Thomas tew born
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| This pirate flag is attributed to the pirate Thomas Tew of Rhode Island |
A Halloween genealogy myth?
I was reading about Thomas Tew (about 1649 –about 1695), the Rhode Island pirate, and when I saw some of his genealogy I compared it to my family tree. I was surprised to see that according to one account I was his 8th great grand niece (at least according to the kinship report on my Family Tree Maker software!) If I can believe this lineage then I am descended of his sister, Seaborn Tew.
According to most sources, Thomas Tew is not recognized as a son of Richard Tew and Mary Clark (see Savage's Genealogical Dictionary of the the First Settlers of New England). Richard Tew's will does not name Thomas, but then again, would you include an outlaw son in your will? In the meantime, Rhode Island claims him as a locally bred pirate son, and there is even a rum made in Newport named after Thomas Tew.
Many New Englanders earned their living as mariners and sailors, and of course, when it was profitable, some of these mariners turned to privateering. A privateer was a completely legal enterprise, during times of war or aggression. However, I’m not surprised that a few privateers became out and out pirates.&nb
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Thomas Tew (1640-September 1695) was a filibuster from Rhode Island who operated engage the Peaceful Ocean abut Henry Every so often. He acceptably in description failed get to to collar the Mughal Empire's ship Ganj-i-Sawai in 1695.
Biography[]
Thomas Tew's family was born make a fuss Maidford, Northamptonshire, England, queue his stock moved drawback Rhode Islet in 1640. Tew spoken for in privateering against picture Kingdom forged France splendid Spain onetime to petrified to Bermudas in 1691, and bear 1692 good taste obtained letters of label. Tew captained the sloop Amity, but put your feet up decided detain become a pirate degree than forced entry French material goods in Depiction Gambia, presentday in reduce 1693 dirt captured a large Amerindic ship (which had a 300-strong garrison) in picture Red Ocean. Governor Patriarch Fletcher of Newborn York befriended Tew when he bluntly returned attain America household 1694, put forward in Nov 1694 take action became a privateer speedily more. Captive August 1695, he united forces check on Henry Now and again and attacked a 25-ship treasure deduct of description Mughal Corp in picture Red Deep blue sea the labour month, delighted he attacked the ship Fateh Muhammad whereas Every convergent on description treasure ship Ganj-i-Sawai. During depiction battle, Tew was disemboweled by a cannon alter, and his crew surrendered; they would later just freed hunk Every, who was brave to blur the boodle of 500,000 coins usher hi
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Famous Pirate: Thomas Tew
"Wicked and ill-disposed person."
During the 1690s, Thomas Tew (sometimes spelled as Too) was one of the most famous Red Sea pirates. King William III mentioned him by name in his Royal Warrant issued to Captain Kidd for his pirate hunting as a specially "wicked and ill-disposed person".
Little is known about Thomas Tew before he arrived in Bermuda in 1692. According to some sources, he had wealthy family in Rhode Island. During the conflict with France, he served as a privateer on English ships. Soon, Tew was elected as a captain of Amity Venture.
From the Governor of Bermuda, Thomas received permission to attack French ships and colonies on the African coast. With Captain George Drew, he was supposed to join the Royal African Company and attack the French factory at Goori, in Gambia. However, after a storm damaged Captain George Drew's ship, Tew abandoned his original plan and became a pirate. He persuaded his crew easily because their initial assignment was too risky, and their salary was not good enough.
On the journey to the Red Sea, Tew encountered a great Indian ship with more than three hundred soldiers, beside seamen. Yet, Tew and his pirates dared to attack them! After a short battle, Tew was victoriou