Chapter 4

In the Afternoon, they chased another vessel, whose Master was an Inward Light Man, named _Dependence Ellery_, who told _Phillips_ he 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 provoked _Phillips_ and his Crew, that they made poor _Dependence_, for his Integrity, dance about the Ship till he was weary. After which they took 10 other ships and vessels; and on the 14th of _April_, they took a Sloop belonging to Cape _Anne_, _Andrew Harradine_ Master; 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 in _Salter's_ vessel. _Cheesman_ broke his mind to _Harradine_, to destroy the crew. Upon this, it was concluded to be 12 a Clock at Noon, when _Cheesman_ leaves his working-tools on the deck, as if he had been going to use them, walks off. But perceiving some signs of fear in _Harradine_, he fetches his brandy bottle, and gives him and the rest a dram, saying, _Here's to our next Meeting_; then he talks to _Nutt_, in the mean while _Philamore_ takes up an axe, while _Cheesman_ and _Harradine_ seize _Nutt_ by the Collar, and toss him over the Side of the Vessel.

By this Time the Boatswain was dead; for as soon as _Philamore_ saw 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, whom _Cheesman_ saluted with the blow of a mallet, which broke his jaw-bone, but did not knock him down; upon which _Harradine_ came to the Carpenter's aid, when _Sparks_ the Gunner interposing, _Cheesman_ trips up his Heels, and flung him into the arms of _Charles Ivemay_, who at that moment threw him into the Sea; and at the same Time _Harradine_ throws Captain _Phillips_ after him, bidding the Devil take them both. This done, _Cheesman_ jumps from the deck into the Hold, to knock _Archer_ on the Head, when _Harry Gyles_ came 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 from _Newfoundland_ to _Boston_, where they arrived the 3rd of _May_, to the great joy of the Province, and on the 12th of _May_, a special Court of Admiralty was held for the Trial of these Pirates, when _John Philamore_, _Edward Cheesman_, _John Cobs_, _Henry Gyles_, _Charles Joymay_, _John Bootman_, and _Henry Payne_, were honourably acquitted; as also three _French_ Men, _John Baptis_, _Peter Taffery_, and _Isaac Lassen_, as also three Negroes, _Pedro_, _Francisco_, and _Pierro_. _John Rose Archer_, the Quarter-Master, _William White_, _William Taylor_, and _William Phillips_ were condemned; altho' the two latter got a Reprieve, and the two former, _Archer_ and _White_, were executed the 2nd of _June_ following.

CAPTAIN TEACH, _ALIAS_ BLACKBEARD

_Edward Teach_ was a _Bristol_ Man, and had served many years in the late wars, in a Privateer fitted out from _Jamaica_, in which he had often distinguished himself for his boldness. He was never thought fit to be entrusted with any Command, till he went a-pirating in the Year 1716, when Captain _Benjamin Hornigold_ put him into a Prize Sloop, with whom he kept company till _Hornigold_ surrendered.

In 1727, _Teach_ and _Hornigold_ sailed from _Providence_ for _America_, where, in their way, they took a vessel with above 100 Barrels of Flour, as also a Sloop from _Bermudas_, and a Ship bound to _Carolina_; from which they had a good plunder. After cleaning at _Virginia_, they returned to the _West-Indies_, and made Prize of a _French Guinea_ Man bound to _Martinico_, which _Teach_ was made Captain of; but _Hornigold_ with his Sloop returned to _Providence_, and surrendered to mercy. Aboard the _French Guinea_ Ship, _Teach_ mounted 46 guns, and called her _Queen Anne's Revenge_. Not long after he fell in with the _Scarborough_ Man-of-War, who, after a long fight finding she could do no good with _Teach_, left him, and returned to _Barbadoes_, while _Teach_ sailed to _Spanish America_. In his way, he met with Major _Bonnet_ a Gentleman, formerly of a good estate in _Barbadoes_, in a small Sloop with which he had turned Pirate: But _Teach_ finding _Bonnet_ knew nothing of the matter, took him into his own Ship, and put one _Richards_ Captain in his room, telling the Major, _That he had not been us'd to the Fatigues of the Sea, he had better decline it, and take his pleasure aboard his Ship_. At _Turnissi_ they took in fresh water; but seeing a Sloop coming in, they ran to meet her, which struck her sail, upon the sight of the Black Flag, to _Teach_, who took the Captain and his men aboard, and put _Israel Hands_ to mann the Sloop: From thence they sailed to the Bay, where they found a ship and four Sloops. _Teach_ hoisted his Black Colours, at the Sight of which, the Captain and his men left the Ship, and ran into the woods. _Teach's_ Quarter-Master, with some of his Men, took possession of her, and _Richards_ secured the Sloops: One of which they burnt, because she belonged to _Boston_, where some of his Men had been hanged; but the others they let go after plundering them.

From hence they sailed to the _Grand Canaries_, then to the _Bahama_ Wrecks, and then to _Carolina_, where they took a Brigantine and two Sloops, lying off the Bar of _Charles Town_; as also a Ship bound for _London_, with some passengers aboard. The next Day they took another Vessel coming out, and two Pinks going in, and a Brigantine with negroes, in the Face of the Town; which put the Inhabitants into a sad fright, being in no condition to help themselves.

_Teach_, alias _Blackbeard_, sent _Richards_ along with Mr. _Mark_, one of the Prisoners, to demand a chest of medicines of the Governor, several of his Men being sick aboard; threatening otherwise to burn the Ships, and destroy all the prisoners, among whom was Mr. _Samuel Wrag_, one of his Council. Altho' this went very much against the inhabitants, yet they were forced to comply with it to save the lives of the many souls had in his custody. So sending him a chest worth about 3 or 4 hundred Pounds, _Richards_ went back safe to the ships with his booty; which as soon as _Blackbeard_ had received, (for so I shall call him for the future) he let the ships and the prisoners go, having first taken 1500_l._ Sterling, and some provisions out of her. From thence they sailed to North _Carolina_, where he had thoughts of breaking up the company, and securing the money and the best of the effects for himself and friends. Accordingly he ran a-ground, as if it had been by accident, and calling _Israel Hands_ to his assistance, he ran the Sloop ashore near the other, and so they were both lost. This done _Blackbeard_ goes into the _Revenge_ and maroons 17 men upon a desert island; where they must inevitably have perished, if _Bonnet_ had not after taken them up.

_Blackbeard_ goes straight to the Governor of _North Carolina_, with Twenty of his Men, and pleads his Majesty's Pardon, and receives Certificates thereupon. He went to his Sloop which lay at _Okere-Cock_ Inlet, and set out for Sea upon another expedition, steering his Ship towards _Bermudas_. Meeting with one or two _English Vessels_ in his way, he robb'd them only of provisions for his present occasion; but meeting with a _French_ Ship laden with sugar and cocoa, he brought her home with her cargoe to _North Carolina_, where the Governor and the Pirates shared the plunder. He had no sooner arrived there, but he and four of his Men made affidavit, That they found the _French_ Ship at Sea, without ever a Man on board; upon which she was condemned. The Governor had sixty hogheads of sugar for his dividend, his Secretary twenty, and the rest were shared amongst the other Pirates. And for fear the ship might be discovered by some that might come into the River, _Blackbeard_, under pretence that she was leaky, and might sink, obtained an order from the Governor to bring her out into the River, and burn her; which they did, and sunk her bottom.

The Sloops trading in the River, being so often pillaged by _Blackbeard_, consulted with the traders what course to take, knowing it was in vain to make any application to the Governor; therefore they sent a deputation to the Governor of _Virginia_, to sollicit a force from the Men-of-War to destroy this Pirate. Accordingly the Governor consulted with the Captains of the _Pearl_ and _Lime_ Men-of-War, which lay in _St. James's_ River; whereupon it was agreed, That the Governor should have a couple of small Sloops, and they should be mann'd out of the Men of War, the Command of which was given to Mr. _Robert Maynard_, first Lieutenant of the _Pearl_. But before they sailed, it was agreed in Council, to offer a reward of 100_l._ for _any one that should take _Edward Teach_, commonly called _Blackbeard_; _for every_ Lieutenant, Master, Quarter-Master, Boatswain, _or_ Carpenter Twenty Pounds; For every inferior Officer, Fifteen Pounds; And for every Man taken on Board each Sloop, Ten Pounds_.

Upon this, the Lieutenant sailed from _James's_ River in _Virginia_, the 17th of _November_, 1718, and the 21st in the evening came to _Okere-cock_ Inlet, where he had fight of the Pirate: And altho' this Expedition was made with all the Secrecy imaginable, yet _Blackbeard_ had notice of it from the Governor of North _Carolina_ and his Secretary: But having heard several false reports before, he gave the less credit to this, till he saw the Sloops; and then he put himself in a Posture of defence, with his 25 Men.

Lieutenant _Maynard_ came to an anchor that night, because the Channel was so intricate that there was no getting in, in the dark. In the Morning, coming within gun-shot of the Pirate, he received his fire: whereupon the _Maynard_ stood directly towards him, endeavouring to make a running fight. _Maynard's_ men being most expos'd, he lost twenty at one broadside; upon which he ordered his men under deck, and bid them get ready for close fighting upon the first signal. Then _Blackbeard's_ men pour'd in grenadoes; after which, seeing no Hands aboard, he told his men they were all kill'd; _Let's jump in, and fall to Plunder_: Which they had no sooner done, but the Lieutenant and his men gave them as unwelcome a reception as ever they met with before. The Lieutenant and _Blackbeard_ fired first at each other, and then they went to it sword in hand, whilst the men on each side were as warmly engaged as their Captains, until the vessel was all over blood. _Blackbeard_ stood it till he had received above twenty wounds, five of them being shots, before he fell down dead. Eight of his fourteen men being kill'd, and the other six being much wounded, they call'd for quarters; which was granted, and then the Lieutenant attacked with equal bravery the men that remained in the Sloop and took them.

The Lieutenant caused _Blackbeard's_ head to be cut off, and hung at the bowsprit end; with which he sailed to _Bath Town_ to get his wounded men cured, and then began to rummage the Pirate Sloop, aboard which they found several Letters of Correspondence betwixt the Governor of _North Carolina_, his Secretary, and some Traders of _New York_ and _Blackbeard_. Thereupon going to _Bath Town_ in _North Carolina_, he seized in the Governors Store-house, the Sixty Hogsheads of Sugar, and Mr. _Knight_ his Secretary's 20, which was their dividend of the plunder taken in the _French_ Ship before-mentioned.

After his Men were a little recovered, he returned to the Men-of-War in _James's_ River in _Virginia_, with _Blackbeard's_ head hanging at his bowsprit, and 15 prisoners, 13 of whom were hanged, one of them being taken but the night before out of a trading Sloop: The other, not being in the fight, was taken at _Bath Town_, being just before disabled by _Blackbeard_ in one of his drunken humours.

The night before he was killed, being ask'd if he should chance to be killed, whether his wife knew where his money was; he answered, _That no-body but himself and the Devil, knew where it was, and the longest Liver should take all_.

* * * * *

The Names of the Pirates killed in the engagement were _Edward Blackbeard_, Commander; _Philip Morton_, Gunner; _Garnet Gibbons_, Boatswain; _Owen Roberts_, Carpenter; _Thomas Miller_, Quarter-Master; _John Husk_, _Joseph Curtice_, _Joseph Brooks_, _Nath. Jackson_.

The following, except the two last, were hanged, viz.: _John Carnes_, _Jo. Brookes, jun._, _James Blake_, _John Gibbs_, _Thomas Gates_, _James White_, _Richard Styles_, _Cesar_, _Joseph Philip_, _James Robbins_, _John Martyn_, _Edward Salter_, _Stephen Daniel_, _Richard Greensarl_, _Israel Hands_, and _Samuel Odel_.

MAJOR STEDE BONNET, AND HIS CREW

The Major was a Gentleman of Fortune and Distinction in the Island of _Barbadoes_, who before his Piracy bore the character of a worthy honest _man_, and no-body could ever account for this his undertaking, for he wanted neither learning nor understanding. He fitted out a Sloop with ten guns and sixty men, which he named the _Revenge_, at his own expence, and sailed from _Barbadoes_ for the Cape of _Virginia_, where he took the _Anne_ from _Glasgow_, the _Turbet_ from _Barbadoes_, the _Endeavour_ from _Bristol_, the _Young_ from _Leith_, and many others. From thence he went to _New York_, and there took a Sloop, and then stood in at _Gardiner's_ Island where he bought provisions, and went off. _August_, 1717, he came off at the Bar of _South Carolina_, and took a Sloop and Brigantine, which they plundered, and then he dismissed the Brigantine, but took the Sloop with him to an Inlet in _North-Carolina_, where he careened, and set her on fire.

Afterwards he put to sea, but could not agree with the men what course to take; for the Major being no sailor, was obliged to submit to many things his men imposed upon him, when falling in with _Edward Teach_, alias _Blackbeard_, who was a good sailor, but a hardened villain, _Bonnet's_ Crew joined with him, and put _Bonnet_ aboard _Blackbeard's_ Ship.

But _Blackbeard_ losing his Ship at _Topsail_ Inlet, surrendered to the King's Proclamation; when _Bonnet_ re-assumed the command of his own Sloop, and sailed directly for _Bath_ Town in _North-Carolina_, where he also surrenders himself, and receives a certificate. There getting a clearance for his Sloop, he pretended to sail for the Island of _St. Thomas_, to get the Emperor's Commission to go a-Privateering upon the _Spaniards_. But returning to _Topsail_ Inlet, he found that _Blackbeard_ and his gang were gone, with their effects; and that they had set on shore, on a small sandy island about a league from the continent, seventeen men, without any provisions, or vessel to escape. There they had been two nights and one day without any sustenance, when, to their inexpressible joy, they saw Major _Bonnet_, who had been informed of their being there by two of _Blackbeard's_ crew, who had escaped to avoid his cruelty.

Then he steered his course towards _Virginia_, where meeting with a Pink having Provisions on board, and they being in want, he took out of her ten barrels of pork, and five hundredweight of bread, and gave her, in exchange, ten casks of Rice, and an old cable.

Two days after they took a Sloop of sixty tons, from which they took two hogsheads of rum, and two of molasses, and then put in her eight men, to take care of the Prize; but they not liking her new acquaintance took the first opportunity to get off with her.

After this the Major threw off all restraint, and became a downright Pirate, by the name of Captain _Thomas_, taking and plundering all the vessels he met with. He took off Cape _Henry_, two Ships from _Virginia_, bound to _Glasgow_; the next day a small Sloop from _Virginia_ bound to _Bermudas_; from which they took twenty barrels of pork, and gave her in return, two barrels of rice, and as much molasses. The next day they took another _Virginia_ man, bound to _Glasgow_, out of which they took two men, and a few small things, and gave her a barrel of pork, and another of bread. From thence they sailed to _Philadelphia_, where they took a Schooner coming from _North Carolina_ to _Boston_, from which they took two men, and two dozen of calves skins, to make covers for guns. In the latitude of 32°, off of _Delaware_ River, near _Philadelphia_, they took two Snows bound to _Bristol_, from which they took money and goods to the value of two hundred pounds; as also a Sloop of sixty tons, from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes_, from which they took a few goods, and let her go. The 29th of _July_, they took a Sloop of fifty tons, bound from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes_, laden with provisions, which they kept; as also another of sixty tons, from _Antegoa_ to _Philadelphia_, having on board, rum, molasses, sugar, cotton and indigo, to the value of five hundred Pounds, all of which they kept. Then they left _Delaware_ Bay, and sailed to Cape _Fear_ River, where they staid almost two months to repair their Sloop, which proved very leaky, till news came to _Carolina_ of a Pirate's Sloop, with her Prizes, being there a-careening.

Whereupon Colonel _William Rhet_ offered to go with two Sloops to attack them; which being by the Governor and Council approved of, he was commissioned on board the _Henry_, with eight guns and seventy men, commanded by Captain _John Masters_; and the _Sea Nymph_, commanded by Captain Farier-Hall, with as many guns and men; both under the Direction of the Colonel, who went on board the _Henry_ the 14th of _September_, and sailed from _Charles_ Town to _Swillivant's_ Island, in order to cruise: where he was informed, by a small ship from _Antegoa_, which in sight of the Bar, was taken and plundered by _Charles Vane_, in a Brigantine of sixteen guns, and a hundred men; that he had taken two Sloops, one Captain _Dill_, Master, from _Barbadoes_; the other Captain _Thompson_, from _Guinea_, with seventy negroes, which they put on board one _Yeats_ his consort, being a small Sloop with twenty-five men, who being weary of this course of life, ran into _Edisto_ River, and surrender'd to his Majesty's Pardon, by which the owners got their negroes again, and _Yeats_ and his men had their certificates sign'd.

_Vane_ cruised for some time thereabouts, in hopes to take _Yeats_, and be revenged on him; during which time, he took a ship bound to London, to whom he gave out, that he designed to go to the southward; which Colonel _Rhet_ hearing, sailed over the Bar the 15th with the two Sloops, and went after the Pirate _Vane_; but not meeting with him, tack'd and stood for Cape _Fear_, according to his first Design; and on the 26th following he entered the River, where he saw _Bonnet_, and the three Sloops his Prizes, at anchor; but the Pilot running the Sloops a-ground, hindered their getting up that Night. The Pirates seeing the Sloops, and not knowing who they were, mann'd three canoes, and sent them down to take them; but finding their mistake, _Bonnet_ took all the men out of the Prizes to engage them. Colonel _Rhet's_ Sloops the next morning getting under sail, stood for the Pirates, who designed only to make a running fight; but the Colonel getting upon his quarters, he edged in upon the shore, and ran his Sloop a-ground. The Colonel's Sloops were soon in the same condition: The _Henry_ grounded within pistol-shot of the Pirate, on his bow; the other, right a-head of him, almost out of gun-shot, which made it of but very little use to the Colonel. By this time the Pirate had a very great advantage: For his Sloop lifted from Colonel _Rhet's_, which converted them all over; and the Colonel's Sloop lifting the same way, was much exposed for about five hours, whilst they lay a-ground. The Colonel's Sloop being first a-float, he got into deeper water, and after mending his rigging, he stood for the Pirate, to go directly on board him; which they prevented, by hoisting a flag of truce, and surrendering soon after. The Colonel lost in this action ten men, and had fourteen wounded. The _Sea Nymph_ had two killed, and four wounded. Among the Pirates were none killed, and three were wounded. The next day the Colonel weighed from Cape _Fear_, and arrived at _Charles Town_ the 3d of _October_, to the no small joy of the people of _Carolina_.

There being no publick prison, _Bonnet_ was committed into the custody of the marshal, and his Men were kept at the Watch-house under a strict guard; a little before the trial, _David Harriot_ the Master, and _Ignatius Rathe_ Boatswain, the evidences, were removed from the Crew, to the Marshal's house, from whence on the 24th _Bonnet_ and _Harriott_ made their escape; which as soon as the Governor heard of, he published a Proclamation, promising a reward of 700_l._ to any one that would take him, and also sent several boats with armed men in pursuit of him.

_Bonnet_ stood to the northward, in a small vessel; but through stress of weather, and want of necessaries, he was forced to _Swillivant's_ Island. Of which information being given to the Governor, he sent for Colonel _Rhet_, and desired him once more to go in pursuit of him; which the Colonel readily accepted of; and having got all Things ready, went that Night for _Swillivant's_ Island, where, after a long search, he discovered them. After the Colonel's men had fired upon them, and killed _Harriott_, _Bonnet_ immediately surrendered himself, and was, next Morning, brought back to _Charles Town_, and confined under a strong guard till his trial, which was hastened for fear he should give them the slip again.

On the 28th of _October_, 1718, a Court of Vice-Admiralty was held at _Charles Town_, and, by several adjournments continued to the 12th of _November_ following, by _Nicholas Trot_, Esq; Judge of the Vice-Admiralty, and Chief Judge of _Carolina_, and other Assistant Judges; where, after the King's Commission was read, and a Grand Jury sworn, _Judge Trot_ gave them a learned Charge: And then the _Grand Jury_ went out, and found the Bills; upon which, a _Petit-Jury_ was sworn, and the following Persons were arraingn'd and try'd.

_Stede Bonnet_, alias _Edwards_, alias _Thomas_, late of _Barbadoes_, Merchant.

_Robert Tucker_, late of _Jamaica_, Merchant.

_Edward Robinson_, late of _Newcastle_-upon-_Tine_, Mariner.

_Neal Peterson_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.

_William Scot_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.

_William Eddy_, alias _Neddy_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.

_Alexander Annand_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_George Rose_, late of _Glasgow_, Mariner.

_George Dubin_, late of _Glasgow_, Mariner.

_John Ridge_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_Matthew King_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_Daniel Perry_, late of _Guernsey_, Mariner.

_Henry Virgin_, late of _Bristol_, Mariner.

_James Rattle_, alias _Robbins_, late of _London_, Merchant.

_James Mullet_, alias _Millet_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_Thomas Price_, late of _Bristol_, Mariner.

_James Wilson_, late of _Dublin_, Mariner.

_John Lopez_, late of _Oporto_, Mariner.

_Zachariah Long_, late of the Province of _Holland_, Mariner.

_Job. Barley_, late of _London_, Mariner.

_John William Smith_, late of _Charles_ Town in _Carolina_, Mariner.

_Thomas Carman_, late of _Maidstone_ in _Kent_, Mariner.

_John Thomas_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_William Morrison_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_Samuel Booth_, late of _Charles_ Town, Mariner.

_William Howet_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.

_John Kent_, late of _North Carolina_, Mariner.

_William Livres_, alias _Evis_, late of _Carolina_, Mariner.

_John Brierly_, alias _Timberhead_, late of _Bath_ Town in _North Carolina_, Mariner.