piracy, and not having His Majesties Pardon for the same, Its resolved he is not fit for that Trust."

Patterson, Neal. Of Aberdeen, Scotland. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Pell, Ignatius. Boatswain of Bonnet's crew on the "Royal James." After his capture he saved his own hide by turning King's evidence and giving testimony against his former comrades.

Perry, Daniel. From island of Guernsey, England. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged in Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Phillips, Joseph. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Price, Thomas. Of Bristol, England. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged in Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Rackham, Captain John (alias "Calico Jack"). Served as quartermaster in the crew of Captain Charles Vane. Became captain after Vane was marooned by his crew. Anne Bonny and Mary Read sailed with him. Rackham was hanged at Gallows Point, Port Royal, Jamaica, November, 1720. On the morning of his execution he was allowed to visit Anne Bonny, but all the comfort he got from her was "that she was sorry to see him there, but if he had fought like a man, he need not have been hanged like a Dog."

Rayner, Captain. Although there is no evidence that Rayner ever sailed the Carolina coast, he did sail with Captain Kidd. In a letter dated Philadelphia, February 28, 1701, William Penn wrote to the Lords of Trade in England, mentioning that several of Kidd's men had settled as planters in Carolina with Rayner as their captain.

Richards, Lieutenant. Second-in‑command to Blackbeard. It was Richards who commanded Bonnet's "Revenge" when that ship was taken over by Blackbeard. He was not with Blackbeard when the captain was killed by Lieutenant Maynard.

Ridge, John. Of London, England. Member of Bont's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Robbins, James. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Roberts, Owen. From Wales. Carpenter in Blackbeard's crew. Killed at Ocracoke Inlet, November 22, 1718, in the fight with Lieutenant Maynard's crew.

Robinson, Edward. From Newcastle-upon‑Tyne, England. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Ross, George (or Rose). Of Glasgow, Scotland. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

 p70  Rossoe, Francis. Convicted of piracy in June, 1717, at Charleston, South Carolina. Executed shortly afterwards.

Salter, Edward. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Scott, William. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Sharp, Rowland. Of Bath, North Carolina. Member of Bonnet's crew. Tried for piracy in Charleston, South Carolina, November, 1718. Acquitted.

Shaw, John. Member of George Lowther's crew. Hanged at St. Kitts, March 11, 1722.

Smith, John-William. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Spriggs, Captain Francis Farrington. Served his apprentice­ship under Captain George Lowther. Later became quartermaster in the crew of Captain Edward Low. In 1720 became captain of his own ship, the "Delight," and acquired reputation as most cruel and bloodthirsty pirate. While plundering the shore of the Bay of Honduras, Spriggs and his crew were surprised by a British warship. The "Delight" was run aground and Spriggs and his ruffians escaped to shore. There is no further record of them.

Stiles, Richard. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

Teach, Captain Edward (or Thatch, or Thach, or Drummond, alias Blackbeard). From Bristol, England. After a career of privateering out of Jamaica, he went a‑pirating. First sailed with Captain Benjamin Hornigold, until he acquired his own ship, which he named the "Queen Anne's Revenge." Gained fame by driving off a British man-of‑war in battle. Joined forces with Major Stede Bonnet. After cheating his own crew, Blackbeard married and supposedly settled down in North Carolina. After his money was gone he went back to sea in the "Adventure." On November 22, 1718, he was killed at Ocracoke Inlet by Lieutenant Robert Maynard.

Thomas, Captain. An alias used by Major Stede Bonnet.

Thomas, John. From Jamaica. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Tryer, Matthew. A Carolina pirate, accused and acquitted on a charge of having captured a sloop belonging to Samuel Salters of Bermuda in 1699.

Tucker, Robert. From Jamaica. A member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Vane, Captain Charles. Gained fame by first plundering Spanish galleons, and later for his ravages along the North American coast from New York to Florida. He was especially active off the Carolina coast. When he refused to do battle with a French man-of‑war his crew was so angered by his cowardice that they voted him out of office and set him adrift in a small sloop. Vane, however, quickly acquired another ship and crew and continued his plundering. A sudden hurricane wrecked his ship and Vane was the only one saved, being washed up on a small uninhabited island off the Honduras coast. He was rescued by an old friend, who had such a low opinion of Vane that he took him back to Jamaica and turned him over to the authorities. After a quick trial and conviction, Vane met death at the end of the hangman's noose.

 p71  Virgin, Henry. Of Bristol, England. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Want, Captain. A Carolina pirate who commanded a ship named the "Dolphin." Most of his piratical activities seem to have been confined to the Red Sea in 1695‑1996.

Watson, Henry. Member of Lowther's crew. Hanged at St. Kitts, March 11, 1722.

West, Richard. Member of Lowther's crew. Hanged at St. Kitts, March 11, 1722.

White, James. Member of Blackbeard's crew. Hanged in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1718.

White, Robert. Member of Lowther's crew. Hanged at St. Kitts, March 11, 1722.

Williams, Captain Paul. A Carolina pirate who began his career as a buccaneer in the West Indies. Accepted the King's pardon at New Providence in 1718, but soon returned to piracy. Was hanged a short time later at Eastman, Massachusetts.

Willis, Robert. Member of Lowther's crew. Tried for piracy at St. Kitts in March, 1722. Acquitted.

Wilson, James. Of Dublin, Ireland. Member of Bonnet's crew. Hanged at Charleston, South Carolina, November 8, 1718.

Winthrop, Thomas. Member of William Fly's crew.

Worley, Captain Richard. His career lasted only six months. Started out from New York in 1718 with eight companions. They set sail in a small open boat, with a few provisions and a few old muskets. Within a short time they had worked their way up to a suitable ship of six guns, manned by a crew of twenty-five men. Captured by a fleet commanded by Governor Robert Johnston of South Carolina, Worley was hanged at Charleston.

Yeates, Captain. From South Carolina. Commanded a sloop which supplied the pirate Vane in 1718. Tried pirating for a while and then offered to surrender to the governor of South Carolina. This was granted on the condition that he return his stolen booty. It might be said that Yeates was not much more than an amateur pirate.


[image ALT: Valid HTML 4.01.]

Page updated: 25 May 13