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John Quelch (pirate)
Encyclopedia
John Quelch had a lucrative but very brief career of about one year. His chief claim to historical significance is that he was the first person to be tried for piracy outside of England under Admiralty Law and thus without a jury. These Admiralty courts had been instituted to tackle the rise of piracy in colonial ports where civil and criminal courts had proved ineffective.
of Boston
sent out Captain Daniel Plowman of the Charles with a privateer
ing license to attack French
and Spanish
ships off the coast of Newfoundland and Arcadia
. John Quelch was Plowman's lieutenant. Before leaving Marblehead, Massachusetts
, the Charless crew under Quartermaster
Anthony Holding mutinied and locked the ailing Plowman in his cabin. The crew elected Quelch the captain
, who turned the Charles south. Plowman was thrown overboard, although it was never established whether he was dead or alive at that moment. The crew plundered nine Portuguese
ships off the coast of Brazil
and gained a large sum of money, even though England
and Portugal
were at peace at the time. The Charles contained large amounts of Brazilian sugar, hides, cloth, guns, gold dust and coins. The loot's total value is estimated at over £10,000 sterling (some £1 million in today's money). Before their capture, legend says the crew buried some of the gold on Star Island
off the coast of New Hampshire
. In the 1800s some gold coins were found hidden in a stone wall there.
10 months later, the crewmen scattered with their plunder. Within a week, Quelch was in jail, because the Portuguese
were not in his letter of marque
and more importantly, Queen Anne
and the King of Portugal had just became allies. He and others of his crew were taken to Boston
to be tried. This was the first admiralty
trial outside of England
. It was called by one historian "the first case of judicial murder in America." On Friday, June 30, 1704, the pirates were marched on foot through Boston
to Scarlet's Wharf accompanied by a guard of musketeer
s, various officials, and two ministers, while in front was carried a silver oar, the emblem of the Lord High Admiral
. Upon reaching the gallows
, the minister gave the pirates a long and fervent sermon. All of the pirates showed repentance
on their faces except Captain Quelch. Before he was hanged, Quelch stepped up while holding his hat and bowed to the spectators. He also gave a short address and warned them, "They should take care how they brought Money into New England
to be Hanged for it." Their bodies were buried in between the tide marks.
and was equipped to go privateering off the coast of Newfoundland and Arcadia
.
Of the above, six including Quelch were hanged. More than half the crew escaped capture. Parrot, Clifford, and Pimer had turned Queen's evidence and escaped prosecution. John Templeton was found to be only a servant on the ship and was not even 14, so he was released.
Popular myth has it that John Quelch flew a pirate flag referred to as Old Roger by his crew. It is sometimes considered to be the origin of the name Jolly Roger
. It is alleged that his theme was later borrowed by Blackbeard
and also Bartholomew "Black Bart" Roberts. There is no evidence whatsoever that Quelch flew any flag other than the Flag of St. George or possibly a privateer's flag of St. George quartered on a red background similar to today's British merchant colors. Courtroom testimony from the crew maintained that the flag of England had been flown at all times. The origin of this myth of Quelch's flag being described as having "in the middle of it an Anatomy
with an Hourglass
in one hand and a dart
in the Heart with three drops of Blood proceeding from it in the other." most likely stems from the poetic license of Ralph D. Paine
, a popular writer at the turn of the 20th century. None of the principals involved in the affair, not even the Governor or the prosecution, ever mentioned such colors being employed by Quelch.
Pirate career
In July, 1703, Governor Joseph DudleyJoseph Dudley
Joseph Dudley was an English colonial administrator. A native of Roxbury, Massachusetts and son of one of its founders, he had a leading role in the administration of the unpopular Dominion of New England , and served briefly on the council of the Province of New York, where he oversaw the trial...
of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
sent out Captain Daniel Plowman of the Charles with a 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...
ing license to attack French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
ships off the coast of Newfoundland and Arcadia
Arcadia, Nova Scotia
Arcadia is a small community in Nova Scotia, Canada. It was originally known as "Upper Chebogue" but the change to Arcadia was made in 1863. While the word itself may be traced back to the native name for a land of peace and contentment, the place name was suggested by the ship "Arcadia" that was...
. John Quelch was Plowman's lieutenant. Before leaving Marblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,808 at the 2010 census. It is home to the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Devereux Beach...
, the Charless crew under Quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior...
Anthony Holding mutinied and locked the ailing Plowman in his cabin. The crew elected Quelch the captain
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
, who turned the Charles south. Plowman was thrown overboard, although it was never established whether he was dead or alive at that moment. The crew plundered nine Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
ships off the coast of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and gained a large sum of money, even though England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
were at peace at the time. The Charles contained large amounts of Brazilian sugar, hides, cloth, guns, gold dust and coins. The loot's total value is estimated at over £10,000 sterling (some £1 million in today's money). Before their capture, legend says the crew buried some of the gold on Star Island
Star Island
Star Island is one of the Isles of Shoals that straddle the border between New Hampshire and Maine, seven miles from the mainland in the Atlantic Ocean. Star Island is the largest of the four islands in the group that are located in New Hampshire...
off the coast of New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. In the 1800s some gold coins were found hidden in a stone wall there.
Death
When the Charles returned to MarbleheadMarblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,808 at the 2010 census. It is home to the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Devereux Beach...
10 months later, the crewmen scattered with their plunder. Within a week, Quelch was in jail, because the Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
were not in his letter of marque
Letter of marque
In the days of fighting sail, a Letter of Marque and Reprisal was a government licence authorizing a person to attack and capture enemy vessels, and bring them before admiralty courts for condemnation and sale...
and more importantly, Queen Anne
Anne of Great Britain
Anne ascended the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Act of Union, two of her realms, England and Scotland, were united as a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.Anne's Catholic father, James II and VII, was deposed during the...
and the King of Portugal had just became allies. He and others of his crew were taken to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
to be tried. This was the first admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
trial outside of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was called by one historian "the first case of judicial murder in America." On Friday, June 30, 1704, the pirates were marched on foot through Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
to Scarlet's Wharf accompanied by a guard of musketeer
Musketeer
A musketeer was an early modern type of infantry soldier equipped with a musket. Musketeers were an important part of early modern armies, particularly in Europe. They sometimes could fight on horseback, like a dragoon or a cavalryman...
s, various officials, and two ministers, while in front was carried a silver oar, the emblem of the Lord High Admiral
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
. Upon reaching the gallows
Gallows
A gallows is a frame, typically wooden, used for execution by hanging, or by means to torture before execution, as was used when being hanged, drawn and quartered...
, the minister gave the pirates a long and fervent sermon. All of the pirates showed repentance
Repentance
Repentance is a change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to religious law...
on their faces except Captain Quelch. Before he was hanged, Quelch stepped up while holding his hat and bowed to the spectators. He also gave a short address and warned them, "They should take care how they brought Money into New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
to be Hanged for it." Their bodies were buried in between the tide marks.
Charles
The Charles was an eighty ton vessel built in Boston between 1701 and 1703. It was owned by some of the most prominent people in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and was equipped to go privateering off the coast of Newfoundland and Arcadia
Arcadia, Nova Scotia
Arcadia is a small community in Nova Scotia, Canada. It was originally known as "Upper Chebogue" but the change to Arcadia was made in 1863. While the word itself may be traced back to the native name for a land of peace and contentment, the place name was suggested by the ship "Arcadia" that was...
.
Crew
Here follows a list of all the known crewmembers aboard the Charles while Quelch was Captain.- Austin, James
- Breck, John
- Carter, Dennis
- Carter, John
- Chevalle, Daniel
- Clifford, John
- Chuley, Daniel
- Davis, Gabriel
- Dorothy, John
- Dunbar, Nicholas
- Farrington, Thomas
- Giddens, Paul
- Harwood, John
- Holding, Anthony
- Hutnot, Joseph
- James, Charles
- Johnson, Isaac
- Jones, William
- King, Charles
- King, Francis
- King, John
- Lambert, John
- Lawson, Nicholas
- Lawrence, Richard
- Miller, John
- Norton, George
- Pierse, George
- Perkins, Benjamin
- Parrot, James
- Pattison, James
- Perkins, Benjamin
- Peterson, Erasmus
- Pitman, John
- Pimer, Matthew
- Quelch, Captain John
- Quittance, John
- Rayner, William
- Richardson, Nicholas
- Roach, Peter
- Scudamore, Christopher
- Templeton, John
- Thurbar, Richard
- Whiting, William
- Way, John
- Wiles, William
Of the above, six including Quelch were hanged. More than half the crew escaped capture. Parrot, Clifford, and Pimer had turned Queen's evidence and escaped prosecution. John Templeton was found to be only a servant on the ship and was not even 14, so he was released.
Old Roger?
Jolly Roger
The Jolly Roger is any of various flags flown to identify a ship's crew as pirates. The flag most commonly identified as the Jolly Roger today is the skull and crossbones, a flag consisting of a human skull above two long bones set in an x-mark arrangement on a black field. This design was used by...
. It is alleged that his theme was later borrowed by Blackbeard
Blackbeard
Edward Teach , better known as Blackbeard, was a notorious English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of the American colonies....
and also Bartholomew "Black Bart" Roberts. There is no evidence whatsoever that Quelch flew any flag other than the Flag of St. George or possibly a privateer's flag of St. George quartered on a red background similar to today's British merchant colors. Courtroom testimony from the crew maintained that the flag of England had been flown at all times. The origin of this myth of Quelch's flag being described as having "in the middle of it an Anatomy
Human anatomy
Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye...
with an Hourglass
Hourglass
An hourglass measures the passage of a few minutes or an hour of time. It has two connected vertical glass bulbs allowing a regulated trickle of material from the top to the bottom. Once the top bulb is empty, it can be inverted to begin timing again. The name hourglass comes from historically...
in one hand and a dart
Dart (missile)
Darts are missile weapons, designed to fly such that a sharp, often weighted point will strike first. They can be distinguished from javelins by fletching and a shaft that is shorter and/or more flexible, and from arrows by the fact that they are not of the right length to use with a normal...
in the Heart with three drops of Blood proceeding from it in the other." most likely stems from the poetic license of Ralph D. Paine
Ralph D. Paine
Ralph Delahaye Paine was an American journalist and author popular in the early 20th century. Later, he held both elected and appointed government offices.-Life and career:...
, a popular writer at the turn of the 20th century. None of the principals involved in the affair, not even the Governor or the prosecution, ever mentioned such colors being employed by Quelch.