A Tale of Cocklyn and Levasseur

This story begins where my previous post, A Story of Taylor, Cocklyn, and Levasseur, ends. 

            The French Ship just now mentioned, fell into their hands about a fortnight after I was taken by them, in this manner. It was not bound to Sieraleon, but having not had an Observation for several days, because the Sun was near their Zenith, they made land unexpectedly; and not knowing certainly whereabouts they were, but seeing several Ships in the River at an Anchor, they came boldly towards them.

            I was then on board Captain Cocklyn’s old Ship; for they had not quite fitted mine for their use, not having at the time any Guns mounted; so I saw the great fear and confusion that was amongst them. My Mate, who had entered with them, said, “He believed, by the Ship’s coming in so boldly, it was the Launceston Man of War of forty Guns, whom we had left in Holland. For he had heard me say, she was to follow us to the Coast of Guinea.”

            Happy would it have been for us and many more, if it had been so. For had that, or even a smaller Ship of twenty Guns, with the King’s Commission, come in at that time, or any other, whilst I was in their hands, I am persuaded they would have easily destroyed them. For the new-entered-men had little Courage; and the far greater part both of old and new Pirates, were so much in drink, that there could have been no Order or Conduct amongst them in an Engagement. So that it would have been very easy to have subdued them, and prevented that terrible Destruction, which happened to above one hundred Sail of Ships, that fell afterwards into their Hands, in their going down the Coast of Guinea: Together with those Damages that happened a good while after in the East Indies, by some of this Gang; and the great Ravage made by Roberts  (who rose out of Davis’s Ashes) the second time, on the Coast of Guinea, till he was happily destroyed by Sir Chaloner Ogle in the Swallow Man of War. But the reason why no timely care was taken to prevent so great a Destruction, is not proper for me to mention in this place. 

            As I had no business to be on board the Pirate Ship in time of Action, I asked Captain Cocklyn’s leave to go on board their Tender, which he readily granted. Just as I was going, several of my People who had entered with him, said, “They would go along with me, for they had never seen a Gun fired in anger." Cocklyn, hearing that, told them, "That now they should learn to smell Gunpowder, and caned them heartily. 

            So I went on board Captain Elliot, where I soon saw the French Ship taken. For coming so unexpectedly into the Pirates hands, they made no Resistance; And because the Captain did not strike on their first firing, they put a Rope about his Neck, and hoisted him up and down several times to the Main-yard-arm, till he was almost dead. Captain La Boose coming at that instant, luckily saved his Life: And highly resenting this their cruel usage to his Countryman, he protested, “he would remain no longer in Partnership with such barbarous Villains.” So, to pacify him, they left the Frenchmen with the Ship in his care; and after the Cargoe was destroyed, they cut the Ship‘s Masts by the board, and run her on Shore, for she was very old, and not fit for their purpose. 

Snelgrave, William, A New Account of Some Parts of Guinea, III. A relation of the author's being taken by pirates, Eighteenth Century Collection Online Print Edition. London: printed for James, John, and Paul Knapton, 1734,  pp.259-262.

Some information about the Whydah Galley

"A detection of the shipwrights new tricks in combination with Captain Ely against lead-sheathing practised upon the Trumbal-Gally in Mr. Wells' Dock, Aug. 31 MDCXCIX. Also an account of the lead-sheathing upon the Weedaw together with a new Publication of the charge thereof, at 12d a foot, Sept. 27, 1699 (Mr. Hale?) London". National Maritime Museum Document #N3654. [Dethlefsen "London Report" 1983]

            The Weedaw Friggot having made her voyage in her Lead-sheathing, to Guinea, and the West-Indies, was brought into Mr. Fowler's Dock at Lime-house, the 19th Instant to be fitted out for the same Voyage again, where anyone may find her sheathing and seams under it, very good and sound...and no cause for stripping, save only...where the shipwright had mixt Elm Plank with the Oaks, which being dated and rotten, was shifted, about a tenth part, which was with little charges new sheath'd with lead: But where upon searching the Plank was sound; and found the seams sound also, and no need of stripping the whole sheathing...The Foe had visited her sheathing two nights before she came into the Dock, but finding themselves discovered by the Watch...after they had torn off about two Foot, they got off to the shoar...

 

[With the possible (phonetic) exception of Captain William Kidd's Quedagh Merchant [e.g. Nye 5.0], this is the earliest known mention of a vessel with some variation of "Whydah" as her name. The question of whether or not The Whydah Galley possessed lead sheathing has not yet been resolved, although wear-patterns of nails from the wreck site indicate the possible presence of some type of outer-hull sheathing]

A folklore tale of Sam Bellamy continued

          Bellamy and his men were taken aboard the Mary Anne. “What will it be?” Captain Ben asked the marooned treasure hunters. “Sail with us, share and share alike or – stay on the island and rot.”

          “Cut their throats,” Louie Lebous suggested pleasantly.

          “Faith! Happy we’d be to join your band,” Bellamy said. “Ye have men, guns and proper vessels. ‘Tis a prosperous trade.”

          “Good! It’s agreed! Share and share alike!” said Captain Ben, “There is room for you here aboard the Mary Anne.”

          Later in the day the two pirate ships spread their sails and scudded over the silver-tipped waves toward the Spanish islands where rich booty might be won by brave lads. Bellamy and Williams stood by the rail, idly watching a school of porpoises. The sun was high and most of the freebooters were napping in shaded portions of the deck.

          “Glad I would be to sail this ship myself. With you in command of the Postillion, we could win a fine fortune. Staunch, large ships these are – fast sailers for a trade needing swift vessels to chase the fat, rich merchantmen. We must win friends among the crew. Perhaps we may someday become their leader.”

          “Not the Postillion! Lebous is a hard man,” Williams commented.

          “Aye! He knows not the way of proper seafarers. Methinks he’d cut a blind man’s throat to steal the pennies o’ his begging.”

          Seaboots sounded on the deck behind the pair.

          “This sun has been known to addle the brains of ambitious men, Mr. Bellamy,” said Hornigold, “It would be better to mingle with the other members of the brotherhood.”

          Unexpectedly the Mary Anne and the Postillion captured a large Indiaman bound for Holland with a rich cargo of logwood. It was an English ship with an English crew. For two days the pirates sailed alongside their prize while Hornigold and Lebous angrily argued over the disposition of her. Later it became known to the pirate crews that Captain Ben would not allow an English ship to be plundered. The officers of the Indiaman were freed and returned to their ship. Sardonically they saluted the pirates with a ten-gun salute and sailed away toward Jamaica. There were any disgruntled sailors aboard the Mary Anne and the Postillion who cursed heartily to see a fortune slip from their grasp because of Hornigold’s foolish principles.

          Black Sam Bellamy fostered the discontent. He said aloud that if the brotherhood ever elected him as their commander, “dammed if he would at any time let mollycoddling sentiment stand in the way of securing riches for his crew.” A bright gold English sovereign bought the pleasures of liquor and women just as quickly as a Spanish ducat.

          From that day on, the crew of the Mary Anne began to speak openly of an election. Lebous backed Bellamy. Finally, late in May, Sam challenged Captain Ben’s leadership. On the Isle of Pines, the crew held their election for captain. Sam won by a ninety to twenty-six margin.

          In a small snow (a square-rigged, briglike ship), Hornigold sailed away with the few crewmen who were willing to follow him.*

          Luck smiled on Bellamy. Ship after ship surrendered to the flaming guns of the two pirate vessels. Captured sailors were given the choice of joining the brotherhood or walking the plank.* Most of them joined.

          Near the Isle of Saba the Mary Anne and her consort captured the Sultana, a fast new ship laden with fine liquors, salted beef and milled wheat. Bellamy double-crossed his partner by placing the Mary Anne in charge of his friend Paul Williams and taking over the command of the prize. Louis Lebous, finding his ship outgunned by the combined armament of the Mary Anne and the Sultana, sullenly withdrew and sailed away.

                                                -- To be continued--

 

*Laura’s note: These men included one named Edward Teach, later to be known as Blackbeard.

*Laura’s note: This is a folklore tale, after all.

 

A folklore tale of Sam Bellamy

     Black Sam Bellamy He was a real pirate. Not a one-voyage buccaneer like Captain Kidd. Neither was he a persnickety brigand of the sea such Captain Ben Hornigold who pursued a private vendetta against Spaniards, killing and robbing them without compunction, yet refusing to seize the wealth of French, Dutch, and English shipping.  Yes, sir! Black Sam was an honest-to-goodness villain at all times, ever ready for a fight or frolic. He would slit a throat just as quickly as he would double-cross a comrade.  Gold was his deity.

     Sam was an Englishman, a west countryman, a massive, powerful brute of a man. He was distinguished by a great shock of bushy black hair, a square-cut black beard, and piercing, dark brown eyes which sometimes appeared black as jet. Because of these characteristics, he was known as Black Sam Bellamy.

     One legend claims that Bellamy with the aid of four rascally followers stole a small sloop and sailed her across the broad Atlantic and into Cape Cod Bay. The Bay at that time was a fisherman’s paradise. Here brawny men worked long and hard, catching and salting codfish, a pursuit which was healthy but not very profitable.

     Black Sam worked for a while as a fisherman, but the profits were too small. He was forever dreaming of the pot of gold buried at the end of the rainbow. Gold! Heaps of gold. These dreams were the loadstone of his existence. With his four rascals and an ex-pirate named Paul Williams from Newport, Rhode Island, he began to plan an expedition to the Spanish Main to search for the wrecks of Spanish treasure ships.

     Meanwhile, Sam became infatuated with a Cape Cod girl, the lonely daughter of a farmer. Postponing the treasure voyage, he wooed her. He was a wild, tempestuous devil, the type which seems to appeal to many women. She fell in love with him, and he treated her as if she was a wench of the taverns.

     This interlude did not tarnish Bellamy’s bright dreams of gold. One day he kissed his little sweetheart good-bye, promising to return and marry her. Away sailed the little sloop, leaving behind the empty  dreams of golden adventure driving him on, Black Sam quickly forgot his Cape Cod mistress.

     She, poor girl, waited in hope which, as the months passed by, turned to despair. She was to have a baby, Bellamy’s child. She could not hide her condition. Her neighbors, descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, labeled her a sinner, cutting her cruelly with their storm. Even her father turned his face from her. In misery and agony of spirits she left her home. In a ramshackle fish shed, hidden among the dunes, her child was born and died – all in the compass of a gray and stormy day. The skies wept; the east wind sang a dirge among the scrub pines, but no human was near to offer her solace.

     Afterward she refused to live near her condemners. She dug a small grave in a pine grove near the fish shanty. Here she buried her child, marking the grave with a rude cross. She continued to live alone amid the dunes, eking out a scanty living by God knows what means. Every day she climbed to the top of the sand hills and gazed out to sea, praying for the return of her lover.

     Meanwhile, Black Sam Bellamy arrived in the Caribbean. For weeks he sailed among jewel-like islands searching for the wreckage of Spanish treasure ships. Sir William Phips had once done the same, with spectacular results. He had found a treasure valued at more than a million pounds. With his share of the gold he had purchased a title and a governorship. Surely Bellamy could do as well.

     The rascals and their black-haired leader searched diligently, but nary a wreck could they find. The weather was hot. The sloop’s bottom became fouled with seaweeds and barnacles. The ship’s stores of pork and beef spoiled. Weevils made their home in the hardtack. Bellamy and his crew grumbled and ate fish. Williams remarked that ‘it would be more seemly to die as a pirate with a full stomach than to starve hunting for wrecks.”

     There came the day when they careened the sloop to scrape the seaweeds and barnacles from the bottom. They selected a small island with a sandy shore. It was a ticklish job to lay a ship on its side without injuring masts, stays, or ribs. This time ill luck attended their effort. Several timbers used to support and distribute the weight of the sloop slipped, and several strakes were broken and the hull was sprung. The little ship would never sail again. 

     Black Bellamy and his rascals, thus marooned on a desert island, ate sea turtles and birds – and waited

     Their enforced patience was finally rewarded. One day, two ships bore down on the island, two pirate ships aprowling. One was the Mary Anne, under the command of Captain Ben Hornigold. The other was the Postillion, commanded by the bloodthirsty brigand Louie Lebous.

---------------------- To be continued-------------------------


"Black Sam Bellamy," Profile of Old New England: Yankee Legends, Tales and Folklore, Lewis A Taft. Dodd, Mead & Company, New York, 1965. Starts on page 201.

 

 

Some more about Henry Jennings

"Extract of a letter from Don Juan Francisco del Valle to the Marquis de Monteleon" Jamaica. March 18, 1716. Calendar of State Papers, Col. Series (America & W.Indies) 29:#158I.

 

            The writer was sent by the Governor of the Havana to the Governor of Jamaica [Lord Archibald Hamilton] to complain, that he suffered ships to be fitted out in the Island, under pretext of cruising upon pirates, but that instead of that they committed many hostilities on the ships and dominions of the King of Spain.

That some of them had landed near the Havana and committed hostilities there That on the 26th Jan. one of these vessels arriv'd at Jamaica, who in company with another [=Henry Jennings & John Wills] had cast anchor in the Canal of Bahama  on the coast of Florida, near the Spanish camp, under Spanish colours, they laid still till night, and then landed their people, who the next morning march'd to the camp with their arms; upon which the Spanish Commanding Officer ask'd them, if it was war, they answered no, but that they came to fish for the wrecks, to which the Officer said, that there was nothing of theirs there, that the vessels belonged to his Catholick Majesty and that he and his people were looking for the said treasure; but seeing that his insinuations were of no use, he profer'd them 25,000 pieces of eight, which they would not be satisfy'd with, but took all the silver they had and stript the people taking likewise away four small cannon, two of them brass, and nail'd [the touch-holes of] two large ones (all which were to defend a parapet they had thrown up to defend themselves from the Indians). They carried away to the value of 120,000 pieces of eight, besides the wrought silver, this is what the captors own themselves, from whence it is inferr'd, that there was a great deal more. That he demanded of Lord Archibald Hamilton, (l) that he should issue a Proclamation agst. those who should fit out vessels on the like account. (2) That one of the two English men of war [HMS Diamond & HMS Jamaica] that were then in Jamaica should be sent to their camp to order all the privateers to return. (3) That the silver taken by these two vessels should be returned. (4) That the captors should be punish'd.

That the 7th of Feb. another Spanish vessel came into this port from Vera Cruz and was bound for the Havana; a few days after she sail'd from hence she met with bad weather, which oblig'd her to throw overboard her guns and some of her cargo and being come in sight of the Havana she met an English ship [=Bennett,] who was one of them who had been at the Spanish camp [sic.], the English sent on board her, and finding that she was loaded with silver, corn etc. they took her, alledging that this vessel was taken by the Spaniards on the coast of Porto Velo [=Bello?], with several goods on board, and that they would keep her till restitu­tion was made. This vessel was [originally] taken by the Spaniards being [that] she was trading to places where strangers are not suffer'd to trade. That the English Captain [=Francisco Fernando] had told him that the Govr. own'd a fourth part of his vessel. This vessel was worth 150,000 pieces of eight, several Gentlemen of Jamaica say publickly that the Governor is part owner of all the vessels which have been sent to our camp. That the inhabitants of Jamaica still went on to fit out privateers in the most publick manner. That their final answer was that what the two privateers [Henry Jennings & John Wills] had taken should be put into the Royal Treasury, until the Spaniards had made satisfaction to the inhabitants of Jamaica for what they had taken from them.

 

John Shuan

In his interrogation before his trial for piracy in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1717 John Shuan provided this information:

 

John Shuan declares That he was born in Nantes [France], 24 years old, a Mariner. That two months and a half ago he was taken by Bellamy in an English ship coming from Jamaica [=The Tanner Frigate], commanded by a Englishman and a Frenchman, bound from Pettiguavas to Rachel [=Rochelle], with sugar. This Examinate Knows nothing of the Scotch vessel's being sunk. When Crumpste­y's Pink was taken on this coast, He desired Bellamy to give him leave to go on board her, but could not obtain it, by reason he had not taken up arms, Yet afterwards Bellamy let him go. He further declares that he was never upon the list as the rest were; That in the Ship he belonged to the Pirates found 5000 livres and on board of Bellamy's there was a great quantity of silver and gold.

 

Side note: Nantes during this period of time was France’s largest port, and had been built on a trade in rum, sugar, and slaves.

 

During the trial, John had to make the court aware that he did not understand the proceedings:

 

And then all the Prisoners held up their hands again at the Bar, and severally pleaded, Not Guilty, Except John Shuan a French-man, who made known to the Court, That he did not understand English, and therefore was ignorant of what he was charged with in the Indictment. And there upon Mr. Peter Lucy of Boston, Merchant (being a person of good Credit) was Sworn Interpreter between the Court and the said Shuan; and then by the Courts direction the said Lucy informed the said John Shuan in his own Language of the Several Articles Alledged against him in the said Indictment, and then he held up his hand at the Bar and pleaded, Not Guilty.

The Prisoners having severally pleaded to the Indictment, desired Copies thereof, and a further day to prepare for their Trial.

 

These witnesses testified about John during the course of the trial:

 

            Thomas FitzGyrald late Mate of the Pink Mary Anne of Dublin in Ireland, Testifyeth and saith, That on or about the Twenty-fourth day of April last past, the said Pink left Nantasket in New-England, bound for New York, under Command of Capt. Andrew Crumstey; and on Friday the 26th day of the said Month, between the Hours of Four & Six of the Clock in the Morning, they discovered two Sail a-Stern, viz. a large Ship and a Snow, between Nantucket Shoals & St. Georges Banks, which came up with the Pink in the Morning, with the Kings Ensign and Pendant flying; the large Ship was found to be the Whido, whereof Samuel Bellamy a Pirate was Commander, Who ordered the Pink to strike her Colours, and then hoisted out their Boat, and sent the Seven Prisoners, now at the Bar, on board the said Pink, all Armed with Musquets, Pistols and Cutlasses, except Thomas South and John Shuan. And further the Deponent, Declares & saith, That the said Thomas South, soon after he came on board, Declared to him the Deponent his Intention to make his escape from the Whido, as soon as he could but Shuan was very forward & active on board the Pink, altho' he had no Weapon with him.

 

 

James Dunavan Mariner, late belonging to the Pink Mary Anne, and Brother-in-Law to Captain Crumpstey late Master thereof saith [cf.17/05/06/03], That the said Pink belonged to Ireland, was Owned by the Subjects of the King of Great-Britain, and was Taken on the 26th Day of April last past, under English Colours by Samuel Bellamy Commander of the Pirate Ship Whido, That Simon Van Vorst and the rest of the Prisoners at the Bar came on Board the Pink Armed, and had their Pistols Charged with Powder and Ball, except Thomas South and John Shuan, and Ordered the Captain with Five Hands more to go on Board the Ship with his Papers: And that the Prisoners at the Bar steer'd the Pink after Bellamy's Ship, as he gave Orders. That they drank plentifully of the Wines on Board; That Thomas South's Behaviour in the Pink was civil and peaceable. The Deponent further saith, That he heard John Baker  threaten to shoot Mackcona­chy, Cook of the Pink, thro the head, because he steer'd to the windward of his Course; and said moreover, That he would make no more to shoot him, than he would a Dog; and that he should never go on shoar to tell his Story

 

 

            Alexander Mackconachy, late Cook of the Pink Mary Anne of Dublin, saith, That on the 26th day of April last past, in the course of their Voyage from Nantasket to New York, they were taken by a Pirate Ship called the Whido, Commanded by Capt. Samuel Bellamy, That all the Prisoners at the Bar came on board the said Pink armed, except Thomas South and John Shuan, and made themselves Masters of the Pink; and that Simon Van Vorst ordered the Captain to go on board the Ship Whido, with his Papers and five of his hands. The Deponent further saith, That the Pink was cast away opposite to an Island, called Slutts-bush; and after the Prisoners were carryed to the Main Land they looked very sorrowful, and made all imaginable speed in order to escape from the hands of Justice. That Thomas South behaved himself Civily.  That Thomas Baker cut down the Fore-mast & Mizen-mast of the Pink when she run on shoar.

 

 

            Thomas Checkley Mariner saith, That he knows John Shuan the Prisoner at the Bar, That he belonged to the Tanner Frigot one John Stover Master, and sometime in March last left the said Ship or Frigot was taken in the prosecution of her Voyage from Pettyguavus to Old France, by Capt. Samuel Bellamy and Monsieur Lebous, they pretended to be Robbin Hoods Men. That Shuan declared himself to be now a Pirate, and went up and unrigged the Main-top-mast by order of the Pirates, who at that time forced no Body to go with them; and said they would take no Body against their Wills.

 

 

            John Shuan by his Interpreter saith, That he was sick at the time when Capt. Bellamy took him and went on board the Pirate Vessel at the Instance of Capt. Bellamy's Doctor, who advised him to stay with him till his Cure.  And that when he went on board the Pink Mary Anne he did not carry Arms with him; and that he hoped by going on board the Pink he could the sooner make his escape from the Pirates, for that he had a better way of getting his living than by Pirating.

 

The Reverend Cotton Mather spoke with the pirates as they walked to the gallows. He recorded his conversations with them afterwards. Since there is no evidence that he had any sort of scribe or other type of secretary with him, these conversations must be filled through the filter of his memory.

 

            The Last among the Sons of Death, was a poor Frenchman (called John Shuan,) to whom inasmuch as he understood not English and had been a Roman Catholick, the Minister thus applied himself.

CM:  O Pecheur tres-miserable. Vous estes un Prisonnier de la Justice; Mais Vous estes a Prisonnier de L'Esperance.

            Notre Seigneur et Sauveur JESUS CHRIST, est
L'Esperance des Pecheurs; Et il ny a point de salut en aucun autre.

            Cette parole est certaine, et digne d'etre 'Entierement receue; C'est que JESUS CHRIST est venu au monde, pour Sauver les pecheurs. Mais il est fort necessaire, d'invoqeur votre Saveur. Yous pleurez d'une manieve Lamentable; Las! Miserable Ie fuis; qui me delivra?

            JESUS CHRIST Le Grand Saveur du Monde, respond, Regardez vers moi et foyez Sauvez. Entendez vous!

JS: Ouy, Monsieur. Ie l'entende bien.

CM: Ah, Mon Frere! Les Cordeaux de la Mort vous avoient Environnez; Et Les destresses d'Enfer vous aveient rencontrez. Mais, Invoques Le Nom de l'Eternal, disant, Ie te prie, Eternal, Delivre mon Ame.

            O Meschant, Retourntz a L'eternal, et [P.32] il aura pitie du vous, et il pardonner a tant et plus Entendez vous?

JS:  Ouy! Monsieur; le vous remercy.

CM: Mais il faut que vous vous contentions du soul sacrifice, et de L'Intorcession de JESUS CHRIST. Nul n'obtient pardon de fes pechez, par fa propres merites, ou par la Mediation de quelque creature. Il faut, que votre prieve fost, O L'Obeissance de JESUS CHRIST a ta loy, O mon Dieu, est ma seule Justice. En consider­ation de cette seule Justice, fai que l'Obtienne pardon et Faveur aupres de Toi, Ie Renonce, Ie Renonce a tous autres Mediateurs.

            Que dites Vous!  Renouncez vous tous autre Mediuateurs!

JS: Ie ne scay pas ce quele diray.

CM: Ie remets votre spirit en la main de votre Redempteur JESUS CHRIST.

           

Translated into English, at the Desire of the Bookseller.

CM: Most Miserable Sinner; You are a Prisoner of Justice, but you are yet a Prisoner of Hope.  Our Lord and Savious JESUS CHRIST is the Hope of Sinners; and indeed there is not Salvation in any other.

            This is a Saying most certain, and worthy to be of all Entirely received; That JESUS CHRIST is come into the World, for to save Sinners.

            But it is most Necessary, that you call upon your Saviour.

            You make this Lamentable Outcry; O wretched man that I am; who shall deliver me!

            JESUS CHRIST, the Great SAVIOUR of the World, gives this Answer, Look unto me, and be saved. Understand you what I say?

JS:  Yes, Syr: I understand you very well.

CM: Ah, My Brother; The Cords of Death compass you, the Anguishes of Hell come upon you. But now, Call on the Name of the LORD, and say, O Lord, I beseech thee, Deliver my Soul.

            Sinful Man, Return to the Lord and He will have pity on you; and He will abundantly pardon you. Do you understand me?

JS:  Yes syr; and I thank you.

CM: But you must then take up with the only Sacrifice and Intercession of JESUS CHRIST. No one comes at the Pardon of his Sins, on the account of his own Deserts, or thro' the Mediation of any Creature. Your Prayer must be this: O my GOD, The Obedience of JESUS CHRIST unto thy Law is my only Righteousness. For the sake of that Righteousness only grant that I may find pardon and mercy with thee! I Renounce, I Renounce all other Mediators? What do you say to This? Do you Renounce all other Mediators?

JS:  I can't well tell, what to say to it?

CM:  I commit your Spirit into the Hand of JESUS CHRIST, your Redeemer.

At the Place of Execution, a Prayer was made by a Minister of the City; The Chief Heads whereof were

 

 

Sources

 

“The Trials of Eight Persons Indited [sic] for Piracy,” in British Piracy in the Golden Age, edited by Joel H. Baer. Pickering & Chatto, 2007, 2: 289-319.

Mather, Cotton. "Instructions to the Living, from the Condition of the Dead" in British Piracy in the Golden Age, edited by Joel H. Baer. Pickering & Chatto, 2007, 4: 129-144.

Hendrik Quintor

            In his deposition on May 6, 1717, before his trial for piracy in Boston, Massachusetts, in October, 1716, Hendrik Quintor declared that he was born in Amsterdam, Aged 25 years, a Mariner.

That he was taken in a Spanish Briganteen by Labous Commander of the Sloop Postillion, and Bellamy Commander of the Sloop Mary Anne and being bound to La Vera Cruz, the Pirates told him he should go to the Coast of Crocus, but afterwards they compelled him to stay, and during the time he was with them they took 3 French Ships and then clean’d at the Main Land of Hispaniola.

After that they took 3 English Ships, viz. Richard’s, Tosor’s and Williams’s, and went to St. Croix, where a French Pirate was blown up. That this Examinate and the other six, who were sent on board the Pink were Forced Men.

On the way to the gallows after their trial in Boston, in November, 1716, Hendrik had this conversation with the Reverend Cotton Mather, who accompanied the men to the scaffold:

CM: Quinter. Thou art come into a Dark Time.

HQ: ‘Tis a Dark Time with me.

CM: But will you receive it, if I bring you Light on this Darkness!

HQ: God be merciful to me!

CM: One who had been a Great Sinner, had this Experiment: I said I will confess my Transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the Iniquity of my Sin. May not this be your Experience too?

HQ: I wish it may!

CM: When you have Sinned, you have swallowed a Deadly Payson. With a Vomit of Repentance, and Confession, you must cast up this Deadly Poison. If your Soul go away with it, you are Banished from GOD, and fixed in Eternal Miseries.

HQ: What shall I do?

CM: Do you Confess, That you are a very Great Sinner?

HQ: Yes, I confess, I have committed all manner of Sins.

CM: But are you sensible, That you have an Heart full of Sin; An Heart that is desperately wicked? All the Sin in your Life, came out of your Heart. Are you Troubled, that you have such an Heart?

HQ: Heartily Troubled.

CM: Do you Look up to GOD for a New Heart?

HQ: With all my Heart.

CM: Do you own that GOD is Righteous in all the Evil that is come upon you?

HQ: Yes, I do.

CM: But now, Your Confession must be made, with a Faith Leaning on the Great Sacrifice. On every Stroke in your Confession of your Sin, you must add: Lord Pardon my Sin, for the sake of the Blood of SAVIOUR.

HQ: I desire to do so.

CM: But, we are taught, He that confesseth and forsaketh shall find mercy. You wil have no Opportunity now, for the Experiment of a Reformed Life; You cannot now Live to see whether you don’t Return unto Folly. But however, your Heart must be so set against all Sin, that your Choice must be, Rather to Dy than to Sin.

Tho’ Man cannot show you Mercy; your Life is forfeited, beyond the Reach of Mercy from the Government; yet upon a True Repentance, you will find Mercy with GOD. This Repentance is also His Gift. Oh! Keep looking up unto Him; Lord, Give me a Repenting Heart! O my SAVIOUR, Thou givest Repentance and Remission of Sins!

Man, Thy Immortal SOUL is presently to Return unto GOD. A SOUL doing so, can look for nothing but His Fiery Indignation, and a dreadful Banishment from Him; Except it be a SOUL with another Biass upon it, than what men have in their Depraved Nature. A SOUL to which a CHRIST is Precious; to which a CHRIST is the Prince of Life, the Living Spring of all that it Good: A SOUL groaning under all its Evil Inclinations; as the most heavy Burdens; A SOUL desirous above all things to Serve and please the Glorious GOD.

My Friend, May thy SOUL now be found so disposed!

 Sources:

1717    Instruc­tions to the Liv­ing, From the Condi­tion of the Dead [etc.] John Allen for Nicho­las Boone. Boston



1718    "The Tri­als of Eight Persons Indicted for Piracy [etc.­]"  Barth­olo­mew Green for John Edwards.  Boston.  Early American Imprint Series  Microfilm #2003. Clif­ford K. Shipt­on, edi­tor.  American Antiquari­an Soci­ety. Worcester, MA.