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

DER. FOR TINS purpose they steered
northeast toward the eastern point of
Long Island, probably, like Kidd, seek
ing the shores of GARDENERS island. In
few days they sighted Long Island,
but their course had brought them too
far to the westward. They found them
selves within twenty miles of South
Hampton light. There they resolved to
leave the vessel in their boats.
A gale blew them still further west
ward along the coast, and at length,
though it was hazardous from the bois-
ferrous seas, they determined to attempt
to land. Atwell scuttled the brig, and
got into the jolly boat with Church and
Talbot. Jeffers, Brownrigg, Dawes and
the cook put off in the long boat. Two
miles from the shore, the jolly boat
swamped on bar, and all on board
were drowned. The long boat was in
great danger, and was only saved by
throwing overheard several bags of
specie.
By this time they had passed Rocka-
way and were off Jamaica bay. Here,
among the chain of islets at its mouth,
they sought hiding place for their
treasure. After great effort they made a
landing, first on Pelican island, and then
crossed to Great Barn or Barren island,
which is separated from Coney island
by narrow inlet. On this island they
buried their money bags, filed mostly
with Mexican dollars, part of which were
afterwards discovered by the washing
away of the sands by storms.
Soon afterward they met sportsman
who told them where they had landed.
Thence gaining the mainland, they came
to the house of Mr.. johnson, to whom
Brownrigg gave information of their
crimes. They proceeded further to Mr..
Leonard's house, where they procured
a wagon. As they were getting into it,
Brownrigg cried out that they were MUIR
derers and refused to accompany them.
Mr.. Leonard Immediately sent for q
magistrate. Jeffers and Dawes were Sc
cured, but Tom, the cook, escaped to
the woods, whittier he was soon followed
and captured.
The prisoners were taken to Flatbush
There they were put in charge of police
marshals Henry L. Merritt and Steven
son, and carried to New York. On the
way they made confession to the Off
GERS, Tom telling the whole story, occa-
sionally prompted by Jeffers. They ad-
mitted that Brownrigg was innocent,
but were not so favorable to Dawes.
Jetfers-his real name-gave an as
sumed name to his captors, viz: Charles
or George Gibbs. Tom gave his correct
name, Thomas I. Wansley. They were
arraigned in March, 1881, Dawes being
the witness for the prosecution. During
the trial the iron visage of Gibbs was
sometimes darkened with transient
emotion, but he had abandoned all hope
of escape, and for most of the time sat
with his hands between his knees, calmly
surveying the scene. Wansley was agi-
tated, and trembled visibly when he rose
to hear the verdict.
On being asked what he had to say,
the latter remarked that the witness had
failed to state the inadvertent manner in
which he first informed the crew of the
money being on board. But, said he,
when white men are the judges, differ
ence of color causes difference of treat.
ment, and SO he had no more to say. He
was quite coherent in his remarks, and
distinct in utterance. Gibbs spoke
fuently, rapidly, and with propriety
He declared himself innocent of the
murder of the mate, but said he had
helped to throw the captain overheard
Church and Dawes, he said, had insisted
on the murders. Wansley and Gibbs
were then sentenced to execution on the
22d of April
To Justice James Hopson, Gibbs gave
this sketch OF his life: He was born il
Providence, Rhode Island. At an early
age he was placed on board the United
States sloop of war Hornet, under Cap
tain James Lawrence, and was present il
the action when she sunk the British
brig Peacock, in 1918. The next veal
he was seaman ON the ill-fated Chesa
peake when Lawrence fell. Being cap
tured with the vessel, after his exchang,
he pursued a rowing and dissipated life
until at length he joined Colombian
privateer, the Maria, Captain Bell
Soon after, her crew of fifty men, mostly
Spaniards, seized the vessel and hoistet
the black flag. So, in 1916, he began
his career as pirate.
After capturing several ships he was
chosen leader of the buccaneers, ant
sailed the Spanish main for four year
in the new schooner Picciana. Their in
, variable practice was to murder th
crews and destroy the vessels. Arrange
ments had been made with canitalis
of Havana, Don Jose Rivera, by whicl
the pirates landed their plumber at Cap
! San Antonio. This respectable mer
} chant then sent his agents and receive,
it, sold it, and accounted for the pro
ceeds. The Picciana once narrowly es
capped capture by the British frigat
Coronation. In October, 1921, th
, pirates captured ship from Charlesto
and had taken her to San Antonio. The
, were busy unloading her cargo, whe
the United States brig Enterprise, Gar
| tain Kearnv. hove in sight. and. seein