Samuel Burgess
Encyclopedia
For the English rugby league footballer of the same name see Sam Burgess
Captain Samuel Burgess was a member of Captain William Kidd
's crew in 1690 when the Blessed William was seized.
In 1693, Edward Coates became captain and the former Captain Burgess left the ship and went to New York
. He arrived in April, bought a house and took on a job with Frederick Phillips, New York's wealthiest merchant. Over the next few years Burgess made many profitable voyages to Madagascar selling supplies and guns to pirates in exchange for gold and slaves.
Around September 1699, Burgess was in command of the Margaret. Near Saint Mary's Island he ran into a British fleet and was offered a pardon for any piratical activities. Several of Burgess' crew accepted and bought passage home with the fleet. Burgess sailed to Cape Town, South Africa, by December he reached his destination. Captain Lowth of the East India Company
, seized Burgess' ship and took it to Bombay. Lowth also took its treasure
and slaves. The owners of the Margaret brought suit against the East India Company and Burgess was taken to London
in 1701 and accused of piracy. With Captain Robert Culliford
's testimony, Burgess was convicted. Eventually he secured a pardon for his crimes and signed aboard a privateer, sailing for the Pacific.
Burgess then became first mate aboard the Neptune and went to Madagascar
to trade liquor for slaves. When a sudden storm wrecked the pirates' ships, Burgess helped John Halsey
seize the Neptune. Burgess was made Quartermaster but lost it soon after when Captain Halsey died. After losing his position, Burgess stayed at Madagascar, dealing in slaves with David Williams. Following an argument concerning prizes with a black chief, Burgess died of poison, presumably at the chief's hand.
Sam Burgess
Sam Burgess is an English professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League...
Captain Samuel Burgess was a member of Captain William Kidd
William Kidd
William "Captain" Kidd was a Scottish sailor remembered for his trial and execution for piracy after returning from a voyage to the Indian Ocean. Some modern historians deem his piratical reputation unjust, as there is evidence that Kidd acted only as a privateer...
's crew in 1690 when the Blessed William was seized.
In 1693, Edward Coates became captain and the former Captain Burgess left the ship and went to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He arrived in April, bought a house and took on a job with Frederick Phillips, New York's wealthiest merchant. Over the next few years Burgess made many profitable voyages to Madagascar selling supplies and guns to pirates in exchange for gold and slaves.
Around September 1699, Burgess was in command of the Margaret. Near Saint Mary's Island he ran into a British fleet and was offered a pardon for any piratical activities. Several of Burgess' crew accepted and bought passage home with the fleet. Burgess sailed to Cape Town, South Africa, by December he reached his destination. Captain Lowth of the East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
, seized Burgess' ship and took it to Bombay. Lowth also took its treasure
Treasure
Treasure is a concentration of riches, often one which is considered lost or forgotten until being rediscovered...
and slaves. The owners of the Margaret brought suit against the East India Company and Burgess was taken to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1701 and accused of piracy. With Captain Robert Culliford
Robert Culliford
Robert Culliford was an English pirate from Cornwall who is best remembered for repeatedly checking the designs of Captain William Kidd.-Early career and capture:...
's testimony, Burgess was convicted. Eventually he secured a pardon for his crimes and signed aboard a privateer, sailing for the Pacific.
Burgess then became first mate aboard the Neptune and went to Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
to trade liquor for slaves. When a sudden storm wrecked the pirates' ships, Burgess helped John Halsey
John Halsey
John Halsey was a colonial American privateer and a later pirate who was active in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans during the early 18th century. Although much of his life and career is unknown, he is recorded in A General History of the Pyrates which states "He was brave in his Person, courteous...
seize the Neptune. Burgess was made Quartermaster but lost it soon after when Captain Halsey died. After losing his position, Burgess stayed at Madagascar, dealing in slaves with David Williams. Following an argument concerning prizes with a black chief, Burgess died of poison, presumably at the chief's hand.