Henry Jennings
Encyclopedia
Henry Jennings was an 18th century British
privateer
who served primarily during the War of Spanish Succession and later served as leader of the pirate haven of New Providence
.
Although little is known of Jennings' early life, he was first recorded as a privateer during the War of the Spanish Succession
operating from Jamaica
, then governed by Lord Archibald Hamilton
. There is evidence that Jennings owned enough land in Jamaica to live comfortably, thus leaving his motivations for piracy to conjecture.
His first recorded act of piracy
took place in early 1716 when, with three vessels and 150-300 men, Jennings' fleet ambushed the Spanish salvage camp from the 1715 Treasure Fleet. After forcing the retreat of around 40 soldiers, Jennings set sail for Jamaica carrying back an estimated 350,000 peso
s.
While en route to Jamaica, Jennings encountered another Spanish ship and captured another 60,000 pesos.
When Jennings encountered Sam Bellamy, he teamed with him to commit more piracies against the French. When Bellamy double-crossed him, Jennings' ruthlessness was evidenced in the brutal slaying of more than 20 Frenchmen and Englishmen, and the burning of an innocent Englishman's merchant sloop.
Jennings was declared a pirate by the very governor
who had commissioned him & originally condoned his actions (taking a cut for himself). Jennings was forced to flee Jamaica and eventually established a new base of operations in New Providence
in the Bahamas. Based out of Nassau
for a time, Jennings became an unofficial mayor of the growing pirate colony.
In early 1718, Jennings surrendered to authorities following the general amnesty declared by the newly appointed Governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers
. He retired as a wealthy plantation
owner in Bermuda, where he received his pardon.
He is one of very few pirates said to have enjoyed a successful retirement. It is unknown what his ultimate fate was, though some historians speculate that he was captured by the Spanish in his later years, dying in ambiguity in a New Spain prison. Other legends have him growing old with his family in Bermuda.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
who served primarily during the War of Spanish Succession and later served as leader of the pirate haven of New Providence
New Providence
New Providence is the most populous island in the Bahamas, containing more than 70% of the total population. It also houses the national capital city, Nassau.The island was originally under Spanish control following Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World, but the Spanish government showed...
.
Although little is known of Jennings' early life, he was first recorded as a privateer during the War of the Spanish Succession
War of the Spanish Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have...
operating from Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, then governed by Lord Archibald Hamilton
Lord Archibald Hamilton
Lord Archibald Hamilton was a British politician.Hamilton was the youngest son of William Douglas-Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton and Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton. He became a Captain in the Royal Navy and in 1708, was elected as MP for Lanarkshire...
. There is evidence that Jennings owned enough land in Jamaica to live comfortably, thus leaving his motivations for piracy to conjecture.
His first recorded act of piracy
Piracy
Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence at sea. The term can include acts committed on land, in the air, or in other major bodies of water or on a shore. It does not normally include crimes committed against persons traveling on the same vessel as the perpetrator...
took place in early 1716 when, with three vessels and 150-300 men, Jennings' fleet ambushed the Spanish salvage camp from the 1715 Treasure Fleet. After forcing the retreat of around 40 soldiers, Jennings set sail for Jamaica carrying back an estimated 350,000 peso
Peso
The word peso was the name of a coin that originated in Spain and became of immense importance internationally...
s.
While en route to Jamaica, Jennings encountered another Spanish ship and captured another 60,000 pesos.
When Jennings encountered Sam Bellamy, he teamed with him to commit more piracies against the French. When Bellamy double-crossed him, Jennings' ruthlessness was evidenced in the brutal slaying of more than 20 Frenchmen and Englishmen, and the burning of an innocent Englishman's merchant sloop.
Jennings was declared a pirate by the very governor
Lord Archibald Hamilton
Lord Archibald Hamilton was a British politician.Hamilton was the youngest son of William Douglas-Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton and Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton. He became a Captain in the Royal Navy and in 1708, was elected as MP for Lanarkshire...
who had commissioned him & originally condoned his actions (taking a cut for himself). Jennings was forced to flee Jamaica and eventually established a new base of operations in New Providence
New Providence
New Providence is the most populous island in the Bahamas, containing more than 70% of the total population. It also houses the national capital city, Nassau.The island was originally under Spanish control following Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World, but the Spanish government showed...
in the Bahamas. Based out of Nassau
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 248,948 , 70 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
for a time, Jennings became an unofficial mayor of the growing pirate colony.
In early 1718, Jennings surrendered to authorities following the general amnesty declared by the newly appointed Governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers
Woodes Rogers
Woodes Rogers was an English sea captain, privateer, and, later, the first Royal Governor of the Bahamas. He is known as the captain of the vessel that rescued the marooned Alexander Selkirk, whose plight is generally believed to have inspired Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.Rogers came from an...
. He retired as a wealthy plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
owner in Bermuda, where he received his pardon.
He is one of very few pirates said to have enjoyed a successful retirement. It is unknown what his ultimate fate was, though some historians speculate that he was captured by the Spanish in his later years, dying in ambiguity in a New Spain prison. Other legends have him growing old with his family in Bermuda.