As to the birth of this pirate, we can discover nothing by the inquiries
we have hitherto made; and indeed had we succeeded in our search, it
would have been of no great consequence; for it is certain by the
behaviour of the man, he must have have been of very obscure parents;
and by his education, (as he was no artist) very unfit in all respects,
except that of cruelty, for the villaneous business he was in. We have
been informed, that he had been in a pirate in a private capacity, and
having escaped justice, had an opportunity of repenting his former
crimes, and as a foremast man, or petty officer, of getting his bread in
a warrantable way. But no—ignorant as he was of letters, he was
ambitious of power, and capable of the most barbarous actions to acquire
it.
Capt. Green, of Bristol, in April, 1726, shipped this Fly as boatswain,
at Jamaica, being bound, in the Elizabeth snow, of Bristol, for the
coast of Guinea. Fly, who had insinuated himself with some of the men,
whom he found ripe for any villany, resolved to seize the said snow, and
murder the captain and mate, and taking the command on himself, turn
pirate. He proposed this design to his brothers in iniquity, who
approving it, he, having the watch at one o’clock in the morning, on the
27th day of May, went up to one Morrice Cundon, then at the helm,
accompanied by Alexander Mitchel, Henry Hill, Samuel Cole, Thomas
Winthrop, and other conspirators, and swore if he spoke one word, or
stirred either hand or foot, he would blow his brains out; and tucking
up his shirt above the elbows with a cutlass in his hand, he, with
Mitchel, went into the captain’s cabin, and told him he must turn out.
The captain, asking what was the matter, was answered by Mitchel, they
had no time to answer impertinent questions; that if he would turn out
and go upon deck quietly, it would save them the trouble of scraping the
cabin; if he would not, a few buckets of water and a scraper would take
his blood out of the deck: that they had chosen Capt. Fly for commander,
and would allow of no other, and would not waste their provisions to
feed useless men.
The Captain replied, that since they had so resolved, he should make no
resistance; but begged they would not murder him, since his living could
be no obstacle to their designs; that he had never been harsh to either
of them, and therefore they could not kill him out of revenge; and if it
was only for their security, he desired, if they would not take his word
to do nothing to obstruct the measures they had resolved on, they would
secure him in irons, till he might be put somewhere on shore, _Ah_, says
Fly, _to live and hang us, if we are ever taken: no, no, walk up, that
bite won’t take; it has hanged many an honest fellow already_. Mitchel
and Fly then laying hold of him, pulled him out of his bed. The poor
captain entreating them to spare his life for his soul’s sake, told them
he would bind himself down by the most solemn oaths, never to appear
against them; that he was unfit to appear before the judgment seat of a
just and pure God; that he was loaded with sins, and to take him off
before he had washed those stains, which sullied his soul, by the tears
of repentance, would be a cruelty beyond comparison greater than that of
depriving him of life, were he prepared for death, since it would be,
without any offence committed against them, dooming him to eternal
misery. However, if they would not be persuaded that his life was
consistent with their safety, he begged they would allow some time to
prepare himself for the great change: that he begged no other mercy than
what the justice and compassion of the laws would allow them, should
they hereafter be taken. —— _your blood_, said Mitchel, _no preaching.
Be —— a’ you will, what’s that to us? Let him look out who has the
watch. Upon deck you dog, for we shall lose no more time about you._
They hauled him into the steerage, and forced him upon deck, where one
of the hell-hounds asked if he had rather take a leap like a brave
fellow, or be tossed over like a sneaking rascal? The captain addressing
himself to Fly, said, _Boatswain, for God’s sake don’t throw me
overboard; if you do I am for ever lost; Hell’s the portion of my
crimes. —— him_, answered Fly, _since he’s so Godly, we’ll give him time
to say his prayers, and I’ll be parson. Say after me._ Lord have mercy
on me. _Short prayers are best, so no more words and over with him, my
lads._ The captain still cried for mercy, and begged an hour’s respite
only, but all in vain; he was seized by the villains and thrown
overboard. He caught, however, and hung by the main sheet, which
Winthrop seeing, fetched the cooper’s broad axe, and chopping off the
unhappy master’s hand, he was swallowed up by the sea.
The captain being thus dispatched, Thomas Jenkins, the mate, was secured
and brought upon deck, to share the same cruel fate. His entreaties were
as useless as the captain’s; the sentence they had passed upon him was
not to be reversed; they were deaf to his prayers and remonstrances,
strangers to humanity and compassion. He was of the captain’s mess, they
said, and they should e’en drink together; it was a pity to part good
company.
Thus they jested with his agonies. He, however, made some struggle,
which irritating his murderers, one of them snatched up the axe, with
which Winthrop had lopped off the captain’s hand, and gave him a great
cut on the shoulder, by missing his head, where the blow was aimed, and
he was thrown into the sea. He swam notwithstanding, and called out to
the doctor to throw him a rope, who, poor man, could not hear him, being
secured, and laid in irons in his own cabin; and had he heard, and been
able to have thrown the rope required, could it be expected that these
hardened wretches would have relented, and shown him mercy? But the
sinking man will catch at a straw, and hope, they say, is the last that
deserts us. While we have life we are apt to flatter ourselves some
lucky accident may favour us.
It was next debated what should be done with the doctor. Some were for
sending him to look after the captain and mate; but the majority, as he
was a useful man, thought it better to keep him. All obstacles being
removed, Mitchel saluted Fly captain, and with the rest of the crew who
had been in the conspiracy, with some ceremony, gave him possession of
the great cabin.
Here a bowl of punch being made, Morrice Cundon was called down, and one
John Fitzherbert, set to the helm in his place. At the same time the
carpenter and Thomas Streaton were brought before the captain, who told
them they were three rascals, and richly deserved to be sent after the
captain and mate, but that they were willing to show them mercy, and not
put them to death in cold blood and he would therefore only put them in
irons, for the security of the ship’s crew. They were accordingly
ordered out, and ironed. Fly then told his comrades it was convenient to
resolve on some course, when word was brought them, that a ship was very
near them. The council broke up, and made a clear ship, when in a very
little while after, they found it was the Pompey, which had left Jamaica
in company with the snow. The Pompey, standing for the snow which did
not make from her, soon hailed and asked how Capt. Green did, and was
answered by Fly, that he was very well. They did not think fit to attack
this ship, but returned to hold their consultation; it was resolved to
steer for North-Carolina.
Upon their arrival on that coast they spied a sloop at anchor within the
bar. She was called the John and Hannah, and commanded by Capt. Fulker
who thinking the snow might want a pilot, stepped into his boat with his
mate, Mr. Atkinson, and Mr. Roan, two passengers, and a young lad, in
order to bring her in. When they came on board, they were told, that the
snow was from Jamaica, with a cargo. Capt. Fulker and Mr. Roan were
desired to walk down to the captain, who was in the cabin. Fly received
them very civilly, ordered a bowl of punch, and hearing Capt. Fulker had
brought another passenger on board Mr. Atkinson was also invited down.
The punch being brought in, Capt. Fly told his guest, _that he was no
man to mince matters; that he and his comrades were gentlemen of
fortune, and should make bold to try if Capt. Fulker’s sloop was a
better sailer than the snow. If she was, she would prove much fitter for
their business, and they must have her._ The snow came to an anchor
about a league off the sloop, and Fly ordered Fulker, with six of his
own hands, into the boat to bring her along side of the snow; but the
wind proving contrary, their endeavours proved also vain, and they
returned again in the boat, bringing Capt. Fulker back with them. As
soon as they got on board the snow, Fly fell into a violent passion,
cursing and abusing Fulker for not bringing off the sloop. He gave him
his reason, and said it was impossible. _You lie you dog_, replied the
pirate, _but your hide shall pay for your roguery, and if I can’t bring
her off, I’ll burn her where she lies._ He then ordered Capt. Fulker to
the geers; no reason, no arguments could prevail; he was stripped and
lashed after a very inhuman manner; and the boat’s crew being sent
again, with much ado carried her off as far as the bar, where she bilged
and sunk. The pirates then endeavoured to set what remained of her out
of water on fire, but they could not burn her.
The snow getting under sail to look-out for some booty, Fulker and the
others desired they might be set at liberty, but it was denied them for
the present, though not without a promise that they should be released
the first vessel they took. On the 5th of June they left Carolina, and
the next day spied a sail, which proved the John and Betty, commanded by
Capt. Gale, bound from Barbadoes to Guinea. Fly gave chase, but finding
the ship wronged him, he made a signal of distress, hoisting his jack at
the main-top-mast head; but this decoy did not hinder the ship making
the best of her way. Fly continued the chase all night, and the wind
slackening, he came within shot of the ship, and fired several guns at
her under his black ensign. The ship being of no force, and the pirates
ready to board, the captain struck; and Fly, manning his long-boat, the
crew being well armed with pistols and cutlasses, went on board the
prize, and sent Capt. Gale, after having secured his men, prisoner on
board the snow. This prize was of little value to the pirates, who took
nothing but some sail-cloth and small arms, and after two days let her
go, but took away six of his men, setting on board Capt. Fulker, a
passenger, and Capt. Green’s surgeon. They kept Mr. Atkinson, knowing he
was a good artist, and lately master of the Boneta brigantine, as a
pilot for the coast of New-England, which they were satisfied he was
well acquainted with.
Upon Mr. Atkinson’s desiring to have his liberty with the others, Capt.
Fly refused it with the most horrid oaths and imprecations, and insisted
upon it that he should act as their pilot; assuring him at the same
time, if he piloted them wrong, his life should be the forfeit.
Mr. Atkinson answered, it was very hard he should be forced to take upon
himself the pilotage, when he did not pretend to know the coast, and
that his life should answer for any mistake his ignorance of it might
make him guilty of, and therefore begged he might be set on board Capt.
Gale; and that they would trust their own knowledge, since he did not
doubt there being better artist on board. _No no_, replied Fly, _that
won’t do—your palavering won’t save your bacon; so either discharge your
trust like an honest man, (for go you shan’t) or I’ll send you with my
service to the d—l: so no more words about the matter._
There was no reply made, and they stood for the coast of New-England.
Off Delaware Bay they made a sloop, commanded by one Harris, bound from
New-York to Pennsylvania. She had on board about fifty passengers. Fly
gave chase, and coming up with her, hoisted his black ensign, and
ordered her to strike, which she immediately did; and Fly sent Capt.
Atkinson on board, to sail her, though he would not allow him (Atkinson)
any arms. The pirates ransacked this prize, but not finding her of any
use to them, after a detention of 24 hours, they let her go, with her
men, excepting only a well made young fellow, whose name was James
Benbrooke, whom they kept.
Fly, after having released the prize, ordered Capt. Atkinson to carry
the snow into Martha’s Vineyard, but he wilfully missed this place. Fly,
finding himself beyond Nantucket, and that his design was balked, called
to Atkinson, and told him _he was a rascally scoundrel and that it was a
piece of cruelty to let such a villain live, who designed the death of
so many honest fellows_. Atkinson, in his defence, said, he never
pretended to know the coast, and that it was very hard he should die for
being thought an abler man than he really was. Had he pretended to be
their pilot, and did not know his business, he deserved punishment; but
when he was forced upon a business which he before declared he did not
understand, it would be certainly cruel to make him suffer for their
mistake. _You are an obstinate villain_, replied Fly, _and your design
is to hang us; but blood and wounds, you dog, you shan’t live to see
it_—and saying this, he ran into his cabin and brought a pistol, with
design to shoot Atkinson; but by the interposition of Mitchel, who
thought him innocent of any design, he escaped.
Atkinson, who perceived his life every minute in danger, began to
ingratiate himself with the pirates and gave them hopes, that with good
and gentle usage, he might be brought to join them. This he did not say
in express terms, but by words he now and then let drop, as by accident.
They were not a little rejoiced at the idea of having so good an artist
to join them; nay some of them hinted to him, that if he would take upon
him the command, they were ready to dispossess Capt. Fly, who carried
his command too high, and was known to all the crew to be no artist, and
to understand nothing beyond the business of a boatswain. Atkinson
thought it his interest to keep them in the opinion that he would join;
but always declined hearing any thing as to the command.
This made him less severely used, and protected him from the insults of
Fly, who imagined he would betray them the first opportunity, therefore,
more than once proposed his being thrown overboard, which was never
approved by the snow’s company.
From Nantucket they stood to the eastward, and off Brown’s Bank made a
fishing schooner. Fly, coming up with her, fired a gun, and hoisting his
black ensign, swore, _if they did not instantly bring to, and send their
boat on board, he would sink her_. The schooner obeyed, and sent away
her boat on board the snow. He examined the captain as to what vessels
were to be met with, and promised, if he could put him in the way of
meeting with a good sailer, to let him go, and give him his vessel, or
he should otherwise keep her. The poor man told him he had a companion
which would soon be in sight, and was a much better vessel. Accordingly
about 12 at noon, the same day, which was the 23d of June, the other
schooner hove in sight; upon which Fly manned this prize with six
pirates and a prisoner named George Tasker, and sent her in chase,
having himself on board the snow, no more than three pirates, Capt.
Atkinson, (who had worked himself into some favour with him) and fifteen
forced men; but he took care to have his arms upon deck by him.
The men who had not taken on with Fly, were Atkinson, Capt. Fulker’s
mate, and two youths belonging to him; the carpenter and gunner
belonging to Capt. Green; six of Capt. Gale’s men, and the aforesaid
Benbrooke, who belonged to Capt. Harris, with three of the men out of
the schooner. Atkinson, seeing the prisoners and forced men were five to
one of the pirates, thought of delivering himself from the bondage he
was in: and as by good luck several other fishing vessels hove in sight,
right ahead of the snow, he called to Capt. Fly, and told him he spied
several other vessels ahead, desiring he would come forward and bring
his glass. Fly did so, and leaving his arms on the quarter deck, set on
the windlass to see if he could make out what they were. Atkinson, who
had concerted his measures with one Walker and the above mentioned
Benbrooke, secured the arms on the quarter deck, and gave them a signal
to seize Fly; which they did, with very little trouble, and afterwards
made themselves masters of the other three pirates and the snow, the
rest of the prisoners, not knowing any thing of, or what the design
might be, remaining altogether inactive, and brought the snow and
pirates to Great Brewster, where a guard was put on board, June 28,
1726.
Soon after, the said pirates were brought to their trial, that is, on
the 4th of July following, before the Honourable William Dummer, Esq.,
Lieutenant Governor and commander in chief of the province of
Massachusetts Bay, President of the Special Court of Admiralty, at the
court-house of Boston, assisted by 18 gentlemen of the council; before
whom they were found guilty of murder and piracy condemned to be
executed, and accordingly were executed the 12th of July. Fly was
ordered to be hanged in chains at the entrance of the harbour of Boston.
Thus ended the short reign of an obdurate wretch, who only wanted skill
and power to be as infamous as any who scoured the seas. The names of
the three pirates, executed with him, were, Samuel Cole, George Condick,
and Henry Greenvil.