taken out of a Sloop sometime in October last. the first vessel that
was taken after Phillips's being taken was a Brigantine. Cannot say
that Phillips went on board the Brigantine. he never saw him Armed
with other arms than a Cutlass. That in February they took a snow
bound from New York to Barbados, one Laws Master. Samuel Ferne, James
Wood, William Taylor and Wm. Phillips, one of Prisoners at the Bar,
went on board the snow armed with Cutlasses, who kept on board and
Navigated sd snow, as far to the southward as the Lattitude of 21,
where Ferne and Wood, attempting to run away with the scooner, in
order thereto Confined Taylor and Phillips: But Capt. Phillips the
Pyrate firing upon the snow, she brought too, and the sd Ferne was
Commanded on board, but he refused and fired upon Capt. Phillips and
Compelled the Prisoner at the Bar, William Phillips, to come and abide
upon Deck, where he had his left leg shot by Nutt, which was
afterwards Cut off. That Isaac Lassen was taken at Newfoundland in
Septr last. That he was generally set at the helm to steer the vessel.
he was once set on board the snow armed, when Fern, Wood, etc., were
running away with her. he never was forward nor did he ever see him
Guilty of any Act of Pyracy when vessels were taken, nor Share any
plunder, Except that they now and then obliged him to take a Shirt or
a pair of stockings when almost naked. That he was knowing of the
rising to subdue the Pyrates, and took hold of the Captains Arm, when
Harradine struck him in the head with the Ads. That Henry Gyles was
taken in February and forced to go with the Pyrates; Nutt obliged him
to keep a Journal being an Artist.[7] he never saw him armed on board,
that he was always Contriving to get away, and has often told this
Depont. that he would Escape if possible. that he was knowing of the
rising against the pyrates and forward and Active in it. That Charles
Ivemay was taken and forced out of the same ship that Cheesman the
Carpenter was. that he always behaved himself Civilly. he never saw
him Armed. That he was knowing of and brisk and Active in the rising
against the Pyrates. That there was no vessel taken after John
Bootman, John Coombes and Henry Payne were taken.
[Footnote 7: In the sense, now obsolete, of a person having scientific
attainments. "The moon, whose orb Through optic glass the Tuscan
artist views" (Milton, referring to Galileo). Probably Giles had some
knowledge of navigation. See his testimony in doc. no. 121.]
Edward Cheesman Deposeth That William Phillips leg was Cut off before
he[8] was taken by the Pyrates, That Henry Gyles was Guilty of no Act
of Pyracy that he ever saw or heard of, that he behaved himself
Civilly, kept a Journal being an Artist, That he has often told this
Depont. he would contrive some way or other to make his Escape, that
he was knowing of the Rising and forward and Active in it. That Isaac
Lassen behaved himself Civilly and always seemed to him to be a forced
man, That he never saw him in Arms; was the Man that took hold of Capt
Phillips's Arm when Harradine struck him. That Charles Ivemay was
Obliged and forced out of the same ship; he never was armed or forward
when vessels were taken, That he was Privy to the Design of subduing
the Pyrates and active in Executing it. That Bootman, Combes and Payne
seemed to be forced and there was no vessel taken after they Came on
board.
[Footnote 8: Cheesman.]
Andrew Harradine Deposeth That Phillips's leg was Cut off before
his[9] being taken, knows nothing of him, That Lassen always behaved
himself well, he never saw him armed, that he has several times told
this Depont. that the Pyrates should never Carry him off the Coast to
suffer by them as he had done already, that he was the first that took
hold of the Captain, when this Depont. struck him and killed him. That
he never saw any thing by Gyles and Ivemay but what was Civil, no ways
Active as Pyrates, that they were both acquainted with the design of
subduing the Pyrates, and stirring and brisk in the Execution thereof.
That Bootman, Combes and Payne came on board after he was taken, there
was no Vessel taken after their being on board. That Bootman was Privy
to and Active in the subduing the Pyrates, and Combes and Payne seemed
to him to be forced men.
[Footnote 9: Harradine's.]
The Witnesses having been Severally Examined and Deposed as aforesd.,
the Prisoners were asked whether they had any thing to say on their
own Defence. William Phillips said he was forced by the Pyrates out of
the Sloop _Glasgow_, William Warden Master, that sometime after he
was on board, he understood there were articles drawn up,[10] for the
Captain Called him auft, and with his pistol Cocked demanded him to
sign the sd. Articles or Else he would blow his Brains out, which he
refused to do, Reminding the Captain of his promise that he should be
cleared; but the Captn. Declaring that it should not hurt him, and
Insisting on it as aforesd., he was Obliged to sign the sd. Articles.
Then when Ferne and Wood were running away with the snow, they never
told him what design they were upon but told him they were going to
Holmes's hole,[11] and there every one to shift for himself, and the
rest alledging they were forced men and some of them that they were in
the secret of subduing the Pyrates and active in it, and others that
there was no vessels taking whilst they were on board.
[Footnote 10: Johnson, pp. 397-398, gives verbatim the text of these
articles of agreement (_cf._ doc. no. 50), a very curious set, to
which these pirates "swore upon a Hatchet for want of a Bible."]
[Footnote 11: Now Vineyard Haven, in Martha's Vineyard.]
Then the Prisoners being taken away and all withdrawn but the
Register, The Court maturely Weighed and Considered the Evidences and
Cases of the Prisoners and by a Plurality of Voices found the sd
William Phillips Guilty of the Pyracies, Robberies and Felonys
Exhibited against him, and by an unanimous voice found the sd. Isaac
Lassen, Henry Gyles, Charles Ivemay, John Bootman, John Coombes and
Henry Payne not Guilty.
Then the Prisoners were brought to the Bar and the President
acquainted William Phillips That the Court had found him Guilty of the
Pyracies, Robberies and Felonies Exhibited against him, and asked him
if he had any thing to say why sentence of Death should not pass upon
him for his Offences.
And he offering nothing Material the President Pronounced sentence of
Death against him in the following words--
"You, William Phillips, are to go from hence to the place from whence
you Come and from thence to the place of Execution, and there you are
to be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and God of His Infinite
Mercy save your Soul."
And the President Pronounced the said Isaac Lassen, Henry Gyles,
Charles Ivemay, John Bootman, John Coombs and Henry Payne not Guilty.
Then the Court adjourned till to morrow morning Eight of the Clock.
_121. Trial of William White, John Rose Archer, and William Taylor.
May 13, 1724._
May the 13th day A.M.
The Court met according to Adjournmt. and was opened by Proclamation.
Present The Hono'ble William Dummer, Esqr., etc. President.
William Tailer Nathaniel Norden }
Samuel Sewall Thomas Hutchinson }
Penn Townsend Samuel Browne } Esqrs., of the Council of
Edwd. Bromfield Thomas Fitch } the Massachusetts Bay.
John Cushing Adam Winthrop }
Spencer Phipps. }
John Menzies }
Thomas Durell } Esqrs., Commissioners appointed in
Thomas Lechmere } His Majesties Commission, etc.
John Jekyll }
A Warrant issued out for the bringing into Court William White, John
Archer, otherwise Called John Rose Archer, and William Tailer, and
they were brought to the Bar accordingly and arraigned upon the
several articles Exhibited against them for Piracy Robbery and Felony.
At a Special Court of Admiralty for Tryal of Pyrates held at Boston
within His maj'ties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England
on the twelfth day of May In the Tenth year of the Reign of our
sovereign Lord George, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France
and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc., Annoq Domini 1724--
Articles of Pyracy, Robbery and Felony Exhibited then and there
against William White, John Archer, otherwise Called John Rose Archer,
and William Taylor, Marriners--
You stand Accused by His Majesties Advocate General of Felony, Pyracy
and Robbery
First, For that the said William White, together with John Phillips,
John Nutt, Samuel Ferne and James Sparks, on or about the beginning of
September last past, by force and Arms, in a Certain harbour near St.
Peters in Newfoundland, upon the high sea, within the Jurisdiction of
the Admiralty of Great Britain, piratically and Feloniously did
surprise, seise, take and Carry away a Certain scooner named ----,
then and there being and belonging to His Maj'ties good subjects, and
on the fifth day of the sd. month, being on board the sd scooner as
aforesd., with force as aforesd., and on the high sea, within the
Jurisdiction aforesd., near Newfoundland did Pyratically and
Feloniously surprise, seize and take three fishing vessels belonging
to His Majesties good subjects and in manner as aforesd. did take out
of one of them an Indian Man named Isaac Lassen; and afterward, viz.
on or about the middle of the sd Month of September, on the high sea
and within the Jurisdiction aforesd., he the sd William White, in
Conjunction as aforesd. with divers others, with force and arms
Pyratically and Feloniously did surprise, seize and take a Certain
scooner named ----, one Furber, belonging to His Majesties good
subjects and of the value of Five hundred pounds, and then and there
within the Jurisdiction aforesd. out of her did seize, take and Carry
away a quantity of provision and Cloaths of the Value of fifty
pounds.[1]...
[Footnote 1: Articles II.-XII. are here omitted, being substantially
identical with arts. III.-VII. of the indictment in doc. no. 119 and
III.-VII. of that in doc. no. 120.]
Lastly, For that the sd. William White, John Archer, als Rose Archer,
and William Taylor, in Conjunction as aforesd., on or about the
fourteenth of April last past, on the high sea and within the
Jurisdiction aforesd., with force and Arms Did Feloniously and
Pyratically surprise, seize and take a Sloop named the _Squirrel_,
Andrew Harradine Master, of the Value of Three hundred pounds and
belonging to His Maj'ties good subjects and on the fifteenth following
with force and Feloniously and pyratically did Enter with all their
Guns, ammunition and provision on board the sd Sloop. All which
Actings of Pyracy, robbery and Felony were by you and Each of you done
and Committed in manner as aforesd., Contrary to the Statutes and the
Laws in that Case made and Provided.
ROB. AUCHMUTY, Adv. Genl.
Then the Kings Evidences were Called and sworn.
John Filmore Deposeth and Saith That he was in the harbour of St.
Peters when Mr. Minotts scooner was run away with, by which scooner he
was afterwards taken. That when he was Carried on board, he there saw
William White upon Deck. That White told this Depont. he Came out upon
that design, which this Depont. understood to be Pyracy, but that he
was in Drink and he was sorry for it. That White went armed on board a
Virginia Ship, that he had his Share of some Shirts that were taken
out of a Portuguese Brigantine, That John Rose Archer and William
Taylor (when a Brigantine whereof One Read was Master, in which the sd
Archer and White were, was taken), Voluntarily Joyned with the
Pyrates, That in a short time after Archer was Chosen Quartermaster
and after he was so, he went on board every Vessel they took, armed,
That William Taylor was very Great with Phillips, Nutt and Burrill,
being Admitted into the Cabbin, upon any Consultation they had
together.
Edward Cheesman Deposed That White told him he was [one] of the first
five that run away with Mr. Minotts Scooner, [That] they made him
Drink, and that he was sorry for it now. That in taking several
Vessels White was more Active than others, who pretended to be forced
men. That John Rose Archer, to this Deponts. certain knowledge, by
force and Arms Entred into several vessels they took and aided and
assisted in plundering the same and sharing part thereof, And that
William Taylor was as active on board as any of them; That this Depont
Saw him once take a great Coat and heard him then say, he would not
willingly hurt a Man, but he was upon the Account, and he must not go
Naked.
Isaac Lassen Deposeth That White told him three days [after] he was
taken, that he was sorry he Came out upon the [Accot.], That this
Depont. saw him go on board a snow armed, and that he shared part of
the plunder.
Henry Giles Deposed That White was one of the four that went on board
the Ship this Depont. was taken out of, that he was Armed with a
Cutlass and Shared part of the plunder, That he also Saw him go on
board a French ship armed with a Cutlass, out of which Ship they took
Eight Great Guns: That Archer also was one of the four that went on
board their ship armed with a Cutlash, and as this Depont. was going
over the side Archer threatned to Cut him in sunder if he did not make
hast and go on board the Pyrate with his Books and Instruments.
William Lancy Deposed That he was taken by the Pyrate Phillips
sometime in April last, That Archer the Quarter Master was one of
those who came on board his scooner and that he was armed with sword
or Cutlash; that the sd. Archer went on board all or most of the
vessels they took while this Depont. was with them, Armed with sword
or Cutlass; That Archer told him that he was one of Teaches[2] men and
went into South Carolina upon the Act of Grace. That White told this
Depont. he was sorry he came out upon the Accot. and if he Could he
would get away before they went off the Coast. That he heard William
Taylor say they were Carrying him to Virginia to be sold[3] and they
met with these honest Men, meaning the Pyrates, and he listed himself
to go with them.
[Footnote 2: Edward Teach or Thatch, the famous pirate commonly called
Blackbeard.]
[Footnote 3: _I.e._, as an indented servant.]
After the Kings Evidences had been severally Examined the Prisoners at
the Bar were asked what they had to say in their own Defence. William
White says he is sorry he should Commit such a sin, that he was in
Drink when he went away with Phillips, Nutt, etc., in Mr Minotts
scooner. John Archer and Willm Taylor say they were forced Men, and
Archer, being asked how he Came to be Quarter Master, Answered that
the Company thought him the fittest Man for a Quarter master and so
Chose him.
Then the Kings Advocate General summed up the nature of the Evidence
against the Prisoners, and the Prisoners were taken from the Bar, and
the Court cleared and in private.
Then the Court Maturely weighed and Considered the Evidences and the
Prisoners Cases, and Unanimously found William White, John Rose
Archer, and William Taylor Guilty of Pyracy, robbery and Felony
according to the Articles Exhibited against them. Then the Prisoners
were brought to the Bar and the President acquainted them that the
Court by a Unanimous Voice had found them Guilty. Then the Court
Adjourned to three a Clock in the afternoon.
_122. Trial of John Baptis and Peter Taffery. May 13, 1724._
The Court met and Opened according to Adjournm't by Proclamation and
Ordered John Baptis and Peter Taffery, two French Men, to be brought
[to] the Bar, and they were brought to the Bar accordingly and ordered
to attend to the articles read agt. them for Pyracy, Robbery and
Felony.
And the Register read the articles, which were the four last articles
of those Exhibited against William Phillips, Isaac Lassen, etc., to
which articles the sd John Baptis and Peter Taffery severally pleaded
not Guilty. Then the Kings Evidences being sworn, Called and
Interrogated, Deposed as follows.
William Lancy Deposed That whilst he was on board the Pyrat, up[on]
their Coming up with a Cape Anne vessel, Phillips the Captain [of] the
Pyrat ordered John Baptis to fetch up a Musquet, which he did, and
when the Captain was going to take the Musquet [to] fire, Baptis
twicht it out of his hands and fired it him[self], That Baptist was
one that went on board a sloop, one [Beel] Master, Armed.
David Jaw, belonging to the Scooner [whereof] Will'm Lancy was
Skipper, Deposed That John Baptis Came [on] board their Vessel with
several others armed. That Baptis Came [up] to this Depont. and Damnd
him and kicked him in his legs and [pointed] to his Boots,[1] which
was a sign as this Depont understood it that he wanted his Boots, and
he accordingly pull'd them off and Baptist took them.
[Footnote 1: Baptis, it will be remembered, did not speak English;
hence it was that he resorted to the expressive language of manual
(and pedal) signs.]
John Filmore Deposed That John Baptis and Peter Taffery, upon the
rising against the Pyrates, with others fell upon James Sparkes, the
Gunner of the Pyrate, and killed him and threw [him] Overboard.
Edward Cheesman Deposed That John Baptis always carried himself
Civilly on board and was always for[ward] to rise upon the Pyrates.
That Peter Taffery was [more active] than Baptis, that he saw him fire
at vessels [two or three] times.
Henry Giles Deposed That William[2] Phillips, the Capt[tain] of the
Pyrate, was always afraid of John Baptis that he would do him some
damage, That Baptis was always ready and forward to rise upon the
Pyrates, when they talkt of rising, That he has seen them go Armed on
board Vessels, but cant say he had any share of the plunder, That
Taffery was more active than Baptis.
[Footnote 2: John.]
Andrew Harradine Deposed he never saw any thing but what was Civil in
Baptis and Taffery, That they were very forward upon the rising, as
soon as they perceived what they were about, and were very much
rejoiced when it was done and they had got their Liberty.
Then the Court ordered That all Persons should depart but the Judges
and Register; and having Maturely weighed the Evidences unanimously
found John Baptist and Peter Taffry not Guilty. Then the Prisoners
were brought to the Bar and the President declared That the Court had
found them not Guilty.
Then the Court Adjourned till the Morrow Morning.
And the Court being met according to Adjournment, Francisco, Pedro,
and Pierro, three negros, were brought to the Bar and Arraigned, but
no Evidences appearing to alledge any Acts of Pyracy against them, but
all [alledging] that they were Imployed in Cooking the Kettle, The
Court [unanimously] found them not [Guilty].[3]
[Footnote 3: But apparently John Baptis's new lease of life was not
long. "November 2 [1726]. John Battis, a Frenchman, his son, and 3
Indians were hanged at Charlestown ferry." Diary of Jeremiah Bumstead,
_N.E. Hist. Gen. Reg._, XV. 311. The crime was piracy.]
And then after passing [some necessary orders] relating to [the]
Execution of the Pyrates, etc. [The Court adjourned without] Day.[4]
[Footnote 4: Archer and White were executed on June 2, 1724. Cotton
Mather ministered to them in their last days, adding, one would think,
a new horror to death. The sermon he preached at them was forthwith
printed by him, _The Converted Sinner ... A Sermon Preached in Boston,
May 31, 1724, In the Hearing and at the Desire of certain Pirates_
[Archer and White], _a little before their Execution, To which there
is added, A more private Conference of a Minister with them_ (Boston,
1724). With his usual insufferable vanity, he indicates that the
capture of the pirates was widely attributed to his public prayer
against pirates on Sunday, Apr. 26: "Behold, before the week was out,
there comes in a Vessel wherein" were the captive pirates. But the
victorious mutiny against the pirates occurred on Apr. 18, and without
disparaging Dr. Mather's influence in the councils of Heaven, it seems
doubtful if the rising could have been caused by prayers publicly
offered by him on the 26th. After the trial he adds: "One of the first
Things which the Pyrates, who are now so much the Terror of them that
haunt the Sea, impose on their poor Captives, is, to curse Dr. M----r.
The Pyrates now strangely fallen into the Hands of Justice here, make
me the first Man, whose Visits and Counsils and Prayers they beg for.
Some of them under Sentence of Death, chuse to hear from me the Last
Sermon they hear in the world. The Sermon is desired for Publication".
_Diary of Cotton Mather_ (Mass. Hist. Soc.), II. 722, 729.]
_123. Bill of Robert Dobney. June 2, 1724._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 63, p. 399. Dobney was a newcomer,
admitted in 1715.]
The Province of the Massachusetts Bay by Order of Edward Stanbridge is
Dr
1724
June 2d
To Makeing of the Chaines for John Rose
archer one of the Pyrats and the hire of a
man to help fix him on the Gebbet att Brid
[Bird] Island[2] L12.10
per me
ROBERT DOBNEY
[Footnote 2: "On Tuesday the 2d instant, were executed here, for
Piracy, John Rose Archer, Quarter Master, aged about 27 years, and
William White, aged about 22 years. After their Death they were
conveyed in Boats down to an Island, where White was buried, and the
Quarter Master was hung up in Irons, to be a Spectacle, and so a
Warning to others." _Boston Gazette_, June 8, 1724. Bird Island, which
has now disappeared, was a small island in Boston harbor, lying
between Noddle's Island (East Boston) and Governor's Island, about a
mile and a half from the town. Six days after the execution, Jeremiah
Bumstead records in his diary, "My wife and Jery and Betty [a boy of
16 and a girl of 17], David Cunningham and his wife, and 6 more, went
to the castle to Governors Island, and to see the piratte in Gibbits
att Bird Island." _N.E. Hist. Gen. Reg._, XV. 202.]
_124. Bill of Edward Stanbridge. June 2, 1724._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 63, p. 402. Edward Stanbridge was
the provost marshal; see doc. no. 119.]
June 2d The Province of the Massachusetts Bay to
1724 Edwd. Stanbridge, Dr
for Sundrys by him Expended being Marshall And by Order of A Speciall
Cort of Admiralty for the Execution of John Rose Archer and William
White two Pirates, Viz.
To the Executoner for his Service I paid
him[2] L12.00. 0
To Mr Joseph Parsons[3] for Cordage I
paid his Bill L2.17. 6
To Boat hire and Labourers to help Sett
the Gibet And there attendance at the
Execution and Diging the Grave for
White 3.10. 8
To Expences on the Sheriefs officers and
Cunstables after the Exicution att Mrs.
Mary Gilberts her Bill[4] 3.15. 8
--------
22. 3.10
To Georg Mayo, Blockmaker, his Bill 1. 5.00
--------
23. 8.10
E: Excepted.[5]
per EDWARD STANBRIDG.
[Footnote 2: Apparently represented by the preceding bill, doc. no.
123.]
[Footnote 3: One of the constables of Boston.]
[Footnote 4: July 6, 1719, the selectmen of Boston licensed Mary
Gilbert to sell strong drink as an innholder at the north end of Fish
Street. Boston Record Commissioners, _Reports_, XIII. 55. This
considerable item represents what was necessary to restore the nerves
of the provost marshal's attendants after an uncomfortable piece of
work.]
[Footnote 5: Errors excepted.]
* * * * *
_125. Petition of Nicholas Simons. May, 1725._[1]
[Footnote 1: Manuscript room, New York Public Library.]
To the Honourable Samuel Cranston Esqr Governour of his Majestys
Colony of Rhode Island etc. And the Hon'ble Assistants and the Hon'ble
Generall Assembly of the Said Colony,
The Petition of Nicholas Simons Mariner Humbly Sheweth
That Whereas the Ship _John and Mary_ belonging to Boston whereof
Thomas Glen was late Master was Taken by Shipton a Pirate in the month
of December last in the Bay of Hondoras And the Said Nicolas Simons
haveing been aforeced[2] man for Some time on board the Said Pirate
was Ordered by the said Shipton to take the Command of the Said Ship
_John and Mary_ as navigator and two Pirates with him and follow the
Said Pirate--But after the Said Simmons Parted with the Pirate Shipton
he released the men that were bound on board the Said Ship _John and
Mary_ and Consulted with them about the destroying the three Pirates
which the said Simons and Barlow aforced man and Perry mate of the
Said Merchant Ship Effected And they lately carried the Said Ship into
Rhod Island whereby the Owners have Recovered their Said Ship and her
Cargoe,[3]
[Footnote 2: A forced.]