USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Early History of Naushon Island > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
Yo Worships Humble S vant Matt. Mayhew
Boston within the Massachusetts Colony in New England.
By the Govr & Councill To Samuel Pease Captn
Whereas Thomas Hawkins and Tho. Pound with a certain number of Armed men joyned with them have piratically sur- prised and seized severall Vessels belonging to their Majesties subjects of this Colony and other parts of the country and are now in a small sloop by them taken, cruising about and infesting of this Coast to the great hazard of vessels coming in or going out upon their lawful imployments. And foreasmuch as you are ap- pointed Captain of the sloop Mary now fitted out and mann'd with twenty able seamen for their Majesties service to secure
206
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
their Majesties subjects and those Vessels passing in or out about their lawfull Occasions and to suppress the said Pirates.
These are in their Majesties names to Authorize and impower you Said Capt. Samuell Pease with the aforesaid vessell and men to go forth in the Prosecution of the sd. designe and to cruise upon this coast for the discovery of sd. Pirates and them finding to surprise and seize, and the vessell they are in and bring them with you to Boston that they may be secured. .
Past in Council
Isª Addington
Dated the 30 day of Septbr 1689. And in the 1st year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord and Lady Wm and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England Signed S. Bradstreet Govr
DEPOSITION OF THOMAS POUND
Boston Oct. 19, 1699
. From Virginia wee came back into the Sound and at . Tarpolin Cove met with a Barque belonging to Salem riding in said Cove, William Lord master, and went on board her and bought an Anchor of him for which paid a Caske of Sugar about ffour hundred weight and sold to said Lord ye Negro wee brought from Virginia at the price of twelve pounds, for which he drew a bill upon Blaney* at Elizabeth Island. Then we came over the Sholes in company with Lord's Barque as far as Cape Cod, and the Boat going on shoare there Hawkins left us.
Afterwards upon a Saturday night about three weekes since wee Espyed a Sloop and weighed and gave chace to her and
Anthony Blaney, for whom Blaney's Pond was named.
207
PIRATES AND PRIVATEERS
brought her to anchor under the Cape, who said they came from Pensilvania, enquired of them whether or no they had any Pork on board, they saying they had none we dismist them, and wee went back again over the Sholes and at Homes his Hole met with a Sloop riding there one John Picket Master from new London, (as he said) out of which Sloop wee took thirty nine barrells of Porke and Beife, 7 firkins of Butter, 13 cheeses, 3 bbls. of Indian Corn and Eight bushells of Pease. From thence wee removed to Tarpolin Cove, there lay about fforty Eight houres intending for Corazo, and upon Ffriday the fforth day of October instant, Capt. Sam1 Pease Commander of a Sloop from Boston came up towards us, and wee came to Saile, and stood away, but Cap" Pease out Sayled us and fired severall Shot toward us but did not strike our Vessell, wee descried their King's Jack before they ffired; after wee had received severall Shot from the sd. Sloop there was a Red fflag put up at the head of our Mast, and our men fired at them, and wee continued firing one at another about the space of an hour this Examinant received two Shot one under his Ribs and another in the Arme, ffour of our men were slain and nine wounded. Thomas Hawkins was many times on Shoar at severall places at Elizabeth Islands, Cape Cod and Casco and was never restrained or Confined on board as a Prisoner. Dun, Lander, Warren & Watts came on board Hawkins his Boat in Cap" Edwards his boat in ye Broad Sound.
On July 11, 1688, Thomas Pound was commissioned captain of H.M. Sloop Mary, ... one of the sloops built under Andros' orders. The preceding year Pound had served as pilot on H.M.S. Rose, Captain George, on her cruise along the New England coast in search of privateers, pirates and illicit traders. He com- manded the sloop Mary for a while in this coast-guard service and then in August, 1689, together with Thomas Hawkins and others, turned pirate in another vessel. . . .
208
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
On August 20, 1689, the sloop Resolution was fitted with guns, artillery, ammunition and provisions and ordered to sea under the command of Captain Joseph Thaxter in quest of pirates, espe- cially "Thomas Hawkins and one Pounds." She carried a crew of 30 men, although 40 were authorized and Thaxter was ordered to cruise within Massachusetts Bay. The Resolution did not meet with Pound's vessel which had doubled Cape Cod and started on a piratical career in Vineyard Sound. .
Late in September a second expedition was sent against Pound. This consisted of twenty able men, all volunteers, in Pound's former vessel, the sloop Mary, now commanded by Capt. Samuel Pease, late commander of the Duke of Courland's ship Fortune, 200 tons, 12 guns. Benjamin Gallop was commissioned lieutenant of the Mary and on the 30th she sailed from Boston and four days later off Woods Hole, a canoe came off to her with the news that there was a pirate at Tarpaulin Cove. The crew of the Mary gave a "great shout of hurrah" at this warning and made ready for battle.
A south-southeast wind was blowing hard and soon they sighted a sail ahead, to the westward, which was quickly overhauled. The King's jack was raised on the Mary and a great gun was fired athwart the chase's fore foot. At that a man climbed the main- mast of the other vessel and made fast the red-flag of piracy at the main-mast top. Captain Pease then had a musket shot fired at the pirate vessel, but the latter did not strike. The Mary poured a volley into the pirate, and Captain Pease called on them to strike to the King of England. Thomas Pound, the pirate captain, standing on the quarter deck of his vessel, flourished his naked sword and shouted: "Come aboard, you dogs, and I will strike you presently." Pound then picked up his gun and the pirate crew fired a volley at the Mary, which was at once returned. The Mary ran to leeward of the pirate, which was considered an ad- vantage because the wind blew so hard that the weather side of
209
PIRATES AND PRIVATEERS
the Mary acted as a bulwark and they could shoot over it down on to the deck of the pirate. The pirate crew gave several lusty shouts and renewed the firing, with both sides loading and firing as fast as they could. Before long Captain Pound was shot and forced to go below and two men on the Mary were wounded by an explosion of gunpowder from which a great smoke arose. This encouraged the pirates, who thought that the Mary had met with a serious disaster, so that they cheered and increased their firing. Soon Captain Pease was heard shouting to the pirates that he would give them quarter if they would surrender. "Ai, ye dogs, we will give you quarter," they replied, and the fight con- tinued. Two more of the Mary's crew were wounded and finally Captain Pease himself.
After Captain Pease was taken below to have his wounds dressed, the command devolved upon Lieutenant Benjamin Gallop, who ran the Mary alongside the pirate craft and boarded her. The pirates resolutely resisted, firing desperately upon the boarding party, who returned the fire and then, reversing their muskets and swinging them as clubs, rushed among the pirates in a bloody hand-to-hand struggle. When four of the pirates lay dead and twelve wounded, the remaining two surrendered.
Meanwhile the weather had become "very bad" and being greatly in need of doctors and surgeons, the Mary ran into the Sakonnet River and anchored between Pocasset and Rhode Is- land. Doctors were sent for and soon came from Newport. Cap- tain Pease was shot in the arm, the side and the thigh and had lost a great deal of blood. He was very weak and faint, but had re- covered some of his strength by Friday so that he went on board the Mary and sailed for Boston. But the Mary had only sailed a short distance before Captain Pease's wounds opened and he began to bleed so badly that they took him ashore to another farmhouse on Rhode Island, where he continued to lose blood. He also had convulsions and on Saturday morning, October 12, 1689,
210
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
died from the wounds received in his Majesty's Service. He was buried at Newport on the following Monday. That evening, the Mary, commanded by Lieutenant Gallop and carrying fourteen prisoners, sailed from Rhode Island and reached Boston on the following Saturday. The prize sloop and treasure were valued at £209-4-6.
Daniel Langley, Colburn Tirrell [Luxell], John Frizell, Abraham Adams and John Paine were among those who served on board the Mary on this expedition.
This action is told and retold in the depositions of members of the crews of both vessels. A few of the Court orders will show the conclusion of the affair.
DEPOSITION OF ELEAZER BUCK
Boston Massachusetts the Jurors for our Gov. Lord and Lady William & Mary by ye grace of God of England Scotland France & Ireland King & Queen Defend of ye faith.
Doe present that Elliezer Buck mariner nott having ye fear of God before his eyes but being led by the mitigation of ye Devell of his malice forethought upon ye fourth day of October 1689 in ye first year of their Majesties Reign upon ye high seas that is to say in Marthas Vineyard Sound near Tarpolin Cove upon ye Sloop Mary of Boston then sayling under their Majesties · coller and upon ye Commander namely Samuel Pease and com- pany being in number about twenty of their Majestys leage people then and thar upon their Majestys service the said Eleazer Buck being under a red flag which in defiance of their Majestys Authority purposely putt up ye head of ye Mast with force and arms and assault did make, and with Bullets which he out of small guns felloniously shot ye body of ye said Samewell Pease in severall places did strike and mortally wound of which mortal wounds ye said Samuel Pease did grieviously languish untill ye twelfth day of the said October and then of his mortal wounds dyed.
211
PIRATES AND PRIVATEERS
And so ye Jurors upon their oath do say that the said Elliezer Buck upon ye high seas aforesaid on ye day and year aforesaid of his mallis forethought ye said Samwell Pease in manner and form aforesaid did felloniously kill and murther contrary to ye peace of our Sovr. Lord and Lady their crown and dignity & ye laws of God and this Collony.
It appears that Wait Winthrop was one of the magistrates who tried the pirates. Whether for family reasons, his brother Adam Winthrop's wife being sister of Thomas Hawkins, or for some other cause, after their conviction he worked for a reprieve. This was granted and arrived just in time to save the life of Thomas Hawkins, who was already upon the scaffold and ready to be "turned off" when the order was received by the sheriff.
Pound and most of his company were also freed. He went to England and "died a gentleman" there a few years later.
Voted; That Eleazer Buck be remitted the sentence of death which was imposed upon him at the last Court of Assistance for piracy felony & murdor he paying the charges of prosecution & unprisioned, his release from prison is hereby ordered.
by the deputies
Ebenezer Prout
Feb. 20 1690
Consented to by the Magistrates Addington.
Appraisal of goods and vessels taken from Tho. Pound and ac- complices.
25 Oct. 1689
Mr Joseph Townsend appeared in behalfe of John Haynes* for sugar, Rhum, cotton wool and Flower taken by Tho. Pound and his accomplices, declaring he executed no other restitution
* Probably the John Haynes [Haines] who held a mortgage on a part of Naushon a few years previous.
212
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
than liberty to buy the same at the appraisal if he sees cause, judging all to be little enough for Recompense of the men that recovered them.
Nov. 8; Whereas Capt. Samuel Pease did voluntarily expose himself in the service of their Majesties and this country in the late expedition against the Pirates who infest the coast and did damage to their Majesties subjects here in which expedition he lost his life and hath left a widow and orphans in a poor low con- dition.
The convention do recommend it to the ministers of the severall Towns in this colony to make a collection in their respective con- gregations for the relief of a widow and orphans and for paying for the cares of two of the company (belonging to the said Cap- tain) that were woinded in the service - And the money that is gathered to be put into the hands of Maj. Gen. Isaac Addington and Maj. W. Winthrop to be improved for the end aforesaid as they shall judge meet.
It is to be hoped that the recommendation for the relief of the family of Captain Pease was favorably acted upon by the ministers and their congregations.
CAPTAIN POUND'S COMPANY OF PIRATES
Capt. Thomas Pound, pilot and sailing master on the Rose frig- ate; embarked from Boston in Hawkins' boat; wounded in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove, shot in the arm and side and several bones taken out; found guilty but reprieved; sent to England where charge was dismissed; given command of a ship, died in 1703 in England, honored and respected.
Thomas Hawkins, son of Capt. Thomas Hawkins, a Boston pri- vateersman, and Mary his wife, found guilty but reprieved, sent
213
PIRATES AND PRIVATEERS
to England but on the voyage was killed in an engagement with a French privateer off Cape Sable.
Thomas Johnston of Boston, the "limping privateer," embarked from Boston in Hawkins' boat; wounded in fight at Tarpaulin Cove, shot in the jaw and several bones taken out; found guilty and hanged in Boston Jan. 27, 1690; the only one of company who was executed.
Eleazer Buck embarked from Boston in Hawkins' boat, had seven holes shot through his arms in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove; found guilty but pardoned on payment of 20 marks (£13.6.8.). John Siccadam embarked from Boston in Hawkins' boat; shot through both legs in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove; found guilty but pardoned on payment of 20 marks.
John Hill, a member of Governor Andros' company of redcoats, commanded by Francis Nicholson, the first English regulars to come to Massachusetts, brought over in 1686. Stationed at Fort Loyal, Falmouth, Maine, where he held rank of corporal. Deserted and joined the expedition; killed in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove.
John Watkins, a soldier, one of the garrison at Fort Loyal, Fal- mouth, Maine, deserted and joined the expedition; killed in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove.
John Lord, a soldier, killed in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove.
James Daniels, a soldier, killed in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove.
Richard Phips, a soldier, one of the garrison at Fort Loyal, Falmouth, Maine, wounded in the head in fight at Tarpaulin Cove, was in prison in Boston, where he may have died, as he was never brought to trial.
Edward Browne joined the expedition at York River, Virginia, and was wounded in the hand to hand fight at Tarpaulin Cove; at the trial he was found not guilty.
214
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
Richard Griffin of Boston, gunsmith, embarked from Boston in Hawkins' boat; shot in the ear in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove, the bullet coming out through an eye which he lost; found guilty but pardoned on payment of 20 marks.
Daniel Lander (or Langley) came on board at Lovell's Island, Boston Harbor, and probably from frigate Rose; shot through an arm at Tarpaulin Cove, found guilty but pardoned on pay- ment of 20 marks.
Henry Dipper, a member of Governor Andros' company of red- coats commanded by Francis Nicholson, the first English regulars to come to Massachusetts, brought over in 1686. Came on board in a boat at Lovell's Island, Boston Harbor, probably from frigate Rose, killed in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove or died of wounds soon after.
John Darby, a Marblehead fisherman, one of the crew of the ketch Mary of Salem, captured by Pound; voluntarily joined the ex- pedition and was killed in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove. Left a widow and four children living at Marblehead.
Benjamin Blake, a boy who embarked from Boston in Hawkins' boat.
William Warren came on board in a boat at Lovell's Island, Bos- ton Harbor, and probably from the frigate Rose. Shot in the head in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove; found guilty but pardoned on the payment of 20 marks.
Samuel Watts came on board in a boat at Lovell's Island, Bos- ton Harbor, and probably from the frigate Rose; found guilty but pardoned on the payment of 20 marks.
William Dunn came on board in a boat at Lovell's Island, Bos- ton Harbor, and probably from the frigate Rose; found guilty but pardoned on the payment of 20 marks.
215
PIRATES AND PRIVATEERS
William Neff, son of William and Mary Neff, born in 1667 in Haverhill, Mass .; his father while in the military service against Indians died in February, 1689, at Pemaquid, Maine; a soldier and one of the garrison at Fort Loyal, Falmouth, Maine; deserted and joined the expedition; he was found not guilty of piracy as it was shown that he was "enticed and deluded away from the garrison by his corporal," John Hill; the court discharged him he paying for a gun belonging to the country's store.
William Bennet, a soldier, one of the garrison at Fort Loyal, Falmouth, Maine; deserted and joined the expedition; was a prisoner at Boston where he may have died, as he never was brought to trial.
John Giddings joined the expedition at York River, Virginia, was wounded in the fight at Tarpaulin Cove and imprisoned in Boston where he may have died, as he never was brought to trial.
For the next ten years Tarpaulin Cove does not figure in "news" of piracy. There is, however, in 1696 the account of H.M.S. Falkland, which arrived battered and forlorn from Eng- land after a midwinter voyage.
Her log has been preserved at the record office of the British Admiralty, and there is thus a day by day diary from Tarpaulin two hundred and thirty-eight years ago. Unfortunately "the weather" has the lion's share of space in the log.
VESSELS OF WAR BUILT AT PORTSMOUTH, N. H., 1690-1868
1. Falkland - guns 54 -year 1690.
The Falkland, or as sometimes spelt Faulkland, a 54 gun ship built in 1690, by order of the British Government, was the first ship of war built on this side of the Atlantic. She was a fourth
1
216
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
rate of that date, and is called by Cooper, "The first ship of the Line built in America."
"In the list of ships added to the Royal Navy since Novem- ber 5th. 1686 we find mentioned the Falkland, fourth rate, built in New England by Mr John Taylor, added to the Navy March 2, 1695, 637 tons. Establishment war, 226 men, 54 guns at home, 115 men abroad; peace, 149 men, 42 guns at home."
1696-97
CAPTAIN HANCOCK TO GOVERNOR STOUGHTON
Honbl Sir,
I received yours the 4th. Instant and would have sent an answer before now, but had no Opportunity lying in this place where we were forced being very much in want of Water and Wood when we came in, and our mast and rigging very bad and out of repair, and a great many men very sick and so we have now & Buried Eight & five Run being forced to intrust some ashore but they were all Tradesmen & came Volluntary into the service, our Main " Mast we have cut shorter and hope now it will last to Boston if we cannot have one at Road Island, where I do intend this week to sayle if Wind and Weather Presents being now in readiness, our Fore Mast is faulty being sprung with a Clapp of Thunder what I beleive must come out to, I will take all the care I can to keep my Men but now wanting of my Complement I must humbly desire some of your Honrs assistance for the getting more which is all that serves at present from
Your Honrs Most Obedient Servt Robt Hancock
Falkland in Tarrpauling Cove Jany. 18 1696/7
217
PIRATES AND PRIVATEERS
CAPTAIN HANCOCK TO GOVERNOR STOUGHTON
Hon. Sir;
I now write to you from Road Island having been here ever since the first instant, & desire Your Advice when you think it Reasonable time for comeing about, I am in a very bad condition haveing buried Twenty Men since I came into the Country & now fifty sick and Lame, but their Distempers I cannot acquaint you withall but I am in the Belief it is nothing but the colde and their Laziness withall that is the Occasion. I humbly desire that if you have any Opportunity for Ould England that you will acquaint the Lords of the Admiralty of my condition. I writt to Your Hon" before The Badness of my Masts and now no more to add but Your Honrs
Most Humble Servt. to Commd Robt. Hancock
Falkland at Road Island Feb. 5, 1696/7
GOVERNOR STOUGHTON TO LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY, LONDON
. .. I embrace this opportunity (by the way of Ireland) to ad- vise your Lordshipps of the arrival of His Maj. Ship Falkland, Capt. Robert Hancock Commander, at a place called Tarpolin Cove in the out parts of this His Maj. Province upon the 22nd. of December past, after a very long passage and being much disabled in her Masts by reason of tempestuous weather ... the place where she rode being hazardous, and the winter so far advanced as rendered it difficult for her to come about hither and the more in regard of her disability I advised the Captain to remove his ship to Rhode Island, being about nine or ten leagues distant from the aforesaid Cove, and she now lies there waiting a seasonable op- portunity to come about in order to repair. I understand from the Captain that he hath buried about twenty men since his arrival
218
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
and hath about fifty others sick and lame, but hopes when the weather grows warmer, most of them will get up again, they being chiefly pinched with the extremity of the cold.
I apprehend it may be of Special Service to his Maj. for the safety and defense of his Interests in this County that the sd ship do remain here for sometime, there being reasonable grounds to expect that We shall be attacked by a Naval force from France in the Spring or Suñer ensueing: therefore if no orders arrive from your Lordshipps to the contrary I shall advise his stay here accordingly, where he will be in readiness to convoy the next Mast Fleet upon their return home.
Rt Honble Your Lordpps Most Humble Servt.
W. Stoughton
Boston N. E. February 18th 1696/7
This poem or dedication introduces the Log of the Falkland. The last part is well worth remembering. It is a clear and beau- tiful petition for spiritual compass directions.
A Jornall of the Proseeding of his Magtys Ship the falkland with the Account of transactions and wirthy observations & accedents By Jacobus Couch Epethey
The savior of mankind mans Emanuell Who sinless died for sinn who vanquest hell The First Fruits of the grave whous Life did give Light to our Darknis in whous Death we live Strengthen thou my faith currect my will that mine may thine obey protect me still
I Jornall of the groleding of his may. Ship the fattedo with the Ground transactions and doorthy offernations & cedents & · · Jacobus Court .. Eperhoy . This Samour of mankind mans Emanuel. Who Pintos Diech for Sinn who vanguest hood This First Fruits of the grand whone Los lik gine Light to our Darkis ing Wohous Truth tus fine Fronthon then my faith Cyrroct my will. that mins man thing' Oboy protect mo still Sor that the Latter Death may have nos power My Soul Soaloch with thy Youly SoI'm that hours Orhan thou whole body spartifisch the humber Uninstly Indyois A glorious Indy shaft Come To Judy the world with Justis by that sms I may be Known and Entertained for Himno
Kord Lot thy grato wool Richly in my Part. And make mo Skillful in Hy hayenty det And Lot ma understandan. Soy wife to Know upon what point wy hansnh Contry Lys and hanging Sot my Cos& Directly thitfor great you preferus me in the Foulest wocithor
James Couth was Apainted master of his Mag! Ship Falkland warentoSon there may y8 9. Externes onbord in the ships Bookes on the 25 of May year of this at Black Stakes our profesding's- Aussinos for newengland you milling your fondus. ' prosperous roig" -- make a good beige and a Safe kiturne by order -
5
INTRODUCTION TO LOG OF H.M.S. "FALKLAND" BY JACOBUS COUCH
219
PIRATES AND PRIVATEERS
Soe that the Latter Death may have no power My soul sealed with thy seal so in that houre When thou whose body santified the tumbe Unjustly Judged A glorious Judg shall come To Judg the world with Justis by that sine I may be known and Entertained fore thine
Lord let thy Grace dwell richly in my hart And make me skillfull in thy havenly Art And Let me understand and be soe wise to know uppon what point my havenly Contry Lyes And having set my Course directly thither great god preserve me in the Fowlest weather
James Couch was appointed Master of his Majtys Ship Falk- land warented on the 20th, May yr. 96
Entered onbord in the ships Books on the 27th. of May yeare 96 ship at Black stakes our proceedings. Desined for new eng- land god willing god send us A prosperous voige . . . make a good voige and a
Safe Returne by order
EXTRACT FROM LOG OF H.M.S. "FALKLAND"
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.