Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-10-09
GIBBS, THE PIRATE.

About the first of November, 1880,
e the brig Vineyard sailed from New Or
leans, bound for Philadelphia William
Thornby was the master of the vessel,
and William Roberts the mate. The
crew numbered seven: James D. JEFF
fers ; Henry Atwell Albert Church !;
John Brownrigg James Talbot; Robert
Dawes, a boy; and Tom, young mu-
latto, born in Delaware, who acted as
cook.
Tom was the first of the crew who
came aboard, and while handling the
freight, he observed that considerable
amount of specie came also, in kegs and
bags. When the Vineyard was five
days out at sea, the crew-as sailors
sometimes do-were comparing accounts
as to how much money each had, when
Tom carelessly remarked that there was
plenty of it on board. "Then let's
have it," said Atwell. Tom at first
thought that this was a mere jest. But
Atwell's words had kindled thought
among his messmates, and when they
somehow, in course of week, discovered
that fifty thousand dollars were aboard
the silent thought famed into desire,
and desire into conspiracy to seize the
treasure. Much secret plotting follow
ed, and while the men were talking over
their plans, the boy Dawes was sent to
converse with the officers, so as to divert
their attention and prevent suspicion.
but in these plottings it does not appear
that Brownrigg took any part.
Eventually their counsels took the
form of resolve. It was resolved that
as both the master and mate were old
men, they should die, and make room
for the enterprise and success of younger
and more active men. Moreover, that
as the mate was peevish in disposition
and abrupt in manner, he was especially
deserving of death.
Atwell soon after sought the young
mulatto, and laid before him these ma
tured plans, telling him that the con-
spirators formed the strongest party on
board, and that they would take the
lives, not only of the officers, but of
such of the men as would not Join
them. The cook then consulted with
Church, who advised him not to betray
his messmates and SO, hesitating and
at last yielding, he became confederate
with them.
The time fixed upon for the act of
murder and piracy was the night of the
23d of November. The master was to
fall by the hands of Jefers and the cook.
The mate was assigned to Atwell and
Church.
When the night arrived, the Vineyard
was off stormy Hatteras. The master
stood on the quarterback. The mate
was down in the cabin. Brownrigg
was aloft. The cook was silently in
waiting forward, and the boy Dawes was
at the helm. Presently, Dawes called
the cook aft to trim the light in the
pinnacle. Tom fastened to obey, and
as he passed Captain Thornby he struck
him on the back ,of the neck with O
pump-brake. The captain fell, crying
I" murder!" Tom repeated the blows
till the captain was dead. Then came
Jeffers, and together they threw the
body overheard.
Aroused by the noise, Mr.. Roberts,
the mate, came fastening up the com
panion ladder. Atwell and Church were
waiting in the darkness for him at the
top. One of them struck him down
the ladder with club, but failed to kill
him. Jeffers rushed down the ladder tc
complete the work, but it was so dark
that he could not find his victim. He
fastened up again for the pinnacle light.
With this he descended and seized the
disabled mate. A struggle followed be.
low. The mate fought stoutly for his
life. Atwell jumped into the pit, but
still the mate held his stand against botE
of them. Then followed Church, and
with his aid, the exhausted mate was
dragged on deck, beaten to helplessness
and pitched overheard. He was mo-
dead, but swan after the vessel fol
several minutes, crying for help. Ther
he sank into the depths forever.
Dawes stood by the helm and wit
messed all these deeds. The pirates
were at last in full possession of the
brig. The cook busted himself in wash
ing up the bloody deck, declaring, will
an oath, that "though he had heard tha
the stains of the blood of murdered
person could not be washed out, h,
would wipe out these" Then followed
drink all around, and then they got VI
the money bags.
The treasure was distributed in equa
portions to all on board. Browning,
and Talbot were assured that if the,
would keep the secret and share th
plunder, they should receive no injury
Ihey feigned to comply.
Jeffers, the leader in these crimes
now took command of the brig. Fl
was an old buccaneer. He knew the out
look OF the seas, and he decided that
would be best to find some secure hidin,