The ArchivesShipsPearl
Pearl
Thomas Paine's Pearl, a Rhode Island privateering vessel associated with the St Augustine raid and later seized at Boston for breach of the Acts of Trade.
Launchedby 1683Toseized December 1683, Boston
Thomas Paine's Pearl, a Rhode Island privateering vessel associated with the St Augustine raid and later seized at Boston for breach of the Acts of Trade.
What the record establishes
The Pearl was seized at Boston on 1 December 1683 for breach of the Acts of Trade, per a certificate signed 'Barna. Randolph' and received in England on 26 January 1684/5 (Col. Papers, Vol. LII., No. 76)1
The fate of the ship Pearl after the December 1683 seizure is not established by any source read this session2
The identity of the certifying officer 'Barna. Randolph' is not established; the surname invites but does not confirm a connection to Edward Randolph, the customs surveyor active in New England3
Thomas Paine settled at Conanicut Island (Jamestown), Rhode Island about 1688, helped repel a French privateer raid on Block Island in July 1690, was visited by William Kidd in 1699 and died in 17154
What the evidence does not settle
The identity between the raiding vessel and the Pearl seized at Boston is an inference; her construction, armament and later fate lack a contemporary survey.
What the evidence does not settle
Vessel identity
- Whether the raiding Pearl was the ship later seized at Boston
Construction and armament
- A contemporary survey of Pearl
Later fate
- What became of Pearl after December 1683Confirmed
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.
- The Pearl was seized at Boston on 1 December 1683 for breach of the Acts of Trade, per a certificate signed 'Barna. Randolph' and received in England on 26 January 1684/5 (Col. Papers, Vol. LII., No. 76) Very likely Strong evidence, short of proof. Statute: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 11 (1681-1685), entry 1425 (December 1683)
- The fate of the ship Pearl after the December 1683 seizure is not established by any source read this session Confirmed Directly supported by the record. Statute: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 11 (1681-1685), entry 1425 (December 1683)
- The identity of the certifying officer 'Barna. Randolph' is not established; the surname invites but does not confirm a connection to Edward Randolph, the customs surveyor active in New England Possible Consistent with the evidence, not established. Statute: Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 11 (1681-1685), entry 1425 (December 1683)
- Thomas Paine settled at Conanicut Island (Jamestown), Rhode Island about 1688, helped repel a French privateer raid on Block Island in July 1690, was visited by William Kidd in 1699 and died in 1715 Likely More likely than not on the evidence we have. Modern scholarship: Paine went from high seas to early Jamestown settler; Pirates: Thomas Paine drives pirates from Block Island