- Samuel Burgess
Captain Samuel Burgess was a member of Captain
William Kidd 's crew in1690 when the "Blessed William" was seized.In
1693 ,Edward Coates became captain and the former Captain Burgess left the ship and went toNew 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". NearSaint 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 toCape Town, South Africa , by December he reached his destination. Captain Lowth of the East India Company, seized Burgess' ship and took it toBombay . Lowth also took itstreasure andslaves . The owners of the "Margaret" brought suit against the East India Company and Burgess was taken toLondon in 1701 and accused of piracy. With CaptainRobert 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 helpedJohn 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.
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