This week, we’re talking about the conflict between Puritans and pirates in the late 1600s and early 1700s. Cotton Mather is remembered for his role in the Salem Witch Trials, but he was the childhood minister to Ben Franklin, ultimate symbol of the American Enlightenment, and he died less than fifty years before our Declaration of Independence was signed. In a way, Mather was one of the last Puritans, and some of his most famous sermons are the ones he wrote for mass executions of pirates. Times were changing, setting up a conflict between rigidly hierarchical Puritan societies and fledgling democracies that could be found on board pirate ships.
Puritans and Pirates
Execution Sermons
- The Cry of Sodom Enquired Into, Samuel Danforth preaching for Benjamin Gould’s bestiality execution
- A sermon occasioned by the execution of a man found guilty of murder, both Increase and Cotton Mather on James Morgan’s murder execution
- Faithful warnings to prevent fearful judgements, Cotton Mather on Jack Quelch’s pirate crew
- Useful remarks. An essay upon remarkables in the way of wicked men, Cotton Mather on 26 pirates from Ned Low’s crew executed in Newport, RI
- The vial poured out upon the sea, Cotton Mather describes pirate William Fly’s resistance to redemption
More Primary Sources
- Ben Franklin writes to Samuel Mather with recollections about Samuel’s father, Cotton Mather, who was Ben’s childhood minister
- The 1641 Body of Liberties, the first code of laws in New England
- An entry from Cotton Mather’s diary in 1724 brags about being hated and feared by New England pirates
Articles
- Crime and Punishment in Early Massachusetts, Jules Zanger, 1965
- Not an Execution, but an Execution Sermon, Agnes Howard, 2015
- Puritans and Pirates: A Confrontation Between Cotton Mather and William Fly in 1726, Daniel E Williams, 1987
Earlier Episodes
Featured Historic Site
Pay homage to both Puritans and pirates at Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. It overlooks the site where Jack Quelch and his fellow pirates were executed, and it’s the final resting place of both Increase and Cotton Mather, along with many other famous Bostonians. It’s city property, open 10am to 5pm, with no charge.
Upcoming Event
On February 12, the Abigail Adams Historical Society hosts an author talk about the book Between Slavery and Freedom: Free People of Color in America from Settlement to the Civil War at the Tufts Library in Weymouth. Author Julie Winch is a historian who teaches at UMass Boston, and has written at least three previous books on the experiences of free black families in early America.
From their website:
During her presentation Ms. Winch will address the topic of slavery in Massachusetts, the effect of the American Revolution on its demise, and the efforts of ex-slaves to find a place for themselves in the post-Revolutionary era.
Time will be allowed for audience questions, and books will be available for purchase.
The event starts at 7pm. Admission is free; reservations are not necessary. More information.