6. Memorial from the Copartners for carrying on a trade and settling the Bahama Islands, 19 May 1721. PRO: CO. 23/1, part 2.
7. The company or corporation they formed had the title of ‘The CoPartners for Carrying on a Trade & Settling the Bahama Islands’.
8. Remarks of the most material transactions relating to the Bahama Islands from their original settlement to this time, 1717. PRO: CO. 5/1265, ff. 159–62.
9. Woodes Rogers to the Lords Proprietors of the Bahama Islands, July 1717. PRO: CO. 5/1265, f.151.
10. Petition of Woodes Rogers to the King, 19 July 1717. PRO: CO. 5/1265, f.149.
11. The humble petition of sundry merchants to the King, July 1717. PRO: CO. 5/1265, f.155.
12. Memorial to Joseph Addison from sundry merchants, July 1717. PRO: CO. 5/1265, f.157.
13. Mr Secretary Addison to the Council of Trade and Plantations, 3 September 1717. CSPC, vol. 1717–1718, no. 64.
14. In London alone 1,242 men and women were hanged between 1703 and 1772. See Peter Linebaugh, The London Hanged: Crime and Civil Society in the Eighteenth Century (London, 1991), p. 91.
15. Post Boy, London, Saturday 19 October 1717.
16. The pirate attacks of Bellamy, Vane, England, Teach, Moody etc. at this period are recorded in numerous depositions of merchant sea captains and sailors (PRO: CO. 37/10) and in the Calendar of State Papers, Colonial America and West Indies for 1717–18, and in reports in The Boston News-Letter.
17. Peter Heywood to Council of Trade and Plantations, 21 December 1717. CSPC, vol. 1717–18, no. 271.
18. Memorial from the Copartners for carrying on a trade and settling the Bahama Islands to the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, 19 May 1721. PRO: CO. 23/1, part 2.
19. Ibid.
20. Remarks of the most material transactions relating to the Bahama Islands from their original settlement to this time, 1717. PRO: CO. 5/1265, f.159.
21. Ibid.
22. Lieutenant Governor Bennet of Bermuda to the Council of Trade and Plantations, 29 October 1708. CSPC, vol. 1708–1709, no. 176.
23. Lieutenant Governor Pulleine to Council of Trade and Plantations, 22 April 1713. CSPC, vol. 1712–1714, no. 651.
24. Colin Woodard, The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down (New York and London, 2007), p. 89.
25. Deposition of John Vickers, late of the Island of Providence, sworn before Thomas Nelson, Virginia, July 1716. PRO: CO. 5/1317, f.247.
26. Deposition of Henry Bostock, 19 December 1717. PRO: CO. 152/12, no. 67 (iii).
27. Quoted by Angus Konstam, Blackbeard: America’s Most Notorious Pirate (Hoboken, 2006), from a letter sent to the Council of Trade and Plantations. CSPC, vol. 1716–1717.
28. Captain Charles Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn (London, 1972; edn. cited New York, 1999), p. 72.
29. The Boston News-Letter, 11 November 1717.
30. See Konstam, Blackbeard, p. 81.
31. Research on the wreck and its artefacts has been carried out by Dave Moore of the North Carolina Maritime Museum and his colleagues. For an excellent summary of the excavation and the artefacts recovered see Konstam, Blackbeard, pp. 286–93.
32. The Boston News-Letter, 3–10 March 1718.
33. Deposition of Henry Bostock, 19 December 1717. PRO: CO. 152/12, no. 67 (iii).
34. Ibid.
35. The details of the visit to Nassau of Captain Pearce are taken from the logbook of HMS Phoenix. PRO: ADM 51/690; and letters from Pearce to the Admiralty, 4 February, 4 March, 3 June 1718. PRO: ADM. 1/2282.
36. Captain Pearce to Admiralty, 3 June 1718. PRO: ADM. 1/2282.
37. Deposition of Nathaniel Catling, 17 May 1718. PRO: CO. 37/10, no. 10 (v). See also the depositions of John Tibby, 24 May 1718, PRO: CO. 37/10; and of Samuel Cooper, 24 May 1718, PRO: CO. 37/10.
38. Deposition of Edward North, 22 May 1718, PRO: CO. 37/10, no. 10 (ii). See also the deposition of Nathaniel North, 22 May 1718, CO. 37/10.
39. Deposition of Joseph Bossa, 28 May 1718, PRO: CO. 37/10.
40. Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, p. 142.
41. Ibid.
Chapter Nine: Welcome to Nassau
1. The details for the arrival of Woodes Rogers and his squadron at Nassau are taken from: log of HMS Milford, PRO: ADM.51/606, part 4; log of HMS Rose, ADM.51/801, part 4; log of HM sloop Shark, ADM.51/892, part 2; letter from Captain Pomeroy to Admiralty, 3 September 1718, PRO: ADM. 1/2282; Memorial from Samuel Buck, 3 December 1719, The state of the Island of Providence, PRO: CO. 23/1, part 1; Woodes Rogers’ first report to Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, Nassau, 31 October 1718, PRO: CO. 23/1, part 1; and the Appendix to Captain Charles Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn (London, 1972; edn. cited New York, 1999), pp. 615–18.
2. Log of HMS Rose, Friday 25 July 1718. PRO: ADM.51/801, part 4.
3. A letter received from on board HMS Milford at New York, and published in the Whitehall Evening Post, 18–21 October 1718.
4. Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, p. 616.
5. The state of the Island of Providence and other Bahama Islands: Memorial from Samuel Buck, 3 December 1719. PRO: CO. 23/1, part 1.
6. To the King from the General Officers of the Army, Horse Guards, 15 July 1726. The Case of Captain Woodes Rogers, late Governor of the Bahama Islands. PRO: CO. 23/12, part 2, f.56.
7. Log of HMS Milford, 6 to 13 August 1718, PRO: ADM.51/606, part 4.
8. Minutes of Assembly of Several of the Principal Inhabitants of the Bahama Islands, 1 August 1718; and subsequent reports on the Councils held between 5 August and 28 September 1718. PRO: CO. 23/1, part 1.
9. An Estimate of what is wanting and necessary for the Fortifications here, Nassau on Providence, 31 October 1718. PRO: CO. 23/1, part 1, f.40.
10. Governor Woodes Rogers to Rt Hon James Craggs, 24 December 1718. PRO: CO. 23/13.
11. Woodes Rogers to Council of Trade and Plantations, 31 October 1718. PRO: CO. 13/1, part 1.
12. The Boston News-Letter, 13–20 October 1718.
13. Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, p. 137.
14. The protest of Captain King, commander of the Neptune, Hagboat, sworn before Woodes Rogers, 5 February 1719. Reproduced in Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, pp. 144–7.
15. Ibid., p. 145.
16. For details of the capture, trial and execution of Charles Vane, see pages 182–3 and Chapter 12, note 17.
17. Woodes Rogers report to Council of Trade and Plantations, 31 October 1718. PRO: CO. 23/1, part 1.
18. Rogers to Craggs, 24 December 1718. PRO: CO. 23/13.
19. A Private Consultation held on Friday the 18 November 1718 at the Secretary’s Office in the City of Nassau. PRO: CO. 23/1, no. 18, f.75.
Chapter Ten: Hanged on the Waterfront
1. The full text of the ‘Act for the more effectual Suppression of Piracy’ (11 Gul. III, chapter VII, AD. 1698–9) can be seen in Statutes of the Realm, vol. VII, pp. 590–4.
2. Remarks on the condition of the fortifications at New Providence when Governor Rogers arrived the 25th August 1729. PRO: CO. 23/14, item 71, f.141.
3. Trial and Condemnation of Ten Persons for Piracy at New Providence, Nassau. PRO: CO. 23/1, no. 18, ff. 75–82. A transcript of the trial is reprinted in Captain Charles Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn (London, 1972; edn. cited New York, 1999).
4. Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, p. 648.
5. Ibid., p. 653.
6. Ibid., p. 657.
7. Ibid., p. 659.
8. Woodes Rogers to James Craggs, 24 December 1718. PRO: CO. 23/13, f.22 verso.
9. The full transcript of the trial (like that of the trial of Bartholomew Roberts’ pirates) was reproduced in later editions of Johnson, General History
of the Pyrates.
10. See David Cordingly, Life among the Pirates: The Romance and Reality (London, 1995), pp. 207, 233–4.
11. Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, p. 85.
12. Ibid., p. 84.
13. Angus Konstam, Blackbeard: America’s Most Notorious Pirate (Hoboken, 2006), p. 142.
14. Governor and Council of South Carolina to Council of Trade and Plantations, 21 October 1718. CSPC, vol. 1717–1718, no. 730.
15. Most of the trial of Bonnet and his crew is reproduced in Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, pp. 103–10.
16. Ibid., p. 111.
Chapter Eleven: Blackbeard’s Last Stand
1. This chapter has an abbreviated account of Blackbeard’s last days. For a more detailed account see Angus Konstam, Blackbeard: America’s Most Notorious Pirate (Hoboken, 2006), pp. 239–65, and Colin Woodard, The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down (New York and London, 2007), pp. 288–98.
2. For a useful biography of Spotswood see Oxford DNB.
3. Lieutenant Governor Spotswood to Council of Trade and Plantations, 22 December 1718. CSPC, vol. 1717–1718, no. 800, p. 431.
4. See The present Disposal of all His Majesties Ships and Vessels in Sea Pay, issued by the Admiralty Office, 1 May 1718. PRO: ADM. 8/14.
5. Lieutenant Maynard’s log of HMS Pearl, entry for 17 November 1718. NMM: ADM/L/P22.
6. The Boston News-Letter, Monday 23 February to Monday 2 March 1719.
7. Ibid.
8. Captain Charles Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn (London, 1972; edn. cited New York, 1999), p. 82.
9. Letter from Lieutenant Maynard to Mr Symonds, Lieutenant of HMS Phoenix, written from North Carolina, 17 December 1718. Reproduced in Robert E. Lee, Blackbeard the Pirate: A Reappraisal of His Life and Times (Winston-Salem, 1974; edn. cited 1995), p. 234.
10. Lieutenant Maynard’s log of HMS Pearl. Hicks evidently took over Maynard’s duties and his logbook while he was away at Ocracoke. Entry for 3 January 1719. NMM: ADM/L/P32.
11. Spotswood’s proclamation of 24 November 1718 is reproduced in full by Johnson in General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, pp. 78–9.
12. Ibid., p. 84.
13. Rogers to Craggs, 24 January 1719. PRO: CO. 23/13.
14. Rogers to Craggs, 3 March 1719. PRO: CO. 23/13.
15. Captain’s log of HMS Flamborough, 24 February 1720. PRO: ADM.51/357, part VIII.
16. Ibid.
17. Richard Farrell and W. Nicholson writing to Woodes Rogers from Moore Castle, Havana, 4 April 1720. PRO: CO. 23/1, f.127.
18. Captain Edward Vernon to the Admiralty, from Port Royal, 17 June 1720. PRO: ADM. 1/2624, part 6.
19. Rogers to Council of Trade and Plantations, 20 April 1720. PRO: CO. 23/1.
20. The humble petition of Samuel Buck of London, merchant, one of the undertakers for settling the Bahama Islands to the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, 3 December 1719, which is accompanied by The state of the Island of Providence and other Bahama Islands: memorial from Mr Samuel Buck. PRO: CO. 23/1, part 1.
21. CSPC, Volume 1720–1721, No. 167, p. 74.
22. Ibid., No. 167 iii, p. 75.
Chapter Twelve: Calico Jack and the Female Pirates
1. The Boston Gazette, Monday 10 to Monday 17 October 1720.
2. Anne Chambers, Granuaile: The Life and Times of Grace O’Malley c.1530–1603 (Dublin, 1979), p. 150.
3. Captain Charles Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn (London, 1972; edn. cited New York, 1999), p. 153.
4. Lawes to Council of Trade and Plantations. CSPC, vol. 1719–1720, nos. 34 and 132. Johnson gives a detailed but rather different description of the capture and recovery of the Kingston. See Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, pp. 620–2.
5. Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, p. 620. Calico is a type of cotton cloth which originated in India. It is finer and thinner than canvas. In American English ‘calico’ refers to a cotton fabric with a small, all-over, colourful pattern. In Britain the word describes a plain white or unbleached cotton cloth.
6. The Tryals of Captain John Rackam, and other pirates. Printed by Robert Baldwin, Jamaica, 1721. PRO: CO. 137/14, p. 17.
7. Ibid., p. 19.
8. Ibid., p. 18.
9. Commission and instructions for Captain Jonathan Barnet, commander of the snow Tyger, issued by the Governor of Jamaica, 24 November 1715. PRO: CO. 137/12, no. 78 (i), ff. 231–5.
10. Governor Lawes to Council of Trade and Plantations, 13 November 1720. CSPC, vol. 1720–1721, no. 288.
11. The description of the finding of Rackam’s sloop by Bonnevie and Barnet, and the subsequent action, is taken from the witness statement of James Spatchears, a mariner of Port Royal, who appears to have been a member of Barnet’s crew. The Tryals of Captain John Rackam. PRO: CO. 137/14, p. 10.
12. Ibid., p. 19.
13. Clinton Black, Pirates of the West Indies (Cambridge, 1989), p. 117. Clinton Black was for many years chief archivist of Jamaica.
14. For further reading on women at sea and in the army see: Linda Grant Depauw, Seafaring Women (Boston, 1982); Margaret S. Creighton and Lisa Norling, Iron Men, Wooden Women: Gender and Seafaring in the Atlantic World (London, 1989); David Cordingly, Women Sailors & Sailors’ Women (New York, 2001); Diane Dugaw, Warrior Women and Popular Balladry (Cambridge, 1989); Marcus Rediker, Villains of all Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age (Boston, 2004); Jo Stanley, Bold in her Breeches: Women Pirates across the Ages (London, 1995); Suzanne J. Stark, Female Tars: Women aboard Ship in the Age of Sail (London, 1996); Marina Warner, Monuments and Maidens: The Allegory of the Female Form (London, 1985); Julie Wheelwright, Amazons and Military Maids (London, 1989).
15. See Rediker, Villains of all Nations, p. 119.
16. The theory that Defoe was the real author of Captain Charles Johnson’s General History of the Pyrates was first put forward by the American scholar John Robert Moore in 1932 but in 1988 it was convincingly challenged by P. N. Furbank and W. R. Owens in their book The Canonisation of Daniel Defoe (New Haven, 1988).
17. See letter from Jamaica, 31 March 1721: ‘Several pirates have been lately taken and brought in here and on trial most of them found guilty and executed, among them Chas. Vaine and one Racum, two notorious commanders of pirate vessels suffered and died most profligate impudent villains.’ CSPC, vol. 1720–1721, no. 295.
18. Johnson, General History of the Pyrates, ed. Manuel Schonhorn, p. 144.
Chapter Thirteen: Great Debts and Bills
1. Woodes Rogers to Lords of Trade and Plantations, 20 April 1720. PRO: CO. 23/1, f.123.
2. Woodes Rogers, William Fairfax and seven others to Mr Secretary Craggs, New Providence, 26 November 1720. PRO: CO. 23/13.
3. John Lloyd to Secretary Craggs, 2 February 1720. CSPC, vol. 1720–1721, no. 372, p. 252.
4. Captain Hildesley to the Admiralty, 25 March 1720. PRO: ADM. 1/1880, part 10.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Captain Whitney to the Admiralty, 26 October 1719. PRO: ADM. 1/2649, part 11.
8. Woodes Rogers to Craggs, from South Carolina, 20 December 1720. PRO: CO. 23/13.
9. Woodes Rogers to Lords of Trade and Plantations, 25 February 1721. PRO: CO. 23/1, part 2.
10. CSPC, vol. 1720–1721, no. 455, p. 287.
11. The Case of Captain Woodes Rogers, late Governor of the Bahama Islands. Petition to the King from G. Macartney and seven other General Officers of the Army, Horse Guards, 15 July 1726. PRO: CO. 23/12, part 2, f.56.
12. The information about the South Sea Company is based on: Julian Hoppit, ‘The Myths of the South Sea Bubble’ in Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, 12 (2002), pp. 141–65; Basil Williams, The Whig Supremacy 1714–1760 (Oxford, 1939), pp. 169–71; Chronicle of Britai
n and Ireland, ed. Henrietta Heald (London, 1992), pp. 665–7.
13. Quoted by Julian Hoppit from M. Macdonald and T. R. Murphy, Sleepless Souls: Suicide in Early Modern England (Oxford, 1990), pp. 276–8.
14. See the entry on John Aislabie in Oxford DNB.
15. Woodes Rogers to Craggs, CSPCS, vol. 1720–1721, pp. 217–18, no. 327.
16. Historical Register, 5 (1720), p. 382.
17. Petition to the King from General Officers of the Army, 15 July 1726. PRO: CO. 23/12, part 2.
18. The author has conducted extensive searches among the prison records in the Public Record Office, Kew (including the records for the Fleet, King’s Bench, Queen’s Bench and Marshalsea prisons listed under PRIS/1 to PRIS/10) as well as the records in the London Metropolitan Archives and the Guildhall Library. No record was found to indicate which prison Rogers was confined in, nor is it known exactly when and for how long he was confined.
19. Petition to the King from General Officers of the Army, 15 July 1726. PRO: CO. 23/12, part 2.
20. Woodes Rogers to Lord Townshend, 26 November 1726. British Library, Add. MSS. 32748, ff. 317–18.
21. British Library, Add. MSS. 4459, ff. 101–2.
22. Ibid.
23. PRO: CO. 23/14, ff. 45–52.
24. PRO: MPG. 1/254.
25. Plan of Fort Nassau in New Providence, 24 December 1723. PRO: MPG. 1/256.
26. Bahamas correspondence 1728–46. PRO: CO. 23/14, f.141.
27. The painting became the property of Woodes Rogers’ daughter Sarah. She died in 1743 and according to her will she bequeathed to ‘Mr Sergeant Eyre, the picture of her father, brother and herself in one frame’. The painting was engraved by W. Skelton in 1799.
Chapter Fourteen: Death on the Coast of Guinea
1. John Atkins (1685–1757) joined the navy as surgeon’s mate of the Charles Galley in 1701, and subsequently served on the Somerset, the Tartar and the bomb ketch Lion. His entry in the Oxford DNB was compiled by the naval surgeon Vice-Admiral Sir James Watt.
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