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Stede Bonnet

Barbados major and gentleman who turned pirate, sailed in consort with Edward Teach, and was convicted on two counts of piracy at Charles Town and hanged in December 1718.

BornNot establishedDiedexecuted 10 December 1718, Charles Town (O.S.)Also writtenStede Bonnet, alias Edwards (1718 arraignment); Stede Bonnet, alias Thomas (1718 arraignment); Captain Thomas (the working name of the 1718 cruise); Major Stede Bonnet (the 1719 trial print); Bonnett (Bennett's and Spotswood's despatches, 1718); The Gentleman Pirate (modern epithet, not period)

Bonnet is the rare pirate whose guilt a court decided. He was arraigned before the Court of Vice-Admiralty at Charles Town in 1718, convicted on two counts of piracy and sentenced, and the Governor of South Carolina named him in an official despatch while he was still alive.3

The names he answered to

The arraignment put three names on him at once: "Stede Bonnet, alias Edwards, alias Thomas, late of Barbadoes, Mariner." Both aliases are sworn court usage. He held the rank of Major and stood there as a Barbados gentleman of estate and education. Judge Nicholas Trott allowed him that much from the bench while condemning him, addressing him as "a Gentleman that have had the Advantage of a liberal Education, and being generally esteemed a Man of Letters." The Gentleman Pirate is a modern epithet. The period forms are Stede Bonnet, Major Stede Bonnet, alias Edwards, alias Thomas, and Captain Thomas.4,5,6

The sloop carries two names as well. The court called her the sloop "formerly called the Revenge, but afterwards the Royal James," renamed while her captain pretended to hold the King's pardon, and she has a record of her own here. Bonnet, Johnson wrote, "was pleased to have himself called Captain Thomas," and went back on the account "by the Name of Captain Thomas."7,8

What officials wrote while he was alive

Three colonial officials wrote of him by name that year. Lieutenant Governor Bennett of Bermuda, writing to the Council of Trade and Plantations on 31 May 1718, ran through the pirates then at sea and began with "one Tatch with whom is Major Bonnett of Barbados in a ship of 36 guns and 300 men." That is Bonnet in consort with Edward Teach. By then he had lost his own sloop to one of Teach's men; the companies parted later. On 22 December Lieutenant Governor Spotswood of Virginia reported to the same board what had reached him out of North Carolina, "that Major Bonnett who was one of Tach's associates and surrendered with him, was gone out again in a sloop." The Governor and Council of South Carolina had written on 12 December, looking back at their own letter of 21 October and the business it reported, "the action of taking Majr. Stede Bonnet, and his crew at Cape Fear, by Collo. William Rhett." Rhett had taken him at the Cape Fear River on 26 and 27 September.9,10,11,12,1

The two counts

Two takings were prosecuted. The first indictment laid the piratical seizure of the merchant sloop Francis, Peter Manwaring commander, off Cape James alias Cape Inlopen on 2 August 1718, and the carrying away of her lading; Johnson spells her Frances, the reproductions Francis. The second laid the sloop Fortune, Thomas Read commander, taken on 31 August. A jury convicted him on the first. He confessed the second in open court. Trott then told him from the bench that he had "pyratically took and rifled no less than thirteen Vessels, since you sail'd from North-Carolina," which puts eleven further takings on the court's record and none on an indictment. The murder charge turned on a point of commission: holding none, Trott reasoned, Bonnet could not lawfully fight, and the men killed resisting him were murdered, "the Power of the Sword not being committed into your Hands by any lawful Authority, you were not impowered to use any Force."13,14,15,16

Where the figures disagree

Two sets of numbers will not reconcile. Trott charged that Bonnet had killed no less than eighteen of the men sent against him by lawful authority. Johnson's own casualty list totals twelve, ten aboard the Henry and two aboard the Sea Nymph. Trott's figure was doing legal work, since the murder charge stood on it. The sloop's force splits the same way: ten guns and seventy men at the fitting out in Johnson, eight guns and fifty men in Governor Robert Johnson's despatch describing her as taken.17,18

The year at sea

Johnson alone carries the year that followed the fitting out in 1717: the captures off the Capes of Virginia with the Turbet of Barbados burned, two more off the bar of South Carolina that August, Joseph Palmer's sloop kept and burned and Thomas Porter's brigantine plundered and dismissed, the plan for St Thomas, the men left marooned. He put the whole turn down to "a Disorder in his Mind" occasioned by "some Discomforts he found in a married State." At the trial the prisoners pretended, Johnson wrote, that "they were taken off a Maroon Shore" and were forced into the trade, Bonnet pleading force along with them. The court did not accept it.19,20,21

He broke out of custody at Charles Town on or about 24 October 1718 with his sailing master Herriot, and was retaken at Sullivan's Island, Herriot killed in the taking. The court had opened on 28 October. He was hanged on 10 December 1718. The dates are Old Style, unconverted. His trial and hanging and Blackbeard's blockade of Charles Town are records of their own.2,22

The print

"The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates" was printed for Benjamin Cowse at London in 1719, a folio of six preliminary pages and fifty of proceedings, and the Law Library of Congress holds a copy out of the old Peter Force Collection. Johnson's General History of 1724 prints the arraignment, the trial heading and Trott's sentencing speech word for word.23,24

What is missing is the man before 1717. His birth, his parentage and his marriage are carried by no document read for this record, and the Barbados baptismal records that would settle the first of them have not been opened. Neither has the Boston News-Letter for 1718, nor David Herriot's deposition and the Rhett account printed in front of the Tryals, nor the page images of the 1719 printing itself. Nothing above rests on any of them.25

What the evidence does not settle

Origins

  • Birth, parentage and marriage, including the Barbados baptismal record
  • A christening at Christ Church, Barbados on 29 July 1688 is reported

Cape Fear casualties

  • Trott counts eighteen King's men killed at Cape Fear; Johnson counts twelve

Fitting-out armament

  • Fitting out given as ten guns, seventy men, or eight and fifty

Each line is one question with its own grade, taken from the register where a claim carries it. Nothing here is graded as a whole.

Sources for this record

Every statement above that rests on a checked claim carries a small number; the numbers lead here. Each entry gives what is claimed, how far the record supports it, and where it comes from.

  1. Stede Bonnet was defeated and captured at the mouth of the Cape Fear River on 26 to 27 September 1718 by a South Carolina expedition under Colonel William Rhett, in an action called the Battle of Cape Fear River or the Battle of the Sandbars, in which all three fighting vessels grounded on the falling tide and exchanged small arms fire for about five to six hours until the returning tide floated Rhett's heavier force first and Bonnet surrendered. Unverified Reported, not yet checked against the record. Period narrative: Nic Butler, "The Pirate Executions of 1718", Charleston Time Machine, Charleston County Public Library; "The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates" (London, 1719)
  2. Held under guard in the town marshal's house at Charles Town because the town gaol was inadequate, Bonnet escaped on or about 24 October 1718, reportedly in disguise and with the help of sympathisers, in company with his sailing master Herriot; Rhett pursued and the pair were recaptured on or near Sullivan's Island, Herriot being killed in the taking and Bonnet returned to custody. Unverified Reported, not yet checked against the record. Period narrative: Nic Butler, "The Pirate Executions of 1718", Charleston Time Machine, Charleston County Public Library; "A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates" (1724), attributed to Captain Charles Johnson, for the escape narrative only
  3. Stede Bonnet, late of Barbados, mariner, is a securely documented person who was named as a defendant in a sworn record of the Court of Vice-Admiralty at Charles Town in 1718 and reported by name in the Governor of South Carolina's official despatch, and whose guilt on two counts of piracy was adjudicated by a court rather than merely alleged. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Trial pamphlet and calendared state papers: The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, LoC item 33008758; Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Vol 30, October 1718, No. 730 (Gov. Robert Johnson to the Council of Trade and Plantations), C.O. 5, 1265. No. 121; and 5, 1293. pp. 173-175
  4. Johnson's General History reprints the arraignment, which names him "Stede Bonnet, alias Edwards, alias Thomas, late of Barbadoes, Mariner", so that both court aliases are part of the sworn record. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period narrative reprinting the trial record: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Project Gutenberg ebook 40580; The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, LoC item 33008758
  5. He held the rank of Major and was a Barbados gentleman of estate and education, and in the sentencing speech Johnson reprints, Judge Nicholas Trott addresses him as "a Gentleman that have had the Advantage of a liberal Education, and being generally esteemed a Man of Letters". Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period narrative reprinting the trial record: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Project Gutenberg ebook 40580; The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, LoC item 33008758
  6. The name forms attested in the period record are Stede Bonnet, Major Stede Bonnet, alias Edwards, alias Thomas and Captain Thomas, while the epithet the Gentleman Pirate is modern. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Trial pamphlet: The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, LoC item 33008758; A General History of the Pyrates, Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew
  7. The heading of the Charles Town proceedings, as Johnson reprints it, describes the vessel as a sloop "formerly called the Revenge, but afterwards the Royal James", renamed while her captain pretended to hold the King's pardon. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period narrative reprinting the trial record: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Project Gutenberg ebook 40580; The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, LoC item 33008758
  8. Johnson writes that Bonnet "was pleased to have himself called Captain Thomas" and, having received the King's mercy in the name of Stede Bonnet, relapsed into his old vocation "by the Name of Captain Thomas". Possible Consistent with the evidence, not established. Period narrative: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Project Gutenberg ebook 40580
  9. Lieutenant Governor Bennett of Bermuda, writing to the Council of Trade and Plantations on 31 May 1718, listed among the pirates then at sea "one Tatch with whom is Major Bonnett of Barbados in a ship of 36 guns and 300 men". Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared state papers: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, vol. 30, no. 551, Lt. Governor Bennett to the Council of Trade and Plantations, Bermuda, 31 May 1718; C.O. 37, 10. Nos. 10, 10 i.-x.
  10. Bonnet sailed in consort with Edward Teach, was laid aside so that one of Teach's men commanded his sloop, and parted from Teach after the loss of the Queen Anne's Revenge. Possible Consistent with the evidence, not established. Period narrative: A General History of the Pyrates, Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Gutenberg ebook 40580; The Pirates of Colonial North Carolina, ch. 3 and Appendix I (Hugh F. Rankin)
  11. Lieutenant Governor Spotswood of Virginia reported to the Council of Trade and Plantations on 22 December 1718 that he had received advice from North Carolina "that Major Bonnett who was one of Tach's associates and surrendered with him, was gone out again in a sloop". Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared state papers: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, vol. 30, no. 800, Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council of Trade and Plantations, Virginia, 22 December 1718; C.O. 5, 1318. Nos. 61, 61 i.-vi.
  12. The Governor and Council of South Carolina, writing on 12 December 1718, referred back to their despatch of 21 October reporting "the action of taking Majr. Stede Bonnet, and his crew at Cape Fear, by Collo. William Rhett", which is contemporary official corroboration of the capture independent of the trial print. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Calendared state papers: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, vol. 30, no. 787, Governor and Council of South Carolina to the Council of Trade and Plantations, 12 December 1718; C.O. 5, 1265. No. 119; and 5, 1293. pp. 166, 167; Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Vol 30, October 1718, No. 730 (Gov. Robert Johnson to the Council of Trade and Plantations), C.O. 5, 1265. No. 121
  13. The first indictment charged him with piratically seizing the merchant sloop Francis, Peter Manwaring commander, off Cape James alias Cape Inlopen on 2 August 1718 and carrying her away with her lading; Johnson spells the sloop Frances and the reproductions give Francis. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Trial pamphlet: The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, LoC item 33008758; A General History of the Pyrates, Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew; The Charleston Pirate Trials of 1718 (Charleston Time Machine)
  14. The second indictment charged the piratical seizure of the merchant sloop Fortune, Thomas Read commander, on 31 August 1718; he was convicted by jury verdict on the first indictment and confessed guilt on the second. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Trial pamphlet: The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, LoC item 33008758; A General History of the Pyrates, Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew; The Charleston Pirate Trials of 1718 (Charleston Time Machine)
  15. In the sentencing speech Johnson reprints, Trott tells Bonnet that he had "pyratically took and rifled no less than thirteen Vessels, since you sail'd from North-Carolina", and might have been convicted of eleven more acts of piracy than the two indicted. Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period narrative reprinting the trial record: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Project Gutenberg ebook 40580; The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, LoC item 33008758
  16. Trott's legal theory, in the speech Johnson reprints, was that because Bonnet held no lawful commission the men killed resisting him were murdered: "the Power of the Sword not being committed into your Hands by any lawful Authority, you were not impowered to use any Force". Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Period narrative reprinting the trial record: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Project Gutenberg ebook 40580
  17. The casualty figures for the Cape Fear action do not agree: Trott charged that Bonnet had killed no less than eighteen of those sent against him by lawful authority, while Johnson's own tally is twelve killed, ten aboard the Henry and two aboard the Sea Nymph. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Trial pamphlet and period narrative: Stede Bonnet and the Golden Age of Piracy, Part Two (In Custodia Legis blog); A General History of the Pyrates, Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew
  18. The force of his sloop is reported two ways: Johnson gives ten guns and seventy men at the fitting out, while Governor Robert Johnson's despatch describes the captured vessel as of eight guns and fifty men. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Period narrative and calendared state papers: A General History of the Pyrates, Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew; Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Vol 30, October 1718, No. 730 (Gov. Robert Johnson to the Council of Trade and Plantations), C.O. 5, 1265. No. 121
  19. The early chronology rests on Charles Johnson alone: the fitting out in 1717, the captures off the Capes of Virginia including the Turbet of Barbados burned, the two takings off the bar of South Carolina in August 1717 with Joseph Palmer's sloop kept and burned and Thomas Porter's brigantine plundered and dismissed, the plan for St Thomas and the marooned men. Possible Consistent with the evidence, not established. Period narrative: A General History of the Pyrates, Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Gutenberg ebook 40580
  20. Johnson attributes Bonnet's turn to piracy to "a Disorder in his Mind" said to have been occasioned by "some Discomforts he found in a married State", a motive no independent source carries. Possible Consistent with the evidence, not established. Period narrative: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Project Gutenberg ebook 40580
  21. Johnson records that the prisoners made little or no defence, "every one pretending only that they were taken off a Maroon Shore", and that Bonnet himself pleaded force rather than inclination, a defence the court rejected. Possible Consistent with the evidence, not established. Period narrative: A General History of the Pyrates (London, 1724), Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Project Gutenberg ebook 40580
  22. The Court of Vice-Admiralty opened on 28 October 1718 and Bonnet was executed on 10 December 1718, dates given Old Style as the 1718 records give them. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Trial pamphlet: The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, LoC item 33008758; Stede Bonnet and the Golden Age of Piracy, Part Two (In Custodia Legis blog)
  23. The printed trial record, The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, was printed for Benjamin Cowse at London in 1719 in folio, vi and 50 pages, and is held in the Law Library of the Library of Congress, formerly in the Peter Force Collection. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Library catalogue record: Library of Congress catalogue record for The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, LoC item 33008758; page-image set llscd.201000158861859
  24. The continuous text of the 1719 printing was not read for this record; its wording reaches this page through page-cited excerpts reproduced by the Law Library of Congress and a Charleston County Public Library feature, and through Johnson's General History of 1724, which prints the arraignment, the form of the indictment and Trott's sentencing speech verbatim. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Modern scholarship and period narrative: Stede Bonnet and the Golden Age of Piracy, Part Two (In Custodia Legis blog); The Charleston Pirate Trials of 1718 (Charleston Time Machine); A General History of the Pyrates, Chap. IV, Of Major Stede Bonnet, and his Crew, Gutenberg ebook 40580
  25. Items located but not read for this record are the Boston News-Letter reports of 1718, David Herriot's deposition and the Rhett account prefatory to the Tryals, the Library of Congress page images of the 1719 printing and the Barbados baptismal records, and no fact on this page rests on any of them. Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Trial pamphlet: The Tryals of Major Stede Bonnet, and Other Pirates, LoC item 33008758